Back in August rumors started swirling around that Lexus was hopping on the eco bandwagon and developing their own stand-alone hybrid. Back then we even suspected it would show up at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Turns out we were dead on with this one.
Toyota confirmed that there will be a new model called HS 250h will be shown in Detroit. It will be no suprise if this hybrid is Prius sized, which would make it smaller than a Toyota Camry, larger than a Corolla, and about the size of a Lexus IS. In fact while bodystyle may be a little different, don’t be surprised if the spec sheet on the next Prius and the HS 250h will pretty much be interchangeable.
Now all Lexus has to do is convince the rich green-minded folks out there that an interior full of leather and real wood is eco friendly.
Chevrolet unveiled the first official images on the 2010 Equinox a few day before its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show. The new Equinox draws its exterior design inspiration from the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Traverse crossover. The 2010 Equinox goes on sale in mid-2009.
The Equinox is powered by a choice of two engines: a 2.4L Ecotec direct injected I-4 engine estimated at 182 hp and 30 mpg highway, 21 mpg city and a 3.0L DOHC direct injected V-6 engine estimated at 255 hp and 25 mpg highway, 18 mpg city.
The 2010 Equinox is available in LS, LT and LTZ trim, with available all-wheel-drive.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Okay Saab, we get it: You’re proud of your aircraft heritage. Now its time to make cars you can be proud of, not just cars celebrating airplanes. Until then, Saab’s big unveil for the Detroit Auto Show will be the 9-5 Griffin Edition, named after Saab’s new Gripen fighter aircraft.
So if it was built to celebrate a fast and maneuverable aircraft, then the car must have engine and suspension upgrades, right? WRONG. The 9-5 Griffen comes with the standard 260 hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine from the regular car. It’s a fine engine, but its no jet fighter.
Instead the 9-5 Griffen goes for luxury add-ons such as a matte chrome for the front grille, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, and rear spoilers for the sedan and wagon. The interior gets high-gloss interior trim (isn’t that something GM has been trying to stop doing?) as well as some special stitching.
If this gets you excited, then grab $42,775 for the sedan ($44,045 for the wagon), and head on down to your Saab dealer this January. The line forms wherever you’re standing.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Although most Italians may age gracefully, they still age. The Maserati Quattroporte has been around since 2004, and has even gotten a refreshening this year. But it still needs some extra pizzaz to keep it young. So Detroit is going to be the new fountain of youth, as the Quattroporte Sport GTS will make its debut at the North American International Auto Show in January.
It is powered by a V8 4.7-liter engine, with power increased to 433 hp (3 more than the Quattroporte S that shares the engine.) The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS also features a new shift pattern for the transmission, new black grille with concave vertical fins & Trident logo with red accents, new headlights, and a revised exhaust system that guaranteed to keep the women swooning.
The Italian sports car builder Maserati has announced that the UK pricing for their Quattroporte Sport GTS luxury sedan. The powerful four door is now on sale and can be yours starting at £89,865.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Kia is preparing a new concept version based on the Soul compact crossover. The new concept variant, named "urban crossover passenger car" will be revealed in Detroit. From the teaser shot, we’re guessing it will be a three-door hatchback variant of the Soul.
Excited? Yeah, neither are we, but maybe Kia will surprise us all.
If the car was going to look like this, why did Volvo tease us with only the dash design back in October? Volvo released today the first details on the S60 Concept that will debut at the Detroit Auto Show. This is definitely a good look for Volvo, and should be a good preview for the 2010 S60 model.Taking some obvious design cues from the XC60, this sedan has a streamline looks that is distinctly Volvo, but also suggests some fun as well.
Another part that should make it into production is the engine. The S60 Concept is powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-liter unit using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology and producing 180 horsepower. Volvo says GTDi technology combined with turbocharging makes it possible to reduce engine displacement with maintained performance, but with about 20 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Mercedes will unveil at the Detroit Auto Show the Concept BlueZERO. This a modular concept that allows three models with different drive configurations: the BlueZERO E-CELL with battery-electric drive and a range of up to 200 kilometres using electric drive alone, the BlueZERO F-CELL (fuel cell) with a range of 250 miles using electric drive and the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS with electric drive and additional internal combustion engine as power generator (range extender). Mercedes seems to be very serious about the possibilities about getting this car into production.
All three BlueZERO variants share the same key technical components, while the design and vehicle dimensions are identical. Measuring just 4.22 metres in length, the BlueZERO models combine compact exterior dimensions with a generously proportioned and variable interior and luggage compartment.
All three BlueZERO models feature front-wheel drive. It is powered by a modular system that includes a liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries with a storage capacity of up to 35 kWh and the compact electric motor with a maximum output of 134 hp (continuous output 93 hp), which develops a peak torque of 320 Nm. All three variants accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 11 seconds. Their top speed is electronically limited to 93 mph.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Last month, we reported that Ford will unveil a new version of the 2010 Mustang at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The latest spy shot makes us think that it will be the 2010 Shelby GT500. Jalopnik was able to catch this on the streets of downtown Detroit, the home of January’s auto show as well as Ford.
Just like the regular version of the 2010 Mustang, there isn’t a whole lot new to see on this car. It gets the same minor upgrades as the standard car. Probably the biggest visual element spied on this car was the better integrated spoiler (not even worth showing.)
Ford must have been looking to get attention with this car. It’s black with cow spots and electric blue stripes (that say "GT 500"). This was more of a pimpmobile than an undercover test mule.
The rumors have been going around for a while that Toyota and Subaru are going to team up to build a small Celica-sized coupe. It seems this may actually come together next month at the Detroit Auto Show. While some manufacturers are pulling out of Detroit, Subaru may be using this show to unveil its version of the small sports car.
It would be unlikely that Subaru would deviate from its current theme of offering all cars with all-wheel drive, so this one should follow suit. Plus, by making the Subaru version all-wheel drive and the Toyota’s car rear-wheel drive it will help differentiate the cars. But that should all be confirmed when the car comes closer to production in 2010 or 2011.
By Subaru deciding to unveil this car at the North American International Auto Show, this may be a signal that the new coupe will be sold in the U.S.
Fisker is feeling a real kinship to The U.S. The Karma may be produced in Finland, but it premiered at last January’s North American International Auto Show and it plans to use a General Motors engine. Now Fisker is showing its American fever again by returning to the Detroit Auto Show next month.
"We are very excited to be bringing the Fisker Karma back to NAIAS," said Fisker Automotive CEO Henrik Fisker. "In the year since we debuted the Karma, the reception we’ve received has been tremendous." Tremendous indeed - according to Henrik Fisker, the Karma’s premier doesn’t need to drum up sales considering the car is sold out until mid-2010.
The Karma is out to give itself a performance image with GM’s 2.0 direct injection, turbo 4-cylinder Ecotec gasoline engine that will deliver 260 hp. The Karma should post 0-60 mph times in about 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 125mph. Powertrain organization will supply the gasoline engine that generates electricity when the driver has exceeded the 50 mile electric-only range.
The company will start deliveries of the Karma in the 4th quarter of 2009 in North America with planned delivery to Europe in 2010.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Pages: 
Post a comment
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |