Enough spy shots, GM says.  So they released these brand spanking new official photos of the 2011 Cruze.  Remember, this is the car that’s supposed to save GM.  Well, the Cruze and the Volt, of course.

According to GM’s latest outlandish claims, the Cruze is supposedly to somehow achieve 45 MPG.  Considering that it’s supposed to be the largest car in the compact class, and no other conventionally powered compacts acheive close to 45 MPG, color me skeptical.  Plus the Cruze doesn’t look excessively aerodynamic… Unless the whole deal is made of carbon fiber, and powered by a 1.0 liter diesel engine, I just don’t see it.

To me the Cruze is overrated for now.  GM is pushing all kinds of hype… made up MPG numbers, and how it’s supposed to save the company.  Yep, it’s better looking than the Cobalt.  The interior looks excellent. Congrats.  It still doesn’t look as good as the 2008 Civic.  By the time the Cruze makes it to market, there will be a new Civic, among others.  I guess we’ll have to wait and see how the Cruze drives, before making any final judgement.

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During a dealer event in Las Vegas last week, Chrysler “officially” revealed the 2009 Challenger to it’s dealers – and made the decision to ban all cameras from the event. Unfortunately for Chrysler ( and fortunately for us ), someone was able to sneak in a camera phone and snap some shots. As you can see, the production version will stay true to the concept, and that’s about the best news to come out of Dodge in years.

The first 5500 Challengers produced will be sporting the 6.1 liter HEMI from SRT – and should start at $38,000. They will also, somewhat unfortunately, be sporting a slushbox. After that, the selection will consist of a 3.5 liter V6, 5.7 HEMI, and the SRT HEMI, both available with the automatic or 6 speed manual. Neat.

There isn’t an angle where the Challenger doesn’t look good – at least in pictures. Dodge sucks most of the time, there’s no doubt about it. But the Challenger doesn’t suck – it’s fantastic. It’s gorgeous, will have the performance to back up the looks, and sounds like it will be priced right. Two doors and an available 6 speed seal the deal – the Challenger will be a big-time winner. Good job Dodge.

More pics.

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Infiniti’s FX35 and FX45 are on there  way out, to be replaced by this – the EX35.  The EX does look a little bit softer – it’s a bit more CUV and a bit less bizarro-hatchback.  The specs look to be very familiar though

• 290 HP 3.5 liter VQ V6
• 5 speed automatic transmission

Really this vehicle just looks like the natural evolution of the FX, rather than a whole new model.  Not sure if this one is RWD like the FX, or FWD like the Murano.  Either way, I don’t think there was a reason to change names with this vehicle.  Just adds confusion, and lessens brand loyalty.

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The 2008 Altima Coupe has been a tremendous hit across the country – hampered only by the extremely limited availability.  In some areas, inbound units are pre-sold weeks in advance - not typical for any Nissan.  The next step, naturally, is to offer a convertible.  And that, my friends, is what we see here – a gorgeous transformation from coupe to ragtop.  There is speculation that it may seat just 4, but that doesn’t matter.  This car will blow away the convertible Eclipse and Sebring.

Source.

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Mazda released a sneak peak at their upcoming redesigned 2009 Mazda6 - a car that the automotive world is waiting for with open arms.  When the Mazda6 first debuted, it was a real head turner – both in style and performance.  Now that the competition has redesigned their own models, the current Mazda6 is a bit stale and behind the times.  Mazda will have to be on top of their game to make the same impact this time around.

As far as the pic – it’s hard to tell from just one photo, and just one angle.  From what we can see ,it looks good.  Hopefully the profile will be stunning, and it will have a nice rear end.  The competition is rocking – with the new Camry, Altima, and Accord( in a few months )  all fresh.  Looks are important, and I think the Mazda6 will come through.  Hardware is another story though – and there’s nothing firm coming from Mazda on that front.  We’ll know more at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, where Mazda plans to officially debut this car.

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The 2008 Ford Falcon Orion is the car that could save Ford.  That is, if Ford was smart enough to release it in the United States, instead of as an Australian market only car.  People would actually go to Ford dealerships because they want to buy this car, rather than settling for it because it’s there ( see Ford Taurus for example. )  This car could take it’s place alongside the Mustang as a Ford icon; a car that people want to own.  Think of it as a four-door Mustang with it’s own personality. 

Ford – if you’re listening, and I know you’re not, bring the Falcon to the US.  This car will sell in droves here, and will make people want to own a Ford again.

Source.

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There have been rumors floating around the last couple days about a possible successor to the McLaren F1 – perhaps the most famous supercar ever.  Built way back in 1994, the F1 still stands as one of the fastest production cars ever.  If that isn’t a testament to an incredible car, then I don’t know what is.

Back to the present – some folks have reported that McLaren is working on a new supercar – dubbed the F2, and it’s current wearing Ferrari 360 skin.  No idea on what the production version will have, but if it comes to fruition, expect lots of carbon fiber, 12 cylinders, and a simply absurd amount of power.  I’d be surprised at anything less than 800 HP ( probably with the aid of forced induction ).  It’s all a rumor right now, but what a sweet rumor it is.

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The specs have been leaked, and they’re ridiculous.  The upcoming Audi RS6 supersedan will be sporting an absolutely ridiculous 571 horsepower.  That power will come from a twin turbocharged 5.0 liter V10, according to some handy-dandy deciphering of the vehicle chassis codes.  Apparently the engine will also make 1000 NM of torque, though I have no idea what that translates into for the ft-lbs that we use here in the states.

Putting all this power to the ground is the dynamic due of a six speed ZF auto gearbox and Quattro AWD.  There *may* be a DSG transmission available down the road, though that’s not certain just yet.  There’s even talk of a RS6 “Plus” that may put down horsepower in the 625 range.  Sick, just sick. 

The Audi R8 was the king of the Audi world, but no more.  Bring on the RS6.

Via Motor Authority.

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According to the wacky Hollywood Extra, GM is going to step up and produce the Buick Velite ( concept pictured to the left ).  Though I’m decidedly not a fan of badge engineering ( the Velite would be built on the same platform as the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice ), I can’t help but think that the Velite is a pretty nice looking car.  And there’s a chance that it might bring a younger buyer into the Buick showroom – something Buick desperately needs, as their average buyer’s age creeps up over 116 years old.

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The Poor Man’s Roll’s Royce Phantom is approved for production (unofficially).  The Chrysler Imperial, which for all intents and purposes, is a blatant Phantom rip-off, got the green line from some drunk executive at Chrysler.  Not only is the Imperial a clone, it’s a clone of a hideous car, which makes it pretty dang ugly itself. 

No words on specs just yet, or price for that matter.  Apparently Chrysler is trying to stay away from the $50,000 mark, so expect the Imperial to cost less than that.  Considering the fact that it’s a Chrysler, I would hope it comes in way, way below that mark. 

Link.

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