( CarPressions ) -- Audi has released a sketch of its Q8 Concept that is set to debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Q8 will be an SUV with coupe like styling. The Q8 will be Audi's attempt to compete with the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
DETROIT (Jidosha Shinbun) - On the day that the 2017 Honda Odyssey officially goes on sale, Honda releases a teaser sketch for the 2018 5th generation Odyssey minivan. While Chrysler was more dramatic by replacing the Town & Country with the Pacifica, Honda appears to be more evolutionary with their minivan. The sketch of the 2018 Odyssey has cues from the current 4th generation model and appears to also have "c shaped" tail lamps inspired by the 10th generation Honda Civic. Honda says the new 5th generation Odyssey will have new powertrains and "promises the ultimate in family-friendly versatility and comfort." The new new Odyssey will make its global debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
TORRANCE, Calif. (CarPressions) - Toyota released a picture of the rear corner for the 2018 Toyota Camry in XSE trim to peak interest in the car that will make its debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Looking at the image, the design appears to have been influenced by the Prius and Prius Prime hybrid vehicles but a bit toned down.
LOS ANGELES (Jidosha Shinbun) - With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story debuting next month in theaters, it was an opportunity for Nissan to create a limited edition version of their Rogue. The 2017 Nissan Rogue: Rogue One Star Wars Limited Edition debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show. There will only be 5,400 units made with 5,000 of them for the US market and 400 for Canada. The limited edition model is a package with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1900 that is only available with the Rogue SV with the Sun and Sound Touring package. Each one comes with a numbered full size replica Death Trooper helmet.
LOS ANGELES (Jidosha Shinbun) - Lexus showed off the most spicy Lexus ever at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Lexus in collaboration with Huy Fong Foods created a custom Lexus Sriracha IS with the help of West Coast Customs. “I feel so humbled to see my Lexus and Sriracha friends’ love for my hot sauce,” said David Tran, CEO and founder of Huy Fong Foods. “The Lexus Sriracha IS is really the perfect mix for a ‘hot’ and ‘spicy car’ – just the way I like it.” Lexus says the special features of the Sriracha IS are:
Official
Sriracha IS Paint Job
Lexus experimented
with a range of mixtures and methods—including adding Sriracha sauce to the
paint itself—to create the Sriracha Red
color, complete with flecks of chili-like flakes. The custom paint job was
designed to mimic Sriracha sauce inside the
bottle and topped with a clear coating.
Sriracha-Injected
Steering Wheel
A Sriracha-like liquid
was cast in resin, then formed into a Lexus steering wheel, complete with a
warning for “Hot Handling.”
Sriracha
Temperature Settings
The settings for the
seat warmers and AC/heating system have been upgraded to go from cool to
Sriracha hot.
Sriracha
Driving Mode
Sriracha mode tunes
the powertrain for faster gear changes and more dynamic throttle mapping.
Handcrafted
Seats
Plush leather seats
are hand-embroidered with the Huy Fong rooster logo, the Sriracha IS logo and green accents.
Sriracha
IS Badging
Custom badging on the
side, rear and door wells identify this model, while illuminated callouts under
the passenger and driver’s doors add a
level of exclusivity.
Sriracha
Green Accents
Touches of green are a
signature element of official Huy Fong Foods products. Bottle-cap green details
throughout the car.
Fully
Stocked Trunk
The trunk is stocked
with 43 bottles of Sriracha for emergency condiment situations.
Key
Fob with Remote Emergency Sriracha Activation
The key fob includes
an emergency chili button that dispenses the sauce from a nozzle on the fob, so
drivers are always prepared.
Sriracha
IS Driving Accessories:
Driving
Jacket
A hot car deserves a
hot driving jacket. For this collaboration, Lexus created two one-of-a-kind
jackets that feature
hand-embroidered
images of the Sriracha IS and custom Sriracha IS patches to commemorate this
sizzling venture.
Driving
Mitts
Some cars require driving gloves. The
handling on the Sriracha IS is so hot, custom oven mitts are necessary.
The custom car will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show that runs from the 18th to the 27th.
LOS ANGELES (Jidosha Shinbun) - Honda is going all out with the 10th generation Civic. It has already launched sedan, coupe, and hatchback models. It debuted the Type-R in Paris and now it is debuting the Si sedan and coupe in Los Angeles. The Civic Si rounds out the 10th generation Civic family. All five models will be at the Los Angeles Auto Show. As with most of Honda's "concepts," it pretty much reflects the production version.
Powering the Si sedan and coupe will be a 1.5 liter, turbocharged DOHC 4 cylinder engine with dual variable cam timing mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. It will be the only transmission available on the Si models. Other upgrades to the Si models are a new active damper system, active steering system, and limited-slip differential. Honda says the Si coupe and sedan will launch next year.
LOS ANGELES (CarPressions) - Volkswagen debuts the Passat GT Concept at Mobility LA. The concept was designed in America at their Engineering and Planning Center in Tennessee. Volkswagen says the center will be how it "will meet the needs and desires of American customers going forward." The Passat Concept GT is powered by Volkswagen's 3.6-liter TSI VR6 engine that puts out 280 horsepower mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The concept is differentiated from a standard Passat with special bumper treatments, a black roof, LED headlights, smoked taillights, a dual trapezoidal exhaust, 19-inch Tornado wheel covers, red-painted brake calipers, a 0.6-inch reduction in ride height, and a black honeycomb grille insert with red accent lines that is similar to the Golf GTI.
