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January 19, 2009
2010 Taurus is Hot
Atomicalex
My favorite detail of the new Taurus is the logo font—it’s totally retro and a throwback to the days when the Taurus was the hottest thing on the road. The new Taurus seriously impressed Rob and me, and it’s going to be very competitive. It’s based on the MKS platform and shares the basic profile, but the shared components pretty much stop at the floor pan. The interior has great detailing, with piped panels in the door cards and this wave motif that carries through all the way to the bottoms of the cupholders. The exterior has plenty of visual interest that flows into the cabin over the dashboard. Hedonistic! The Sync system will include the non-subscription text-based GPS, navi, and crash locating system that Ford has developed for people who don’t want to pay every month. The suspension will be sportier than the MKS (thank heaven!). Ford is going back to its roots with this version—the right place to go, IMO. Thanks to Matt and Mike for the killer video. Tons of pics after the jump!
January 16, 2009
NAIAS Photos Are Live!
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
Check out all our pics from Detroit in the Events section. Thanks to Matt Wellumson and Mike Vann from Neuwerks for the great shots! I love this photo Matt took at the BlueSport unveil.
Is There Hope For Pontiac?
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
While I was in Detroit, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Susan Docherty, General Motors Vice President for Marketing at Buick, Pontiac and GMC. I mostly just wanted to talk about Pontiac. First of all, there is no plan for a Firebird. Sorry guys! Susan said that they are looking to focus the brand down to few models, much the way they took the Buick brand from eight to three models. So how many models will Pontiac end up with (from the current six, which incudes the new G3—basically a rebadged Aveo)? “Less than six,” is all Susan would commit to.
In our discussion Susan seemed to really focus in on the G8, the Solstice and the Vibe. Now, those are three very different vehicles, and to me, make for a somewhat confused brand image. The only one that really screams Pontiac to me is the G8. I like the Solstice, but it doesn’t really fit my idea of what Pontiac should be. And the Vibe seems more pratical than exciting. If it was up to me, I’d love to see a RWD G6, a Firebird, the G8, a two-door G8 with the GTO nameplate, and maybe a super hot hatch. But what do I know? It’s clear that the next year or two will be rocky for Pontiac. Susan emphasized that plans for the Pontiac brand have not been finalized. So stay tuned, and let your voice be heard.
2005 or 2010 Mustang? Which Do You Prefer?
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
After staring at a lot of new Mustangs in Detroit I’ve decided that I still prefer the 2005 coupe to the 2010 coupe, BUT I prefer the 2010 convertible to the 2005 convertible. How about you?
Toyota EV: Holy Giovanna!
Atomicalex
I always wondered what you would get if you got the Giovanna wheel designers high. Now I know: you would get these wheels. They are attached to a Toyota EV microcar with a lot of shiny vinyl on it. More pics after the jump!
NAIAS Global Trend: Green Paint
Atomicalex
Yeah, about the green paint memo. It turns out that almost everyone got it. That’s a lot of metallic green. More green cars after the jump!
Lexus at NAIAS
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I’m still sorting through some of the shots I took in Detroit. Here are the pics I took in the Lexus booth, including photos of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid, which was unveiled on Sunday. More pics after the jump!
January 15, 2009
Fusion Hybrid Challenge
Atomicalex
I scored a couple of industry preview tix to the NAIAS, so I grabbed my older son and took him down to the show last night. It was almost empty, so we hopped into the Ford Ecodrive game chairs and faced off to see who could make the hybrid happiest. He pretty much owned me.
Insight Goes Where?
Atomicalex
After the drapes were pulled off the new Honda Insight, it had to be moved to its final position on the show floor for public days. I overheard two Cobo workers saying that apparently the giant “H” on the steering wheel wasn’t enough information for the driver, who decided it belonged in the Toyota booth. It doesn’t look that much like the Prius, dude.
