2022 Mercedes EQS: new pix...

This is looking fine. Although quite a disappointment when compared to the original concept.

A large luxury hatchback sedan looks to be perfect to compete with the Tesla Model S.

Let's hope the range is also competitive. Since both the Model S and Lucid Air offer over 400 miles for about $80 000, Mercedes needs to step up its game. If this is another 300 miles $100 000 rich guy toy it will fail. We don't need more of these...

I guess Porsche does get away with it because... Porsche. Still a fantastic sports car.

But even they are now offering an $80 000 base price.

The EQS, being a Mercedes, will be very expensive...

That night driving shot (top) looks like a nightmare to me. I mean, how much distraction do you need at tight? On top of concentrating on your driving. Ridiculous "ambient lighting" and now screens everywhere! To watch a video of more bad weather??? Is it supposed to make you feel like things aren't that bad? "Look! It could be worse!"

And you basically cannot really turn the whole thing off since it probably controls every feature of the car... 

It looks like the Mercedes interior design nerds got their inspiration from Blade Runner. Which is actually cool. Although not everything you see in the 1980's science fiction moves is actually great to see in real life. ( I could name a few besides "replicants")

On another note, that Blade Runner car glass roof looks very Tesla now...

 

2020 Toyota Yaris

I have mentioned the 2020 Toyota Yaris before, but this seems to be a better look at the all new small hatchback from Toyota.

Strangely enough, what is now sold as the 2020 Yaris hatchback in the US is just a rebadged Mazda 2.
So it looks like the "real new Yaris" from Toyota might not be coming over here.

The new Yaris is supposed to be using an all new platform. And will probably be offered as a hybrid as well. Since it has been the case in Europe for years.
And I am sure an EV or at least plug-in version is coming soon as well...

I still wonder if this will end up replacing the Mazda 2 as well. 

Mystery BMW SUV...

At first I thought this was the production version of the upcoming iNext EV.

But it actually does not really match other spy shots.

Plus, 4 exhaust pipes. (Which, of course, could be part of the camouflage. )

But the rear hatch seems to be opening much lower than on the other iNext prototypes...

And the headlights do look different....

Otherwise, what could it be?

Some new version of the X3? X5?

Since all BMW SUVs pretty much look the same, it is really hard to say.

What do you think?

- iNext?

- X3 EV?

- Some new X3 version?

- Some new X5 model?

Something else?

2017/18 Audi A5 Sportback

 The Sportback is a 4 door hatchback version of the A5 coupe. Kind of what BMW is doing with the 4 series.

Since the A5 is basically a coupe version of the A4 sedan (With a bit more style), the Sportback is pretty much an A4 hatch. The A4 and A5 share the same interior as well.

The whole thing is a bit convoluted, but still better organized than at BMW. Where they have a 4 series which is a 3 series coupe or hatch.
But they also have a 3 series hatchback (The GT).
At least Audi doesn't sell an A4 hatchback...

We never got the previous generation Sportback in the US. But that will change with this upcoming model.

The new A5 is a good looking car. (Even though it is a clone of the previous one)
So things should be the same with the 4 door version.

But it won't be cheap.
Audi will be charging plenty to go from a 4 to a 5.

As a reminder, this is the current A5 Sportback. Based on the previous generation A5 coupe.

2017 Honda Gienia

 This is yet another small Honda based on the Fit.
This time it looks like a 4 door coupe version of the regular Fit. More or less...

The car pictured above isn't look that great. With its lack of trim around the windows and small wheels.

It is based on the Concept B we saw a while ago. And again, this is not planned for the US. Or anywhere outside of China. Yet...

This is the Concept version.
Which is actually really close to the production model and does look fine.

Future Alfa Romeo Coupe???

These were sent to me by a reader from Europe.

Not sure what they are really.
It's obviously an Alfa. And it has 2 doors.

Otherwise who knows.
It's also obviously not a production model because of the lack of real side mirrors.

A few years ago the car that was going to share a platform with the Miata was going to be an Alfa.
But since Sergio had said that "no Alfa will be built outside of Italy", that couldn't work out.
So it became the Fiat 124 we have now.

I just wonder if this was a design for that still born Alfa model.
But Sergio had also said a sport coupe/convertible was still coming from Alfa. (NOT based on the Miata)
So this could be a preview of that...

