thegriffon

"Lower-midsize" rather than small—this is within an inch or so of the footprint of the previous X5. Unless they change it dramatically it will be a stretch to call this an "SUV" or even "crossover"—drivers in regular awd and even some fwd wagons will be able to look down on you, and the Yaris, Versa, Fit, xA, xD hatchbacks are all less than 2" lower.The closest vehicles in size and proportion to the EX are the Opel Signum and similar E-segment hatchback concepts: E-segment Hatches Wheelbase Length Width Height Toyota FSC 2800 110.2 4620 181.9 1800 70.9 1520 59.8 Lancia Granturismo 2803 110.4 4620 181.9 1920 75.6 1410 55.5 Infiniti EX Concept 2800 110.2 4630 182.3 1800 70.9 1575 62.0 Opel Signum 2003 2830 111.4 4636 182.5 1798 70.8 1466 57.7 Opel Signum 2005 2830 111.4 4651 183.1 1798 70.8 1466 57.7 Audi Roadjet 2850 112.2 4700 185.0 1850 72.8 1550 61.0

The Agila is a much bigger 5-seat A-segment MPV.

Smaller. Nope.To refresh your memories: Global mini car—A0-segment—GM Daewoo—Chevrolet Spark/Matiz, future offshoots Global small car (nee Gamma)—B/C-segment—GM Daewoo—Corsa, Aveo, Meriva Global Compact Car (nee Delta)—C/D-segment—GM Europe—Astra, Cobalt etc. Global Midsize car (nee Epsilon)—D–F-segments—GM Europe—Epica, Aura, LaCrosse, Malibu etc. The Mini is in the A-segment, next above the A0-segment. A0 segment vehicles are the smallest 4-seat vehicles requiring a driver's licence. Their size and displacement is restricted in some markets (e.g. Japan, Korea) in exchange for parking and tax perks. Japanese minicars are restricted to 3.4 m length, Korean to 3.5 m length. Export versions are sometimes longer and wider, but 5-seat hatchbacks above 3.6 m in length, such as the Mini and former Echo, are in the full A-segment. The newest 4-seat European minicars (Renault Twingo and Fiat 500) are bigger than typical Asian models and are pushing close to 5-seat A-segment models in size. Aside from GM Daewoo's new Matiz, major 5-door A0-segment models are the Daihatsu Trevis, Suzuki Alto, Fiat Panda, Honda Life, Subaru R2, Toyota Aygo/Peugeot 107/Citroen C1, Changan Benni, Mitsubishi i, Kia Picanto and Hyundai Atos. Daihatsu and Suzuki specialize in these vehicles, Suzuki supplying versions to Mazda and Nissan. Honda's models are all supplied by Yochiyo Industries, with practically no exports. Japenese mini cars come in a wide variety of flavors, not only hatchbacks, but also MPVs, high-roof vans, pickups, SUVs and sports cars (all less than 3.4 m long and with engines smaller than 660 cc).

Looks more like an Opel Signum than an SUV.

2009 can't come soon enough for this car.

All-New Infiniti G37 Coupe Debuts At New York Auto Show, Sets New Standards For Style, Performance and Luxury Highlights Include New 330 Horsepower* V6, Seductive Styling and Luxury Appointments The all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe, which makes its world debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, combines the exhilarating performance, stunning styling and modern, sporty interior of the original Infiniti G Coupe and accelerates each to new levels. Among the key enhancements to the new second-generation G Coupe are a larger, more powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine, available advanced 4-Wheel Active Steer system, a dramatic new exterior design and a refined interior with intuitive, integrated technology. The G37 Coupe joins the recently introduced, all-new 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan in Infiniti showrooms nationwide in August. … Go to full release and photos at AutoReport

Once again, I will say, there is another 3 liter diesel for the Colorado, a 4-cyl truck engine with peak torque at lower rpms. It is already offered in Thai-built Colorados and will soon be an option in South African H3s. If, and this seems unlikely at this stage, it can affordably meet US emissions standards it will be offered in the US as well. GM do Brasil, which has the lead in developing the next Colorado/Canyon also offers a 4-cyl MWM diesel in the S10.

