Amid the hoopla of the New York Auto Show and GM’s preview of the upcoming Pontiac version of the Holden ute produced in Australia – what we’d call the El Camino of today – comes a dissenting opinion, presented by one Peter M. DeLorenzo, the voice of AutoExtremist.com.
DeLorenzo thinks the things going to bomb.
DeLorenzo’s opinions are never equivocal, though his crystal ball sometimes needs Windex. After all, it was Lorenzo who said that the next Corvette was a sure thing for 2012 and would be mid-engine.
On the ute, his point is that the sport truck doesn’t fit into either the Pontiac line-up or the professed image of Pontiac for, as Bob Lutz put it in New York, “seductive performance.”
In fact, DeLorenzo doesn’t believe there’s any market for such a truck, under any nameplate. And then he asks why Pontiac doesn’t, instead, seek to exploit those of its model names that still have meaning, such as GTO and Trans-Am.
As posted earlier, Bob Lutz says General Motors is thinking about a four in the Camaro. Were they to do it, that would mean GM offered the Camaro with a V-8, a V-6, and a four.
What might they really be thinking? Is it the stalking horse for a third-generation hybrid powertrain in the Camaro?
The four is, currently the performance option in the Solstice, is ostensibly a response to rising fuel economy standards. Turbocharged, with a 2.0 liter displacement developing 260 hp, it would be remarkably close to the expected power output of the Camaro V-6. That engine is expected to be a detuned version of the current direct-injection Cadillac CTS engine and, of course, the V-8 is the LS family engine now available in the Pontiac G8 and used in the Chevrolet truck line, as well as being the basis for the Corvette engine.
Lutz, speaking at the New York Auto Show, says that Chevy isn’t going to be competing with the Camaro on price, pointing out that the Camaro has a better quality interior and that “we have a very sophisticated suspension system.” What he means by that is that the Camaro features a fully independent suspension, while the Mustang uses a live rear axle.
Chrysler plans to be the first car manufacturer to offer internet access inside the car, initially as a dealer-installed add-on, then as a factory installed option.
“We want to make the radio itself a WiFi port,” according to Chrysler product development boss, Frank Klegon, speaking at the New York auto show and quoted by the Washington Post.
This is, apparently, what passes for “product development” at the new Chrysler.
By this point, it might seem that automakers should have gotten the message: customers do not want their cars to be their cellular telephones, or their navigation system, or even their web browser.
Suzuki today added the latest version at the Kizashi line-up: the Kizashi 3. According to the company, it will produce a sport sedan derived from the Concept Kizashi 3 design. It will debut sometimes in 2010.
The closest-to-production variation of the Concept Kizashi series, Concept Kizashi 3 embodies Suzuki’s interpretation of the sport sedan segment in the North American market. The Kizashi’s “super sport” identity, a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA, is tempered by the vehicle’s overall mission to provide strong, refined urban performance.
As with Concept Kizashi and Concept Kizashi 2, the front end of the Concept Kizashi 3 expresses strength and style, with sharply fashioned headlights that emphasize the sensation of forward motion.
The vehicle’s exquisitely engineered body reflects Suzuki’s distinctive combination of capability and refinement, with power flowing from a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 engine with plated cylinders — a weight-and space-saving technology that evolved from the lessons learned by Suzuki’s motorcycle and WRC development teams. The body’s monochrome finish, Kizashi Silver, gives the vehicle a sense of composure and depth of character, with metallic paint sparkling to emphasize the dynamism of the body’s cross-section.
Saleen unveiled today at the New York Auto Show the S5S Raptor Concept. According to the company the S5S Raptor could enter the market in as little as two years, and should it go forward, it would carry a base price of approximately $185,000.
The Raptor is a two seat mid-engine super car that competes in size and style with core offerings from the most notable of Italian exotic car makes, but with a segment leading 650hp and 630 lb-ft of torque provided by a Saleen 5.0L Supercharged Engine - the source of the S5S designation. Unlike its competitors, the Raptor is designed to digest cellulosic ethanol. This is the same ethanol formula, states Wilbur, that is the official fuel of the 2008 American Le Mans Race Series and the IRL.
The Raptor’s hand-built 5.0L cubic inch engine with its patented twin-screw supercharger delivers its 650 horses at 6300 rpm and hits max torque at just 4400 RPM. This power sits on call beneath the knob of a close ratio 6-speed manual, or optional paddle shifting sequential gearbox. It’s a combination that send Raptor’s rigid aluminum chassis screaming to a top speed of over 200 mph.
Karvajal Designs is unveiling at the New York Auto Show the newly developed Coachbuilt C6 super exotic.
This vehicle will have bold Corvette flavor styling, a supercharged 550+HP engine, custom exhaust, custom aluminum wheels, new lighting and leather trim interior. The new body styling will have the rear of the Corvette at an impressive 82" wide stance to give the vehicle an aggressive road presence.
The interior will have a custom leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped shifter knob, custom floor mats and Build ID Serial Number plate. There will also be a premium interior option available with full leather including race bucket style seats.
This premier vehicle will be launched before the end of the year.
Even if I do not understood how could the Mazda2 overtook a model like Mercedes C-Class it really happened: Mazda2 won the title of World Car of the Year! Initially there was a list of 39 entries and only three were selected for the big final: Mazda2, Mercedes C-Class and Ford Mondeo.
Based on the recommendations of a design panel consisting of four highly respected world design experts, the Mazda2 was also voted by the jurors onto the short-list of top three design finalists, together with the Audi R8 and Volvo C30.
Another winners: World Green Car of the Year goes to BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics; World Performance Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year - Audi R8 (finally some justice!).
Kia unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Optima, a model that offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models, and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy. The 2009 Optima will go on sale in early fall.
For 2009. Optima is being offered in three different versions: LX, EX and the new sporty SX trim. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, SX upgrades include: a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, LED outside-mirror turning signals, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. EX and LX V6 models are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, and are fitted with Goodyear tires.
The 2009 Optima is available in two powerplants – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 engine – and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model only). The four-cylinder engine delivers 161 hp and the 2.7-liter V6 delivers190 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed, gated automatic transmission. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting.
Saleen unveiled at the New York Auto Show the Gurney Signature Edition Mustang, a model created in cooperation with American automotive legend Dan Gurney. The special edition will be limited to 300 units.
The Gurney Signature Edition Mustang will feature Saleen’s 465 Hp supercharged 281 cubic inch engine, short throw shifter, and 3.73 Max Grip rear axle. In addition, the vehicles will have custom two-tone seats that feature either blue or red AlcantaraTM inserts designed to keep your rear end planted firmly behind the wheel. The legendary Gurney Eagle logo is featured on the steering wheel and several other places around the car.
The exterior reflects the look of Dan’s 1969 Trans Am series Mustang, masterfully recreated in a fashion that honors history but looks aggressively towards the future. The heritage styled Gurney Edition body kit, ’duck bill’ rear spoiler and ’stinger’ style hood all come together in harmony with the carefully placed graphics and die cut Gurney Eagle insignia.
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