New Car Tracker: 6.23.08
Summer is a busy time for car sales. A lot of new models will sneak onto lots over the next few months. Because of a down economy and high gas prices, cars that once captured our attention may go entirely forgotten, and that would be too bad. Below is our most current list of upcoming new models. If we've left off a car that you're interested in, please let us know in the comments. As always, we remind our readers that we don't list models that are rumored; we only list confirmed vehicles.
Updated information in bold.
- 2009 Acura RL: Summer 2008
- 2009 Acura TSX: Out now
- 2009 Acura TSX diesel: 2009
- 2009 Audi A3: Fall 2008
- 2009 Audi A4, A4 Avant: Fall 2008
- 2009 Audi Q5: Early 2009
- 2009 Audi Q7 TDI: Early 2009
- 2009 BMW 335d: Fall 2008
- 2009 BMW X5 35d: Fall 2008
- 2008 Cadillac CTS-V: Late 2008
- 2008 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: Summer 2008
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5: July 2008
- 2009 Chevrolet Malibu four-cylinder w/six-speed transmission: Summer 2008
- 2008 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid: Late 2008
- 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid: Out now
- 2009 Chevrolet Traverse: Late 2008
- 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8: Out now
- 2009 Dodge Challenger SE, R/T, SRT8: Fall 2008
- 2008 Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen Hybrid: August 2008
- 2009 Dodge Ram: Fall 2008
- 2009 Ford Escape, Escape Hybrid: Late summer 2008
- 2009 Ford F-150: Late 2008
- 2010 Ford Fiesta: 2010
- 2009 Ford Flex: Summer 2008
- 2010 Ford Focus: 2010
- 2009 Honda Fit: Fall 2008
- 2009 Honda Pilot: Out now
- 2009 Hummer H3T: Late 2008
- 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring: Late 2008
- 2008 Hyundai Genesis: Summer 2008
- 2010 Hyundai Genesis coupe: Spring 2009
- 2009 Infiniti FX: June 2008
- 2009 Jaguar XF: Out now
- 2009 Kia Borrego: Summer 2008
- 2009 Kia Optima: Late 2008
- 2009 Lincoln MKS: Late June/early July 2008
- 2008 Mazda5: Out now
- 2009 Mazda6: Summer 2008
- 2009 Mazda RX-8: Out now
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class: January 2009
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class: Fall 2008
- 2008 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works: Summer 2008
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: Out now
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart: Summer 2008
- 2009 Nissan GT-R: Out now
- 2009 Nissan Maxima: June 2008
- 2009 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck: Late 2009
- 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP: Late 2008
- 2009 Pontiac Solstice coupe: Early 2009
- 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan, AWD SportCombi: Out now
- 2009 Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid: January 2009
- 2008 Smart ForTwo: Out now
- 2009 Suzuki Equator: Late 2008
- 2009 Toyota Venza: Late 2008
- 2008 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen:
Summer 2008Out now - 2008 Volkswagen Jetta/Jetta Sportwagen TDI: Fall 2008
- 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC: Fall/winter 2008
- 2009 Volkswagen Routan: Summer 2008
- 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan: Out now
- 2009 Volvo XC60: Early 2009
Just saw a 2009 Ford F-150 yesterday about 50 miles south of the Ford Kansas City Assembly plant where they build the F-150 and Escape. It must have been a pre-production model (if they're delaying production), and it really wasn't all that much different looking going down the road from the 2008 model.
Posted by: Liger | Jun 23, 2008 9:03:24 AM
Liger,
There was a press event last week too so they've built a few of them for sure.
Posted by: Dave T. | Jun 23, 2008 9:23:54 AM
I reside in Arizona and I was at a local Phoenix area Volkswagen dealership looking at the Jetta sedan. However, I noticed the dealer had 2 2008 Jetta Sportwagens on stock. By the time I left the dealership, one was sold. The remaining red sportwagen was nicely equipped with the panoramic sunroof and retailed for about $24,500. Keep an eye out for them, they seem very versatile.
Posted by: Gilbert P. | Jun 23, 2008 10:53:55 AM
Gilbert,
Thanks for the report. The changes have been made. We hadn't heard of any on sale yet.
