LAND ROVER LRX

More info will surely flow regarding Land Rover's latest hot concept over the next few weeks and after it's Detroit debut. Enjoying the photos of the British sport-utility builder's most impressive debut since the Range Stormer can be done.... now.

I love ambivalent statements from automaker managing directors that speak of topics like "proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class". Wait... no, I don't.

Truly though, the LRX is smaller (therefore lighter), and more aerodynamic. Less weight and slipperier surfaces remove the necessity of massively powerful and massively thirsty engines. Less thirst equals less harmful emissions. Do people want a smaller-than Freelander/LR2 luxury ute?

If the Land Rover LRX is ever produced; and it is marketed as a 'green' vehicle with more than just 'green' ideology but some semi-useful 'green' tech - then yes, people will want it.

CHALLENGER ORDERS CEASING?

Dodge isn't sick of your orders, but it may decide to cut off the order process for 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8's in just 19 days. Here's what you need to know:

Since Chrysler began taking orders on December 3rd, 85% of their dealerships have taken order(s) for the Challenger.

There have already been more than 7,000 orders placed.

Dodge will be offering the initial SRT8's in Hemi Orange, Brilliant Black, and Bright Silver. So far, more than half the orders have been for Hemi Orange.

eBay has played host to multiple auctions for "payment over and above" the MSRP.

So what's next? First, Dodge builds these cars. Then it builds Challenger's with a lower price tag and less powerful engines. Then Chevrolet starts selling the new Camaro. Meanwhile, Ford Mustang sales are down 19% this year. During November, Ford watched Mustang sales fall 30% lower than November of 2006.

CHALLENGER IS HOT

eBay is proving the true market value of the upcoming Dodge Challenger. The SRT8 version, with which a gas-guzzler surcharge is automatic, will feature an MSRP around $40K. Although the full production design of the Challenger hasn't even debuted yet, dealers are collecting orders. Dodge accepts orders from dealers only when they have a customer name and address.

After the car went on sale, Dodge revealed that they could build up to 10,000 Challengers in '08, rather than the 5,000-6,000 originally believed. eBay prices are still rather high. This New York dealer has his price at $50,000 but that's below the reserve. Another dealer in Maryland is showing $5,000 with zero bids; that $5K is the amount over $41,985 the bidder is willing to pay.


An Austin, Texas dealer lists $19,999 as a Buy-it-Now price above and beyond the MSRP. A Dodge-Isuzu-Suzuki dealership in Illinois (I haven't heard of that combination of brands, either) has 10 bids with the max at $13,000 over the MSRP, commanding a $1,000 deposit at the end of the auction - 54 hours from now - plus an extra $10,000 when the order is complete.

Muscle-car buyers - more so than the buyers of most other types of vehicles - appear to be more urgent than any other group. This phenomenon occurred with the Shelby Mustang and could well occur again with the Chevrolet Camaro. Who knows? 2010 Challenger's could see a power upgrade to maintain sales momentum, and all these overpayers will have spent a lot more $ per horsepower.

Links:
eBay
eBay "Dodge Challenger" search results
Dodge's Challenger site
Previous Challenger mentions at GCBC

SLOW NEW EVO?

Pro Control Driving's chief instructor, Erwin Nagl, tore around a 2.78 mile configuration of Reno-Fernley Raceway in Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions. Evo IX and Evo X, to be specific. That would be the GSR version of the previous iteration versus the GSR version of the much-hyped; more refined; big news new Evo.



The X was slower. There, it's out there - I said it. MotorTrend convened this faceoff, and unfortunately the X was 'suffering from a high-rpm misfire'. This contributed to a 0-60mph time 0.7 seconds slower than the old IX. Perhaps an equally prominent advantage for the Evo IX is its 331 weight advantage. No, these aren't sumo wrestlers - you want to weigh less than your opponent. The Evo X, like most automotive redesigns, weighs more than the Evo IX.

Thus, around Reno-Fernley, the old Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX lapped a smidgen quicker than the Evo X. 2:34.56 beats 2:36.05. In addition to this news, MotorTrend's long-term Evo IX MR, the highest performing Evo available in America, completed a fast lap of 2:34.36.

