Toyota teases new Prius model

The picture on top is the tease.
The bottom one is the regular 2016 Prius.

Some say this is just the Plug-In version. But I don't think Toyota would redesign the whole rear of the car for just the Plug-in version.
Even brand new lights.

Others suggest it might be the new Prius V.
That could be. Although Toyota has hinted recently that the new Rav4 Hybrid might actually replace the Prius V in their line up.

Could it be a sporty coupe? A sedan?

What do you think???

Audi Q2 on the road.

Looking... cute.

Actually a surprising design for Audi. I think.
As it does have a few original lines here and there.
So maybe the next Q5 won't be as much of a disaster as the Q7?

Too bad (Or too late) for the new A5. Which, on all spy shots, already looks as boring/terrible as the new A4...

2017 Mazda CX-4

More picture of the all new CX-4.
Basically, a sportier alternative to the CX-5.

Outside, there seems to be a bit of camouflage left on the chrome window surrounding.
Wheels are quite small, so this could also be a base model.

Inside, it does look really good. In line with recent Mazda designs.

So far, they claim China is the target market for this.
But I wouldn't surprised if it ends up in the US.

Let's hope...

Upcoming Genesis SUV

I know this is NOT a good picture.
(This was sent to me from Europe and I am trying to get a better version of it.)

Hyundai has mentioned a couple of SUVs for the all new Genesis brand.
One full size and a mid size one.
On top of the new G80 sedan (A face lifted Hyundai genesis), a new coupe and an all new RWD compact sedan.
It all sounds pretty good.

I cannot tell if this is supposed to be the big SUV or the smaller one...(looks like it says XG something...)

We should see the real thing sooner than letter, since the large luxury SUV market is much more lucrative than the large luxury sedan market.
Jus ask Cadillac...

Maserati Levante.

I almost forgot about this.
What a disappointment that thing is... It's really not worthy of such e legendary name.
Clumsy and heavy. It really seems to bring nothing to the table.

I mean, the Cayenne still looks 10 times better than this. And an all new one is coming out soon.
And the starting price is rumored to be around $72 000 in the US.
More than the Porsche.

Really....

2017 Mazda CX-4

 Remember that all new SUV based on the Koeru concept from last year?
The one that has been spied many times in China.
Looking really good too.

Well, it will mostly stay in China. As it will not be sold in Europe.
No news about the US yet. But Mazda would be crazy not to bring this over here.

Ss for the name. Some people thought it was going to be called the CX-6.
Well, no. Here is the proof. It will be the CX-4.

Which means it could be cheaper than the CX-5. A good deal!

2017 Audi Q2

This looks really nice!
Actually surprising from Audi. It doesn't look like a clone of the other ones.
And much, much better than the aging Q3.
So yes, there is hope in the world!

Not sure, but it doesn't look that much shorter than the Q3 either.

And also not sure if we'll see this in the US or not....
But it goes on sale in Europe this fall.

All new VW Phideon

That is quite a surprise...

An all new VW sedan. Positioned between the Passat and the "aging" Phaeton.
For now, this is mostly for the Chinese market.
Although it is presented at the Geneva auto show.

Here are the official words from VW. Trying to explain the car:

" This innovative and luxurious four door car is positioned above the Passat, and thus in the premium segment"... Okay...

Wait, there is more:

"This avant-garde model, designed in Europe for our style-conscious Chinese customers, was born"

It is said to have the new face of upcoming VW sedans, and, wait for this ... has a  "Powerful rear section"

Now, THAT has to be the best "PR BS" quote ever...

Even with all these fancy descriptions, it just looks like a big 2011 Jetta with a stupid name...

2017 Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet

 Another great looking Mercedes!

I really like the C-Class coupe. As it really does seem like a smaller S-Class coupe, especially in the flesh.
And it inherit the great interior of the sedan.
So, this is perfect. I think it might be one of the best looking convertible available. With that same great interior. What's not to love!

As you can see, the rear seat is just OK. But actually fine by convertible standards.
Even the sedan versions doesn't have that much room back there anyway. So this is fine.

Engines are pretty much the same as the coupe.
A 9 speed auto will be the transmission.

No news on pricing yet... But the Sedan starts at about $39 000.
While the new coupe isn't available in the US yet. (The old one started at $39 500)
So this won't be under $45 000.
But it seems like a great alternative to the aging, and not much larger, E Class convertible.
Which starts at over $62 000!

Aston Martin DB11

 Once again, Aston Martin does not disappoint.
This is a stunning looking car. As it should be.

Not sure about the specs yet, but we are talking about a 5.4 Liter V12. So, plenty of power.
And cachet.

They took a few chances with the design, like their version of the currently popular "floating roof".
But it seems to be working.

A true Aston Martin for the 21st Century.

Looking at this picture, I can't help wondering about this non existent front bumper.
I mean, the hood part sticks out more than the lower "bumper" part.
Have regulations changed that much?

Same thing with the rear where the trunk opening seems to stick out further than than the rest of the car. (Which I have seen in countless SUVs over here. And even some hatchbacks)

So they don't need any bumpers anymore?

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback

We are supposed to see a "concept" version of the new Civic hatchback at the Geneva auto show, very soon. (which will have some over sporty bits and stuff)
But this is supposed to be the production version for the US.
Still looking quite nice. And ready to do battle with the aging Ford Focus over here.

