Pontiac News - Solstice beats Miata in sales for 2006
December 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Mazda, Pontiac, Earnings/Financials
When the Pontiac Solstice first arrived on the scene, the buff books said it was nice but that the new generation Mazda Miata was still the better two-seat, rear-wheel drive ragtop. The Miata has, in fact, proven it’s the best low-priced roadster in the U.S. by racking up significant and steady sales for Mazda since it debuted in 1989. Of course, 2006 is the first full year in which the Miata actually has to contend with some competition. Both the Pontiac Solstice, and later the Saturn Sky, were unveiled to extremely high consumer demand, and we’ve learned that apparently consumers don’t care all that much about which car has less body roll, is faster in the slalom or can grip the road with more confidence. The excitement of a reasonably priced rear-wheel drive convertible from our very own General Motors was enough, in fact, to propel the Solstice to 18,362 unit sales by the end of November. The Miata sold 15,873 units through November.
Next year will be even more interesting as each ragtop arrives ready to fight. Production will be up to speed on the 260-hp Pontiac Solstice GXP, and the Miata will be available with a retractable hardtop that doesn’t devour trunk space. This will be an extremely fun rivalry to watch over the years.
[Source: AutoWeek]
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[tags]pontiac cars, pontiac news, pontiac models[/tags]
Saab News - Facelift for Saab 9-3 next summer
December 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, GM, Saab
The Saab 9-3 is not scheduled for replacement until 2009, but rumors are circulating the web that a facelift is in the cards for next summer. The revised styling is expected to draw on the design of the Aero X concept car shown in Geneva.
While the all-new 2009 9-3 will be based on the upcoming Epsilon 2 platform, the facelifted 2008 version will continue on the current Epsilon base, but possibly offer a new all-wheel-drive option.
Given that none of the current Epsilon-based GM products currently offer all-wheel-drive, and that the new Epsilon 2 platform is just a few years away, it seems an odd move for Saab to put all-wheel-drive in a car right before it’s scheduled for replacement. But then again, Saab is a bit of an odd company, so we’ll see what they have in store.
[Source: Trollhattan Saab]
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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]
Jeep News - Repairing childhood trauma with Power Wheels Jeep Hurricane
December 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
As a child who was a car geek since he was a knee-high to a back bumper, I coveted a Power Wheels electric vehicle over all the other toys in the JC Penny Christmas Catalogue. Power Wheels were magically self-propelled by something called ewectwicitee and cost hundreds of dollars ($8 bajillion in kid money). I never got one and am emotionally scarred because of it, but am waiting for the day I have my own mini-me and can spoil him on his fifth birthday with his very first car.
Power Wheels have come a long way since I was a tike, however. Case in point is the new Jeep Hurricane produced by the Fisher Price division that features Ultimate Terrain Traction. Yeah, you’re reading that right. The newest Power Wheels has traction control. The PR language says it all about this “high performance drive system” though skimps on the details:
- “It powers through places where other battery-powered ride-ons need a push”
- “Through lush lawns, wet grass, mud, gravel, rough terrain and more”
- “It’s there when you need it - even when you think you don’t”
We’re not sure what comprises the Jeep Hurricane’s Ultimate Terrain Traction, though it’s probably not a complicated mess of electronic nannies varying power output to each individual wheel based on tire slip. It could be the simple fact that this Power Wheels has rubber tires instead of slippery plastic ones, but we won’t tell the kids that.
The Jeep Hurricane also fixes some proportion issues of past Power Wheels by riding on a much longer wheelbase than past models. If that’s not enough, there’s also an on-board cup holder (sippy cup approved) and real working FM radio (what, no iPod jack?). The base MSRP for the Ultiamte Terrain Traction Jeep Hurricane is $400.00. There are no options to inflate the price further, but there’s also no financing and certainly no incentives. That’s a pretty steep price for a child’s toy, but it’s so cool we think dipping into junior’s college fund for this is perfectly warranted.
[Source: Fisher-Price]
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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]jeep cars, jeep news, jeep models[/tags]
Nissan News - Nissan Rogue set to enter CUV fray
December 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Crossovers/CUVs, Maserati, Nissan
Nissan’s pulled the wraps off its new Rogue crossover, which looks for all the world like a Hyundai Santa Fe, which, in turn, means it also looks like the Toyota RAV4 — both of which are vehicles it’s designed to compete directly against. We’re not so sure we’re into the flowy lines on the Rogue, and we prefer the more traditional look of the automaker’s Euro-market Qashquai (a.k.a. Dualis in Japan). Sizewise, it slots in between the Santa Fe and Honda’s CR-V, whose Pokemon-like styling is starting to look like a good move given the visual similarities seen in some of the competition.
The exterior, as we said, is very Hyundai-looking, with a swoopy, rising beltline, rounded side glass, and a softer-looking front end than any other Nissan CUV or SUV. There are similarities to the Qashquai up front, but the Qash is butchier and better-looking if you ask us.
The Rogue shares its architecture with the new Sentra, and comes with FWD standard, though AWD is available as an option. No matter how you trim it out, there’s just a single powertrain option available: a 175-horsepower 2.4L four-banger connected to a CVT. If you want to control shifts yourself, you can add a set of optional paddles.
More analysis and additional photos after the jump…
[Source: Inside Line]
Continue reading Nissan Rogue set to enter CUV fray
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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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Honda News - VIDEO: Valentino Rossi can’t get bikes off his brain
December 31, 2006 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, Honda
Back when he was riding for Honda, 7-time world champion motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi did this amusing little TV spot for the Honda Civic. In it, Rossi can’t shake his riding habits whenever his black Civic Type R stops at intersections, drawing attention from bystanders along the way. Neat little commercial. Too bad Yamaha (his current ride) doesn’t sell cars, too…
[Source: YouTube]
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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
Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]honda cars, honda news, honda models, honda[/tags]
