SUVs
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Earlier this year it was revealed that Mercedes-Benz was halting production of the current A-Class and B-Class after the current cycle and replacing the two aging models with a new family of small vehicles ranging from cabrios to sports coupes. We reported that this replacement would entail a whole new family of models consisting of four distinct variations, including a cabriolet, a coupe, a people mover and a soft-roader. Now Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that at least three of these variations will be made for the replacement B-Class, including a hatchback, a mini-MPV and a soft roader. The...
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Kia to present Borrego FCEV in L.A.
Kia will use next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show to debut a concept version of its Borrego SUV powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Called the Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the concept represents an important milestone for the South Korean manufacturer and is a sign that Kia is one of...
Jeremy Weber -
Land Rover announces 2009 updates for U.S. lineup
Land Rover has announced some changes to its 2009 lineup for the North American market, including several new upgrades to the interior and exterior of all Range Rover models. Most notably, the Range Rover line will feature the new 'Autobiography' Package in the Sport Supercharged model. New...
Kenneth Hall -
Mercedes releases two special-edition ML63 AMG SUVs
In a sort of counter-stroke to the modified vehicle extravaganza that is the SEMA show, Mercedes has announced two special editions of its ML63 AMG SUV. The 10th Anniversary model celebrates 10 years of AMG SUVs, while the Performance Studio edition exhibits what the in-house AMG customizers at the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Full details on Mercedes-Benz's four custom GLKs for SEMA
The GLK crossover SUV hasn't yet reached the U.S. retail market, but already specialty aftermarket equipment companies are set to brandish their treatments of the new Mercedes-Benz at the 2008 SEMA show, which gets underway tomorrow. All four versions of the GLK have already been previewed, but now...
Nelson Ireson -
Early look at Seat’s upcoming Tribu SUV
The once cash-strapped Seat brand is on the verge of developing a range of new models, with no less than four different vehicles planned for production within the next three to four years. The launch of the Ibiza hatch in April was just the tip of the iceberg as the Spanish carmaker is now working...
Alex Kaufmann -
British tuner Project Kahn and engine specialist Cosworth teamed up earlier this year to co-develop a range of new modified vehicles, and their first creation – a highly modified version of the Range Rover Sport – is set to make its world debut at the upcoming 2008 MPH event in the UK. The custom SUV, dubbed the Kahn Cosworth Sport 300, is based on the 3.6L TDV8 Range Rover Sport but has been given some minor engine mods and styling changes both inside and out. We first heard about the project back in July and now, ahead of its debut, Project Kahn has released the full specs for...
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Mercedes delivers the first GLK in Germany
This is not the best year, or even the best quarter, to debut a new vehicle. Sales are slow and slowing further, the global economy is weak, and financing is hard to come by. That makes the vehicles that do make their sales debuts now all the more essential to their companies' success - cars like...
Nelson Ireson -
Lewis Hamilton picks Mercedes GL320 CDI as daily driver
McLaren racing star Lewis Hamilton is just one GP away from possibly writing himself into the history books as the youngest-ever F1 champion, but when he’s not carving up the race track the 23-year-old-Brit is usually driving a much slower vehicle – a diesel SUV in fact. The vehicle is...
Jeremy Weber -
Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango hybrids rated at 22mpg highway
Chrysler’s new Dodge Durango and Aspen hybrid SUVs finally began rolling off assembly lines in late August at the company’s Newark plant in Delaware. The two SUVs are Chrysler’s first entries in the hybrid market and are now able to backup Chrysler's claimed fuel efficiency...
James Martinez -
Brabus modifies the Mercedes-Benz GLK
Unlike some of the recently announced and soon-to-be-shown SEMA design concepts for the Mercedes-Benz GLK - one of which was even done by Brabus - the Brabus version of the GLK that will see public sale is considerably more restrained. With no gratuitous side-scoops, a minimal front-end redesign...
Nelson Ireson -
GM will close two SUV plants by end of 2008
Cutting back on SUV and pickup truck production while shifting focus to smaller and mid-size cars means some reallocation of the workload among General Motors' North American factories. While many factories are just changing what they do, some will have to be closed to align with the new face of...
