2005 Toyota Celica - Four One One
We Wave Goodbye To Mr. Two And His Boo, Pitch The WRX And Evo At Each Other Again, And Search The World For More Saabarus.
To polish off the '05 model, Subaru adds an automatic climate control system and a 140-watt AM/FM/CD changer as standard, as well as an engine immobilizer anti-theft system.
Civic pride, step asideHonda is ready to add a car smaller than the Civic to its U.S. lineup, to take on the Koreans and Toyota's Scion brand. Senior Managing Director Michiyoshi Hagino told reporters, "Our customers have been demanding a car in the class below the Civic. By 2006 we believe demand will be stronger and this new car will be a necessity." The most likely scenario is to import a version of the subcompact Jazz/Fit model that is popular in the U.K. and Japan.
Nissan investing in speedFuture Nissans could be more stable and faster, if the engineers would take group therapy. Until they realize they have a 12-step problem, they'll have to depend on the high-speed testing circuit Nissan plans to build at Hokkaido by August 2006. The five-mile circuit will allow Nissan to test vehicles at top highway speeds and simulate the cornering found on American highways.
L.A. show goes for styleNot only will the L.A. auto show change its dates, the organizers of the new-car extravaganza now say they're emphasizing design. Earlier this year, show organizers said starting in 2006, the show will move from January to November, avoiding a head-on collision with the Detroit auto show. The new design theme will play up the number of car-styling studios in Southern California, particularly those from the Japanese carmakers.
Hybrid Accord Looks FamiliarHonda's next hybrid is coming. The Accord with the gas-electric powertrain will look like this picture by American Honda, which looks a lot like the current gas-only Accord. The 2005 Accord V6 Hybrid will have a next-gen hybrid powertrain and rival the performance of the current 240-hp Accord V6 but will achieve fuel economy closer to the four-cylinder Civic compact. The Accord will not only feature hybrid power but will also have variable cylinder management (VCM) technology, which shuts off three of the engine's six cylinders under lighter power use to save fuel. The hybrid Accord goes on sale in the fall.