Future Products: Japan -- Japanese automakers fill every segment
August-23rd-2005 | 08:07 AM
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Future Products: Japan -- Japanese automakers fill every segment
Future Products: Japan -- Japanese automakers fill every segment
KATHY JACKSON | Automotive News
MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 8/22/05
LOS ANGELES -- What's left? In the next few years, Japan's automakers will compete in every significant light-vehicle segment here, plus one that U.S. automakers aren't considering.
Detroit manufacturers are bracing for Toyota's redesigned, full-sized Tundra next year. It will compete with their highly profitable full-sized pickups.
Moreover, Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. have a new target in their crosshairs -- the heavy-duty pickup market, namely the Ford F-250 Super Duty. Both automakers will introduce heavy-duty pickups in the next few years.
Toyota Motor created the sport wagon market back in 1996 with the Toyota RAV4, followed shortly thereafter by the Lexus RX 300. In the next four years, the sport wagon segment will continue to grow, both in the variety of models and in vehicle size. Seven-seat sport wagons will be commonplace.
When it came to cars, adolescent baby boomers were taught that bigger is better. But their offspring, Japanese automakers believe, will think small is smart. With rising gasoline prices and Scion's success, they may be right. Scion-fighters from Honda Motor Co. and Nissan arrive next summer.
Buyers who want gasoline sippers will be able to pick from a wider variety of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.
Then there's the Mazda5. What is it, a tall wagon or a small minivan? Toyota, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motor Corp. are eyeing similar vehicles, but General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler group apparently have nothing on their drawing boards.
Also, Lexus and Infiniti are planning to redesign their flagship sedans, Nissan is preparing a radical change for its popular Altima, and Honda will shun the Civic's conservative style for something hip.
Here are 2006 to 2009 model-year vehicle plans for Japanese brands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MODEL YEAR
2006 2007 2008 2009
Acura
RSX redesigned MDX
redesigned Possible sports car (or 2010)
TSX redesigned (or 2008)
TL freshened (or 2008)
RDX sport wagon debuts
Honda
Civic
redesigned Fit or Jazz debuts Element redesigned
Accord reskinned CR-V redesigned (or 2008)
Pilot
reskinned Possible
Latitude sport wagon (or 2008)
Ridgeline debuts
Infiniti
M redesigned G coupe, sedan
reskinned Q redesigned
(or 2009)
FX freshened GT-R debuts (or 2009)
CX sport wagon debuts
FX redesigned
Isuzu
i-280, i-350 pickups debut
Lexus
IS redesigned ES redesigned IS coupe, convertible debut (or 2009) RX redesigned
GS redesigned LS redesigned SC redesigned
VX sport wagon debuts
(or 2008) LF-A sports car debuts
JX SUV debuts
Mazda
Mazda6
freshened RX-8 convertible,
coupe debut (or 2008 or 2009)
Possible MX-MicroSport
MX-5 Miata redesigned CX-7 sport wagon debuts Mazda6 restyled, re-engineered
Mazda5
debuts Tribute restyled, re-engineered
Possible CX-9 sport wagon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACURA
RSX: A redesign is scheduled for the 2007 model year.
TSX: The popular TSX sedan is slated to get a horsepower increase for the 2006 model year. A redesign is scheduled for the 2007 or 2008 model year at which time, sources say, coupe and convertible models may be added. It is also possible that Acura may offer a V-6 for the next generation.
TL: The TL sedan will be freshened for the 2007 or 2008 model year. Some sources believe that it may be more than a freshening and that the TL may get all-wheel drive.
RL: It was redesigned for the 2005 model year. A hybrid powertrain may be added.
NSX: The NSX dies at the end of the year. Honda says it will replace the vehicle in the 2009 or 2010 model year with a sports car that has a V-10 engine.
RDX: The RDX sport wagon will debut next summer as a 2007 model. It is based on the Honda Civic platform.
Honda Motor execs have not ruled out using turbocharging in the future to get more power out of its engines. There is talk that the RDX may be fitted with a turbocharger making more than 250 hp.
MDX: The redesigned MDX sport wagon is scheduled for the 2008 model year. A more powerful engine and stiffer chassis are likely.
Pickup: An Acura pickup, based on the Honda Ridgeline is being talked about, but sources say it has not been approved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HONDA
Honda plans to market an entry-level vehicle based on the Fit and its sibling, the Jazz, shown here.
Fit or Jazz: American Honda Motor Co. will import a variation of the front-wheel-drive subcompact Honda Fit or Jazz. The Fit is sold in Japan; the Jazz is marketed in Europe. The vehicle is due to arrive here in the spring or summer of 2006 as a 2007 model, and it will be slotted below the Civic. Sources say it will be powered by a 1.5-liter engine, equipped with dual overhead camshafts. A hybrid version is likely.
Civic: The redesigned 2006 Civic goes on sale this fall. The base model will be equipped with Honda's new 140-hp, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine. Variations of the engine can make up to 170 hp. A hybrid powertrain also will be available.
The performance oriented Civic Si model will have a 200-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Sources say the suspension will be MacPherson struts up front and a revised version of the current rear suspension. The Si also will be fitted with performance summer tires and 17-inch wheels.
Accord: The 2006 Accord will be reskinned, primarily the rear end, at a cost of about $20 million. LED taillamps will be added. Sources say both the coupe and sedan will get about a 10-hp boost. The coupe also will get a six-speed manual transmission.
S2000: No major changes are planned for the sports car.
CR-V: A redesign is slated for the 2007 or 2008 model year. Some sources say the CR-V will get a big boost in horsepower at that time.
Latitude: A sport wagon based on the redesigned Civic platform is under consideration. It could arrive for the 2007 or 2008 model year.
Pilot: The Pilot sport wagon will be reskinned for the 2006 model year. The vehicle will have cylinder deactivation.
Element: The Element is scheduled to be redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Ridgeline: Honda's first pickup was introduced this year. The 2006 Ridgeline is built on a unibody frame, seats five and is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, making 255 hp. No major changes are planned.
Odyssey: The Odyssey minivan was redesigned for the 2005 model year. A hybrid model may be added.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFINITI
G: The G coupe and sedan will be reskinned for the 2007 model year. Sources say there could be a convertible in the works before the end of the decade.
M: The 2006 M sedan was redesigned; sales began several months ago.
Q: The Q line adds a sports sedan for the 2006 model year. Standard features include rear active steering, a revised transmission with a new torque converter, sport suspension and 19-inch performance wheels and tires. A lane-departure warning system is optional. The Q is due to be redesigned for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
GT-R: Infiniti has trademarked the name "GT-R," which leads many to believe that the Nissan Skyline GT-R high-performance car will be sold as an Infiniti when it reaches the United States for the 2008 or 2009 model year. Sources believe the coupe will be powered by a turbocharged V-6 with as much as 400 hp.
