2022 Honda Civic sedan: official pix...

These are some of the official photos of the all-new 2022 Honda Civic.

It is about 1.5 Inches longer. With a longer wheelbase as well. 

Specs are very similar to the current model:

- LX and Sport models get a 2.0 Liter with 158HP

- EX and Touring get the 1.5 Liter Turbo with 180HP.

- CVT only

- Touring version gets a 12 speaker Bose system and 9-inch screen.

Gas mileage seems to be slightly improved. But it was already great.

In my test drive of the Civic Coupe a while ago, I really got fantastic real life gas mileage. Much better than the official numbers.

The Turbo was smooth and quiet. And the CVT worked great.

So this is probably a very nice car. The interior is really growing on me as well. I really like some of the details. The exterior is kind of a letdown. But I do have higher hopes for the upcoming hatchback.

A Si version will also come out later, with a 6-speed manual standard.

What do you think?

 

2022 Toyota Land Cruiser: just one more pic...

 This angle really shows how blocky the new 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser looks.

And also quite generic. Since this could actually be from anyone. Including a number of Chinese manufacturers....

2022 Honda Civic Touring: more pix...

To me, these look better than all the previous shots I have seen. Sure, it's not original at all, since it is basically the same design as the 3-year-old Accord.

But it looks just fine for what it is. Even quite upscale in this higher end version.

The taillights are even quite pleasant looking.

Whether we like it or not, this will be everywhere soon.

What do you think?

 

2022 Honda Civic Pix & Video: this is it!!!

I have to say, I actually like what I see so far. The interior actually seems a bit original and quite classy and higher end.

I really like the details. Of course, I am still not a fan of the tablet screen. But what are you gonna do...

Now I really can't wait for the hatchback. And also hope that Honda does the right thing: offering this with a Hybrid option!

(Big thanks to a reader for the tip!)

2022 VW ID4 GTX: the ID4's sportier AWD twin...

 

The new GTX version of the ID4 is basically the sports version. With AWD. Which wasn't available in the "regular" ID4.

The GTX has a total of 295HP from 2 motors. Vs 200 for the regular version with a single motor. 

While the GTX will not be sold in the US, we will be getting an AWD option for the ID4 pretty soon.

On another note, I know VW has very high hopes for their EVs over here. But it seems there is still quite a widespread feeling of resentment over the "Dieselgate" scandal in the US. On top of this, VW has a long history of being known as an unreliable brand. With tons of well-known electrical/electronic problems.

Which is, oddly enough, very different from their image in Europe.

I really think they will have a very hard time in the US convincing people that they are now a different company. Buying an electric car from a company known for electric problems is still a huge step for many...

2023 Kia Sportage: early look inside...

It sure looks nice and simple. But also. that layout seems to be everywhere these days. Especially in new Chinese Buicks and Fords. (It must be the cheapest way to include 2 screens)

At least, it does simplify interior designs. At the cost of personality...

(thanks to a reader for this!)
 

2022 Honda Civic sedan: new photos...

These new pictures of the 2022 Honda Civic actually don't show us more than what we have seen a few weeks ago (HERE)

As we have mentioned before, the new generation seems a bit more grown-up. Which usually means a cleaner design. But also less personality. 

I am more curious to see how the hatchback will turn out. Since it has been looking pretty good in spy shots and illustrations so far.

So far so... OK?

 

2022 Toyota Land Cruiser : even more ix...

This version of the new 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser looks a bit fancier than the one posted earlier.

Maybe it's just the chrome around the windows. Or the larger wheels.

I guess we'll get to see the interior pretty soon now...

 

Hollywood Blvd: driving video...

Taking a drive down Hollywood Blvd. From beginning to end. 

Starting from the "pretty part" in Laurel Canyon. And going through the ugly touristy part. 

And driving by some really cool old local landmarks...

The white hood you see in the video is the one from the Honda Ridgeline I was driving just a few weeks ago. 

2022 Toyota Land Cruiser: more pix...

 

This is actually a nice surprise... Sure, there's nothing really new and it's pretty generic.

but at least it is a very clean design. This is actually surprising considering what Toyota has been doing with the Land Cruiser in recent years. Adding more and more chrome and cheezy bits with every facelift.

As mentioned earlier, this is, so far, not scheduled for the US.

Which seems such a weird move for our SUV crazy market...

2022 Kia Niro: new illustration...

 

This new illustration actually seems quite nice looking. Better than the horrible stuff we have seen before. 

The big lower grille has a weird Toyota feel to it. Otherwise, this could work. Kia really needs to re-invent the Niro for this new generation.

Things are moving towards pure electric cars very quickly now. And, even though a plug-in hybrid vehicle makes a lot of sense, it really needs to offer much more than 20 or 30 miles to even be considered. Unless it's dirt cheap. 

The next Niro needs to step things up and offer at least a 60 miles EV range. Which is what I was able to get in a 2nd generation Chevy Volt years ago... 

(Thanks to a reader for sending me this!)

2022 Toyota Land Cruiser: new pix...

The photo I posted yesterday was apparently not the next Land Cruiser.

But these are. And it's actually not that bad. 

Even though only pure fans will recognize this new one. 

There seems to be so much competition in this segment these days...

I guess this could fill the super tiny segment known as " old fashion yet not retro".

 

2022 Genesis GV60: new spy shots, in yellow...

Unlike Cadillac, it looks like Genesis still believes in offering some fun colors. From these photos, we know that at least, yellow will be a choice for the new 2022 Genesis GV60 Electric car.

