Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Next Bigger Scion xB to Be Exclusive for North America

Launching in 2006, the next Scion xB will be based off the new-generation Corolla platform and will seriously bulk up in size, according to the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun industry newspaper.

The current xB (known as the bB, or Black Box, in Japan) is spun off the smaller Yaris platform. Confounding the critics who said it was too compact and quirky for the U.S. market, the xB has proved to be a smash hit. In 2005, U.S.

Scion sales are expected to surpass 150,000 units for the first time. Scion displayed the well-received t2B concept at the 2005 New York Auto Show, as a pointer, perhaps, to the next xB. Designed by Toyota's CALTY studio in Newport Beach, California, the t2B (Tall Two-Box) uses the same 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine as the tC coupe and stands a full 10 inches longer and 4 inches wider than today's 1.5-liter xB.
Before the end of this year, Toyota will launch a new bB in Japan but that's a purely domestic 1.5-liter model.
© edmunds.com

Scion xB photos :

2006 Toyota RAV4

There's big news for the new RAV4, headed to dealerships soon: V-6 power and third-row seats.
V-6 power in the RAV is a long time coming, but third-row seats? Really?

That's what we thought when we first heard the news. How could they cram in that third row? But the RAV4 is a lot bigger. While the proportions have stayed roughly the same, truth is, the "little" RAV4 sport-utility is no longer that compact. The upsizing of the RAV4 stretches it by 14 inches overall and puts it at only about 3.5 inches shorter overall than the Highlander, with a wheelbase about two inches shorter than the Highlander. In terms of height and width, the differences are too close to call; even curb weight is comparable.

This translates to an interior that's very roomy for four adult occupants, with space for cargo, too. Toyota claims a 20-percent improvement in overall interior space, with improved head-and-shoulder room in the second row especially, but we also noticed significant improvements in front seating and the driving position. The gauge cluster and steering column are no longer angled up as much, allowing a more natural driving position for those who are of average height or taller.
© thecarconnection.com

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Next-gen Land Rover Freelander spied in advance of '06 debut

As Ford-owned Land Rover prepares to launch a new Freelander in 2006, spies caught this nearly undisguised prototype on a recent test. These photos show the 2007-model Freelander as exclusively a five-door; it is bigger, wider, longer and more upmarket than the first-generation Freelander.


The test car rides on a stretched version of the Volvo S40/V50, Mazda 3/Mazda 5 and Euro Ford Focus chassis, the same extended chassis that underpins the next Volvo S60/V70. With this new chassis, look for the Freelander to switch to transversely mounted inline six-cylinder engines supplied by Volvo.
© autoweek.com

Hyundai's redesigned Santa Fe gets third row of seats, refined chassis

SEOUL - The redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe, which will be built in Alabama in the first quarter of 2006, adds a third row of seats.

At 184 inches long, the new Santa Fe is about 7 inches longer than the current model. It's nearly 2 inches wider and higher.The Santa Fe has seven seats, compared with five for the current model. The third row of seats folds flat into the floor.Hyundai says the chassis was revised to make the ride more sedan-like, especially for rear passengers.In North America, the new Santa Fe will have a 3.3-liter V-6 gasoline engine. In Europe it will be available with a new 2.2-liter diesel engine or a 2.7-liter V-6 gasoline engine.

The Korean automaker is targeting sales of 60,000 units a year in Korea, and exports of 150,000 units a year from Korea to markets outside of North America.Company officials wouldn't release a sales target for North America, which will be supplied by the plant in Montgomery, Ala. The plant also assembles the Hyundai Sonata.Hyundai expects the new Santa Fe to compete with the Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty.Prices for the new model were not released.The current model starts at $22,395, including freight.
© autoweek.com

Monday, November 28, 2005

Mitsubishi's Colt Wings Edition

The Essen Motor Show has the same meaning to Germans as the SEMA convention to Americans: the wildest cars all in one place. And like every time, Mitsubishi keeps it real.

The Lancer Evo has a cult following all over Europe, but it is not just the rally-bred sedan that enlivens Mitsubishi's Essen presence. Three years ago, Mitsubishi presented a one-off turbocharged Colt, which people got really enthusiastic about. This year it is time for another crazy Colt conversion — this time, a Colt with scissor doors in the style of a Lamborghini MurciĆ©lago!

