Flying Car Successfully Launched - Luxury cheap car
Next month Suzuki is going to unveil a new mid-level sedan concept car labeled the Kizashi. A production version of the sedan is expected to be released by 2010.
Suzuki released this official sketch of the car. Too bad the production version will look nothing like this. Currently Suzuki only has small budget vehicles and SUVs, but if this model is successful it could lead to more upmarket models.
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The Dodge Demon Concept is a “compact, nimble ‘roadster with attitude’” and “an attainable dream car,” according to its maker. To us, it was Chrysler’s answer to the Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky. In early 2008, Chrysler announced the production version will use a front-wheel-drive chassis sourced from Chinese automaker Chery, so the Demon’s sporting pretensions may be in question.
As you’ve probably heard, former owner Mercedes-Benz sold a majority in Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management. So it is not a complete surprise that the Demon’s mission may have changed along with ownership of the company. Assuming a best-case outcome, the general view is that your local Dodge Boys could be selling Demons by model-year 2010.
The 2010 Dodge Demon bowed in concept-car form at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon in Switzerland, which observers took as a sign that the Demon would spearhead a major Dodge sales push into overseas markets, where the brand is largely unknown.
Chrysler has lately been trying to increase its non-U.S. business, no surprise given recent sales reverses at home. It’s not hard to imagine the Demon introducing Dodge as a sporty “performance” brand to Europe, as well as to fast-growing markets like China.
The 2010 Dodge Demon would be a “halo” vehicle to spark sales of mainstream fare like the compact Caliber hatchback and Avenger sedan. All of which explains why the Demon concept looks so realistic and producible compared to your average pie-in-the-sky show car.
Styling of the 2010 Dodge Demon borrows cues from the hulking V-10 Dodge Viper and would likely carry over with little change from the Demon concept. Ditto dimensions, which are very close to those of the Pontiac Solstice.
The Dodge Demon Concept used a 172-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. At this point it is unclear if the 2010 Dodge Demon will use an engine that is part of the U.S.-built Global Alliance family shared with Mitsubishi and Hyundai, or an engine sourced from Chery.
The Dodge Demon Concept sported 19-inch wheels, which could be a bit much for a showroom model. Expect 17s to be standard, with 18s optional.
Other concept features would likely survive with little or no alteration. These include the semi-retro cockpit design heavy on brushed-metal trim (or facsimiles); a manual-folding cloth top that hides beneath a hard cover just behind the cockpit; and a stubby rollbar behind each seat to protect occupants in case of a flip.
The rest of the 2010 Dodge Demon package will hinge on marketing decisions based heavily on competitors’ pricing, but standards should include modern must-haves such as antilock disc brakes, traction control, and seat-mounted torso side airbags. We also wouldn’t rule out a turbocharged Demon as a year-two addition with standard stability control, performance-tuned suspension and special trim.
One thing that might be changed is the name, a point missed entirely by press reports we’ve seen. Perhaps the writers are too young to remember, but Dodge used Demon way back in 1971-72 for its version of the popular compact Plymouth Duster, complete with logo decals of a cute little cartoon devil. It was all innocent fun, Dodge thought, but some people thought otherwise and wrote nasty letters, enough that Dodge adopted the prosaic Dart Sport handle. Such are the perils of modern automotive marketing.
THERE I was packing my swag, grateful for the little shade provided by the Coolibah tree on the edge of the Billabong when my thoughts turned to BMW’s latest concept car. Probably not destined to be the subject of ADL scrutiny there is however an interesting story for which it provided the inspiration.
BMW’s original M1 supercar turns 30 this year and to celebrate the folks from Bavarian Motor Werks revealed their aptly named Hommage concept (pictured above) – clearly a modern day M1 in the making. It caused a stir to say the least, with obvious retro M1 cues and plenty of comic book styling – many applauded but not everyone appreciated the bold styling and crab-like face.
