Upcoming Cadillac convertible? (CT3?)

Not sure. This was sent to me from Germany.
It does match the recent rumors of an ATS based convertible.
(Keep in mind this could be fake. Or even some early design model. Who knows)

Although it also does look quite different. My source also mentioned that even though the car is based on the ATS, it is more upscale and priced closer to the CTS.
Pretty much what GM already does with the Astra based Opel Cascada. (which should be coming over here as a Buick)

I also hear the ATS and CTS might be renamed CT2 and CT4. So the car pictures here would be the CT3.
The all new CT1 would be an even smaller sedan competing with the Audi A3.
(Which sounds ridiculous since there is already almost no room in the back seat of the ATS...)

All new Ram 700 Compact truck

This is pretty much a Fiat. Rebadged "Ram" for the Mexican market.
Which is fine.

It is based on the Fiat Strada and uses a version of the ancient 1.6 Liter used in the old Neon.
(Yes!. The Neon)

I think there is room for something like this in the US. Not with the Neon engine though. But Fiat has a few version of their modern 1.4 Liter they could use in this.

In Mexico it will start at around $14 000. Even it it became almost $20 000 here, I bet there would still be quite a few people interested. Something like a modern Subaru Brat.
Which would be kind of cool...

2016 Mazda CX-3

Mazda will show its all new CX-3 compact crossover at the Los Angeles auto show next month.
And, at least from this sketch, it looks really good.

It is based on the new Mazda2 and will use the same 1.5 Liter engine.
It will compete in this expending segment with the new (and delayed due to problems at the Mexican factory) Honda HR-V. But also the Chevrolet Trax and Nissan Juke.

And there is now a rumor than the small Hyundai iX25 will also be coming to the US.
A great time for tiny SUVs.

What could have been...

This is a prototype from 1988.
Porsche had then decided that a "4 door 911" called 989, was a good idea. Mostly for the US market.

And it didn't look too bad.
Just like the Panamera, over 20 years later, this was a front engine, RWD car. So not really a 4 door 911.

Interesting...

Something you don't see every day...

Last night, in Malibu.

More teasing: Nissan Concept

Another teaser of that new Nissan SUV/Crossover concept.

Not sure why they would have another compact SUV since they already have the Juke, which is quite popular in many countries.
The Juke also just got updated for 2015. So an all new one is not around the corner.

Scion iM Concept

 Scion will show this new model at the Los Angeles auto show next month.

This is not really a concept. More like a preview of their new model. Which is basically, as they mentioned before, an updated version of the European Auris hatchback.
So basically, a Corolla Hatch. Just what the Elantra GT is to the regular US sedan version.

Which is fine, Scion does need new models. Anything...

Here is the current Auris for Europe. As you can see, the "concept" has a revised grille/headlights/bumpers. But that's about it.

2016 Acura ILX

Acura will revise the ILX for the new year.
Here is what the official PR BS says:
" Potent new power train, more aggressive exterior styling, significantly upgraded interior elements".

Which probably means: " Now available with the same 2.4 Liter engine used in the TLX, new wheels and lights, (With 5 more hp), more wood/aluminum trim inside.

I really don't hunk there will be much more than that...

Something you don't see every day...

Except on my street...

New Nissan Concept coming up.

So far the only thing we know is that it will be introduced on October 28th at the Sao Paulo autoshow.
SUV? Crossover?

What do you think?

Audi A9 Concept

Audi is now supposed to show an all new concept at the upcoming L.A Auto Show.

Something, they say, that will show a new design direction.
Which means that maybe, just maybe, future Audis won't just look like squared off versions of the current ones...

This does looks like a hatchback. (On the right of the picture). A wagon or some sort of a crossover?
It almost seems weird. As A9 would be more upscale than the S-Class fighting A8.

I'll report in person from the show!

Something you don't see every day...

