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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Trucks/Pickups , Kia The best description of the Kia Soulster comes via a Google translation of Automarket.ro's post on it: Cabrio pick-up leisure car. Hey, works for us. What we appear to have in the Soulster is a cool-looking compact, four-seater (note that headrest behind the B-pillar) that's sort of in the vein of the late Isuzu Amigo. The windshield's chopped, the looks are a blend of Fisher-Price cute and Tonka Truck rugged, and overall, it works. A rollbar adds a hint of style and ostensibly helps keep everyone's noggins in one piece should the Soulster become inverted. Kiamino? Soulster Pickup? If Kia has the stones to actually produce something this fun-looking, they might just have a hit on their hands. We'll have full coverage from Motown starting this weekend. Thanks for the tip, Mircea. [Source: Automarket.ro ] Cabrio Pickup Leisure Car! First Kia Soulster photo, info leaked originally appeared on Autoblog...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Videos , Buick Click above to watch video after the jump The current Buick LaCrosse is one of those cars that passes you on the road and you don't even notice it. GM and the Buick design team are looking to remedy that situation with the 2010 LaCrosse. Classy sheet metal, vastly improved interior materials, and an all-new powertrain will help the new LaCrosse compete with the likes of the Lexus ES350 and the Lincoln MKS. A 260 hp, 3.0L direct injected V6 and a 3.6L powerplant that outputs 280 ponies means the new LaCrosse will also be able to compete on performance and efficiency as well. We had the opportunity to talk with several of the people responsible for the new LaCrosse, and we had cameras rolling so you could get in on the conversation. Hit the jump to view the video for yourself, and if you'd like to read our extensive preview of Buick's newest sedan, click here . Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse - LIVE Continue reading...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Buick Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse If the car you see here looks somewhat familiar, it should. It appeared in concept form at last spring's Beijing Motor Show as the Buick Invicta concept . At the 2009 Detroit Auto Show , the Invicta becomes the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Like many recent examples, the Invicta was a less a concept than a very mildly disguised version of the upcoming production car. Just before the Christmas break, General Motors gave the media a preview of the new production LaCrosse in the design dome at the company's tech center in Warren, MI. GM North America VP for Buick-Pontiac-GMC Susan Docherty, global mid-size car vehicle line executive Jim Federico, and Buick brand character chief designer Dave Lyon provided a run-down for us on the new LaCrosse. The mid-size Buick is the first North American market application of the revised Epsilon II architecture that debuted last summer...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Hatchbacks , Scion , Special/Limited Editions Click above for a high-res gallery of the Scion xB Release Series 6.0 Scion will continue its habit of offering tweaked versions of its wares as "Release Series" models at next week's Detroit Auto Show where the Scion xB Release Series 6.0 will be revealed. As is de rigeur for these special editions, the R.S. 6.0 will get its own paint color, "Absolutely Red" (it's a standard color for the Yaris ), along with a unique front grille and wheel covers (seriously, wheel covers?). Inside, a new Pioneer Audio Visual Navigation system is included on the R.S., along with matching red accents on various trim pieces and seat fabric, as well as four-color interior lighting. Want one? Only 2,500 copies will be produced, so act fast and be prepared to drop an extra $1,743 over the base xB's price of $15,750. Add an extra $950 for an automatic transmission (if you must) and an extra $320 for...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Nissan Visitors to the Detroit Auto Show will be able to eyeball a bunch of Chinese cars that have virtually no hope of ever being sold in the U.S., but they won't be able to scope out the Maxima... or 370Z... or Cube. You'll remember that Nissan formally announced that neither it nor its luxobrand Infiniti would participate in this year's exhibition, joining a parade of other no-shows . You'll also remember that local dealers had elected to supply their own vehicles to give the brand a floor presence in lieu of the spiked corporate display. That plan is now as dead as the Detroit Auto Show is shaping up to be, since the Tennessee mothership has pulled rank and told the dealers to back off asked dealers to "please respect their decision to not have a presence at the North American International Auto Show," according to auto show co-chair (and Nissan dealer) Doug Fox. Needless to say, the dealers have complied, and some primo floor...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Bentley Click above for a high-res gallery of the Bentley GTC Speed The Bentley GTC has only been out for two years and a bit, but you might not know that; the car is so popular in some parts that it has become something like Ugg Boots for the monied-up automotive fashionista. Like its other Continental stablemates, Bentley has finally taken the drophead into their Speed garage for the transformation from really fast to "Egads!" fast. It emerges from said garage with its twin-turbo W12 producing 553 lb-ft. of torque and 600 horsepower - 100 ponies more than the Azure T , making it the most powerful convertible Bentley has ever made. The Speed treatment alters the front end, with a more upright, dark-tinted matrix grille flanked by chrome bezels around the headlights, and the face is framed by firmer lines sweeping up from the lower air dam. While it is still not - and isn't mean to be - a sports car, the handling...
