Two weeks back we told you about the new RWD coupe that Subaru and Toyota are developing together. Well, it sounds like some people (including some folks at Subaru) are worried that this new car may dilute the brand (source: Autoblog). I understand the concern, but I think it's a bit shortsighted. First of all, I think that the Tribeca did more to dilute the Subaru brand than a RWD coupe could. Second of all, gas prices are going up, and if Subaru sticks to AWD cars with sucky gas mileage, they're gonna be in trouble. They should probably add a cheap FWD econobox to their lineup, and it's about time that someone built an affordable RWD 2+2 coupe--personally, I'm glad that Subaru is the one that's gonna do it. Sure, they will have to market it correctly, but ultimately I think it will be good for Subaru and the Subaru brand. What do you guys think?
John, Jen and Sean are all out of the office today, which makes it kind of lonely here at CarDomain world headquarters. It also means I don't have anyone to delegate the crap work to. Here's the news:
- F1 champ Michael Schumacher crashed his Triumph Daytona 675 motorcycle on the French track of Bresse. Maybe he should stick to four wheels. Jalopnik.
- Looks like the Tiburon is going bye bye. I guess that's not a huge surprise with the hot new Genesis Coupe coming out soon. Autoblog.
- Chrysler will remain unprofitable for 2008, but they're, like, totally cool with that. Motor Authority.
- The Hemmings guys had this amazing slab side Cobra pull into their shop today. I'm jealous. Hemmings Blog.
- Looks like DUB edition Chargers and 300s will be hitting the showrooms this spring in limited quantities. Upgrades include 20 inch wheels and Kicker surround sound stereo. MotiveMag.
The ZEO, an acronym for Zero Emissions Operation, is a rear-wheel drive EV that'll put out 268 hp and boast a 0-60 time様ess than 6 seconds葉hat promises to give even the current Hemi a run for its money. The aggressive lines give the ZEO a family resemblance to other recent Mopar eye-candy, including the Crossfire and the Charger. Clearly, Dodge is serious about getting its feet wet in the green-performance segment, though it remains to be seen whether they're serious about pushing such a sexy and muscular EV to production. If they did, it just might outshine Chevy's gorgeous Volt預nd I'm betting that more CarDomain members would want a ZEO than a Prius! Check out more pics over at Autoblog.
Shots of the Hummer HX concept got out early and now they're all over the net. GM calls it a "youthful, open-air entry-level-size Hummer" and it's powered by a 3.6 liter V-6 E85 FlexFuel engine mated to a six-speed automatic tranny. It's good to see a reasonably sized Hummer that might actually venture off road. More over at Autoblog.
Well, that didn't take long, did it? More at Autoblog.
By Jason
Marketing Lackey
Most of the time, a three-day week seems short, but this one has made me more miserable than a goth kid at Disney World. Time to up the lunch beers I guess. Anyway, here's the news:
- Everyone has reported that oil just hit 100 dollars a barrel, but Ford is doing something about it. Their new nav systems will help drivers find cheap gas: Automotive News
- Terrorism has caused race organizers to cancel the Dakar Rally. Funny... as scary as this event is, I figured terrorists would be all for it: Top Gear
- Spy shots of BMW's new 5-Series have leaked, and I couldn't help but think that some of their recent models would have looked better had they left the cladding on: Auto Express
- Here's a big surprise: Ford paid so KITT would be reincarnated as a Mustang. Is nothing sacred? Autoblog
By Jason
Marketing Lackey
Nissan and Chrysler are talking about cooperating to make cars. If I were Nissan, I might wait for Chrysler to sort out its turnaround a little better first:
- I'm all about making cars run on biofuels. It makes sense. I'm not sure I can get behind racing a biofueled boat around the world. Don't they have sails for that? I also don't care that it is also a great way to lose weight (you really just have to read the whole article): Autoblog Green
- Jaguar and Land Rover will soon be owned by the company that also makes the $2,500 car. Now I just need to find a Tata emblem to affix to John's Jag: Motor Authority
- I know the EPA doesn't think it can just rule that California can't set its own emissions standards and expect that the freakin' Terminator isn't going to come after them: Leftlane News
Who knew German police were so humorless? Oh yeah, everyone. While the rest of the planet thought his commandeering a taxi and driving his family to the airport was a bad-ass move, apparently local authorities don't agree. Autoblog is reporting that an investigation has been opened regarding the incident, and charges could be forthcoming. Hopefully the cabbie doesn't get in trouble??we're pretty sure Shumacher can take car of himself.
