2009 Toyota Matrix

• Competes with: Mazda3, Dodge Caliber, Pontiac Vibe, Saturn Astra
• Looks like: A demonic little hatchback
• Drivetrain: 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder or 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder
• Hits dealerships: February 2008

While not nearly as important as the Corolla, the Matrix is still a part of the Toyota family, and it too gets an all-new design for 2009. We’re a bit surprised the Matrix is as aggressively styled as it is, though that’s not a bad thing. With its sloping roofline and sharp looks, it could really compete with the Mazda3 and Saturn Astra. 

Based on the new Corolla’s platform, which also underpins the 2008 Scion xB, the Matrix is significantly improved. If it handles anything like the Scion xB, we’ll be impressed.

Power is the same two engines as the new Corolla. Power for Standard and S trims is rated at 132 hp from a revised version of the previous four-cylinder engine, with mileage figures of 26/32 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 25/31 for the automatic. A performance XRS trim level will reappear for 2009 with the same 158-hp four-cylinder found in the Scion tC and xB. It gets 21/29 mpg in this application and is only mated to a five-speed automatic.

All-wheel drive will be an available option on the S trim level. More photos are below. Feel free to tell us what you think of the new Matrix. 

2009 Toyota Corolla

• Competes with: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus
• Looks like: A baby Camry
• Drivetrain: 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder or 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder
• Hits dealerships: February 2008

The Toyota Corolla is arguably Toyota’s second-most-important model, and it took a long time for a new version to get here. The look certainly mimics the current-generation Camry, with an angled grille and sharp headlights. The exterior may not be radical, but Toyota rarely dares too much, especially in mainstream cars. That’s why it has Scion, after all.

Inside gets a nice new look — everything seems clean, simple and well-laid-out, hopefully with improved materials.

Power for Standard LE, XLE and S trims is rated at 132 hp from a revised version of the previous four-cylinder engine, with mileage figures of 27/35 mpg city/highway, no specifics on mileage with the different transmission choices. The outgoing Corolla gets 28/37 mpg using new 2008 EPA testing. A performance XRS trim level will reappear for 2009 with the same 158-hp four-cylinder found in the Scion tC and xB. It gets 22/30 mpg in this application and is mated to either a five-speed manual or automatic.

We’d expect prices to stay close to the $14,405-$15,615 starting prices of the 2007s, as has been the trend for other recently redesigned models. Many more photos below.

Mitsubishi Double Shotz Concept

Hot Wheels had a design challenge to get automakers to sign off on future toys. A number of companies stood up to the task, and Mitsubishi delivered a radical-looking concept that we hope ends up on toy store shelves soon. The Double Shotz features two engines — hence the name — each borrowed from the new Lancer Evo. Unfortunately, this concept is just a large model and not a full-fledged show car. Still, it looks like something that would even impress Speed Racer. More photos below. 

New Toyota Corolla and Matrix Debut Today

Update: 1:31 p.m. CST Check out the all-new Corolla and Matrix and let us know what you think.

Later today — lunchtime for most of the country, brunchtime for the West Coast — Toyota will drop the veil on the redesigned 2009 Corolla and 2009 Matrix at the SEMA specialty show in Las Vegas. We’ll be posting all the information we can gather as well as photos as quickly as possible. Make sure to check back in.

2009 Ford Flex Gets Custom Look

As the SEMA specialty show rages on in Las Vegas, we’re trying to keep our distance from most of the outlandish offerings from custom shops that won’t be available to buyers. We would have stayed away from these two takes on the upcoming Ford Flex crossover — due in the summer of 2008 — as well, but since we covered Chip Foose and Funkmaster Flex’s previous Ford concepts at last spring’s New York auto show, we figured we should do it again.

Foose, known for his muscle-car work, adds little to the Flex, with large 22-inch custom wheels sitting on a lowered suspension. Otherwise there’s custom paint and a relocated license plate that doesn’t look good to our eyes.

Funkmaster Flex added his own 22-inch wheels, which are better, but neither set look right when teamed with a family mobile. Otherwise it gets custom paint and not much else. The interiors are custom leather as well, but we’re really wondering why Ford would even bother with the Flex at SEMA. Our only guess is to keep it in the media spotlight and remind people that the vehicle will indeed be on sale in 2008. More photos below.