What do you think??

2017 Honda Freed

Just like the HR-V, the tiny Freed Minivan is actually based on the current Honda Fit.

But unlike the HR-V, this won't be coming over here.

(Not sure if this new version will make it into Europe yet)

It looks OK. You can tell it's related to the Fit.

I guess the Mazda CX-5 proved there is no market for things like this in the US.

The Freed being even smaller could be even less popular.

Same reason why Honda has decided not to sell the sedan version of the Fit (Which has been around in other countries for a while now)

The sedan market in the US seems to be loosing a lot of grounds to SUVs/Crossovers.

But who knows, there might be a niche market for this. No more Scion, no more Nissan Cube.

Maybe this could take over ? A little bit??

Here is the current version of the Freed. 

Again, the connection with the previous Fit is quite obvious...

2017 Porsche Panamera

This is it. I'm pretty sure.
And it looks almost exactly like the spy brochure picture I posted a while ago (Except the wheels. This is a Turbo model)

I think it looks great. Much better than the current, heavy and clumsy design.
This is actually what it should have looked like in the first place.

Much more pictures coming very soon, so "stay tuned".

We will also see a wagon version later.

2017/18 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

This was sent to me from Europe.
It looks ok but I am not sure if it is the real thing or an illustration.
(or early press stuff etc..)

No matter what it is, it seems pretty close to other spy shots I have seen of Alfa's brand new SUV.
I think this is actually a great move for Alfa. Coming out with an SUV right after the new Giulia sedan.

We should be getting the sedan first, but you know this will be the money maker for Alfa.
Since,  for some reason, everyone wants an SUV these days.
And since SUVs hare popular no matter who makes them, the Stelvio could work better than the sedan in the US.
In a sea of Mercedes, Audi and BMW SUVS this has a chance to stand out.

The same platform will also be used for some Chrysler/Dodge cars ans SUVs.
Not sure which ones yet.
But these 2 poor brands need something new pronto.
The only bright star is the new Pacifica, which has been getting really good reviews. And looks very nice in the flesh.

Let's just hope Crazy/Money hungry Sergio doesn't turn Alfa-Romeo into an "SUV Only" brand...

2017 Porsche Panamera

Looking much better than the current model.
This is what it should have looked like in the first place.

So, nothing scary here, just basically correcting the mistakes of the previous version.
Which is just fine.

From what we have seen of the interior, it is also much nicer and almost futuristic.
(Although the current model is still fine in that department.)

Engines will include versions of the all-new V8 unveiled a little while ago. As well as a V6.
The plug-in hybrid model is rumored to be much more efficient.
With a range of almost 40 miles (Instead of around 22 miles for the current version)

That will not compete with the Tesla Model S anytime soon, but the upcoming production version of the "Mission E Concept" EV will.

The new Panamera will be an even more compelling luxury sedan option.
It still retains the hatchback, like the Audi A7, but now add a glass roof option, just like the Tesla.
It just looks so much nicer than the "old men choices" like the BMW 7 series or the S Class.

And, a wagon version is coming up next. Which will look a lot like the gorgeous Sport Tourismo Concept from 2012.
And it will be coming to the US as well.

We should see the whole thing in September. As it will probably be officially unveiled at the Paris Auto Show. At least the regular version.
The wagon might debut sometime later.

There is also another rumor of a luxury coupe based on this.
And why not..

Porsche Parts at PARTSGEEK.com

2017 Honda Odyssey

There it is again. The next Odyssey.

It does look pretty slick already.
Seems that everyone knew that Chrysler was coming up with something pretty modern.
So now it's time to catch up.

Not sure from these pictures if the rear side window will be getting a similar treatment is has now.
But there is a bit of a scoop visible on the second picture.

These were taken by a friend of mine.
Cartoonist/show creator/surfer/overall great guy.

So thanks!

2018 Kia GT

Kia has been testing a production version (top) of the 2011 GT Concept (bottom)for a while.
As you can see, it looks fine and pretty much ready to go.

And, pretty close to the concept.
But it's been 5 years. Five-years....

So nothing futuristic here.

Seems like it could be based on the Hyundai Genesis sedan. Which will be rebadged the
Genesis G80 or G70 very soon.