What's this say about the new Evo? It's slower, though unofficially. With a high-rpm misfire in a slightly pre-production model, the Evo X will not lap as quickly as its predecessor. MotorTrend's tester suggested the new Evo is easier to drive quickly, without needing to get to know the intricacies of the car. Other remarks: "These traits make the IX more of a true driver's car, rewarding the skilled pilot with a level of tactility that's been dampened in the X..... Though the X may be more proper and polished when it speaks to you, the IX tells better stories..... much of the go-kart feel from the X has been supplanted with NVH-reducing measures, airbags, and such modern amenities as a nav system, cruise control, and Bluetooth..."

I doubt a 'soft' Evo will seem soft to Audi A4 or BMW 3-series buyers. I also doubt that a somewhat 'soft' reputation will hinder Evo X sales, either. A continual softening? Yeah, that would do it. So let's hope the Evo X MR, with its dual-clutch transmission and slightly lower weight will be Evo-to-the-core. As for the Evo XI? Strip away the navigation system and 331 pounds. We want the real thing.

DI PRET AU TTY

Mix and match those syllables, folks. The truth you will find is almost without exception. It is difficult to find a modern ugly Audi. But the next PRET TY AU DI is always on the horizon.

The latest A4, introduced to be a 2009 model, is growing. Almost too much - let's hope the weight is kept under control. The greatest achievements Audi will want to talk to you about in terms of the next A4 are related to weight distribution and the positioning of the engine and the differential.


That diff is right behind the engine now, as in platform-mate A5, and ahead of the torque converter. This necessitates, or at least opens the possibility, of an extended wheelbase. Indeed, the A4's wheelbase is six inches longer than it used to be and just 1.6 inches shorter than that of big brother A6. All in all, that makes the wheelbase of the new A4 2 full inches longer than that of the previous-generation A6. Why're we talking about such small figures?

Well, because the profile shot of the new A4 shows some awfully gorgeous proportions. With the engine sitting a smidgen further back in the chassis, the front overhang is less noticeable, while that wheels-at-corners design creates a sporty kick-up at the rear-end from wheel to exhaust pipe. It's very athletic.

With these weight distribution changes (in addition to a new 40/60 front/rear Quattro split) comes added beautification, then. It's a wonderful thing when neither form or function follow. Just as Audi's advertisements say: 'Never Follow'.

GENESIS POWER

Hyundai sold over 31,000 vehicles in the USofA last month. On the strength of terrific SUV's like the Veracruz and Santa Fe - and even the high-value Tucson - and five model lines in the 'car' department, Hyundai appears strong.


Perhaps not as strong as the upcoming V8 engine in the Genesis. A rear-wheel drive sedan, competing above the Azera, with luxury aplenty, the 4.6L bent eight will make 375 horsepower. For context, a 1989 Hyundai Excel pumped out 68 bhp while the '89 Sonata made 110. The '98 Tiburon could be had with 140 bhp and the 2008 Veracruz has 260, three ponies short of Hyundai's most powerful model, the Azera.

Expect the Genesis to offer approximately that much power, as well. The difference lies under the hood of a well-optioned version, where the V8 competes well with; yup.... Lexus. An equivalently sized V8 at the "slanted L" showroom make 380 horsepower. Cadillac's 4.6L generates 320 bhp while the so-called musclecar Ford Mustang makes use of a 4.6L V8 that makes just 300.

It appears as though Hyundai has given the Genesis some underhood confidence, then.

VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO STUDIE R HONOURS NURBURGRING 24 HOURS VICTORY

In the most recent Nurburgring 24 Hours race, Volkswagen's hot new Scirocco finished first and second in their class. Hans Stuck and Carlos Sainz were driving high-performing modified Sciroccos with 321 horsepower. In honour of those victories (and those cars) Volkswagen has released photos of the impressive Scirocco Studie R. From the normal VW Scirocco's classy lines we now see a more aggressive stance with larger wheels and some actually appropriate graphics, from which Renault could learn a lesson. Oh, there's also 266 horsepower, too. 

As you'd expect from VeeDub, the direct-shift gearbox is fitted. The Italian graphics are applicable thanks to the vehicle's debut at the Bologna motor show. Read more about the Scirocco in this GoodCarBadCar.net Top 5. Strip away some of the auto show glitz and you likely have the Scirocco R20T.

OPEL CLIP

GM Europe design is light years ahead of what GM Europe design was just a few years ago. The Vauxhall/Opel Corsa, Astra, Vectra, and Zafira are all - at this time - look much flashier and more expensive than just one generation ago.

The Insignia group of vehicles won't be fully revealed for a number of months. Automakers all enjoy building hype. Hundreds of Pontiac G6's were given away on Oprah Winfrey's show a few years back. The smart fortwo has been touring America ahead of its on-sale date. The faster-than-Z06 Corvette was 'caught' (wink wink), extensively, on video before General Motors wanted to even talk about it. In any case, this very partial Opel Insignia reveal is one of the better hype-builders. Sure, it's a bit geeky; plenty unbelievable; and it's not as if this is the C7 Corvette. But it's well done and 10x cooler than the Hyundai version of the same concept.

MAZDASPEED6 - BYE

The next Mazda 6 built for North America will not be the same as the Mazda 6 seen on other continents. Apparently, this means the future existence of the North American MazdaSpeed 6 has been called into question. And apparently, the answer to that question is......

No more MazdaSpeed 6. Had Mazda done a better job on the first tuned 6 than they'd see there was and is reason to have another try. But the Speed 6 has only a touch more zip than a V6 Honda Accord or V6 Toyota Camry and equivalent power to the six-cylinder Nissan Altima.

Sure, all-wheel drive was a pleasing extra but supplying the consumer with four driven wheels meant added weight thereby slowing the car and worsening fuel efficiency. The front-end styling wasn't exactly 'pretty' and the marketing department seemed to know of only one colour: silver.

Many also found the driving experience relatively uninspiring, an odd result for a car that in regular 4 and 6-cylinder configurations was fun-to-drive. So in an age where fuel economy is becoming more and more important and under constraints that would increase the cost of development, it appears that MazdaSpeed 6 has bid farewell.

That's sad news for a car that only just joined the BMW 328i, Infiniti G, Acura TSX, and Subaru Impreza WRX in an attempt to prove the Honda Civic Mugen Si to be overpriced.

BMW INDIA

About half of all BMW's sold in India this year have been of the 3-series variety. You'd expect it to be so. Nevertheless, as of the first 3/4 of the year, that is just 500 BMW 3's. The 5-series makes up the majority of the remaining sales (with BMW India's chief figuring the 5-series will soon overtake the 3) and the X5 and 7-series selling in small numbers. Peter Kronschanabi expects to see only 50 BMW M3's sold in the first year after its introduction and not a single 1-series.

The lesson you learn from this: In a word, potential. 1.74 million cars were sold in India in 2006, and the market is growing at a rate of 20% per annum. In a nation of a billion people, the 'potential' for sales growth is hindered more by poor infrastructure than personal finances.

FORD FOCUS RS WILL TOP 164 MPH, 264 KMH

As if the Ford Focus ST wasn't impressing Europeans enough, Ford's upping of the ante with the Focus RS is manifesting more evidence than ever that the RS will be a high-flyer. 0-60mph will come up in just under six seconds, Ford says. It'll likely be less than 5.5 if traction isn't an issue, The Good Car Guy believes. Also possibleis that on your next trip down the autobahn, a green Focus RS will cruise past at 164 mph, about 264 kmh. This is a Ford Focus, folks. Wow.

Read more about the Focus RS here and check out a full picture gallery

296 horsepower through the front wheels could be considered a problem. Ford hopes that it won't be because of its RevoKnuckle technology that Ford thinks will rule out torque steer. Remember the last Focus RS with substantially less power (in the 212 range) struggled mightily putting the power down. Of course, that must be put in context with the current Focus ST which has over 220 horsepower and negates the effects of large throttle openings and steering wheel motions.

