Sept 25: Gentrification?

Gentrification. You know this term. It's what happens to beat up old neighbourhoods, when they start to become desirable for whatever reason. Those old run down homes get fixed up and start going for what would have been considered obscene money not long ago. You might consider it to be a stretch, but I like to use this term to describe what has happened to a small handful of suvs, like the Mercedes G Class or the Land Rover Defender. Both created to be rough and tough farm and military machinery. Well, I have another opportunity in this vein.........

 

Recognize this truck from news stories about the conflicts in the middle east or Africa (pick your country)? Rebels, the Taliban or the local army (again take your pick) jammed into the pick-up bed of what they call technicals, along with some very potent heavy artillery. Look closely and you'll see a logo that identifies this modern warhorse as a Toyota. 

Now here is the opportunity. Toyota also builds an suv version and has since way back when (50 years for those who desire specifics).......

.........and over the years, as you can see, this old warrior hasn't changed much, just like the Mercedes G Class.........

Too rich for Toyota? I agree, but for the urban jungle, this Land Cruiser 70 begs for a Lexus badge, a huge price increase and a subsequent line up of enthusiastic and well off millennials cash in hand. Great idea, right?

To make it even more appealing, have that snorkel as an option. Mercedes doesn't offer one and this is where they are missing the boat. Just the $2500 option to protect the privileged few from the puddles, that appear during a light rain. Hey, it's dangerous in those high class 'hoods.

So, Toyota you can thank me for making this painfully obvious suggestion. Another mundane suv that begs for gentrification. Time to go looking for a few good cows, that would gladly give up on life to grace the seats of yet another high roller mobile...........

"Lexus needs a high class hide? Sign me up!"

 Until next time.......

Sept 17: In your face!

You can say one thing about BMW and that is they can design a beautiful car. Two things actually, as you can say that they can also produce a miscarriage of the designers' art. With each new model, those of us who care and like to comment on such things are ready, willing and able to spew forth with our thoughts. Of course, your blogger is always available with an opinion.

Take for instance, their beautiful new 8 Series.......

Stunning!

Now let's wander on over to the Frankfurt Auto Show, opening this past weekend and check out the latest BMW coupe, in this case the C4 Concept (catchy, eh?).......

Yes, a real beauty and an advance look at the next 4 Series coupe. Maybe a bit derivative of the Audi A5 shown below, but let's not split hairs over similar styling. 

All good so far? Are you with me? Ok, now let's take a short walk around to the front of this gorgeous new coupe concept. Are you ready? Here we are..........

Whew! Takes one's breath away, doesn't it? Beauty and the beast in one design. Reminds me of most new Lexus models and that's nothing to brag about.

Some things I understand, like using this type of in your face design feature for a sport ute........

......and of course, BMW does this and on this body style it works, but on the C4 Concept? 

A blast from the past, the 3.0 CSi from long ago........

Another beauty from Bavaria and one that was said to inspire the hideous front of the new concept. Those boys and girls in Munich taking drugs?

The Bimmer identity has been solid behind that twin kidney grille since the beginning........

......and with each new model, it has remained the one constant. Elegant and identifiable. Lately though, those folks in the Black Forest have been fiddling with tradition. So have the designers at Mercedes, but with much greater success in the evolution of their vehicles' front ends. The Mercedes look good without resorting to frightening young children (and a few adults).

Maybe the C4 Concept's beak is an early Halloween prank? Stay tuned, folks, as the unveiling of the 2021 models is only a few months away.

Until next time.......

Sept 10: What the heck is this?

 "What the heck is this?", exclaimed my friend and neighbour FJ.


A short time ago this unique, at least to us, creation started appearing at the real estate office across the street from our condo. Great condition and about the size of a golf cart or a Great Dane, (pick your comparison). Tiny, but looking surprisingly spacious inside for normal folks. Hey, for me, at 6'5', very few vehicles look spacious inside. Since I've been able to read from a young age, I saw that it was a Suzuki Wagon R. Ok, so what is it?