Nelson Ireson -
Mini recently revealed a concept version of its upcoming crossover model at the Paris Motor Show but didn’t go so far as to give it a name. Until now most sources, including this one, reported that Mini’s new crossover will be called the ‘Crossman,’ however the carmaker’s global sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson has now confirmed the new model will go by a different name. Speaking with Australia’s GoAuto, Robertson said “I can assure you it won’t be known by that name.” When asked if the vehicle could be called the ‘Maxi’...
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Report: Audi will not sell the Q7 V12 TDI in U.S.
The Audi Q7 V12 TDI was first revealed in production trim at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year but withheld key information, such as when the vehicle would eventually go on sale and what its specifications would look like, until last month. Now Audi has reportedly revealed that the Q7 V12 TDI...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
New SUV Key To Alfa Romeo’s U.S. Return
The Fiat Group has set a goal of achieving profitability for Alfa Romeo, and to do that, says Alfa CEO Luca de Meo, the marque will need to increase its sales volume. With a goal of 300,000 vehicles per year by 2010, there are several steps being taken to help ensure it is met. Around the same...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW X7 dropped in favor of compact crossovers
It was reported in August that BMW had canceled plans for a new full-size SUV positioned above the current X5 and X6 to take on rivals like the Range Rover and Mercedes Benz GL. The carmaker’s CEO Norbert Reithofer has now confirmed that development of the luxury SUV, which was to be called...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Report: No decision made on Porsche diesel
Rumors of Porsche adding a diesel powertrain to the Cayenne have been making the rounds for months, but with almost nothing in the way of official confirmation, and more than one official denial, the existence of an oil-burning Porsche will remain just speculation. Most reports have suggested that...
Nelson Ireson -
Hyundai reveals Santa Fe Blue Hybrid
Toyota, Honda and nearly every other major manufacturer has beaten Hyundai to market with a hybrid powertrain solution, but the South Korean company is making up for lost time as the Paris Motor Show draws near. The latest development is the Santa Fe petrol-electric hybrid SUV concept, which will...
Nelson Ireson -
Ford’s venerable luxo-barge, the Lincoln Navigator, has been updated for the 2009 model year, receiving a host of new features as well as a slightly more fuel efficient powertrain. The big news is the addition of a power lift gate, heated seats, parking sensors, a 14-speaker stereo, and E85 flex-fuel capability, all fitted as standard as part of Lincoln’s plans to simplify packaging for the Navigator and Navigator L models. The list of standard items don't end there as the 2009 model also comes with rain-sensing wipers, a rear-view camera, and a six-month introductory subscription...
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Jeep takes electric technology off-road with Wrangler-based plug-in
Showing its commitment to clean and efficient motoring both on and off the road, Chrysler has unveiled a prototype plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the Jeep Wrangler SUV. Designed with the full capability of the legendary off-road vehicle, the new prototype still promises an electric-only driving...
Ralph Hanson -
Saab 9-4X revealed ahead of L.A. Auto Show debut
Earlier this week we saw the covers come off a new design study from Saab based around the previous 9X BioHybrid concept car, however there’s another more important model the Swedish carmaker will be announcing in coming months and that is the all-new 9-4X SUV. Seen here for the first time in...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee to get efficient Phoenix V6
Chrysler is taking heed of tougher fuel-economy standards and shifting demand for smaller and more environmentally friendly vehicles by redesigning its next-generation models to be lighter and greener. The carmaker’s vice chairman, Tom LaSorda, has revealed that the next-generation model, due...
Siddarth Raja -
Evolution MotorSports Porsche Cayenne Turbo and GTS
Earlier this week Evolution MotorSports announced the kick-off of its agreement with German supercar maker Gumpert as the sole U.S. assembly and testing arm for the Apollo. Now the company has revealed two new takes on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and GTS, boosting power and performance with optional...
Nelson Ireson -
New 3.0L V6 VW Touareg TDI set for L.A auto show
Diesels are quickly joining hybrids and plug-in electrics as the new show-car theme. The reasons are simple: efficiency, both in terms of fuel and finance, is driving carmakers and consumers to give diesel-fueled vehicles another chance. In keeping with this, the new Volkswagen Touareg TDI will...
Nelson Ireson