Honda CrossTour gets snapped by shutterbug

Recent spy shot of the forthcoming Honda crossover, supposedly called CrossTour

When we first started talking about a new Honda crossover, a lot was made of spyshots showing a European market Accord Tourer mule.

European Accord Tourer

Here is the European market Accord Tourer. A very sharp looking wagon!

Purported Honda CrossTour image shown on Burlapp cars

However, there were those who disagreed that what would be known as the CrossTour would look like the Euro wagon and posted alternate images. Many ridiculed this opinion. Those who posted on Honda fan sites said that the image on Burlapp cars wasn't close, that it was a case of mistaken identitiy with the forthcoming Acura ZDX

Acura ZDX prototype

Now that the cat is out of the bag, it would appear that we have a near doppelganger with the Acura model. Which begs the question, "Are they twins?" Not so fast say some experts. While the cars may be extremely similar in outward appearance, the Honda may use a double wishbone suspension setup whereas the ZDX will use McPherson struts.

One question that has to be asked in general is, "Why the sudden confidence in the hatchback?" History has been unkind to the hatch here in the United States with only a few models getting any traction. Americans seem to like their hatches to be on the back of SUVs and truck-ish looking crossovers and not sedans with a rounded backside. BMW, Acura and Honda seem to be bucking this trend and are launching vehicles that would have been unthinkable in the U.S. market just a few years ago.

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Isetta Stone

AutoExpress thinks that a future generation of Isettas might look like this rendering. Sure is cute as a bug, isn't it? Of course, any such vehicle would have to have eco-cred with a full range of fuel sipping powertrains. While an Isetta could arrive in Europe as soon as 2011, I'm more sceptical about when and if we'll see it here. While it is true that BMW has had great success with its Mini brand, I'm sure it will actively watch how the flood of smaller cars that are headed our way fare in our marketplace before it makes any plans to bring it here. Sure is fun to speculate, though, isn't it?

Don't worry, I have the perfect plan: buy a Mini Cooper today, trade it in for a Fiat 500 and then you'll be ready to trade the 500 for the Isetta. Or maybe by then you'll be so sick of small cars that you'll buy a minivan.

source: autoexpress

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2010 BMW Z4

The new Z4 looks great in person. The big news with this car is that there is that the fabric top has been replaced with a metal one and the car will not longer be made in the United States. The exterior certainly has been cleaned up. All in all, a very nice improvement.

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2010 BMW Z4: Now With More German!

An initial survey of blog postings seems to yield the view that BMW has gotten this Zed 4 right. How do I come to that conclusion? There is a healthy mix of hate it/love it comments, just the kind of tension amongst the public to make any designer of high end goods very happy.

BMW will no longer build the Z4 in the States, instead it will be built in Germany at BMW's Regensburg facility (which happens to be about an hour away from my relatives in Ruhmannsfelden). Anyways, BMW's plant in South Carolina will be dedicated to building X models, currently the X5 and X6, but also models like the X3 going to be made in S.C. as well.

I understand the appeal of hardtop convertibles, but frankly I rather enjoy the more analog experience of fabric topped 'verts. Whatever, it's not like I'm going to be buying this car or any of its competitors, so they shouldn't be listening to me.

Overall, I like this Z4 and I recommend it for hot chicks everywhere.

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Just Like a Bogus Virus Warning: Ford Shopping Volvo to BMW?

Ford had talks with BMW to sell Volvo?

More gossip about Ford trying to pawn off Volvo to BMW. The one problem I have with all of these rumors is that Ford has already entangled Volvo in its pledge of assets when it secured access to a massive financing package (a move that seems like sheer genius now). Any sale of Volvo would require some of the proceeds to pay off the obligation tied to Volvo's assets. That means that anything less than a princely sum would yield very little for Ford. It is for this reason that you'll probably hear time and time again of talks breaking down over disagreements in price.

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BMW Zed 4 Tester Goes Nearly Naked, Sports Tin Roof

The next generation Z4 shown in these spy pictures shows an evolutionary vehicle, much tamer in its advances when comparing the Z3 to Z4 evolution. I rather like the pitter-patter of rain on a canvas roof, but apparently more folks like the security of a folding metal top (I say metal, but it could be SMC for all I know). I suppose there is the chance the BMW could offer buyers an option, but I doubt it.

I've driven a couple of Z4s over the years and I like the little sports car. I was rather taken with the non-convertible Z4 Coupe, but given the fact that I've only seen about three of those on the road, I can't image that it was a sales success.

The current Z4 ceased production of the current Z4 at the end of August, so 2009 will see the release of the new model.