Being your Car Guy extraordinaire (sometimes ego is good), I knew before I saw the name, that this miniscule minivan was a product of Japan. Over the years, I've seen pictures of these strange little vehicles from an assortment of manufacturers. They are called kei cars, which is a shortening of the Japanese word for light automobile. Vans, hatchbacks, sportscars. You name it and you'll find a kei version of it in Japan.

Like these ones over the years from Honda........

Usually with cute or just plain strange names, such as nBox, Dayz, eK X and Pixis. They are also cute like puppies, assuming that there are a few strange looking puppies out there, which of course, there are. How cute/strange you might ask?

Picture one of these sitting beside an suv in traffic, shivering in fear of being run over. Of course, with anything, there are numerous variations, some work, some need work.......

 

 

And of course, what blog on kei vehicles would be complete without the inevitable.......

Popular in Japan to the point of making up about 1/3rd of the vehicles sold. Makes sense when you live on a very crowded island. I believe in the big cities, that you have to prove you have a parking space before being able to buy a vehicle. With a kei car, you could probably take it with you, kinda like a large suitcase.......

Want one to cherish for yourself? Any foreign car now twenty five years old is fair game for importing. Be the only one on your block.

So, back to that cute as a button Suzuki across from my home. It vanished recently and then came back painted black with a big, but oh so tasteful, company logo on it. Everyone going by notices it, so have it at a few local events and everyone will know your name. Cheap advertising with a very useful little conveyance. No downside here.

And don't ever let anyone accuse you of being small minded.

Until next time.......

Sept 4: Haulin' ass!

 Suv be dammed, get behind the wheel of a smokin' hot station wagon and let your inner demon loose. 

Oh, how I wish this was life in the 21st century, but as you all know, the once ubiquitous station wagon, has been replaced by the way too ubiquitous suv, unless you have coin to spare, since that is the only refuge of the station wagon these days. Proof? Check out the only wagons sitting in your local showrooms. Google Volvo, Mercedes and Audi. Even BMW is missing in action, or from lack of it.

Even these brands don't move a ton of wagons, but what intrigues me is some of the engine choices a couple of these wagon purveyors offer. And before you get all excited and tell me that there are lots of wagons or sport backs or whatever in Europe, we are talking about suv friendly North America and specifically Canada.

Mercedes has offered the E Class in a gorgeous wagon and for the nut cases among us, they also offer an AMG version, the E63..........

 

Wagons make up a minuscule % of the market, but Benz sees fit to throw down the gauntlet and make this 600+ hp version available to us John Force or Lewis Hamilton wantabes. The problem? No problem, if you have the money to spent north of $125k on your dream mobile. Once I win the lottery, for which I don't buy tickets, my local Benz dealer will be my first stop. Hyacinth Red with a nut brown interior, please. Special order, of course. Now you know why I love Mercedes.

This love affair might soon be tested, as Audi has finally decided to send us their wild child, fire breathing  RS6 Avant.......

 

Sure, it's no Benz and will only have 591 hp, but who's to notice? Great looking and more than enough power to smoke your way, the whole way, to your golf club. And I'm guessing that you might have the only one there. There is only one E63 wagon at our club, so no need to have two of those.

So is there hope, however faint, for the wagon lovers among us? Maybe some other brave company will throw us a bone? Don't count on it. Dodge tried with the Magnum in the top pic and regardless of the power plant, this custom looking wagon couldn't get traction even with all-wheel drive. Credit them for also giving us the big power SRT version (shown), but it was a very rare beast and mild by comparison with these two German godzillas.

So for those free thinkers among you, who aren't influenced by the hoards of suv lovers blocking the dealers' showroom doors, these are great choices for you and your family. Way at the back of the showroom, almost hidden by the signs touting the latest suv, is your smart thinking alternative. Either bring a healthy bank account or a winning lottery ticket. Be the envy of almost no one, except yours truly.

And remember, we tee off at 3:30.

Until next time.........