After this morning's leak of the official photos, the BMW X1 didn't seem like much of a secret anymore. With than in mind, an official press release was sent out this afternoon with a few details on the upcoming crossover.
It's definitely headed to the U.S., but not until 2011. The X1 will offer both rear- and all-wheel drive and a variety of engines. Although BMW said the X1 will offer one gas and three diesel powerplants in Europe, it said the specific engine configuration of the U.S. model has not been decided yet. Sounds like BMW is waiting to see if diesels catch on, so far it hasn't been promising.
Official-looking photos of the upcoming 2010 BMW X1 have found their way to the internet and they do little to resolve the debate surrounding why this vehicle exists. Essentially a crossover version of the BMW X3, which is also a crossover, the X1 appears to have even less space and more tepid performance. Sound good to you?
General Motors has announced that it will close its Shreveport, Louisiana plant by 2012. The plant currently builds the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon pickups along with the Hummer H3 SUV which utilizes the same platform.
When a deal was announced to sell Hummer to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd., it appeared as though GM would continue to supply the H3 to the new owners. Now reports out of China are questioning whether the deal will go through as the Chinese government is not thrilled with the idea of a small private company dipping its hand into the production of Hummer-badged vehicles. AutoObserver: GM To Close Louisiana Truck Plant
You know BMW was so dying to get Hasselhoff for this little teaser shot of the upcoming X1 SUV. Instead, they settled for some faceless blur in the background, which or course goes perfectly with the oddly blurred X1 that's seemingly gliding over the sand. Thankfully all the bikini-clad beach goers in the area were blissfully unaware of the approaching crossover SUV.
In a webchat yesterday with journalists, GM's CEO Fritz Henderson said he's not a fan of badge engineering, the practice of creating new models by simply changing the name and styling of a current vehicle.
Odd then that he sees a bright future for GMC, a division that is made up entirely of badge-engineered Chevrolets. According to Henderson, the upcoming GMC Terrain is an example of badge engineering done right as it's sufficiently differentiated from the Chevrolet Equionox.
Well, Fritz may be right that the Terrain doesn't necessarily look like the Equinox, but that doesn't change the fact that it will still compete against its Chevrolet counterpart. They're both the same size and feature the exact same drivetrains. Sure, not every town has both a Chevrolet and a GMC dealer, but isn't GM supposed to be doing things differently now?
Did you see the new Buick commercials that aired during this weekend's NBA title game? They implored viewers to "take a look at me now" as if Buick was some middle-aged housewife fresh out of plastic surgery.
GM's junior luxury division is going to need more than snappier commercials to get attention and according to a GM fan site a hybrid might be its next attempt to gain some recognition.
GM-volt.com says that the two-mode plug-in hybrid system developed for the Saturn Vue may make its way into a new Buick compact crossover. A CBS news report is thought to have revealed a glimpse of the upcoming sport utility and not surprisingly it looked like a downsized Enclave.
International forecasting firm IHS Global Insight has released a detailed report on how it thinks the Chrysler/Fiat alliance will shake out over the new few years.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Diesels are finally here, sort of. Now that we have the low-sulfur fuel, manufacturers have responded with vehicles that even the great state of California will allow on its hallowed highways.
Trouble is, these vehicles aren't exactly cheap. Case in point: the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI. It starts at nearly $43K, which is over $3,000 more than the base V6. And as the numbers below attest, it's not exactly the fastest SUV we've ever tested.
That said, the diesel engine works well in the Touareg, doling out torque right when you need a stiff push in the back. It's quiet, too, and according to the EPA it will return 25 mpg on the highway. See what our road test editor thought about what it can do at the test track after the jump.
After an exhaustive search, General Motors has finally found a buyer for its struggling Hummer SUV brand.
GM released few details about the transaction, saying only that it signed a memorandum of understanding with an outside company. GM also noted that it will continue to build Hummer SUVs for the new owner until at leat 2010.
We've seen it in cold weather testing, and now we've got video of the 2010 Mini Cooper Crossover lapping the Nurburgring. With only the BMW-PSA 1.6-liter turbo four motivating its poundage, we're guessing Mini engineers were sorting out the chassis tuning, rather than trying to chase down any Nissan GT-Rs.
The Mini Crossover is expected to show in final production form at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, with U.S. sales beginning in early 2010.
The 2010 Volvo XC60 may not generate much interest from the enthusiast crowd, but maybe it should. No, it's not particularly fast, but as Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot found out, the XC60 is far more nimble than he expected, a trait that made it surprisingly entertaining to drive given its family vehicle status. Doesn't look half bad either.
GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens used the company's Fastlane blog to reassure hybrid fans that a plug-in hybrid is still in the works. Originally planned for the Saturn Vue, GM's plug-in system is currently being adapted to another similarly-sized vehicle. Looking at GM's new "core" brands, that means either the Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain.
Here they are, your new Chryslers. Well, maybe they'll still be badged as Alfas or Fiats, nobody really knows at this point. What we do know is that these four vehicles and the Fiat 500 will represent the bulk of Fiat's contribution to Chrysler's lineup.
They include the Alfa Romeo MiTo (bottom right), an upcoming replacement for the Alfa 147 (top left) that will be renamed Milano, the Fiat Grande Punto (top right) and a version of the Fiat Panda utility vehicle (bottom left).
GM says the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox gets 32mpg during highway driving based on internal tests. It expects official EPA ratings to come out shortly. If the numbers (it also gets 22mpg in the city) prove correct, the Chevrolet Equinox would be the most fuel efficient SUV in its class.
Bankruptcy documents submitted in court yesterday don't bode well for vehicles like the Dodge Viper and even the Jeep Wrangler. Problems trying to offload the Viper business have been discussed for months now, but the new documents also point out the difficulty of trying to sell Jeep as a separate brand. One consultant estimates it would take as much as $1B to restart a product as a stand alone brand.
The upcoming 2010 BMW X1 was spotted recently during filming of a commercial. Not surprisingly, it looks much like the X1 concept that was shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show last fall.
We were hoping for some measure of improvement in the styling department. As is, the BMW X1 isn't really giving us to much to get excited about. We'll see how it looks when it shows up in the States this fall.
Jay Leno has written a monthly column in Popular Mechanics magazine for 10 years, and we haven't missed a single one. Topics have ranged from Duesenbergs to the ZR1 and Jay's personal Green Garage, which includes solar power and a PacWind Delta II vertical-axis wind turbine just like the one that powers Edmunds HQ.
But Jay's latest manifesto, which appears in the May issue of PM and on www.popularmechanics.com is a little tough to get through. Jay decided to predict furture collectible and classic cars. Which is fine. But he must have been drunk when he started pecking the keyboard.
The all-new $86,255 BMW X5 M may have 555-horsepower, but it's not the most powerful X5 BMW has ever built.
When the X5 first came out, BMW wanted to prove that it was more than your average SUV underneath the skin. So it wedged a 6.0-liter V12 from one of its LeMans prototypes into an X5. It produced 750-horsepower and made the X5 sound like no other SUV you've ever heard.
BMW announced pricing for the 2010 X5 M and X6 M today, and as we expected they are sickenly expensive. As in, we'll never be able to afford them expensive.
The 2010 BMW X5 M will run you a cool $86,255 while the X6 M will command a slight premium of $89,725 for its oddness.
This is an occasional series on vehicles that don't get the credit they deserve. Whether it's poor advertising, no advertising or the simple fact that it's hard to appreciate them until you're behind the wheel, these vehicles often fly under the radar of many enthusiasts.
Not very had to figure out why this vehicle doesn't get much attention. The ML is the Mercedes-Benz you buy for your wife. It was born of the SUV boom of the late '90s and is your basic family truckster dressed in Mercedes leather and chrome.
When it receives the AMG treatment, however, it becomes something else entirely. It gets a more muscular stance, bitchin' wheels, a tasteful body kit and of course, the big honking 6.2-liter V8 up front.
Such upgrades aren't always a recipe for success, but in the ML63 they work. Whatever domestication it had before is wiped away by the burbling exhaust, instant torque and tight suspension. It rips corners and pops off full-throttle upshifts that snap your head back.
It'll hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and pull low 13s in the quarter-mile. In other words, it can hang with all those fancy new American muscle cars hitting the streets these days.
