2014 Opel Insignia Wagon

I just posted this because I always liked the Insignia wagon. And wished GM had sold it in the US as the Regal wagon.
But they never did, and won't....

I think it's just too bad. Buick doesn't have a crossover between the Encore and the Enclave. So there would be room for a really nice looking mid sized wagon like this one.

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2014 Opel Insignia

 No surprises here. The changes to the European Opel match the ones we've seen on the 2014 Buick Regal. Since they are the same car.

Pretty funny to see the update in the US before, since this is essentially a German car.

I still remember the days when many of us wished GM and Ford would sell their European models here.
Now we have the updated Insignia, as well as the new Fusion/Mondeo before the Europeans...

Just as a quick reminder, here is the 2014 Regal.

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2014 Toyota Corolla

Finally, a new Corolla....

And it looks like.. a Corolla. really. Just a few years more modern than the car it replaces.
Design never seem to matter to the Corolla, since people around the world  buy them for other reasons.
Toyota describes the new design as "Iconic Dynamism". (Isn't that amazing...)

Engine seems to be the same, or at least similar. A 1.8 Liter with 132hp.
A new 140HP ECO version of that engine will get over 40MPG.
CVT is a new addition, while a 4 speed auto (yes!) still comes with the base model.
LED headlights and Bluetooth are standard.

As you can see, there is still an "S" model. (The red car) . S for sporty. The old fashion sporty. Which means only a small spoiler and black wheels. Not more power.
And you also get an assy looking chrome line around the grille that looks like a line sticker from PetBoys.

We will see millions of these in the next few years.

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2014 Nissan Micra

A few years ago, Nissan had mentioned we would be getting the Micra in the US. I guess they changed their minds, since it never came over here.
The ugly Versa is selling so well that they might not need a smaller, cheaper and better looking alternative.
In Europe, it is the 3rd best selling Nisan, behind the Qashqai and the Juke.

Looks like the front end is new, with more chrome. LED lights in the back. And a new dash inside.
Powered by a 1.2 Liter 3 cylinder engine with 98hp. And, of course, a CVT.

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2014 Chevrolet SS price

The new Chevy sedan will cost $44 470 loaded. With the only options being a $900 sunroof and a $500 full size spare tire (?!?!).

A lot of money to spend at a Chevrolet dealership. Sure, it is just a bit less expensive than similar Chrysler 300 SRT or Dodge Charger SRT.
And they also predict only 3000 to 5000 sales a year, so they don't really care.

I can't even see that many people interested, for what is basically a refreshed 7 year old design....

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Ford Ecosport in the US?

So far the official word is: " We certainly have the ability. We're studying very, very closely".
From Jim Farley at Ford.

I think the Ecosport makes a lot of sense in the US. If they can sell the Fiesta, why not a Fiesta based crossover.. Really.
The Ecosprt is usually powered by the same 1.0 3 cylinder Turbo with 120hp soon to be used in the US Fiesta. (A 2.0 Liter version is also available in some markets.)

The new Escape isn't that small, I think there is plenty of room for something smaller and cheaper.
The Ecosport is only one inch smaller than the new Buick Encore.

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MindDrive – A Car Driven by Social Media

There is nothing like a great American road trip.  Ever since Ford made the automobile mainstream with the Model T, people have been driving to and from wherever his or her heart pleases.  Sometimes these excursions are for fun, and some have a purpose.  They all have one thing in common though: lots of fuel is used.  Now what if your runs off of Tweets, FaceBook posts, and Instagram follows?  This is MindDrive’s Project Ghia.

MindDrive is based in Kansas City.  It is an “auto-shop-type” based program designed to help the at-risk youth of the urban environment learn a trade, and to more or less keep them out of trouble.  Their stated mission is “to inspire students to learn, expand their vision of the future, and to have a positive impact on urban workforce development.”

What MindDrive is doing is very beneficial for the youth of today’s society, but they are not learning how to do oil changes in a 1993 Ford Escort.  Project Ghia involves taking an old 1967 beat up Volkswagen Kharmann Ghia, and not only restoring it, but converting it to an electric car that is powered by social media.

Basically, the plan is for the students to drive the car from Kansas City to Washington, DC to promote the program MindDrive.  The car is only given wattage to move if people “like” them on Facebook, comment on FaceBook, Tweet them, tag them, follow them, and so on.

To have a bunch of at-risk teens build a car after school is one thing, but to have them convert an old chunk of steel into an electric car that runs off of “social fuel” is another.  Help fuel them on their journey by following them, Tweeting them, and so on!  Their information is below!

MindDrive

Website

FaceBook

Twitter (#MindDrive)

Instagram

YouTube

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ATOZYcom

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