Called Colt Wings Edition, this one-off show car was commissioned by a German Mitsubishi dealer. The exciting door solution was provided by a local specialist, LSD Doors. Additional features include a body kit, 17-inch alloys and leather interior.
© edmunds.com

550-hp 3-Series: Hartge Drops a V10 into an Uber-BMW

Famed BMW tuner Hartge stunned attendees here at the Essen Motor Show with a delicious surprise: a V10-powered 3 Series that should easily outgun the recently released M5.


Hartge, in fact, borrowed the M5's 5.0-liter powerplant and seven-speed AMG gearbox for its new H50 V10. The engine has been massaged to deliver 550 horsepower, while torque remains at 384 pound-feet. Hartge says it has boosted the electronically governed top speed from 155 to 199 miles per hour. A new stainless steel exhaust system can be ordered with a pair of dual round or oval tailpipes.
The tuning house has added a reinforced rear axle and revised suspension pieces, and fitted 20-inch Continental performance tires — 245/30ZR-20s in front and 285/25ZR-20s in the rear.

Hartge, as always, has provided extensive modifications inside and out. The exterior gets a striking two-tone paint job, with additional air vents on the hood and fenders to help cool the big engine. A front lip spoiler and rear apron also have been added.

The cabin of the H50 V10 boasts carbon-fiber trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with carbon inserts, an illuminated leather/aluminum gearshift knob and leather/aluminum handbrake cover.

Hartge says it is also working on similar V10 conversions for the upcoming 3 Series coupe and wagon.
© edmunds.com

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Aston Martin Racing DBRS9 Completes First 3000 kms of Testing

The new Aston Martin Racing DBRS9 GT3 car has completed the first 3000 kms of its development programme.

Aston Martin Racing first showed the car at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Since then, the team has been putting the first test car through an intensive development programme at circuits around the UK to prove the cars speed and reliability.

"The early tests have been very encouraging, said George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing team principal. As we would expect with any new car programme, the testing has highlighted a number of areas where we can make improvements, but already we have seen that the car handles well and has the required level of performance for the new GT3 class".

The car has been designed to conform to FIA International GT3 technical regulations, but while competing in a different class to the GT1 DBR9, Aston Martin Racing has been able to carry over much of the technology. The two cars have similar chassis, carbon bodywork and suspension lay-out, and the engine and drivetrain have been developed by the same team of engineers. While primarily designed for the FIA GT3 championship, it is also suitable for national GT series, club racers and as a track day car.

Aston Martin Racing driver, Darren Turner, has completed much of the development work. He said: As the DBRS9 has the same base chassis and layout as the DBR9, it feels very much like the GT1 car. It is also very well balanced and, as a result, it instils a great deal of confidence enabling you to extract all the performance from the Aston Martin V12.

The first DBRS9 chassis have already been assembled and, following engineering sign-off of the test car, the first cars will be built with delivery to customers beginning in December 2005.

The DBRS9 is priced at 175,000 plus tax.
© astonmartinracing.com

DBRS9 Photos:

Friday, November 25, 2005

2006 Lamborghini Murcielago SpyShots

Here are some pictures of the 2006 facelift for the Lamborghini Murcielago :


Modifications are expected to include:
- New front bumper
- New rear bumper/rear design
- New engine cover design
- New small rear wing/lip
- potential changes to exhaust
- potential changes to rear lights
- some form of air intake change on the side
- Interior change
- obviously new engine (600-700hp)
© germancarblog.com

Fiat aims for 20,000 Sedici 4x4 sales in 2006

MILAN, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Italy's Fiat will have 20,000 of its new Sedici land cruisers to sell next year and hopes to sell 5,000 of its Panda Cross four-by-four models, a Fiat spokesman said at a presentation of the cars.
The Sedici aims to compete with five-door hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf.
Fiat wants to sell 12,000 in Italy and 8,000 in other major European markets, the spokesman said at the presentation late on Thursday. The car will be launched in Italy on March 10, 2006.
It is part of Fiat's joint development with Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp at the Esztergom plant in Hungary. The spokesman said the number of vehicles available to market was limited by capacity at the plant.
The Sedici will be the official car of the Winter Olympics in Turin, which run from Feb. 10 to Feb. 26.
The Panda Cross, based on Fiat's established Panda model, will be launched in December in Italy and then rolled out next year, with a price likely to be above 15,000 euros ($17,670).
© today.reuters.com