All that and this ML is still big enough and comfortable enough to drive the kids to school everyday. If we could afford to drop $90K on an SUV, the ML63 AMG would be high on our list.
Looks like the Volkswagen group had a little meeting to figure out its production plans for the next couple of years as Audi has also announced some upcoming production plans. The Q3, a compact SUV loosely based on the Cross Coupe Concept, will be built in Martorell, Spain starting in 2011 Audi announced today.
According to Audi's press release, the Q3 will be, "a coupe-like five-door SUV with seat positions, wheel size, and ground clearance characteristic of a typical SUV. The Q3 will blend a compact car's design and driving dynamics with an SUV's spaciousness and versatility."
So yeah, nothing really new here, just another vehicle to slot into the lineup in an effort to conquer BMW.
Volkswagen told Inside Line News that it's mulling over the possibility of importing the R Line Tiguan, a model that's already headed to European markets.
Other "R" models are under consideration for import as well. We think a R Line CC could make for a particularly fetching sedan.
Does this vehicle make any sense? In one way, yes it does. Escalades drink considerable amounts of gas, so even knocking a mere 10% off that amount results in some real world fuel savings.
Is it enough to make a difference to your bottom line? Not really. Then again, Escalades have never really been about value. This is an SUV that's all about image, and when it comes to that category, combining a luxury vehicle with a hybrid drivetrain could be a stoke of genius.
You may not notice it from the pictures, but this is the reskinned 2010 Audi Q7. The changes are so slight as to be unnoticeable, so we'll point them out for you.
In terms of design, the grille has been given chrome vertical bars while the lower fascia gets a skidplate-looking thing. You'll also notice the glittery looking light cluster. It's now available with optional LED marker lights that add what is quickly becoming a distinctive light signature for all Audi's.
New window moldings change up the profile of this Q7 while the rear end gets a two-tone paint job along with an aluminum tailgate to save weight. Interior upgrades are also minimal as the most noticeable enhancements are a new instrument panel and additional chrome accents throughout the cabin.
Although Europe gets to choose from six engines in the Q7, U.S. versions will offer just three. A new 3.6-liter V6 with 280-hp, a 4.2-liter V8 with 350-hp and a new 50-state legal 3.0-liter TDI V6. A six-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive is standard with all engines.
Does the 2010 Cadillac SRX even have a chance here? That's the question Senior Editor Dan Pund attempts to answer after noting that the new SRX was designed to go heads up with the segment -leading Lexus RX.
He was impressed by the ride quality of the base model, but found that the optional 20-inch wheels made the ride a little more jarring than necessary. The base V6 is a little short on torque, but solid on mileage. And if you like the interior styling of the current CTS, the SRX will suit you just fine.
Sales of BMW's 335d sedan and xDrive 35d are off to a slow start. According to Edmunds.com data, the 335d comprises about 1% of current 3 Series sales while the xDrive 35d is only slightly better at roughly 7-8% of X5 sales.
According to a report in Automotive News, BMW only expects to sell about 3,000 diesel models total this year. BMW of North America CEO Jim O'Donnell told the industry trade paper that sales "haven't taken off" largely because the brand hasn't advertised them much.
Volkswagen is having much better luck with its Jetta TDI model. The diesel models currently make up 30% of sedan sales and 50% of Jetta wagon sales. The company is expecting similar results for its upcoming sixth-generation Golf TDI that will go on sale later this year.
Is the 2009 Audi Q5 a useful utility vehicle, or nothing more than a shrunken Q7? Executive Editor Michael Jordan takes a closer look at this new luxury SUV in our first full test of Audi's newest midsize crossover.
#NYIAS It has gullwing doors and "floating" seats inside, yet the Hyundai Nuvis has more production implications than you might think. As Hyundai continues to move upmarket with cars like its new Genesis sedan, the Nuvis could very well signal its intention to hit the sweet spot of the luxury crossover market currently dominated by the Lexus RX 350.
In the near term, it's the drivetrain of the Nuvis that shows some promise. It combines Hyundai's latest "Theta" four-cylinder gas engine with a 30kW electric motor to create what Hyundai calls Blue Drive.
It's a parallel hybrid system similar to that used in the Toyota Prius, so it can run on pure electric power or both gas and electric power together. For electric power, it uses a 270V lithium-polymer battery that Hyundai claims is superior to both nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries because lithium polymer batteries are more durable and space-efficient.
We'll see if those claims hold up soon enough as Hyundai has announced that it will offer the Blue Drive system in the next-generation Sonata in the United States. No timetable was given, but expect to see more news on this front as early as next year. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
#NYIAS We have always thought that the standard GMC Yukon Hybrid was a little down market. Sure it carries a base price of nearly $51,000, but for that price you only get so much chrome for your dollar.
Thankfully, this year's New York auto show saw the introduction of the 2009 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid. For a mere $59,185, you can ride high on chrome 22s and in ventilated leather seats while showing your commitment to conserving our natural resources. Now that's professional grade. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
#NYIAS Although it's true that the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept shown here in New York will be an option package for the 2010 Honda Element starting this fall, Honda hasn't yet finalized the package contents or the price. But we have photos of the cute doggy named Sam.
Here you can see Sam on the fold-out ramp for the cargo bay. It leads to an integrated pet bed with restraints designed by Takata, a longtime manufacturer of seatbelts for humans. A non-spillable water dish is included back here, and an auxiliary 12-volt fan keeps your Element from smelling like dog.
There's another set of restraints in the Element's second row intended for a smaller dog. The seat covers are machine-washable, with a doggy print. And the floor mats are heavy-duty rubber with a chew-bone pattern. We'd guess that Honda will let owners specify the restraint setup based on the size of their dog.
Honda doesn't have plans to expand the Dog Friendly option package to its other dog-friendly models (CR-V, Fit, Odyssey, Pilot). Though the Element is getting on in years, it's evidently a magnet for dog owners. Based on company research, 62 percent of Honda Element owners have pets. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor
#NYIAS Can you tell this is the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover? If so, congratulations. You know way too much about Land Rovers.
Most of the changes are underneath the hood, as this refreshed Rover gets the same 5.0-liter V8 first shown in Jaguar's XF sedan and XK coupe. It's a modest upgrade for a vehicle that didn't really need it.
The interior gets a new digital gauge cluster, along with even more optional leather trim. For full details on this year's refresh of Land Rover's flagship, see our full story on the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
And it turns out that the X5 M has the same 20-inch wheels as the X6 M. Similarly, the front seating areas are indistinguishable. So as on the non-Motorsport versions, the differences come down to sheet metal, seat count and cargo capacity. You already know our preference.
After BMW officials waded through a grim economic status update, noting that the company will continue to maximize liquidity and cut costs through 2009, Ludwig Wilisch, head of the Motorsport division, got down to the business of introducing the 2010 BMW X6 M, which we've already written about in detail. The 2010 BMW X5 M was nowhere to be found; its official debut is two weeks from now in Shanghai.
The engine is the story on the X6 M, as the Motorsport engineers started with the block of the 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine in the current BMW 750i and made modifications from there. The turbos are twin-scroll on the M-tuned V8, and there's that innovative two-piece single exhaust manifold. Really, it's a completely different engine now, though it retains the reverse-flow design (with the turbos in the vee), which explains the 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
Still, says Wilisch, "our philosophy is that the chassis must always be faster than the engine -- a big challenge I can tell you, on an SAV."
To that end, the M engineers retuned the car's Active Roll Stabilization system and fitted stiffer rear axle mounts and upgraded control arm bushings. Plus, the BMW X6 M sits 0.4 inch lower than the normal X6.
Come fall 2009, we'll see how well the Motorsport engineers fared with this first-ever M-badged SUV. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor
#NYIAS Will GMC survive the General Motors gutting by the government? Who knows, but in the meantime it will carry on with the new 2010 GMC Terrain starting this summer.
A somewhat large compact SUV, the five-passenger Terrain benefits from the efficiency of GM's new direct-injection 2.4-liter engine. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Terrain is said to deliver 30 mpg. So if you don't want to drive a Camry or even a Malibu, but still need decent mileage on your commute, here's an SUV alternative.
