2023 Cadillac Lyriq: 1970s colors coming back?

The Debut Edition of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq is only available in 2 colors: dark grey or black.

But GM has also announced many more colors will be available in the regular models once the car is actually launched into the world.

These photos are from China where other colors will obviously be available as well.

This pale blue is very reminiscent of much older Cadillacs from the 60s and 70s.

( I remember seeing a photo of pale green somewhere too a while ago)

It comes with over 300 miles range and the base model will cost $60 000 before any incentives.

Which is about $3000 less than the "318 miles rated" Tesla Model 3.

And cheaper than any of its competition from other luxury manufacturers. 

Production of the Lyriq has already started for the Debut Edition. 

Other versions should follow before the end of the year.

I'm actually really curious about this one. At least from the photos we've seen, it seems really upscale. With a good range. All for a very competitive price. It all depends on standard equipment, but at least we know the panoramic roof is standard. So far it seems pretty impressive.

 

2023/24 Chevrolet Montana: new illustration...

Chevrolet released official teasers of the new Montana compact pick-up a while ago. 

Now we get a pretty realistic illustration (top) f what the whole thing could look like.

At least from this, it looks very nice. This would be a great competition to the super popular Ford maverick in the US. Unfortunately, the Montana is currently only scheduled for brazil and other South American markets.

While the next generation Montana will be much larger than the super-compact current version, it will still be a bit smaller than the Maverick. Which would be great. 

I just saw a Maverick yesterday and it's not really compact at all. Except when compared to other larger trucks.

Something a bit smaller would be great.

Although the huge advantage of the Ford is its standard hybrid powertrain, and I don't think GM has anything to compete with that currently. Which is really too bad.

How about using the old Volt powertrain? With a cool 50 miles EV range!

Just kidding. I know...

 

2023 Acura Integra pricing: official info...

It looks like the base Integra is about $ 3000 more than a similarly equipped (or close) Honda Civic EL-X hatchback. Although the Honda does come with leather.

The base Integra is about $1000 more than the top-of-the-line Touring hatchback. But the Honda does come standard with a great 12 speaker Bose system not available in the Acura.

Acura's fantastic 16 speakers setup is only available with the Tech Package. At almost $36 000.

The new Integra isn't cheap. But it's an Acura, not a Honda. Although a lot of its interior is lifted from the Honda and materials are probably not that much better.

The killer is the CVT. Honda's great 6-speed manual is only available as a no-cost option on the top-of-the-line model. Which seems too bad, until reality sets in. Which means almost no one will actually order the manual anyway. And it will probably be available only for a couple of years due to poor sales.

This car really needed the 10-speed auto from the Accord. Unless they worked wonders with the CVT, I can't see this driving much nicer than the Civic Turbo. Where most of the Turbo's extra power is ruined by the CVT anyway...

 

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6: new spy illustration...

 

This seems quite realistic. Matching most of the recent spy shots we've seen.

As far as I know, this would be a direct competition to the Tesla Model 3. Since the new BMW i4 is even more expensive than the Tesla. As so is the Polestar 2. The new Ioniq 6 sedan will probably be cheaper than the $47 000 Model 3. And actually have a fighting chance.

We have seen another realistic illustration of the interior, which already seems very nice and much more upscale than the Tesla. 

At least Hyundai is coming out with very different, original and fun designs for their Ioniq EV series. 

2023 Range Rover Sport: new spy shot...

No surprises here. The next-generation Range Rover Sport will look a lot like the current one. A bit smoother and softer looking, but not that much cleaner. The Sport has always been a very nice-looking SUV. And the current generation is still attractive. The new one now looks a lot more like the much cheaper Velar. Not really sure that's a great move. 

I guess maybe the differences are more obvious in real life. Just like they are for the new Range Rover which is pretty stunning in the flesh.

We'll see...
 

2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV: camping companion...

Chevrolet has a lot of cool options planned for the new electric Silverado.

There will even be various cabs available. Like the one pictured above.

Not only does it look nice, but it also makes the new electric truck look like a super long raised wagon.

The best part is the Multi-Flex midgate. Which allows the rear seat to fold forward. (Why didn't Hyundai think of that for the Santa Cruz???)

And would allow plenty of room to sleep. Since the whole area would be as long as 10ft 10in.

It also looks like the rear window folds as well.

This would create more camping room than any SUVs around.

Plus, there is a large front truck for more stuff.

The 400 miles battery range will apparently be available on the cheaper "Work Truck" version (top pic)

But the base $39 000 version will have less range. 

Still, I just wonder if you'll be able to get this with a WT model with a cab and the 400 miles battery for around $50 000 before incentives. That would be one great camping companion...

 

2023 Mercedes GLC: new spy shot...

This is as naked as the 2023 Mercedes GLC has ever been. Lights are still covered, but most of the profile is visible. 

