The eagle-eyes at KGP have spied a 2008 Ford Five Hundred with very little camoflage. What’s changed? Okay, okay, they’ve updated the nose by adding Edge-type lights that integrate more with the grille, lessening the bug-eye effect of the current model. There are new strakes in the airdam, and the new corporate three-bar grille, but other than that this looks like a mild freshening. We’re detecting perhaps a smidge more angularity in the new front end. Out back, the taillights have been revised with more clear and just accents of red. Overall, a minor freshening but a much needed one to bring the Five-Hundred in line with the new face of Ford. We’ve always thought it was conservatively styled, but not ugly. The revisions keep it up to date, but the addition of the new 3.5-liter V6 with more power will no doubt pick up more sales than this mild facelift.
click above image to view our high-resolution gallery
Porsche is an intriguing company that manages to turn a great profit on a small line of expensive cars, and while its sportscars continue as their top-selling models, the first-generation Cayenne has been a runaway success. That’s the background before which Porsche unveiled the new 2008 Cayenne range here at the Detroit show, with all their big-wigs in attendance. The new Cayenne having been released last month, this was its first public debut.
Stuttgart’s designers aren’t keen on dramatic restylings, and the new Cayenne is certainly no exception: the overall shape, though more aggressive and slightly refreshed, is still instantly recognizable as a Porsche Cayenne. Most of the visible changes are up front, where the headlights get a sharper design and the air intakes are enlarged. The top-of-the-line, $94k Cayenne Turbo model gets the LED light cluster-bars from the 911 Turbo, which Porsche says will remain a distinctive design feature to differentiate turbo models across the range (so expect it to show up on the… 911 and Cayenne turbos, then). It is a more tasteful touch than the huge ducts and vents on the outgoing Cayenne Turbo but still sets it apart from the base Cayenne and Cayenne S. The display car in the pics was also fitted with monster 21-inch rims.
Nothing revolutionary here. The revolution came when Porsche launched its first sport-ute with the first-generation Cayenne in the first place. But you can expect soccer moms with means to be trading up in droves.
Follow the jump for the official press release from Porsche providing more detail, and visit our high-resolution photo gallery for 52 desktop-wallpaper sized images.
For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.
click above image to view live shots of the 2008 Saturn Red Line
Admittedly, hot-rodded cute-utes mystify many of us, but the kids seem to love ‘em, and the Red Line version of Saturn’s 2008 Vue should satisfy those looking for a combination of practicality and power.
We’re sure that some Saturn fans were not happy with the inclusion of Honda power in the previous Vue RL, and they can take comfort in the fact that the “foreign” drivetrain has been replaced with the General’s own High Feature DOHC V6 and six-speed automatic. Front wheel drive is standard, while those looking to route those 250 ponies via additional paths can opt for AWD.
The front fascia receives special Red Line attention, and out back, two large rectangular exhaust tips remind followers that they’re not behind a garden-variety Vue. Inside, the RL gets an exclusive Ebony color scheme, along with suede inserts on the seating surfaces to keep butts properly planted when exploring the limits of the lowered suspension and fat wheel/tire package.
Mike from ABG made the comment that this is a bit like a poor man’s BMW X3, and we’d have to agree with that statement.
Check out the gallery for additional shots of the Vue Red Line followed by the official press release after the jump.
Click above image for our high-res photo gallery of live and official shots
Here in Chicago this morning Toyota unveiled the redesigned 2008 Highlander with the mantra Bigger! Wider! Safer! As you might imagine, the new crossover is larger in all dimensions, with a more powerful 3.5L V6 now cranking out 270 hp, 55hp more than the old one. It is still based on the Camry platform, although now it’s the most recent edition, which is three inches longer and four inches wider. The ground clearance is also increased by and inch and the wheelbase gets three extra inches. As for the new styling, if you squint you can see a passing resemblance in the front end to the new 2007 Tundra.
The biggest emphasis though was on safety. All Highlanders now have side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats as well as a knee bag for the driver. All will also get ABS, traction control, brake assist and stability control. The front end of the vehicle has special crush zones built in so that the next time you run over a pedestrian they have a slightly better chance of survival. In addition, the two upper trim levels get a rear facing video camera with a dedicated display that’s not shared with the navigation system. The Toyota press release is after the jump with more details, and information on the new Highlander Hybrid and it’s EV-only mode is over on AutoBlogGreen.