Then again, if you want an SUV with guts, there's a "professional grade" V6 with 264 hp. And given the Terrain's size, that's probably the one worth having anyway. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
#NYIAS Good news from the Acura press conference in New York: Not only is the 2010 Acura ZDX vastly better-looking than the TL, it's also better-looking than the BMW X6 and, as crossover-ish SUVs go, it borders on downright attractive, assuming you're OK with the Acura corporate face.
The stance is lower than we'd expected -- the ZDX is more of a peer to the BMW 5 Series GT than the X6 or Infiniti FX35. The curvy character line down the length of the ZDX is also a welcome departure from the excessive straight edges on recent Acura sedans.
More product details, photos and video after the jump.
#NYIAS If you're looking for a sign of life from Chrysler, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is as close as you're going to get. It looks even better in person that it does in pictures, and the interior is indeed a step above anything else Jeep has done before.
We asked Product Chief Frank Klegon why there's no third row, given the longer wheelbase of this Grand Cherokee. "Historically the Grand Cherokee has been a two-row SUV," he told us. "We wanted to keep its taut design intact." When we asked if the platform can be stretched any further, Klegon said, "Absolutely. Think of that as a little sneak peek."
Klegon said to expect this Grand Cherokee in the spring of 2010, so the stretched version isn't likely until late next year at the latest. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
#NYIAS An all-new V6 engine, fully independent suspension and a slick new design define the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Crossover SUVs may be getting all the attention these days, but this Jeep stays true to the traditional SUV formula with serious off-road capability and more cargo room than before. There's no third-row seat, but extra room in the second row and a much improved interior should make this a more competitive Grand Cherokee than ever before. For more details, see our full story on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
#NYIAS For a vehicle that many thought was completely unnecessary, the Range Rover Sport has done quite well for Land Rover. And there's no reason that success won't continue with the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport as it gets a new set of engines and enough minor upgrades to keep it fresh against new competition. Most importantly, Land Rover didn't fuss with the Sport's distinctive styling. For more details, see our full story on this hot rod Range Rover.
#NYIAS The name change says "all-new," but this is really a heavily revised version of the current LR3. An all-new 5.0-liter V8 is the big news for the 2010 Land Rover LR4. First introduced in Jaguar's latest sedans, the new V8 produces 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. A revised suspension, new brakes and minor styling upgrades are also part of the 2010 LR4. For a more detailed description, see our full story.
#NYIAS Don't feel left out if you don't notice the changes to the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover. Like the Range Rover itself, the upgrades are subtle. In fact, the biggest news is under the hood, so even Land Rover purists would have a tough time spotting the differences.
Like the rest of Land Rover's 2010 lineup, this new Range Rover gets the same 5.0-liter V8s first introduced in the latest Jaguar coupes and sedans. Available in both standard and supercharged versions, the newly modernized eight-cylinder provides Land Rover's top-range model with the kind of horsepower and refinement you expect for the big money it commands. See our full story for the rest of the details.
Cadillac officials acknowledged today that the SRX crossover, which will arrive in U.S. dealerships in early August, will eventually be fitted with the two-mode electric hybrid system.
It would be the same basic arrangement of parts as used in the full-size pickup trucks and SUVs for the last couple of years. General Motors' plan initially called for the Saturn Vue to be the first mid size crossover withing the corporation to receive a version of that system. Ooooh...yeah, that situation is very much in flux, as they say. Saturn said that it expected the Vue two-mode to be able to do 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds and return 27 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway with its combination direct-injection V6 and twin 55-kilowatt electric motors. It's fair to assume the Cadillac would perform similarly. For comparison, Cadillac estimates that a conventional front-wheel-drive SRX powered by the 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 should return 18/25 mpg, city/highway.
No word on timing for the two-mode SRX but we wouldn't expect it before the 2011 model year. A few main competitors either already offer a hybrid crossover in roughly the same size and price class (Lexus) or plan to within the next couple of years (Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen).
Do you like the size and looks of the 2009 Audi Q5, but can't stomach the thought of paying $37,000 for it? Well don't give up on the mini-Q7 just yet. An Audi official told Inside Line that it's only a matter of time before a base Q5 with the company's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is added to the lineup. "It's a question of when, not if," he told us.
With 211-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the four-cylinder should move the Q5 with acceptable speed while dropping the base price considerably. In the A4 quattro sedan, the price difference between the 2.0T and 3.2-liter V6 is $7,350, so the base Q5 should drop much closer to $30,000.
A Volkswagen Tiguan with the same engine and 4Motion all-wheel drive starts at $28,875. The Q5 won't offer a front-wheel drive model.
This is professional-grade styling taken to the extreme, or at least taken to the point of not looking anything like its Chevrolet counterpart. The 2010 GMC Terrain is the functional equivalent of the Chevrolet Equinox, but a few extra standard features and a more recognizable exterior should help it stand out a little as it tries to compete with the likes of the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano.
#NYIAS This is it, the most powerful SUV BMW has ever built. Actually, the 2010 BMW X6 M is officially called a Sport Activity Coupe, but we know better than to fall for that nomenclature.
We also know that it has a ton of motor thanks to a more powerful version of the twin turbo 4.4-liter V8 offered in the standard X6. Does 555-horsepower interest you? Check out our full story for the rest of the specs on this rival to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.
#nyias A couple teaser images have been released on the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype that will appear at the 2009 New York Auto Show next week. Although blurred for effect, it obvious that the new Outlander model will get a front-end design similar to the Lancer Evolution sedan. Mitsubishi also says to expect more power from this Outlander's 3.0-liter V6 along with increased efficiency and a revised all-wheel drive system.
Remember that goofy little utility truck Ford unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show in February? It's almost here, and Edmunds.com has just posted full pricing and options. Want a Dewalt tool link? How about doors that open 225 degrees? It's all there for the taking provided you can live with those odd headlights and even more bizarre profile.
The Mercedes-Benz ML-Class-lookin' 2010 Chevrolet Equinox will go on sale in June for $23,185, including $745 destination fee.
That'll get you a front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder LS model. Chevrolet notes that price is $1,800 less than the base-level 2009 Equinox. By our math the 2010 model is $1,825 less expensive than an '09, but who's counting? The significance of this move is that it highlights the fact that at $25,010 the '09 was overpriced compared to its American and Asian competitors (all of which start between $21,000 and $23,500).
You might point out, as Chevrolet did not, that the base level 2010 Equinox is powered by a four-cylinder and the base level 2009 Equinox had a V6. But the new direct-injection 2.4-liter four makes about 182 horsepower. The old 3.4-liter V6 ground out a whopping 184 hp. So it's not as much a downgrade as it might seem on the surface. Plus, Chevy would very much like you to know that it anticipates the four-cylinder model will get 30 mpg on the highway (the old V6 got 24 mpg highway).
Chevrolet hasn't released pricing for 2010 Equinox models powered by the new 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 or any other optional equipment, for that matter. The Equinox will be joined in show rooms soon by a mechanical twin in the GMC Terrain, which is to be introduced next week at the New York Auto Show.
This Taurus X-looking test mule is actually an early prototype for the 2011 Ford Explorer. Since gas guzzling body-on-frame SUVs are out of favor these days, the next-generation Explorer will switch to a car-based, front-wheel drive platform.
Only the front clip of this prototype has actual Explorer bodywork, hence the minimal camouflage. From what we can see, the nose shows only limited similarity to the Ford Explorer America concept shown in Detroit last year. We're guessing it probably doesn't have a diesel powerplant either.
It was only yesterday that Autoblog published spy photos of the Hyundai Nuvis concept. Now, in an apparent attempt to shape the story a little, Hyundai has released this teaser image of the crossover concept. Hyundai doesn't mention the gullwing doors, or anything else for that matter, so we'll have to wait until next week to get the full scoop.
The two-door vehicle looks a bit like the old Izusu Vehicross, although there are also some similarities to the HED-6 (above) shown at the Geneva Auto Show. The gullwing doors are clearly for show, but we hear Hyundai does plan to produce a production version of the New York concept vehicle sometime next year.
After dropping teaser shots a couple of weeks ago, Acura has now confirmed the name for the new crossover it will unveil at the 2009 New York Auto Show: ZDX. Acura is still calling it a prototype, but given that it goes on sale this fall there won't be too many changes.
