Rendered Speculation: Next-gen Mazda3
June 30, 2008 by tsikot · Comments Off
Filed under: Economy, Hatchbacks, Mazda, Rendered Speculation
Click above for high-res gallery of Mazda3 renderings
The Mazda3 has been a compact darling ever since its introduction in 2004, and even though its current design is nearly five years old, it still wins many comparison tests. Since its near the end of a design cycle, a new Zoom Zoom Mazda is on its way, and some interesting renderings have been published online of what the new Mazda3 could look like.
The design theme is decidedly Mazda6-based up front, with similarly angled LED headlights and the same basic shape, but this unofficial Mazda3 is far more “in your face.” The large front air dam looks more like something from the MazdaSpeed collection, and its large opening doubles as the Mazda3’s grille. The side view features clean, flowing lines and the same basic shape as the current Mazda3 hatch. Out back, football-shaped LED taillamps give this rendering a touch of class, and the similarly-shaped in-set dual exhaust looks like a concept-only touch. Due to the surprising success of the current model, the next Mazda3 has to be very, very good or it will be a big disapointment. If the next 3 looks as good as these renderings, we wouldn’t be disappointed at all.
Gallery: Mazda3 Rendered Speculation
[Source: burlappcars via WorldCarFans]
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Ford News - McCain in favor of national CO
June 30, 2008 by tsikot · Comments Off
, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Pontiac, Legislation and Policy
U.S. Presidential hopeful John McCain says he opposes the notion that individual states should be able to set their own carbon dioxide emissions regulations. Still, it sounds as if automakers could be in for a shocker if the Republican were to be elected, as he says, “My goal would be to see a federal standard that every state could embrace. I think we can achieve a status where that would go away.” So, it sounds as if the target for CO2 emissions could be set even lower than currently planned. McCain likely mimics the thoughts of the Detroit 3 as he says, “It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be long and it’s going to be tough.”
McCain appears to see the future of the American auto market as one made up of small, fuel efficient cars. His latest stop was at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant where the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are built, a plant McCain sees as key to GM’s successes. Still, the major players in the industry will be on their own, as McCain has no intention to offer any sort of bailout to any of the Detroit 3.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Source: www.autobloggreen.com
[tags]ford cars, ford news, ford models, ford[/tags]
VIDEO: Three minutes of NSX goodness
June 30, 2008 by tsikot · Comments Off
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sports/GTs, Videos, Supercars, Acura, Honda
Click above to view video after the jump
At this rate, by the time Honda actually releases the production version of the successor to the NSX, we may well have seen more video and photos of the prototypes running at the ‘Ring than we ever saw of the original. Thankfully, for those of us into really fast cars, the Nürburgring is a public place with a variety of roadside vantage points where people can view the latest and greatest supercars in action. The crew at Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport seem to have staged videographers at all the available viewing locations to capture three minutes of footage that they have posted on YouTube for the rest of us to enjoy. There’s some good stuff here, including the last few seconds where the driver is clearly pushing the new Honda as the back end slips a little wide before coming back. We’re all waiting anxiously to see how this one matches up against the GT-R, ZR1, and LF-A. Check out the video after the jump.
[Source: Temple of VTEC]
Continue reading VIDEO: Three minutes of NSX goodness
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Kia coupe headed to production mid-2009, replacing Spectra
June 30, 2008 by tsikot · Comments Off
Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Coupes, Economy, Hatchbacks, Kia
click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Koup Concept
Wave goodbye to the Spectra name; Kia’s planning on sending the moniker packing when the car is replaced in mid-2009. Kicking up the style as a way to grab the dollars of younger buyers, Kia will introduce the styling paradigm laid out by the Koup Concept at last year’s New York Auto Show, which will grace a production sedan and coupe. The sedan will hit the market first, with the coupe following within a couple months. The hatchback Spectra will be out of the U.S. lineup entirely; Kia thinks the coupe and its sexier lines will move more units. European buyers will still be able to purchase the Spectra hatch as the cee’d, though. More style in this instance is a good thing. We’ve seen the Koup, and we like it. We’ve driven the Spectra, and we like that, too. If Kia can successfully match the chassis to the expectations set by the body, the Spectra’s successor should have no problem maintaing that model’s best-seller status in the Kia lineup.
Gallery: Kia KOUP concept
[Source: Automotive News - sub req.]
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German man burns BMW in protest of high gas prices (BMW Cars News)
June 29, 2008 by tsikot · Comments Off
If you think that gas prices are high in the U.S., consider that the average price for a gallon of gas in Germany is $9.40. Yikes. Since the record high prices in the States are causing some people to change their lifestyles, imagine how Europeans feel. Bet they’re pretty upset, right? One man was ticked off enough to send his 1995 BMW 3 Series out in a blaze of glory. That’s right, after parking the Bimmer on the lawn of the Convention Center in Frankfurt, he doused the car in gasoline and torched it in protest of high gasoline prices.
The car was already nice and crispy by the time firefighters arrived. At this point, the local authorities are still considering what, if anything, to charge the man with. Interestingly, various environmental laws were likely broken which could send the perpetrator to jail for up to five years.
[Source: AP via WIBW.com]
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Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]bmw cars, bmw news, bmw models[/tags]