CX: Infiniti's entry-level sport wagon will arrive as a 2008 model. The five-seat CX will be smaller than the FX, and it will be available with a 2.5-liter, inline four-cylinder engine and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. A hybrid may be offered.
FX: The FX's exterior will be freshened for the 2006 model year. The interior features a center console design. The sport wagon is due for a redesign for the 2008 model year.
QX: No major changes are planned for Infiniti's big SUV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISUZU
Ascender: No major changes are scheduled for Isuzu's SUV, which is based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. A light-duty diesel engine in the 3.0-liter class is expected for the 2008 model year.
i-280, i-350: Two 2006 pickups, versions of the GMC Canyon, went on sale in July.
The Isuzu i-280 is an extended cab pickup, equipped with a 175-hp, 2.8-liter, four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. The i-350 four door is equipped with a 220-hp, 3.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.
A diesel engine will be added for the 2008 model year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEXUS
IS: With the redesigned 2006 IS, Lexus is trying again to challenge the BMW 3 series. The entry-luxury, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan offers 204-hp, 2.5-liter and 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engines. Expect coupe and convertible versions in spring 2008 as 2008 or 2009 models.
ES: The redesigned ES sedan arrives for the 2007 model year, due at dealerships in the spring of 2006. While the IS sedan is about the driving experience, the ES will be about jamming as much luxury as possible into a roomy entry-luxury vehicle.
GS: Although redesigned this spring, the GS sedan will get quick engine upgrades. Lexus has filed for patents for the names "GS 350" and "GS 460," meaning significant near-term engine upgrades are in the works.
The hybrid GS 450h will arrive in the spring of 2006, powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 mated to Toyota's hybrid powertrain. The car is expected to reach 60 mph in less than 6.0 seconds, faster than the V-8 version of the GS sedan, while still delivering 30 mpg, Toyota sources say.
LS: Lexus executives say the fall of 2006 will be like 1989, when Lexus and the LS were launched in the United States. They are that confident that the redesigned 2007 LS 460 flagship will once again take the luxury segment by storm.
The 2007 model will feature a 4.6-liter V-8 that produces 350 hp, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and optional awd. A hybrid version, called the LS 600h, will arrive in the 2008 model year. Mating the V-8 engine to Toyota's hybrid system, the LS 600h will have the equivalent power of a 6.0-liter engine, while delivering V-6 fuel economy, Toyota sources say.
A long-wheelbase edition will allow Lexus to go head-to-head against the BMW 7 series.
SC: Lexus' retractable hard-top coupe will be redesigned in the spring of 2007 for the 2008 model year.
LF-A: Lexus debuted a high-performance concept at this year's Detroit auto show that drew gasps. Although Toyota has not confirmed the car as production-ready, the automaker has several mules frequently zipping around the track in Nurburgring, Germany.
The LF-A sports car is expected to pack around 500 hp and go on sale in spring 2007 as a 2008 model with a sticker price of around $100,000.
RX: The hybrid version of the RX sport wagon hit dealerships in the spring of 2005 as a 2006 model. During the 2006 model year, the RX will get a displacement boost to a 3.5-liter V-6, an engine shared with the Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES 350. The redesigned RX is slated to arrive in March 2008 as a 2009 model.
VX: The VX sport wagon, with three rows of seats, will be the RX's big brother. The VX will be developed on the GS vehicle platform and debut in early 2007 as a 2007 or 2008 model.
The Lexus LF-X concept shows the styling direction for the VX. Power is expected to come from a 4.3-liter V-8, although a 3.5-liter V-6 might also be offered. The VX would line up against the Infiniti FX.
GX: No major changes are foreseen for the SUV.
JX: JX is the name given to Lexus' new body-on-frame SUV, arriving for the 2008 model year. One engine likely will be offered, a 5.4-liter V-8. The JX will share a rwd platform with the upcoming redesigned Tundra pickup. The JX will replace Lexus' LX SUV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAZDA
MX-MicroSport: The production version of the MX-MicroSport concept could find its way to North America. While Mazda's U.S. executives have not written off the MX-MicroSport for the United States, they say it is more likely to be marketed in Canada and Mexico in the spring of 2007 as a 2008 model. If the MX-MicroSport does make it here, the car's performance would be emphasized.
Mazda3: No major changes are foreseen. This fall, the base 2.0-liter engine gains variable-valve timing with a horsepower boost to 150. The optional 2.3-liter engine is now mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
A high-performance version of the Mazda3, called MazdaSpeed3, is slated for summer 2006 as a 2007 model. It likely will borrow the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine from the MazdaSpeed6, arriving this fall, making its 274-hp a strong rival to the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX.
Mazda6: For the 2006 model year, the four-cylinder engine gains a five-speed automatic transmission and all models receive a freshening. Expect Mazda to restyle and re-engineer the Mazda6 for the 2008 model year.
With a 274-hp turbocharged inline-four mated to awd, stiffened suspension and massive brakes, the MazdaSpeed6 will hit showrooms this fall as a 2006 model.
MX-5 Miata: The seminal rwd roadster received a redesign this summer. Horsepower is 170, up from 142. The car's wheelbase and overall length are 2 inches longer than the 2005 model. The four-cylinder engine is similar to the Mazda3's and Mazda6's, while much of the chassis and suspension is borrowed from the RX-8.
RX-8: Horsepower increases likely will occur, but do not expect major changes to the four-door RX-8 car because a true coupe and a convertible are planned. Timing for the two models could be anywhere from the 2007 to the 2009 model year.
Mazda5: What is the Mazda5, a tall wagon or a compact minivan? Whatever it is, it is derived from the Mazda3 platform, and it went on sale last month. The Mazda5 has three rows of seats, each with two seats. Power is provided by a 157-hp, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine.
MPV: The MPV minivan dies after the 2006 model year. The vehicle's replacement developed in Japan is seen as too small for the United States.
Tribute: A hybrid version of the Tribute sport wagon will be added next year. The Tribute will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2008 model year.
CX-7: The Mazda6 will provide the underpinnings of a five-seat sport wagon that will arrive as a 2007 model. Styling cues will be taken from the MX Crossport concept that debuted at the 2005 Detroit auto show. The CX-7 likely will be powered by a 220-hp, 3.0-liter V-6.
Even though the CX-7 will be developed on the Mazda6 platform, the vehicle will be imported from Japan rather than built in Flat Rock, Mich., alongside the Mazda6.