Fiat Sedici Photos:

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Audi S4 Cabriolet Debuts in Germany

Audi aims to whet enthusiasts' appetites with the world introduction of two performance models, the S4 Cabriolet and the Q7 S line. Both models are expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships as '07 models.
The S4 Cabriolet is a luxurious four-seater with an extra shot of adrenaline, in the form of a 344-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 that makes 302 pound-feet of torque. Audi electronically limits top speed to 155 miles per hour, but says the 0-60 sprint takes only 5.9 seconds.The Q7 S line package from Audi's Quattro GmbH division bundles sport suspension, sport seats and 21-inch cast-aluminum wheels with distinctive visual accents.
Audi is rumored to be unveiling the S6 in January at the Detroit show, although it is not clear whether the mid-range model will get the V8 from the S4 or the Gallardo V10 from the S8 that was introduced last month in Tokyo.
© edmunds.com

2007 Toyota Camry Surfaces on Japanese Web Site

Japanese Web site Auto Gallery Net has published what it purports to be authentic photos of the redesigned 2007 Toyota Camry, which is slated to make its official debut in early January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

If the photos are genuine, the revamped sheetmetal appears to borrow heavily from the new Toyota form language that has begun to emerge on such recently introduced models as the Avalon and the Lexus IS. In fact, the '07 Camry looks more substantial, sophisticated, and expensive than the current design. The Web site says the drag coefficient on the car is a slick 0.28.
Dimensions won't change dramatically, according to Auto Gallery Net. The overall length remains just over 189 inches, while the wheelbase grows about two inches to 109.2 inches. Front and rear track also grow by more than an inch, but the car sits about an inch lower, giving it a more aggressive, European stance. The interior is roomier, and so is the trunk.
A revised DOHC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine will deliver 167 horsepower (in Japan trim) compared with 154 hp for the current U.S.-spec car, and it will be mated to a new five-speed automatic transmission. The Japanese Web site makes no mention of a V6, but the '07 Camry is rumored to be getting Toyota's DOHC 3.5-liter unit as an option in North America. The Japan-spec Camry will be available in both front- and four-wheel-drive variants, but the four-wheel-drive version may not make the cut for North America.
© edmunds.com

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Hyundai to show sports car concept, next-gen Santa Fe at Detroit show, prices new Azera

Hyundai's HCD-9 Talus concept car, which is set to make its worlwide debut at the Detroit show, will provide 'a glimpse of the future in the sports car segment,' according to the automaker. The HCD-9 will be unveiled along with the world debut of the company's next generation Santa Fe ute.


Hyundai this week also announced pricing for its 2006 Azera. The all-new fullsize sedan will start at $24,995 when it arrives in showrooms shortly.
The vehicle will come standard with a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 263 hp, electronic stability control and eight airbags. Hyundai says the car gets 19 mpg in city driving and 28 on the highway. Built on a modified Sonata platform, the Azera will vie in the full-sized car segment, against such competitors as the Toyota Avalon and Ford Five Hundred.
The Azera Limited trim level starts at $27,495 and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trimmed and heated seats and a power rear sunshade.
The top trim level, called the Azera Limited with Ultimate Package, starts at $29,995. It features a 10-speaker audio system, six-disc CD changer, power sunroof, telescopic steering column and rain-sensing wipers.
© autoweek.com

Guangzhou International Auto Exhibition

Models presents a Honda Accord car during the Third Guangzhou International Auto Exhibition in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2005. The exhibition was opened at the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center on Nov 21.


An Audi expert introduces the Audi Q7 hybrid concept car during the Third Guangzhou International Auto Exhibition in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2005. The exhibition was opened at the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center on Nov. 21.


A Toyota employee displays a Toyota i-swing concept car during the Third Guangzhou International Auto Exhibition in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2005. The exhibition was opened at the Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center on Nov. 21.