And, as always with Mercedes, it looks a lot like the previous one. With a bit of other current Mercedes models. Especially the EQC EV (bottom pic)

Which means a bit softer looking. Sharp creases are mostly gone.

Although from that angle it really could be a bunch of other things from other manufacturers. 

This is probably the last generation GLC powered by gas. A 2nd generation EQC will probably take over in a few years. Looking slightly more modern...

 

What could have been: VW ID.Buzz pick-up...

 This is obviously a few years old. based on an early version of the ID.Buzz concept. 

And it looks great. VW released this to show they were really working on a different version of their new electric van. This is a great idea. Especially for the US market. 

But the price of something like this could kill it. While the Ford Maverick is a huge seller. Hyundai only sold around 10 000 units of the Santa Cruz last year. It seems people don't mind getting a more car-like pick-up if it's cheap enough. The Santa Cruz is much more car (crossover) like, but also much more expensive than the Ford. 

Something like the cool EV above could end up costing well over $50 000. ( no price info on the regular ID. Buzz yet) Quite a bit of money for a cool/fun toy. Although it looks like it could also work as a family car. And the Tesla Model Y now starts at $63 000. 

Who knows, maybe there's a market for this...

2023 Chevrolet Chuangku/Trax: new interior...

This Chinese Chevrolet model, the Chuangku, came out a couple of years ago. 

For the new year, it is getting a few changes (orange car) and a vastly improved interior.

For some markets, (like India) the Chuangku actually replaced what we have here as the Chevrolet Trax.

GM has already announced a brand new Trax for the US coming soon. Since this has been around for a couple of years, I'm not sure this will be our North American Trax replacement.

Although why not. It depends on how much GM wants to spend.

This is already more modern than the current Trax.

The problem with all these FWD-based GM crossovers is that they all look the same now. They all have some of that Blazer DNA. With sharp lines and creases. Everything starts looking "GM generic" these days.

We just saw the new Seeker. And that could also replace the Trax over here. 

 

2023/24 Nissan GT-R: new illustration...

 2009 was the first model year for the Nissan GT-R. 

This cool illustration shows what the next generation could look like. Even though the GT-R isn't meant to be sold in big numbers, (down to only 228 units sold in the US last year...) it seems Nissan could be thinking of adding 2 doors to the coupe.

 In what seems to be an attempt to make the car a bit more popular.

The illustration above also shows an EV. Even though there were rumors last year about a V8 hybrid power train for the next generation.

2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia: new illustration...

 Plenty of weird stuff here...

All we know about the next-generation Alfa Romeo Giulia is that it will be an EV. There will be no gas version of the new sedan. (The electric Giulia will be joined by a larger EV SUV later.)

The illustration above doesn't seem to show an EV, to begin with. There's just too much grill for that.

It also seems to be based on the Chinese Ford Evos. Or the Citroen C5 X. The Citroen is one of the weirdest cars currently around, and an Alfa version of that would just be terrible. 

I really don't think this is accurate at all. In fact, a car looking like this would be a worst-case scenario for the poor Giulia. A raised, ungainly tall hatchback. So far, the Tesla Model 3 has shown the world there is a huge market for an electric sedan. Maybe that only works for Tesla? Who knows. Hyundai will soon find out with their upcoming EV6.

And I hope Alfa Romeo does too. With a real sedan and a great Italian design.

2023 Ford Taurus: official pix...

Yes, there is an all-new generation Ford Taurus for 2023. In the middle east.

And yes, it does look quite familiar. That's because this new Taurus is the same car as the 2022 Ford Modeo for the Chinese market. The one we just saw a few months ago.

Apparently, the Taurus has been a huge hit in various middle east countries. SinceFord is probably not planning to redesign the one currently sold in China only, it means a rebadge of the new Mondeo was the only solution to replace the Taurus in the middle east.

Which might or might not work, since this Chinese Mondeo isn't really a Taurus. No matter what the badge says.

As the new car is about 8 inches shorter than the previous "real" Taurus. And only available with a 2.0 Liter Turbo.

Which won't give fans of the previous model that big V6 sedan feel. 

It's almost as if Toyota was going to replace the Camry with a new version of the Corolla in the US...

 

2023 Hyundai Grandeur: a look inside...

As far as I know, this is the very first interior photo of the upcoming 2023 Hyundai Grandeur sedan.

As expected, it doesn't look like any other current Hyundai. 

Just like the exterior, we saw again just a couple of days ago, this will have a very 80s vibe.

Sure it looks quite busy and blocky. Which is part of that 80's interior design. (Remember our Toyota Cressida?) 

Again, the next-generation Grandeur will not be making the trip to North America...