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BMW Recalls 200,000 Vehicles: Cites Crack as Cause

Crack. As in a crack in the sensor mat located in the passenger seat, not the smokable variety. The recalled BMWs include the 2004 to 2005 5-Series standard and sport seat models, the 2004 to 2006 X3 and the 2006 3-Series with sport seats. Apparently, the act of getting in and out of the vehicle can cause the weight sensing mat to degrade, potentially forming cracks that could effectively reduce your body type to "child status" (my phrase, not that of NHTSA or BMW) and deactivate the airbag deployment. Only the curtain airbag would still deploy.

source: BMW Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Airbag Failures

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128 Reasons To Buy a BMW Over a Mini

Firstly, it's a comparison between the BMW 128i and the Mini Cooper Clubman S, hence the headline. I don't really have 128 reasons to choose one over the other. I don't have 128 reasons for anything I do.

Sibling rivalries--that competitive streak that starts so early in life and for some never really ends. Edmunds recently put blood brothers Clubman and 128 to the test and guess who came out a big winner? Well, you read the headline so you already know.

How did the 128 do it? Well, you're asking reviewers who enjoy driving if they'd rather be behind the wheel of a jaunty, six cylinder, RWD Bavarian coupe or a crafty, turbo four cylinder, FWD hatch. Not a real contest, is it? The 128 ranked higher with superior features, better performance and higher subjective evaluations. It doesn't hurt that BMWs always get a bit of a leg up thanks to the heritage of the brand whether or not evaluators are conscious of their bias or not.

Okay, so that's Edmunds tack...Now I'll give you mine. The 1-Series is a striking enough design. For as many stinkin' 3-Series that cut me off every day, whenever I see a 1 drive by, I do sneak a peek. The Clubman, on the other hand, is a bit awkward. I can't get past those weird barn doors in the back and the odd way that Mini has painted it--those rear pillars just stick out. Points to Mini for the hatchback design. Edmunds said they found the 128 to be a "solid usable machine" and maybe it is, but those rear seats looked cramped. Also, I really don't like trunks, especially on smaller cars--I pack my cars with gear and trunks trip me up. I love the multitude of options that Mini offers on its cars, but the latest Mini does border on silliness. The speedo the size of a dinner plate is just over the top, and the overly stylized controls have placed form way over function. The 128's cabin is a bit austere, even when you spice it up with red leather. The all important driving impressions would have to wait until I got time in both vehicles, but I'd wager the 128i would win.

For giggles, I built a 128i and Clubman S online and equipped them basically the way I'd buy them. The 128i clocked in at $35,470 and the Clubman S at $31,450. I wasn't impressed with either one of those numbers. Truth be told, for that kind of money I'm buying something else.


check out the full review here: 2008 BMW 128i vs. 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman Comparison
photo source: the fantastic scott jacobs for edmunds

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Less Than What the People Want: BMW Shorts U.S. 40k In Production

With the wild ride that the dollar has been on, BMW has decided to reduce its U.S. allotment by up to 40,000 vehicles. BMW figures that it can make more money with the same cars elsewhere, so why should it ship them to the troubled U.S. market? Not that BMWs have ever been offered at a discount, but the company has seen that its Mini brand can command fantastic average transaction prices by constraining supply. You simply cannot go into a Mini store and say "give me two grand off" as they'll laugh you out the door. Rather, you walk in, hat in hand, and beg for the opportunity to buy one of the last remaining models with all sorts of crazy dealer additions or agree to wait until they can build and ship you one. With up to 40,000 less BMWs hitting our shores, the likelihood of your getting smokin' deal on a 3-series is greatly reduced.

The article also mentions that the seven-seater X7 has been cancelled. I wasn't aware that it was still on.

source: inside line

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Why I Outta....USA's 335d Will Be Automatic Sedan Only

My joy over the fact that we are finally getting the potent 335d diesel here in the States has been somewhat dulled by the fact that it will be sedan/slushbox only. Was it too difficult to certify a manual 335d? Why not show wagon fans some love? Being a wagon-aholic I wanted a manual 335d wagon. Nevertheless at least we are getting a diesel BMW.

If I'm being completely honest, I'd really like to see four cylinder diesel from BMW hit our showrooms. Certainly such a car would not be able to pull a tree stump out of your front lawn like a 335d would, but you'd be thumbing your nose at everybody with your superior mileage and lower MSRP.

Model year 2009 will also usher in some styling changes and in car entertainment improvements but I'll let the good folks over at Autoweek tell you all about that.

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