Toyota has unveiled the European version of the Toyota Land Cruiser that is very different and smaller than the version that we have here in the US.
The European Land Cruiser is powered by a 3.0L diesel with 171 horsepower and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The body on frame design yields 8.5 inches of ground clearance and gives the SUV the ability to wade through 27.6 inches of water.
Toyota will offer the European Land Cruiser in three trim levels with prices ranging from £29,795 to £44,795. Of course we won't get this model in the US badged as a Toyota, but it could be a clue to what to expect from the Lexus GX 460.
Mazda has finally made it official that the small Mazda2 is going to be sold in the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2010. The 2011 Mazda2 will officially be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month.
The Mazda2 shares its platform with the Ford Fiesta, which is also set to have its US debut at the show. Mazda has released one teaser of the subcompact, but didn't release any details about the engine lineup and what body styles we will receive. The preview shows the rear of the five-door hatchback model, so we can at least expect that model.
PRESS RELEASE:
North American Mazda2 to Debut at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
Hiroshima, Japan, 18 November 2009. Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the Mazda2 at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The globally-acclaimed Mazda2 brings a level of style and driving dynamics to the North American sub-compact segment that no other competitor can offer. The vehicle will be sold in the U.S. and Canada beginning in late 2010. The LA Auto Show press days are 2-3 December; public days run from 4 through 13 December.
"Bringing Mazda2 to North America completes the bookends in our line-up," said Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. "With the seven- passenger crossover CX-9 at one end and the sub-compact Mazda2 at the other, Mazda's line-up now spans the most significant product segments in the industry, and is the strongest, best-designed, best-built we have ever offered. Mazda2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value. In short, it will be the definition of Zoom-Zoom."
Mazda2 has been a sales and media success in markets around the world, winning 48 awards and being recognized as Car of the Year in more than 20 countries. Additionally, Mazda2 was named "2008 World Car of the Year," besting all other new cars around the world.
Mazda's press conference is scheduled to take place from 11:05 to 11:30 (local time) on Wednesday, 2 December 2009. Main Exhibits
Scheduled for sale Mazda2 North American specification (North American premiere)
Models currently on sale Mazda3, Mazda3 MPS, Mazda5, Mazda6, Mazda MX-5, Mazda RX-8, Mazda CX-7, Mazda CX-9
Ford is definitely on a roll right now and the good news keeps coming in. Today Motor Trend announced that the 2010 Ford Fusion is the recipient of its Car of the Year award.
The 2010 Ford Fusion managed to beat out 23 other models for the award, which included the Toyota Prius, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Ford also had three models this year that were in the running for the award. The Taurus, Fusion and Mustang.
"The MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award is another testament of our commitment to delivering a world-class car lineup," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development, who accepted the golden calipers on behalf of the Ford team. "Whether it is the best-in-class fuel economy or quality unsurpassed by Toyota or Honda, the Fusion and Fusion Hybrid are clear evidence that Ford is serious about our car lineup."
This announcement comes on the heels of Ford announcing that the Fusion is now the best-selling midsize domestic sedan in the US and that the model is now in the list of top ten selling vehicles.
In addition to news about future of the Regal and Impala, GM's Bob Lutz has also confirmed that the Cadillac Sport Wagon is also going to be offered as a CTS-V Sport Wagon. This means that buyers will be able to get the CTS-V any way they want it, since the CTS-V will also be offered as a coupe.
Car and Driver recently got some alone time with Lutz, in which he stated, "You know what's really going to get you guys [on board with wagons] is the CTS-V wagon."
BMW is going to delay the introduction of the next X3 by six months to launch a new system that will make it easier for buyers to custom order the X3.
This means that the next X3 will not arrive in US showrooms until mid-2011, a full six months after it launches in Europe. The delay will also allow BMW the ability to offer up to four different engines, which will lower the base price of the X3. According to Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, the X3 could be offered with a four-cylinder and a diesel in addition to the six-cylinder engines. BMW is going to decide by the end of the year if a four-cyl or six-cyl diesel will be offered. Production of the X3 is also going to X3 will shift from Magna Steyr in Austria to BMW's Spartanburg, S.C., factory.