Which I guess would then , be... competing with Genesis.
These guys don't really seem to have a clear separate path for both brands.
Kia and Hyundai.
Looks like Kia now competes with both Hyundai and Genesis.

The good part is, it will probably be yet another really nice design from Kia.
So I really can't wait to see the final model.

Ford Escape Spy shots

 Not sure what Ford is testing here.
But these pictures of a "still" camouflaged Ford Escape were taken just a couple of days ago in California.
Strange since it seems to be a regular 2017 model.
That' we've already all seen.

It really seems to be the same thing.
They are obviously still testing something. Just not sure what.

What's going on here?
What do you think? 

All new Honda U-RV

So far this is for the Chinese market only.
Which is just fine.
Unlike the new Mazda CX-4, I think this should stay as far from us as possible.

It is supposed to slot between the CR-V and the Pilot.
Engines are rumored to be the usual 2.4 Liter or a 2.0 Liter Turbo.
It is pretty much the production version of the Concept D introduced last year in Shanghai.

This is yet another example of Japanese design gone horribly wrong. Again, after years of being labeled as "boring", they are now diving deeply into the "Vulgar", "Overdesigned" and "Should not exist".
The sad part is that I think there is probably room for this in Honda's US "SUV Hungry" lineup.

No matter how ugly the production model is, it can never compete with the true nightmare that Concept D was.
The U-RV looks like a playboy playmate next to this monster.

For once, toning down was a good thing. Almost...

2017 Chevrolet Colorado

Just got this so I thought I'd share.

(I'm not even sure if this is the US version or not. Really...)

I drove the Colorado a few months ago and was pretty impressed. Except for the anemic V6, it drives great. (I guess the diesel option fixes that)

So it's good to see GM keeping it fresh.

New Genesis Concept coming up.

Hyundai will show a concept version of their "3 series fighter" at the New York auto show in a few days.
No doubt it will look nice.
Since they usually have great looking concepts (Like that super good looking Coupe a few months ago)
Unfortunately, they also have a history of turning these concepts into super boring/uninspired production models.
I guess that coupe concept was supposed to be a preview of the new G90/Equus. And look what happened there...

So we can only hope...

As I mentioned before, they will first rebadge the existing Hyundai Genesis sedan as the G80 for the new luxury brand.

2017 Mazda CX-4

More picture of the all new CX-4.
Basically, a sportier alternative to the CX-5.

Outside, there seems to be a bit of camouflage left on the chrome window surrounding.
Wheels are quite small, so this could also be a base model.

Inside, it does look really good. In line with recent Mazda designs.

So far, they claim China is the target market for this.
But I wouldn't surprised if it ends up in the US.

Let's hope...

Upcoming Genesis SUV

I know this is NOT a good picture.
(This was sent to me from Europe and I am trying to get a better version of it.)

Hyundai has mentioned a couple of SUVs for the all new Genesis brand.
One full size and a mid size one.
On top of the new G80 sedan (A face lifted Hyundai genesis), a new coupe and an all new RWD compact sedan.
It all sounds pretty good.

I cannot tell if this is supposed to be the big SUV or the smaller one...(looks like it says XG something...)

We should see the real thing sooner than letter, since the large luxury SUV market is much more lucrative than the large luxury sedan market.
Jus ask Cadillac...

2017 Mazda CX-4

 Remember that all new SUV based on the Koeru concept from last year?
The one that has been spied many times in China.
Looking really good too.

Well, it will mostly stay in China. As it will not be sold in Europe.
No news about the US yet. But Mazda would be crazy not to bring this over here.

Ss for the name. Some people thought it was going to be called the CX-6.
Well, no. Here is the proof. It will be the CX-4.

Which means it could be cheaper than the CX-5. A good deal!

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback

We are supposed to see a "concept" version of the new Civic hatchback at the Geneva auto show, very soon. (which will have some over sporty bits and stuff)
But this is supposed to be the production version for the US.
Still looking quite nice. And ready to do battle with the aging Ford Focus over here.

Although, that "Honda seal of quality" has been tarnished a bit with a recall of all 2016 Civic sedans due to possible engine failure. Which is pretty bad...

A hatchback version of the new Elantra is also due out pretty soon.
And the new Cruze hatchback looks to be a serious contender.

Still, it's good to finally see the Civic Hatch back in the US...

(Thanks for this to a reader from Torrance)