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Development on next-gen Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon underway?

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Etc., Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Chevrolet Colorado

2010 Chevrolet Colorado – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford may have given up on the Ranger here in the United States, but it looks like General Motors has big plans for the mid-size pickup market. According to PickupTrucks.com, The General is currently hard at work on the next-generation of both the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon. The current generation Colorado/Canyon is slated to end production by mid-2012, and from what we hear, GM is likely to base the next-gen pickup on the GMI 700 body-on-frame global small truck platform. Those bones are set to get an unveil at this year’s Thailand International Motor Show in Bangkok.

PickupTrucks.com reports that GM had originally planned to dead-end Colorado and Canyon production altogether after this generation, but those plans seem to have changed. Even so, it looks like it’ll be at least two and a half years before the newest versions of the General Motors mid-size pickup shows up, which means there may be a bit of a gap in production between the time the old line dies and the new one gets up and running.

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Colorado

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Development on next-gen Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon underway? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia renders next-gen Rio, confirms Geneva debut

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Kia

Next-gen Kia Rio rendering

Next-gen Kia Rio renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery

Much like its sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a major product overhaul, spearheaded by the launches of the Soul, Forte, Sorento, Sportage and Optima all within the past few years. The next major up-do within the Kia line is the B-segment Rio, and Kia has just released these sketches of the new subcompact that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Kia’s new design language, brought forth by chief design officer Peter Schreyer, is very much present in this new Rio. Both the headlamp and front fascia design are reminiscent of what we see in the Sportage and Optima, and the rear taillights mimic the shape of what’s found on the Forte. Combine that with a swept-back profile and a strong character line stemming from the front wheel and the end result is something that should wind up being quite handsome in production form.

We’ll have the full details in just under two months, but in the meantime, foliow the jump for Kia’s press blast.

Gallery: Next-Gen Kia Rio Renderings

Next-Gen Kia Rio Renderings

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia renders next-gen Rio, confirms Geneva debut

Kia renders next-gen Rio, confirms Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac recalling over 95,000 previous-gen CTS sedans

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, GM

2006 Cadillac CTS

2006 Cadillac CTS – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is recalling 95,927 Cadillac CTS sedans from the 2005 to 2007 model year over faulty passenger sensing systems in the front passenger seat.

According to NHTSA, repeated flexing of this sensor mat can cause it to kink, bend or fold, which can sever the connections of the mat’s sensors to safety devices within the car. Most specifically, a damaged sensor may not be able to detect the presence of a front seat passenger and could disable the air bag, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

GM has not yet notified NHTSA of when the recall is expected to ramp up, but owners may contact the automaker with any questions prior to receiving the official notice. Dealerships will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. For the full details, follow the jump to read NHTSA’s statement.

Gallery: 2006 Cadillac CTS

2006 Cadillac CTS

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Cadillac recalling over 95,000 previous-gen CTS sedans

Cadillac recalling over 95,000 previous-gen CTS sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford investing $600M in Louisville plant for next-gen Escape

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Louisville Assembly

Ford’s Louisville plant is old and out-of-date, but that’s about to change with a $600 million cash infusion. Ford says that the forthcoming overhaul will make the facility the automaker’s most flexible plant in the world, while adding an additional 1,800 union jobs to handle increased production.

Construction at the facility will commence later this month, with new tooling and equipment pouring in. Ford will re-open the Louisville plant in late 2011, in time to produce the next-generation Escape while “providing future manufacturing flexibility.” In other words, Ford will be able to add other models to the facility as demand shifts.

News of Ford’s Louisville plant upgrade is likely good for those who live and work in the region, and the state of Kentucky is showing its appreciation with tax incentives. Ford will receive up to $240 million in tax breaks over the next 10 years. Hit the jump to read over Ford’s press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford investing $600M in Louisville plant for next-gen Escape

Ford investing $600M in Louisville plant for next-gen Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan teases next-gen Versa, confirmed for U.S.

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Etc., Hatchback, Nissan, Design/Style

Next Generation Nissan Versa sketch

Nissan has released a sketch of the next-generation Versa, and in the process has confirmed the new model will be sold in the United States. The 2011 model benefited from minor equipment and pricing changes, but the next Versa looks to take on much more stylish design language, with the Versa adopting some of the familial lines of its larger Altima and Maxima siblings.

