This is the best “shameless copy job” from Russia since the Tupolev 144 copied the Concorde supersonic airplane back in the early 70’s!They are now obviously after the Ford Focus. Even their company logo !Ladas have been sold in western Europe for years, as cheap transportation. Kind of like early Korean cars here back in… Continue reading Lada 110

Nissan will show this sport concept at the New York auto show.And I think this might just be a preview of the next Sentra, A.K.A Sunny in Japan. Just imagine the same design without the “crazy” concept touches like the spoilers, side skirts, mirrors etc…This would mean the Sentra replacement (whatever the name ends up… Continue reading Next Sentra Concept?

This is supposed to be a concept car that will be introduced later this year. But “insiders” claim this is actually a “close to production” preview of the model replacing the small X Type in 2007. (They might not even keep that name).As you can see, there isn’t much in common with the X type.It… Continue reading All new Jaguar

From Italy we get this very early look at a possible design for the all new SUV from Fiat.The design will be partially shared with Suzuki. So we’ll probably get the Suzuki version of this, to compete with the RAV4 and other small car based SUVs. It should be shown to the public this fall.

GM is now actually thinking about bringing the redesigned Daewoo Matiz to the US market.But only if gas prices continue to rise. The super is now well over $2.50 in most Los Angeles areas…I am not sure they can realy make a profit by selling this super mini, with its one liter engine in the… Continue reading Chevy Matiz in the US???

Not even out yet, and the new MX-5 gets a Limited “comemorative” model.It is said to celebrate the coming out of the new generation.They usually come up with these at the end of a run, not the beginning.But I really like the metal finish around the windshield. It fits the design of the new car.That… Continue reading Mazda MX-5 Limited

The Forfour sedan should be the best seller in the US.Barely longer than a Mini Cooper, it seats 5!The interior is the least original of all the Smart models. Even thought it is the newest…But it still has the cool option of a glass roof, leather etc…And you can fold both front seats forward. Party!!!!… Continue reading Smart Forfour

This is the “Limited” version of the all new Jeep Commander.It gets the V8 standard. Otherwise, the base engine is the 3.7 Liter V6 from the Liberty!Imagine this big 7 passenger SUV brick with the V6!No doubt most models will be ordered with the V8. I must say, even “decked out” with all the chrome,… Continue reading It’s alive!

First. The previous photo is real.The Commander will be introduced next week at the New York auto show.And this interior is not much better than the horrific exterior.I guess “macho” is now an excuse for cheap, hard palstics and backward designs. This should go down in history as one of the worst design ever produced…

Nothing “all new” here…A slight alteration to a pretty conservative design.The front end is supposed to make it look like the other VWs. Like the new Jetta and Paasat.But there is no chrome. So it ends up NOT looking like the others…What’s the point of that really…And the wheels on this upscale model now look… Continue reading “New” VW Polo

It’s really too bad they still can’t move away from that crappy image they have in the US.These cars have been getting better and better.But as they get better, their designs are getting to be really bland. Compared to other European models, that is… The top pictures are of the all new Croma. Their largest… Continue reading New Fiats

That’s right!Mercedes now claims that the $25000 B Class would have to be more like $30000!All due to the weak dollar. And they “would not be able to make a profit on that”… That is just too bad. The B Class was designed with the US market in mind.And a decision about Smart is coming… Continue reading No B Class for US !!!

The coolest model in the Smart line up is the Roadster/Convertible.The roadster is a hatchback.They are available with the same small 3 cylinder turbo engines. Or, at least in Europe, a V6!!!Which must turn that thing into a beast.But that’s not really the point. I sat in one a couple of years ago, and it… Continue reading Smart Roadster

It does seem to look better to me every time I see a new picture of it.But the interior still looks plain and almost old. I think this is the main problem for this car and the new Jetta.They look just fine, but that’s it..It seems like they will both look pretty dated in a… Continue reading Let’s get used to it…

This is an all new small wagon based on the Honda Fit/Jazz, (depending on where you live…)It looks kind of nice and modern from the front, but things get pretty old when viewed from the side.It has a wierd early 80’s feel to it… It’s a good idea anyway. A giant glass roof with 5… Continue reading Honda Airwave

The new Citroen C6 doesn’t seem to need the help of models to be noticed.But it doesn’t hurt… The Giugiaro designed Mitsubishi “Nessie”, on the other hand, could use another name to be taken seriously.I guess a sexy girl is cheaper. The new Seat Leon doesn’t need anything.That is one great design.But it is still… Continue reading Great designs… from Geneva.

Well, it looks like there isn’t going to be a hard top convertible for the new Miata, but the optional hard top is still an option.It looks very nice, but with only one side window on each side, the visibility is still not that great…

Well, the interior looks pretty much like what it is: a much cheaper version of the Magnum…And the Magnum interior is not great to start with . Materials in the Caliber look similar too, as well as the color combos.Too bad they still think American car interiors from the 70’s are such a great inspiration.That… Continue reading Dodge Caliber Interior

Nothing really new to report, except these interior views.Looking nice, but maybe a little bit on the cheap side… I mean, look at the gap between the doors and the dasboard.And the center console area doesn’t look as upscale as the new Avalon. Compare it with this 1992-95 Mazda 929 . A very nice design… Continue reading Hyundai Grandeur

That car will end up having differnt names where ever it is sold. Just like the current one, so…In Korea, it is still the ‘Grandeur”. It looks to me like the old Mazda 929. The last generation before the Millenia.It was a nice look 15 years ago…But it doesn’t look as modern as the new… Continue reading Hyndai XG replacement