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Showing results for tags 'suv'.
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[extract] Sports utility vehicles are gaining much popularity in the past five years, especially crossovers. While other automakers are churning out SUV models one after another, Volkswagen currently has only two models which are the Tiguan and Touareg. Its subsidiary, Audi, currently has three SUV models with three more planned in the near future and this made Volkswagen
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[extract] Many would have already read reports of Lamborghini
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[extract] Many should have already heard of Lamborghini
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Range Rover Evoque named 'Women's World Car of the Year 2012'
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] The Range Rover Evoque won the 2012 World Car Design of the Year award recently at the New York Auto Show. Now, the funky SUV has won the ladies -
[extract] Not too long ago, Porsche announced its plans for a smaller-sized suv to accompany its Cayenne and expand its model line-up. Not much details were available at that time besides a rendered image of the car. Now, more technical news about the baby suv has been revealed. Many speculated the model name while some were certain that it would be named the Porsche Cajun, but the German automaker has given a different name all together-the Macan. Porsche explained the name to be derived from an Indonesian word meaning 'tiger' and expresses the
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The first time we saw the Hawtai B35 SUV was two years ago which looked like a nip/tuck job between Bentley and Porsche. Now the SUV is back at the upcoming Auto China Show in Beijing later this month. The facelift brings about some cosmetic changes, where the Bentley-inspired front grille replaced with a grille similar to the latest Jaguar XJ saloon. So it is still a nip/tuck job, just a different face this time. The Porsche knockoff is offered in China with a choice of two powerplants, a 1.8-litre turbocharged with a 164hp output and a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre with 150hp. Both engines have either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic for transmission and an optional four-wheel drive system. The interior looks decent though nothing new. You find bland leather with imitation wood, six airbags, navigation, parking sensors, heated seats, and an electric sunroof. Some questions about the car though. If the SUV is made in China for the China market, and in promotional shots you see the car's name written in Chinese at the number plate area, yet inside in the cabin everything is written in English. Also there is a random button with the word
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[extract] The Mazda CX-5 is a groundbreaking vehicle for the Hiroshima-based automaker. It is Mazda's first car featuring the new KODO - Soul of Motion Design language first shown in the Shinari concept vehicle in May 2010. It is also the first vehicle featuring the company's Skyactiv Technology which uses a rigid, lightweight platform combined with a new series of efficient engines and transmissions. It seemed that Mazda
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Leaked brochure images of the facelifted 2013 Lexus RX
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] The current generation Lexus RX has been around since 2009 and it is about time that the model receives a fresh new look. But we do not have to wait any longer because images of the facelifted 2013 Lexus RX has leaked into the World Wide Web and it is clear that the car is undergoing a facelift that keeps true to the company -
[extract] Sometime back in October I wrote about Lamborghini's venture into the non-sports car market and its plans to introduce a third model so as to accompany its two other models which is the Gallardo and the Aventador. What is not known at that time is what type of car Lamborghini is going to come up with. Initial rumours were pointing at the Estoque Concept Car as the third model; mainly because high performance four-door sedans are the
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[extract] BMW M was first started to assist BMW
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2012 Mercedes Benz ML63 AMG: The German Super Off-Roader
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Many years ago there was no such thing as a SUV. What we know today as SUVs are known at that time as trucks. Trucks of that time are basically large in size, heavy, offer four-wheel drive capabilities, drab looking and are pretty slow. And when you talk about handling, it means that the vehicle should be able to manoeuvre off-road with ease while all four wheels planted to the ground. Times have indeed changed things a lot. Just take a look at the 2012 Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG. It is the most powerful SUV available in the market and it can easily outrun most cars today, even some sports cars. With an introduction of the new-generation M-Class in 2011, it is widely expected that Mercedes Benz will introduce a high performance sub-model for the M-Class. It is common for an automaker to display differences towards its high performance models and the ML 63 AMG is no exception. With regards to most SUVs, sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a base model and its higher performance sibling and the only way is to check the rear badging. Mercedes has ensured that there will be no confusion when we look at the ML 63 AMG. The car gets a fully redesigned outlook. The front fascia uses more black parts instead of chrome. Larger central and side air vents gives the car a more masculine and aggressive look. Subtle side skirts extend towards the rear bumper of the car. Just like the front, the rear bumper is dominated with large, angular vents. While the exhausts on the base ML models are hidden behind the rear bumper, the ML 63 gets chromed