Peugeot released full photos of the "5 by Peugeot" concept!

Peugeot has released full photos of the "5 by Peugeot" concept that is going to be unveiled this month at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept is said to provide a hint of the future design direction of Peugeot and the automaker's future ambitions in the large luxury vehicle segment.
The 5 by Peugeot is powered by Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, which features a 2.0L engine in the front of the car that is mated to an electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The setup creates an all-wheel-drive setup and puts out a total 200 horsepower.
Expect the 5 by Peugeot to be the inspiration for the next 508.

Honda used the Chicago Auto Show to show off the Odyssey Concept!

Honda has used the Chicago Auto Show to show off the Odyssey Concept, which is pretty close to what we can expect to see when the next-generation Odyssey is released by the end of the year.
The Odyssey has been the best-selling minivan in the US the past two years, but that doesn't mean that Honda is going to play it safe with the next model. The concept moves away from the current conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance. Honda claims that the concept is 1-inch lower and 1.4-inches wider than the current Odyssey, which gives it a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence.
Honda didn't release any specifics about what we can expect under the hood of the new Odyssey, but did state that the 2011 Odyssey is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19 city/28 highway.

Toyota's Scion division May Add a Small Pickup to its Lineup!

Toyota's Scion division is reportedly studying the idea of adding small compact pickup to its lineup. Scion's General Manager Jack Hollis told Ward's Auto, Trucks are "not off the table," Hollis says in an interview at the 2010 North American International Auto Show here. "If I said, 'off the table,' I'd like to take that back." "Toyota has such a strong heritage of doing a very good job with youth and with trucks, when you look at (the Toyota) Tacoma - I'm not trying to be too cocky, but we pretty much have owned that segment for a long time. We have to find a niche. I think there is room for it."
The main issue with introducing a new smaller truck to the Scion brand is what it might do to Toyota's Tacoma sales. The Tacoma is the sales leader in the compact truck market, selling 111,824 units, while the runner up, the Ford Ranger only sold 55,600. Scion feels that today's compact trucks have increased in size compared to the earlier models, so there may be room for a smaller pickup.
If Scion does decide to add a small pickup, it would be interesting to see what it would look like. Maybe a modified version of the Hako concept from the 2008 New York Auto Show? In the meantime Scion is set to unveil a new model at this year's New York Auto Show that will hopefully help it regain some of its sales that the brand has lost in the last few years.

Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept Debuts at the Tokyo Auto Salon!

Tokyo's version of SEMA, the Tokyo Auto Salon is taking place right now and this year Toyota is showing off the FT_86 G Sports Concept, which basically is a modified version of its upcoming RWD coupe.
Besides the modifications to the exterior Toyota didn't release any official specs for the coupe.
Make sure you also check out the video of the FT-86 G Sports Concept.

Honda officially unveiled the 2011 Honda CR-Z at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show!

Honda has officially unveiled the 2011 Honda CR-Z at the Detroit Auto Show. We've seen several leaked photos and brochures of the production version of the CR-Z, so today's unveiling wasn't much of a surprise. As expected the CR-Z finally brings some much needed "sport" to the hybrid segment, but to some the final result may be a little disappointing. The Honda CR-Z is launching with a 1.5L 4-cyl mated to an electric motor, which together only put out 122 horsepower on tap and just 128 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers don't really make the hybrid seem all that sporty. At least the availability of a six-speed manual may make it a little more enjoyable to drive than the optional CVT. When equipped with the CVT the CR-Z gets 36 city/38 highway miles per gallon. With the manual it only gets 31/37.
Although on paper it doesn't seem like the CR-Z will be that sporty, but lets hope it drives well.
The 2011 CR-Z will be available this summer.

Nissan is going to unveil the Juke Crossover at Geneva Motor Show in March 2010

Last year Nissan unveiled the interesting Qazana concept at the Geneva Motor Show and now the automaker has released the first teaser image of the Juke Crossover, which has the same basic form of last year's concept. Nissan is going to unveil the Juke crossover at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales starting in October. The Juke will fit between the Note compact family car and the Qashqai crossover in Nissan's lineup. It will be manufactured alongside the Qashqai, Qashqai+2 and Note at Nissan's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sunderland, Great Britain. It's unlikely that the Juke will be offered in the US.
Expect more details next month.

GM unveiled the Chevy Aveo RS Concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show!

Let's just say it as it is...this concept is so much better than the current bargain basement Aveo. The Aveo RS Concept is our first hint of what to expect from the next Aveo, which should arrive in a year or so.
Small cars have finally become important in the US following the success of the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris. By the end of the year, Ford's much acclaimed Fiesta will also be roaming US streets, so it's nice to see that GM is finally getting serious about the segment as well. The Aveo RS Concept ditches the boring econocar looks of the current Aveo for something that is much more aggressive with a wider stance and styling reminiscent of the Chevy Spark. Inside the concept gets an interior that is similar to that of the new Chevy Cruze and Equinox.
The Aveo RS Concept also finally has something decent under the hood since it is powered by the same turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque as the larger Cruze. GM hasn't officially announced if there will be an RS version of the next Aveo, but it would be nice.

Toyota unveiled its own small vehicle for the emerging markets, the Etios Concept!

Toyota has unveiled its own small vehicle for the emerging markets, the Etios Concept.
The Etios concept, which is expected to be in production by the end of the year will be offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles when it is introduced in India. The small car can be powered by either a 1.2L or 1.5L DOHC gasoline engine, a diesel has been put on hold.
The concept you see here is 90 percent ready for production. In addition to sales in India, the Etios will also be offered in Russia and South America.

Honda unveiled the New Small Concept at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi!

Honda has unveiled the New Small Concept at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi.
The New Small Concept is a five-door, five-passenger vehicle designed for emerging markets. Honda expects to introduce a new model based on the concept in 2011 in India and Thailand. It's doubtful that this vehicle would ever be offered in the U.S. or Europe.
Honda is planning to introduce a new model based on the Honda New Small Concept in 2011, in India and also in Thailand.
Honda will strive to provide a new small-sized vehicle that is beyond the expectations of customers in rapidly growing markets and offer it at an affordable price by leveraging Honda's global parts sourcing network.

Saab Aero X Could be Produced if Spyker Buys Saab!

As we all wait for GM to finally decide if there is going to be a deal with Spyker concerning the fate of Saab, Spyker has revealed some of its plans for the brand if it does indeed acquire it.
Spyker's boss, Victor Muller recently revealed to AOL that if Spyker does acquire Saab it plans to rebuild the brand around the new 9-5, the 9-4X crossover and the 9-3. The new 9-5 would be released first, in the next few months followed by the introduction of the 9-4X crossover later this year or in 2011.
Regarding the Aero X concept car, Muller stated, "I love that car, and it deserves to be built. It's got true 'Saabishness' in it. It's one of the best designs of the past five years."
We'll have to wait and see what happens. GM has officially extended the deadline for a deal for Saab to January 7th.

GM is going to unveil the smallest GMC ever, the Granite Concept!

At this year's Detroit Auto Show, GM is going to unveil the smallest GMC ever, the Granite Concept.
"Granite was conceived as a new type of vehicle from GMC - one that could stretch people's ideas of what a GMC can be," said Lisa Hutchinson, product marketing director for GMC. "We call it an 'urban utility vehicle' and our goal was redefining what the GMC name could mean to a new generation of customers looking for both bold design and functionality."
The Granite is a full two inches shorter than the GMC Terrain and is aimed at young professionals. The concept is powered by GM's new turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed transmission. In the Chevy Cruze the engine puts out138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. The Granite concept features a four-door design with suicide doors. Since the concept doesn't have a B-pillar there is easier access to the passenger area.
GM hasn't announced if the Granite concept is destined for production.

GM will Build the Cadillac Converj extended-range electric vehicle!

Today GM's Bob Lutz officially announced at the conference of the Society of Automotive Analysts that GM is going to build the Cadillac Converj extended-range electric vehicle. Teh Cadillac Converj will officially be the second plug-in extended-range electric vehicle that GM is going to introduce.
The Converj Concept was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show last year and was based on the same powertrain that is going to power the upcoming Chevy Volt. According to Lutz, GM has just started developement on the Converj and it is at least a few years away.
The Cadillac Converj is cleared for production," Lutz said. He wouldn't commit to a production date. "You'll see it when you see it. It won't be next year or the year after that."

Geneva 10' Preview: Peugeot unveiled the SR1 Concept ahead of its official debut in Geneva in March!

Here's another reason we wish that Peugeot would return to the US, Peugeot has unveiled the SR1 Concept ahead of its official debut in Geneva in March.
The SR1 Concept provides a hint of the future Peugeot design language, but that means it's doubtful that this concept will see production. The concept is powered by Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, which in this case couples a 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine that powers the front wheels with an electric motor that sends its power to the rear. The combination puts out 313 horsepower. The HYbrid4 technology will eventually be offered on other Peugeot models.
Expect more details from the show in March.

Detroit 10' Preview: Toyota to Debut Dedicated Hybrid Concept

Toyota has just announced that the automaker is going to unveil a new dedicated hybrid concept at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Toyota didn't release any details about the concept, but since its being labeled as a "dedicated hybrid concept" it will not be a hybrid version of anything currently in Toyota's lineup. It could however be a concept version of the upcoming Prius Coupe or a wagon that has been rumored.