PS: Check out the tailpipes on the Highlander. They’re run through the bumper rather than underneath. Nevermind. The Highlander’s not that cool. After a closer inspection of the CUV’s rear on the show floor, the exhaust exits discretely below the bumper. Those holes out back are just for simple reflectors.
In a move that can only be deemed as stupid, lazy or incredibly devious, Car & Driver published images and information on Scion’s redesigned xB and all-new xD more than a day and a half before the car’s are scheduled to be debuted here in Chicago. The info went live last night but wasn’t discovered until an industrious member of the ScionLife forum messed with the URL and found it.
First up is the new xB, which has grown in size thanks to leaving the platform it shared with the now defunct xA. Gone is the toaster-esque styling as well, replaced with a design that’s still a box, though one with fender flares, a little more character in the front end and a thick C/D-pillar. It’s also reported that the interior has been upgraded along with losing the not-loved center-mounted gauge pod. The xB will also share its powerplant with the tC now, which means a 2.4L four-cylinder generating 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque will be on tap to send power through a five-speed manual or four-seed automatic.
The xD is the new kid in the Scion camp, replacing the less well-received xA. It rides on the same platform as the Yaris, but is powered by the 128-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder found in the Corolla and Matrix. The xD will feature the same transmission choices as the new xB and send power to the front wheels only. The xD’s styling shares the same thick C/D-pillar seen on the new xB, which appears to be a new Scion trademark styling cue. We’ll leave judgment of the car’s overall design to you, but will just say that it looks like a cross between a Camry and a JDM-market Mazda Verisa.
The Subaru Impreza has changed faces more times than a dirty politician, but still manages to sell well thanks largely to a loyal customer base. And those loyal customers - not to mention the enthusiasts to whom the letters s-t-i are close to g-o-d - have been patiently awaiting the launch of the current Impreza’s replacement, due for unveiling at the New York Auto Show in April and on the market next year.
These images published in Japan are now hitting the internet, and if the illustrations are accurate, the wait just might be over, not to mention worthwhile. Subaru’s design director, Andreas Zapatinas, who was responsible for the current Subie’s rather unfortunate (though arguably distinctive) front end, was shown the door. And it seems Zapatinas’ successors did a much better job putting together a sharp-looking cohesive package that should make the technically excellent Impreza more palatable - if not more desirable - to a broader range of customers.
The Subaru Impreza has changed faces more times than a dirty politician, but still manages to sell well thanks largely to a loyal customer base. And those loyal customers - not to mention the enthusiasts to whom the letters s-t-i are close to g-o-d - have been patiently awaiting the launch of the current Impreza’s replacement, due for unveiling at the New York Auto Show in April and on the market next year.
These images published in Japan are now hitting the internet, and if the illustrations are accurate, the wait just might be over, not to mention worthwhile. Subaru’s design director, Andreas Zapatinas, who was responsible for the current Subie’s rather unfortunate (though arguably distinctive) front end, was shown the door. And it seems Zapatinas’ successors did a much better job putting together a sharp-looking cohesive package that should make the technically excellent Impreza more palatable - if not more desirable - to a broader range of customers.
This isn’t officially official, but hearsay confirmation has the Jetta Wagon (Golf Variant) bowing at the Geneva show. The Jetta Wagon is expected to land in the US later this year, and we hope it’ll drive a surge in wagon interest. We’ve seen a preview of the basic shape in the form of the Skoda Octavia Scout. We think the Jetta/Golf has a smoother, more attractive face, and without the heavy plastic cladding, the car looks much lighter on its feet. We wouldn’t mind the addition of a GLI Wagon to the model range, either. That would make the MkV platform attractive to folks who want a little spice in their ride, but need even more cargo versatility.
