Mazda Miata Spyder
Now HERE’S a Miata I’d buy, IF they’d build it. Sadly, it’s more likely that Christy Tegan will accept my Facebook friend requests. Clearly it’s “influenced” by the Boxster Spyder. Well, it’s a darn carbon copy, complete with an identical “Dash home in a rain and get ‘casually’ wet” pull over roof. But no matter, if it performs as it looks. The concept was lowered, and presumably lighter. Plus it looked meaner, and the Miata could use a dose of ‘mean’. Sadly, Mazda can’t charge more for less, as Porsche does with regularity, and the market for this car would be extremely limited, so it’s very doubtful this will ever see a window sticker. Pity.
Scion / Subaru
Details remain hazy on the price, timing and options but, in person, it looks like a winner. Finally a small, light rear wheel drive sportscar that isn’t a Porsche or Corvette. In person, the styling looks appropriate, even a bit tame. Picking the better looking version is tricky. The BRZ was shown with a more aggressive spoiler/wing on the back, but the Scions front end had a more aggressive, yet cohesive front end. In the end, I think the Scion wins by a hair, but color will be key. Darker colors will compliment the forms better. The most notable factoid: a 6’3″ driver should fit. Which is something that GM can’t say with it’s deceased Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice. Why is that a country with an average male height of under 6 feet can make cars that tall Americans fit into, yet the American companies flub it up every time? I can’t wait to get a few miles in this one.
Cadillac ATS
It’s a rosy time for the Americans right now. The dollar to yen ratio is favorable. The Japanese are reeling from massive disasters which have crippled the supply lines and damaged their ability to do business. Meanwhile, GM and Chrysler have shaken off decades of debt, and GM in particular has rid themselves of costly divisions and dealers. There is no better time to introduce a new car, building on the past successes and the literal reinvention of Cadillac than now. Their first foray into the “compact near luxury” segment will face heavy competition from powerful and established adversaries, notably BMW with their 3 series, and Audi and the A4. BMW is introducing yet another generation of what is clearly the leading edge car in the segment, and looks to yet again, raise the bar. Can Cadillac swim in these shark infested waters? Or are they doomed to repeat past failures, like the J-body disasters?
From first impressions, it’s tough to say. The styling is clearly Cadillac, but it’s more tamed down and reserved than we’ve come to expect from the company which has shown some real moxie in their recent designs. True, the smaller car leaves less canvas to paint on, but, this car just doesn’t have the impact that other Caddys bring. It’s hard to find fault though. Proportions are good, surface resolution is fine, and it has a good stance. Inside, it’s more of the same. Solid work. But it’s no Audi. Of course, there are features and numbers to consider. The new infotainment system promises to be a delight, and the performance should be class appropriate, if not leading. Compared to the 3 series, weight, power and performance specs are right in line. Now, of course, we haven’t gotten behind the wheel in the real world on real streets yet, and that’s critical to it’s success.
Historically, GM has shown tremendous potential and clearly has the talent to make great products but rarely do they put their minds to it, and leave the right guys on the case with letting too many committees decide things. All too often there’s a “gotcha” in each product. An “except”. Such as, “Great car, except, the engine! Why must it rattle so badly?”. Or, “It’s really world class, but the paint was peeling off the interior bits after just a few miles”.
IF it drives as well as they are capable of, and IF the durability and wear ability are there, then we might have a real contender. But will it be enough? I predict that it will carve itself a piece of the pie. BMW won’t panic, the 3 series will continue its dominance of the segment. Internally, Cadillac might be disappointed, although they will publicly be proud. It takes time to topple the king of the hill. This looks to be a good first blow, but I think it’s less than it could have been. Regardless, it’s a nice addition to the segment, and those who buy American will be pleased.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is one of the most reliable cars on the market and hundreds of thousands are sold each year. Thanks to their reliability, the only money Accord owners typically have to spend on their car in the first 5 years are Honda Accord Car Covers, annual mechanic checks, and cleaning them! So, with such a popular car, you’d expect Honda to be pushing the boat out… not exactly. Actually, Honda didn’t introduce a new Accord. Instead, they rolled out an exterior concept. Historically, Honda is very conservative in their concepts, so what you see is close to what you get. And that’s a shame. While there’s nothing wrong with the Accord Coupe they showed, there’s nothing that moves you either. It’s exactly what you’d expect. Predictable. Some details won’t make it to production, such as the rear vent under the bumper, but I predict this is essentially the new Accord. While the press introduction spiel listed Honda’s accomplishments over the years and emphasized ‘fun to drive’ endlessly, the reverse thoughts crept into my mind: “Why so much talk about the past? Where’s the new CVCC innovations”? To be fair, Honda has been hardest hit of all by the disasters in Japan and worldwide, to an unprecedented level. And the head of their design house here in the states has never been seen as the most buttoned down conservative type. But clearly corporate is hedging their bets. I think the Ford guys present at the unveiling must have been smiling.
Acura NSX
Acura rolled out a new NSX concept. This in itself is exciting, and they promise it will happen and be made in America. Drivetrain answers were hard to come by, but I’d expect a V6 (Shocking!) and a hybrid performance booster ala the CRZ. Perhaps they will amend their Super Handling concept with torque vectoring electric drive? There’s no faulting the concept for looks. It’s aggressive and well done. And credit Acura, I doubt THIS is what we will see in 3 yeas. Finally, a Honda concept that is just a touch blue sky! Certain elements just won’t make production. The front end has some layering of pieces that while very cool to look at, might be tricky to bring to market. But that’s okay, if the basics survive.
Acura also showed a sedan in the 3 series range. I can’t really tell you much about it. I dozed off a bit at that point.
BMW 3 series
To sum up the 3 series is tough, as BMW has decided to drown us with choices and options. But, the bottom line is that this car is the bread and butter for BMW in the US. Screwing it up means the Cadillacs and Audis will eat it alive. BMWs approach: More of the same. More innovation, more response to customers desires, and more performance, economy and cost control. Cliche though it may be, BMW wants the “win/win” scenario, and from first glance and even closer study, it looks like they’ve made a great play for it. Design-wise, the new basic 3 series sedan is larger then it’s predecessor, yet lighter. Typically, the weight savings have come in all areas. Through the use of lighter materials, refined forms through careful analysis, and in one case the removal of components. And while the new design isn’t a huge revolution for the past, it’s certainly distinct enough, and fresh enough to signal a new era. Good proportions? Check. Great stance? check. Aggressive appearance? Check. As aggressive enough as that is, there’s a bit of slab-sidedness to the mainstream 3 series that will perhaps grow on me. That element disappears when the Sportline option is checked. The option gets you a more aggressive and better integrated front end, to my eye at least. As well as sportier suspension bits that lower the car, and internal trim to match. For us enthusiasts, it’s the obvious choice. But, BMW knows that Americans love to be individuals, so they bring two more “lines” to the 3 series: the Modern line and the Luxury line. It takes a trained eye to spot the differences, which range from interior wood choices to chrome window surrounds to differing numbers of slats within the traditional twin kidney grill. And a plethora of wheel choices, of course. Under the hood is a choice of power plants that includes for the first time since most of us can remember, a 4 cylinder. And an “active hybrid”. We’ll detail the tech details in a separate article, because they are rather interesting.
Overall, efficiency is up, performance is up, rear seating space is increased, and the prices remain essentially the same. What’s not to love? It all adds up to a car that looks like it will have no trouble holding it’s king of the hill position.