Details are still very limited at this point, in fact we only have the above image and confirmation that this next-gen Versa will be sold here, but with the auto show season just ramping up, we’d expect to see Nissan’s new compact bowing at the LA Auto Show this November.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan Versa Hatchback

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan teases next-gen Versa, confirmed for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Lexus IS mule makes the rounds

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

Next-gen Lexus IS mule

Next-generation Lexus IS spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Much like the larger GS sedan that we recently spied, Lexus is apparently working on a substantial overhaul for its smaller rear-drive IS, as well.

Though still in early test mule stages, the next IS is expected to ride on a shorter version of the GS platform, which could give it a slightly wider stance than the car currently on the road. Expect the usual sedan and convertible variants to be on hand, as well as a forthcoming IS coupe set to battle the BMW 3 Series and upcoming Mercedes-Benz C-class two-door.

The reworked IS sedan will likely bow sometime in 2012 and the coupe is pegged to arrive shortly thereafter with the usual V6 powertrains as well as an eventual high-performance F variant in at least one bodystyle. The only question we have is, will a force-fed four powerplant also join the party?

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-Generation Lexus IS

Next-generation Lexus IS spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Lexus IS mule makes the rounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Lexus GS mule caught testing

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

2012 Lexus GS spy shot

Next-generation Lexus GS spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Following our report that the Lexus GS is scheduled to get a rather extensive overhaul next year, our spies have captured this test mule of Lexus’ next 5 Series fighter out on the road.

Even though this mule uses the current GS body, we can see that extra panels have been added around the wheel wells, meaning a wider track is probably in order. What’s more, the reworked GS underpinnings will go on to form the groundwork for the smaller, overhauled IS, which is set to debut in 2013.

Expect to see the next-gen GS show its restyled body within the coming months, with an official debut happening sometime next year. For now, click through the gallery to see high-res shots of the early-build mule roaming the streets.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-Gen Lexus GS

Next-generation Lexus GS spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Lexus GS mule caught testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda confirms natural-gas GX trim for next-gen Civic

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Honda

The natural gas-burning Honda Civic GX has been around since 1998, and even though the Environmental Protection Agency anointed it the cleanest internal combustion vehicle in history, sales have been less than brisk.

There are quite a few reasons the Civic doesn’t sell in high volume, including a hefty $25,000 price tag and the $4,600 required to install a home refueling station. But according to our comrades over at Translogic, that won’t stop the Japanese automaker from offering up a new GX for the 2012 model year.

The new GX will still likely cost quite a bit more than the standard Civic and it will still need a pricey home charging unit, but improvements will also be made. For example, Honda spokesperson Jessica Fini tells Translogic that consumer feedback complaining about the levels of available equipment on the last GX prompted the automaker to offer more “desirable options like a navigation system and upgraded stereo.”

We’re happy to hear that the GX will live on in 2012 and beyond. After all, it’s tough not to love an environmentally friendly Civic that can deliver about 30 miles per gallon at fuel prices that can be one third the price of regular gasoline. We’ll be looking out for details on the 2012 GX, along with the entire Civic lineup in the months ahead.

[Source: Aol Autos]

Report: Honda confirms natural-gas GX trim for next-gen Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next-gen boxer engine coming from Subaru this year

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Crossover, Subaru

According to Automotive News, Subaru is set to release a new, more fuel-efficient version of its boxer four-cylinder engine. The powerplant should be available in both 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter configurations and will be able to offer up a 10-percent boost in fuel economy over its predecessors. The report doesn’t detail exactly how the engine goes about gaining its new found efficiency, but it does say the changes are the first significant revision of the company’s boxer architecture in two decades.

A Fuji Heavy Industries spokesperson confirmed that the new powerplant is coming, but wouldn’t go so far as to say which models would benefit from the new tech. Automotive News reports that other sources claim that the thrifty four-pot will first show up in the Forester both in the U.S. and Japan, paired with a CVT gearbox. The new engine will then begin to crop up in models like the Legacy and Impreza here in the States and the Exiga minivan on Subaru’s home turf.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Next-gen boxer engine coming from Subaru this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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