Category: News & Views
Whither Alfa? Fiat’s upmarket brand takes the slow boat to the U.S.
Some thirty years ago two BMW salesmen and a financial backer aggressively kicked the tires of Alfa Romeo, hoping to secure an Alfa franchise in the center of Dallas, Texas. Pitches were made, a rendering of the proposed showroom was rendered, and tours of the planned in-town location were given. Take the results of the [...]
The Prius family of hybrids: Anyway you want it
At the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, while addressing members of the Chicago Economic Club, Yoshi Inaba, President and COO of Toyota Motor North America, spoke of his time spent studying for his MBA in Chicago, rhapsodized over the city’s deep dish pizzas and spent a moment – or two – on the subject of [...]
Mini Clubvan Concept—a truly mini van—will debut at Geneva
Mini puts yet another spin on the concept with a panel van version of the Mini Clubman called the Mini Clubvan. It’s officially a concept that debuts at the Geneva International Motor Show but only a negative market study will keep this mini—and Mini—workhorse from production. The concept Mini Clubvan is essentially Mini Clubman with [...]
2013 BMW X3 – When four times two equals six!
In an ongoing return to its 4-cylinder roots, BMW has announced the addition of its 4-cylinder, twin-turbo technology to its X3 ‘sport activity’ lineup. Given that the new 3-Series, Z4 and 5-Series all enjoy this same TwinTurbo powertrain, the announcement from BMWNA’s New Jersey headquarters contained all the suspense of a Ron Paul podium appearance. [...]
Porsche is making small SUV sports car – and calling it Macan
Stuttgart – With the announcement of its name, Porsche AG has confirmed production of Stuttgart’s new ‘sports car’ in the SUV segment. Tagged ‘Macan’, which is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger, Porsche’s intent is to convey “suppleness, power, fascination and dynamics” as core characteristics of its new road car. As the new Porsche [...]
Camaro goes on sale in UK: American brawn for Britain
British fans of American muscle have something new to cheer about. The Chevrolet Camaro is now officially available through dealers in the U.K. The Camaro sold in Great Britain will be available in either coupe or convertible, but only with the V-8. Chevrolet in the U.K. won’t bother with the V-6 offered as a base [...]
Kia KH to be Kia’s first rear-drive sedan, large-car segment four-door may come to U.S.
Kia Motors today in Seoul released official sketches of a new flagship sedan that will go on sale in Korea in the first half of 2012. Tagged with the codename KH, it will be the first ever rear-drive sedan for Kia when it debuts in the large car segment. Hyundai said that the model would [...]
Yearbook for the Chicago Auto Show Class of 2012 by CarBuzzard
It’s the Chicago Auto Show and so it’s time for the Chicago Auto Show Class of 2012′s yearbook, presented by the editors of CarBuzzard.com, a who’s who in the Windy City this year. The best news for this edition? No pictures of the lunch ladies. Go team! Chrysler ’12 300. Most likely to: Take over [...]
Dodge Journey as Fiat Freemont sells big in Italy
The Fiat Freemont went on sale in Italy six months ago as the first Fiat vehicle produced from the partnership with the Chrysler Group, and in that time has topped a remarkable 25,000 orders to become the best-selling seven-seat car today in Italy. Along with Chrysler and Lancia exchanging nameplates, the Fiat Freemont represents the [...]
Chrysler turns Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s into Ferraris — sort of
AUBURN HILLS, MI — Is Jeep’s explosive Grand Cherokee SRT8 the Ferrari of sport-utility vehicles? That’s a question for prospective buyers to decide, but it apparently is the image Chrysler Corp. hopes to convey as the American maker of sport-utility vehicles prepares to market the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 in Europe. To make the connection, [...]