"The ZDX prototype is unlike anything you have ever seen before from Acura," said Jeff Conrad, vice president, Acura sales. "The prototype showcases a new level of luxury, style and refinement for Acura and speaks volumes towards our commitment to advancing the brand."
Long rumored and somewhat grudgingly anticipated, the 2010 BMW X6 M will finally make its world debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show in April.
No BMW SUV has ever officially carried a Motorsport badge and many of the engineers within the company thought that was a good thing. "The Motorsport badge is reserved for our sportiest vehicles, and that doesn't include SUVs," they would say.
Apparently those guys got fired because BMW officially announced the imminent debut of the high-performance X6. Other than noting that the X6 M "will utilize several new engine, drivetrain, and suspension technologies," BMW didn't disclose any details. Look for more info April 4.
With a name like 2010 Cayenne GTS Porsche® Design Edition 3, how can you resist this $89,000 SUV?
Set for export to the U.S. in limited quantities, this gussied up Cayenne GTS features special paint, standard 21-inch SportPlus wheels and sport stripes. The interior gets black leather with contrasting red stitching and Alcantara inserts.
In other words, this special edition Cayenne is all about looking cool. Then again, if that's what you're after maybe it's best to start off with something other than a Cayenne.
More from Mazda at the 2009 New York Auto Show. This one doesn't even count as a North American premiere, however, as the 2010 Mazda CX-7 made its first appearance at the hugely prominent Canadian auto show last month.
Most of the changes for this CX-7 are cosmetic. Both the interior and exterior have been refreshed along with the addition of a few safety enhancements. There is some real news under the hood though as the CX-7 adds a normally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder to options list. Hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission, it should provide considerably better mileage than the somewhat thirsty turbocharged motor in the current model.
Mazda released this photo and a brief description of the mildly revised 2010 CX-9 this morning.
According to the teaser release, the CX-9 "receives an exterior and interior facelift, added options and reinforced safety features, while further improving Zoom-Zoom driving characteristics."
We're not sure what that last part entails, but we'll be sure to get clarification when the 2010 CX-9 makes its debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show next month.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we introduced this weekly feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Ford says the four-cylinder Escape delivers best-in-class fuel economy. We'll have to take the company's word on that one as this test is all about track numbers. Meaningless you say? Not completely. Any SUV can deliver decent mileage with a small enough engine; the trick is balancing usable power with everyday efficiency.
Judging from the numbers, the Escape does a pretty good job of maintaining that balance. It surprised our test driver with its off the line punch and pulled out a respectable 0-to-60mph time. Braking wasn't a strong point, however, so the Escape has some work to do in that area. An overly intrusive stability control system hindered its handling numbers, but this is nothing new for this segment.
For more details, see the full results after the jump.
Infiniti sources have told Inside Line that the next-generation QX56 will be built in Japan and will most likely switch to unibody construction.
The current suspension setup will be redesigned in favor of improved ride quality and handling instead of towing and hauling. Expect to see official information surface this fall.
Earlier today, Acura released an odd-looking teaser shot of the crossover it will unveil at the 2009 New York Auto Show. Shortly thereafter, a member of the Acurazine fansite found a few more, slightly more revealing photos.
So now we have multiple angles of the shadowy crossover, most of which seem to indicate that Acura is getting ready to build a vehicle similar to the BMW X6. With that in mind, the darkly-lit photos make a little more sense.
We expect to see this sporty crossover arrive with the same 3.7-liter V6 used in the all-wheel drive TL sedan, so it should match up well with BMW's six-cylinder X6 and Infiniti's FX35. Look for full details in a few weeks when it makes an official world debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show.
Think you're going to save money on gas with the 2010 Lexus RX 450h? Well, you are, technically, but the up-front cost will render it null and void for the first decade or so of ownership.
So what else is there to like about this new Lexus hybrid SUV? It's more engaging to drive than its predecessor and gets better mileage too. Engineering editor Jay Kavanagh also found the new Remote Touch driver interface quite useful. Then again, he was disappointed with the rear seat accommodations and Toyota parts-bin interior, so not all is perfect in the world of Lexus.
Land Rover hasn't come out and said it just yet, but a recent press release all but confirms a production version of the LRX concept shown in Detroit last year. The release was issued on account of the British government offering up help in the way of a roughly $32M grant for production of a new vehicle.
"We welcome the Government's support for this project, which would form a key part of our future product plans and which we very much want to put into production," said Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover.
Don't have to read between the lines on that one very hard. The only confusion left now is how the vehicle will be positioned in the lineup. "It would be the smallest, lightest and most efficient Range Rover that we've ever built," Phil added. "The compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies of the LRX Concept showed how Land Rover is planning to respond to the needs of a changing world."
Not sure what "smallest Range Rover" means, hopefully more than just a really expensive LR2.
You might not remember, but Ford builds a couple hybrid SUVs. They're the forgotten stepchildren of the hybrid world despite the fact that they're both practical and quite fuel efficient.
Apparently a few enlightened souls have figured this out as 100,000 of them have rolled off Ford's Kansas City assembly line. Sales of the Escape Hybrid were up 55% in February compared to the month before, so Ford must be doing something right.
It turns out the 2010 Lexus RX 450h will end up with better EPA fuel mileage estimates than the preliminary numbers we reported in the first drive. Specifically, the front-drive RX 450h has achieved the all-important 30-mpg combined figure against 32-mpg city and 28-mpg highway ratings.
The all-wheel-drive 2010 Lexus RX 450h has a 29-mpg combined rating against 30-mpg city and 29-mpg highway figures.
Given that the RX 450h weighs a whopping 450 pounds more than the outgoing RX 400h, which was rated 27/24 in front-drive configuration and 26/24 with AWD, these numbers are rather impressive.
There are plenty of interesting details buried within GM's latest rescue plan, but one in particular caught our eye. In the "product plan" section, it states:
Planned Chevrolet Volt and two additional models sharing Volt's extended range vehicle technology
Now we know that GM plans to roll out the Opel Ampera at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next week, but the third vehicle is a little tougher to pin down.
Porsche released more details on its upcoming 2010 Cayenne S Hybrid last week, including a sound-bite producing line about going 86 mph without using the gasoline motor.
Sounds impressive, but don't get too excited about the prospect of zipping up to highway speeds in complete silence just yet.
You see, Porsche said that its engineers "have been able to drive at speeds up to 86 mph without at all using the combustion engine." In other words, the Cayenne Hybrid's electric motor is capable of maintaining the vehicle's speed on the highway. Of course, actually getting up to highway speeds requires the other half of its hybrid equation, namely a 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 sourced from Audi.
Porsche wordplay aside, the Cayenne Hybrid should still put up some decent numbers when it goes on sale next year. A 0-to-60mph time of 6.8-seconds is expected along with highway mileage of around 24mpg.
Hmm...probably not the way the BMW X 1 engineers planned it back in Munich. Oh well, once you've augured yourself into a snow bank in the middle of nowhere there aren't too many options.
In this case, a call to the Volkwagen Tiguan that was along for comparison was all it took to get the new BMW sport utility free. I'm sure there's a joke in there about Xdrive versus 4Motion, but we'll leave that up to you.
We've never been big fans of the G-Class. It may be a beast off-road, but it's junk everywhere else. Poor ergonomics, awful ride, dainty doors. It's hard to believe people actually pay over $100,000 for one.
So what are we to make of the Brabus G V12 S Biturbo? It develops 690-horsepower, 973 pound-feet of torque and is covered in black paint from top to bottom. Brabus says it will go from 0-to-62mph in 4.3-seconds. Oh, and it costs roughly $480,000.
Cooler? Stupider? Judge for yourself, but we don't remember thinking that the regular model would be any better with an extra 308-horsepower.
In addition to the amatuerish photoshop manipulations of the upcoming Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler LLC also included the above proposed product plan with its submission to the U.S. Treasury yesterday.
The biggest take-away from the document is how heavily Chrysler anticipates relying on Fiat products to fill out its future lineup. There are at least six new products the company plans to base off of Fiat underpinnings, from a small hatchback to a mid-size sedan and a compact SUV. In fact, the only products designed by what we traditionally think of as Chrysler are full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, full-size sedans and MPVs.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're introducing a new feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
The Porsche Cayenne may not please company loyalists, but they don't buy enough cars to have the final say. Since its introduction, the Cayenne has slowly become less of a true SUV and more of a tall wagon with all-wheel drive. It's also the best-selling vehicle Porsche builds by a long shot, so anyone who dismisses the Cayenne's existence should be thankful that it pays the bills for development of cars like the GT3.