Although, that "Honda seal of quality" has been tarnished a bit with a recall of all 2016 Civic sedans due to possible engine failure. Which is pretty bad...

A hatchback version of the new Elantra is also due out pretty soon.
And the new Cruze hatchback looks to be a serious contender.

Still, it's good to finally see the Civic Hatch back in the US...

(Thanks for this to a reader from Torrance)

2017 Toyota C-HR

 After a few years of showing us cool concepts (even one as a Scion), Toyota is finally showing the production version of the small C-HR SUV/crossover thingy.

Of course, development of this started back when the Nissan Juke was the only game in town. And it shows.
Since, we now have more more tasteful design available in that segment. Like the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V or Mazda CX3.

So I think this will still be mainly a Juke competitor.
The main attraction here will be the Hybrid power train.
It is smaller than the all new Kia Niro, but could still compete against it.

I guess it might use the power train from the tiny Prius C. Or an updated version of it.
It might actually be killing the Prius C. Since Toyota has been saying they don't see much future for a whole Prius family anymore.
And the new Hybrid version of the Rav4 could very well replace the Prius V.

Here is what it looks like ext to the 2 previous concepts versions.

Even without the big wheels, it's been toned down. Way down...
It looks quite heavy and clumsy now...

Chevrolet Volt test drive. Part one.

 I got the Volt yesterday. For a week.
It had an EV range of 45 miles when delivered to me. (Not the full 53 I was hoping for...)

Still, plenty for a few day-drives.
I was curious about the gas mileage when the car is not in EV mode.
So I used the "hold" mode, which saves "the juice" for later. A very cool feature.

 As you can see. For these few miles, MPG was very impressive.
But I also noticed that it did use some of that juice. By the end of the day, in the "hold" mode, my total EV range was only about 39 miles...
(The picture above was taken today, after charging)

At the end of the day, I plugged it in. At a regular 120 outlet. So technically, it should take about 13 hrs to get a full charge.

Which I didn't need since it still said "39".

But, about 13hrs later, I was still at "just"  49 miles. Not the 53 miles advertised for the full charge.

Maybe that plug at the lot where I parked the car was defective? Or something else...

Who knows.

 
 The rear hatch is really big. And quite heavy.
But the inside cover is just a rather flimsy cloth sheet. Unlike the solid stuff found in most other hatchbacks. Maybe to save weight?

 Someone was asking me about rear legroom. so here it is.
I am 5'11" and drive pretty far from the steering wheel, and that's what's left behind me.
Which isn't bad. Technically, the new Volt has a bit more rear legroom.

And here is what it looks like whith an actual super good looking human.

Someone was also asking about visibility. 

And I was mentioning the rather high position of the rear window.

So this is what it looks like when you turn around. 

Not that you really need to, since it comes with a back up camera.

So far there is plenty of power all the time. If you drive in a relaxed manner, the engine almost never comes on during normal city driving.

And when it does, it is much quieter than before. It just seems to be far away...

Next, I will try to compare MPG when the battery is completely empty.

And, of course, check the actual range of the full EV mode.

2017 Volvo V90

Another great looking wagon!
And this time, we will be getting it in the US!

It looks fantastic, has the same amazing interior as the S90 sedan. A glass roof.
And even a plug-in hybrid option with a 30 miles EV range.
This could be the perfect family luxury car.

As it looks so much nicer than the blocky XC90.

Not sure about pricing yet, but the "more expensive" XC90 starts at around $45 000.
So maybe this would start at around $40 000?
Which would be a very decent price. Considering the other options in that segment.
The Mercedes E Class wagon starts at around $61 000 (Although AWD is standard in the US)
And the smaller Audi Allroad (An A4 wagon) is over $43 000 (AWD as well)

On another note. To Volvo:
How about better picture of your great looking cars?!

Same thing when they unveiled the S90 sedan.
Grey cars in boring pictures!
Why???

2017 Audi Q2

Here we have what will be Audi's smallest SUV, the new Q2.

"Sportier" and more modern than the Q3, it is based on the newer MQB platform.
So it's basically a Golf.

After seating an a Q3, I'm not sure why they would want to even go smaller.
But, I guess it makes sense in Europe.

Not sure about US sales yet. But I remember a few years ago when they said the Q3 would "never" be sold in the US.
It came here about 3 years later. 

More pictures of the all new 2017 Kia Cadenza/K7

Looking really nice on these pictures.

The main problem is, no matter how great it is, it is still a $35 000 Kia (2016 model)
And most people aren't ready for that, still.

But for the non-snobs who can forget about brand image for a minute, this seems great.
I mean, it seems as luxurious as anything for the price.

The current model has been getting good reviews, and this one is supposed to be even better.
Of course it won't compete with BMW or Mercedes. But I could see this as a less sporty alternative to the Maxima.
Even going against the Lexus ES (Which starts at $39 000)

And I do like the fact that it's not trying to be sporty.
Most people don't want "sporty". An a large sedan they want quiet, solid and luxurious .
This already has a much, much nicer interior than the jaguar XE and XF I saw a few weeks ago.

I wish people could give this car a chance, really.

Now that Hyundai will stop selling the Azera in the US, maybe they'll spend a bit more advertising money on this...

P.S: Notice how far forward the front seats are (3rd pic).
Giving the fake impression of a ridiculous amount of rear leg room...

Also, the current model is now available for a low $300 a month lease.
A great deal in my opinion...