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Filed under: Videos , Crossovers/CUVs , Cadillac Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Cadillac SRX The current Cadillac SRX is a competent vehicle, although it hasn't come close to selling as many units as the Lexus RX350, let alone the Acura MDX. GM is looking to change that with the thoroughly revised 2010 Cadillac SRX . Gone are the station wagon looks and rear wheel drive, and in its place is a new front drive platform and sheetmetal that looks the part of a true crossover contender. General Motors has ditched its larger powertrains for an efficient 3.0L, direct injected V6 and a 300 horsepower, 2.8L turbocharged unit that have the potential to quell fears that the new 2010 model will be lacking in the performance department. We had the chance to speak with Cadillac Marketing Director Steve Shannon to get an in-depth tour of the new SRX, and you can get the inside story in the video after the jump . Gallery: 2010 Cadillac SRX Live Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Cadillac...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Crossovers/CUVs , Cadillac Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Cadillac SRX Almost exactly a year after revealing the Provoq Concept , Cadillac is debuting the redesigned 2010 SRX wearing essentially the same suit of clothes. At that time, the Provoq was thought to be a preview of a new smaller crossover called the BRX, but Cadillac informed us last summer that the "BRX" was actually the all-new SRX. We'll be seeing the new SRX in production form at the Detroit Auto Show , and while automakers often throw the term "all-new" around, in this case it really seems to apply. There is almost nothing carried over to this version of the SRX compared to the old one, although many of the greasy bits are shared with other GM vehicles. The biggest difference going from the Provoq concept to the production SRX is the powertrain. The Provoq used a Volt based E-Flex powertrain with a fuel cell range extender. The SRX is a far more...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Crossovers/CUVs , Volvo Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Volvo S60 Concept It may not be the same as attending the event in-person, but a live, interactive webcast of Volvo's press conference at the Detroit Auto Show , where the S60 concept and production XC60 for North America will be shown, could be the next best thing. The broadcast is intended for media types and members of the press, but the fact that it's being aired on DirecTV (channel 101, January 11 at 5:30 - 6:30 PM ET) means that anybody with a television and the satellite service can watch it live. Alternatively, users can register for a password to the online site, the location of which is not yet determined. The coolest bit of tech that's making an appearance for this event is the capability to send questions to a live host who will then relay selected inquiries to key Volvo executives. These days, the global economic downturn is affecting...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Crossovers/CUVs , Volvo Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Volvo S60 Concept It may not be the same as attending the event in-person, but a live, interactive webcast of Volvo's press conference at the Detroit Auto Show , where the S60 concept and production XC60 for North America will be shown, could be the next best thing. The broadcast is intended for media types and members of the press, but the fact that it's being aired on DirecTV (channel 101, January 11 at 5:30 - 6:30 PM ET) means that anybody with a television and the satellite service can watch it live. Alternatively, users can register for a password to the online site, the location of which is not yet determined. The coolest bit of tech that's making an appearance for this event is the capability to send questions to a live host who will then relay selected inquiries to key Volvo executives. These days, the global economic downturn is affecting...