All new engines for the redesigned 2014 Mini Cooper

Which is great news.I always liked the Mini, but never really liked the engines. At leas the base one.It never sounded sporty to me, just rough.There is an all new Mini coming up soon, and they have released details about the engines.-all new 1.5 Liter 3 cylinder engine with 134hp-all new 2.0 Liter turbo with 189hp for the Cooper S.We should see the whole thing really so...

Read More

All new JDM Honda Odyssey

Looks like there is an all new Odyssey for the japanese market.We all remember the very 1st generation that was sold here . It was a "smaller than minivan" van. With regular car doors.But eventually Honda decided the US needed something much larger for the second generation.In Japan, the local Odyssey kept being redesigned, keeping the car doors and the smaller size.This new one seems to be a bit larger. And it now has regular minivan sliding doors.And...

Read More

Lexus IS-F Coupe

Another monster coming up from Lexus.I just saw the new IS sedan driving around a few days ago, and it's not pretty.This is a complete mess. Although this is just an illustration, I wouldn't put it past Lexus to add all these vents, skirts and wings.I am sure the base model would look much better.Last' year's LF-CC Concept wasn't the greatest thing ever, but so much better than the production designs they've been coming up with since...

Read More

Porsche 911 Targa

 Porsche has been testing a Targa version of the new 911 for a while now.And this (kind of weird) illustration shows us what it could look like.Which is really a blend of retro and futuristic. The Targa style is so familiar to the 911.It will be really nice to see the new version, as the current 911 is such a gorgeous car.Here is one of the ancestors...

Read More

Qoros3 Sedan gets 5 star in EuroNCAP Crashtest

And by doing so, becomes the 1st Chinese car to get a 5 star rating in the European crash test.Quite amazing, compared to the 0 or 1 star ratings Chines cars used to get just a few years ago.The new Compact sedan is schedule for European release in 2014Here is the actual footage of the test.  Which is quite impressive.Especially compared to this!The Chinese Brilliance sedan crash test from 20...

Read More

VW Beetle Convertible TDI tst drive.

I was really interested in spending some time with the Diesel version of the redesigned Beetle convertible.Since I had only driven the 2.0 Liter version of the car before.Outside, the only difference with the "regular" non-turbo model seems to be the 17 inch wheel design. And the TDI badge on the trunk.Otherwise, it is the same great design.Same thing inside.Being a Turbo, it has the same stupid additional gauges on top of the dashboard.I never liked...

Read More

Hyundai iX25

This all new Hyundai model is rumored to be based on the Kia Soul platform.We've seen some of these prototypes before, and they actually do look a bit like the Soul.Not sure this will make it to the US or not. It will be smaller than the Tucson, known as the iX35 in Euro...

Read More

2015 Cadillac Escalade Teaser

The teaser is the B&W picture at the bottom. the top is the new 2015 Suburban.You can tell that the next Escalade will, again, just be a Chevy clone.Even though GM's BS department is telling us that now it'll be more special, different.No it won't. Just like the current generation, it will have a redesigned front end, rear lights and dashboard. And more chrome. That's about it.You would think for the money they charge it could be a little more...

Read More

Chang-An A301

Another day, another Chinese copy.This ones reminds me of a lot of cars. Including the Yaris and the Sonic.I am not even sure the black part of the top is actually a sunroof. I can't see any cut lines, so it could just be black paint?What does this remind you ...

Read More

2014 Mercedes S Class

I know, the new S Class is already out. So why is it still testing, camouflaged, in Los Angeles?Unless this is the next C-Class?What do you think?(Thanks to Jon for th...

Read More

Kia K900 coming to the US

The all new Kia K900 luxury car will be available in the US early next year. It is the same car known as the K9 in Korea.It is based on the same platform as the Hyundai Equus. But, unlike the Hyundai, it does look quite modern.Many say it looks too much like a BMW. Which could turn out to be a good thing for Kia, since they claim the car is "a 7 series value for a 5 series price".We'll have to see about that, as for now, the Equus is really not equal...

Read More

Fiat Viaggio Hatchback

Still testing in China.Where the sister car to our Dodge Dart will be offered as a hatchback.I hope Chrysler is considering this for the US as well, where the Dart seems to need help.They need to ditch the DSG type transmission people are complaining about and replace it with a proper automatic.And offer the hatchback. The decade old excuse "Americans don't buy hatchback" doesn't work anymore. Our street are populated with hathback versions of the...

Read More

More Qoros models coming up.

 Looks like Qoros has big plans for the future. the compact Qoros 3 sedan isn't on sale yet, and they have already shown hatchback and wagon versions.Now this. Some rather strange Minivan looking thing, and what looks like a larger luxury sedan.Seems that they are also planning much more, from the picture above.Chinese car companies have made big claims before. Tons of new models, European sales etc...As far as I am concerned, I don't believe...

Read More

SAAB restarts production.

So far, only a few pre-production "not for sale" units are being produced under new owner NEVS.These few cars are just being produce to calibrate the assembly line. And look pretty much the same as before. Except for the new Logo. As NEVS didn't acquire the rights to use the previous badge as part of the deal.No official word of what engine the gas powered version will use.An electric version with a new front end should start official production...

Read More

VW Beetle TDI Convertible test drive coming up.

Something really rare in the US: a diesel convertible.I have it for a week and will answer questions and report on it soon.So far, it is quiet and refined. And the gas mileage, as usual with TDIs,  exceeds official numbers.As I got 47MPG on a day trip a couple of days a...

Read More

More rumors about the Opel Cascada heading to the US

Which is great news!The Cascada is one of the best looking convertible out there.Sure, it was not engineered for US regulations. But apparently, GM is working on that as we speak.As everyone realizes this would make a great Buick model.A great looking, 4 seater with a large trunk would look really good in Buick showrooms.As you can see, inside, the Cascada is a blend of Astra (Verano) and Insignia (Regal).If priced right, I can see this selling quite...

Read More

2015 Maxima. NOT Mustang...

I meant to post this a while ago.A few weeks ago I posted this picture of a prototype taken in Death Valley this summer.Which is the 2015 Nissan Maxima.But somehow, many thought it was the next Mustang. Which is weird. Since the Mustang is a 2 door RWD car with a much shorter wheelbase. And completely different proportions.So I put this together, showing the car caught in Death Valley. The upcoming Maxima concept.And the 2015 Mustang, testing somewhere.What...

Read More

Buick Verano Turbo test drive

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt;...

Read More