Of course this delay is going to hurt sales of the X3. Its sales are off 67 percent this year.
Last week GM officially unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal, which many of you may easily recognize as the Opel Insignia with a Buick grille. Well it looks like GM has more in the works than just the front-wheel-drive four-cyl powered Regals that were unveiled.
Bob Lutz confirmed that GM is discussing the possibility of 335-hp all-wheel-drive model, which makes sense, since Opel offers the Insignia OPC with a 325-hp turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive. In addition to a more powerful Regal, Lutz also stated that GM is considering a Regal Sport Wagon.
Now that the Pontiac G8 is officially dead there had been rumors of it living on as a Chevy. Many of us were hoping that GM would release a consumer version of its upcoming 2011 Chevy Caprice police patrol vehicle. Well those rumors were put to rest and now Bob Lutz has confirmed that the next generation Chevy Impala will keep its front-wheel-drive layout.
Lutz didn't provide much detail about the next Impala, only saying that it will be slightly larger. The next Impala will also be compatible with GM's hybrid technology, so an Impala hybrid is expected at some point.
Lexus has confirmed that the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV will debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show on November 23.
Lexus did not provide any details about the redesigned SUV other than the fact that the name changes from GX 470 to GX 460, which means that it is expected to get the same 4.6L V8 that powers the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia. It puts out 310 horsepower in the Tundra. The Lexus GX 460 is based on the same body-on-frame platform as the new 2010 Toyota 4Runner.
The 2010 Lexus GX 460 is expected in showrooms this December.
The car for the first time will show to public next week on the International motor show in Shanghai, however to a premiere of a photo of the car are already published.
Off-road car Lexus GX
The second generation of off-road car Lexus GX, as well as the first, in many respects is technical analogue of model Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Proceeding from it, special distinctions in appearance between Lexus and Toyota to expect it was not necessary, as it has been confirmed definitively after the publication of a series of pictures.
External differences Lexus GX consist in occurrence of own lattice of a radiator, bumpers of other form, the forward and back light engineering entered in ruler Lexus, instead of Toyota. In salon of differences hardly it is more, also they are appreciable first of all on the forward console. It also is executed in style Lexus and whenever possible should not remind about Toyota.
As to a hardware, that, despite lacking official release about specifications and complete sets, about much it is possible to judge even from a model index. The second generation of an off-road car receives index GX460 while former it was known as GX 470. On change 4,7-l V8 comes more modern 4,6-l, on the majority of parametres surpassing the predecessor. Power of a novelty makes 310HP against 263HP at the predecessor.
New car Lexus GX
The version of an off-road car is reflected in the published photos for the North America. The USA and Canada still remain the main markets for model, however the model geography will be expanded at the expense of a number of the Asian countries, and the prime minister in China to that only the proof. In salons of the American dealers the car will appear in the beginning of 2010.
Company Nissan is extremely avaricious on the comment concerning new working out, but it is known, that the end result becomes the most powerful, smart and expensive GT-R from all ruler.
Luxury Nissan GT-R SpecM
Despite lacking even approximate date of an exit of the car on the market, the edition informs a guiding price on which SpecM will offer in Japan. The price looks rather shocking — 18,000,000 yens (more than $200,000US). It for 2,250,000 yens more than ask now for the most expensive version GT-R — SpecV.
That will offer buyers for such money — the main question. If SpecV is some kind of the extreme version GT-R calculated on potential of the real racer SpecM will leave in "lux" and will offer a comfort maximum. Thus managerial process even in the sharpest modes will be facilitated by means of additional electronics and change of options of a base configuration of the car.
Supercar Nissan GT-R SpecM
Certainly, round the car already now there is a weight of gamble and hearings. The loudest among all assumptions is that SpecM can turn from Nissan in Infiniti as $200,000US expensively enough for as a whole budgetary brand. Official comments while are not present, but there are no also refutations that gives only additional occasion to various theories.
