Automotive News - January 7, 2008 - (Page 18)

18 • JANUARY 7, 2008 DETROIT AUTO SHOW PREVIEW BMW’s 1-series coupe gets a soft-top counterpart Diana T. Kurylko dkurylko@crain.com The second two-door model in BMW’s new 1-series range will debut in Detroit. The 2008 128i convertible will go on sale in late spring, about a month after the coupe. The 128i will be powered by a 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine. Later in the year, the 300-hp 135i twin-turbo version of the sixcylinder engine goes on sale. BMW says the soft-top roof will drop in 22 seconds even if the car is moving, at speeds up to 25 mph. BMW’s X6: A twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 A production version of the 2009 X6 crossover also will be shown. Since a concept was shown at the Frankfurt auto show in September, BMW has U.S. sales of BMW’s 128i convertible begin in late spring. changed the front and the rear appearance slightly. The 2009 X6 xDrive50i will have a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 with 450 hp, and the xDrive35i has a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder powerplant that produces 300 hp. The entry model X6 will be priced at about $55,000, and the upscale V-8 model is expected to cost in the mid$60,000s. A hybrid arrives in 2009. BMW also will show its first U.S. diesel models. A car and an SUV will go on sale next fall in all 50 states. The 335d and the X5 xDrive35d will have a 3.0-liter twin-turbo, inline six-cylinder diesel. The engine will produce 265 hp at 4,400 rpm and 425 poundsfeet of torque. c Sure, he knows computers. But how good is he at setting appointments? It takes more than an email response. A VIP Appointment Call by our eLEAD CRM Call Center specialists will set an ADDITIONAL 22% appointments above your current processes. You do the math! DETROIT Mean machines, plus lots of greens continued from Page 16 will continue the design cues introduced with the Aero X concept, such as the wraparound windshield with the A-pillars blocked out. SUBARU Subaru plans to show its redesigned 2009 Forester which looks more like a crossover than its wagonlike predecessor. The wheelbase is stretched 3.6 inches from the previous model to 103 inches with a ground clearance of up to 8.9 inches. A 2.5-liter boxer engine with an optional turbocharger and intercooler powers the 2009 Forester. Versions equipped with a manual transmission have Subaru’s Incline Start Assist system, which helps drivers start from a stop on an incline. Standard on the 2009 Forester: Awd, side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor and a stability and traction control system. TOYOTA Toyota plans two world debuts. On the production side, the FT-SX crossover concept from Detroit’s 2005 auto show will arrive in readyto-sell form as the 2009 Venza. The vehicle is large, derived from the same vehicle platform used for the Camry, Highlander and Sienna. The Venza will further blur the lines among station wagons, minivans and crossovers. Think of a sportier Highlander with a lower step-in height. Toyota will target empty-nesters with this vehicle. Sales begin in mid-2008. On the concept side, Toyota will unveil a hybrid compact pickup. Like the Honda Ridgeline, the Toyota ABAT concept rides on a unibody platform. Unlike the Ridgeline, the ABAT is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. Were it to reach production, the A-BAT would be positioned below the Tacoma, possibly even as a Scion. VOLKSWAGEN Volkswagen will unveil the Passat CC, a sedan with a low, sleek, coupelike roof reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan. c The eLEAD CRM Call Center sells cars, guaranteed. (866) 450-3247 WeMakeYourCalls.com Kathy Jackson, Rick Kranz, Diana T. Kurylko, Jamie LaReau, Mark Rechtin and Amy Wilson contributed to this report http://WeMakeYourCalls.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 7, 2008

Caddy V-8 is endangered species An industry turns green -- let's talk JAPAN TRIUMPHANT Ford, Microsoft to offer 911 service in Sync GPS will track fuel price Brose buys Siemens motor unit as step toward N.A. growth Expanding Meridian sees bright future Federal-Mogul CEO to stay Harbour Consulting sold Soft market threatens Tundra sales goal Ford dumps volume targets for dealer bonuses How HCCI engines work Visteon: 'We're leaner and smaller' Ford doubles regional promo money Gasoline-diesel combo moves closer to reality Rethinking retail: A hot topic at World Congress Denso expands hybrid plant CAFE fines may yield meager grants Some pay raise: To $8.3 million from $1 New Chrysler purchasing chief looks to Asia BMW adds jobs to boost S.C. output Continental layoffs follow production cuts at Chrysler Study: Indirect loan delinquencies soar No more peekaboo for Camaro Saturn's Lajdziak: GM is 'where I wanted to be' LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why buy Japanese? Here's an answer CAFE will put new entrees on auto show menu What an exciting way to start 2008 LETTER TO THE EDITOR 84-month financing is nothing new LETTER TO THE EDITOR GM ad policy shift is good for dealers JAMES B. TREECE Detroit show gets back on a global track LETTER TO THE EDITOR Too many dealers: Blame greed LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why not learn from Toyota? LETTER TO THE EDITOR A hot news item? Nah; it's 9 years old Suppliers to the 2008 Saturn Vue Supplier personnel Haldex farms out brake work The theme: Green and mean Dodge Ram gets interior upgrade BMW's 1-series coupe gets a soft-top counterpart Chrysler eye candy includes green jelly bean Chinese automakers increase their presence Concept offers a peek at Explorer's likely successor Ford goes global in styling its B-cars Forum concept is a clubhouse on wheels Dealers Simple safety: Green, amber, red Lexus SUV luxury will grow on you Personnel Gas prices boost Nissan car sales as trucks tank This year's U.S. sales forecast: Gloomy Ford: Tata is lead bidder for 2 brands Ex-Toyota manager goes to Audi Hyundai has new N.A. chief TRW buys Delphi brake assets Who's No. 1? Time for an official review Waning interest Solstice outguns Miata - again Once more into the legal fray? Lifan is the latest Chinese wannabe Things are looking up (and down) for MG Who has 1st Mustang - and what's it worth?

Automotive News - January 7, 2008

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