2023 BMW X1: official photos...

Here are the first official shots of the new BMW X1 for 2023.

As I mentioned yesterday, I think it actually looks quite decent. Especially considering BMW's latest ghastly design work. (Maybe we're now used to such tragic designs from BMW these days)

The interior seems premium and the widescreen is much better integrated than in the revised 2 and 3 series.

In the US power will only come from an updated 2.0 Liter Turbo with 241HP. (The EV version isn't scheduled for us. Why???) 

It will go on sale at the end of this year and will start at $38 600. Which is about $3000 more than the current model.

Although the 2023 X1 now has standard AWD. Which was a $2000 option last year.

Basically, for only about $1000 more, this already looks like a lot more car than before...

 

2023 Lexus RX: new photo...

 This was just sent to me by a reader. 

I have to admit, I have no idea who is the guy in the picture. As for the new Lexus RX, it does look really good so far. And I do like what they have done with the grille. If you, somehow, must keep the spindle design, this is the best way to do it. 

Looking much cleaner and much more modern.

Official photos coming very soon...

(Thanks to Jeff B. for the pic)

2023 Lexus RX: leaking...

We've actually seen a little bit of the redesigned 2023 Lexus RX a few months ago during Toyota EV presentations. Then a couple of teasers.

Now we see the whole thing right before the official presentation. And as predicted, it looks a lot like the current version. Although it is truly new. It looks like this is a machine created to keep current customers. (And there are plenty) The interior is a lot like the new NX. 

And apparently, the powertrains will be very similar too. 

More on the new RX very soon...

 

2023 Jeep EV: new spy shot...

We saw a concept version of the upcoming small Jeep EV back in March (bottom pic)

Today we have a spy shot of the production model. Which, as far as we can see under the camouflage, could end up looking exactly like the concept. Which would be great.

Stellaris had mentioned earlier that all their new EVs based on their dedicated electric platform would get between 300 and 500 miles of electric range. A good-looking small affordable Jeep crossover with a 300 miles range could be a huge hit for them. 

Now, how about some of that good stuff for Dodge and Chrysler...

 

2023 BMW X1: leaking...

For once, I think this redesigned BMW is an improvement. It won't win any design award, but it seems better than the current version.

Things seem a bit cleaner and sharper. Sure, that rille is pretty big. But at least its design is a bit simple rthan th ecurrent really weirdly shaped one. And the headlights aren't as hugely cartoony.

Too bad they still insisted on adding such a huge amout of that black plastic crap all over the rear bumper though...

The dashbaord seem to be the first from BMW where the screen works pretty well. Mostly becasue the whole thing was designed at the same time.

Unlike the revised, 2 and 3 series where the screen is trying to fit the "old" dash. 

Although the vents on this look pretty crudely designed. At least on the photo we have. 

In the US, the current model starts at around $35 000. I guess this will be a bit more. In line with the Audi Q3 and a bit less than the Mercedes CLA.

More info on this very soon. And specs of the new EV version. 

 

DeLorean Alpha5: official photos...

 

It's actually a good thing they didn't try to go retro on this.

There is no way to improve or modernize Giugiaro's classic design for the DMC 12. 

The new model was still designed by Ital Design (without Giugiaro) and I think it looks great. In its own way.

A 4 seat electric sports car is just another thing entirely. One that could actually appeal to more people. 

Although I'm a big fan of the design, the interior seems quite unoriginal. There's just nothing really new in there. And it doesn't really look very premium either. It's nice, but it could also be the interior or so many new Chinese EVs these days. 

Apparently, it can do 0 to 60 in 3 seconds and has a 300 miles range. 

Personally, I'd rather have a longer range than useless super-fast acceleration.

The new Delorean is supposed to be built at the Ital Design's facility in Italy. But who knows really.

This is a nice concept from a small Texas company that has so far just refurbished old DeLorean cars.

They also want to limit the production to 88 units. Which means we will never see one anyway.

This is really too bad. We need more cars looking like this on the roads. And they shouldn't just be billionaire toys either. I'm afraid this might end up nowhere...

2023 Kia EV9: Vs. the concept...

While we know the production version of the Kia EV9 will be different from the 2021 Concept, it seems it'll actually look pretty close...

