New and Upcoming Cars

  • Thread starter Hooligan
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2003 Honda Accord Euro-R [Japan]

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2003 Honda Accord Wagon [Japan]

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2003 Honda Odyssey JDM-spec

Too bad, time is short for me, got to comeback soon.

Sorry if its all JDM-spec. :D
 
Originally posted by M5Power
Is it true that they are indeed sharing the Legacy's chassis?
Click to expand...

Could be - there's a new Legacy/Liberty due in about six months. There was some talk a few years ago that the Legacy might sit on a Vectra floorpan.

Given the complete lack of spy shots of the upcoming Legacy, it might be the mechanicals are running around under Vectra and 9-3 bodies.

Gee - I really hope not. The current Legacy crapped all over the previous Vectra and 9-3, I hope it's not dragged back to the pack thanks to GM's dead hand.
 
...and the moment I say there's little spy stuff on the new Legacy, I find this...

Well, it wouldn't be Subaru if it didn't look like the old one, right?

(edit - got the red X - see next post)
 
Looks way better than before, I hope that they will revise thier H6 engine for more HP (like 230-250 hp) and thier 'cheapish' interior.
 
Originally posted by vat_man
Could be - there's a new Legacy/Liberty due in about six months. There was some talk a few years ago that the Legacy might sit on a Vectra floorpan.

Given the complete lack of spy shots of the upcoming Legacy, it might be the mechanicals are running around under Vectra and 9-3 bodies.

Gee - I really hope not. The current Legacy crapped all over the previous Vectra and 9-3, I hope it's not dragged back to the pack thanks to GM's dead hand.
Click to expand...

It depends on which way GM went: If the Subaru has new Vectra parts, then the Scooby is DOA; if the Vectra has new Legacy parts, then the Legacy should still be on top. The Vectra would require siginificant changes to fit anything Subaru (I imagine the AWD would get in the way somehow).

As for how the upcoming Legacy looks...well, it certainly is more aggressive, and not cheap-looking. The current one is nice, though. This new one in 555 Blue would go well with the Legacy STi, BTW. :)

And yes, that H6 is practically screaming for twin turbos. :D
 
Clash of the V8's!

Ford 425HP crate V8:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=5763
So that's where the Mustang 5.0 went. Why didn't they put this in the SVT Cobra? Wouldn't sticking with n/a have been better? If the Mustang was supposed to be an evolution of the muscle car era, wouldn't it be logical to actually have a muscle car engine? Not that I'm knocking it's current powerplant, but it just seems that they had something worthwhile all along. Now it seems that someone (*cough*Noble*cough*) might just prove once again how oft-useless Ford is at using their own parts.

GM 525HP V8:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=5764
I don't know who made the announcement first, but for Ford's sake I hope it was them. This think stonks. Heck, anything 8.0L and up stonks. Too bad it's aimed at trucks. Imagine what that could do in a WRX...or maybe I don't want to see just how nose-heavy that would be. I think with some mild tuning you could get a higher-revving powerband with -- easily -- 600HP. Now that would make for a nice supercar...from some obscure European developer, no doubt.

F-Type
http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=211&id=4445
On again, off again, jiggity-jig. As much as I want it to be made, I don't think it ever will. Given that it's been around in concept form since 1961 (http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/news/newsarticle.html?&start=30&showall=&id=JAG&doc=jag0003036), does anyone really think it will actually come about this time? Of course, anything's possible under Ford's direction. After all, Jaguars are now among the more reliable cars being made, and the F-Type was put on hold last time -- under Ford -- rather than flat out cancelled. Sure is purty, though.

1000HP Mazda
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=5754
That's sick. I think I may have to take back my comments about how no turbo-4 can outdo a V8. The V8 Celica had over a year of experience to work up to 200MPH, and this thing is knocking on that door already. Okay, so it's methanol, but I only count 4 cylinders in there. I'm still hoping that Turbonetics gets their game moving.... ;)

350Z Convertible
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=31289
I don't think this is a good idea. Nissan isn't exactly known for rigid frames, and if they take the roof of their new prize, they may be killing the golden goose. This is no SL55; and they're not even doing a retractable hardtop. I've said my piece on this car before (love it, save for the engine), so it's not as though I'm already biased against it. I genuinely feel that a soft-top will kill all handling for this chassis. Even if there's a drastically different support frame, the car will end up too heavy anyway. Good luck, Nissan.
 