CX-9: With the MPV minivan slated to be dropped from Mazda's U.S. lineup, the automaker needs a new people hauler. A likely choice is a version of the Ford brand's sport wagon, which will have three rows of seats and be assembled at Ford's Oakville, Ontario, plant. The 2008 model year is the likely target.
B series: No matter how much Texas dealers want a pickup, Mazda is having a hard time making the franchise believe the B series has zoom-zoom. When the Ford Ranger is redesigned, Mazda likely will not get a version.
KATHY JACKSON | Automotive News
MARK RECHTIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 8/22/05
LOS ANGELES -- What's left? In the next few years, Japan's automakers will compete in every significant light-vehicle segment here, plus one that U.S. automakers aren't considering.
Detroit manufacturers are bracing for Toyota's redesigned, full-sized Tundra next year. It will compete with their highly profitable full-sized pickups.
Moreover, Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. have a new target in their crosshairs -- the heavy-duty pickup market, namely the Ford F-250 Super Duty. Both automakers will introduce heavy-duty pickups in the next few years.
Toyota Motor created the sport wagon market back in 1996 with the Toyota RAV4, followed shortly thereafter by the Lexus RX 300. In the next four years, the sport wagon segment will continue to grow, both in the variety of models and in vehicle size. Seven-seat sport wagons will be commonplace.
When it came to cars, adolescent baby boomers were taught that bigger is better. But their offspring, Japanese automakers believe, will think small is smart. With rising gasoline prices and Scion's success, they may be right. Scion-fighters from Honda Motor Co. and Nissan arrive next summer.
Buyers who want gasoline sippers will be able to pick from a wider variety of gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.
Then there's the Mazda5. What is it, a tall wagon or a small minivan? Toyota, Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motor Corp. are eyeing similar vehicles, but General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler group apparently have nothing on their drawing boards.
Also, Lexus and Infiniti are planning to redesign their flagship sedans, Nissan is preparing a radical change for its popular Altima, and Honda will shun the Civic's conservative style for something hip.
Here are 2006 to 2009 model-year vehicle plans for Japanese brands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MODEL YEAR
2006 2007 2008 2009
Acura
RSX redesigned MDX
redesigned Possible sports car (or 2010)
TSX redesigned (or 2008)
TL freshened (or 2008)
RDX sport wagon debuts
Honda
Civic
redesigned Fit or Jazz debuts Element redesigned
Accord reskinned CR-V redesigned (or 2008)
Pilot
reskinned Possible
Latitude sport wagon (or 2008)
Ridgeline debuts
Infiniti
M redesigned G coupe, sedan
reskinned Q redesigned
(or 2009)
FX freshened GT-R debuts (or 2009)
CX sport wagon debuts
FX redesigned
Isuzu
i-280, i-350 pickups debut
Lexus
IS redesigned ES redesigned IS coupe, convertible debut (or 2009) RX redesigned
GS redesigned LS redesigned SC redesigned
VX sport wagon debuts
(or 2008) LF-A sports car debuts
JX SUV debuts
Mazda
Mazda6
freshened RX-8 convertible,
coupe debut (or 2008 or 2009)
Possible MX-MicroSport
MX-5 Miata redesigned CX-7 sport wagon debuts Mazda6 restyled, re-engineered
Mazda5
debuts Tribute restyled, re-engineered
Possible CX-9 sport wagon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACURA
RSX: A redesign is scheduled for the 2007 model year.
TSX: The popular TSX sedan is slated to get a horsepower increase for the 2006 model year. A redesign is scheduled for the 2007 or 2008 model year at which time, sources say, coupe and convertible models may be added. It is also possible that Acura may offer a V-6 for the next generation.
TL: The TL sedan will be freshened for the 2007 or 2008 model year. Some sources believe that it may be more than a freshening and that the TL may get all-wheel drive.
RL: It was redesigned for the 2005 model year. A hybrid powertrain may be added.
NSX: The NSX dies at the end of the year. Honda says it will replace the vehicle in the 2009 or 2010 model year with a sports car that has a V-10 engine.
RDX: The RDX sport wagon will debut next summer as a 2007 model. It is based on the Honda Civic platform.
Honda Motor execs have not ruled out using turbocharging in the future to get more power out of its engines. There is talk that the RDX may be fitted with a turbocharger making more than 250 hp.
MDX: The redesigned MDX sport wagon is scheduled for the 2008 model year. A more powerful engine and stiffer chassis are likely.
Pickup: An Acura pickup, based on the Honda Ridgeline is being talked about, but sources say it has not been approved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HONDA
Honda plans to market an entry-level vehicle based on the Fit and its sibling, the Jazz, shown here.
Fit or Jazz: American Honda Motor Co. will import a variation of the front-wheel-drive subcompact Honda Fit or Jazz. The Fit is sold in Japan; the Jazz is marketed in Europe. The vehicle is due to arrive here in the spring or summer of 2006 as a 2007 model, and it will be slotted below the Civic. Sources say it will be powered by a 1.5-liter engine, equipped with dual overhead camshafts. A hybrid version is likely.
Civic: The redesigned 2006 Civic goes on sale this fall. The base model will be equipped with Honda's new 140-hp, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine. Variations of the engine can make up to 170 hp. A hybrid powertrain also will be available.
The performance oriented Civic Si model will have a 200-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Sources say the suspension will be MacPherson struts up front and a revised version of the current rear suspension. The Si also will be fitted with performance summer tires and 17-inch wheels.
Accord: The 2006 Accord will be reskinned, primarily the rear end, at a cost of about $20 million. LED taillamps will be added. Sources say both the coupe and sedan will get about a 10-hp boost. The coupe also will get a six-speed manual transmission.
S2000: No major changes are planned for the sports car.
CR-V: A redesign is slated for the 2007 or 2008 model year. Some sources say the CR-V will get a big boost in horsepower at that time.
Latitude: A sport wagon based on the redesigned Civic platform is under consideration. It could arrive for the 2007 or 2008 model year.
Pilot: The Pilot sport wagon will be reskinned for the 2006 model year. The vehicle will have cylinder deactivation.
Element: The Element is scheduled to be redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Ridgeline: Honda's first pickup was introduced this year. The 2006 Ridgeline is built on a unibody frame, seats five and is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6, making 255 hp. No major changes are planned.
Odyssey: The Odyssey minivan was redesigned for the 2005 model year. A hybrid model may be added.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFINITI
G: The G coupe and sedan will be reskinned for the 2007 model year. Sources say there could be a convertible in the works before the end of the decade.
