Posted on 08 October 2008
Now that all the cars have been ordered bare for everyone to see, oggle, berate or just ignore, AutoObserver offers their opinion as to what works and what doesn’t work at this latest Parisianne offering.
2008 Paris Auto Show: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
So what’s your take? Do you agree with AO? Or do you have some favorites that you just love to hate, or love to love?
As to me? I disagree with them on the Honda Insight, even though it may well resemble a Prius. Both these cars were wind tunnel-designed–and when you’re going for max fuel mileage, the wind tunnel will always win over visual distinction. Prius-like or not, the Insight (left) is better looking than the Prius; plus I see a lot of Honda FCX Clarity (right) styling there as well.
Posted on 06 October 2008
The hardtop-convertible effort is going to heat up shortly, as the American and European luxury carmakers will shortly also have Lexus and Infiniti to contend with. Actually the new Infiniti G37 convertible (2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Infiniti G37 Convertible) and the Lexus IS 250/350 (2008 Paris Auto Show: 2010 Lexus IS 250/350C) will likely do effort among themselves first, with the other entries being secondary targets. Even so, that’s not good news for BMW, Saab, etc.
Both these new hard-droptops will go on understanding this spring.
Also of note is that
Infiniti will be offering
AWD on their 2009 fixed-roof G37 coupe (
Infiniti Adds All-Wheel-Drive Coupe to 2009 G37 Lineup), thereby making it a
G37x coupe. Also interesting to note that 40 percent of all G37 sedan buyers opt for AWD, and Infiniti is expecting the percentage for the AWD coupe will be between 30 and 40 percent of their total coupe sales.
Posted on 04 October 2008
At the debut of the Mini Crossover concept it was learned that the next generation of Minis will be smaller.
Mini spokesman Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, states: “While I am working in this job no Mini will be longer than 4.10 [i.e. four meters and ten centimeters, or 162 inches].” That’s exactly the length of the Crossover concept.
Here’s
Inside Line’s take:
2008 Paris Auto Show: Mini Shows Crossover, Says It’s Going Smaller in 2012
Posted on 03 October 2008
No need for me to waste your time here with a bunch of contrived humor and unnecessary explanation. Earlier today was a Lamborghini Fashion Show at the Lamborghini stand right in front of the awesome Estoque supersedan. I was there. I took photos. Enjoy. — Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
Posted on 03 October 2008
No need for me to waste your time here with a bunch of contrived humor and unnecessary explanation. Earlier today was a Lamborghini Fashion Show at the Lamborghini stand right in front of the awesome Estoque supersedan. I was there. I took photos. Enjoy. — Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
Posted on 03 October 2008
We’ve already had some seat time behind the wheel of the new Audi RS6, but seeing in again under the lights of a Paris Auto Show stage reminded us of just how tough the new four-door looks. It didn’t hurt that this particular example had what Audi calls the “black optical pack”, an option that replaces all the chrome on the car with flat black trim.
Would a Cadillac CTS-V look as good with a similar package? Yes.
Will we ever find out? No. - Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Posted on 03 October 2008
We’ve already had some seat time behind the wheel of the new Audi RS 6, but seeing it again under the lights of the Paris auto show stage reminded us of just how tough the new four-door looks. It didn’t hurt that this particular example had what Audi calls the “black optical pack,” an option that replaces all the chrome on the car with flat black trim.
Would a Cadillac CTS-V look as good with a similar package? Yes.
Will we ever find out? No. – Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Posted on 03 October 2008
After months of PR organisation press releases and official drawings, the big unveiling of the long teased Aston Martin supercar, the One-77, hasn’t happened. Well, it kinda sorta hasn’t happened. Only the right front corner and left rear of the car have been revealed. As you can see, the rest of the car remains covered.
And the wierdest part is that nobody from Aston will tell us why. Rumor is the car isn’t finished. Another conspiracy theory suggests that it isn’t really a car at all, just a fiberglass buck without any real chassis, engine or interior. Some, on the other hand, have just chalked it off to a publicity stunt that has worked because everyone is still wondering what’s under there. — Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
