DAILY EDITION: Oct. 15, 2003

TCC'S DAILY EDITION: Oct. 15, 2003

Spy Shots: 2005 Chevy Corvette

Don’t look for a carbon-fiber body and aluminum hydroformed frame on the new C6 Corvette — they’re reserved for the Le Mans effort. But shown here is the latest spy photo of the C6 Corvette coupe, photographed just hours ago. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary, the double-bubble roof contrasts with knife-edge fenders fore and aft that extend into the doors, a la the ’63-’67 ’Vette. See more inside TCC today:

Spy Shots: 2005 Chevy Corvette (10/14/2003)
Fenders flares and more flair for the sixth-gen Corvette.

Spy Shots: 2005 Maserati Spyder/Coupe

The Italian carmaker Maserati in Modena is preparing a facelift for the company’s Coupe and Spyder model range. The photos are showing two prototypes during tests in Modena. As can be seen, the cars will have a new front end, which is still taped for disguise, a chrome air vent on the side, new aluminum wheels, and mild changes of the interior. The facelifted Maseratis are expected next year.

Spy Shots: ’05 Maserati Coupe/Spyder by Hans Lehmann/Hidden Image (10/13/2003)
A shot in the styling arm for an Italian semi-exotic.

Spy Shots: 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Earlier this year we had several close up but heavily camouflaged pictures of the 2005 M-Class. But now, pictures taken in Germany show much more of the actual shape, sheetmetal, and glass. The 2005 M-Class will be of unibody construction. Standard features will include a brake-by-wire system borrowed from the SL, and the COMAND II satellite navigation system, as well as a multi-function steering wheel. Options will include a computer-controlled air suspension.

Spy Shots: ‘05 Mercedes M-Class by Brenda Priddy (10/13/2003)
Shaping up in Alabama and Germany.

Honda Previews Three Tokyo Concepts

Honda says of the nineteen vehicles it will show at next week’s Tokyo Motor Show, three will be advanced concepts that push Honda’s hybrid and green technologies. They are:

the HSC, a hybrid sports car in a compact package;

the IMAS, another hybrid sports car with an emphasis on light weight and aerodynamics;

and the KIWAMI, a showcase for fuel-cell technology.

Ford Earnings Seen Lower As Europe Drags

Sales at Ford Europe dropped 5.1 percent in September despite a strong month for the automobile market as a whole, making Ford the worst performer among Europeans last month. Ford reports third-quarter earnings this week, and Wall Street is expecting a loss of 12 cents a share, according to Bloomberg, compared with earnings of 15 cents a share predicted by Ford. Ford has already installed a new CEO, Louis Booth, at Ford Europe. The company is slashing jobs and material cost and is mulling a new round of sales incentives to reduce bloated inventories. The only hope for Ford meeting its earnings target this quarter is a better-than-expected sales run in North America in August and September.—Jim Burt

Book Review: “End of Detroit” by Jim Burt (10/13/2003)
End of Detroit provocative, if not always sound.

Bugatti Gets New Head

The new man in charge at VW’s Bugatti brand is Thomas Bscher, a former racecar driver and banking executive. Reuters reports Bscher will take the place of Karl-Heinz Neumann, who is retiring after 30 years with Volkswagen. Bscher takes charge in December; the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is still rumored for production sometime in 2004.