Subdude Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Looking at the Sonata, it has so many current day styling cliches - the rising beltline, deep-cut swage line (see Taurus above), headlights stretched back on the fenders, semi-fastback roof. Looks like a CC from some angles. I saw that about the Renault Fluence being sold as a Saturn. My understanding is that Saturn is talking to Renault as a supplier but nothing has been finalized. And really, if it is imported they should change the name. "Fluence" sounds like an over the counter nasal decongestant. Wouldn't it be more likely that Renault would want to import some of their larger sedans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLWM8609 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Boy, I don't know. I think it's going to be hard to pry people out of their mega-trucks.The Mahindra seems to be geared more toward the buyer of trucks such as the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. This is a no-frills truck, something you can scratch up and beat up without worry. The guys who like their Cummins, Powerstrokes and Durmax engined powered mega-trucks that have never been offroad will stay in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 The Mahindra seems to be geared more toward the buyer of trucks such as the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. This is a no-frills truck, something you can scratch up and beat up without worry. The guys who like their Cummins, Powerstrokes and Durmax engined powered mega-trucks that have never been offroad will stay in them. Yeah, but even with a small target audience people might be dubious about Indian truck construction quality. I wish them luck though. New Honda Crosstour: Honda used to be known for relatively clean and elegant designs, but in the past few years with models like this, the current version Accord and the entire Acura line they've transmogrified into a kind of latter day Oldsmobile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Yeah, but even with a small target audience people might be dubious about Indian truck construction quality. I wish them luck though.New Honda Crosstour:Honda used to be known for relatively clean and elegant designs, but in the past few years with models like this, the current version Accord and the entire Acura line they've transmogrified into a kind of latter day Oldsmobile.Hondas don't usually photograph well, but that and the Acura ZDX were not hit, they were beat senseless with the ugly stick. I feel bad for the Honda fanboys out there...need to head to VTEC.net to see how they are excusing this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 New Honda Crosstour: Wow. Thats is fugly. The rear looks like a Porsche Panammmara from that view. Also that is one huge grill. blah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 2010 C70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) 2010 C70Oh I like that a lot. Someone buy me one! Edited September 2, 2009 by 20thStDad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barracuda Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 New Honda Crosstour:Looks to me like they're copying the unfortunate looking BMW X6...or an early 80's era AMC Eagle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) Oh I like that a lot. Someone buy me one! What are your thoughts on the interior? It looks cheap to me. Edited September 2, 2009 by Urbannizer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20thStDad Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 What are your thoughts on the interior? It looks cheap to me. I like the seats and the door panel, but the dash styling reminds me of my 2005 Altima, nothing fancy, but it does have a few more buttons. I'd have to get in one to give a proper opinion though. Not a big fan of the minimalistic gauges, I like to see more stuff in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 What are your thoughts on the interior? It looks cheap to me.I like the center stack, very Swedish and minimal, but the rest of it looks like my 07 XC70, which itself is was a 6-year old design when new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flipper Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 C70 Exterior = Win - Most Volvo interiors = FAILflipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 I don't much like the exterior of the Volvo - the A pillar is much too thick - but the interior is nice. In my opinion Volvos consistently have nice interiors, very clean without the slathering on of fake wood that you see in some competitors. A nice touch is the little guy illustrating the vent controls (in the photo most of him is behind the gearshift). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 Looks to me like they're copying the unfortunate looking BMW X6...or an early 80's era AMC Eagle. Yeah you're right. The problem is that even with a dog like the X6, other manufacturers feel compelled to rush out with something comparable. I'm sure the idea for the X6 was cribbed off of the Ssangyong Actyon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 ^That is unfortunate. Looks kind of like a Caliber that was rear ended at a high speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 No thanks to the volvo and the crosstour. Ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) ^That is unfortunate. Looks kind of like a Caliber that was rear ended at a high speed.LOL - that's exactly what I thought when I saw the picture!!Re: Crosstour - that thing is ugly -- is it just the angle of the picture, or is the snout really that big, it looks way out of scale with the rest of the car/truck/suv/coupe.. Edited September 2, 2009 by u080570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 GM Released info on its future vehicle lineup and here is the list of vehicles. Cadillac 2012 ATS - Coupe and Sedan 2012 XTS - Large Sedan 2013 CTS - Sedan Chevy 2012 Spark - Hatchback 2012 Aveo - Small Sedan and Hatchback 2011 Cruze - Sedan 2011 Volt - Hatchback 2012 Malibu - Sedan 2012 Orlando - Crossover 2012 Camaro Convertible - Convertible 201? Impala - Large Sedan 2013 or 2014 Corvette - Sports Car GMC 2011 or 2012 Soul/xB/Cube Fighter - Hatchback 2011 Acadia Denali - Crossover Buick 2012 Compact - Sedan 2012 "Baby Enclave" - Crossover 2011 Regal - Sedan 201? Regal Hybrid - Sedan 2013(?) Enclave - Crossover This is what the ATS could look like. Coupe Sedan More info here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 These are renders of the 2011 Golf CC. It might be revealed at the Frankfurt auto show. Not 100% accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 That golf is looking blander and blander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 That golf is looking blander and blander.VW has designs to become a larger presence in the US (have some very lofty sales goals--the Toyota of Germany?). I sincerely hope that doesn't mean becoming bland and soulless like Toyota, though maybe if they can keep some interest and increase reliability, then it is a fair trade-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLWM8609 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 (edited) Here's something you don't see every day. Mercedes-Benz did a one-off and put a brand new OM651 diesel BlueEfficiency drivetrain into a classic 190D. A vintage diesel hybrid with more torque than the 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II. http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes-benz-190d-blueefficiency.html Edited September 3, 2009 by JLWM8609 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Sorry if some of you are getting Sonata sick, but I just had to post more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Sorry if some of you are getting Sonata sick, but I just had to post more.Like shape and interior looks great, but the wheel/tire package is way undersized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 ^Funny, I think it looks "normal." But in reality, this is what I drive: LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Like shape and interior looks great, but the wheel/tire package is way undersized. I'm liking the sonata more and more... I'm already wondering what the next generation Genesis will look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLWM8609 Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 ^Funny, I think it looks "normal." But in reality, this is what I drive: LOL! You know that's a photoshop, right? Well, here's something else of interest. The Audi of America president says the Chevy Volt is "a car for idiots". http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/03/report-audi-of-america-president-de-nysschen-calls-chevy-volt/?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl4|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2F2009%2F09%2F03%2Freport-audi-of-america-president-de-nysschen-calls-chevy-volt%2F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 ^Photoshopped or not, it's my dream car. I ride to impress!And re: the volt. Was that translated or did he actually use "idiot" several times? Nice. Although I agree that $40k is pretty steep, though it is a much delayed "revolution" in cars available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Buick Compact Sedan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barracuda Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Well, here's something else of interest. The Audi of America president says the Chevy Volt is "a car for idiots".http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/03/report-audi-of-america-president-de-nysschen-calls-chevy-volt/?icid=webmail|wbml-aol|dl4|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoblog.com%2F2009%2F09%2F03%2Freport-audi-of-america-president-de-nysschen-calls-chevy-volt%2FI saw that. Perhaps it's a bit arrogant and counter-productive for the president of an auto company to call a competitor's future customers "idiots"? The initial Chevy Volt will have a price premium, as most first generation bleeding-edge technologies do. In time, GM and competitors (evidently excluding VW/Audi) will increase production and drive down costs. It always amazes me how some in the automotive industry are so in love with the past. I guess every new technology has it's detractors. The internal combustion engine has had a long and successful run, but it's days are numbered, and diesel is not a long term solution just because of better highway mileage.As a technology geek, I'm looking forward to seeing the Volt and other new technologies come to market, allowing people to choose energy independence the next time gas prices jump. I'll happily dump the ICE for a high-torque alternative when it becomes financially feasible and when the products are as good or better than ICE-based vehicles (no offense to those working in the oil industry). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.