Originally posted by vat_man
Here you go....

Looks a bit more rounded than the old one...
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Apparently Subaru doesn't understand the 'Mercedes-factor' - when you re-design all your cars within a small portion of time, those designs will all become outdated within the same portion of time several years from now.

Re-designs are costly, as Mercedes is learning, and Subaru will find out the exact same thing when the expiration date passes on the designs of the Forester, Impreza, and new Legacy - all within months of each other.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
Apparently Subaru doesn't understand the 'Mercedes-factor' - when you re-design all your cars within a small portion of time, those designs will all become outdated within the same portion of time several years from now.
Click to expand...

One can only hope that they make up for the expenditure with increased sales (and so far, so good). It seems that GM is doing not only Subaru, but most of their other lineup as well (Saab, Volvo, Vauxhaul/Opel, and Pontiac). New models, new styles, new expenses.... I'm only rooting for half of the new stuff, though. :)

Originally posted by f50
the new six cyl. 3.0 liter twin turbo 380 HP bmw 5 series 2004
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It's a lot better looking than that 6-Series, but the Altezza influence is quite unnecessary (entire face, taillights). A twin-turbo inline-6 is also a bit odd. I can understand a turbo-4, but BMW already makes awesome larger n/a engines; why add turbo's to a 6-cylinder? Does this imply that the engine won't fit -- because it's transverse -- because they're planning AWD?

Actually, I just re-checked that web link. Both 3.5L and 4.5L V8's will be offered, which means they do fit. So why have so many subtly different engine options? I get why there's 2.0L engines (European demand), but how different can the 4.5L V8 and V6-tt perform? Ah, BMW. Neat, sweet, and damned confusing. ;)
 
Originally posted by PunkRock
there are 2 Evos coming. the base, cheapo model featured there, and the full tilt boogie 280hp one. the 230hp one will go head to head with the WRX, the 280 hp one with the WRX STi, coming in about a year or so.

i've got this info from a guy on another board that works in the automotive aftermarket industry, so it's not BS.
Click to expand...


When that day comes......OOOh when that day comes..............
 
My favourite Ferrari is the 308 - even if it wasn't very expensive or extremely good looking, I still can't get enough.
 
Audi TT V6
http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=211&id=4507
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=5863
Well, it's finally here. A 3.2L V6 from Audi must have gobs of torque down low; no wonder it's AWD only. Still doesn't seem to have the go that it should. When will Audi realize that the car is simply too heavy? Or that the transmission gets too bogged down? No doubt the automatic-only feature is slowing things up. I'm sure it saves the rest of the drivetrain, but it only reinforces the view of the TT as more show than go.

Volkswagen Lupo
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=31854
I don't get it. The picture isn't it; that's the "VW 100" car. I get how VW is trying to out-city-car the Smart, but I'd have to see this to "give the okay". :)
 
2003 svt cobra 10 anniversary.
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I don't get the point of this. Why tack on some bits & pieces for a 10th anniversary edition? Why not just release the '03 Cobra as the 10th Anniversary edition? Is it special just because it's convertible? So if I wanted an SVT convertible, am I now stuck with the tacky plastic bits and soon-to-wear-off caliper paint? I have no doubts about the car itself, but anniversary editions of anything are best left to published periodicals.

t.bird bond edition
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This, on the other hand, looks mean. Of course, it's not from Ford's pen, but from Saleen. This makes the Thunderbird a real highway cruiser, as opposed to the current boulevard cruiser. The damn thing picked up its dress and got a move on.
 
VW Touran:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32027
Gone now is the rev-happy Elise. Even a small turbo would have been an attempt to preserve the Elise character, but a full-out V6 will make this thing spin faster than a Clio V6. Unless it's a tiny, 2.2L Honda-esque V6, I don't think this would be a good match. Nice and torquey (and warm in the winter), but just no longer suitable for twisty roads...at least not if you plan on a power exit from each corner.

