Suzuki has yet to be known for their mid size sedan offerings, but they are hoping this will change with the upcoming release of the 2011 Kizashi.  Even though the new sedan name sounds like a raw fish appetizer, Suzuki is hoping they can build on the success of their compact car offerings.  If they can start stealing market share with little cars, why can't they do it with midsize?  Not to mention the pie is a little larger, weighing in at 20% of Canada's market.

Like most press releases from car manufacturers in a recession, it's full of big words and supposed cutting edge technology.  Plenty of references to european style handling, expensive styling ques, and the ability to be had for a fraction of the next closest competitors price.  But what stands out to me is its lack of engine options.  Early adopters of the Suzuki Kizashi will have only one choice for engines, a 4 cylinder.

Now, this works in compact cars, but I'm not sure how it will stack up in the mid size market.  The minimum offering should at least be a 4cylinder gas saver for the car-pooler without friends and then a 6 cylinder option for those living in the mountains driving a full load.  Fill a mid size sedan up with 4 fat ass business types, throw in some luggage, and good luck getting that 4 cylinder to react and perform like other sedans on the market with v6 offerings.

That being said, just because it's got the same safety equipment, handling, and amenities of every other mid size sedan on the market doesn't mean you can take some pie.  It will only take one poor review from a fat driver to put your sales in the tank.  Good luck Suzuki, but please hurry up and plan on offering a V6 option in the 2011 Kizashi.

It's amazing how far of a cry the final 2011 Suzuki Kizashi is from the concept a few months back.  So much for hoping for a performance minded mid size sedan.

Honda was showing off their latest in go-kart technology at the Toyota Motor Show with the all new CRZ concept.  Of course it's a hybrid and it's biggest selling points are efficiency, but Honda is touting it as a hybrid sport vehicle.  Performance and enough efficiency to keep the hippies at bay?

As you can see from the CR-Z pictures below, it's a concept car still and I'm sure the glass ceiling w0n't make it to production.  Honda claims that the new CR-Z will be available in the US market by late 2010.  Will this be available to compete with Chevy's Volt?

Seems like 'All New' is the number one method used to increase sales in a recession, at least for automobile manufacturers like Ford.  The all new 2010 Taurus is no exception, marking yet another generation change for the popular sedan.  Ford is labeling it, "Americas Smartest Full Size Sedan."

Personally, I love it, everything about it.  The new redesign doesn't remind of the 4 door sedans elder and instead looks on par with the edgier luxury sedans on the market.  Also, it doesn't quite scream reworked 500, like the previous generation, rather an entire new concept for the Taurus.

Consider this, buyers will be able to put one of the 2010 Ford Taurus into their drive way for around $26,000.  A very attractive price point considering the complete revamping of the line and luxurious feel.

Lexus is counting on buyers going smaller and more efficient in the years to come.  And why not?  With the success of the US governments clunker program and other incentives why wouldn't someone buy a fuel efficient daily driver?

Lexus has released a picture of what they think the future of luxury hybrids will be, with the LF-Ch concept.  View the pics below and chime in with your opinions.  I personally don't think anyone looking for expensive luxury would have any need for a smaller package.  But perhaps Lexus is hoping to flesh out a new niche, not yet attained by competing manufacturers.

Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid

I've not been paying as close attention to the new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi as I should have.  These latest pics appear to put fears to rest, in regards to what a 4-Door luxury Suzuki could look like.

This is not a Suzuki laid out over a GM platform, this is a completely redesigned and revisioned 4-Door sedan from Suzuki.  Personally, I love the looks, and if they can add just the right amount of luxury they will have a serious contender.  According to industry analysts, like Edmunds.com, expect 4 cylinder and performance 6 cylinder options available.

Edmunds.com has also just announced that Suzuki may be working on a 2011 release of the Kizashi, in hybrid form.

