Play
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Possible Cuda for Chrysler? Foose thinks so, we don't
The interweb is atwitter today thanks to a piece published by the Detroit News that hints Chrysler may revive the storied Cuda nameplate. Such a car would obviously share a platform with the upcoming Challenger, though would be sold as a Chrysler model since its original parent brand, Plymouth, is long since shuttered. The rumor was started by an interview given by famed hot rod tuner Chip Foose at the 2007 New York Auto Show earlier this month in which he mentioned the possibility of such a car.We think the rumor has pretty weak legs to stand on, considering it originated from a guy who doesn't even work for Chrysler. Though Foose has partnered with DCX on a number of projects, there's no reason they would release such sensitive information to him. It could be the case that Foose wants a Chrysler Cuda to be developed and sold, but that's an entirely different story.
Plus, the New York Auto Show has been done and over for about three weeks. The possibility of a new Cuda is pretty hot info, so as a fellow publisher we're boggled why The Detroit News would sit on it for so long. As for the rendering that appears with the source article, while tastefully done by our friend George Achorn, is clearly just a tweaked version of a Challenger pic with a new color and different wheels. If Chrysler ever did decide to build the Cuda again, hopefully it would be differentiated by more than that.
Chrysler celebrating 20 years of modern concept vehicles
At the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, Chrysler opened a new chapter in its history with the introduction of the Portofino Concept (above). The Portofino introduced the world to Chrysler's cab-forward design philosophy that would dominate its next generation of mainstream cars. In the two decades since, Chrysler has continued to crank out at least 3-5 new concepts every year, some making their debut in Detroit every January, while the rest were revealed in locations like Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris and Tokyo.In that time, the team from Auburn Hills has created some truly inspired vehicles and others that are not so much. Some of the design details have made it into production, while some vehicles have been moved straight to the assembly line such as the Viper, Prowler, first-generation Neon and the upcoming Challenger. Other concepts that people clamored for such as the Plymouth Pronto Spyder and Dodge Copperhead did the show circuit and then faded away. Then again, some concepts that made it to production might have been better left in the museum like the Crossfire. One of the consistent themes that has popped up every couple of years is a flagship for Chrysler, and after some gorgeous models like the Atlantic Coupe and the Chronos have all gone unbuilt, it appears one is getting called up for active duty on dealer lots. We've learned that the Imperial sedan will start rolling off the line in a couple of years. Regardless of your opinion of any individual Chrysler concept, the debut of new ones are always highly anticipated at auto shows, and they are rarely dull.
Bob talks about the triplets over at FastLane
In the latest installment in the continuing series of videos being put out GM, the ever quotable "Maximum" Bob Lutz talks about the "Minimum" cars that Chevrolet showed as concepts at the New York Auto Show last April. The Chevy Groove, Beat and Trax are three design concepts off GM's next generation Global Subcompact Architecture. Lutz discusses why they were shown in New York, even though GM didn't have any plans to sell them hear. Just because they didn't have definite plans, it doesn't mean they won't change that at some point. Check out the video after the jump.
One more 'Official' rendering for your perusal: Audi A7
CAR has been releasing what it's called "official sketches" from Audi execs privy to the future of the four-ringed automaker. This latest drawing shows what Ingolstadt plans to pit against the Mercedes CLS in the burgeoning sports sedan segment, likely to be dubbed the A7. Built off the next generation A6 platform, the shapely sedan will get similar styling cues as its cross-town rival, with a steeply raked roof flowing into what looks like a low-slung hatch.Power is expected to come from either a three-liter V6 or a 4.8-liter V8, with the RS model fitted with a Lamborghini-sourced V10 in either naturally aspirated or twin-turbo'd trim. Expect a 4.2-liter TDI unit to be available in Europe as well.
Pricing will land squarely between the A6 and A8, so its safe to assume that prices abroad will be in the £35,000-£50,000 range, with the possibility of a soft-top model also being offered further down the road.
According to CAR, the A7 will make its debut at the 2008 New York Auto Show, with sales beginning in September 2009.
Hyundai Genesis launches in Korea on December 29th
We saw it unveiled at the New York Auto Show back in March, and now we've got a release date for the Hyundai Genesis, just not for here. December 29th will mark coincident milestones for Hyundai. First, it's designed a new logo celebrating 40 years of growth. Second, and more exciting to us, is the Korean market launch of the Genesis (BH) sedan. The Genesis may not be groundbreaking for the rest of the industry, but it's got us on the edge of our seats nonetheless. With the Tau V8 underhood driving the proper wheels with 300 horsepower, the Genesis might come in second only to the Pontiac G8 in terms of hotly anticipated V8 RWD sedans. The styling, while derivative, is handsome, and we see hints of Infiniti and BMW all over the flanks of the Genesis. With the Korean rollout just a couple months away, we hope it arrives in the US shortly thereafter.
Chrysler limiting Challenger output to 5,000 units in 2008
Say it with us now: create demand. Challengers won't roll off the line en masse next year. Instead, as we reported last month, Dodge is going to make just 5,000 of them for the '08 model year, all SRT models with 5.7- or 6.1-liter Hemis. In 2009, Dodge will widen the sluice some, with output expected to be 30,000 to 35,000 cars. That is also when six-speed manual and dual-clutch options could be added. The Challenger will take the stand next year at the New York Auto Show. And for those of you planning to buy a 2008 model, especially one with the 6.1-liter Hemi, say it with us now: residual value.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
