Jeep News - Spy Shots: 2008 Jeep Liberty
October 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
At first glance it might look like a slightly taller Dodge Nitro, but this test vehicle actually appears to be the new 2008 Jeep Liberty. A close look at the nose shows Jeep’s 7-bar grille, and the sides also bear a striking resemblance to the boxy but functional Jeep Commander. The spy shot snappers at KGP Photography speculate that it shares the same platform as the Nitro but sits a little taller with a more vertical windscreen and more utilitarian boxy roofline providing more cargo and headroom.
The sides are also noticeably different from those of the Dodge Nitro, meaning few body panels will likely be shared between the two. The rear hatch seems to have a separately functioning rear window to aid access and further differentiates itself from its Dodge sibling. Showing that Jeep is serious about a return to the basic functionality and off-road-worthiness it is known for, the Liberty appears to sacrifice a bit of style for the sake of utility, just like the Commander. This news is welcome to some who were worried about Jeep attacking its own essence by selling soft roaders like the Patriot and Compass. Follow the read link for several full-car photos.
[Source: Winding Road]
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[tags]jeep cars, jeep news, jeep models[/tags]
Toyota News - Toyota moving forward with the Endo
October 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
The Toyota Endo appears to be moving closer to production, as a tiny Toyota-badged mule has been spotted during testing in Japan. First shown in Frankfurt last year, this supermini competitor offers seating for 4 in a package barely larger than the 2-seat only ForTwo from rival SMART. Insiders are saying the production car will closely follow the look of the concept, although the flat panel display in place of a dashboard is sure to go. A wrap-around windscreen, vertical tailgate and two-tone bodywork are some of its most unique features.
Looking like something straight out of Minority Report, this futuristic city car would look so cool zipping around the urban jungles of Europe and Asia. These micro cars are perfect for cities where streets are narrow and fuel prices are sky high. As we pointed out when it was first introduced, the chances of the Endo ever coming to the States are slim.
Toyota’s designers are said to have drawn inspiration from the SMART and Peugeot 1007 among others. But unlike those models, the Endo features wider-opening doors to improve access without needing the heavy (and pricey) sliding doors used on the 1007. The Endo is expected to hit dealers in 2007.
[Source: Auto Express]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
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[tags]toyota cars, toyota news, toyota suv, toyota[/tags]
Saab News - Ten wagons to fulfill any consumer want or need
October 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Trends, Wagons/Estates, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, Mercedes Benz, Pontiac, Saab, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo
There was a time the very mention of the word “station wagon” pegged you as married with lots of children; a hippy; a square; and other less than savory adjectives. The wagon’s oh-so-practical shape definitely countered any hint of excitement.
But escalating gas prices and, more importantly, good design sense, are prompting Americans away from their sports cars, sedans, and SUVs. Business Week lists ten station wagons, each one fulfilling a particular segment or abstract niche like domestic/import. Take a gander at these “five-doors” and let us know if the editors are hip or still square.
- Fastest Domestic: Dodge Magnum SRT8
- Fastest Import: Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon
- Most Fuel-Efficient: Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix
- Best Cargo Room: Volvo V70
- Most Expensive: Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon
- Best Resale Value (Luxury): BMW 3 Series 325xi
- Lowest Total Cost of Ownership: Chevrolet HHR
- Best Off-Road: Subaru Outback
- Safest: Saab 9-3 SportCombi
- Best Overall: Subaru Legacy (pictured)
[Source: Business Week]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
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[tags]saas cars, saab news, saab models[/tags]
MINI News - 2007 MINI Cooper S review on Fifth Gear
October 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Euro, Videos, Hatchbacks, MINI
The blokes over at Fifth Gear got their hands on the new MINI Cooper S and gave it the thorough once over. Contrary to other reports, Tom Ford maintains that the ‘go-cart’ handling characteristics that made the last model so popular among drivers are still alive and well.
Styling-wise, Ford agrees that upon first inspection the new Cooper looks much larger. That perception is, in fact true, but mainly due to the hood’s height increase that meets stricter pedestrian impact laws. The newly revised front end causes the beltline to move northwards, giving the new MINI a taller stance.
The three models mentioned in the video are the Cooper, Cooper S and the 1.4-liter One model that has been available across the pond, but hasn’t made its way to the States.
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[tags]mini cars, mini news, mini models[/tags]
Infiniti News - Nissan moving production of Quest and QX56 back to Japan
October 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, Infiniti, Nissan
Don’t think of the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi as losing the ability to produce two models, think of it as gaining the capacity to build more pickup trucks.
An article in the business publication, Nihon Keizai, reports that the Mississippi plant will cease production of both the Nissan Quest minivan and the Infiniti QX56 SUV by 2009, shifting production of the two vehicles to facilities in Japan.
As both vehicles are primarily sold in North America, it was beneficial for the automaker to produce the vehicles stateside until now. Unfortunately, slow sales of the Quest (down 28 percent so far this year) and QX56 have proven that production here in the U.S. is becoming too costly to justify and, according to the article, the plants in Japan have the ability retool and manufacture at a quicker rate.
On the bright side, no production capacity will be lost in Canton, where Nissan plans to increase truck production to meet the current manufacturing levels.
[Source: Nihon Keizai via CNN Money]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
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[tags]infiniti cars, infiniti news, infiniti models[/tags]