The sports crossover of a class "lux" enters the market in three complete sets differing with the list of the equipment — the engine and transmission type — only one.
Luxury crossover Acura ZDX
Acura informs exit date on the car market of model ZDX, structure of complete sets and cost. The car will appear on free sale in the United States — the only thing while for ZDX the market — on December, 15th. The most accessible version will cost $46,305US (including gathering in 810 dollars for delivery).
The unique engine offered for the car, becomes 3,7-l petrol V6 power of 300HP and the twisting moment in 366Nm. Transmission also only one: a 6-step automatic check point. The standard configuration provides presence of a full drive with firm monitoring system SH-AWD.
The car is offered in three complete sets: ZDX, ZDX with package Technology and ZDX with package Advance. In base equipment the car has, in particular, the door panels sheathed by a natural skin and the forward console, a glass panoramic roof which the manufacturer names «the longest in the world».
All aforesaid enters and into an equipment average level — ZDX Technology, and besides it there is navigating system with voice-activated control, a chamber of the review of the back hemisphere, improved audiosystem Acura/ELS. Cost of the given version makes $50,805US.
Maximum complete set ZDX Advance
The maximum level of equipment ZDX Advance is accessible for 56 045 dollars. To the equipment set forth above the numerous electronic assistants improving traffic safety increase. In particular, the system of the prevention of the cars which are in a dead zone of the review of mirrors (BSI), adaptive cruise-control (ACC), brake system with electronic control (CMBS), the expanded system of dynamic stabilisation (IDS) is completed. There is a heating of forward armchairs, and they are sheathed by the punched skin of the first-rate quality, the ceiling covering also is executed from a better fabric.
Japanese company Subaru for the international motor show in Los Angeles which will open in the beginning of December, has prepared the special version of model Impreza WRX — Limited.
Subaru Impreza WRX Limited
At the heart of company "special clothes" — car Impreza WRX in complete set Premium. In a standard complete set have included a leather upholstery of salon, the panoramic hatch, satellite radio, CD-changer on 6 disks, an audiosystem with MP3, a subwoofer, seats with logos WRX, a blacked out rear-view mirror with a compass, system Homelink, the iPod interface, and also the lever of a transmission of firm Momo, metal overlays on a pedal from STI.
Under a cowl the standard 265-strong engine in volume of 2.5 litres, working together with a five-step mechanical transmission is placed. The debut of all-wheel drive car Subaru Impreza WRX Limited will take place within the limits of the international motor show in Los Angeles where should announce cost of the special version.
Concept car Lexus LF-Ch which has been presented on a motor show in Frankfurt, can is made in a batch production and to appear on sale in the beginning of 2012. Besides, luxury division Toyota can give a life to several more similar projects.
Concept car Lexus LF-Ch
Earlier it was said that Lexus LF-Ch should will appear next decade, but plans of Japanese have similar changed, even despite a pitiable condition of the automobile market.
«There is a certain category of buyers which are ready to buy cars similar Lexus LF-Ch in «any season» — the general director of company Lexus has told. «We also are not going to reduce the price of model, at the expense of an exception of any options, the car will not be cheap».
As a result all will depend on demand. «We hope rather quickly to receive a feedback as we will present model on a motor show in Los Angeles and Detroit. On the received objective responses, we will try to finish model and to present Lexus LF-Ch on start to a series».
Hybrid car Lexus LF-Ch
In turn the concept car is equipped by the hybrid engine from Lexus, the car has length 4,300 mm, wheel base 2,600 mm and is put in tyres, the size 225/35R20.
Car Toyota Corolla became the most popular foreign car in the American car market of the used cars. In the first half of the year 2009 in the USA it has been resold 48,434 similar cars, informs an automobile portal «DriveTime».