 

2023 Rolls Royce Spectre: new illustration...

 We have all seen the "official" spy shots from Rolls Royce. And this illustration does look really close to the prototypes. And pretty realistic as well.

Rolls is finally coming up with an electric car. Which is just so perfect for the brand. I don't think many take these cars on a 500 miles road trip. But they do want quiet and powerful. 2 things an electric Rolls will be perfect for.

The new Spectre will look a lot like a more modern Wraith coupe. Which is fine. I guess coupe buyers are a bit younger than for their sedans. These people might be more willing to try something all-new like an EV.

2023 Hyundai Kona: new spy shot...

Today we gt to see a little bit of the fender details of the upcoming 2023 Hyundai Kona.

Just like the rest of the car, it already seems much more angular than the current design.

I still like the current Kona. I just hope Hyundai doesn't turn it into something far less attractive. The world doesn't need another VW Tiguan.

 

2023 Lexus RZ: Vs the original Concept and bZ4X...

We all know and expect a production car to be a bit toned down from its original concept. It almost always happens. 

But the original Lexus concept from last year didn't look that far out, to begin with. It just looked great. And a breath of fresh air for the brand.

Unfortunately, the production version unveiled just a few days ago is drastically different. And ends up looking like another invisible Lexus. Is it a new RX? the new NX?

Who knows. Since they all look the same. And now, this includes the all-new RZ as well.

Sure, at least, it's not a Toyota bZ4X with Lexus badges. As you can see, they actually gave the Lexus its own design. 

But it actually doesn't look fancier or more expensive than the cheaper Toyota. 

I just don't see this being a hit for Lexus. (it even has a smaller EV range than the Toyota)

It could be destroyed by the competition. 

2023 Hyundai Grandeur: new video...

Interesting video of the upcoming 2023 Hyundai Grandeur luxury sedan caught in traffic.

We actually don't get to see more than what we've seen before. The cool frameless doors are obvious in these images. Which adds a cool touch to the retro-futuristic design.

Like I said, not much new stuff here. But something to watch on a slow news day...

2024 Kia EV9: new illustration...

 

I did see the EV9 concept at the Auto Show late last year. And thought it was just too weird and ungainly.

As most of you know, I do love something a bit more original. But that weirdo SUV design was just a bit much for me. And I really think, for most potential buyers as well. Kia has just mentioned the production version will be out in 2023. And at least 80% of the concept design would make it into the production model. Which might be OK. 

The illustration above does a great job of guessing what a production version could look like.  I also think it looks much better than the concept. And would probably be more acceptable to most buyers. There is also a rumor about a $50 000 starting price before incentives. This is also good news. Although that doesn't leave much room for potential EV7 and EV8 models above the $41 000 EV6.

Unless they are totally different cars. As far as I know, there is no equivalent to the Ioniq 6 Sedan planned for Kia.

 Or is there???

2023 Volvo Embla: new illustrations...

 

Apparently, the Volvo XC90 successor might be named Embla. 

Not only a weird name but also a strange idea. Why would you replace the XC90 name that has been quite popular for 2 generations? Is the rest of the lineup switching to names too?

The illustrations above obviously show what an electric version would look like. This new SUV (XC90 or not) is rumored to be offered in both EV and ICE versions. At least for a while.

There is also a rumor about the current XC90 still being offered alongside the new model for a few years.

Who knows...

2023 BMW 7 series: a very Chinese German sedan...

The new BMW 7 series actually reminds me of these huge and obnoxious luxury Chinese sedans. Especially the Hongqi H9. And especially with its $12 000 two-tone option, of course.

As you can see, they both have grilles that are as big as they can be. I have to say, even though these 2 tone paint jobs are pretty horrible, it seems to work a little bit better on the Hongqi design. 

(that rear view of the poor BMWis just horrible)

And both of these look old. Especially the BMW that just came out.

It seems BMW is chasing after the Chinese market so bad it turned the 7 series into a Chinese car. 

As someone mentioned in the comments earlier, it will be interesting to see how the new 7 will do against the S-Class and even the aging Audi A8.

Here are the numbers for last year:

- BMW 7 series: 7705

- Mercedes S-Class: 14 282

- Audi A8: 2069

- Lexus LS: 3739

- Genesis G90: 1821

- Tesla Model S: 11 556

Quite interesting numbers. Obviously, the S-Class is all new and benefits from all that press coverage and the new car launch budget. The Genesis will be all-new very soon. Which might help it a lot. 

It is quite amazing for Tesla to still be selling over 10 000 units a year of a 10-year-old design. Which really shows how powerful that brand can be, no matter what. 

Although as of last year, the Model S was the only EV choice in the segment. It will be interesting to see numbers once the Mercedes EQS, G90EV, i7 and more upcoming luxury EVs become more available.