Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[LA 2008: Nissan unleashes the slightly less cube-y Cube [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-nissan-unleashes-the-slightly-less-cube-y-cube/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-nissan-unleashes-the-slightly-less-cube-y-cube/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/19/la-2008-nissan-unleashes-the-slightly-less-cube-y-cube/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan Cube

The Cube is ready for America, and it's coming in three flavors just to make sure it has all... sides... covered. Each of them gets the 1.8-liter engine good for 122 hp and 127 lb-ft., with trim levels being just 1.8, 1.8 S, and 1.8 SL. The little box with the slightly droopy rear end is packed with goodies including ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, VDC, TCS, TMPS, and six airbags, and you can get it with Nissan's CVT or a six-speed manual. Opt for the CVT, and it will return something beyond 30 mpg. When it comes to accessorizing, there are 20 colors on offer, illuminated kick plates, a rear cargo organizer, and, um, pet blankets. Follow the jump to watch the video and read all about it, and check out the high-res photos of the "bulldog in sunglasses" below.

Gallery: LA 2008: 2009 Nissan Cube


Gallery: 2010 Nissan Cube (US Model)


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk, Jonathon Ramsey, Frank Fillipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2008: Nissan unleashes the slightly less cube-y Cube [w/VIDEO]

LA 2008: Nissan unleashes the slightly less cube-y Cube [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economy carsEconomyCarshatchbacksla 2008la auto showla auto show 2008La2008LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2008nissannissan cubeNissanCubesedansWed, 19 Nov 2008 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-chevrolet-cruze-meets-an-eager-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-chevrolet-cruze-meets-an-eager-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-chevrolet-cruze-meets-an-eager-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Chevy Cruze LT

The Chevrolet Cruze is three kinds of car: small, American and important. And with the state of General Motors, it isn't even the individual words that mean the most: it's whether The General can combine them into a reliable, fuel efficient and cost effective package. True, we don't get to drive these things while they're parked under the lights, but to have a seat in the Cruze is to imagine a GM that begs the question, "Where was all this before the meltdown?" The studio imagery we've seen so far translates nicely into real life, and the center console looks and feels substantial - in fact, it looks like it could be foreign - even if the silver mesh treatment in the show car was a bit much. The car has a compact yet full-bodied stance, and will probably look even better on the road in a color other than scarlet, and not under klieg lights. Spring of '09 will welcome this first Cruze variant to Europe, after which other regions will get it, as well as a probable hatchback and wagon. It will be powered by a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder that charts up to 140 hp and is said to return 40 mpg. Have a look at the high-res gallery of live shots below to get a better idea of what to expect when the Cruze goes on sale here in a couple years.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Chevy Cruze LT LIVE


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzechevy cruzeChevyCruzeeconomy carsEconomyCarsgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowsedanssmall carsSmallCarsFri, 03 Oct 2008 16:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-in-love-with-kias-funky-soul/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-in-love-with-kias-funky-soul/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-in-love-with-kias-funky-soul/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Kia Soul

The Scion xB may have written the book on small-and-boxy, but it appears that Kia may add another volume to the work with the Soul. We have no idea how the new Soul will go on the road, or how it will hold up - either materially or financially - but taking a seat in the giant shoe on wheels was a revelation. For a car that isn't expected to cost too much, the details alone would almost have to be worth the price: the chunky moldings around the grille and bumper, the contrasting surrounds for the headlights and contrasting panels for the doors, the gearshift knob housing a ball within a plexiglass ball, the court jester seats. And when we put the driver's seat all the way back, we could sit in the back seat without our legs touching anything else. And we're not short. If the Soul can mind its manners on the road, there's no reason it shouldn't go straight to sales heaven. Get the scoop on the Soul after the jump, and the check out the gallery of high-res photos below.


Gallery: Paris 2008: Kia Soul

Continue reading Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul

Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economy carsEconomyCarshatchbackskiakia soulKiaSoulkoreaparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowsoulFri, 03 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy Cruze could be priced higher than rivals]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/chevy-cruze-could-be-priced-higher-than-rivals/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/chevy-cruze-could-be-priced-higher-than-rivals/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/16/chevy-cruze-could-be-priced-higher-than-rivals/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevy Cruze

Remember when we told you that GM plans to make more money off of its small cars by upping its prices? Well, as far as the Cruze is concerned, not only do they plan to charging substantially more than the outgoing Cobalt, they might demand more cash than a comparably equipped Corolla, Civic, or Focus. According to GM, that's because it needs to make more per car than Honda or Toyota.

With the average Civic rolling away for $19,184, GM doesn't have a lot of room to play before hitting the $20,000 ceiling. And if GM was to get an average price of $19,500 for the Cruze, that would be a $3,000 premium over the current (average) price for the Cobalt. That still gives no indication of how much money GM would actually be making on the car, though.

Design honcho Ed Welburn feels the car's styling and interior will justify the extra dosh, and said he believes "we have some very unique content and materials that are in the vehicle." Conviction is a good start, and if they can back it up the verdict might go their way. For that, we have to wait for the jury of consumers to decide.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze


[Source: IHT]

Chevy Cruze could be priced higher than rivals originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car buyingcar pricecar pricesCarBuyingCarPriceCarPriceschevroletchevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzechevy cruzeChevyCruzeeconomy careconomy carsEconomyCarEconomyCarsTue, 16 Sep 2008 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[GM's Plan: Small cars making a big profit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/gms-plan-small-cars-making-a-big-profit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/gms-plan-small-cars-making-a-big-profit/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/gms-plan-small-cars-making-a-big-profit/#commentsFiled under: , ,



GM currently owns about 13% of the small car market. With demand for small vehicles increasing with the price of black gold, GM is out to increase that market share. Nevertheless, even if it doesn't increase its share, it plans to make more money off of each small car sold. How? By raising the price, naturally.

The plan is simple: make better small cars, charge more for them. The upcoming Cruze could run you a few thousand more than the outgoing Cobalt, for instance. The test is to see whether cars like the Cruze will be worth the premium. GM Global Design Chief Ed Welburn said, "In North America, we never did a good small car." The General plans to bury that piece of its history... but it's going to charge you, the consumer, for the funeral.

The idea that GM can lasso the small car market while charging a premium, at the same time as slashes its marketing budget by $1.5 billion, takes some effort to swallow. One analyst said that demand for small cars will outstrip supply, so GM could get away with it. However, until we see proof of small GM cars that take bats to the established competition, we'll have to give this plan a "Hmmm."

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

GM's Plan: Small cars making a big profit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzecruzeeconomy carsEconomyCarsgmprofitprofit marginsprofitabilityProfitMarginsprofitssmall carsSmallCarsstrategyMon, 21 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST