Tuesday, June 2, 2009
2010 Toyota Corolla.
2010 Honda Civic.
The 2010 Honda Civic should see no major changes after a modest freshening for 2009. These compact cars should continue to come in 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe body styles. A gas/electric Hybrid sedan should also remain available, along with a sedan that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). Sedans and coupes should continue to come in DX, LX, EX, EX-L, and sporty Si trims, along with DX-VP and LX-S sedans, which were new in 2009. DX, DX-VP, LX, LX-S, EX, and EX-L should continue to have a 140-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. Si versions should continue to have a 197-hp 2.0-liter four. The Hybrid should combine a gas engine and an electric motor for 110 hp. The Hybrid can run on one or both of its power sources. Most of the time, however, the gas engine shuts off at a stop and restarts again when the driver releases his or her foot from the brake pedal. Hybrids require no plug-in charging. Likely remaining available for sale in California and New York and to fleets is the Civic GX, which should continue to use a 113-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that runs on CNG. All 140-hp Civics should continue to come with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. GX models should remain automatic only. Si will likely only come with a 6-speed manual. Hybrids should have a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. EX-L models should have leather upholstery with heated front seats. A navigation system with voice activation should remain available on EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid. An available wireless cell phone link for EX, EX-L, Si, and Hybrid should continue. Leather upholstery should also be available on the Hybrid. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Honda Civic.
2010 Honda Accord CUV - Spied.
This mule could be Honda's answer to the Toyota Venza.
A gap exists in the Honda lineup between the mid-size Pilot and compact CR-V SUVs, and the company might be filling that hole with an Accord-based crossover. Caught here wearing no camouflage, this bash-up mule could turn into a vehicle that would do battle with the new Toyota Venza.
Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.
When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.
Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production.
Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.
When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.
Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production.
2010 Honda Accord CUV - Spied.
This mule could be Honda's answer to the Toyota Venza.
A gap exists in the Honda lineup between the mid-size Pilot and compact CR-V SUVs, and the company might be filling that hole with an Accord-based crossover. Caught here wearing no camouflage, this bash-up mule could turn into a vehicle that would do battle with the new Toyota Venza.
Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.
When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.
Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production.
Possibly based on the European-only Accord Tourer wagon, this CUV prototype wears the familiar U.S.-market Accord front end grafted to a Tourer body. There are fender flares pinned to the body sides, indicating a wider track, and masking around the C-pillar hides a stretched wheelbase. From the back, a rear differential makes it evident the CUV will get power to the rear wheels as well as those in the front, likely via Honda’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system. Power could come from the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V-6 engines offered on the current Accord; the dual exhaust on this mule likely means it carries the V-6.
When asked to comment on the spy photos and its possible reponse to the Ford Flex and Toyota Venza, Honda stated simply that "it is always evaluating the needs of its customers." However unconfirmed, we’d expect that a mid-size crossover is all but guaranteed from a company known for being as forward-thinking as Honda.
Prancing around with no camo and combining currently produced sheetmetal, this is likely a mule that would look markedly different in production.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Geneva: 2010 Mazda CX-7
The 2010 Mazda CX-7 may possess made its worldwide premiere at the Toronto Auto Display, but we’re seeing it for the foremost period in individual at the Geneva Motor Display week. At foremost glimpse, the CX-7 looks chiefly unchanged versus the 2009 representation, but closer inspection reveals delicate tweaks. Novel for 2010 are a larger grille, updated face and back part fascias and a refashioned inside. The biggest adding to the CX-7 lineup in North America is the identical 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor that powers the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mazda 3, although power desire be reduced a little to 161 horsepower. The bottom four desire possess a drop sticker charge than the 2009 representation while also improving tinder thrift. The turbocharged, 244-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder remains unchained for the 2010 representation year.
Land Rover debuts latest range.
Land Rover is to show the new Range Rover 'Westminster' Limited Edition together with the 2010 Freelander 2 at the Geneva Motor Show.
The unique 'Westminster' features include 20" Diamond Turned wheels, an exterior design pack, 'Westminster' tailgate badging, half wood steering wheel and stainless steel accents to the brake and accelerator pedals. Only 300 'Westminster' editions will go on sale at Land Rover dealerships in the UK, from the end of March, with prices starting from £62,995. John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director said: "The dramatic visual impact of the 'Westminster' coupled with the Range Rover's supreme breadth of capability and acclaimed TDV8 diesel powertrain, makes this edition an exceptionally enticing proposition." Also on the Land Rover stand at the Geneva Motor Show, which starts today, will be the revised 2010 model year Freelander 2, featuring the intelligent stop/start system now standard on all diesel manual Freelander 2 TD4. This model includes remote central locking, seven airbags, two ISOFIX points, power steering, heated and electrically adjustable door mirrors, air conditioning, auxiliary audio jack, Roll Stability Control (RSC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard.
Suzuki talks up new Vitara.
Suzuki is celebrating the announcement of its new Vitara line, two decades after the very first one rolled off the factory ramp.
The new flagship 2.4-litre Grand Vitara will be available in three and five-door body styles. The range will feature a 2.4-litre petrol engine that produces just over 200 g/km of CO2 emissions. The engine will also include a number of new features that will appear for the first time on a Suzuki-designed powerplant. These are a balancer shaft, three-stage variable air intake and a tumble control valve in the intake ports. The 2.4-litre Grand Vitara will come with ESP as standard, which uses selective wheel braking and controls engine output as necessary to stabilise the vehicle if it detects under or oversteer situations. There will also be ventilated rear disc brakes and extra shock-absorbing elements around the bonnet, wings and front bumper. Inside the cabin, chrome and wood-effect inlays join a new multi-information display and revised air conditioning control panel. Music lovers will be pleased to hear there will be an in-dash six-CD player with MP3 compatibility, plus rear privacy glass and 17-inch wheels. Five-door models additionally feature leather seats with front seat heating; High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, cruise control, 18-inch wheels and electrically-operated glass sun-roof as standard. The Grand Vitara goes on sale from October 1st, priced from £14,499 for the 2.4-litre three-door manual and £17,499 for five-door manual on the road.
UK's first four-seater all electric production car.
The UK's first all electric four-seater car is available to buy from today, the Electric Car Corporation Plc (ECC) have announced.
The launch coincides with the government's announcement to support and subsidise electric car use, and their "commitment to make the UK a world leader in producing and exporting electric cars". The motor, a Citroën C1 'ev'ie', is the first 4-seat car to be all electric, with a range of 60-70 miles when fully charged and with top speeds of around 60mph. The C1 can be fully charged in 6-7 hours from a domestic 13 amp socket at a cost of around 90p. Xavier Duchemin, managing director of Citroën UK said: "We are committed to providing greener alternatives for motorists and are delighted to be supplying ECC with C1s for this exciting project." Over 50 per cent of the value of the car originates from the UK assembly, creating UK employment and a technology leadership in electric vehicle production, say the ECC. David Martell, chief executive of ECC plc, said: "We believe this is the first serious alternative to a petrol or diesel car. It drives just like a petrol car and has excellent capacity for use in any town or city in the UK. "The key to building a successful electric car is an efficient battery management system (BMS). ECC has developed an advanced and sophisticated system, which when coupled with regenerative breaking, can provide the driver with much greater range and better performance." The car is priced at £16,850 and is available directly from ECC.
Toyota focusing on sporty style with Prius.
Toyota has revealed the next Prius will still be a
petrol hybrid, but it will look and feel a lot more 'sporty'.
petrol hybrid, but it will look and feel a lot more 'sporty'.
This is according to the managing director of Toyota GM, Miguel Fonseca. Toyota is concerned that, despite the success of the Prius range, the image of the vehicle is too conservative. "It will be cleaner, with CO2 emissions below 100g/km," Fonseca said about the new Prius. "We could have gone lower, but instead we have chosen to give the Prius better performance." Despite rival manufacturers’ moves toward diesel hybrids, Toyota believes the high price of diesel compared to petrol means it makes no sense to switch the fossil fuel. Of course, the Prius’s two top markets are America and Japan – and diesel infrastructure is poorly developed in both. "We have set ourselves a full-year sales goal of 115,000 cars," said Thierry Dombreval, Toyota Europe's chief operating officer. "Believing this is the most appropriate target for the current market conditions." "Both four-door saloon and five-door estate versions were unveiled at Paris, along with the finished production version of the iQ city car, part of Toyota’s plan to launch 18 new models by the end of 2009." Toyota Europe's president, Tadashi Arashima, added: "This unprecedented product offensive enables us to revamp our entire engine and transmission line-up by 2010. "Our new line-up is the most appropriate response to the challenges we face today."
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