Which, I'm not sure is a good thing. At least in my opinion. In the flesh at the L.A. Auto Show, the EV 9 just looked weird, unfinished, and heavy-handed. Like a giant Tonka Toy.

From the spy shots above, it seems Kia is doing its best to keep most of the general shape for the production version.

Although it already looks a bit sleeker than the super blocky concept.

As for the interior, it seems they are also trying to keep some of the concept design alive. The general shape of the door panels and even what we can see of the dashboard is an effort to stay as close to the concept as a production model allows.

I am sure this will be compared to the popular Kia Telluride when it comes out. And probably be referred to by many as the "electric Telluride". (Why not cash in on what's already popular...) But eventually, it will take over. maybe not this first generation, but the second one will...

It's still very hard to say what the new EV 9 will actually look like under all that camouflage. But so far, it seems nicer than the weirdo concept.

 

2023 Honda HR-V: more interior shots...

Again, these are technically photos of the Chinese Honda ZR-V. Which is the local version of our 2023 Honda HR-V.

As mentioned earlier, the main difference inside is the cool panoramic sunroof (Bottom pic). Something Honda won't bring over here. At least in the HR-V.

Otherwise, the interior is trying very hard to use more rounded shapes, when compared to the more angular Civic interior (3rd photo). Even though the dashboard vents seem the same as in the Civic, the shapes are rounded off at both ends. The console and armrests also have more bulbous shapes. Which actually almost reminds me of many 1990s GM Pontiac interiors. Which weren't the best, and looked really dated very quickly. I guess Honda is trying to match the softer HR-V exterior. 

So far, I think the Civic interior is more upscale and the doors and dashboard shapes seem more coordinated.

 I guess a Civic Hatchback Touring 6 speed would still be my choice over this...

 

2023 Honda HR-V: a look inside...

These photos show the Chinese market version of our new HR-V, called the ZR-V.

We already know these are the same exact cars and they will be sharing interior designs as well.

While Honda hasn't shown us the new 2023 HR-V interior yet, they just unveiled the Chinese version.

This interior is basically what we'll have over here for the new HR-V. And it looks like what it is. A crossover version of the 2022 Honda Civic.

Which isn't a bad thing. Although a bit less original than the current "Fit-based" HR-V, this larger version does seem more upscale. 

Being based on the Civic and not the Fit, I'm sure prices will increase from the current $22 000.

Although its main competition, the Corolla Cross still starts at just $500 more.

The main differences between our 2023 HR-V and its Chinese cousin are the availability of the larger panoramic sunroof. And more importantly, the 1.5 Liter Turbo engine from the Civic.

While our version will be getting the 2.0 Liter/CVT combo. 

While it might seem like a big step down from the 1.5 Liter Turbo on paper, in real life it isn't really.

I drove both engines in the new 2022 Civic a while ago. In daily life, the turbo doesn't feel that much more powerful, mostly because of the horrible CVT Honda is using. 

Other manufacturers have very decent CVTs. Not Honda.

The 2.0 Liter is a very smooth and quiet engine. The CVT robs most of the power in the 1.5 Liter Turbo anyway. 

What the HR-V really needs is some kind of hybrid powertrain. Honda is so late in pushing electrification in the US that it is actually pretty sad.

They still don't have a date for the Civic Hybrid in the US. (already out overseas)

And zero mention of a hybrid for the HR-Z.  While the European (smaller) version is only available as a Hybrid. 

I guess this has the potential to be even more popular than the Civic it is based on. Although a Civic Hatchback is so much more fun. Also a better-looking choice than this...

 

2023/24 Mercedes GLC Coupe: new spy shot...

Just like the "regular" GLC, the coupe version will soon get an all-new design.

And just like its squared-off cousin, it won't look that new.

Of even better for that matter.

When comparing the next generation to the current model, the new one doesn't look better at all. The current generation still looks really nice to me. 

Not sure if that many people will just rush and get the new one. This seems to be mostly for current buyers at the end of their lease. Allowing them to get something "new".

The big draw will be the redesigned interior, which is the same as the 2022 C-Class sedan. And a big step up from the current generation.

Mercedes sold almost 52 000 units of the GLC in the US last year. It'll be interesting to see if the next generation will be as popular...