I don't know whether to laugh, cry or barf. More pics at Autoblog.
By Jason
Marketing Lackey
The temperature is dropping, but I'm prepared. The gluttony of Thanksgiving left me with a nice layer of insulation for the winter:
- A fuel cell car for only $80! That's too good to be true! Oh, that makes sense now: Autoblog Green
- A bill to increase fuel efficiency standards stalled in the Senate. Fortunately, I've still got a few years to get in bike-riding shape before all the oil runs out: DetNews
- This article is pretty dry, but it includes a fun fact near the end—Mexico is the biggest market for armored cars in the world: Market Watch
- There are more cars in India than ever and they are going faster than ever. Unfortunately, this means that more of these cars are running into people at high speeds: Wheels
Autoblog just posted November sales number. The winner? Mercury, with an overall gain of 27.6%. Apparently the biggest contributor to this impressive gain was the Grand Marquis, which saw a 90.4% sales increase over the previous month. The Milan did well, too, with a 42.7% increase. Go figure.
Ford just put out a press release and some cool San Francisco shots of the new Bullitt. They're only going to build 7,700 of these bad boys, in either Highland Green or black. If you don't have your order in now, you better get on it. More at Autoblog.
Autoblog recently posted industry sales figures for October. The big winner? Kia, who saw sales increase 20.5% (Cadillac was close behind at 19.9%). The biggest loser? Hummer, who saw sales drop a whopping 33.2%. Overall, though, the trend was pretty flat. More at Autoblog.
SEMA is only a few days away and I can't wait. I have SEMA-itis pretty bad, and I'm sure the only cure is a big shot of Vegas, which is way different from that big shot of penicillin you have to get after returning from Vegas. Anyway, here's the news:
- Apparently Nissan isn't going to rest on the laurels of having the baddest sports car on the market (the new GT-R, duh), they're apparently going to develop a lightweight, more powerful GT-R Spec V as well. Lord help us all. (Edmunds Inside Line)
- Lexus is no longer the only car offering a "hands-off" parking experience, Mitsubishi is now in the game with the all-new Galant. And all-new it is! It's got the all-wheel drive and twin-clutch system from the Evo X, as well a crazy diesel motor with 274lb/ft of torque! Of course, it's so cool, its probably never coming to the US. (AutoExpress UK)
- Ferrari has the Porsche Cayenne in its sites, as it's rumored to be developing the world's most powerful SUV. Dubbed the Ferrari FS 599 Fuoristrada by WCF's insider, this beast is said to produce 600hp and 411lb/ft of torque with a 0-60 of about 5.5 seconds. (WorldCarFans)
- What can green do for you? FedEx is going to test ten diesel-electric hybrids in it's European force, and it's already running 95 hybrids in the US. Kind of gives me a warm fuzzy to know the company delivering my front mount intercooler might be setting a good example. (Autoblog Green)
- BMW is developing a baby SAV dubbed the X1. Rumored to be a 3-door sporty crossover with similar styling to the new X6, we should expect this around 2011. And let's hope they have better design plans than the concept! Right now, it looks like an angular Morgan with a pick-up camper shell! Yuck! (AutoExpress UK)
Hmmmm. Seems to be a slow day for news... Or a slow day for my brain. Gotta love cold & allergy meds! Here's the news:
- We first reported about VW's up! concept a few weeks ago. Now VW reveals they might expand the concept to include a minivan, the Space up! Looks to me like a a new car-class though: the mini-minivan. And calling it the "space" kind of seems like stretching the truth, but then "cramped up!" doesn't have the same marketing ring. (Tuning News)
- Remember the SAAB Performance Team Jen posted a few days ago? Well now you can be just like those guys! Well, almost like those guys. OK, so not really, but they will teach how to drive your car to its limits with proper technique! SAAB's Aero Academy is open to regular Joes just like me and you! Well, mostly you. I'm pretty much an expert at anything I do, just ask my mom. (Autoblog)
- The absolutely best car tv program on the earth, UK's Top Gear, is coming to a PS3 near you thanks to the best car racing video game, Gran Turismo. The 5th gen of the game will offer the famous Top Gear test track and you'll be able to download episodes of the hit show. Sha-zam, that's cool as hell. (AllAbouttheGames)
- Looks like Land Rover has an all new R version of the Range running around the 'Ring, powered by a 5.0L supercharged V8. So that should be good for 0-60 in about one tank of gas. (LeftLaneNews)