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Convertibles , Coupes , Ford Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 When Ford introduced the new 2010 Mustang at the LA Auto Show in November, marketing boss Jim Farley promised the next chapter in the Mustang story would be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Well that time has arrived and to anyone who has been following the Mustang pattern over the last several years, it should come as no surprise that it's the Shelby GT500. Just like the last iteration, the new GT500 is the most powerful factory production Mustang ever. Like the more prosaic Mustangs, the GT500 is mechanically an evolution of the older model. Just as Ford used the current-gen Bullitt model as the starting point for the 2010 Mustang GT, the lessons learned from developing the limited edition GT500 KR fed directly into the latest Shelby-badged variant. Output of the supercharged 5.4L V8 has now been cranked up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Convertibles , Coupes , Ford Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 When Ford introduced the new 2010 Mustang at the LA Auto Show in November, marketing boss Jim Farley promised the next chapter in the Mustang story would be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Well that time has arrived and to anyone who has been following the Mustang pattern over the last several years, it should come as no surprise that it's the Shelby GT500. Just like the last iteration, the new GT500 is the most powerful factory production Mustang ever. Like the more prosaic Mustangs, the GT500 is mechanically an evolution of the older model. Just as Ford used the current-gen Bullitt model as the starting point for the 2010 Mustang GT, the lessons learned from developing the limited edition GT500 KR fed directly into the latest Shelby-badged variant. Output of the supercharged 5.4L V8 has now been cranked up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Acura , Honda Just two weeks after we learned that Honda had suspended plans to introduce a new V10 NSX sports car in 2010 comes word that we may see the car anyway. Sort of. The production program is still dead, but it is being reported that the previously scheduled "concept" will appear at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks. In typical Honda fashion, a concept version of a new model appears a few months for the street edition. In this case, the NSX was set to debut next fall at the Tokyo Motor Show with the conceptual preview at the Detroit auto show . Since the concept was already prepared before Honda made the decision to scrap the program, they will show it anyway. Honda's presence in Cobo will still be low-key however, with its press conference having been canceled. The NSX and the production Insight will simply appear on the show floor. Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX [Source: AutoTeleGraaf...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Spy Photos , Sedans/Saloons , Ford Could it be? Right in the midst of my own personal search for a mint Gen 1 (1989-1991) Taurus SHO comes pictoral proof that Ford may be resurrecting the Super High Output model. What we have here is one of many images published by Jalopnik showing the "SHO" moniker in its traditional font on the passenger side dash of a 2010 Ford Taurus. What does it all mean? That's tough to say. The safe bet is that Ford may be developing a Taurus SHO concept car that could debut after the standard model is revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month. It would also be safe to assume that a Taurus SHO would be powered by Ford's new EcoBoost V6, which is rumored to produce 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That's a heaping helping more than the 220 hp produced by the Yamaha-built 3.0L V6 in the original SHO, but there's also a lot more Taurus to haul around these days. While it's possible that Ford could...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Honda Click above for more shots of the leaked 2009 Honda Insight brochure As is so often the case these days, some early details regarding Honda's upcoming Prius-fighter have leaked out before the hybrid's official unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show . Included among the surprises is a Modulo-trimmed Insight featuring a full set of body mods from Honda's accessory catalog in Japan. We can't be sure if any of those bits will come Stateside (we're not betting on it), but it wouldn't be surprising if we got three trim levels similar to what's slated to be available in Honda's home market of Japan. We could get a base DX trim along with an up-level LX edition and a sportier EX model with such tasty bits as a paddle-shifted CVT automatic transmission and navigation system with 7-inch screen. With just 88 horses underhood along with an additional 14 from the hybrid's electric motor, don't expect...
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