A New Coupe, A Year Away
Hyundai spent their New York auto show time introducing their new rear-drive sporty coupe, the Genesis Coupe. Related to the Genesis sedan on sale this summer, the coupe arrives in spring 2009.

Genesis sits on Hyundai's first in-house rear-drive car platform. The stylish coupe tames down its looks from the concept introduced in Los Angeles in November 2007, but mostly in losing hood scoops and refining lights, front grille, and spoiler shapes. What Hyundai held back for introduction was that the powertrain lineup includes a turbocharged and intercooled 212HP 2.0L I4 as the base engine. The 3.8L V6 arrives as expected, but most figured the second powertrain would be the sedan's V8.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 - 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 09:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

The times, they are a changin'

AutoPacific has completed the latest in a long series of fuel price impact surveys. And it now looks as though fuel prices have remained high enough for long enough for buyers to have begun to change their vehicle segment preference, their engine preference and even, so some extent, their driving habits.

Fuel Prices

The reported median price paid for fuel in March, 2008 was $3.36, up from $2.83 last August and $2.63 in March, 2007, and the highest since the survey began in September, 2005.

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #6: Latest Fuel Price Survey Findings"

Posted by Jim Hossack at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

It's All About the Look
Pontiac introduced a hardtop version of the extroverted Solstice at this year's New York auto show, along with the G8 GXP and G8 ST. As cool as it looks, don't rush to the dealer. Your Solstice coupe won't be there until early 2009.

The Solstice coupe looks great. With the same engines and suspension setup as the roadster, you can bet it'll be just as fun on the road. But Pontiac built in compromises with a lift-off roof panel, liftglass (versus tailgate), and useless but nicely styled rear quarter windows. Yes, small coupes always offer less interior and cargo space and poor visibility compared with sedans and SUVs. Small, sporty coupes (or convertibles) are always compromised. But the compromises don't need to be this obvious.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 - 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

Kia's New York auto show stage held both concept and production surprises. We believe that the KOUP concept, though too cutely named, hints at the next-generation Spectra. Kia described the KOUP as "closer to production than you might think," strongly hinting Kia may add the coupe itself. The production surprise was the facelifted 2009 Optima. This new look takes Optima a step forward.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 - A Pair from Kia"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 06:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

The next time someone calls my Cooper S “cute” I think I’ll commit a felony. While I understand the sentiment, it misses most of what a MINI is.

At the New York Auto Show Jim McDowell, Vice President – Marketing, MINI USA introduced the John Cooper Works MINI to North America with a reminder that MINI has racing in it’s blood, including Monte Carlo Rally wins in 1964, 1965, 1967. John Cooper has been synonymous with the high-performance MINIs for forty years. Earlier this year, MINI acquired John Cooper Works JCW as a sub brand of MINI.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 – MINI JCW Brings History Up to Date"

Posted by Dan Hall at 04:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

In a town where most tans are purchased and delivered indoors, BMW offered the US release of the outdoor Ultimate Tanning Machine, the M3 Convertible.

Strolling Miami and LA beaches for years, the 3 series convertible has become iconic for the look-at-me yuppie set. Many have been delivered to brand-enthusiasts with little care for the vehicle’s performance potential. In recent years, however, BMW has offered up M versions of the coupe and convertible to those drawn to open top tanning and motoring. The coupe M3 launched in 1986 and two years later the first BMW M3 Convertible hit the streets.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008: BMW’s Ultimate Tanning Machine is about to get more interesting."