© english.people.com.cn

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Tiki-Style BMW 3 Series Sports the Surfer Look

Local (ESSEN, Germany) tuners have come out in full force. One of the more entertaining efforts comes from Bavarian tuning house Mattig, based in Hauzenberg. It is a so-called "tiki-style" 3 Series, complete with a set of 235/30ZR-20 tires mounted on 20-inch "Surfer" rims.
One of the more entertaining efforts comes from Bavarian tuning house Mattig, based in Hauzenberg. It is a so-called "tiki-style" 3 Series, complete with a set of 235/30ZR-20 tires mounted on 20-inch "Surfer" rims.


The paint job, said to be inspired by a Hawaiian surfer film, is a wild white-on-blue two-tone that appears to have been lifted from a pair of swim trunks spotted on Waikiki Beach.
Mattig, which also customizes everything from the Opel Corsa to the Skoda Octavia, further enhances the cosmetic look with a fiberglass front spoiler, a diamond-pattern grille, and headlamp covers, as well as a rear apron and spoiler. The car also can be ordered with KW coil-over suspension pieces.
Mattig earlier this year introduced a more conservative upgrade package for the 3 Series that, in addition to the body kit, includes aluminum floor mats, gearshift and pedals
© edmunds.com

Dodge Has Challenger Coupe for Detroit

A new concept coupe to be shown at the Detroit auto show in January will take the name of Challenger. The long-expected two-door will take on the Ford Mustang directly with a chassis derived from Chrysler's 300C/Magnum twins, along with a 425-hp version of the HEMI V-8 in the most thrilling versions.

Chrysler is expected to show the car as a concept at the show, but insiders suggest the vehicle will be in production as early as 2009 on a new version of the 300C platform. Chrysler has only offered this official sketch of the concept prior to the January auto show debut, but these spy shots were taken last week as the vehicle was prepared for its auto-show debut. Stay tuned for more information on the Challenger as TCC previews the Detroit auto show on December 15.
© thecarconnection.com

Spy Shots:

Monday, November 21, 2005

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4s Hit U.S. Dealerships

Porsche announced on Thursday that its much anticipated all-wheel-drive versions of the 911 Carrera coupes and cabriolets will be officially launched in U.S. showrooms this weekend. They include the 911 Carrera 4 and 4S coupe and open-top 911 Carrera 4 and 4S cabriolets.


The vehicles range in price from $77,100 for the 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 coupe to $97,100 for the 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet. For the first time, four-wheel-drive 911 Carrera models will be available with two engine options. Carrera 4 coupes and cabriolets are powered by the 325-horsepower, 3.6-liter flat-six. Carrera 4S models are equipped with a 3.8-liter power plant.
© edmunds.com

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Mazda Announces $280,000 Grand-Am GT RX-8 Racing Car

Developing a Grand AM GT-legal car is the next step in expanding our already successful Grand Am program," said Steve Sanders, manager of Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development, in a statement.
The Grand Am GT RX-8 is based on a tube-frame chassis jointly developed by SpeedSource and Riley Technologies and powered by Mazda's three-rotor 20B rotary engine. A turnkey GT racer from SpeedSource will start at $280,000 and include chassis, full drivetrain and engine management system, suspension, wheels, tires, and bodywork.

Mazdaspeed will also carry the Downing/Atlanta carbon-fiber body panels and the 20B racing engine on a made-to-order basis. It says it will "offer a lucrative contingency awards program for the RX-8 in Grand-Am GT for the 2006 season."
© edmunds.com

2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

How far can you push (ok, pull) front-wheel drive? How about 303 horses, 5.6 seconds to 60 mph and a top end pushing 145 mph? These are the raw numbers for Chevy's updated and seriously pumped-up 2006 Monte Carlo SS coupe. Yes, it has a V-8, the first time one's been available in a Monte Carlo since the mid-1980s. And yeah, it drives the front wheels this time.