M: The 2006 M sedan was redesigned; sales began several months ago.
Q: The Q line adds a sports sedan for the 2006 model year. Standard features include rear active steering, a revised transmission with a new torque converter, sport suspension and 19-inch performance wheels and tires. A lane-departure warning system is optional. The Q is due to be redesigned for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
GT-R: Infiniti has trademarked the name "GT-R," which leads many to believe that the Nissan Skyline GT-R high-performance car will be sold as an Infiniti when it reaches the United States for the 2008 or 2009 model year. Sources believe the coupe will be powered by a turbocharged V-6 with as much as 400 hp.
CX: Infiniti's entry-level sport wagon will arrive as a 2008 model. The five-seat CX will be smaller than the FX, and it will be available with a 2.5-liter, inline four-cylinder engine and a 3.5-liter V-6 engine. A hybrid may be offered.
FX: The FX's exterior will be freshened for the 2006 model year. The interior features a center console design. The sport wagon is due for a redesign for the 2008 model year.
QX: No major changes are planned for Infiniti's big SUV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISUZU
Ascender: No major changes are scheduled for Isuzu's SUV, which is based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. A light-duty diesel engine in the 3.0-liter class is expected for the 2008 model year.
i-280, i-350: Two 2006 pickups, versions of the GMC Canyon, went on sale in July.
The Isuzu i-280 is an extended cab pickup, equipped with a 175-hp, 2.8-liter, four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. The i-350 four door is equipped with a 220-hp, 3.5-liter, inline five-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.
A diesel engine will be added for the 2008 model year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEXUS
IS: With the redesigned 2006 IS, Lexus is trying again to challenge the BMW 3 series. The entry-luxury, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan offers 204-hp, 2.5-liter and 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engines. Expect coupe and convertible versions in spring 2008 as 2008 or 2009 models.
ES: The redesigned ES sedan arrives for the 2007 model year, due at dealerships in the spring of 2006. While the IS sedan is about the driving experience, the ES will be about jamming as much luxury as possible into a roomy entry-luxury vehicle.
GS: Although redesigned this spring, the GS sedan will get quick engine upgrades. Lexus has filed for patents for the names "GS 350" and "GS 460," meaning significant near-term engine upgrades are in the works.
The hybrid GS 450h will arrive in the spring of 2006, powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 mated to Toyota's hybrid powertrain. The car is expected to reach 60 mph in less than 6.0 seconds, faster than the V-8 version of the GS sedan, while still delivering 30 mpg, Toyota sources say.
LS: Lexus executives say the fall of 2006 will be like 1989, when Lexus and the LS were launched in the United States. They are that confident that the redesigned 2007 LS 460 flagship will once again take the luxury segment by storm.
The 2007 model will feature a 4.6-liter V-8 that produces 350 hp, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and optional awd. A hybrid version, called the LS 600h, will arrive in the 2008 model year. Mating the V-8 engine to Toyota's hybrid system, the LS 600h will have the equivalent power of a 6.0-liter engine, while delivering V-6 fuel economy, Toyota sources say.
A long-wheelbase edition will allow Lexus to go head-to-head against the BMW 7 series.
SC: Lexus' retractable hard-top coupe will be redesigned in the spring of 2007 for the 2008 model year.
LF-A: Lexus debuted a high-performance concept at this year's Detroit auto show that drew gasps. Although Toyota has not confirmed the car as production-ready, the automaker has several mules frequently zipping around the track in Nurburgring, Germany.
The LF-A sports car is expected to pack around 500 hp and go on sale in spring 2007 as a 2008 model with a sticker price of around $100,000.
RX: The hybrid version of the RX sport wagon hit dealerships in the spring of 2005 as a 2006 model. During the 2006 model year, the RX will get a displacement boost to a 3.5-liter V-6, an engine shared with the Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES 350. The redesigned RX is slated to arrive in March 2008 as a 2009 model.
VX: The VX sport wagon, with three rows of seats, will be the RX's big brother. The VX will be developed on the GS vehicle platform and debut in early 2007 as a 2007 or 2008 model.
The Lexus LF-X concept shows the styling direction for the VX. Power is expected to come from a 4.3-liter V-8, although a 3.5-liter V-6 might also be offered. The VX would line up against the Infiniti FX.
GX: No major changes are foreseen for the SUV.
JX: JX is the name given to Lexus' new body-on-frame SUV, arriving for the 2008 model year. One engine likely will be offered, a 5.4-liter V-8. The JX will share a rwd platform with the upcoming redesigned Tundra pickup. The JX will replace Lexus' LX SUV.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAZDA
MX-MicroSport: The production version of the MX-MicroSport concept could find its way to North America. While Mazda's U.S. executives have not written off the MX-MicroSport for the United States, they say it is more likely to be marketed in Canada and Mexico in the spring of 2007 as a 2008 model. If the MX-MicroSport does make it here, the car's performance would be emphasized.
Mazda3: No major changes are foreseen. This fall, the base 2.0-liter engine gains variable-valve timing with a horsepower boost to 150. The optional 2.3-liter engine is now mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
A high-performance version of the Mazda3, called MazdaSpeed3, is slated for summer 2006 as a 2007 model. It likely will borrow the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine from the MazdaSpeed6, arriving this fall, making its 274-hp a strong rival to the Mitsubishi Evolution and Subaru WRX.
Mazda6: For the 2006 model year, the four-cylinder engine gains a five-speed automatic transmission and all models receive a freshening. Expect Mazda to restyle and re-engineer the Mazda6 for the 2008 model year.
With a 274-hp turbocharged inline-four mated to awd, stiffened suspension and massive brakes, the MazdaSpeed6 will hit showrooms this fall as a 2006 model.
MX-5 Miata: The seminal rwd roadster received a redesign this summer. Horsepower is 170, up from 142. The car's wheelbase and overall length are 2 inches longer than the 2005 model. The four-cylinder engine is similar to the Mazda3's and Mazda6's, while much of the chassis and suspension is borrowed from the RX-8.
RX-8: Horsepower increases likely will occur, but do not expect major changes to the four-door RX-8 car because a true coupe and a convertible are planned. Timing for the two models could be anywhere from the 2007 to the 2009 model year.
Mazda5: What is the Mazda5, a tall wagon or a compact minivan? Whatever it is, it is derived from the Mazda3 platform, and it went on sale last month. The Mazda5 has three rows of seats, each with two seats. Power is provided by a 157-hp, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine.
MPV: The MPV minivan dies after the 2006 model year. The vehicle's replacement developed in Japan is seen as too small for the United States.