Japanese used cars are very popular in the USA
Except "Corolla Rumion" in TOP the second-hand cars of foreign manufacture using special demand at Americans, models Toyota Camry (for first six months of this year it is resold 16,570 used cars), Land Cruiser (14,739 used cars), Volkswagen Passat (32,405 used cars), Golf (12,296 used cars), Ford Focus (11,205 used cars), Daewoo (10,986 used cars), Mitsubishi Lancer (9,567 used cars) and Hyundai Accent (8,945 used cars) have got.
Besides, at Americans: German cars BMW 5-series, Opel Astra and Vectra, Audi 80, and also the Japanese cars — Honda CR-V and Civic, Nissan Almera and Primera, Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Corona, Mark, Carina and RAV4 use popularity.
In a segment of second-hand domestic cars the leader still are cars of mark Ford — their share makes 45%. As it was informed earlier, about half of the foreign cars resold for first six months 2009, are made during the period with 2002 for 2007. According to site Drive Time, from January till June in the USA it has been resold 2,836 million used cars, that for 10,18% it's less, than last year.
Lotus has announced the pricing for the 2010 Lotus Evora that will arrive in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2010. The 2010 Evora will start at $73,500.
The Evora features a 2+2 setup with a mid engine. The 3.5L V6 puts out 276 horsepower and 256 lb-ft. of torque. Thanks to its light weight It reaches 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed over 162 mph. It also manages to get over 30 mpg on the highway.
Lotus has announced a 44 dealer Open House Tour of the US of the Evora for people that haven't seen the car in person. D8AVMHZSXBNA
Ford has announced that the automaker is working on a new Police Interceptor that will replace the aged Crown Victoria in 2011.
The new Police Interceptor will be offered in 2011, when the Crown Victoria is finally discontinued.
"We have heard the repeated requests from the law enforcement community to continue uninterrupted support of the law enforcement community," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Ford is answering the call with the new Police Interceptor - engineered and built in America."
Ford currently holds 75 percent of the police pursuit vehicle business in the U.S. This announcement also follows GM's announcement to release a new Chevy Caprice sedan for police duty.
Each year Ford sells about 45,000 police vehicles.
A new report is claiming that Toyota is planning a new larger Prius, that will be powered by a lithium-ion battery. The new larger version of the Prius will either be a wagon or SUV and it will supposedly launch by the end of next year.
According to the Japanese Yomiuri newspaper, the new version of the Prius will be Toyota's first hybrid with a lithium-ion battery. Toyota of course has declined to comment on the report.
Toyota is also reportedly working on a Prius coupe to go head to head with the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid.
The 2010 Ford Fusion has been quite the success for Ford. It's been a while since Ford has been competitive in the mid-size sedan market. The days of the best-selling Taurus are a distant memory, but after five years on the market and a successful redesign, the Fusion is picking up pace.
Sales of the 2010 Ford Fusion have already reached 151,137 units, which already eclipses the previous full-year sales high of 149,552 in 2007. In the first 10 months of 2009, Fusion sales have improved 15 percent.
"It's extraordinary that a car could set a sales record in an environment where overall industry sales are down 26 percent from a year ago," Ford sales analyst George Pipas said.
Of course Fusion sales are still way off from the Camry and Accord, but the Fusion is now the best selling domestic car.
GM has unveiled the model that signifies the return of the Buick Regal. The 2011 Buick Regal will officially return to the US in 2010. Most of you will recognize the Regal as the Opel Insignia that is sold in Europe, with a Buick grille. The Regal has also been on sale in China.
The 2011 Regal shares its platform with the new LaCrosse, but is over six inches shorter with a wheelbase that is also four inches shorter. The Regal is only going to be offered with four-cylinder engines. The standard engine is the same 182-hp 2.4L from the LaCrosse. The optional engine is a turbocharged 2.0L with 220 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L Regal will be available in the first half of 2010 and the turbo will launch by late summer.
Volvo has released the first official photos of the 2011 S60 that is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The all-new S60 draws many styling cues from the S60 concept and features many of the same design elements as the rest of the Volvo models. Unfortunately the suicide doors from the concept didn't make it to production, but the coupe-like roofline remains.