Speaking of versatility, a Jetta Wagon is the perfect size for buyers currently opting for soft-roaders like the CR-V or RAV-4, though both of those have grown considerably in their last refresh. We’re not sure where the wagon stigma came from, as some of our favorite cars are wagons (a Volvo Turbo wagon, for example, is a thing to behold), and they’re far more useful and practical than the sedan versions of the same car. We await the arrival of the Jetta wagon and hope that it will appeal to the fuel-economy geeks among us with an available diesel powertrain, as well as lighting the fires of those who like to round corners quickly with a more sprightly version like the GLI. Combining the two would be a nice touch.
One of our favorite marque-specific, indie buff books, SubieSport, let a couple images slip of Subaru’s warmed over 2008 B9 Tribeca.
Due to be shown on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, the reworked SUV gets a new nose that’s eerily reminiscent of Chrysler’s Pacifica (with a little Touareg thrown in), dispatching the Edsel-like front grille that has caught the ire of several journos and consumers. The rear gets a mild tweaking as well, with a few more angles on the tail lamps and hatch.
As expected, a new 3.6L H6 finds its way underhood, developing 256 HP at 6,000 RPM (up from 250 HP) and 247 lb.-ft. of torque. Apparently, the five-speed autobox has also benefited from some additional engineering, with new programming that should make good use of the extra twist.
SubieSport’s got all the technical details here, along with an a few pics.
One of our favorite marque-specific, indie buff books, SubieSport, let a couple images slip of Subaru’s warmed over 2008 B9 Tribeca.
Due to be shown on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, the reworked SUV gets a new nose that’s eerily reminiscent of Chrysler’s Pacifica (with a little Touareg thrown in), dispatching the Edsel-like front grille that has caught the ire of several journos and consumers. The rear gets a mild tweaking as well, with a few more angles on the tail lamps and hatch.
As expected, a new 3.6L H6 finds its way underhood, developing 256 HP at 6,000 RPM (up from 250 HP) and 247 lb.-ft. of torque. Apparently, the five-speed autobox has also benefited from some additional engineering, with new programming that should make good use of the extra twist.
SubieSport’s got all the technical details here, along with an a few pics.
Road & Track magazine has come clean with its take on (and photos of) the all-new Subaru Impreza WRX. The previously-releasedMotor Trend photo spread did absolutely nothing for the car, and was largely met with cries of anguish, pulling of hair and much gnashing of teeth. The new Subie’s 5-door appearance has proven to be controversial so far, mostly because it just didn’t look good in those particular photos. R&T’s pics cast it the car in a different light, and it fares better.
The new front end design is a lot more appealing than the Motor Trend cover led us to believe. Road & Track’s pictures, taken outside in sunlight, show that the grillework is not overly shiny. In fact, it appears to have a predominantly matte finish, with a little extra shine on the side and lower borders. The car’s substantial hood scoop is wide and mean-looking, and it appears ready to ingest any unlucky birds, roadside wildlife, and possibly small children that happen to venture too close. We like what we see.
In profile, the car still looks enormous (note the driver’s size compared to the rest of the car), and we get the impression that it probably is, when compared to the outgoing Impreza. One of Subaru’s goals was to make the new version more practical and appealing to the masses, and it’s obviously grown accordingly. That all said, the hatchback is looking a lot better in our eyes after seeing these new photos. Whether or not the car truly presents well “in the metal” is something we’ll be able to tell you in a few days.
The irony of all this is that the hatchback, a car every auto writer and pundit had been waiting for with bated breath, is practically old news now. Who’d have thought that the big Subie surprise awaiting us in New York would be the new WRX sedan, which has remained very much off the radar during the runup to the show?
click above image to view our entire gallery of high-res pic for the 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe
Not much news here, just pics. Infiniti just released additional artsy images of the new 2008 G37 Coupe that will make its official debut next week at the New York Auto Show. As always, we’ve added them to our gallery of desktop wallpaper-sized pics for your perusal.
Up to now, the interior of the HUMMER H2 could be pointed to as a case study in how to make a vehicle interior as cheap-looking as possible. The salt in the wound, of course, is that such crap was attached to a vehicle costing north of $50,000.
Well, that’s over, thank goodness. The 2008 HUMMER H2 gets a spiffy new powertrain in the 6.2L V8 with a 6-speed automatic sourced from the Cadillac Escalade, but the real story is the gigunda SUV’s 100% improved passenger cabin. The ‘08 on the floor at the New York Auto Show is an orange H2 SUT, and when you open the door to look inside, the first thing you think is, “Why didn’t it look like this in the first place?”
