My lucky day!!!

Yes it is!

I finally was able to catch the unicorn of cars: The "VW Jetta V6 Turbo Sport"!
A one of a kind wonder I didn't even know existed. And I know feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

What a day.

2018 Infiniti QX50

First pictures of the all new Infiniti QX50 interior HERE.

And it already looks really nice. Also, very very close to the concept we saw last year.
Inside and out. Which is good.
Let's just hope the "classy/subtle" looking wood trim from the concept is available in the production version (The pic above shows a metal finish instead)

The only weirdness to me is the double screen. Just like in the Q50.
I'd rather have one larger screen on top. But, that's just me...

At lest they left a few knobs. Which is great.

Here is the concept interior. (most of it seems to have made the translation to production)
Which seems a really nice place to travel.

Much more pictures, of the interior as well as the exterior, HERE.

How about another picture of the 2018 Nissan Leaf

That one is even grainier than the others.
Still, we can see the major changes, and a more modern/aggressive shape.

Nothing yet bout the range.
The current one is 107 miles.
Prices, before incentives,  start at $30 680 and go up to $36 790 for the SL model.
If there is a big bump in range, I would expect a bump in price too...

I drove the Leaf a while ago and liked it. (Except for the dangerous/super slow Eco mode)
It is peppy enough, comfortable and roomy. And the interior is very modern without feeling too cold.

Many parts of that interior will be carried over to the 2018 model. Which I think won't matter to happy owners who wish to upgrade to something newer.
It'll probably be "new enough' for them.

2018 Nissan Leaf

Here is the real thing. No camouflage, but blurry pix.

And it does link more aggressive than the current model. More angular.
While retaining almost all the glass and structure of the current one (Despite what a few obsessed Nissan fanboys might claim)
So, not an all new car, but most buyers will think it is. And I am sure Nissan will advertise it as such.

Of course, these pictures say nothing about the new EV range.
Which will of course be better than the current one.
But I really doubt it will match the amazing range of the Bolt.
Or the Model 3. Unless there is some "super battery pack" option. And in that case, it will end up being the same or more expensive than both the Bolt or Model 3.
(In its heart, this is still a 2011 Versa.)

We will know all that in just a few days...

2018 Acura RLX

At first I thought this was a new model. But no...
This is just a slightly revised version of the current RLX. The one no one is buying.
The one no one even knows is still around.

Acura is obsessed with their new "ghastly" grille design, so every model has to have it.
Even the ones that don't sell at all and should be replaced or canceled in the first place...

As a reminder, here is the current model.

As the video shows, it looks like just the new grille and rear lights for 2018.

I just wonder why they even bother....

Another picture of the mystery SUV.

I know it is very similar to the other picture. But it is a different one. Slightly...

Most people seem to think this is the Acura RDX.
But other spy shots of the RDX do show different placement for the tail lights. (Among other things)
Also, this thing is quite large in the flesh. Not like the RDX at all.
It is also much wider. The roof and the hood are quite flat.

It could be the MDX. Someone on my FB page has also mentioned the next Cherokee?



Why not...

More pictures of the Tesla Model 3

I have to say it is growing on me.

Although I am not crazy about that stark/cold interior...

And with about 500 000 orders to fill, good luck ordering one now.

It would be at least 2 years to actually see the car in your driveway.

That is assuming everything goes right with the production.

I have no idea how Tesla will all of a sudden be able to mass produce that many cars.

Mystery SUV: What is it???

This was caught a few hours ago in California.

And I am really not sure what it is.
All I can say is that it is pretty big in person. So this is not a compact SUV.

My guess are:

-Next Acura MDX
-Cadillac XT5
-Next Nissan Pathfinder

What do you think?

First official pictures of the production Tesla Model 3

Finally...

Of course, since we have seen uncovered prototypes driving around for month, the design has zero surprise.
And that interior is as spartan as expected.
The dash has its own futuristic/weird style while the doors look like they are from a Jetta.

A far as official specs, it looks like there will be 2 models offered .
A standard version with 220 miles range which starts at $35 000.
While a 310 miles version is $9000 more.

Only six colors are available. But unless you take the standard black, they are all a $1000 option.
(Which is just as ridiculous as it is obnoxious)
And if you don't like the cheapo looking dark wheels, the other ones are a $1500 option (!)

That wood on the dash is part of a $5000 premium package that includes a premium sound system, tinted glass roof, premium materials and power seats.

So it looks like the $35 000 car will be rather plain...
A well equipped one is actually around $42 500. Which is about $32 500 after incentives (in California).
Or the same price as a super basic and super boring BMW 3 series.
So it's not bad.

More pictures very soon....

Bollinger B1

This is such a great idea. It also shows what brand new small car manufacturers can do. 

Something the giant established car companies are afraid to. Or just can't think of...

This seems like an original Bronco/Hummer/International truck/Jeep all rolled up into one really cool truck.

A 21 century take on the classic American truck reborn as an EV.

(Why couldn't Ford or GM think of something like this???)

The Bollinger B1 even has a range of 120 or 200 miles (Probably more than the next Leaf...)

With 360HP!

At 150 inches long, it is about a foot shorter than a 2 door Wrangler. But about 3 inches wider.

