Archive for February, 2008

Z06-engined Holden ready for combat

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

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Holden, the Australian division of General Motors that gave us the Pontiac GTO and G8, have cooked up a new car based on the same underpinnings. To be shown at the Melbourne Auto Show today, the tentatively-named HSV Commodore is a new super-expensive offering with the 505 hp Corvette Z06 engine. (more…)

2009 Volkswagen Scirocco to debut in Geneva

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

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The 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco was supposed to be unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show this March, but photos of the new hatchback have already been leaked. While the car does not have the usual corporate grille design, poor VW doesn’t seem to understand that yet another similar car is going to cut into sales of their own GTI and Audi A3. Having a bunch of overlapping cars so similar to each other is what put them in financial trouble, among other things. (more…)

Mitsubishi to show Lancer Sportback concept

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

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To be shown at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, and probably reserved only for the hatchback-loving European market, Mitsubishi is going to show a “concept” hatchack version of the new Lancer. Seen here are leaked early images. (more…)

2009 Volvo XC60 headed Stateside after Geneva

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

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The 2008 Geneva Auto Show is near, but Volvo jumped the gun and revealed their all-new XC60 compact 4WD softroader. The 2009 XC60 is admittedly aiming for a small niche market among Volvo fanboys, with almost half its yearly production numbers destined for the United States. (more…)

Australia gets new Ford Falcon models

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

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Ford has redesigned their limited-to-Australia Falcon, calling it the FG series. While it looks great, it really looks like more of a minor update on an outdated car. But with rear-wheel-drive and insanely powerful engine, who cares. (more…)

Europe gets Ford Kuga at Geneva Auto Show

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

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Ford will be pulling the wraps off its first crossover SUV in Europe next month in Geneva. Based on a previous concept, the Kuga is European equivalent of the niche filled by the Escape in North America. (more…)

Rinspeed sQuba makes Elise go underwater

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

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Based on the Lotus Elise, the Rinspeed sQuba concept, to be shown at the Geneva Auto Show soon, is an all-electric vehicle with three motors, one to drive the car on land and two to power a pair of screw-drives for underwater movement. These are aided by two Seabob jet-drives that “breathe” through rotating louvers mounted on the car’s fenders and appear to give the car its maneuverability underwater. (more…)

2009 Ford Fiesta for Geneve Auto Show

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

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The fiesty Ford Fiesta is somewhat popular in Europe, and the 2009 all-new model is about to debut at the Geneva Auto Show soon. (more…)

Toyota iQ ready for streets of Europe

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

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The production-ready Toyota iQ will be shown for the first time at the upcoming 2008 Geneva Auto Show. Based on an earlier concept, details are still sketchy about this European-market car. (more…)

2009 Acura TSX and Euro Honda Accord unveiled

Tuesday, February 12th, 2008

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Acura has released a teaser shot of their upcoming 2009 TSX, facelifted to give it Acura’s new corporate face, a new rear, a better interior and some mechanical enhancements. The car is based on the European-market Honda Accord, which itself has received a similar makeover, and has already been unveiled. (more…)

VW peddles Chrysler minivan as Routan

Friday, February 8th, 2008

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Volkswagen is so desperate to make a few bucks that they simply facelifted the latest Chrysler Grand Voyager, upgraded the interior a bit, and renamed it the VW Routan. It is their attempt to cheaply add a conventional minivan to their range, cashing in on the blind faith that some people have on the VW badge. (more…)

Limited run for Dodge Challenger in 2008

Friday, February 8th, 2008

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The overshadowed 2008 Chicago Auto Show is underway, and their main exhibit seems to be the new Dodge Challenger SRT-8, dubbed as a limited-edition 2008 model. Official specs and performance figures have finally been revealed. (more…)

2009 Acura RL breaks cover at Chicago

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

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The 2008 Chicago Auto Show played host to the 2009 Acura RL. The anonymous-looking current RL will soon be replaced by this one, while other Acura models will get this new nose. (more…)

Facelifted 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse at Chicago

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

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The existing Mitsubishi Eclipse gets a facelift for the 2009 model year to make it look like the new Lancer Evolution. Except that the Evolution remains the true sports car of the range. (more…)

2009 Hyundai Sonata to show up at Chicago

Sunday, February 3rd, 2008

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The 2009 Hyundai Sonata will be shown at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, with a new face, a small increase in power, and a totally revised interior. (more…)

2009 Mitsubishi Galant reveal at Chicago show

Saturday, February 2nd, 2008

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Mitsubishi is readying a facelifted replacement for their sleepy Galant, to be shown at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show next week. The front gets a minor facelift, but the rear is completely changed. (more…)