Tribute: A hybrid version of the Tribute sport wagon will be added next year. The Tribute will be restyled and re-engineered for the 2008 model year.
CX-7: The Mazda6 will provide the underpinnings of a five-seat sport wagon that will arrive as a 2007 model. Styling cues will be taken from the MX Crossport concept that debuted at the 2005 Detroit auto show. The CX-7 likely will be powered by a 220-hp, 3.0-liter V-6.
Even though the CX-7 will be developed on the Mazda6 platform, the vehicle will be imported from Japan rather than built in Flat Rock, Mich., alongside the Mazda6.
CX-9: With the MPV minivan slated to be dropped from Mazda's U.S. lineup, the automaker needs a new people hauler. A likely choice is a version of the Ford brand's sport wagon, which will have three rows of seats and be assembled at Ford's Oakville, Ontario, plant. The 2008 model year is the likely target.
B series: No matter how much Texas dealers want a pickup, Mazda is having a hard time making the franchise believe the B series has zoom-zoom. When the Ford Ranger is redesigned, Mazda likely will not get a version.
August-23rd-2005 | 08:10 AM
#2
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 154
From: Dover, NH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MITSUBISHI
Lancer: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX is freshened and re-engineered for the 2006 model year. Horsepower is boosted to 286, up from 276 for the 2005 model. The engine makes 289 pounds-feet of torque compared with 286 for the current model.
Other changes include a freshened front fascia with an oversized mesh grille, standard Recaro bucket seats and aluminum accelerator, brake and clutch pedals.
The Lancer will be redesigned for the 2008 model year, followed a year later by the redesigned 2009 Lancer Evolution X.
Eclipse: The redesigned 2006 Eclipse coupe went on sale in May. The redesigned Eclipse Spyder debuts next spring.
Galant: The Galant will be freshened for the 2007 model year; a redesign is expected for the 2009 or 2010 model year.
Outlander: The redesigned 2007 Outlander SUV will go on sale as a bigger vehicle with more engine power. The seven-seat vehicle will be powered with a new 3.0-liter V-6, replacing the current 2.4-liter inline four. It also will feature on-demand awd, a six-speed automatic transmission, paddle shifters to change gears, nine airbags and Bluetooth wireless technology. It will replace the Montero.
Endeavor: The Endeavor sport wagon will be freshened for the 2006 model year. Changes include a restyled front bumper, chin spoiler and front grille. The XLS model has been discontinued, leaving the LS and Limited trim lines. The Endeavor may be redesigned for the 2009 model year.
Montero: The Montero SUV will be dropped after the 2006 model year.
Raider: This fall, Mitsubishi adds a pickup, the 2006 Raider. The Raider is based on the Dodge Dakota and will be assembled in Warren, Mich.
Extended- and double-cab versions will be offered, as well as two- and four-wheel drive. Two engines will be available. The 3.7-liter V-6 makes 210 hp at 5,200 rpm. The 4.7-liter V-8 produces 230 hp at 4,600 rpm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NISSAN
Small cars: Look for the first of Nissan's sub-Sentra cars to arrive next summer as a 2007 model. The second car could follow as soon as winter of next year as a 2008 model. Both are aimed at a youthful market.
Sources say the first vehicle, code-named B11C, will be a small three-door hatchback, based on the Nissan Sport Concept shown at the 2005 New York auto show. The Sport Concept seats four, has rear and front spoilers, and large wheels and tires.
The second vehicle is code-named L11C and is a small sedan. Sources say it is a unique vehicle, not based on any other Nissan cars. The vehicles will be built at Nissan's plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The company expects to export 100,000 of the vehicles to the United States, 60 percent of them the sedan.
Sentra: After a year's delay, the redesigned Sentra will hit the market next summer.
It was due to arrive in 2005 as a 2006 model, but Nissan went back to the drawing board after consumer groups in this country complained of the bland exterior design. The company also said it wanted to ensure that the Sentra would not step on the toes of the new small cars coming here.
The redesigned Sentra will have more horsepower and possibly a new 2.0-liter base engine. Its entry-level model will be priced above the current model to distance it from the new small cars.
Altima: The Altima is due for a redesign in the 2007 model year at which time a hybrid will be offered. Early prototypes showed the hybrid powered by Nissan's 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with a 100 kilowatt electric motor making an estimated 200 hp. Sources say the Altima's redesign will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Maxima: The Maxima is due for a redesign for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
The current model has not lived up to sales predictions. Some sources say the car may get a radical design and a more powerful engine to differentiate it further from the Altima. Also, customers today can buy the top-of-the-line Altima with a V-6 engine with about the same hp as a Maxima at a lower price.
Company executives say the Maxima plays a crucial role in the Nissan lineup. Others predict it may be dropped.
350Z: Nissan's sports car receives a freshening for the 2006 model year. The horsepower is boosted to 300 on models with a manual transmission. The freshening includes a revised front bumper, headlights and grille.
Quest: The Quest minivan's interior will be extensively restyled for the 2007 model year at a cost of more than $60 million, according to a Nissan executive. In particular, buyers and potential customers complained about the location of the gauges, which are clustered in the center of the instrument panel. The new panel will appear more like panels in traditional minivans.
The Quest is due for a redesign for the 2009 model year. Some sources say Nissan may drop the Quest for another type of people mover. But Nissan execs say the Quest will remain in the lineup though not as radically styled as the current model.
X-Trail: Nissan is on track to deliver its first fuel cell vehicle to the United States for the 2008 model year. It will be based on the fwd X-Trail, an entry-level sport wagon that is sold in Canada.
Murano: The Murano sport wagon is freshened for the 2006 model year. The vehicle adds an MP3-enabled audio system and a standard rearview monitor on SL and SE models.
Xterra: A new entry-level model will be added for the 2006 model year.
Pathfinder: It was redesigned for the 2005 model year; no major changes are expected.
Armada: The big Armada SUV will be freshened for the 2007 model year.
Frontier: It was redesigned for the 2005 model year; no major changes are expected.
Titan: Nissan, like Toyota, is eyeing buyers of the Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup. Expect Nissan's heavy-duty pickup to debut in the 2007 or 2008 model years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCION
xA: Expect the xA to be redesigned for the 2009 model year.
xB: Its quirky styling has a short shelf life, so expect a redesign for the 2008 model year. The t2B concept developed on the Avensis platform may be a sign that Scion wants the boxy shape to stick around.
tC: Coupes are tricky to sell for a long time. Expect a short model cycle, perhaps just four years. That means the tC could go away in the summer of 2008. Scion may not even redesign the vehicle, depending on how coupes are selling overall.
xR: A four-door rally car, sort of a souped-up Toyota Matrix, could be in the wings to replace the tC as a 2009 model.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBARU
Forester: The Forester is reskinned for the 2006 model year. The wagon receives a new grille, headlights, hood and fenders. The rear has restyled taillamps and a body-color trim panel that features Subaru's six-star brand emblem more prominently. Ground clearance has been increased to 8.1 inches, up from 7.5 inches.
