A hot hatch that’s up on power and 220 lbs lighter than the model it replaces? What a novel concept!
The new Lexus corporate face will be appearing on the newest Lexus ES – a startling trend for a vehicle so conservative it makes Mitt Romney look like a chaps-wearing “lifestyle” devotee.
“If you want a Veloster Turbo,” quipped Hyundai CEO John Krafcik, at September’s launch of Hyundai’s oddball, front-drive Veloster hatchback, “you can buy one right now. It’s called the Genesis Coupe.” The Veloster Turbo ended up materializing at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show – and so did a new Genesis Coupe. Apparently, Hyundai never planned on making a Veloster Turbo until after the car’s launch. But they did plan on a refreshed Genesis Coupe, and a brawnier Veloster means that the Genesis gets to move up in power and price.
A mere 72 hours after I picked up my Mazda3 SKYACTIV hatchback with the 6-speed automatic transmission, Mazda informed me that they had a 6-speed manual transmission hatch available, and that I was welcome to return the automatic version in exchange for the stickshift. The next day, I dropped off the white automatic for a bright blue manual version. What a mistake.
Fisker Automotive CEO Henrik Fisker is doing some major damage control after the Department of Energy announced that loans totalling roughly $336 million would not be issued to the company. Fisker Automotive is apparently seeking private equity funding to solve what’s being called a temporary cash-flow issue, but the company may be facing deeper problems than that.
MINI will unveil their new Clubvan (isn’t that clever), a Clubman-based van with the rear seats removed and a metal screen placed in the back to separate the cargo compartment from the two seats up front.
Days after Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney penned an op-ed in the Detroit News over his thoughts on the bailout, UAW President Bob King is firing back.
Chrysler alerted the Securities and Exchange Commission that they’d be withdrawing their request for as much as $3.5 billion in loans. The money was to be used for the development of unspecified “green” vehicles.
As Porsche prepares to launch yet another product that’s not a sports car, Ferrari has steadfastly ruled out diluting their brand with anything approaching a crossover or a sedan. The closest we’ll ever get is the all-wheel drive FF shooting brake (above).
Once upon a time, Volvo built the V40 at the Nedcar plant, alongside the Mitsubishi Carisma. Volvo ended that partnership in 2001, but the Dutch managed to pull one over on Volvo, leaking early pics of their new V40 compact in advance of its Geneva debut.
Recent Comments
Kevin Kluttz - Most good cars do end up in the hands of a goofus.
doctor olds - @PCH101- I make no such assumption. I know the labor costs for the US makers put them at a $1,600 disadvantage, a...
Kevin Kluttz - But you COULD find a Prizm with the 4A-GE within. Prizm GS-i as I recall?
Marko - The new face doesn’t bother me any more than the current ES. It will probably blend in just as it has, for better or for worse. Entune is generally...
TEXN3 - The center console was indeed a deal-killer on the new Taurus. Loved everything about the car, including the look, but hours on end with being...
28-cars-later - +1
icemilkcoffee - Not true- the SkyActiv engine in the US bound CX5 will have 13:1 compression ratio, which is still higher than pretty much any other production...
JMII - My Z has the triple cluster with RPMs being front and center (and big) while the fuel/temp is smaller on the right with speed on the left. Oil...
icemilkcoffee - It would actually make perfect sense for Mitsubishi and Mazda to merge. Both companies have quite a bit of engineering depth despite their small...
Philosophil - I love the phrase “adds lightness.” Not a bad looking vehicle, either.