Stingray Makes Appearance In Geneva

GENEVA ( CarPressions ) -- After making its first debut in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, the convertible version of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has made its appearance in Geneva.  The convertible is nearly identical to the coupe except for a few changes to accommodate the convertible top.  Like the coupe, the Stingray convertible is powered by a new LT1 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces an estimated 450 horsepower.

Toyota Hints At The Next Corolla To Come

DETROIT (Jidosha Shinbun) -- Toyota late last year teased a Furia Concept and has revealed the actual concept as the Corolla Furia Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).  The concept only had an exterior but Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager Toyota Division, Bill Fay, says that their "designers are also pushing the envelope on interior styling that will surprise a lot of people."  Fay also says that the "Corolla Furia sends a clear message where we’re going in the future.  Not only will the styling be more expressive, but it will also reflect our overall approach to the
compact segment in every way."

Toyota NAIAS Press Conference (Courtesy Toyota)

Detroit Hosts Annual NAIAS

DETROIT (CarPressions) -- I'ts that time of the year again when the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.  NAIAS is open to the public from Saturday, January 19th through Saturday, January 26th.  Doors open at 9 am and close at 10 pm, but there is no admittance after 9 pm.  The last day for NAIAS is Sunday, January 27th when doors also open at 9am, but closes at 7pm and there is no admittance after 6pm.    Adult tickets can be purchased online at http://www.naias.com/tickets/public-show-tickets.aspx   or at the door for $12. Seniors and children's tickets are only available at the door for $6 each. Children ages 6 and under are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a paid ticket.

The Cadillac Converj Concept Becomes The ELR

DETROIT (CarPressions) Wednesday, January 16, 2013 -- The Cadillac Converj concept that was shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) back in 2009 returns to NAIAS in production form as the ELR.  It may be related to the Chevrolet Volt, but this isn't a Volt with a Cadillac badge.  Unlike the Chevrolet Volt, the Cadillac ELR is a coupe like the Converj concept and one can see the influence.  It's quite stunning and we hope Cadillac will make a four door version in the future.  Production will start this year and sales is to begin worldwide early next year.  The ELR is powered by an electric motor mated to a "range-extending' 1.4 liter petrol powered electric generator.  The ELR produces a total of 207 horsepower.  Cadillac says that the ELR's battery is covered by a 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils The New E-Class

DETROIT (CarPressions) Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - Mercedes-Benz revealed a "fully-updated E-Class line" at the North American International Auto Show. The new E-class will come in sedan, wagon, coupe, and cabriolet versions. Mercedes put an emphasis on their "Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive" which consists of systems to crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and lane assist. There are six powerplants ranging from 136 horsepower all the way to 408 horsepower. If that's not enough, there's always the E 63 AMG which has a 585 horsepower powerplant. Sales of the new E-Class begin in April of this year.

Stingray Hits Detroit

DETROIT (CarPressions) Tuesday, January 15, 2013 -- Stingray hits the North American International Auto Show in its 2014 form.  The powerplant is an all new LT1 V-8 that has a displacement of 6.2-liters.  Chevrolet says the powerplant has a preliminary output of 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque.  The new Corvette Stingray will be built at the Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant.  Sales of the new sports coupe will begin third quarter 2013.

2014 Lexus IS Sport Sedan To Debut At NAIAS

TORRANCE, Calif. (Jidosha Shinbun) Friday, January 11, 2013 -- Lexus has released pics of the 2014 Lexus IS F Sport and announced that the new IS will make a world debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  Lexus will be holding their press conference at 9:30 am (ET) at Cobo Center.  The IS model range consists of the IS 250, IS 250 F Sport, IS 350, IS 350 F Sport, and IS300h.  The Lexus IS F Sport models resemble the LF-CC concept vehicle.  The gauge cluster, steering wheel, and even the engine start button location are similar to the concept car.    The Lexus IS competes with the 2014 Infiniti Q50 and BMW 3-series sport sedans.

