While not Mustang related...

Thanks to my friends at Autoline, OpenLine, RoundAboutshow and Autoblog, I have become more invested in the automotive industry, I have noticed more trends, good and bad decisions made by car companies. Auto show season has begun and Paris is hosting their show this week. While there are a lot of funky WTF designs, I have noticed some interesting trends.

For pictoral reference: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/p...day-1-roundup/

First off, Jaguar unveiling their 205 MPH supercar concept called C-X75 Concept (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/p...c-x75-concept/) This concept immediately got my attention when I spotted the front end. I had flashbacks to growing up reading the car magazines about the infamous XJ220 supercar. The grille harkens back to that car and the sleek shape brings it forward to the new Tata owned generation of Jaguars. Personally, I do not see this as the ideal economic and environmental situation for a mid engined super car even if it is a "hybrid". The motor(s) consist of "four electric motors producing 195 horsepower at eachwheel, along with two micro-gas turbines that – in theory – charge the batteries." Autoblog.com

Another observation that ruffles my feathers is what Lotus showed at the Paris Auto Show. Four new models at one show? If they are serious about redoing their brand, do it progressively, not all at once. The Lotus Elite, Eterne, Elise, and Elan concepts are nice looking, but they dont say "Lotus" to me at all! They say, "generic supercar shape". I guess to go with the saying, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", Lotus took their mission to give Ferrari real competition to heart. There is nothing original or heritage styled about these cars.
More importantly, Lotus has always been about lightweight, reasonably powerful, and great handling cars. The Elite is a car that weighs 3,600 lbs! That may be lightweight by average car standards, but by Lotus and supercar standards, it is on its way to being obese!

More rants to come soon...