For starters, the new SS has an all-alloy 5.3 liter V-8 burbling out a stout 303 horsepower - quite an uptick from the old SS's puny (by current standards) 180-hp "high output" 5.0-liter V-8. For another, it's almost three full seconds quicker to 60 (mid-low fives vs. the mid-low eights for the '80s-era SS).
And finally, there's next to no torque steer when you hammer it, thanks to equal stiffness half-shafts and an extruded aluminum engine cradle and triple engine mounts designed to limit engine flex under torque load, among other refinements.
Chevy has also upgraded lower-caste Montes. The standard 3.5 liter V-6 engine in the base model LS ($21,380) now makes a very decent 211 hp and the mid-level 3.9 liter V-6 that's optional in the LT and standard in the LTZ metes out 240 hp, 60 more than the old V-8 SS of the mid-late '80s. Both V-6s feature variable valve timing, but not displacement on demand. OnStar is standard across the line.

The SS model I flogged at Charlotte carries a base price of $27,130, putting it well below the Pontiac GTO and right in the middle of Mustang GT territory. And while it may not be a direct competitor of rear-drive performance coupes like the Goat and Mustang, it is an alternative - one with real back seats, a big trunk (15.8 cubic feet), a very appealing price tag, and more than enough performance to be credible when the time comes to put up or shut up.

The infusion of V-8 power means that Monte Carlo SS owners are no longer condemned to motor toothlessly around the parking lot at Talladega or Martinsville looking silly in their V-6 pretend stockers - all decal, no cattle. The bark of that 303-hp V-8 is plenty convincing.
© thecarconnection.com

Photos:


Friday, November 18, 2005

370-hp Porsche Cop Car

You're unlikely ever to see this Porsche cop car in your rearview mirror, since this is a one-off concept. But it sure is the stuff of nightmares for anyone with a lead foot — and of dreams for anyone who works for a police department anywhere in the world.

ESSEN, Germany — One of the world's fastest police cars, a 370-horsepower Porsche 911 Carrera S, was unveiled this week at the auto show here, marking a rare alliance between a Porsche tuner and the German Federal Traffic Ministry.
Sporting a green-and-silver exterior and a light bar on the roof, the Porsche squad car goes from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The TechArt concept is outfitted with a modified 3.8-liter flat-six engine, 20-inch wheels and tires, a sport suspension, high-performance brakes, and front and rear spoilers.
In a statement, TechArt explained that the concept "supports the new campaign aimed at increasing awareness for safe and legal tuning."
Lamborghini trumps the Porsche cop car with its Gallardo squad car, which was unveiled in 2004. The Lambo Gallardo police car is powered by a 5.0-liter, 500-horsepower V10 engine with a top speed of 190 mph. It goes from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
© edmunds.com

Photos :

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Toyota Plans Cheaper Hybrid System by 2008

Toyota's first hybrid system appeared in the Japan-market Prius in 1997. A much improved Hybrid Synergy Drive system then bowed in the redesigned second-generation Prius in 2002. Toyota will revise the system again with a smaller, lighter battery and greater driving performance for generation three, at which point the Prius' already exceptional fuel economy (reaching 100 mpg in Japan's 10.15-mode fuel cycle) can be expected to take another leap forward.

New technology and increased production rates will let Toyota lower the cost differential over conventional vehicles. According to the Asahi Shimbun, the cost gap will be cut in half as hybrids progressively go mainstream.

The price of Toyota's popular hybrid vehicles, such as the Prius, may be coming down sooner than most people expected
© edmunds.com

Toyota Prius Fotos:


VW Delays Launch of Eos

HAMBURG, Germany — Volkswagen has delayed the launch of its Eos coupe-convertible model by two months, to May 2006, because of quality issues, the company said on Tuesday.

Reuters reported that VW Brand Group chief Wolfgang Bernhard made the decision since some "bugs in the system" still had to be worked out. Bernhard said he aims to cut warranty costs at the German automaker as part of its ForMotion Plus restructuring program. Bernhard has said he plans to improve the brand's ranking in quality tests such as J.D. Power's U.S. dependability survey. VW recently placed 34th out of 37 badges.
© edmunds.com

VW Eos Photos:



Wednesday, November 16, 2005

FunkMaster Flex unveils customized Ford Fusion at SEMA

Las Vegas, Nevada – Hip-hop DJ FunkMaster Flex has introduced his latest creation, an urban street version of the 2006 Ford Fusion, at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

The Fusion was designed specifically to be revealed in conjunction with the launch of Ford's new interactive Fusion "Grown and Sexy" Web site, designed to target African-American consumers.
Flex's Fusion features a custom two-tone tribal paint scheme with matching interior, black chrome wheels and performance tires, along with a Flowmaster exhaust, performance brakes and custom springs
© canadiandriver.com

Audi R8 to Make Debut in 2007

The long-awaited Audi R8 gets the green light for production.

