Video: Jay Leno Meets the Cadillac Ciel Concept

Jay Leno, one of America's most famous comedians and notable petrol heads, was at hand at last week's Pebble Beach show where he met up with GM's VP of Global Design Ed Welburn for a more…personal look at the impressively styled Cadillac Ciel.

The conceptual model, which gathered mostly positive reviews for its styling from the press and readers alike, is a four-door, four-seat convertible motivated by a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 425-horsepower and is combined with an electric motor that draws energy from a lithium-ion battery.

Via Jay Leno's Garage

 

VIDEO

Read More

Smart ForTwo gets updates, new matte finish option

Here in America, the Smart ForTwo isn’t exactly selling like hotcakes, mostly due to the fact that it isn’t very practical or efficient, it can carry an awfully high price point and the engine and transmission are, well, less than stellar. Still, Smart is hoping that a host of upgrades to the diminutive ForTwo will make it a more attractive to potential buyers seeking a sort of trendy urban-mobile, and the automaker will be adding things like new paint colors, better interior refinement and slight styling tweaks to the car in the Fall of this year.

In addition to the six metallic exterior colors, the ForTwo is now available in a cheeky matte light green, and convertible models can now be fitted with a red or blue soft top. Additionally, a slight nip/tuck has been given to the front fascia, which now includes optional LED daytime running lights in the lower air intakes. Inside, the instrument panel has been redesigned and a new touchscreen infotainment system is on hand, encompassing navigation, audio and Bluetooth connectivity controls. What’s more, a limited edition “Lightshine” model will be on hand, which adds things like body-colored headlamp surrounds, new 15-inch wheels and contrasting matte chrome components.

Not much has changed in the area of engines or transmissions, but Smart has found a way to lower the overall CO2 emissions of each powerplant. Even the most powerful engine remains under the 120 g/km mark, and the smallest diesel offering (not available in America) produces just 86 g/km of CO2. Fuel efficiency might not exactly be the Smart’s forte, but in terms of cleaner emissions, it’s seriously good.

Still, though, the Smart’s biggest challenge in America is being able to stand up against the rest of the sub-$20,000 competition, which offers better all-around utility, power and efficiency. It’s a hard sell, the ForTwo, but the 2010 model is certainly better equipped than any model before it. Follow the jump to read the full list of changes in Smart’s press release.

Read More

Styling biggest reason people reject Acura

It’s no secret that the corporate schnoz adopted in recent years by Acura is, shall we say… controversial. But whether or not it’s helping or hurting sales is up for debate. On one hand, the brand’s 24-percent increase in sales in 2010 over the previous year has Honda’s luxury division outpacing the gains of its rivals. On the other hand, nearly everyone’s 2009 sales figures went down the economic toilet, and J.D. Power reports that exterior styling is the number one reason new car shoppers are rejecting the marque, followed closely by Acura’s interior styling.

Perhaps tellingly, Acura’s two most successful models in sales gains are the MDX and RDX utility vehicles, models competing in burgeoning segments (and the former of which features a somewhat muted faces compared to the rest of the company’s lineup). But hope may be on the way, and soon. According to Automotive News, Dave Conant, who owns an Acura store in Mission Viejo, California and has gotten an early look at the next-gen TL, Acura’s middle child is getting a major nose job.

And more new models are reportedly on the horizon as well, including hybrids and a likely return to the entry-level compact luxury class. What’s more, the automaker has promised dealers that future models will be better differentiated from one another, both styling-wise and in size. All that sounds good, just so long as no giant polished cow-catcher grilles get in the way.

Read More