Hard to believe, but on average Jaguar only sold about 65,000 vehicles per year.  This makes Jaguar a small company, but one dedicated to creating a unique vehicle, elite, with keys being hold by only an elite few.  However, some industry experts believe that Jaguar got away from it's roots in recent years, perhaps a reason why Ford sold them off last year.  Now, the company you used to love is now being run by an Indian company known as Tata. (not see you later. -ed)

There are some automobile journalists that have recently driven the all new 2010 Jaguar XFR and believe despite it's new ownership, this is Jaguar's return to it's roots.  The 2010 XFR is the answer to start selling more than 65,000 vehicles per year.

Without question the 2010 Jaguar XFR is a sexy beast.  It's an orgy of over 500 horsepower, 460 ft lbs of torque, mounted to a 6-speed automatic transmission.  Basically owners will be the fastest to their 8 o'clock Tee Time or basically fastest to wherever.  Enjoy the fine lines of the 2010 Jaguar XFR below and be sure to chime in on what your first impressions are.

Ferrari is in the process of developing an all new supercar, the Ferrari 599xx.  Like any other Ferrari it oozes sex appeal, smells like wet panties, and makes every man in the room's pants a little bit tighter.  Yes, mine included.

The Ferrari 599xx is being developed within Ferrari's own customer ranks, meaning with a small buy-in you could be testing this street demon.  According to industry analysts, for a few million dollars you could be playing with prototypes of the 599xx and contribute to it's development.

The track inspired Ferrari 599xx is lethal at a red line of 9000 rpms and over 700 horsepower courtesy of a v12.  This will be the fastest
Ferrari ever built and as it stands now IS the fastest.  Until final production we will hold judgement...and records.

Admittedly I'm a long time fan of Mercedes cars, even though they are out of my price range I've always had an attachment to their sleek stylings, especially any Mercedes Convertible.  In a word 'sexy' and in a description 'I'd like to find a moist spot on the car somewhere'.  But I'm not just talking about new Mercedes convertibles, I'm talking about aged classics with the drop top.

Below are some of my favorite Mercedes convertible pictures and what I aspire to purchase one day.

Mercedes Benz SL Class ARIZONA CAR MERCEDES BENZ 380SL CONVERTIBLE 2 TOPS NO RUST EVER    US $5,995.00

Mercedes Benz SLK Class SLK350 APP 7K MILES CONVERTIBLE APPEAR PKG P1 HEATED STS LTHR    US $38,950.00

Mercedes Benz CLK Class CLK350 17K MILES SPORT PACKAGE HEATED STS CONVERTIBLE 08    US $35,950.00

The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been around for quite some time, actually first manufactured in 1990 and was built under 3 different names.  The Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser were all the same with different brandings.  In addition to different labels we've also seen some great performance versions, even the first generation Eclipse had a turbo version, the Eclipse GS-T.

Here we are 18 years later and more than just the cosmetics have changed on this 4 cylinder, cult inducing, small size car.  Below is a stroll through memory lane with the Mitsubishi Eclipse and where it came from to where it's going.

Check out more information about the changes the Mitsubishi Eclipse has gone through over the years at Wikipedia.

Mitsubishi Eclipse on eBay

Mitsubishi Eclipse GST Eclipse GST Turbo project Not running but new moter    US $200.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse gsx 1990 awd turbo eclipse gsx    US $610.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse turbo eclipse automatic front wheel drive car    US $1,200.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse AWD Talon Laser Turbo GSX TSI    US $1,825.00

Mitsubishi Eclipse 1999 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GSX TURBO AWD    US $2,100.00

Expect more of the same for the 09 BMW 7 Series, at least for the basics, it's in the engine options that it gets real exciting.  Not only will you 'reportedly' be able to get the BMW 7 Series in V8 and V12 trim, but also an alternative fuel option as well.  Generally speaking expect an Electric Hybrid type motor available in the 09 BMW.

Check out the 09 BMW 7 Series Spy Photos below: