Smart Bikes: Good Idea or Bad?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

With sales of its Smart ForTwo heading for oblivion, Smart has come up with this alternative. Four wheels? Check. Two passengers? Check. Much lower price? Check. Maybe they're on to something.

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 7:11 AM 0 Comments

Focus Wagon: Good Idea or Bad?

Ford brought a 2012 Focus Wagon to the Detroit show but you can't have one. This beautiful little hauler is not coming to the U.S. That's a bad idea.

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 6:52 AM 0 Comments

Fiat 500 Mopar Edition: Good Idea or Bad?

How the world has changed. Chrysler reinvigorates its Mopar parts and accessories division and the soon-to-be-released Fiat 500 gets in on the action.

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 6:36 AM 0 Comments

Scion iQ: Good Idea or Bad?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

These are photos of the upcoming Scion iQ. Toyota has been shopping this around at the car shows for a couple of years now and will finally bring it to the U.S. market as a Scion. It is aimed directly at the Smart ForTwo (get it? Smart . . . iQ?).

Toyota is calling the iQ a 3+1 passenger car. The front passenger is supposed to sit forward of the driver to allow enough room for someone to sit in the back seat behind him/her. The minuscule space behind the driver is the +1 part of the equation and apparently means a small pet or single bag of groceries. With the rear seat in the upright position there is almost enough cargo space for a few file folders or a laptop case.

Also notice the luxurious fabrics in which the interior is swathed. If this doesn't bring Scion back from the brink, well perhaps nothing can.

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 5:00 PM 0 Comments

Hyundai Veloster: Good Idea or Bad?

At the North American International Auto Show this week, Hyundai unveiled the Veloster, presumably a concept car but we have to wonder. First, Hyundai brought about five of them to the show. Second, they all seemed to be pretty close to production ready. Third, they let everybody climb in and out to their hearts' content. Car makers don't typically do those things when they bring concept cars to shows.

Also, look closely at the photos and you'll see something rather unusual: This is a 3-door car with a coupe-like profile on the left side and a sedan-like profile on the right. It would take a lot of guts to actually build such a car but Hyundai has been making some pretty bold moves lately.

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 11:43 AM 0 Comments

The Guy Just Can't Stay Away From Car Shows

Bob Lutz was spotted yesterday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. He said of the 2012 Buick Verano: "Glove box is nice and deep."

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 11:16 AM 0 Comments

Toyota Goes Nut: Adds Another Prius Model

In a desperate attempt to regain lost market share, Japanese car maker Toyota unveiled a second Prius model to try to woo buyers away from Ford, Hyundai and Kia. Called the Prius V (for versatile), the wagon-like new model will be available later this year. It offers more cargo volume than the Prius sedan but is considerably less fuel efficient.

Toyota also promised to bring out a third Prius model, the Prius C (for compact), at a future date. The Prius C will be smaller than the current Prius and, according to Toyota's U.S. chief, Bob Carter, will appeal to young urbanites "who want an eco-sensitive, high-mileage, fun-to-drive Prius with a roomy interior". (But, presumably, who find a regular Prius just too darn big.)

--M.D.

posted by Marty Densch at 10:58 AM 0 Comments