With the Cayenne GTS it's all about street performance. Porsche's engineers got rid of all the SUV hardware and laced up a set of 21-inch wheels and tires at each corner. The GTS is also the only V8-powered Cayenne in the U.S. that offers an optional 6-speed manual. Sad to say, but our test vehicle had a Tiptronic automatic, but it still put down some impressive numbers at the track.
The new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Well, sort of. This is a computer rendering that Chrysler supplied in its viability plan to the federal government. Granted, Chrysler is in no position to play games, but it knew full well that this report was going public, so take this picture with a grain of salt.
Remember the Mini Crossover concept shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show? Well, here it is as a full blown production prototype. Caught during cold weather testing in Scandinavia, this test mule gives a pretty clear look at the final design.
A slightly larger, more utilitarian Mini, the Crossover will offer the same lineup of engines as the current Cooper. It will debut with front wheel drive only, but an all-wheel drive will be added later.
According to Wolfgang Armbrecht, head of Mini brand management, the Crossover in Cooper trim with front-wheel drive will start just above the base price for a Cooper S convertible: around $29,000. A Cooper S four-wheel-drive Crossover should be priced at or above $34,000. Since style and functionality are more the point than sportiness, there will be no John Cooper Works edition of the Crossover.
A final production model will be shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, so expect U.S. sales early next year.
Just when we were beginning to wonder if the compact 2009 Audi Q5 crossover would ever get to the U.S., Audi announced pricing today and confirmed that 2009 Q5s will arrive at U.S. dealership next week. The 2009 Q5 Premium will cost $38,025, including an $825 destination charge.
The not very elegantly named Q5 Premium Plus comes in at $42,325, while the high-line 2009 Audi Q5 Prestige will cost you $49,025. Quattro all-wheel-drive is standard on all three versions of the Q5.
Every U.S.-spec Audi Q5 will have a directed-injected, 3.2-liter gasoline V6 rated for 270 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Its EPA rating is 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway.
Lexus has announced pricing for the redesigned 2010 Lexus RX 350, which arrives at dealerships this month. The front-drive RX comes in at $37,625, including $825 destination. The all-wheel-drive 2010 RX 350 costs $39,025. This is actually a $900 price reduction from the 2009 Lexus RX 350, which cost $38,525 in front-drive form and $39,925 with AWD.
Whether or not the price drop is a response to current unfavorable market conditions is anybody's guess, but after driving the 2010 Lexus RX 350, we can tell you that it is better than the 2009 RX 350.
A 275-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission is standard in every 2010 RX 350. A new double-wishbone rear suspension and electric power steering system give it better manners around turns. On the technology front, the adoption of the mouse-operated Remote Touch navigation system is the biggest news.
Behold the next Kia MPV. What's an MPV you say? Most sane people figure it to mean "multi-purpose vehicle", but not Kia.
Nope, those crazy loons figure this nifty concept is a "Million Possibilities Vehicle". Ok, we'll just have to see about that next month at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
No big surprises here. In preparation for a new line of commercial vehicles, Nissan will move production of its Infiniti QX56 SUV and Nissan Quest minivan to Japan. They're currently built in Nissan's plant in Canton Mississippi.
Production of the Nissan Titan pickup will move from Canton to a production facility in Mexico under an agreement with Chrysler. Nissan wouldn't comment on the fate of the full-size Armada SUV which is based on the same platform as the Titan truck. In other words, it's probably on the way out completely. Inside Line News
BMW wants to ensure the warmest possible reception for the 2009 BMW 335d and 2009 BMW X5 xDrive35d, so the company has made it impossible for you to make the number one most aggravating mistake: accidentally refueling your diesel vehicle with gasoline.
In a recent press release, BMW notes that --
The Incorrect Fuelling Protection System fitted to all BMW diesel-powered models is designed to allow only filler nozzles for diesel fuel to enter the filler neck. The filler neck of these models is fitted with a locking system that can only be released by a standardized diesel filler nozzle. An unleaded gasoline nozzle with its smaller diameter cannot make the same connection and its access is blocked.
Apparently, the company isn't just targeting American drivers who may be unaccustomed to using the diesel pump, noting that Germany's automobile association reports an average of 5,000 "misfueling" incidents each year.
Acura told dealers recently that an upcoming crossover vehicle is still on track for a late 2009 debut according to a report in Automotive News. The new vehicle is part of Acura's strategy to become a "Tier 1" luxury brand. In other words, it wants to compete directly with BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.
Spy photos of the new Acura crossover show a sleek design that clearly favors style over utility. With the MDX already taking care of the larger three-row segment of market, it looks as though Acura is gunning for buyers who might otherwise go for something like the BMW X6 or Infiniti FX. Both are niche players, so consider this new crossover a small part of Acura's grander strategy to attain Tier 1 status.
Today's episode of automaker teaser video is brought to you by the word, cutesy.
BMW has been working for some time on a wagon-esque, minivan-like, crossover-type vehicle that it likes to call PAS for progressive activity sedan. And now it's released on the web this adorable cartoon of a vehicle that we fear will be something less than adorable. It's a sort of tall wagon thing with adjustable rear seats and a cargo hold that can be accessed via a full-sized hatchback or through a smaller hatch within a hatch should the weather be too cold to expose passengers to a momentary blast of the outside. We're imagining the end result of all this passenger and cargo packaging rethinking (the video points out BMW has thought about this quite a lot) will end up looking a bit like a bloodless X6. But we'll see at March's Geneva auto show, where we expect to see the concept in person.
Until then, sit back and enjoy this silly interlude, because as '90's girly band Veruca Salt once observed, "Can't fight the teaser."
Volvo has announced pricing for the small XC60 crossover sport-ute that will go on sale in March as a 2010 model.
The little ute, powered by a 281-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged six, starts at $38,025 (including $825 destination charge). That is not inexpensive. However, all XC60s come with leather seats, power driver's seat and Bluetooth connectivity and, oh yeah, all-wheel drive. It also comes with Volvo's recently announced three-year/36,000-mile complimentry factory-scheduled maintenance. Still, that's closer in price to a BMW X3 than to an Infiniti EX35.
A few choice options include the Collision Avoidance Package, which includes adaptive cruise control, collision warning with automatic braking, driver alert control and lane-departure warning for $1,695. The Technology package which includes an upgrade Dynaudio surround-sound audio system, navigation system and rear park assist goes for $2,700. This being a Volvo, it's also offered with built-in child booster seats for $495. Nordic Light Oak inlays will set you back $295. And the not-entirely-attractive-sounding Lime Grass Green Pearl paint is an extra $525.
Read Inside Line's First Drive story on the 2010 Volvo XC60.
Audi has released more details on the U.S. market version of the upcoming Q5 small crossover vehicle. The highlights? The Q5 will be powered by a 270-hp 3.2-liter direct-injection V6 which will be mated to a six-speed automatic. Naturally, it will also come with Quattro all-wheel drive. Audi will launch an updated version of its MMI entertainment and information control system in the Q5.
The company still hasn't announced pricing for the Q5 which will go on sale in March. Audi estimates that the Q5 will return 18/23 mpg city/highway, but the EPA hasn't yet posted official figures.
In related news, Audi will introduce a hybrid gas-electric version of the Q5 sometime around 2011. The company has cancelled earlier plans to produce a hybrid version of the larger Q7 crossover.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're introducing a new feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
You may not have noticed, but the Infiniti FX was redesigned for 2009. It still has all that "bionic cheetah" stuff baked into it, but it also has a rather large gaping mouth that does little to help its cause. Luckily, Infiniti kept it stocked with horsepower and massive wheels and tires to make up for its odd styling.
We've had plenty of seat time in our long-term Infiniti FX50 with the big 5.0-liter V8, but the V6-powered FX35 is the volume seller. Well, that is if you can consider sales of 12,079 FX35s in 2008 "volume". It looks good on paper though with over 300-horsepower, all-wheel drive and big sticky tires, so we were interested in just how well it would stack up at the test track. Results after the jump.