You can go on the Bollinger site now, but will have to wait until next year to put your $1000 deposit for one.

I also hear about a $60 000 price. Which I think is a lot.

But you do get something very special, and extremely useful as a truck.

I think this is quite amazing, and I really wish Bollinger Motors the best.

I still thing the Chrysler Delta was a good idea.

Yes, for a while, Chrysler was actually thinking of importing the great looking Lancia Delta was a Chrysler in the US. 

 The news generation pictured above came out in 2008.

They showed/teased a version of it with a Chrysler badge and grille at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

But no. Crazy/stupid/greedy Sergio decided to spend tons of money into the Chrysler 200 instead.

(Only to cancel the car just a few years after it came out, blaming the designers for its lack of popularity)

This is really too bad. As this 2008 design still looks really modern today. That floating roof design element is now used on almost everything. And the rear seat arrangement looks really interesting.

This is one hatchback sedan that could almost compete with some SUVs.

Some Delta models did end up in England under the Chrysler name (The interior pix are from the British model)

It is really too bad this never made it over here.

Also too bad they never went through with the idea of merging Lancia and Chrysler.

Instead Sergio killed Lancia, and is doing the same thing with Chrysler. (And probably Dodge)

Can someone else please run this company before it is completely destroyed???

Just a couple more pix of the new Rolls Royce Phantom

Just in that more classic grey/black combo.

About that all new Rolls Royce Phantom...

 I posted a picture of the current model below the brand new one.
Since it is pretty much the only way to tell the new car apart.

The proportions are actually quite different. The new model also looks a lot simpler.

And it looks like they've done away with bumpers. Completely!
(Have the bumper laws completely been eliminated overnight??? Why???)

I also wonder why there is no good official picture of the car. I mean, this is the big Rolls! It's not like England doesn't have great photo locations for the most expensive sedan in the world.
Why release these horrible pix???

Even worse for the interior.
Why would Rolls Royce even show that horrible color combo?
This looks like a car the Joker drives. What the hell???

We are talking about one of the most expensive car in the world and the official pictures make it look like a movie prop joke!

I will try to find better pix (or not) soon. 

2018 Opel Insignia GS Wagon

Th picture says it all.
The new Insignia GSi will be offered in Europe as a wagon.
While the US Buick Regal GS version will not.

Interesting enough, the European version is powered by a 260HP version of the 2.0 Liter.
While our Regal version gets a much more powerful 3.6 Liter V6 with 310HP.
The base version of the Buick is already getting the 2.0 Liter with 250HP. Just 10 less than the sportier European offering in the Insignia.

For once, it looks like we are getting a much better deal here with the new Regal...

2018 Rolls Royce Phantom

I guess this is it, the new Phantom...

It's hard to tell from the interior, which seems very similar to the current one,.

But that was pretty much expected. 

Outside, things do look sleeker and these new LED lights make the whole from end strangely futuristic.

The grille seems more integrated to the rest of the car, like on the Wraith.

More on this very soon...

2018 VW T-Roc

Another illustration of the all new Compact SUV from VW.

At least I think. I don't think this is the real thing yet.
(Although I am sure it is about 90% correct from previous spy shots we have seen. )

And it does look very nice.
It will compete in the same segment as the Honda HR-V and may others.
So this will pretty much be everywhere soon after it comes out...

2018 Mazda CX-8

 This looks so much like the CX-9, it makes you wonder why they even bothered.

The thing is, this new CX-8 is for japan only. So far.
And is basically a long version of the CX-5. Not a "slightly sleeker" CX-9.
So it seats 7 in a smaller SUV than the CX-9.
Being smaller, I wonder if this will also be offered in Europe as well later...

So you can compare, here are pictures of the CX-5 and CX-9.
You can tell pretty much everything in front of the B-pillar of the CX-8 is similar to the CX-5, not the CX-9.

So here you go....

New Volvo XC40 teaser?

 This was just sent to me and I am not sure yet if is it real or not.

It looks like it could be a more revealing teaser for the upcoming XC40 compact SUV.
It does look pretty realistic, and close enough, yet a bit different, to the concept from last year.
The lights are a bit different, so are the wheels.
Rear wiper is visible etc... So this could very well be it.

Volvo is a in rush to release all of their SUVs as soon as possible. The new XC60 barely came out, while this XC40 is already around the corner.
Meanwhile, the new S60 and V60 are not even out yet.

Here is last year's concept. 

2019 For Focus Wagon

There will be, again, a wagon version of the new Ford Focus.
At least for the European market.
Which means it won't be built in China. Since, so far, only the US bound Focus is scheduled to come exclusively from China.

Small wagons are pretty popular in Europe so that makes sense.
Out of all the ones offered, we only get the VW Sportwagen over here.

More pictures of the next Focus Wagon HERE.

Official pictures of the Mitsubishi Expander

Apparently, this is for the Indonesian market. So we should not be seeing this over here any time soon (Thank you God)

And they are now not even sure of the "Expander" name and an official name will be announced at a later date...

This new MPV will be powered by a "New" 1.5 Liter engine and will be available with a 3rd row seat.

So don't expect any Evo style performance in the "New Mitsubishi" brand.

Or even normal acceleration.

The interior looks like we're back in the 90's.

And that face... All I can say is : good luck!