Perhaps you have a different understanding of "Kappa" than has been underestood by outsiders. The Torana concept was widely reported to be based on Kappa, yet the GM Holden engineers who designed it said quite explicitly that it wasn't (as the lead engineer explained to me directly). It was the same kind of architecture as Kappa and Premium Sports Car (Corvette/XLR), but scaled up for the midsize Torana concept, and without any of the extra work needed for a functional and cost-effective production car.

"In addition to the closely guarded world concept … the Saab E100 concept will be revealed for the first time in North America."

The 3.0 Biturbo in the 335i actually gains 7 lb-ft at slightly higher rpm in exchange for the slight drop in hp in SAE testing.

It's only 414 hp (420 PS), and these are EEC figures—BMW has been losing 2-8 hp in the translation to the "new" SAE standard, so it may be "only" 410 hp in US literature.

Stay calm, the men in white coats will be there soon.

Some guy named Mike has been mentioned.

QED

you been spending too much time across the border, eh?

There should be sales taxes on every product (imported or domestic) that will go toward healthcare for everyone, and allow the PBGC to assume every current company pension while providing 100% of benefits. That way pension contributions are protected even as the performance of industries and companies changes. The unions should be using their politcal power and organization to get this through. That way new companies and industries without legacy healthcare and pension costs don't gain an advantage of those that do simply because they are "new", and it will also encourage companies to set up manufacturing operations.

He's still in therapy.

fin

Such exemptions are ridiculous. Business should be encouraged to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles just as much as individuals, and it would certainly encourage the application of expensive technologies such as common-rail diesels with NOx reduction technology. Forget the Avalanche, a crewcab pickup based on a large truck such as the Chevy Kodiak will also be exempt. Show up at the local Walmart in a monster truck, funded by the tax exemption, that'll show em http://www.monroetruck.com/GM/index.html

It's much bigger than a smart—nearly 3 feet longer. It's main competitors in what is sometimes called the A0-segment are the new Renault Twingo (just 2" longer) and the C1/107/Aygo triplets from PSA/Toyota (5" shorter—aimed at the old Twingo). The previous gen 3-door Yaris was only marginally bigger than the new Twingo. Slightly bigger (4-8" longer) are A-segment hatches such as the Mini One, Suzuki Swift, Nissan Micra and Toyota Yaris. Slighlty smaller (5" narrower) are Korean microcars (restricted to under 3.5 m long and 1.5 m wide—Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai Atos, Kia Vista) and the export version of the Suzuki Alto. Smaller again are Japanese microcars, restricted to under 3.4 m long and 1.475 m wide, and the slightly bigger export versions. Believe it or not there are actually three 4-seat cars requiring a licence smaller than that—the aging Fiat 600 (just over 3.3 m) and SeAZ Oka (3.2 m), and the 3-door 2+2 Subaru R1 (just under 3.3 m). The 2-seat smart fortwo is (and the recent Suzuki Twin was) about 2.7 m long, while the 1st gen fortwo was just 2.5 m long.

Don't forget the train. Whether it uses electrical power or diesel-electric, commuter trains are an efficient, convenient alternative to driving. New Mexico's RailRunner even uses B20 Biodiesel. Last year more than 20 million passengers commuted to work by train in California alone, and unlike driving, on the train you can use your cellphone, laptop, read a book or newspaper and even sleep (as many people do, both to and from work). Unlike Sydney rail travel in most US cities is in my experience reliable, comfortable and dirt cheap. In many cities hopping on a train is free in downtown areas were parking in particular can be impossible to find.

In Europe Opel/Vauxhall have Eco models, and VW Bluemotion—mechanically the same, but with an aero kit specifically designed to increase fuel economy (marginally). It's an idea with merit in the US, for Saturn and Chevrolet at least. A range of individually cheap options would also help, such as a vehicle start-stop system using the BAS, but not the hybrid system as an option on all models. Offer the 2.0 Turbo DI in midsize cars to maximize fuel economy, and even offer it in the rwd Impala as the Eco choice. With 260 hp and better economy than the 2.4 HO, what's not to like?