Subaru is giving all Foresters equipped with the 2.5-liter boxer engine an X designation. That engine's horsepower increases to 173, up from 165 hp. The new 2.5-liter XT Limited is the only turbocharged model for 2006; it has 230 hp, 20 more than the predecessor.
The Forester likely will be redesigned in the 2008 or 2009 model year.
Impreza: The 2006 Impreza and the two performance models, the WRX and the 300-plus hp STi, get reskinned this fall.
The front-end styling is reworked to give the cars Subaru's new design cues, harkening back to the aircraft heritage of Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. The look was first seen on the 2006 B9 Tribeca. The center of the grille resembles the intake port of jet fighters. Lateral grilles on both sides resemble the cross section of an airplane wing.
The Impreza range will be redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Outback, Legacy: The Outback and Legacy will both be freshened in 2007; the vehicles may be 2008 models. A redesign comes in 2009; the vehicles may be 2010 models.
B9 Tribeca: The seven-seat, mid-sized, 2006 B9 Tribeca sport wagon went on sale in June. The B9 represents Subaru's new styling direction, a look that eventually will be adopted to the entire vehicle line.
The B9 is assembled at Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Ind. The vehicle shares a platform with the 2007 Saab 9-6, which will be produced there beginning next year.
Baja: The small pickup will continue at least through the 2008 model year, but the future of this slow-selling model beyond that is uncertain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUZUKI
Aerio: Suzuki is looking at dropping the wagon model in 2006. The Aerio will be redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Sporty sedan: A sporty, compact sedan will be added for the 2008 model year. It will be aimed at the youth market and equipped with a high-performance engine.
Forenza: A freshening is planned for the 2007 model year.
Reno: A new model with a high-performance engine is due for the 2007 model year.
Sport wagon: A small sport wagon is due for the 2007 model year. The five-seat vehicle will come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; it will be smaller than the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.
Verona: The sedan will be redesigned for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
Grand Vitara: The redesigned 2006 model goes on sale this fall, possibly with a new name. The five-passenger SUV will be sportier looking than its predecessor and have more room and power.
The vehicle is based on the Suzuki Concept-X2 concept and will be offered with a 185-hp V-6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4wd.
XL-7: The redesigned 2007 XL-7 grows from a small SUV to a mid-sized sport wagon when it debuts next year. It will be equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and a 250-hp, 3.6-liter V-6.
The redesigned SUV will be built at CAMI Automotive Inc. in Ingersoll, Ontario, a plant owned jointly by Suzuki and General Motors. The vehicle was developed on GM's Theta vehicle platform, which also is used by the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOYOTA
Prius: Changes will come as hybrid technology advances. Consumers have said they like their hybrids to be noticeably different, so even as hybrids enter mainstream vehicles, expect Toyota to keep a quirky-looking one in the stable. There is no timetable for a restyling.
Echo: This underachieving subcompact sedan gets replaced by the European-market Yaris this fall. The Echo name will be retired, but it is not known what name will be used. A sedan and a five-door hatchback will be offered. This 2006 vehicle likely will be powered by a 1.5-liter engine developing about 110 hp.
Corolla: Toyota's global compact car will be redesigned in the spring of 2007.
Matrix: A redesign is slated for the 2008 model year, but whether it will remain under the Toyota brand is up for debate. Toyota may move the redesigned sporty five-door wagon to the Scion brand. Then, it may replace the Matrix's price point in the Toyota brand with a compact minivan to compete against the Mazda5.
Camry: A redesign is slated for the spring of 2006 -- six months earlier than its planned five-year cycle. The 2007 Camry gets edgier styling borrowed from the Mazda6 school.
The V-6 engine's displacement will be bumped to 3.3 liters as it inherits a smaller version of the Toyota Avalon's new engine family. A hybrid version comes in the fall of 2006. Expect Toyota to put the hybrid on the four-cylinder model, not the V-6.
Solara: It was redesigned in the spring of 2004; no major changes are foreseen.
Avalon: The redesigned Avalon sedan arrived earlier this year as a 2005 model. That vehicle platform will be the basis for all of Toyota's future, mid-sized, fwd vehicles -- from the Camry to the Highlander to the FT-SX.
Supra: The Tokyo motor show in October could be the launch pad for the next-generation Supra sports car, built off the Lexus IS/GS platform with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine. Sales could start as soon as the spring of 2006.
Sienna: No major changes are foreseen. The current-generation Sienna minivan was not engineered for a hybrid powertrain.
RAV4: Toyota was first to enter the small car-based sport wagon segment, but that segment has passed it by. The current RAV4 is too small and underpowered. That will change in the spring of 2006.
The redesigned RAV4 will grow a little in size, moving from the Corolla vehicle platform to the European Avensis platform. A small V-6 will be optional.
Highlander: A redesign comes for the 2008 model year when the Highlander sport wagon will move to the new Avalon platform. A hybrid model will be offered.
FT-SX: The FT-SX was not just a concept car when unveiled at the 2005 Detroit auto show. It was a design preview of Toyota's 2007 model people hauler.
Toyota is saying that the FT-SX is neither a sport wagon nor a minivan. Executives say the FT-SX will be more sporty than the Sienna minivan and more functional than the Camry. Toyota believes this is where boomer SUV buyers are headed.
FJ Cruiser: This may be where Scion owners go next or possibly even Jeep owners. The rwd 2007 FJ Cruiser is 11 inches shorter than its platform-sharing 4Runner; the wheelbase also is trimmed 4 inches. Four-wheel drive will be optional on the SUV.
It has two main doors and pickup-style rear access doors for back-seat occupants. Power comes from a standard 245-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 mated to a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The FJ arrives at dealerships in January.
4Runner: No major changes are planned.
Sequoia: The 2008 Sequoia will be a redesign, developed on the Tundra platform. Expect a choice of V-8 engines.
Land Cruiser: The icon of the lineup soldiers on, but low U.S. sales mean that the redesign likely will have more input from markets such as Australia and Africa and less from the United States. The Land Cruiser will continue to be sold here; the redesign will arrive for the 2006 or 2007 model year.
Tacoma: It was redesigned last year; no major changes are foreseen.