Toyota Teases Furia

TORRANCE, Calif  Friday, December 21, 2012 (Jidosha Shinbun) -- +Toyota USA  has announced that they will be unveiling the Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.  In order to gain some interest in the concept, Toyota has released a video to stroke people's curiosity.  Toyota did not specify whether this was a pure concept, or a prelude to a production vehicle.  The only clues is that Toyota has said " this exciting new sedan concept will be revealed in the Toyota display at Cobo Hall."  Full details will be unveiled on January 14, 2013.

Infiniti Reveals New Naming Strategy

HONG KONG Tuesday, December 18, 2012 (Jidosha Shinbun) -- Infiniti has announced a new nomenclature in its "desire for clarity and cohesiveness."  In its current naming strategy, the letter defines the model and the number defines the powerplant.  The new simplified naming strategy is for all sedans, coupes and convertibles to be prefixed with Q and crossovers and SUVs to be prefixed with QX.  Each model now will be identified with a number representing its place in the model range.  An example is the FX is higher in the model range and so will be branded QX70, where as the EX is lower in the model range so it will be branded as QX 50.  The change will take place with the 2014 model year and the first model to debut with the new nomenclature is the Infiniti Q50, currently known as the G37 sports sedan.

2013 RAV4 Revealed At The Los Angeles Auto Show

Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay and the 2013 RAV4.

LOS ANGELES Jidosha Shinbun) Thursday, November 29, 2012 -- Toyota reveals the new redesigned 2013 RAV4 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.  The new design reminds us of the previous generation Sienna, Mitsubishi, and perhaps even Nissan's Murano.   The RAV4 will be available in front and all wheel drive versions and is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 176 hp at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm.

2013 Toyota RAV4 Limited

Mated to the 4-cylinder engine is a six speed automatic transmission.  Toyota says that the first two gear ratios are optimized for "around-town performance."  The RAV4 will be available in LE, XLE, and Limited trimlevels.  The crossover utility vehicle will go on sale early 2013.

Nissan Updates Leaf Electric Vehicle In Japan

YOKOHAMA, Japan Tuesday, November 20, 2012 (Jidosha Shinbun) -- Nissan unveiled an updated Leaf electric vehicle in Japan.  Nissan says the Leaf is the number one electric vehicle in the world.  A new S trim level has been added to the existing X and G trim levels.  There are currently 400 dealers in Japan selling the Leaf that have quick chargers.  Nissan plans to expand to 700 dealers with quick chargers.  

Honda Teases 2013 Civic Ahead of LAAS

TORRANCE, Calif (Jidosha Shinbun) Monday, November 12, 2012 -- Honda announces that the new 2013 Honda Civic will debut November 29, 2012 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.  The current ninth generation Civic was new for the 2012 model year, so it's a little unusual that the Civic is already getting revisions.  The Civic is one of Honda's most important models so  its perception is important.  The changes gives it more of a family resemblance to its bigger brother, the 2013 Honda Accord.  We like the changes Honda has made to the Civic.  The front end has a classy grille and looks aggressive.  The rear end continues the resemblance to the Honda Accord.

 "The 2013 Honda Civic exterior refinements infuse Civic with a more youthful, premium style. Coupling these with additional changes beneath will ensure that Civic maintains its top-ranked status," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda.

The 2013 Civic will go on sale at dealerships also on November 29.

New Toyota Sub-Compact To Be Built At Mazda's Mexico Plant

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (CarPressions) Friday, November 9, 2012 -- An agreement has been signed between Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation to build a new car for Toyota based on the Mazda 2 at the new Mazda plant current under construction in Salamanca city, Guanajuato state, Mexico.  The agreement calls for Toyota to share a portion of the equipment, development, and production capacity increase costs.  

Seventh Generation Corvette Logo Revealed

BRASELTON, Ga (CarPressions) Friday, October 19, 2012 - Chevrolet announced that the seventh generation 2014 Corvette will be unveiled on January 13, 2013.  The also revealed the logo for the new seventh generation Corvette which is an evolutionary of the previous one and looks more angular.