Audi's new high-performance car based on the 2003 Le Mans quattro concept will hit the market in the second quarter of 2007 as the Audi R8, the company said in a statement on its Web site on Tuesday.
Production of the R8 is set to begin at Audi's Neckarsulm, Germany, plant in late 2006. Audi said it would invest about 28 million euros or approximately $33 million in its production line for the product. The Le Mans quattro concept made its debut two years ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
"Through the R8, we are looking to build on our successes in motorsports and carry them over to series production," said Audi chief executive MartinWinterkorn.
© edmunds.com

Photos:


Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Phaeton Dumped from VWoA Lineup

The $70,000 Phaeton sedan will exit Volkswagen'sU.S. sales lineup early next year as the German automaker realigns its future product plans with the vision of its new leader, former Chrysler exec Wolfgang Bernhard.
The Phaeton move will also reconcile VW's lineup with the reality on the ground: sales have been a trickle since the Phaeton was introduced in 2003. The ultra-expensive Volkswagen was to have led a charge up the price ladder for the brand, but the company ran into serious resistance from buyers who are buying BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes in record numbers. With VW's sales down 17 percent, the company is spending its money more wisely on new variants of the Golf, including a coming crossover based on the entry-level vehicle and a new Eos hardtop convertible due out next year.
© thecarconnection.com


Gallardo Is Lamborghini's Most Popular Model Ever

If you were worried that the Italian carmaker would go bust before you could afford one, you can now rest easy. Lamborghini is here to stay.

FRANKFURT — The Gallardo high-performance sports car is Lamborghini's best-selling model in the brand's history, the company said on Thursday after celebrating the 3,000 model to roll off its assembly line.

The Gallardo beats the previous record of 2,903 Diablos built over the course of 10 years, according to Reuters.

"It's a reason for us to be proud that this goal was reached in less than 24 months," Lamborghini CEO Stefan Winkelmann said in a statement.

The Gallardo is built on an aluminum space frame chassis and is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 that makes 493 horsepower. It can sprint from zero to 100 mph in 4 seconds.
© edmunds.com/insideline/

Monday, November 14, 2005

Saab Won't Get a Version of the Pontiac Solstice

Bad news for Saab enthusiasts who were hoping to get their own version of the Solstice. Good news, perhaps, for those who want more choices in alternative-fuel vehicles.

TROY, Mich. — Saab USA general manager Jay Spenchian has told that a new Saab sports car spun off the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky is "not in the plans.
"Earlier this year, Spenchian hinted that a new sports car was under consideration as "maybe one of our upcoming concepts." GM insiders had said a Saab derivative off the Solstice's Kappa platform was a possibility.

The next Saab concept will be a 300-horsepower 9-5 BioPower sedan that will be powered by a 2.3-liter turbo engine and run on ethanol. It will be shown at the Los Angeles auto show and the Detroit auto show in January. Saab introduced a version of the 9-5 BioPower this year in Sweden and Germany.

Spenchian said the automaker is using the new concept to test consumer reaction. "We could offer it within the next year and a half in the U.S.," he said.

Spenchian said there are no "concrete plans" for a replacement for the 9-2X, which is scheduled to be in production only through the 2007 model year. Saab officials said the company has plans for a crossover vehicle but would not give any specific details.

© edmunds.com

1959 Chrysler 300 E

This 1959 Chrysler 300 E is one of the many cars that will be on display November 4-13 at the 35th anniversary South Florida International Auto Show's "Memory Lane" exhibit. Powered by a 413 cubic inch wedge motor, this fully restored Chrysler was a staple of the American automotive scene in the late '50s.
© sfliautoshow.com