Turbo VX220/Speedster:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32025
Now this makes sense. At 2.2L, that engine has a more healthy torque figure, and a turbo will more or less enhance that. (Of course, neither has the VX220 been all that revvy.) Only 200HP isn't bad, considering it's weight, but I'm sure the aftermarket will quickly forward that number far north of 250HP. Lag, I'm sure, would follow, but for some reason I have more faith in the VX being more balanced. I'm also of the opinion that the VX and Elise are more different than just bodyshells. In fact, I think the only thing they share is layout, design ideals, and Lotus engineering.
 
Here the new Nissan Maxima teaser picture they shown way before Detroit Auto Show. (thanks Autoweek)
maxima.jpg
 
I saw a picture of it in L.A. racing an Accord somewhere on the Internet.

It's fairly ugly.

Anyone have a pic of the new '04 Sienna to debut mid-2003?
 
StuffStuffStuff

Aston Martin DB7 GT:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32082
A bit more power, a bit better steering & suspension...blah. Aston needs to get their butts in gear if they want to be considered a viable alternative to Porsche. While the Vanquish is nice, it's too much of a leap from a 911. The DB7 needs an overhaul. As in 100% new car. No more oil slick as standard. I await the new-ish DB5 and roadster....

Nissan GT-R:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32040
Latest word (and surely subject to change) is that the GT-R will be powered by the same-old VQ35 V6, but this time having twin turbos grafted onto it. The good news is that Cosworth will be setting up the engine. Could that mean niceties like a closed deck? Forged pistons & rods? One can only hope.... I mean, really, you can't use the standard VQ35 in something that people are expecting to fling words like "bulletproof" and "indestructible" at. Brembo brakes, but at least they won't be in name only. And, uh, didn't the R34 Skyline measure 400HP at the wheels anyway? ;)

Nissan 350Z convertible:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32077
A convertible version of a car I could care less about. Feh. I've ranted on enough about this car, but Nissan doesn't do good soft-tops. This could have been good if it were a hard-top (ala Merc SLK), but this thing will be more shakey than a heroin addict three days out.

Datsun:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=5961
I sort of see the point of this, but not really. Why create market confusion? What cars are they going to move or create under Datsun? Datsun was a part of Nissan since Nissan's inception. So basically, all Nissans were Datsuns...or is that vice-versa? Perhaps they'll move the 350Z and GT-R under that name, creating a sport division, akin to VW/Audi. It'd be nice to buy a new Datsun 240Z, if they really do a Z revival. :)

200HP Mini Cooper S
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_...xpress.co.uk/news/evo_news_story.php?id=32065
Yeah, that's gonna need a Quaife diff. Hmmm...yeah, either that or don't stomp on the gas. Mm-hmm, okay.... But, uh, I'll sure have fun with it though. :drool:
 
Originally posted by Hooligan
Datsun:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=5961
I sort of see the point of this, but not really. Why create market confusion? What cars are they going to move or create under Datsun? Datsun was a part of Nissan since Nissan's inception. So basically, all Nissans were Datsuns...or is that vice-versa? Perhaps they'll move the 350Z and GT-R under that name, creating a sport division, akin to VW/Audi. It'd be nice to buy a new Datsun 240Z, if they really do a Z revival. :)
Click to expand...

I was following a Nissan/Datsun 4-wheel drive pickup being towed southbound on I-55 the other day. If Nissan seriously does value the brand name as a 'serious asset,' they should've spent a lot more time making these things half-decent in the 1970's. This'd be like trying to revive American Motors today. These companies died for a reason.
 
Originally posted by M5Power
I was following a Nissan/Datsun 4-wheel drive pickup being towed southbound on I-55 the other day. If Nissan seriously does value the brand name as a 'serious asset,' they should've spent a lot more time making these things half-decent in the 1970's. This'd be like trying to revive American Motors today. These companies died for a reason.
Click to expand...

First off, you know the company didn't "die", right? DAT was the original company, then it was taken over by the founder's son (thus, Dat-sun). Nissan was a division created from Datsun.

http://www.aboutsportcars.com/datsun1/nissan.htm

I had a better link a week ago, but can't find it now. Somewhere buried in Google....

But the company Datsun never died, nor did it ever go away. The brand name was discontinued, but the company basically just changed its name.
 

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