Turin — On July 4, 1957, in Turin, Fiat presented the Nuova Fiat 500, a real icon of our times, with which Fiat concluded a revival that had begun straight after the Second World War. On July 4, 2007, exactly 50 years later, again in Turin, Fiat will present the new Fiat 500 which will be marketed immediately after the launch. And the new car will conclude an equally important cycle of revival for Fiat Automobiles SpA. Developed by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in the plant in Tychy (Poland), the new 500 is a 3-door model with very compact measurements … Go to full release and photos at AutoReport

Guess what Sudan has? Oil. Guess what Afghanistan, Lebanon and Bosnia do not have? Oil. Was Sadaam withholding oil? No. Does Iran? No. If the US just wanted oil why place sanctions on exports from Myanmar, Libya, Iraq and Iran? Why not do what the Chinese do and just go after the oil and ignore moral and political issues? Why? Because oil is a commodity, and on the open market no one country can restrict US access to oil. If they sell it to anyone (and they will) it simply frees up supplies elsewhere that US refiners can buy. Even OPEC has stopped trying to hold the world hostage to high oil prices. They saw what happens—people buy smaller cars and buy less oil, and they want to maximize demand and revenue, not kill it.What does North Korea have that Iran does not? The world's largest standing army and long-range ballistic missiles. So why not invade Sudan or Zimbabwe? Because they pose no threat to US interests, imagined (as Iraq appears mostly to have been) or real. Sudan however poses the same problems as Iraq—attracting Arab militants supporting the janjawid (sp.?), despite the fact that it is a racist conflict, and not a religious one as it was against the south.

Extremist rhetoric? Calling the conflict in Iraq a war for oil is extremist, and beyond rhetoric. It's deliberately inflamatory, stupid and just plain wrong. I'm not excusing the invasion, it was patently a dumb idea that wasn't thought through well enough, but that kind of argument only makes things worse for troops there trying to make the best of a bad situation so they can leave, and for the safety of everyday Americans at home and abroad. It also has no bearing on the debate about alternative fuels. That much is not political, but truth and historical fact. If I offend anyone's deluded sense of political sophistication, tough. I admit I exaggerated about walking to work, ut if there was a hidden agenda to the war, you would already have another president. The democrats smell blood and aren't going to let things go without total control. Whether you welcome it or not, it's true. It's not a "political" statement. The second paragraph was more political, but still true. You don't even bother to disagree, much as you disparage Arnie. My point about republicans and ethanol however is more intended to point out that this doesn't have to be partisan. Arnie as you point out is following policies that could be equally Democrat, that he probably believes Californian voters support. Bush is trying to build a legacy beyond the mismanaged war on terror. On energy I think he is doing the right thing. It's just a shame he can't get more support from people who claim to care about such things. You have to face facts—a Democratic House and Senate is bad for American industry, Detroit especially. A Democrat whitehouse (unavoidable now) will be the perfect storm. The best you could say about the Republicans is that they didn't care about Detroit. Too many Democrats however are hostile to the auto industry at an idealogical level, and to Detroit in particular, and now that they have a majority in both houses and an apparent sure thing in 2008, they don't feel any need to hide it. That may not like it, but you can't deny it. It will be hard for more liberal democrats to reign in the excesses that are coming. Unfortunately I don't see anyone forthcoming from either party who can provide the leadership that is required (on almost any issue, not just fuel). I can lay out a broad energy policy that I think you will agree with, covering transport infrastructure, taxation, technology investment and support for biofuels, but I don't think you'll see anything beyond demands that Detroit in particular stop making anything larger than a Cobalt; and local efforts to increase rail spending to ease congestion despite a lack of federal leadership (rail systems are cheaper to build than freeways). Ironically it's increased car ownership that has made rail systems once again viable as a form of personal transport. Local and state governments increasingly understand that, even if the federal government does not.