Whether or not the Focus RS handles take-off well, cruising altitude will shove all the restricted 155mph German coupes and sedans down a rung.

KIA SOUL EXTERIOR LOOKS BIGGER - KIA SOUL EXTERIOR IS SMALL

With a wheelbase of 100.4 inches, the height of a 5ft-3inch human, width similar to that of The Good Car Guy's height, and length of The Good Car Guy plus Yao Ming, the new Kia Soul sounds large. Put another way, the new Kia Soul has a wheelbase just 2.4 inches longer than that of the new Honda Fit. The Soul and the Fit are equally lengthy but the Soul is 3.4 inches taller and more than 3.6 inches wider. 

Thus, the new Kia Soul should be about as easy to park as Honda's small hatchback, a constant GoodCarBadCar.net favourite. More importantly, with a little extra height and a little extra width, the Soul should be able to find more space for people and their stuff inside. 

Why is this important? Well, the Kia Soul will offer more horsepower than the Honda Fit (probably not a direct or terribly indirect competitor, either) in both standard and optional trim but will more than likely weigh more than the Honda, too. Korean cars are typically a smidge heavier than their dimensions would lead us to believe while Hondas are usually a little lighter than their dimensions suggest. With excellent down-the-road dynamics, Honda's hatchback has made a name for itself as the enthusiast's choice in a segment auto enthusiasts avoid with passion. The Kia Soul has ignited some excitement from all parts of the consumer audience with attractive styling and a potentially awesome cargo/fuel economy ratio. 

It was because of this excitement that The Good Car Guy thought it necessary to bring to your attention that the Soul isn't a large vehicle - and that's a very good thing. Kia appears to have hit the proverbial sweet spot in North America right now. Automobile owners still want space but are fearful that gas prices will strike them in their gut again, right where their Ford F-150 resides. If people can have their space with fuel efficiency while looking cool, they'll be excited. 

That's not to say that the Honda Fit doesn't cut muster anymore. After all, The Good Car Guy likes the second-generation even better than the first, and the first generation was one of twelve cars labelled by GoodCarBadCar.net as the cars The Good Car Nation should drive in 2008. Kia seems to have taken the Fit's game up a notch, however. Expect fuel economy to come down slightly from the Fit's impressive 27/33mpg, but not so far as to wish you were back in your lumbering SUV.

FULL PORSCHE PANAMERA GALLERY HAS JUST 9 PHOTOS

We're all wishing the interior of the Porsche Panamera will make up for the offensive exterior design that Porsche somehow managed to sign off on. Perhaps Porsche knows that its brand name, mixed with sublime driving dynamics and all-weather ability, will sell cars; regardless of exterior design. After all, the Porsche Cayenne has been a roaring success. The Good Car Guy has already laid out the case against the Panamera's exterior (which you can read about here and here), but below are nine pictures in one place.

TOYOTA IQ VIDEO EXPLAINS FOUR SEATS IN SMALL CAR

Visual learners unite. Toyota has released a video (seen below) to help explain how the iQ is able to squeeze four seats inside a car that's less than three metres in length. The Good Car Guy already made most of Toyota's points clear, but for those of you who listen better than you read or need diagrams to make up for your lack of imagination, the video should help.

TOYOTA SHOWS FOUR ADULTS INSIDE THE IQ

Toyota set out on a mission to build a four-passenger car with an exterior length of less than three metres. The result, as we know, is the iQ. Now Toyota is going to let us see through the roof into the cabin in order to better understand the space arrangement.

The fact is, Toyota isn't positioning this as a competitor to the Camry or even the tiny sedans American and Chinese consumers are beginning to swoop up. However, the iQ does something the smart fortwo can't - and that is simply offering a rear passenger compartment.

For more on the iQ click here

How did they do it? A new differential helped create a smaller engine bay and cut out extra space between the front bumper and the accelerator. A flat fuel tank under the floor was a huge difference maker. The asymmetrical dashboard is possible because of a tiny but apparently no-less efficient A/C unit. The front seats are super-thin, carving out an extra 40mm of space for rear passengers compared with normal seats.