Posted by Dan Hall at 01:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

Audi A4

Continue reading "VehicleVoice #106 - The Audi A4: A is for Awesome"

Posted by Cameron at 03:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

One of the coolest things about working on the VehicleVoice team is the differing taste the team has. Trucks, SUVs, muscle cars, small cars. Lunch can be interesting, to say the least. While I appreciate anything with wheels, I’m slowly becoming more and more interested in minicars. Maybe it’s Europe-envy, or an increased sense of green, but I‘ve always been attracted to minimalism. From architecture to coffee without the fancy names.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 – Mitsubishi “i”"

Posted by Dan Hall at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

Respect. Suzuki gets less than it deserves. Consider some facts. Suzuki Motor Corporation took 35 years to sell 1 million vehicles per year worldwide. 15 more years to reach 2 million vehicles in 2005. Nearly 2.4 million vehicles last year. And in fiscal year 2009, expects to produce 3 million vehicles.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 – Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3"

Posted by Dan Hall at 07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

We’ve liked the Fit since it was first imported from Japan for US Sales in April 2006. Conceptually very good, but lacking a sporty look. The second generation of the Fit for US sales gets a lot better looking, as well as some package improvements to make it more compelling. “The goal is to provide entry-level vehicle customers with functionality and refinement that’s a class above,” said Dick Colliver. “Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise.” Ah yes. A nod to the aspirational small car.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 – Improved Honda Fit"

Posted by Dan Hall at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

VehicleVoice covered the reveal at last Month’s Chicago Auto Show of the 2008 challenger SRT-8. With 435 hp culled out of its 6.1 liter Hemi V-8, it’s sure to be true to the muscle car image of its sheetmetal. Today, New York is host to the kinder, gentler, 2009 Challenger model line, if that’s possible. In reality, the real focus here is on the volume of these models, the Challenger R/T with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and the Challenger SE with the Challenger SE with a 3.6-liter V-6.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008: 2009 Dodge Challenger"

Posted by Dan Hall at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

You have to look long and hard to find a more difficult job than designing future Scion products. In its short life, Scion has raced to the forefront of Gen Y desirability. From zero to 173,000 units in just 4 years. Toyota Motor Sales claims the Scion brand to have a median buyer age of just 30 years old, which makes it the youngest brand in the United States. From the same group of people who bring us the Camry and Avalon, both standards for Boomer buyers, but neither evoking a youthful image.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 -- Scion Hako Coupe Concept"

Posted by Dan Hall at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

While the New York Show has been certainly less green than LA, Detroit and Chicago, the march towards environmental altruism continues with automakers.

The Nissan Cube has always looked somewhat like an automotive battery, so an electric concept for the Cube is fitting. Denki (Japanese for “electric”) is the name Nissan is giving its latest Cube Concept shown at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The concept carries some of Nissan’s green banner and hints strongly at Nissan’s future small car strategy for the North American market. Nissan plans to sell a redesigned gasoline-powered, next-generation Cube in the United States and Canada starting next year. It’s been a long wait for the Cube. Will cars shaped like boxes still resonate by the time we finally get the US-bound Cube?

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008 - Nissan’s “Denki Cube” EV"

Posted by Dan Hall at 08:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner

Coupe SUV Refined
The next new Infiniti arrives in June 2008, in the form of an updated FX, and facing new competition from the only other coupe-SUV in the BMW X6. The new FX offers more power from a refined 302HP 3.5L V6 or an all-new 390HP 5.0L V8, with all-wheel drive still optional. There is a new standard seven-speed automatic transmission, new electronic aids for crash avoidance and easier city driving, and even self-healing paint. Infiniti gave the FX a worldwide introduction at the Geneva motor show, launching the brand in Europe at the same time, the U.S. introduction is at the 2008 New York Auto Show.

The FX keeps its unique overall shape, with short overhangs and coupe-style roofline, but a slightly longer wheelbase makes for a longer hood and better-proportioned stance. Everything about the FX has been tucked and reshaped. The reshaped integrated rear spoiler and tailgate surround are bodycolor, though the tailgate opening looks as though it is smaller this time. There are still dual exhaust pipes, but the shape of the lower rear fascia is smoother. The new LED taillights carry a more distinct, decorative shape than the prior car.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008: 2009 Infiniti FX"

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

subscribe and share

Subscribe with RSS Feedburner