Tundra: Toyota's redesigned 2007 Tundra pickup grows and becomes a true competitor to the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickups. Styling is expected to be a toned-down version of the FTX pickup concept.
Toyota executives hate the V-6 price wars that engage Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge. The redesigned Tundra may come with standard V-8 power. Buyers may have a choice of a 4.7-liter V-8 or a 5.4-liter V-8.
Toyota subsidiary Hino is gearing up its U.S. manufacturing operations, likely in anticipation of assembling a heavy-duty version of the Tundra to take on the Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup in the 2009 model year.
Source:http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102996
MITSUBISHI
Lancer: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX is freshened and re-engineered for the 2006 model year. Horsepower is boosted to 286, up from 276 for the 2005 model. The engine makes 289 pounds-feet of torque compared with 286 for the current model.
Other changes include a freshened front fascia with an oversized mesh grille, standard Recaro bucket seats and aluminum accelerator, brake and clutch pedals.
The Lancer will be redesigned for the 2008 model year, followed a year later by the redesigned 2009 Lancer Evolution X.
Eclipse: The redesigned 2006 Eclipse coupe went on sale in May. The redesigned Eclipse Spyder debuts next spring.
Galant: The Galant will be freshened for the 2007 model year; a redesign is expected for the 2009 or 2010 model year.
Outlander: The redesigned 2007 Outlander SUV will go on sale as a bigger vehicle with more engine power. The seven-seat vehicle will be powered with a new 3.0-liter V-6, replacing the current 2.4-liter inline four. It also will feature on-demand awd, a six-speed automatic transmission, paddle shifters to change gears, nine airbags and Bluetooth wireless technology. It will replace the Montero.
Endeavor: The Endeavor sport wagon will be freshened for the 2006 model year. Changes include a restyled front bumper, chin spoiler and front grille. The XLS model has been discontinued, leaving the LS and Limited trim lines. The Endeavor may be redesigned for the 2009 model year.
Montero: The Montero SUV will be dropped after the 2006 model year.
Raider: This fall, Mitsubishi adds a pickup, the 2006 Raider. The Raider is based on the Dodge Dakota and will be assembled in Warren, Mich.
Extended- and double-cab versions will be offered, as well as two- and four-wheel drive. Two engines will be available. The 3.7-liter V-6 makes 210 hp at 5,200 rpm. The 4.7-liter V-8 produces 230 hp at 4,600 rpm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NISSAN
Small cars: Look for the first of Nissan's sub-Sentra cars to arrive next summer as a 2007 model. The second car could follow as soon as winter of next year as a 2008 model. Both are aimed at a youthful market.
Sources say the first vehicle, code-named B11C, will be a small three-door hatchback, based on the Nissan Sport Concept shown at the 2005 New York auto show. The Sport Concept seats four, has rear and front spoilers, and large wheels and tires.
The second vehicle is code-named L11C and is a small sedan. Sources say it is a unique vehicle, not based on any other Nissan cars. The vehicles will be built at Nissan's plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The company expects to export 100,000 of the vehicles to the United States, 60 percent of them the sedan.
Sentra: After a year's delay, the redesigned Sentra will hit the market next summer.
It was due to arrive in 2005 as a 2006 model, but Nissan went back to the drawing board after consumer groups in this country complained of the bland exterior design. The company also said it wanted to ensure that the Sentra would not step on the toes of the new small cars coming here.
The redesigned Sentra will have more horsepower and possibly a new 2.0-liter base engine. Its entry-level model will be priced above the current model to distance it from the new small cars.
Altima: The Altima is due for a redesign in the 2007 model year at which time a hybrid will be offered. Early prototypes showed the hybrid powered by Nissan's 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with a 100 kilowatt electric motor making an estimated 200 hp. Sources say the Altima's redesign will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Maxima: The Maxima is due for a redesign for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
The current model has not lived up to sales predictions. Some sources say the car may get a radical design and a more powerful engine to differentiate it further from the Altima. Also, customers today can buy the top-of-the-line Altima with a V-6 engine with about the same hp as a Maxima at a lower price.
Company executives say the Maxima plays a crucial role in the Nissan lineup. Others predict it may be dropped.
350Z: Nissan's sports car receives a freshening for the 2006 model year. The horsepower is boosted to 300 on models with a manual transmission. The freshening includes a revised front bumper, headlights and grille.
Quest: The Quest minivan's interior will be extensively restyled for the 2007 model year at a cost of more than $60 million, according to a Nissan executive. In particular, buyers and potential customers complained about the location of the gauges, which are clustered in the center of the instrument panel. The new panel will appear more like panels in traditional minivans.
The Quest is due for a redesign for the 2009 model year. Some sources say Nissan may drop the Quest for another type of people mover. But Nissan execs say the Quest will remain in the lineup though not as radically styled as the current model.
X-Trail: Nissan is on track to deliver its first fuel cell vehicle to the United States for the 2008 model year. It will be based on the fwd X-Trail, an entry-level sport wagon that is sold in Canada.
Murano: The Murano sport wagon is freshened for the 2006 model year. The vehicle adds an MP3-enabled audio system and a standard rearview monitor on SL and SE models.
Xterra: A new entry-level model will be added for the 2006 model year.
Pathfinder: It was redesigned for the 2005 model year; no major changes are expected.
Armada: The big Armada SUV will be freshened for the 2007 model year.
Frontier: It was redesigned for the 2005 model year; no major changes are expected.
Titan: Nissan, like Toyota, is eyeing buyers of the Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup. Expect Nissan's heavy-duty pickup to debut in the 2007 or 2008 model years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCION
xA: Expect the xA to be redesigned for the 2009 model year.
xB: Its quirky styling has a short shelf life, so expect a redesign for the 2008 model year. The t2B concept developed on the Avensis platform may be a sign that Scion wants the boxy shape to stick around.
tC: Coupes are tricky to sell for a long time. Expect a short model cycle, perhaps just four years. That means the tC could go away in the summer of 2008. Scion may not even redesign the vehicle, depending on how coupes are selling overall.
xR: A four-door rally car, sort of a souped-up Toyota Matrix, could be in the wings to replace the tC as a 2009 model.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBARU
Forester: The Forester is reskinned for the 2006 model year. The wagon receives a new grille, headlights, hood and fenders. The rear has restyled taillamps and a body-color trim panel that features Subaru's six-star brand emblem more prominently. Ground clearance has been increased to 8.1 inches, up from 7.5 inches.
Subaru is giving all Foresters equipped with the 2.5-liter boxer engine an X designation. That engine's horsepower increases to 173, up from 165 hp. The new 2.5-liter XT Limited is the only turbocharged model for 2006; it has 230 hp, 20 more than the predecessor.
