SEMA News - July 2010
Mercedes SLK
When It Hits: While no official release has been announced, rumors point to upcoming appearances at the Paris Auto Show or the Geneva Motor Show for the 2011 Mercedes SLK.
What Priddy Says: Updates include more upright and squared front grille, daytime driving lamps, new door handles, the bigger mirrors “standing” on the door and a standard folding metal roof. Power will come from naturally aspirated and turbocharged V6 engines, and a diesel unit is possible, according to Priddy. A 3.5L V6 twin-turbo-making 470hp version could also make its way into an AMG version.
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Honda Odyssey
When It Hits: Priddy says to watch for the new Odyssey to debut this coming fall.
What Priddy Says: This shot of an early preproduction Odyssey was caught by one of Priddy’s readers on his iPhone. Judging by the current look, Honda is keeping the production version very close to the concept, which was on the carpet earlier this year at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
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Audi RS3
When It Hits: This early mule of Audi’s future pocket-rocket was photographed testing at the Nürburgring. No U.S. release date has been announced.
What Priddy Says: While this test car is wearing an S3 body, Priddy says that the air intakes on either side of the grille appear to be modified and slightly larger. Power should come from Audi’s 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged engine. Good for 340 hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque in the TT-RS, Priddy expects the 2.5L to be rated nearly the same in the RS3.
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Lexus LFA
When It Hits: Whether or not the LFA will go hybrid remains a mystery. The release date does as well.
What Priddy Says: When the Lexus LFA debuted at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show with a 4.8L V10, it silenced the rumors that this übercar might be a hybrid. However, while the guise on the prototype is similar to what was spotted two or three years ago, the piece of camo near the A-pillar is intriguing. The camo flap could be some kind of decoy, or it just might be a charging port, not unlike what GM’s plug-in test mules use, Priddy says.
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Photos Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company. Reuse or reproduction without the copyright holder’s consent is prohibited.
