Weekly View: These cars will rule 2010
Which cars will rule in 2010? Who will make the most progress out there? Which cars are coming back in style? What is expected to get here next year in terms of the car industry? All of these question, with a little personal touch, are adressed in this weeks edition of “Weekly View”. A column which is written by Stjepan Šandor, who gets us the news and opinions about the car industry, from his point of view. So click on the image above and get to reading this nice article on our website.
1) Alfa Romeo 149 (Milano)
Back in 1999, I saw the 147 for the first time in our local auto show. Normally, hatchbacks aren’t actually what you’d call seductive, but the sensual lines, the small headlights and the plush, curved interior soon won over me – that car is still undeniably the prettiest hatch available. And don’t forget, it’s been ten years since the launch!
Its successor has a lot to live up to – the original was a strong seller for its sharp drive and sexy lines, but according to Alfa officials, the original will be even better. First of all, the suspension is now McPherson 2.1 at the front (think Focus RS) and multilink at the back while the engines are getting Fiat’s clever new MultiAir technology.
And those spyshots are showing a 8C Competizione styled exterior and interior (and the mentioned supercar is more a piece of art than a car) which means that the traditionally gorgeous Italian styling is also present.
However, I’m not sure for the name of the car. You see, every Italian word ends with a vowel so their language sounds so musical, so vocal. I mean, what if BMW or Audi had named their cars Dingolfing or Neckarsulm? But when you say that you drive, for instance an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, it instantly creates a vision of Monica Belluci wrapped in satin sheets. So far, two names are considered, 149 and Milano. While cento-quaranta-nove sounds cool, Alfa Milano is even cooler in my opinion. And in Italy, it’s all about style. After all, is there any country in the world were police uniforms are designed by Fendi and their bags by Gucci?
2) BMW 5 Series
Mercedes E-Class is having a rough time recently. It’s two last generations have been overshadowed by the superior 5 Series, and the latest E-Class hasn’t even spent a full year on the market just as BMW announced the new generation of 5 Series. But the current model isn’t exactly outdated: based on the latest comparison tests conducted by German automotive press, the 5 Series still has the edge over its competitors from Audi and Mercedes-Benz in terms of performance, handling and emissions.
Which is quite impressive for a seven-year old car without major revisions, whereas the A6 has undergone several cosmetic and technical changes, while the Merc has released an entirely new generation.
First official photos of the 2010 version (dubbed F10) will be released somewhere in mid-November, and the new car will be bigger, but lighter and more aerodynamic than the current one. BMW will also debut new EfficientDynamics technologies, such as KERS-like system for cylinder management and rumored heat preserving thing which was co-developed with (hold your breath) NASA themselves.
Only the styling is a mixed bag. The E60 was radical, but after all these years, it still looks distinctive. It’s still too early to judge on the psychedelically camouflaged prototypes, but so far, the car looks quite elegant for a BMW. A proper Bimmer should look classy with a hint of fury and aggression, but so far, this one looks too tame.
Time will tell, anyway.
3) Ford Focus
I’ve always loved the Focus. From the outside, it was a generic family hatch, but underneath that, this car had a chassis and a steering rack that could shame a sports car costing five times more. The reviewers were enchanted too; Focus was always voted as the driver’s choice in the family hatch segment. However, after the first generation’s New Edge design has faded out, Ford has replaced it with an understated conservative design which was neither cool or classy – it was simply plain. But people are obviously ready for something new and different because Ford’s own Fiesta is selling like hot cakes, even dethroning the mighty VW Golf for several weeks. And the latter isn’t exactly the latest word in design or dynamics, just like the already dated Astra. Leaked spy photos of the seventh generation Golf aren’t quite promising, so the new Focus is in a win-win situation.
Ford’s usual impeccable dynamics and the new, bold Kinetic design language are a great start for making a success, but there still remains the question of depreciation and used value. Of course, this much has to do with the strength of the image of the Golf, but as it was back in the 1998, everyone would prefer to own a Golf, but would rather drive a Focus.
4) Mercedes-Benz SLK
The first SLK had a revolutionary folding roof, but its awful dynamics quickly gained it a hairdresser’s car reputation. But the current generation, in my opinion is simply stunning; it’s front end is sporty yet not too aggressive, while the rear end is sexier than Kylie’s. Perfect for people that find the Z4 and the Boxster too brash and the Spider too sensual.
However, the new SLK might find itself in a tricky situation – BMW Z4 is now more a Côte d’Azur cruiser than a Boxster beater. And it looks as good as it goes.
I doubt that Merc will make the SLK more sporty, simply because it would scare off its traditional customer base.
Instead, if they stick to the traditional open-Merc recipe, they can’t go wrong. So if the new SLK will be as stylish, comfortable, refined and desirable as the current one, there is no doubt that boulevards and scenic routes will be full of it.
And after the recession-ish 2009, all you need for 2010 is a good soak in luxury.
Besides, what is more lavish than a Benz cabriolet?
5) Toyota FT-86
This is the first Toyota that I’m actually looking forward to. I mean, all the ingredients are here: it looks frivolous, has rear-wheel drive and a potent diesel engine.
Wait. Could you repeat the last one?
Okay, I know, diesels are not exactly the most exciting thing in the world and most Toyotas are not what you’d call thrilling, but this could be one seriously good car.
They have also mentioned a partnership with Subaru – for the engine I guess. Again, this is good because Subaru has something no one has, a boxer diesel engine. Which means that it sits lower to the ground thus lowering the centre of gravity. And according to reviews, it also loves to rev high, something that most diesel engines firmly refuse to do.
But the reason why this car should be good is because it needs to be. After the demise of the MR2 and the Celica, Toyota hasn’t had a sporting car in its lineup for almost 10 years.
Besides that, most economy cars are not much fun and a car that could rule your heart and your head is something that we’d all love to have.
But the best thing here is the idea; ten years ago, a diesel sports car was something you’d laugh about, but today, it seems more than possible. And while Toyota is accepting new trends, I love the way they are still making the car traditional in some areas – rear-driven small coupes have always been the enthusiast’s choice.
Times have changed.
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