NEW MAZDA 3 5-DOOR REVEALED

Like the Mazda 3 sedan that we've already seen, the new Mazda 3 hatchback has an unsettling front end that is so happy one wonders what it's been smoking. Unlike the sedan, the hatchback features a sleek and appealing rear end that nearly makes up for all the offenses of the front.

Europe will be the first to spot the 3 at the Bologna Motor Show. Because of this, it is the 182-horsepower 2.2L diesel that will take centre stage. Read about the sedan here.

OFFICIAL PHOTOS REVEAL THE UGLY PORSCHE PANAMERA

Porsche has announced that its Panamera sedan will have power outputs ranging from 300 to 500 horsepower. Power will be sent to all four wheels at the top of the range as standard equipment but will be optional elsewhere. Six-speed manual transmissions or the PDK dual-clutch gearbox will harness the engines' prodigous power. According to the German sports car and SUV maker, the Panamera four-door is wider and lower than comparable models. Information regarding a Panamera hybrid will be released in the spring of '09. Porsche dealers will receive their first Panameras next summer. 

Them are 'da facts. Now for the fiction. The phrases below are direct from Porsche.

"The unmistakable, sleek GT silhouette...." No, it was a big mistake and it isn't GTesque. Take a look at the Aston Martin Rapide for a GT silhouette.

"Through its design language alone, the Panamera will establish a new segment versus the competition." Actually, this is true. The new segment will be for ugly competitors in the four-door coupe arena.

"... the unique interpretation of the classical saloon body..." GoodCarBadCar.net's verdict on this is misleading. The Panamera is a unique interpretation, but we're not sure what the Porsche is interpreting. It's certainly not a 'classical saloon body'.

"The striking, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coupé-like roof-line, and the visible tailpipes again signpost the DNA so typical of a thoroughbred Porsche." This is an outright lie. A typical thoroughbred Porsche looks good. Typical as in Cayman, Boxster, and 911 GT3. Oh, unless Porsche thinks that their typical thoroughbred is the Cayenne. Ewww.

"The elegant roof arch extends stylishly over the generous interior, begging the beholder to get inside." This isn't a lie, it's simply an error. Porsche has been misled by the focus groups. The only thing begging this beholder to get inside is that I know it is a Porsche and will drive amazingly well. Elegant roof? Funny joke, Porsche. Extending stylishly? Okay, that's not even funny.

The Good Car Guy is showing Porsche's two best Panamera angles and the two worst. Decide for yourself which photos belong in which category. It must be pointed out that "two best" really means "two not-as-wickedly-ugly-as-the-others".

VOLVO S60 CONCEPT PREVIEW IMAGE

In late October, The Good Car Guy expressed excitement over Volvo's S60 concept interior. Nobody was in any doubt that, for production, the crystal theme would have to go. But the shape was enough to excite. Volvo has now released preliminary images of the S60 concept exterior, and it bodes well for the production S60. 

"The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new Volvo S60. On the inside we've been even more daring - there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future in the slightly longer perspective," design director Steve Mattin said. He speaks the truth: the interior is absolutely wild, the outside is handsome, classy, and pleasantly curvaceous.

VW 'ROCCO FOLLOW-UP

The Scirocco was here and gone. Kinda. We all want it, we were teased by it, and were told we wouldn't likely get it, and it's now confirmed we can't have it.

At least as far as North America goes, Stefan Jacoby (US Volkswagen chief) says the R32 and GTI are enough. The niche is full, he suggests in an i-view with Car&Driver. "The [2009 Scirocco] is lovely, but we can’t have everything", Jacoby says, because he believes they need to press on with their core products.

Sure bud. That's why you're pursuing a diesel Phaeton for America. Core products it is.

Read The Good Car Guy`s Alarm! for Volkswagen to learn more about this topic.

9 MINUTES OF VIDEO OF THE NEW NISSAN 370Z

Nissan's 370Z replaces the 350Z that has been in place since 2003. It will  be quicker; it is better looking; and everyone has high expectations for the Z's handling.

Nissan has put together an extensive video for the new 370Z that you can watch below. For pictures and some recent Z talk, click here, or here, or here.