Besides the new color, it's hard to see anything really new from these photos. This is the third model based on Hyundai-s new EV platform. After the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. So expect similar specs as well.

Since the Kia and Hyundai versions have already shown very nice interiors, I would expect this to be quite upscale. 

We have seen so many spy shots of this for so long, I would guess it'll come out any day now...

2022 Genesis G90: new spy shot...

For the first time, we get a pretty good look at the rear light design of the next-generation Genesis G90 sedan.

Or do we? This does look very different from their current design language. Which uses 2 lines for the rear lights. On all their cars...

This actually does match what we saw earlier (HERE) It would be strange for the new G90 not to have what is now a big part of the Genesis design signature. I'll file this under "pretty clever camouflage"...

I guess we should be seeing this one pretty soon. And again, an electric version of the next G90 is also planned. 

 

2022/23 Toyota Land Cruiser: next generation...

 We already know Toyota will not offer the Land Cruiser in the US for 2022. Which means it could come back for 2023. Or maybe only be offered as a Lexus from now on. Who knows...

I had posted a few illustrations of the beast before, (HERE and HERE) but it seems the real thing is even worse. I guess they might be right by not offering this in the US anymore. I just wonder if a Lexus grille will make it better.

2023 Cadillac Lyriq: the production model...

Cadillac has just released official photos of the production 2023 Lyriq Electric Crossover.

And it really looks almost exactly like the concept. So this is great news for those who liked that concept in the first place. (If only they could have done the same thing with some of their other fantastic previous Concepts...)

The interior looked fantastic on the concept last year. But as we know, things are moving very, very fast these days. And by the time the Lyriq goes on sale, these giant screens will be everywhere.

- The Lyriq is going on sale in about a year from now as a 2023 model.

- Rservations start in September 2021.

- Over 300 miles of electric range from the 100Kw/h battery.

- 190kW fast charging allows for 76 miles in 10 minutes.

- 20-inch wheels standard with 22-inch option.

- Only 2 colors available, Satin Steel and Stellar Black.

- Only 2 interior colors as well. Black or grey.

- RWD with 340hp.

- $59 990.

While I mostly like the design (The rear lights should have been clear and not red. Like on some early prototypes I've seen), the interior seems a bit cold. There is a mention of wood trim in the press kit but it doesn't seem to be on any of the photos provided.

The price does seem right. Depending on the standard equipment. It is cheaper than the Audi E Tron of the Jaguar EV.

The Lyriq is also quite long at almost 197 inches. Only about 2 inches shorter than the XT-6.

To me, the worst part is the lack of AWD at launch (good luck with that)

But especially the lack of colors.

I mean really, black or grey? that's it? 

For a luxury brand, this is really unheard of. Even the cheapest car sold in the US has more than 2 colors to pick from. 

This is almost like a joke...

Audi A6 E-Tron Concept: a look inside...

 

The only thing I have seen (so far) about the new Audi E-Tron A6 concept interior is the official illustration above.

From what we see here, it looks like a drastic departure from their current trend. As the new A3 has a very angular and super busy interior. This is just super simplistic. Almost Tesla-like. But classier.

I know it is difficult to judge from a sketch, but Audi ash already said the Concept is about 95% of what the production car will be. And I bet the same goes for the interior.

2022/23 Mercedes EQE: new illustration...

Now that we have seen the EQS, let's take a look at what the Mercedes EQE might look like.

 If the illustration above is correct, the EQE will look very much like a smaller EQS. Which is probably right. Since that's what Mercedes has been doing for decades.

Since the EQS is going after the Tesla Model S, the EQE will be Mercedes's equivalent to the Model 3. 

Although probably more expensive... So=ince, you know... Mercedes.

 

Lincoln Zephyr Concept Vs. Ford Evos: interior cousins...

I mentioned earlier the interior similarities between the new Ford Evos and the Zephyr Concept.

Of course, they are different. But also so similar. The proportions are pretty much the same. Placement of stuff like vents. etc...

I think the Zephyr could actually be a lowered, luxury sedan version of the Evos. And why not. I understand the need for Lincoln to offer a sedan in China where that body style is still very popular. And not be willing to spend the investment on an all-new car. Really, I do understand...

I also understand that an EV-only version of the Zephyr could make an interesting Tesla Model 3 competitor in the US...

( I just "understand" everything there is, I guess...) 

 

Lincoln Zephyr Reflection Concept: all-new Lincoln sedan coming up...

 

If there is one thing I never expected on this planet, it is a new Zephyr sedan from Lincoln...

But, as part of the ever-important "expect the unexpected" life lesson, here is the new "Lincoln Zephyr Reflection Concept."

Apparently, this is, again, "designed solely for the Chinese market". Which really can mean anything. It can mean we'll never see this in the US, or they'll change the headlights and it's coming over.

As you can see, this is very close to a real car. And a production version is actually coming next year. 

Not sure yet, but that grille looks like it is an EV. Or at least one version will be electric. Also not sure what it is based on. Since there is no way Ford is creating a new platform for a new Lincoln sedan.

I posted the photo of the new Ford Evos to compare it with the Zephyr interior. And they do look closely related, don't they?

As for the design, I really like the idea of a Lincoln sedan. But this looks very derivative. It just looks a lot like other cars, with a Lincoln grille. I see a Genesis G80, the Audi A6 e-Tron, Lexus ES to name a few.