That's right. Someone actually spent some money trying to pass their Chevy pick up truck for a Cadillac.
I guess it's not that hard, since you can just get an older Escalade front end and a few logos.

Quite amazing what people think is cool...

Something you don't see every day...

 The good old Cadillac Cimarron from the 80's.
I haven't seen one around in so many years...

A car we don't see anymore. But it is still mentioned every single time a luxury car maker is trying to come out with a small car.  It was mentioned a lot when the current ATS came out.
It is basically what Lincoln did with the original MKZ. Which was so much a Fusion.

Here are some ads from the 80's. Showing how GM was selling the car.
Which was just an over priced dressed up Chevy Cavalier.

"This one's got the touch" is quite an amazing slogan. It's so bad it's good.
And "Best of all...It's a Cadillac".  Like if Cadillac still had this great image in the 80's..

More pictures of the all new European VW Passat

Looking quite nice and upscale. That interior is miles ahead of our "US/China" model.
And it doesn't look that much smaller inside.
All we'll be getting over here is a revised version of our current model for 2016.
Which could include a similar front end.
Which means that even if VW wanted to send this one over here, it would be at least 2 or 3 years.

This is just too bad....

2016 Toyota Prius + (US Prius V)

 The "Big Prius" gets a few tweaks for the new year.
Most of it is on the front end, which is now much more aggressive looking.
It is using these vertical scoops Toyota seems to be putting on everything these days.

With a brand new "regular" Prius next year, the larger model has to be modernized a bit.
That new front end might be showing us what's in store for the next Prius...

Here is what it looks like now.
As you can see, the new one is the European Prius + model.
But I'm pretty sure it's coming over here soon as the revised Prius V.

2016 Kia Niro

 The Niro is based on the same platform as the recently introduced Hyundai iX25.
A small SUV that mostly competes with the Nissan Juke.

Not sure yet if any of these will make it to the US. But the market will be getting crowded soon, with the arrival of the all new Honda HR-V and Chevrolet Trax.

Here is the cousin, the Hyundai iX25. 

Something you don't see every day

But I do see them, once in a while.
And it always brings a smile. I like this car. I'm glad some people did like it enough to buy one while the company was in such trouble.

It's just good to see...

Fiat 500X Interior

This is quite nice.
And foe my taste, much better than it's Jeep Renegade cousin.

Not sure which one of the 2 will be the cheapest, but this sure looks quite upscale for such a small SUV.
The treatment of the leather is quite interesting too.
I can't wait to see this in person.

Fiat 500X

Finally! The real thing.

After all this time, there isn't much of a surprise. Which is fine, since it looks quite nice.
It does look more like a 500 than the oddly designed 500L.

I am sure this will turn out to be quite a hit for Fiat in the US. This is exactly what they need.

More and better pictures soon.

Audi TT Sportback Concept

I think this is fantastic!
A 4 door hatchback version of the new TT.
While the design is pretty tame for the regular TT. It looks really good and original as a sedan.

I think this is a great idea and really hope Audi finds it in their little heart to actually produce this.
they have mentioned before that they want the TT to become a full line of cars.
This would be a great start.

To me this is much more appealing than the super conservative A3 sedan.
Just add a big glass roof to it....

More pictures of the all new 2016 Jaguar XE

I was waiting for pictures of the "regular" version.
You know, the one most people will actually get. I was hoping that some chrome around the windows and on the grill would make it look a bit more like a Jaguar.
Well, it does. Sort of.

Now it looks almost exactly like an XF. The larger model that came out in 2007.
Yes, the new model looks almost exactly like a 7 year old design.
Which, I think, is a huge disappointment.
Since it is a 2016 model for Europe. But we are getting it here as a 2017 model!
It is still more than a year away for the US market.

Inside, nothing at all says "Jaguar". Nothing....

I was really expecting a lot from this car. Something with strong personality to do battle with the German models.
Instead we are getting some generic committee product.

Ot's just too bad....