The Honda CR-X of the 1980s was a Civic-based hatchback-liftback-coupe combo that catapulted Honda’s status among compact sports cars, even if it was rather humble on the spec sheet. Honda has already announced the revival of the car as the CR-Z hybrid, with a concept version already shown at recent auto shows. The brochure for the production version has been leaked.
The 2010 Nissan Qashqai range has received a minor facelift, although mechanical changed are limited. The British market is the first to receive the new models, although the UAE should get them in the coming months.
Celebrating the start of a certain event called the “FIFA Club World Cup UAE presented by TOYOTA,” the sponsoring Japanese manufacturer has dressed up seven Toyota Yaris hatchbacks in the competing clubs’ colours.
Mitsubishi has released the first images of their upcoming new sub-compact crossover 4×4. Dubbed the Mitsubishi RVR, it is possible that it might receive a better name before it debuts next year as a 2011 model.
The Los Angeles Auto Show is one of the smaller international motor shows, with numerous no-shows at the 2009 edition due to the recession. There are only two concept cars and maybe ten all-new models displayed. All-new cars to look out for include the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, the 2011 Infiniti M and the 2011 Ford Mustang EcoBoost V6. The fad-of-the-day in America is fuel economy, so manufacturers are happy to oblige with the Chevy Cruze, the Ford Fiesta and the Mazda 2. Rather than new-born models, there seems to be a high concentration of limited-edition models,
The sub-compact Mazda 2, a long-running staple of the Mazda line in Europe and Japan, has been launched for the first time in the United States as a 2011 model at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. There have also been vague rumblings that the Mazda 2 is set to go worldwide, and might eventually come to the GCC.
The redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata has finally had its first reveal outside Korea, at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. After years of producing boring clones of existing Japanese models, the new Sonata is so far “out there” that it makes even premium brands look cheap in comparison, even if it ultimately looks bulkier than its intended “four-door coupe” styling target.
The 2010 Infiniti G37 sedan has received a moderate facelift, featuring reshaped headlights, grille, bumpers and wheels, while leaving the rest of the car unchanged. It was unveiled at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show this week.
Toyota has agreed to replace the accelerator pedal with a shorter one on 3.8 million cars sold in the United States as part of its biggest factory recall in history. Cars receiving the modification will include the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Avalon, the Lexus ES and the Lexus IS.
Shanghai GM has unveiled the new 2010 Cadillac SLS for the Chinese market at the 2009 Guangzhou Auto Show. More importantly, the Chinese-built SLS is a part of Cadillac’s GCC line-up.