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We're constantly harping on American companies for not bringing over their European cars, but with news that Ford is doing just that , the question has new immediacy. The British Motor Show is a good place to start. The show will witness the debut of the Ford Focus RS , which speaks to a rally heritage we don't have but sorely need. Maybe it's the technology, or maybe we just want the diesel versions of cars we already have. Given how long we've lusted after Mondeos and notchbacked Insignias , we're almost at a loss to think of what we'd want first. That's where you can help. What European cars do we need and want most? We'll count the American arms of European car companies to expand the field a bit.
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We spotted a manufacturer-plated Chevrolet LUV pickup cruising around town a month ago on our way to our brother's graduation from Oakland University, but didn't think much of it because frankly, a re-badged Isuzu D-MAX (or Chevy Colorado depending on how you look at it) doesn't really get us going. That is until we took a closer look at the shots last night and noticed that it was a diesel -powered Chevy LUV truck. My, my, my — is GM perhaps looking to create a competitor for the Mahindra Scorpio / Appalachian / Whatever pickup? Maybe some oil-slicked Thai truck action? galleryPost('ChevroletLUVSpy', 6, 'The Chevy LUV Truck Seeks To Please Your Wallet, Not Your Booty'); Probably not. The problem with the engine is it doesn't meet any emissions requirements for the US market. But what's funny is that this is exactly what the market is looking for. How great would a light-duty 30 MPG+ diesel pickup be in this market? Though GM engineers are probably...
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The 2008 Smart Fortwo is burdened with preconceived notions like no car before it. It's not safe. You can't drive it on the highway. It's too small for super sized Americans. It's Green. It's gay. The car was launched in Europe in 1998, so Americans have had a decade to develop these assumptions. Until now, few have driven it, and never on American soil. Yesterday, we did. galleryPost('smartfortwobrooklyn', 6, '2008 Smart Fortwo in the USA'); On Monday, we got a call from our friend Nick, who - thanks to a Blackberry and a spirit of adventure - is the first U.S. customer to take delivery of his very own Smart. The company even gave him a plaque to commemorate the occasion. It credits him in part with, "Initiating a revolutionary change in the way Americans think about transportation." We do need to change the way we think about the Smart. It is safe. Mercedes developed the original version with the goal of making it as safe as their E-class...
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It's not often a design comes along and truly thinks outside of the box. What would you say to a GM developed, 4.5L V8 turbo diesel putting down 310 horsepower and 520 lb.ft. of torque in the footprint of a small block 350? What if we told you that same engine has common rail injection, a variable geometry turbo, no intake manifolds, and the exhaust ports on the valley side? Crazy! Yes - crazy good. How can you not be utterly blown away with the brilliance of pushing charged air directly into the valve covers and skipping the lower intake manifold baloney? And come on, piping the exhaust gas directly to the center to meet up with the turbo makes us question other engine designers. To top it off, this is just the stuff we know about, GM is sitting on other details until the patents are through. We're taking this standout engine design as a sign of awesome diesely goodness to come. Say it together now - 2010 Pontiac G8 Ute turbo diesel. [via SAE.org ]
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