This may look like the result of some insane torque-brake launch that preceded an attempt to get a Grand Cherokee into the 10s, but it was nothing of the sort.
According to the owner who so graciously detailed the catastrophe on www.modernmuscleforum.com, this spectacular failure occurred while sitting in a parking lot. Idling. Seriously.
If Honda's internal focus groups didn't already conclude there's a need for an Accord wagon, this hapless L.A. resident is proof positive that an Accord wagon would be a welcome addition to the Honda lineup.
Even without such obvious examples of need, Honda was already hard at work on a new Accord-based crossover. A U.S. patent application was approved two weeks ago complete with sketches of what looks like an Accord wagon.
And then just last week, Temple of VTEC secured some clear spy photos of a more utilitarian-looking Accord wagon. It's a dead ringer for the production model and far better looking that the Toyota Venza. Expect to see it on sale as early as the fourth quarter of 2009.
Sources in Japan have told Inside Line that although Nissan has throttled back some of its product programs in the face of worsening economic conditions, two notable programs are still on track. The rumored Infiniti sedan based on the GT-R is still a go and could come as early as 2011. Nissan is also developing an SUV based on the GT-R chassis, and it too could arrive in 2011.
In more depressing news, the same sources revealed that plans for a rear-wheel drive 200SX/Silvia replacement have been axed.
This morning, on a stage, far, far away, Jim Farley, Ford's top marketing executive, introduced the 2010 Lincoln MKT. It wasn't a surprise like the Lincoln C Concept, but the new three-row MKT was no less important. It is, after all, one of the first vehicles to offer Ford's much talked about, yet never-seen-in-a-production-car EcoBoost engine.
And although Mr. Farley spent ample time extolling the virtues of the MKT's optional twin-turbo, V6 power plant, a photo of the MKT remains elusive. Neither the MKT on the stage nor the MKS Sport, which also gets the new V6, were so equipped. Seems a shame as the engine is an impressive piece on paper with power (355 hp) and torque (350 pound-feet) that are unmatched in the three-row crossover segment. We'll keep stalking the Lincoln stand; until then you can check out our full story on the Lincoln MKT for more details. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
#DAS09 During GM's wide-ranging press conference at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, slipped in a surprise announcement that quickly got lost among all the hysteria over the Cadillac Converj. The Chevrolet Orlando, a seven-seat concept shown at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, will arrive in U.S. showrooms by 2011.
Built on the same platform as the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the Orlando concept has a 108.6-inch wheelbase. That's about 3-inches longer than the Cruze. The Orlando also has a wider front and rear track than the Cruze to open up more space inside. A 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine powered the concept, but expect the production vehicle to switch to a similarly sized gasoline engine for the U.S. market. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
#DAS09 Have you seen enough of the 2010 Cadillac SRX yet? Oh good, then you'll enjoy this short video on the interior of Cadillac's new compact SUV. Not surprisingly, it looks much like the current CTS in terms of its overall design and detailing. And that's not a bad thing at all. The CTS has what is arguably GM's best looking cabin, so spreading it around a little can only do Cadillac some good.
Did you see the 2010 Cadillac SRX that broke cover over the weekend? Well, if not, you can get all the details in our full story on the new compact SUV. If that's not enough to get you all excited about Cadillac's first turbocharged vehicle in the U.S., there's now some running footage of the vehicle after the jump, on paved roads and everything.
Doesn't leave much to look forward to at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next week, but don't forget that there have been rumors swirling about a possible plug-in hybrid Cadillac and this SRX would be a logical choice for such a system. We'll see next Sunday.
So it's not going to be a banner year for the home team at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors are about as beat down as major industrial giants can get, but this is a chance for each company to convince the public that there's still some life in the Motor City.
We can't say this is the future we envisioned for the 2010 Cadillac SRX. Set for an introduction at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, this new, smaller SRX is squeezing Cadillac into the compact luxury SUV segment currently occupied by the likes of the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK and soon-to-be-released Audi Q5.
It's a promising category with a good business case, but the fact that the current SRX never caught on is a shame. It was one of GM's best vehicles - a solid rear-wheel drive chassis, plenty of passenger space, six- and -eight-cylinder engines, and a well-trimmed interior. The SRX's biggest deficiency was the fact that it looked like a tall wagon instead of a shrunken SUV, which of course is not really a deficiency at all depending on who you're asking.
It looks like the Land Rover/Jaguar acquisition is going to cost Tata a pretty penny; make that $100 billion pennies (or $1 billion dollars). That's what the latest reports are suggesting--and that's after buying the two brands for $2.3 billion.
The official reveal of the 2010 Cadillac SRX is set for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January, but an early teaser video has already been posted by Cadillac. It doesn't give up anything good like specs or features, but it does give a pretty clear look at the styling of this new, smaller SRX. See for yourself below.
This is it, the 2010 Lincoln MKT on the streets of Dearborn. It's scheduled for an official debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, but like the 2010 Ford Taurus seen yesterday, this prototype is nearly uncovered.
No big surprises here as the finished product looks much like the concept shown at last year's Detroit show. You've got your big waterfall grille up front, an interesting up kick in the beltline toward the back and a full width taillight treatment across the tailgate.
This particular prototype also wore an "Ecoboost" badge, so Ford's new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is most certainly under the hood. No word yet on what the final horsepower numbers will be, but something in the 350 horsepower range is expected. And judging by the size of this sucker, it's going to need it.
The interior is fully finished and it looks pretty good. A thick-rimmed steering wheel, minimal button clutter and some high quality wood trim make it look like a proper luxury vehicle. Figure on three rows of seats and all the latest gadgets like Sync, a THX sound system and optional DVD screens in back.
Strange--and not a good sign. The all-new Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500 pickups actually tested a bit worse than last year's models, in terms of NHTSA rollover testing; at least that was true for 4WD models.
Speaking of rollovers... Weak roof pillars have also long been an issue of severe criticism with pickups and SUVs. Have these new trucks improved in that area? Don't know.
Chevy will debut an all-new 2010 Equinox CUV at the upcoming NAIAS. The vehicle will be available with either a 2.4L, 182 hp, 4-cylinder model; or a 3.0 V6 putting out 255 hp. Both models have direct injection, will be available in either FWD or AWD, and will be coupled to a 6-speed automatic.
The vehicle looks good and the spec sheet is pretty impressive. The question is, can Chevrolet convince customers cross-shopping the CR-V, RAV4 and Escape to pick this new Equinox over those models?
Could happen. The body-on-frame Nissan Patrol has always been Nissan's answer to the Toyota Land Cruiser; and with this latest revamp--and a HUGE one at that--there is some speculation that this vehicle could replace the soon-to-be-departed Armada and/or Infiniti QX56.
The new Patrol is expected to be powered, at least overseas, by a 4.8L V8, 4.0L V6 and a 3.0L V6 diesel. Gotta wonder if it shares some underpinnings with the upcoming Nissan NV2500 commercial trucks?
A report surfaced over at Motor Authority.com that Nissan's Mississippi plant will be converted over to building their upcoming light-commercial truck line. Currently vehicles being built there are the Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX56 and the Nissan Quest minivan. Sales of these vehicles have been way down this year. Those in the know believe Nissan will just get out of this market altogether. So far Nissan has not offered any comment.
In my daily search for automotive news I stumbled upon the following tidbit: It's about the IVECO Massif, an Italian SUV, engineered much like the Mercedes Geländewagen; in other words a very serious off-roader. While there's nothing too unusual about that, what I did find surprising upon some further research is that it was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's design firm, Italdesign (here). And you thought Giugiaro designed nothing but swoopy sports cars. SURPRISE!
Here's some info on the IVECO Daily 4x4, which the Massif is based on. I find this truck to be especially interesting. It's got a 3.0 16-valve 4-cylinder turbo diesel, with twin cams, and puts out 176 hp. Check out the 4-speed transfer case: It has up to 24 forward gears, and 4 reverse gears!
Trollhattansaab.com has posted images of what appears to be a Saab 9-3x CUV; sort of Saab's take on the Subaru Outback. The car has beefy tires and a raised suspension and most certainly their sophisticated Haldex AWD.
Before and after the wraps were removed from Volkswagen's SCORE Baja 1000 Trophy Truck, the diesel-powered Touareg you'll soon be able to buy sat unloved right next door.
