GM has announced pricing for the 2014 Chevy Impala, which will go on sale in the spring. If you want to start saving for one now, you'll be able to pay cash if you put away about $1,900 per week until the middle of March. For those of you whose calculators are in the next room, pricing starts at $27,535 which (mercifully) includes the $810 destination charge. For the first time in, maybe forever, the Impala will be available with a four-cylinder engine — a far cry from Impalas with the monster V-8s of the '60s and '70s. Does that make them better? Or worse? No. Just different. read GM's press release here.
Ford has announced the new 2014 Transit Connect Wagon, which will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013. It's not a minivan or a crossover or an SUV, it's a people mover. Okay then. It's minivan-like proportions will hold five or seven people, depending on which wheelbase, and it's expected to get 30-plus mpg on the highway. One of its features, which I don't believe I've seen before anywhere, is pelvis airbags. Makes me wonder, what's next? Chin straps! Ford says the Transit Connect Wagon "stands out with style." I kind of think it looks like a Kia Soul on steriods. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Read Ford's press release here.
A panel of judges has just named the 2013 Ford Ranger the "International Pickup Award 2013." What's that you say? Ford no longer sells a Ranger pickup? Not so fast, dear reader. It's in North America where Ford has discontinued its compact pickup. Other markets have just gotten a totally new version of the Ranger, and everybody and his brother seems to be falling all over it. It's not likely we'll see it here in North America anytime soon — at least not as long as the hugely popular F-150 keeps increasing Ford's profits. Here's a link to the Ford of Ireland page, where you can read more about the new Ranger. You can also click here to read about the award.
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| 2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara |
So after too many years of not selling enough new cars and trucks, American Suzuki is filing for bankruptcy and abandoning the North American car/truck market. Motorcycle, ATV, and marine engine sales will continue, as will car/truck sales in other parts of the world. Warranties will be honored, according to the statement. You can read Suzuki's statement to its consumers right here, or their press release to the general public.
Chrysler Group has announced a new version of its mid-sized sedan, the 2013 Dodge Avenger Blacktop, which is available in (besides the obvious black) red, tungsten, and silver. It includes such goodies as 18-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels with Gloss Black center caps, Gloss Black front grille, dark-tinted headlamp bezels and a body-color rear spoiler. Being based on the premium SXT model means there is a host of other equipment not found on your typical rental-car Avenger. I'll say this much — it certainly looks menacing. You can read all about the whole Blacktop lineup here (including versions of the Charger and Challenger).
Yep, it's a 1940 Ford coupe, but you can actually buy a new one (at least, the body shell) right now! Available through Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, and fully backed by Ford Restoration Parts (an arm of Ford Motor Company), it sells for $11,900. Read the release and see more photos here.
Looking for something to do this February? How about signing up for Bentley's Power on Ice program, which returns for 2013 on the frozen lakes of northern Finland, just 60 km from the Arctic Circle. Look, how many other chances will most of us get to drive a new Bentley Continental GT? Prices start at only €9,990 per driver. You can get more info here.
Chevrolet has announced the Camaro Hot Wheels® Edition, to go on sale early in 2013. The package is mostly for show, including graphics, wheels, spoilers, ground effects, and interior goodies. The whole thing adds $6,995 to the bottom line. See more photos and read the release here.
From Europe comes news of the new 2013 Renault Fluence, which from here looks very similar to the US VW Passat. It goes on sale this January in Turkey, to be followed by 55 other countries during the year. Read the release and see more photos here.