quad-designed exhausts pipes. A performance model usually gets better brakes set-up and larger tyre size and Mercedes have exactly done that. The front brakes feature 15.4 inches ventilated and drilled brake discs and six piston callipers and the rear gets a slightly smaller 13.6 inches brake discs and four piston callipers. The car gets a special designed 20 inch wheels over the standard model. The engine used in the ML 63 AMG is a 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The all-aluminium engine delivers 518bhp at 5200rpm and a torque of 700Nm from 2000rpm, with a stock boost set of 14.5 psi (almost 1 bar). The car has a top speed of 250km/h (electronically limited) and is mated to a seven-speed AMG Speed Shift gearbox which is also controllable via paddle shifters. If the buyer opts for the AMG Performance Package, the car delivers a very impressive 550bhp and 760Nm of torque. In addition, the electronic top speed limiter is raised to 280km/h and a carbon fibre engine cover replaces the standard plastic cover. With the AMG Performance package, the 0-100km/h timing falls in just 4.6 seconds (4.7 seconds if without the package). Lastly, the gunmetal brake callipers are painted bright red and this is by far the easiest way to distinguish which models have the AMG Package. Mercedes' Airmatic suspension, Ride Control and Active Curve system comes as a standard and there are three driver-selected modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus) which electronically controls roll stabilisation and damping. Under full load, the air suspension will raise and lower the vehicle based on speed so as to improve handling, stability and aerodynamics. In the interior department, the ML 63 AMG gets the usual AMG specific parts and accessories. The front gets sports bucket seats and all seats are wrapped in premium leather. The thick, Alcantara leather wrapped four spoke steering wheel is one of the specific AMG Performance Package item which replaces the normal half leather and wood steering wheel. Mercedes Benz has delivered a mild looking beast that breathes on a powerful engine. It may appear boxy to some and pretty ordinary looking (if you were to compare other SUVs in its category, e.g. Porsche Cayenne Turbo) but what Mercedes can brag about is that it is the most powerful SUV in its class. And many years ago a SUV like this is impossible to envision. Photo credit: Net Car Show -
The 2011 Tokyo Motor Show has just begun and many automakers are showcasing their new models or concepts. And it is no surprise that Volkswagen has unveiled its crossover SUV concept there since it is one of the biggest auto events. The concept shows hints of what a compact hybrid crossover would look like when style, performance and efficiency are combined. Volkswagen named it the Cross Coupe Concept. A spokesperson for the company said that it is how a crossover between a four-door coupe and an SUV would look like. This concept could also be the basis for Audi's crossover SUV. The concept was designed by Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff and it is rather stunning. Measuring 4.34 metres long, the car is shorter than the current Volkswagen Tiguan but longer than the current VW Golf. The long front bonnet and the sloping rear lines give the car an aggressive stance. The front headlights are uniquely connected to the centre grille. The chrome strips are more than just for aesthetics purposes. The bottom strips houses the daytime running lights and the top ones are for turn signals. Interior wise, the car features four bucket seats with integrated headrests. Both front and back seats can be folded down to increase cabin space. The cargo trunk space has around 13.4 cubic feet of space and increases to 43.4 cubic feet when the seats are folded. A programmable instrument cluster, which is connected to the driving mode selector, displays various information relating to the driving mode, either sport, off-road and city. The Cross Coupe is powered by three different sources. The front wheels are powered by a 148bhp turbocharged engine which is connected to an electric motor with 54bhp. The rear wheels are powered by another electric motor which will is activated when driving in all-electric mode or during all-wheel drive driving. The rear electric motor is rated at 114bhp and a total of 262bhp if you combine all three. The batteries for the two electric motors are located where the driveshaft would normally sit. According to Volkswagen, this provides a better low centre of gravity and better balance which in turn will give the car the handling of a coupe with SUV functionality. Photo credit: Auto Evolution and Motor Authority
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Mercedes Benz reveals plans for 10 new future models
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Locally, the Mercedes Benz marque has always been known or seen as a rather upmarket name. Many also perceive that this brand name attracts older buyers rather than younger ones and thus the nickname -
[extract] What do you get when you infuse the latest Subaru Impreza hatchback with SUV elements? You will get the Subaru XV (also known as the XV Crosstrek in North America). The Subaru XV is basically a
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In the past few months we have been teased and enticed with fleeting images, preparation videos and the eventual unveiling of the Nissan Juke-R. And Nissan is most probably not going to build the Juke-R in masses. That piece of news might have disappointed some people. But if you really like the Juke-R, there is another alternative. Initially built only as a concept, the Nissan Juke Nismo garnered a lot of positive attention during the recent 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and this has encouraged Nissan to build it for real. The car will be based on the concept which was showcased recently at the Tokyo Motor Show. Nissan
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Sometime this year, there were reports of Nissan transplanting the R35 engine into its SUV model, Juke. After announcing their plans to build the Juke-R, Nissan teased us with numerous photos and videos of the vehicle in state of preparation. Many were divided when they heard about this attempt. Some just laughed it off, thinking that it would be a disaster for a high centre of gravity vehicle to have such a powerful powertrain. And some were dying to see what Nissan is capable of achieving. Regardless of what anyone think or feel, Nissan has completed the Juke-R and has released photos of it to the world. Now Nissan has completed its powerful sub-compact SUV, one with the heart and soul of the infamous
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[extract] Jeep has been producing off-road and sports utility vehicles since the 1940s, making it the oldest manufacturer of such vehicles. Right now, it is an automobile marque under the Chrysler group. But before this, do you know that it was once known as the Willys Jeep and how did the name Jeep came about? Back in 1941, when Willys-Overland started making Jeeps, there was no such thing as
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This is the second part of some crazy modification/alteration photos that I saw on the internet and I wish to share it with everyone. In this instalment, we get to see more photos of repair work done on cars instead of modifications. In the first photo (above) we see a SUV with a wooden plank door. Judging from the dents and the missing side skirts, this vehicle was involved in some form of accident. The original door probably could not be used anymore and the owner replaced it with this. Apparently the owner got a wooden plank, some metal hinges you normally see on gates and a fancy golden door latch with a matching coloured door knob. A few drilled holes later and this is what you get. This probably doesn
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[extract] Every 4x4
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This time, the Bavarian tuning specialist, ABT, concentrated on increasing the power of the German SUV, while keeping the exterior changes to a minimum.
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To be honest, I found the Suzuki Grand Vitara surprising to say the least, quite enjoyable. It was easy to drive on the roads and the directness of its steering seem to be a family trait. But it could do with a little more power for better off-roading ability. Doesn't matter that it looks a little more sedate than I would've liked. But I guess it fills the void between an all out bruiser like a Land Rover Defender and something soft like the BMW X5. Nevertheless with some minor modifications (eg. bigger wheels, uprated suspension etc.), the GV can transform into a very capable off-roader too. The many Jimnys on the roads can be proof of that. Read up more about the GV here
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Volkswagen has added a new trim level to its Touareg range. The Exclusive Edition adds certain upgrades such as two-tone leather combinations and unique alloy wheels for a more individualized touch. These features were previously available as standalone items on the options list. Customers can choose between Pepper Beige/Titan Black combination or Dark Burgundy /Titan Black. The center sections of the seats are trimmed in what VW calls "Cool Leather", which is said to reduce surface temperature from intense sunlight. The leather seating system also treats occupants with heated front seats together with 12-way electric adjustment, electro-pneumatically adjustable lateral seat supports and head restraints with longitudinal and height adjustment. In addition, the package includes leather door inserts, stainless steel tread plates, a black roof-liner and special 'Olive Ash satin' wood trim. For the exterior, the Exclusive Edition adds machine-polished 19-inch "Girona" alloy wheels with 265/50 R19 tires or optionally 20-inch "Tarragona" wheels. A silver anodized roof railing is also fitted. The Exclusive Edition is available with all engine options in Germany. You may wish to check out the availability of this option with Volkswagen Centre Singapore.
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Here are some snapshots of the new Saab 9-4X crossover in production form, before its LA Auto Show debut in November. While nothing is official yet, the 9-4X engine lineup should include a 180-hp 1.6-liter Turbo, a 220-hp 2.0-liter Turbo, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel. A 300-hp 2.8-liter V6 may also show up, and we can expect transmissions to be 6-speed manual or automatic in a front- or all-wheel drive layout. From the photos, the new Saab crossover looks to stay fairly true to the 9-4X BioPower concept by showing off Saab's new rear end styling. We can clearly see its full-width taillight setup and hockey stick C-pillar. In addition, the propeller-inspired rims are a nice touch that symbolize both Saab's aviation heritage and its new ownership by Spyker. All in all, this is a welcomed addition to the new Saab product range, which hopefully will contribute to the brand
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[extract] Saab
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The Nissan Dualis, which is the Japanese market version of the firm's European Qashqai, has received updates for the 2011 model year focused on the exterior, interior and improved fuel economy. The styling enhancements to the compact crossover's exterior are limited to the reworked front grille, chrome detailing on the door handles and a refresh design for the 18-inch alloy wheels. The revised Dualis also come with six new colors including a Brilliant White Pearl three-coat paint finish. Interior tweaks include the revised instrument cluster that gains a new 3.6-inch vehicle information display featuring a trip computer and a maintenance function which tells the driver when to change engine oil or tires. Nissan says it has also further improved the fuel efficiency of the Dualis 2WD models through modifications to the engine control systems and the XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