The 2009 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI, as they're calling it, will reportedly be available as early as January 2009. Some dealers have already received order guides listing the starting price at $43,490, including destination charges. That's about $3,500 more than the 3.6-liter gasoline V6.
No one at the show could confirm whether or not the 19-inch wheels and tires on the display car would be standard on the TDI, but if they are, the effective price difference shrinks by $1,200 -- the cost of that option on the 3.6-liter V6 gasoline model.
Sometime in the spring of 2009, the beloved Lexus RX 400h will become the 2010 Lexus RX 450h. Like the 2010 RX 350, the hybrid RX is redesigned (though the basic platform architecture carries over).
Key to its new name is the installation of Toyota's 3.5-liter V6. As this is a hybrid application, the V6 is running on the Atkinson cycle (whereby the intake valves remain open during part of the compression stroke). The cumulative output of the 3.5-liter V6 and the RX's front-drive electric motor is 295 horsepower -- up from 268 on the RX 400h.
However, the hybrid RX has put on some weight, so it probably won't be any quicker than its predecessor. "We prioritized mpg, so we didn't push for a much lower 0-60-mph time," said Ben Mitchell, a product planner for the Lexus RX.
Fuel economy is up by 8 percent, says Lexus. Considering that the 2009 RX 400h has a combined EPA rating of 25.1 mpg, that translates to 27.1 mpg.
Otherwise, the news on the 2010 Lexus RX 450h is in-cabin technology. In addition to the new hard-drive-based navigation system with Remote Touch controller, the RX picks up nav traffic, nav weather, iPod integration and a sideview monitor. Of course, Mark Levinson is still around, too. The airbag count is up to 10, as both the driver and front passenger now get knee bags.
The big story about the 2010 Lexus RX 350 is that there's nothing big about it. Due to its wider track, it's slightly broader across the shoulders than the 2009 RX 350, but otherwise it has the same overall footprint. Its 107.9-inch wheelbase is only an inch longer than before, but there's still no third-row seat. RX owners, we're told, still don't want one.
"Keeping the right size was something we heard a lot of, because we certainly studied whether we wanted to add a third row," Ben Mitchell, an RX product planner, told us. "The majority of RX owners prioritize space in back, room for luggage."
To that end, the 2010 RX 350 has a more compact double-wishbone rear suspension, and after inspecting the cargo bay, we can attest that it intrudes less than the previous strut arrangement.
The previous RX's 3.5-liter V6 carries over but makes 275 horsepower this year (an increase of 5), and last year's five-speed automatic gives way to Toyota's six-speed unit with a manual-shift mode. The RX 350 gained some weight in the redesign (same basic platform architecture but more luxury gadgets), but we're told 0-60 times won't be affected much.
Electric power steering assist is new this year, but based on our recent experience with the Toyota Venza, we don't think this is a bad thing for the RX. "Owners asked for a little bit tighter response in the steering," said Mitchell, and we think we've delivered that without compromising comfort."
Probably the biggest change on the 2010 Lexus RX 350 is that it no longer has a touchscreen-style navigation system. Really. You now have to use a console controller called Remote Touch. We're told you can adjust the controller's sensitivity much like a computer mouse. To ease the transition, Lexus has a couple hands-on tutorials set up in the convention center that you can play with if you go to the show.
The 2010 Lexus RX 350 goes on sale in February 2009.
Volkswagen pulled the wraps off its TDI diesel-powered VW Touareg Trophy Truck this morning. Not content with a mere class win, VW's Trophy Truck leaves no doubt that nothing less than an overall win in the Baja 1000 and other SCORE off-road events will suffice.
SCORE President Sal Fish (above) was on hand with drivers Ryan Arciero and Mark Miller for the announcement.
Powering this purpose-built two-wheel-drive machine is a 5.0-liter TDI diesel V12 engine that VW officials at the launch said makes "550 horsepower and nearly unlimited torque." Presumably the limit is whatever the custom-made driveline components can stand for 1,000 miles of abuse.
No, GM is not buying into Subaru (again). But there is an interesting story found over on Jalopnik (here) via TurboNines.com (here) and TrollhattanSaab.com (here), about GM filing patents for a Tribeca-based Saab 9-6X.
Huh? GM-Saab divorced themselves from Subaru several years ago. What's going on here?
Don't know exactly, but it sure makes for some interesting speculating--and is a refreshing break from the never-ending doom-and-gloom news coming from Detroit these days.
VW will show their new Touareg off-road racer that will compete in the upcoming Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race.
It will be powered by a 5.5L V12 turbo clean diesel, which puts out 550 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. In addition it will be equipped with a trick suspension that offers 25 inches of wheel travel.
During a walk through SEMA's massive truck and off-road section in the south hall of the Vegas Convention Center, my eyes landed on Orange Crush. Specifically, they landed on the 426 Hemi badge on the hood of this heavily modded Jeep Wrangler. Yeah, that's a 7.0-liter V8.
"Did you really fit that in this Wrangler?" I asked the man minding the stand for Crocker Off-Road Performance, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"It didn't like it, but we did it," he replied.
He whipped out a photo album showing Orange Crush with its entire front end ripped off during the surgery. He then opened the hood, now stuffed full of V8. Crocker claims 665 horsepower. Orange Crush uses Chrysler's 545RFE five-speed automatic. You can scan the build sheet here.
More interesting, you can watch Orange Crush on a dyno -- whatever's going on in this Jeep, it definitely sounds like it has a massive amount of engine.
How's a Forester turbo with Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires mounted on special 15-in. Subaru custom-reversed near-zero offset steel wheels, and up to 14.5" of ground clearance grab you (here)?
There had been rumors out there that the FJ Cruiser was going to be discontinued for 2009. Not true according to Toyota. In fact, the Toyota media site has info posted on the '09 FJ.
Now the '09 models may take a while to arrive, as there are still plenty of '08s on dealer lots to unload. Changes? Not many. A few new colors, along with roll-sensing airbags on the front seats.
Man, if I were an automotive product planner, I'd be on all sorts of meds. I mean, c'mon, this must be among the most stressful jobs out there.
With the roller coaster ride we've had with gas prices--and now with them flirting in the mid-$2.00 range, SUV sales have again started to rise. Think we'll ever learn?
Inside Line has learned that GM has canceled plans for the next generation full-size SUVs. That means the Suburban, and its siblings will be no more. The replacements were scheduled to arrive in 2011, as 2012 models. There is no word yet as to how long the current models will remain in production.
WOW! Think about that. The Chevy Suburban has been around since 1936. Even with this news, I can't imagine that the GMC Acadia and its cousins will be up to the task of heavy towing that many of the full-size buyers require. Might there be a HD Acadia, et al., in the works?
So does anyone have still have any doubt about how bad the auto industry is, and just how precarious the future of this business is?
Originally, the prospect of driving a full-size SUV like some kind of hypermiling superdouche--with the air switched off, mind you--had all the appeal of listening to Fran Drescher on infinite loop.
And the Audi Mileage Marathon certainly would have been a supreme bore had James Tate (of Traction Magazine) and George Achorn (Fourtitude Forums) in Q7 number 4 not put on their game faces for Day Two. In doing so, the team turned the friendly-but-daft Audi marketing campaign into a manhunt.
Some in the industry are saying that this could happen, and if so, could be a good thing. We're talking about the Dodge Ram 1500, Durango and Dakota here. Interesting, however, the Dodge Ram HD models may not be part of this deal should it occur. That leaves you with the obvious question: what happens to these trucks?
We already know the Next Nissan Titan will be Ram 1500-based. The Detroit News report here suggests that the next Armada might be Durango-based, but there's no mention of what might happen with the Dakota. Will the next Nissan Frontier be Dakota-based? Don't know. Also being reported, if this comes to pass, is that the next Infiniti QX56 might be based off the (not imported) Nissan Patrol.
As to the fate of HD Rams, this is another question mark. A future HD Nissan Titan will likely come from the new commercial-duty Nissan platform, which Nissan already has plans for.
I've always been a sucker for cool off-roaders, and here's one more that's gotten my attention. It the Fiat Bugster concept, and it will debut at the Sao Paulo auto show in Brazil which starts October 30.