Volvo claims that the new S60 will drive like no other Volvo and will be safer thanks to the Pedestrian Detection system.
The 2011 Volvo S60 will enter production in early summer 2010.
Bugatti unveiled the 16C Galibier Concept back in September and now the automaker has showed the car off at a special event in Los Angeles.
The concept is powered by a 8.0L W16 engine with twin-turbochargers that is expected to be mated to an eight-speed transmission. Bugatti hasn't released official specs for the all-wheel-drive Galibier, but it's been rumored that the W16 engine will put out around 800 horsepower and the car will have a top speed around 220 mph.
Bugatti claims that when it is officially released the Galibier will be the fastest and most powerful four-passenger sedan available.
The Detroit News is reporting that GM has finally decided to build the Cadillac Converj, which shares the same extended-range technology as the Chevy Volt.
GM originally unveiled the Cadillac Converj concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. A production date has not been set, but it will likely be a few years before it hits the showroom. When it was unveiled Bob Lutz claimed that a production version would remain very close to the concept, just how GM did with the Camaro.
The Converj seems to make sense, since it would increase the number of electric vehicles offered by GM and it would help spread the cost of the technology that is shared with the Volt. GM would also be able to apply a higher sticker price to the Cadillac version, which would also help with costs.
The Volt is still on target for production at the end of 2010, we'll have to keep our fingers crossed that the Converj is going to actually be produced.
Toyota has announced that the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan will debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Toyota didn't release any official details about the third generation Sienna...stay tuned.
PRESS RELEASE:
All-New Third-Generation Toyota Sienna to Make World Debut at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
TORRANCE, Calif., November 9, 2009 - - Toyota will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2011 Sienna minivan at a press conference at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The press conference will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:35 a.m. at the Toyota exhibit space in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.
Suzuki's much talked about new midsize sedan, the 2010 Kizashi is going to start at $18,999.
Even though the Kizashi S starts just under $19k, it still comes standard with power windows and locks, push-button start, dual-zone climate control and a nine speaker audio system. For $2,500 more buyers can get the Kizashi SE with a CVT, 17-inch alloy wheels and power driver's seat. The GTS model is available with either the CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. It also includes a 425- watt audio system, 18-inch wheels, Bluetooth and a moonroof. The top GTS model goes for $24,849. The top of the line SLS starts at $24,399 and includes leather seats, heated front seats, automatic headlights and wipers and rear parking sensors. The SLS tops out at $26,749. And of course all the prices are subject to a $735 destination and handling fee.
Ford has unveiled the auto industry's first ever inflatable seat belt, which is designed to add more protection for rear seat passengers.
The new inflatable seat belt is designed to inflate in a mere 40 milliseconds and when expanded the belts spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts. The new seat belt inflates slower than a conventional air bag and uses cold compressed gas instead of a heat-generating chemical reaction.
"It's a very simple and logical system, but it required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove out the technology and ensure precise reliable performance in a crash situation," said Srini Sundararajan, safety technical leader for Ford research and advance engineering.
The new inflatable seat belt will debut first on the next-generation Ford Explorer in 2010 and then it will eventually be offered in vehicles globally.
Porsche has unveiled the 2011 Boxster Spyder, which will become the lightest Porsche available.
The third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show.
The Boxster Spyder features a low slung soft-top, extra low side windows and two bulges on the rear lid that make the Spyder reminiscent of the Carrera GT. The Spyder is powered by a 3.4-liter six-cylinder that puts out 320 horsepower, which is 10 more than the Boxster S. It also features an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm. The Boxster Spyder only weighs 2,811 pounds, which is 176 pounds lighter than the Boxster S.
When equipped with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission the Boxster Spyder reaches 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 166 mph with the roof open.
The 2011 Boxster Spyder goes on sale February 2010. U.S. pricing is $61,200.
Toyota has unveiled the European version of the Toyota Land Cruiser that is very different and smaller than the version that we have here in the US. 
