NEWS: Victoria Day Roundup!

By Michael Banovsky
Photos courtesy their respective manufacturers.

So much news, so little time. While we were sipping iced cappuccinos and watching fireworks, one of the most exciting cars in recent memory was released, a still-yet-to-be-made car *might* get a hardtop, the New Beetle II was shown, Saab production will move, and Porsche discussed their hybrid plans. Whew...


Porsche Cayman S





Isn't this awesome? The first small crocodile let into Porsche showrooms will be the S, with a 295 horsepower, 3.4L flat-6. 0-100km/h will be in 5.1 seconds, with a max speed of 171 mph (275 km/h). Eighteen-inch wheels and stability control are standard. Options include the Tiptronic automatic and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).



Not optional is a luggage area twice as big as the Boxster's... Prices for the Cayman rise about 10 per cent over the equivalent Boxster, so expect to pay around $84,900 if you want the first one on your block.


Hardtop Solstice?



Sources and suppliers have confirmed Pontiac will offer a hardtop for their Solstice Sports car - in order for the car to compete in SCCA club events. The new car will fit into SCCA B-Stock competition against the Miata, or in the Grand-Am Cup's ST class with the BMW 330 and Mazda RX-8.

Pontiac also showed a fixed hardtop version called the Solstice GT recently, under evaluaction for a 2007 introduction. The next variant; however, will be an Opel version for export to Europe.

Time to trade in your Fiero...


New New Beetle



It was going to happen sooner or later. The New New Beetle (or Beetle II, New Beetle+, or whatever) will now feature the same 2.5L 5 cylinder engine as found in the new Jetta. The engine makes 150 horsepower, and will scoot the Bug 0-100 km/h in about 7 seconds. Even better news? It's the base engine.



And you've seen the styling changes before: the Beetle does a Lindsay Lohan-like transformation from Disney movie child star to bedroom pinup with accents found on the VW Ragster concept shown at the Detroit International Auto Show 2005.


Saab production of the 9-5 will move to an Opel plant in Russelsheim, Germany. The move will happen in 2008, and the 9-5 will join the Saab 9-3 in Germany. Saab's Trollhattan, Sweden plant? It will make 'niche' vehicles with a total output of 20-40,000 cars per year.

Porsche's hybrid plans will be announced at the Frankfurt auto show in September. While the production version will not be shown, Porsche will announce whose system they will use. Toyota, Volkswagen, and DaimlerChrysler hybrid drives are under consideration. Expect the hybrid powertrain on the Cayenne... Or maybe a Carrera EV.