Posts Tagged ‘Auto Sleuth’
The Auto Sleuth: Hot off the press!
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Camaro Z28 will get Corvette ZR-1 engine and 556 horsepower: The Sleuth has learned that Chevrolet will launch a high-performance Camaro Z28 model for the 2012 model year. The Z28 was originally scheduled to be in Chevrolet showrooms by now, but was delayed by GM’s bankruptcy a year ago. (more…)
The Auto Sleuth: New Japanese Infiniti M coupe to challenge German automakers
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Infiniti is considering a coupe version of its M sedan that would compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and BMW 6-Series for launch during 2011. The decision would pave the way for an M convertible and other variants, including gas/electric hybrids. (more…)
The Auto Sleuth: News, Trends, and Gossip
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010A front-wheel-drive Land Rover:
When you hear “Land Rover”, it’s easy to think of allroad capability, toughness and four-wheel-drive. However, the automaker will offer a front-wheeldrive version of the upcoming LRX. (more…)
Auto Sleuth: Sebring is out, Nassau is in
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010The Auto Sleuth
News, Trends and Gossip
By WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS
Sebring is out, Nassau is in:
Chrysler’s Sebring sedan has struggled to perform in the marketplace over the last few years and the Sleuth hears Chrysler hopes to turn things around by wiping the slate clean. The replacement, called the Nassau, will apparently launch in late 2010. The thinking is that the Sebring name has been tarnished by a heavy reliance upon fleet sales (rental and corporate). (more…)
The Auto Sleuth
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010The Auto Sleuth
News, Trends and GossipBy WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS
Viper’s V10 might live on in the Challenger:
A bit of spying around Chrysler’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., has uncovered the dirt on a new high-performance Dodge Challenger, which could be called the SRT10, which can mean only one thing under the hood . . . and it rhymes with “V10”. (more…)
Prius model expansion begins. How does a minivan sound?
Thursday, May 13th, 2010By Wheelbase Communications
Prius model expansion begins. How does a minivan sound?: There has been a lot of talk that Toyota was considering expanding its Prius nameplate to more models and now the Sleuth has the dirt on what will be targeted first. (more…)
Auto Sleuth
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
By WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS
Hot off the press!
The Phaeton is on its way back with a lower pricetag, but will buyers get it?: The Sleuth has spent a lot of time in the hinterland of northern Germany and he has the goods on a vehicle that will make its debut in North America next year. Yes, the Volkswagen Phaeton is back, but it will undergo plenty of change since the last time it was sold here, which was four years ago. Back then, VW was forced to pull the plug on the Phaeton after the North American market failed to embrace a $60,000 VW model, selling only a couple thousand units in two years. VW has said that the next Phaeton would ride on a slightly shorter platform than the somewhat related Audi A8, and will have a price tag of about $55,000, making it a bit more affordable for this market. The Sleuth still wonders if buyers will get it. Literally. (more…)
The Auto Sleuth
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
By WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS
Hot off the press!
Downsizing the Ram brand without the Dakota: There are plenty of changes going on inside Chrysler, as you might expect, and one the Sleuth knows about includes the Ram truck brand not building a previously mentioned midsize unitized pickup. Traditional pickups place the body on a ladder-type frame, while a unitized truck uses a structural body shell with no distinct and separate frame. In November, executives from the then-recently formed Ram division held a lengthy press conference in which they discussed the end of Dakota production in 2011, and that it would be replaced by the new unitized pickup. Chrysler executives now say they are not going to build a nearly full-size pickup (the size of the Dakota), suggesting that Ford has the formula right with its aging, but smaller, Ranger. Therefore, look for Ram to downsize and focus its lineup a bit more around one small and one large truck. (more…)
The Auto Sleuth
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
By WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS
Hot off the press!
Ford will produce a new cop car: A good while back, the Sleuth had been trolling around Ford’s Dearborn, Mich., headquarters and heard rumblings about a new cop car. Put it in the books. The Sleuth has triple confirmed that Ford plans to produce a purpose-built Police Interceptor this year that would replace the Crown Victoria. Ford had wanted to base its next police car off the new Taurus, but word was that police agencies around North America were concerned that the platform might not have the structure, engine or design to match the needs of law enforcement. So, Ford is actually producing a unique police car that will be called the Interceptor, with beefed up Taurus attributes. Ford dominated the police-car market for decades, largely because it was the only automaker producing a vehicle that the cops loved. General Motors unveiled a Chevrolet Caprice Patrol Vehicle at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The cop wars are not nearly done. (more…)
