RSS Feeds
Archive for July, 2009
Live Reveal: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi unveiled!
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
Filed under: Sedan, Suzuki, Luxury
2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve gone to some unusual places for new product unveilings, but today’s reveal of a new mid-sized sedan from Suzuki may be one of the most ironic. For some reason, the small automaker of mostly small cars chose a World War II memorial in suburban Detroit for the global reveal of its most aggressive attack yet on the heart of the U.S. car market.
Suzuki has always been a bit of an outlier in this market, although the company has been a strong player in the Japanese mini-car scene. Its most successful entry to date here in the U.S. has been the compact SX4. Now, it’s trying to encroach on Camry/Accord/Fusion territory. Learn all about where Suzuki is going and what to expect from the Kizashi after the jump.
Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Live Reveal: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi unveiled!
Live Reveal: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi unveiled! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
read comments (0)
Quick Drive: 2010 Acura RDX, bring on the shield
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
Filed under: Crossover, Acura, First Drive
2010 Acura RDX – Click above for high-res image gallery
After three years on the market, the Acura RDX is getting its first comprehensive makeover for the 2010 model year. Unlike the automaker’s new TSX V6, where the changes were largely restricted to the bits you don’t see, the opposite is true of the RDX. Acura’s cute ‘ute gets a mid-cycle facelift to bring it in-line with the rest of the Acura line-up – meaning if you haven’t warmed up to Acura’s shield grille you might want to look elsewhere.
If, on the other hand, you’re partial to the new corporate beak, the RDX benefits from a few well-designed tweaks to boost its exterior appeal. The shape of the headlamp clusters remains the same, although the internal arrangement has been shuffled around, while below the bumper you’ll spot a new air intake sitting in between the revised fog-lamp housings. Out back, the taillights receive a few minor revisions that most observers probably won’t notice and the satin frame around the license plate pocket now matches the finish on the front grille.
Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Quick Drive: 2010 Acura RDX, bring on the shield
Quick Drive: 2010 Acura RDX, bring on the shield originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
read comments (0)
Live Reveal: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi unveiled!
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
Filed under: Sedan, Suzuki, Luxury
2010 Suzuki Kizashi – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ve gone to some unusual places for new product unveilings, but today’s reveal of a new mid-sized sedan from Suzuki may be one of the most ironic. For some reason, the small automaker of mostly small cars chose a World War II memorial in suburban Detroit for the global reveal of its most aggressive attack yet on the heart of the U.S. car market.
Suzuki has always been a bit of an outlier in this market, although the company has been a strong player in the Japanese mini-car scene. Its most successful entry to date here in the U.S. has been the compact SX4. Now, it’s trying to encroach on Camry/Accord/Fusion territory. Learn all about where Suzuki is going and what to expect from the Kizashi after the jump.
Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Live Reveal: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi unveiled!
Live Reveal: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi unveiled! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
read comments (0)
Aptera 2e steps closer to production
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
Latest interior sketch of the Aptera 2eThe final touches are being added to the Aptera 2e electric vehicle, which is scheduled to begin production this year. Aptera has released this sketch of the latest interior design.
In 2010, Aptera will also roll out the plug-in hybrid version of the Aptera.
It’s still a strange vehicle and cost-effectiveness could be an issue. Beginning at $25,000, this limited seating vehicle will only resonate with a small group of consumers. Of course, $25,000 isn’t very much to many early adopters of such technologies, especially in the auto segment.
Nonetheless, I love the out-of-the-box thinking on the 2e. Hopefully, Aptera will sell enough of these vehicles to provide the R&D resources to keep refining their unconventional, yet brilliant, ideas.
read comments (0)
Political leadership? Congress set to offer up another $1/2 billion for hybrid research
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
1 million and countingBetween automakers, their banks, suppliers etc. the government is into the US auto industry for $100 billion+. Additionally, the government is handing out $50 billion in loans to help automakers increase fuel efficiency. On top of that, if a Committee OK on hybrid research passes through Congress, another $590 million will go to hybrid research.
Why? Is there really any mystery?
No. I’m not referring to the fact that Toyota has sold more than a million Toyota Prius hybrids. Regardless of Toyota’s Prius success it’s obvious that hybrids and electric vehicles are over-hyped niche vehicles. They are going nowhere fast.
Unless gas prices rise significantly. How much more research do we really need to validate that point?
Without massive, long term government incentives (including tons of pork and waste) or much higher gas prices, these vehicles will not achieve sufficient economies of scale for many, many years. Ultimately, America’s energy policy simply does not support the costs of developing efficient technologies in the real world.
Yet, the cost of gas, for instance, is far higher than the pump price. Why? Unfortunately, it’s far easier to spend an extra $500 million on top of tens of billions than it is to show some political courage and to confront the tough issues. It’s all about incumbency anyway, right?
read comments (0)
They’re coming! Small hybrid cars, at least from Japan
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
Will America compete?When it comes to hybrid cars, it’s still all about the Toyota Prius. Surprisingly, however, after a decade on the market, only Honda has sought to challenge the Prius. American automakers, on the other hand, seem inclined to eventually sell some new, conventional small cars to both compete with the Prius and to help meet tougher CAFE standards.
Still, after decades of small car market domination in America, Japanese automakers again seem to be taking a far more aggressive approach to the small vehicle market. Quite simply, small cars are not enough. Ultra-efficient small cars seem to be Japan’s next focus.
For instance, Toyota’s Yaris and Corolla platforms are already being upgraded for hybrid production, and numerous small and compact hybrids are now inevitable. Likewise, Honda will soon offer hybrid versions of the Fit and the CR-Z.
Small hybrids, priced well under $20,000, will soon hit American shores. Yet, much like the American response to the Prius, American automakers seem to believe this front requires no response.
For decades US automakers have completely misunderstood and underestimated the small car market in America. Is history set to again repeat itself, or is it Honda and Toyota that have misjudged the importance of small hybrids?
read comments (0)
Tire Pressure Warning Systems | You Fix Cars.com
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
The tire pressure warning system can cause vehicle owners some headaches. Learn how inflation monitoring systems work and the common problems they cause.
read comments (0)
July 31, 2009
Street word has it that Audi will show an electric concept of the Audi R8 called ePerformance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Here are the first impressions!Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi R8 ePerformanceSource: Automobile-Magazine.fr
read comments (0)
July 31, 2009
The next-generation Audi A8 will come with a touchscreen MMI and handwriting recognition eg. for the navigation system. In addition the MMI button will move from the center console to the gear/automatic stick for easier use.Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi A8Source: Autobild
read comments (0)
Audi TT: A matte black mod for the Sith
Author: adminJuly 31, 2009
This matte black Audi TT would be the perfect ride for the Sith. Have a look! Pure awesomeness.Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi TTSource: Audiblog.nl via Fourtitude
read comments (0)
You are currently browsing the Car Smart weblog archives for July, 2009.
Our Newsletter
Loading...