The Bugster is powered by a zero-emission electric motor, and the outer body is built out of renewable fibers. Pretty cool, if you ask me.Full story here.
Green Car Advisor has a blog up on how owners of SUVs, when downsizing, want to keep all the luxury goodies that they're accustomed to. That's not surprising, in fact this trend is not limited to just SUV owners. Buyers of all types of vehicle, when downsizing, don't want to give up those much-appreciated luxuries.
Yeah, I'd stare too if I saw this creature. It's "Hummer Art." Not sure if this will spawn a new school of art as did Monet and company with Impressionism, but I guess it could. We've already seen various takes on the famous Cadillac Ranch (here), so why not a few spin-offs based on this theme?
At any rate, as you can see, it's a Hummer with wooden wheels, clearly giving it a wild-west feeling about it. And yes, it is art, as it's being displayed outside Royal Academy of Arts in London as part of the Zoo Art Fair 2008 which runs from 17-20 October.
We haven't even loaded up our 2009 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI and the smack-talk is thick. James Tate and George Achorn in the number 4 Q7 are already talking a big game. Seems they're not planning to take even a fuel-miser competition lying down.
We're committed though. No air conditioning. Windows up. We've deflated the Q7's air suspension to its lowest, most wind-cheating ride height. Driving like there's an egg on the accelerator pedal. Heck, we've even turned off the daytime running lights in order to reduce the parasitic load on the alternator. We have every itention of winning this thing.
Wait, we're keeping the air off when we're driving through Death Valley?
In case you haven't heard, the Audi Mileage Marathon--a coast-to-coast trek across the USA in diesel-powered Audis--is underway. The trip is divided in four major legs, the final leg of which Edmunds is currently participating. Leg Four will stretch and divide the distance between Las Vegas and Santa Monica into three days of driving with stopovers in Mammoth Lakes, CA, and Monterey, CA.
They're pitting automotive journalists in teams of two against each other in several of their TDI-powered models including Q7s, Q5s and A4s. Dan Edmunds and I make up the team representing Edmunds and Inside Line. We're in a 2009 Q7 3.0 TDI bearing the number 3.
Audi says the goal is to demonstrate the efficiency of their TDI turbodiesel engines. We say they're just staging this competition as an excuse to witness the absurd lengths to which automotive journalists will go in order to gain an advantage and protect their fragile egos.
Day One of our leg is Vegas to Mammoth Lakes. Stay tuned.
Because of the ongoing auto sales slump, Honda will re-focus on selling sedans, and will cut production on SUV and minivans.
That's both bad news and good news. The bad news is Honda will be selling less high-profit vehicles. The good news is that more Honda sedans that will be built will come from Honda's American factories. That means few if any American Honda factory workers will lose jobs, as these formally building SUVs, etc., will now be reassigned to building cars. It also means that 80% of all Hondas sold will be built domestically, as fewer units will be imported.
"We are trying to use our plant flexibility to minimize the effects of the market going down and satisfy our customers' desire for more cars and fewer trucks," said Honda spokesman Ed Miller.
Merry Christmas. Production of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Saab 9-7X will end December 23, as GM will shutting down their Moraine, Ohio plant. Sales of these vehicle have tanked, as have most SUVs. The good news is that the Chevy Traverse, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave have been hits in this tough segment.
Actually this is not a surprise, at least the ending of production of these vehicles, that is. I what will miss is that, with the exception of the Hummer H3, GM will no longer offer an off-road capable SUV in the mid-size segment--and who knows how long the Hummer will be around.
Bimmer fans don't get your hopes up just yet, as early word has it that this car, when it goes into production, may not come here. Why? It all comes down to exchange rates between the dollar and the euro.
In Europe this smaller-than-X3 CUV is expected to offer a 170-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 177-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder common-rail diesel, as well as a 265-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine and the company's new 245-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel.
Like most people, it looks like the Honda Element is getting conservative with old age. Autoblog has posted a scan from the 2009 Element brochure, and as you can see, some of the more "youthful" styling cues have been put out to pasture.
So does this mean that Honda has discovered that the Element is more appealing to geezers than youngsters? Or has Honda discovered that there's more bucks in appealing to an audience with, well, more bucks?
Well, here's yet one more show car leaked on to the Net: It's the Chevy Orlando CUV concept, which is to debut at Paris shortly. The vehicle shares the same Delta II platform as the Chevy Cruze, and power comes from a 2.0-liter turbodiesel. That's about it for details, which will be announced at the show.Full story here.
At the 62nd IAA in Germany VW showed a Caddy concept called the PanAmericana. It's based on the 1.9L turbo diesel 4WD Caddy, which is already on the market.
Big "oops!" here. Somehow the Saab site from Chile posted images of the upcoming--and not officially announced--Saab 9-4 X. ...And as you would expect, these images are now starting to hit the Net.
In any event, this is one handsome CUV. Power will come from a 245-hp @5300 rpm and 295 ib-ft @1900 rpm 2.0 turbo. Saab is claiming 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, which can't be U.S. EPA numbers.
Full story here at Jalopnik (here) and WorldCarFans (here) via a translated Saab Chile site (here).
What's going on here? Am I the only one out there who knows that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is already unibody--and that it's ALWAYS been unibody? In fact the '84 Cherokee originated the use of unibody construction in Jeeps.
Why is it then that several news sources have been reporting that the next GC is going unibody--as if this was 'new' news? Have they been living under a rock since 1993? Or are they suggesting that the Jeep will do away with "welded subframe" aspect of the unibody, which even the Honda Pilot, Ridgeline and others now use? That subframe is what gives the GC the additional strength needed for those off-road adventures. If that's the case--then yes indeed--it will truly be car-like, and you can kiss any serious off-roading off your list of fun things to do.
Other news pertaining the the '10 GC is that it will get cylinder-deactivation technology on the Phoenix V6, which will allow it to run on three cylinders when under a light load.
There are a lot of Subie and diesel fans out there waiting to hear what it's like to drive the diesel-powered Forester. Edmunds very own Erin Riches took a trip to Slovenia to do just that. She was part of a contingent of American journalists invited to check out the new Euro-spec model. Her Green Car Advisor report follows.
One thing to ponder: Even though Subaru publicly states that they have no plans on bringing this car over here, ya gotta wonder--if that's the case--why did they invite a group of American writers over to test the car? My guess is this was a "feeler" session to see what kind of excitement this car generates; what works and what needs work; and of course, what's the sales potential here in the USA.
My take? It's coming in a couple of years. That is once they develop an automatic (CVT?) strong enough to handle the 258 lb-ft-of torque, which is 11 pounds more than what the Tribeca puts out.
Here's the first driving report that I've seen on the '09 Suzuki Grand Vitara, and it's from Canada. I suspect that US-spec models will be similar if not the same, except for government-mandated regulations. Styling also appears to be the same, although the grille has a slightly different mesh pattern. The important changes are under the skin.
For '09 the GV gets two engine choices. The old 185-hp 2.7L V6 has been replaced with either a 166-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, or a more powerful 230-hp 3.2L V6, The 4-cylinder model can be had with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. The V6 comes only with a 5-speed automatic. Both models can tow 3000 pounds, which is the same as the '08 model. I was hoping the more powerful V6 might get a boost to 3500 towing, but unfortunately that that's not the case. Good news is that the 3000 tow rating for the 4-cylinder model is class-leading as far as I can tell. I don't know of any 4-cylinder SUV that can tow that much.
The 4WD drive remains the same as last year for both engines. That means a full-time 4-high, part-time 4-high, part-time 4-low, and a neutral position for flat towing.
The one thing that's predictable about the Paris auto show is that the vehicles that will debut will be unpredictable. Only the Tokyo auto show is wackier than the Paris show.
Among French automakers, Renault is sure to hold up this unpredictable theme, as they and others have been fine-tuning their art for decades. This year is no exception, as they will show the Ondelios, which is a luxury CUV hybrid. So they've covered all the buzz-word segments here, and have added the expected unexpectedness in terms of design.
For starters, the vehicle has gullwing doors, a feature usually reserved for Benz and Benz wannabes. It seats six, with six individual chairs. It's powered by a 2.0 dCi turbo diesel engine, with two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear that use a brake and boost system, recovering energy during braking then delivering it to the engine to boost acceleration. The crossover is also eq