The Forester likely will be redesigned in the 2008 or 2009 model year.
Impreza: The 2006 Impreza and the two performance models, the WRX and the 300-plus hp STi, get reskinned this fall.
The front-end styling is reworked to give the cars Subaru's new design cues, harkening back to the aircraft heritage of Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. The look was first seen on the 2006 B9 Tribeca. The center of the grille resembles the intake port of jet fighters. Lateral grilles on both sides resemble the cross section of an airplane wing.
The Impreza range will be redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Outback, Legacy: The Outback and Legacy will both be freshened in 2007; the vehicles may be 2008 models. A redesign comes in 2009; the vehicles may be 2010 models.
B9 Tribeca: The seven-seat, mid-sized, 2006 B9 Tribeca sport wagon went on sale in June. The B9 represents Subaru's new styling direction, a look that eventually will be adopted to the entire vehicle line.
The B9 is assembled at Subaru's plant in Lafayette, Ind. The vehicle shares a platform with the 2007 Saab 9-6, which will be produced there beginning next year.
Baja: The small pickup will continue at least through the 2008 model year, but the future of this slow-selling model beyond that is uncertain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUZUKI
Aerio: Suzuki is looking at dropping the wagon model in 2006. The Aerio will be redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Sporty sedan: A sporty, compact sedan will be added for the 2008 model year. It will be aimed at the youth market and equipped with a high-performance engine.
Forenza: A freshening is planned for the 2007 model year.
Reno: A new model with a high-performance engine is due for the 2007 model year.
Sport wagon: A small sport wagon is due for the 2007 model year. The five-seat vehicle will come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; it will be smaller than the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.
Verona: The sedan will be redesigned for the 2008 or 2009 model year.
Grand Vitara: The redesigned 2006 model goes on sale this fall, possibly with a new name. The five-passenger SUV will be sportier looking than its predecessor and have more room and power.
The vehicle is based on the Suzuki Concept-X2 concept and will be offered with a 185-hp V-6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4wd.
XL-7: The redesigned 2007 XL-7 grows from a small SUV to a mid-sized sport wagon when it debuts next year. It will be equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and a 250-hp, 3.6-liter V-6.
The redesigned SUV will be built at CAMI Automotive Inc. in Ingersoll, Ontario, a plant owned jointly by Suzuki and General Motors. The vehicle was developed on GM's Theta vehicle platform, which also is used by the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOYOTA
Prius: Changes will come as hybrid technology advances. Consumers have said they like their hybrids to be noticeably different, so even as hybrids enter mainstream vehicles, expect Toyota to keep a quirky-looking one in the stable. There is no timetable for a restyling.
Echo: This underachieving subcompact sedan gets replaced by the European-market Yaris this fall. The Echo name will be retired, but it is not known what name will be used. A sedan and a five-door hatchback will be offered. This 2006 vehicle likely will be powered by a 1.5-liter engine developing about 110 hp.
Corolla: Toyota's global compact car will be redesigned in the spring of 2007.
Matrix: A redesign is slated for the 2008 model year, but whether it will remain under the Toyota brand is up for debate. Toyota may move the redesigned sporty five-door wagon to the Scion brand. Then, it may replace the Matrix's price point in the Toyota brand with a compact minivan to compete against the Mazda5.
Camry: A redesign is slated for the spring of 2006 -- six months earlier than its planned five-year cycle. The 2007 Camry gets edgier styling borrowed from the Mazda6 school.
The V-6 engine's displacement will be bumped to 3.3 liters as it inherits a smaller version of the Toyota Avalon's new engine family. A hybrid version comes in the fall of 2006. Expect Toyota to put the hybrid on the four-cylinder model, not the V-6.
Solara: It was redesigned in the spring of 2004; no major changes are foreseen.
Avalon: The redesigned Avalon sedan arrived earlier this year as a 2005 model. That vehicle platform will be the basis for all of Toyota's future, mid-sized, fwd vehicles -- from the Camry to the Highlander to the FT-SX.
Supra: The Tokyo motor show in October could be the launch pad for the next-generation Supra sports car, built off the Lexus IS/GS platform with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine. Sales could start as soon as the spring of 2006.
Sienna: No major changes are foreseen. The current-generation Sienna minivan was not engineered for a hybrid powertrain.
RAV4: Toyota was first to enter the small car-based sport wagon segment, but that segment has passed it by. The current RAV4 is too small and underpowered. That will change in the spring of 2006.
The redesigned RAV4 will grow a little in size, moving from the Corolla vehicle platform to the European Avensis platform. A small V-6 will be optional.
Highlander: A redesign comes for the 2008 model year when the Highlander sport wagon will move to the new Avalon platform. A hybrid model will be offered.
FT-SX: The FT-SX was not just a concept car when unveiled at the 2005 Detroit auto show. It was a design preview of Toyota's 2007 model people hauler.
Toyota is saying that the FT-SX is neither a sport wagon nor a minivan. Executives say the FT-SX will be more sporty than the Sienna minivan and more functional than the Camry. Toyota believes this is where boomer SUV buyers are headed.
FJ Cruiser: This may be where Scion owners go next or possibly even Jeep owners. The rwd 2007 FJ Cruiser is 11 inches shorter than its platform-sharing 4Runner; the wheelbase also is trimmed 4 inches. Four-wheel drive will be optional on the SUV.
It has two main doors and pickup-style rear access doors for back-seat occupants. Power comes from a standard 245-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 mated to a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The FJ arrives at dealerships in January.
4Runner: No major changes are planned.
Sequoia: The 2008 Sequoia will be a redesign, developed on the Tundra platform. Expect a choice of V-8 engines.
Land Cruiser: The icon of the lineup soldiers on, but low U.S. sales mean that the redesign likely will have more input from markets such as Australia and Africa and less from the United States. The Land Cruiser will continue to be sold here; the redesign will arrive for the 2006 or 2007 model year.
Tacoma: It was redesigned last year; no major changes are foreseen.
Tundra: Toyota's redesigned 2007 Tundra pickup grows and becomes a true competitor to the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickups. Styling is expected to be a toned-down version of the FTX pickup concept.
Toyota executives hate the V-6 price wars that engage Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge. The redesigned Tundra may come with standard V-8 power. Buyers may have a choice of a 4.7-liter V-8 or a 5.4-liter V-8.
Toyota subsidiary Hino is gearing up its U.S. manufacturing operations, likely in anticipation of assembling a heavy-duty version of the Tundra to take on the Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup in the 2009 model year.
Source:http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102996
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