Posted by: Dave T. | Jun 23, 2008 11:02:35 AM
Toyota will be showing a new larger Prius at the North American International Auto Show in January of 2009 that should go on sale in Spring of '09. They will also show off two completely new hybrids, one under the Toyota brand and one under Lexus.
And speaking of Lexus, the replacement for the RX350/400h should be out in Spring 2009 as a 2010 model year.
Posted by: Overclocker | Jun 23, 2008 11:10:41 AM
Overclocker,
We've written about all those items. Again if you read the post we only list cars here that are officially announced that people can plan on buying. Meaning you should be able to physically go to your dealer and put an order on any of these vehicles.
Posted by: Dave T. | Jun 23, 2008 11:13:45 AM
I am surprised that you do not seem to know about the upcoming, and truly REVOLUTIONARY, Chevy PUSH.
It will get UNLIMITED miles to the gallon yet have room for 7 people and tons of cargo. It will sell for only FOUR THOUSAND dollars.
Chevy has discovered that, by simply removing the entire drive-train the weight of the vehicle can be reduced immeasurably. Further, since the car has no engine, transmission, etc. it is exempt from all safety standards. This allowed Chevy to further reduce the weight. They have been able to substitute cardboard for parts previously made of steel. They have placed the steering wheel on the rear exterior of the car to make steering easier for the pusher (formerly known as driver).
Chevy is only releasing the car in limited numbers due to questions of consumer acceptance related to speed issues. The maximum one mile per hour might be too slow for some consumers. Of course, those who only travel DOWNHILL will realize much greater speed.
Posted by: maxwell | Jun 23, 2008 11:40:29 AM
Now I heard that the Chevy Push will be shown at 3-4 auto shows as a pre-production test model before it goes into production and the body style shown will not be the actual one delivered. They originally thought it would be $4,000 but because of the sophisticated technology it could be around $10,000 or higher.
Posted by: ziggy | Jun 23, 2008 11:56:40 AM
Sorry David T.,
I should have read the article before posting my response.
Posted by: Overclocker | Jun 23, 2008 12:16:58 PM
Overclocker,
It's OK. We get it at least once every time we run one. Half the reason I wanted to respond was for the education purposes of others ;)
Posted by: Dave T. | Jun 23, 2008 12:22:55 PM
BMW X6?
Posted by: ziggy | Jun 23, 2008 12:46:25 PM
Ziggy,
Sorry, I thought the X6 being on sale was old news. No? It's been out for two months or so and we've even written about its sales. They are selling quite well.
Posted by: Dave T. | Jun 23, 2008 1:07:19 PM
Thought it was a comprehensive list and not a list of those that haven't been mentioned in previous articles. Just a comsumer perspective and not a auto enthusiast perspective.
Thanks
Posted by: ziggy | Jun 23, 2008 3:21:11 PM
Ziggy,
It's a "forecast" kind of like the weather. We're trying to tell folks waiting for hot new models we've been talking about since they were unveiled at auto shows and the like when they'll be able to buy one. I usually keep them on the list for a full month of sales+ and took off both the 1 series and X6 but I guess I could have left them up.
close call.
Posted by: Dave T. | Jun 23, 2008 3:51:56 PM
saw 2 Jag XF's by now in the Boston area. Looks nicer in person than in photos. the TSX is as ugly as it is in photos, IMHO. would love to see a GT-R.
have a 4-cyl Mazda6 now, love it. hope the '09 isn't too large and too clumsy like a Camry. Small and nimble appeal to a significant, but shrinking, portion of the American population. too bad. Mazda made that mistake with the last iteration of the 626, while the generation before was praised for its handling and nobody complained about its smaller size.
Posted by: DL | Jun 23, 2008 7:18:39 PM
and i'm in the market for a bit of an upgrade around next year, and i really hope that the Passat CC will not turn out to have as unimpressive a reliability record as the Passat 4-door non-coupe ...
Posted by: DL | Jun 23, 2008 7:20:50 PM
I've already seen a couple Flex around my school. Wondered if they are already on sale or what. They are not using dealer/manufacturer plates.
Are they serious? Kia is really making the Borrego? What are they thinking?
Posted by: J | Jun 23, 2008 9:44:08 PM