If you're hot-to-trot on this new Bimmer, you'd better head over to your nearest dealer soon. All factory orders for 2008 have been spoken for—from the manufacturer to dealers—that is. That being the case, '08 X6s may be hard to come by in the not too distant future.

I know the X6 is a somewhat controversial vehicle, as the more "practical" AWD X5 can do just about anything this AWD SUV, er, sorry, AWD coupe can do. But that's not the point; it's about styling which is what this coupe and every coupe is all about—and has always been about. Yeah, it's jacked up, but so what. It's still more practical than any conventional coupe, no matter how you slice it—and it looks great; at least I think it looks great.

Don't forget, Infiniti has done pretty darn well with their equally jacked up AWD coupe, the FX. Can you blame BMW for not wanting to get a piece of the action here?

Full story here and here.

GM's first SUV, the Chevy (and GMC) Suburban dates back to 1936. Actually it was just a "utility" vehicle, as there was no "Sport" in any sort of truck back in those days. Then as now their utility vehicles were always based off their pickup chassis. That's seven decades of following basically the same formula—and it may be about to end.

Bloomberg.com is reporting that the next-generation full-size GM SUVs may switch over to unit-body construction, thus ending this long relationship with the full-size pickup.

Why, you ask? Just look at the current fuel prices; that and tougher upcoming mileage and emission requirements. It's that simple.

"It's a sea change in the type of vehicle that Americans are going to be driving,'' said Rebecca Lindland, of Global Insight. "This is a big thing. For a long time, GM has been able to rely mostly on profits from trucks. That's changing.''

If, and when this happens, think 2012 time frame.

Full story here.

A new SUV has hit the Nurburgring and it’s causing quite a stir. With its Cayenne bodywork it appears to be a smaller, compact version of Porsche’s SUV. We’re not so sure, however, as Porsche has said repeatedly that it’s not interesting in going into cheaper segments of the SUV market.

So what it this prototype then? It could be nothing more than a leftover test mule for the Audi Q5. There’s also the possibility that this is a prototype for an even smaller Audi SUV that will slot below the Q5. Audi has made it public that it intends to boost its worldwide volume substantially in the next few years, so yet another SUV could be in the cards.

In talking with Mike Levine of PickupTruck.com yesterday about the F-150 diesel, some interesting tidbits—actually nothing more than rumors at this point—came to light about Toyota's upcoming diesel plans.

As I'm sure you're aware, Toyota recently introduced a new DOHC 4V 4.5L V8 twin-turbo diesel in Australia in the Land Cruiser 200 (here). Well that engine, or a variation of it, is coming here. That's not a surprise. What is a surprise is that it likely will be offered with three transmission choices.

The current 6-speed automatic is pretty much a given, that's tranny # 1. Tranny # 2 is likely a 6-speed manual. The big question is what is tranny #3? We're guessing it's a CVT, and likely based on the very powerful Lexus LS 600h, which uses a CVT—but beefed up for truck-duty.

So, if the Tundra gets this diesel I think it's safe to assume that it will also find a home in the Toyota Sequoia, Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX560 (probably to be re-named the LX450d).

Again, this is all rumor and speculation at this point—but check back in a year or two, and see if we're right!

While Honda and others are reaping the benefits from selling loads of smaller cars, the makers of big trucks an SUVs are taking it it on the chin. In it's latest move GM will cutting one shift in all four of their factories that make full-size pickups and SUVs. The cuts will occur at Pontiac, Flint, MI;  Janesville, Wis; and Oshawa, Ontario.

States GM North America President Troy Clarke: “With rising fuel prices, a softening economy and a downward trend on current and future market demand for full-sized trucks, a significant adjustment was needed to align our production with market realities.”

Full story here and here.

Dodge Ram hurting too
AutoObserver points out that Chrysler LLC is spending more than anyone on truck incentives in order to move Ram trucks off dealer lots.

Dodge Ram: Spending Most for Incentives

Same with Toyota
High inventories of Tundras and Sequoias are hurting the "Big T."

Image: Patricia Beck / Detroit Free Press

Now before anyone screams that it's just another Chinese rip-off, remember that Beijing Jeep was a joint venture that was originally set up by Beijing Automobile Works and the then-owner of Jeep, American Motors Corporation (AMC), in the early 1980s.

Frankly, I'm pretty impressed by this B40, at least in terms of styling. I think it's way better looking than the current Wrangler. Not much has been reported as to what's under the skin, but it's probably pretty similar to what Jeep offers.

Full story here.

We tested two of the most fuel-efficient full-size SUVs side by side, the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and Mercedes GL320 Diesel.

Well, relatively fuel-efficient anyway.

Which do you prefer?

Read the Comparison Test on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

 

Porsche obviously sees plenty of potential in the Chinese market. So much so that it staged the world premiere of its most expensive SUV, the 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, here in Beijing.

This new Cayenne Turbo S gets a slight bump in horsepower along with a few minor mechanical and cosmetic upgrades. The twin turbo 4.8-liter in the Turbo S produces 550 horsepower, a 50-hp bump compared to the standard Turbo. Porsche says a revised exhaust system and "improvements in engine control" account for the increase. Torque is up to 553 pound-feet as well.

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After seeing the lackluster lines of the Audi Q5, the sharply creased sheetmetal of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK actually looked pretty good. When we first saw this new compact SUV as a concept, it looked a little overstyled, like Mercedes was trying too hard to give it some personality.

In person, however, the GLK works. Instead of looking like a shrunken down M-Class, the GLK has enough original lines to keep you interested. Even if you don’t come to like it, there’s no doubt it has something going on. Compare that to the Audi which just sits there and hopes you’ll like it because it’s an SUV, and the GLK is the clear winner. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line

One of the most anticipated introductions at the show was the 2009 Audi Q5 SUV. Instead of a full-blown press conference, however, Audi just put a couple of Q5s out on the show floor and let the vehicles speak for themselves. After taking a closer look, they should’ve made a bigger effort.

Maybe it was the colors or the chrome wheels of the main display model, but the Q5 looks too anonymous in person, especially for a company that’s trying to re-create itself as the anti-establishment luxury brand. There’s not a memorable line on it from the front, and the only notable styling feature in back are the big LED taillights.

There’s nothing wrong with the interior, as it’s basically borrowed straight from the new A4 sedan and wagon. Passenger room is about average and the cargo area is a useful size. With Audi’s 3.2-liter V6 under the hood, the Q5 should have reasonable performance, too. In other words, nothing unexpected here, and nothing very exciting either. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line



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