Pontiac G8 GT SEMA Edition

• Looks like: The Nightmare Before Auto Show Season
• Defining characteristics: Halloween-themed color scheme
• Ridiculous features: Halloween-themed color scheme
• Chance of being mass-produced: Zero … we hope; the regular G8 GT we can’t wait for

We’re once again breaking our self-imposed rule of not showing any tuner-special cars that you won’t be able to buy at a local car dealership because … well, it’s still a Pontiac G8. We can’t get enough of the Aussie-imported V-8-powered, rear-wheel-drive sedan, no matter the jarring colors.

The cool thing about this show car is that it is pretty much exactly what we’ll get when the G8 GT goes on sale, except for the paint, a lowered suspension, enhanced brakes and 20-inch wheels. Although we’d like to see these wheels available as an option. Two more photos below.

Dodge Avenger Stormtrooper Concept

• Looks like: The fleet vehicle for the Galactic Empire
• Defining characteristics: A white-out of add-ons
• Ridiculous features: Um ... it’s named after a sci-fi institution
• Chance of being mass-produced: Zero, mainly because George Lucas would sue

Earlier today we promised we wouldn’t post about the wild tuner concepts from SEMA that had zero shot of making it to production. We lied. This custom job of a Dodge Avenger is just so over the top we had to share. The company did such a good job of whiting out a regular Avenger with just enough black highlights that we think any rank-and-file “Star Wars“ geek would have to be impressed.

The lone feature we don’t understand is the “blue magic” tint to the glass. Perhaps some fanboy out there can help us out. Luckily Dodge did provide a number of photos of this homage to a galaxy far, far away.

2008 Cadillac Escalade Sport Concept

• Looks like: The Escalade your local NFL running back drives
• Defining characteristics: Mesh grille and 24s
• Ridiculous features: This is understated for SEMA
• Chance of being mass-produced: Probably not much chance of this being a production model, but perhaps some of the accessories will be available

The Escalade was the first Cadillac to feature the bold new grille that has made its way across the lineup. That grille is wild, and its standard. The custom mesh grilles we’re seeing at SEMA look almost subdued in comparison. Actually, we’re pleasantly surprised that this concept isn’t as garish as it could have been.

Besides ridiculously large wheels — 24 inches — the Sport concept is lowered just two inches, has more horsepower — 550 — features a high-performance exhaust system and has retractable side steps. To say we’re surprised by this show of restraint is an understatement. A shot of the SUVs backside is below. Feel free to give us your feedback.

2008 Cadillac CTS Sport Concept

• Looks like: A beefier Cadillac CTS
• Defining characteristics: Hood scoops and a mesh grille
• Ridiculous features: The idea that the new CTS’ grille needed more-radical styling
• Chance of being mass-produced: The Sport itself might not become a model, but it could serve as a precursor to the next CTS-V

Cadillac has added very little to enhance the performance of the new Cadillac CTS in this Sport concept, but interestingly enough it could be an early look at the next seriously beefed-up CTS-V. Since the V line came to the new generation of Caddies, they’ve brought bright grillwork. That’s definitely the trademark styling here, as well.

The Sport concept also gets 20-inch polished wheels, stronger brakes and a Corsa cat-back exhaust with modified tips that integrate into the rear bumper, which is a look we actually like. That can’t be said for the hood scoops, which get decked out in wire mesh as well. That’s just too much mesh for our mesh-meter. A few more photos are below.   

2008 Chevy HHR Panel SS Concept

• Competes with: Mazdaspeed3, Dodge Caliber SRT4, HHR SS non-panel
• Looks like: A HHR Panel with bigger wheels
• Drivetrain: 260-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, five-speed manual transmission
• Hits dealerships: Early 2009 

Chevy calls this a concept but then goes around and whispers that the HHR Panel SS will be a limited edition production model sometime in the future, namely 2009. We’re a bit boggled at that late date, as a fully windowed HHR SS will be out in 2008 with the exact same powertrain.

We were surprised the HHR Panel even made it into production, so this almost seems logical. What else is there to say about this concept? Um…it has 20-inch wheels? OK, we admit, we’re only a few cars into the SEMA show preview and we’re getting bored. And remember, this attitude exists even though we’re just covering cars and concepts likely to go into production, not all the radical custom stuff of interest to even fewer people.