C’mon, boy, drive me! Photo by Randy Stern
The future is so bright – if I can afford to buy shades for my messed-up eyes, I wear them!
It doesn’t matter – the automotive future in this market is shining brilliantly. Despite the fact that fuel prices gone down, automakers are offering new smaller vehicles to the market. It’s still a good idea in light of forthcoming new standards for the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) index. Instead of offering just utility, these small cars offer flair and zippiness – things that stand out in North America.
The other sad fact has been despite the lower-than-anticipated fuel pump prices this year, larger vehicles have been selling again – on the backs of smaller cars. Nationally, Penske sold under 700 smarts nationwide in July, 2010 – an embarrassment for the two-seat city car. Regular-sized minivans also experienced a jump in sales, thanks to the first of three new models coming into the once-competitive market segment – the Kentucky-built Toyota Sienna. Honda and Nissan are slated to introduce new North American-built models by the end of the calendar year.
However, it’s probably time to consider a future with smaller cars on the road – this includes smaller MPVs (i.e. minivans) and SUV/Crossovers.
Still, I like my middle-of-the-road sedans – even with a bit of chipotle honey mustard inside. The recently-introduced Hyundai Sonata signaled a new round of mid-sizers to come. Buick just pulled out its sportiest car ever – the Regal. Let’s not forget that Chrysler is about to embark on a slew of revisions and new models to ensure the security of its firm in this country – thanks to Fiat.
So, what am I anticipating wanting to get my hands on for the next model year? Here’s my Five Favorite upcoming models (or already arrived) for this blog to review and disseminate:
2011 BUICK REGAL: I had a chance to sit in one recently – and I love it! Forgetting it’s an award-winning Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, there’s nothing quite like this Buick before on this continent. This isn’t your father’s 1974 Colonnade coupe with a landau roof and an opera window. Nor is it a GNX with a fire-breathing turbocharged V6. This is a car that bridges the old Volvo S60 with the old Mazda6. The rear seat is not big fella friendly, but as long as I have company – we’re going for a drive! It just seems better organized inside than the bigger LaCrosse. And, outside, it’s simply lovely. Again, the only drawback is in the rear seat, but if I had smaller folks to tow, they’ll enjoy it back there. I’m going to love this Buick – 25 years after driving my first one.
2011/12 CHRYSLER 300/DODGE CHARGER: There is a question here – how much better will they be? The first ones caught everyone’s eye – from 50 Cent to Nobel Prize winners (as claimed by a commercial from Chrysler). It’s good to see risks being made on American automobiles – but what do you do for an encore? I’m all for evolutionary design, but please shake my senses a bit. What I’m also anticipating from this upcoming duo is how the new Pentastar V6 will work in these LX sedans. The new 3.6litre V6 with a new automatic transmission – wrapped in hopefully something my eyes could enjoy. If the spy photos (and the sneak peek at Dodge’s new police cruiser) are correct, The Charger will see more styling from 1968 infused into its modern self. All I ask is to tighten up the steering feel, sharpen up the brakes and make it handle as well as the Challenger (or tweak both cars for more optimal handling). I expect the same for the new 300.
2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA: The new Sonata and Tucson were just the beginning. Hyundai figures that North American buyers want to stand out in a crowd. The first two examples of Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” design pushed the envelope of what is possible in automotive design at their price points. Execution-wise, they threw a spot of mud on Honda. The next automobiles to be wrapped up in the “fluidic sculpture” design language will be the new Accent and Elantra. Considering how much I like the current Elantra, it has to be next. Why the Hyundai and not the Chevrolet Cruze? If I can fit in GM’s new compact sedan and drive it comfortably – great! If I can get my hands on a Kia Forte – of course I’ll be happy! However, the next Elantra is going to break a few hearts – mainly Toyota and Honda consumers. How do you elevate the game? Simply scale down the Sonata and make it accessible to more lower segment buyers. If that formula works – look out!
2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE: Earlier this year, I drove a non-Trail Rated 2010 Laredo V6 model. It was nice, but with a few complaints to almost shake its foundation. Chrysler just rolled out the new one – and it appears to be a world better than the old one. For starters – room. There’s better utilization of space for the driver and front passenger than before. The ergonomics are superior over its competition. You can live in one – but can it do what it aspires to do? Granted, I won’t be the one looking for an off-road experience. I just want it to feel at home on the highway and off-track when needed. It has to be superior in the bog on some farm somewhere. If I want access to the Boundary Waters, I want to know if it will get to the shore and back without fail. There’s so much riding on this Grand Cherokee – even the Italians are watching.
2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA: It may surprise you that I am curious about the new compact-mid-size sedan being built in Puebla, Mexico as we speak. Volkswagen took a look at the North American market and wondered how it can get back into being a leader amongst “foreign” makes. Does it have to less German to do so? Not sure, but it should keep at least some common traits with other Volkswagens across the globe. This is not just a mere Americanizing of a global stalwart – this is one of a few products designed for the North American market in mind. What I want to know is if any translation was lost in the process. Can I comfortably enjoy this Jetta for the first time in 20 years? From what I read – the first vehicle to compare with this new Jetta is the Toyota Corolla. I hope not. If you ask me, I’d like something roomier and better finished off. I hope the Jetta has the goods to do exactly that.