New, comfortable leather seats are the perches from which driver and passenger gaze upon an all-new instrument panel featuring clean, readable, chrome-ringed gauges, and a proper center stack that uses the General’s top-shelf parts bin audio and HVAC controls. HUMMER product director Ross Hendrix takes great pride in the new analog clock installed in the middle of the dash. Costing an unbelievable $26 per vehicle, the clock was something he said he had to fight tooth-and-nail for. But Hendrix is an effective advocate for his brand, and he won in the end. Thought by some at GM to be “too Escalade” for the HUMMER, the clock in the H2 is, unlike the Cadillac’s stylized time-teller, actually readable. The 2008 H2’s dash covering and door panel tops are also made of soft-touch plastic that has a notable “give” to it when you press down. In short: much, much better. If you visit the show, compare the ‘08 to the red ‘07 H2 parked nearby, and we think you’ll be in full agreement.
Up to now, the interior of the HUMMER H2 could be pointed to as a case study in how to make a vehicle interior as cheap-looking as possible. The salt in the wound, of course, is that such crap was attached to a vehicle costing north of $50,000.
Well, that’s over, thank goodness. The 2008 HUMMER H2 gets a spiffy new powertrain in the 6.2L V8 with a 6-speed automatic sourced from the Cadillac Escalade, but the real story is the gigunda SUV’s 100% improved passenger cabin. The ‘08 on the floor at the New York Auto Show is an orange H2 SUT, and when you open the door to look inside, the first thing you think is, “Why didn’t it look like this in the first place?”
New, comfortable leather seats are the perches from which driver and passenger gaze upon an all-new instrument panel featuring clean, readable, chrome-ringed gauges, and a proper center stack that uses the General’s top-shelf parts bin audio and HVAC controls. HUMMER product director Ross Hendrix takes great pride in the new analog clock installed in the middle of the dash. Costing an unbelievable $26 per vehicle, the clock was something he said he had to fight tooth-and-nail for. But Hendrix is an effective advocate for his brand, and he won in the end. Thought by some at GM to be “too Escalade” for the HUMMER, the clock in the H2 is, unlike the Cadillac’s stylized time-teller, actually readable. The 2008 H2’s dash covering and door panel tops are also made of soft-touch plastic that has a notable “give” to it when you press down. In short: much, much better. If you visit the show, compare the ‘08 to the red ‘07 H2 parked nearby, and we think you’ll be in full agreement. %Gallery-2312%
In his CES keynote, part of which you can watch above, General Motor’s CEO Rick Wagoner hints that an announcement with the release date for GM’s first plug-in hybrid is coming “very soon.” GM told us the release date for Saturn Vue plug-in might be in the end of 2008 or “2009-ish” range. From what Rick says in his keynote, I get the feeling we might get news of a firm release date at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. Here is exactly what he said (watch 5:30 into the video above):
We’ve already announced our intention to build a “plug-in” version of our Saturn VUE hybrid. Our team is hard at work to get this technology to market as soon as we can. Expect an announcement on the VUE plug-in hybrid very soon.
I guess we will find out next week when the 2008 Detroit Auto Show begins. If there is news of a release date in Detroit, the best I am hoping for is an October 2008 release and maybe a few details about possible MPG ratings for the vehicle. If anyone can buy and drive off with the Saturn Vue PHEV from the Detroit Show floor, that would be okay too, I guess.
The eagle-eyes at KGP have spied a 2008 Ford Five Hundred with very little camoflage. What’s changed? Okay, okay, they’ve updated the nose by adding Edge-type lights that integrate more with the grille, lessening the bug-eye effect of the current model. There are new strakes in the airdam, and the new corporate three-bar grille, but other than that this looks like a mild freshening. We’re detecting perhaps a smidge more angularity in the new front end. Out back, the taillights have been revised with more clear and just accents of red. Overall, a minor freshening but a much needed one to bring the Five-Hundred in line with the new face of Ford. We’ve always thought it was conservatively styled, but not ugly. The revisions keep it up to date, but the addition of the new 3.5-liter V6 with more power will no doubt pick up more sales than this mild facelift. 
