Detroit 2011: Jeep celebrates 70th Anniversary with special edition models
Jeep has proclaimed itself as “one of the world’s few, true icons.” Normally, we’d take issue with such a brazen statement, but in the case of Jeep, we don’t really disagree. In fact, in a good portion of the developed world, the word ‘Jeep” is synonymous with sport utility vehicles in general… like Kleenex or Coke.
With that in mind, Chrysler think it’s time to celebrate Jeep’s 70th anniversary in 2011, and as you might expect, the off-road specialist is releasing a slew of special editions to commemorate the occasion. All of the new 2011 models – one each of Jeep’s five models – will be available in a unique Bronze Star exterior paint in addition to Bright Silver and Black along with the appropriate spate of 70th Anniversary badges.
All five 70th Anniversary Jeeps will come with a dark perforated leather interior (either Dark Slate or Dark Olive, depending on the model) with Chestnut stitching, Berber carpeting (yes, really), unique cluster overlays and 70th Anniversary logos on the radio. Past that, each model gets its own set of touches that will set it apart from its non-Anniverarized siblings.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Detroit Auto Show, Jeep, SUV Tags: Detroit Auto Show
Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls
Mini’s model line is expanding at an exponential rate, and according to BMW’s smallest division, the Paceman Concept will form the basis of its eighth production vehicle. Even if that’s the case, nothing resembling the Paceman is going to beat either the Mini Coupe or Roadster to market, which are expected to hit dealers in late 2011 and 2012, respectively.
What we have in the Paceman is basically a Countryman that’s been relieved of its two rear doors and granted a gradually sloping roofline. Yes, that will indeed limit the machine’s versatility, but it also adds a sporty vibe to the somewhat high-riding crossover.
Categories: Coupe, Crossover, Crossovers/CUVs, Detroit Auto Show, Mini Tags: Detroit Auto Show
Quick Spin: 2011 Volvo XC60 R-Design
Despite the company’s storied rally history, Volvo seems to have eschewed building its line of R-Design vehicles into street-legal racers in favor of simply creating design packages that give the company’s sedans, crossovers and hatches some much-needed attitude. In the case of the 2011 Volvo XC60 R-Design, that means the vehicle evolves from a mild-mannered high-rider into a machine begging to be seen delivering a load of equally well-dressed ladies to an exclusive night spot. It may not be able to reduce its tires to a cloud of carcinogens or successfully execute a Scandinavian flick, but this CUV is a much more attractive offering than its straight-laced siblings.
Allow us to get one thing out of the way before we move forward – there is no additional horsepower here. Volvo has kept performance additions to a bare minimum, stuffing in stiffer suspension goodies here and there and skipping out on a more potent powerplant all together. Even so, there’s a good bit to get excited about, starting with the retina-searing red paint. The hue, called Passion Red, is only available on the XC60 R-Design, and immediately distinguishes the trim from the rest of the safety-conscious flock. Those massive 20-inch aluminum wheels stamped with equally expansive XC60 logos are also unique hardware.
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Categories: Crossovers/CUVs, Volvo Tags: Volvo
Nissan announces 2010 Armada pricing and new Murano 360 value package
he economy sucks, so no one’s buying new cars. Gas prices are low, though, so filling up the cars you have isn’t the ritual blood sacrifice that took place every time you pulled up to the pump last summer. Under normal financial circumstances, this actually wouldn’t be a bad time to release the latest versions of your pricey, jumbo-sized, V8-powered fuel-swiller. These aren’t normal circumstances, though, and since product cycles are merciless and blind to current events, Nissan is stuck releasing the 2010 Armada in May anyway. There’s the standard SE trim (base price: $37,210 to $42,810) of course, and the 2010 Nissan Armada adds enhanced precious-metal nomenclature with Titanium (base price:$42,140 to $44,940) and Platinum (base price: $49,390 to $52,190) special editions. Reshuffled content in each model apparently represents better value than similarly-equipped trucks from last year. The same goes for the new 2010 Nissan Murano “360° Value Package” ($33,280 to $34,880), which bundles a bunch of popular featuresinto the Murano SL.
Categories: Crossovers/CUVs, Nissan, SUV Tags:
BMW launches AK-47 thwarting X5 Security Plus
If Jason Statham’s character, Frank, decides to switch back to a BMW in The Transporter 4, we think we have his new ride picked out. Or maybe Clive Owen just needs to film another episode of The Driver. BMW has just released info on its first Class Six bullet resistant vehicle, the BMW X5 Security Plus, which happens to be the first vehicle ever available to the public with that classification from a high-volume manufacturer. That means that its skin can handle anything up to a AK-47 assault rifle, the weapon-of-choice for terrorists, pirates and kidnappers around the globe. Besides thicker bulletproof glass, BMW has added heavier armored body panels all around, as well as sealing up all of the joints to bolster protection in normally vulnerable body panel gaps.
Categories: BMW, Crossovers/CUVs, SUV Tags:
Officially Official: 2010 Audi Q7 facelift
Casual observers probably didn’t notice it, but Audi has released a face-lifted version of its Q7 SUV. On the outside a lot hasn’t changed, with the updates mostly focused on the lighting, tailgate and paint colors. The head-light clusters are the same shape but now get the LED eye-liner treatment that has spread throughout much of the Audi lineup. The front bumper has also been subtly reshaped as well, while the rear light clusters now feature full LED elements and the tailgate has been reshaped to accommodate license plates for all countries.
Inside, the trim has been updated with more wood, but the big news is the third generation MMI navigation/entertainment/information system. The nav gets a 3D interface and joystick control for finding destinations. The Sirius satellite radio also provides traffic data now and accepts voice commands to find cash, food or gas, much like Ford’s TravelLink system. Powertrains for the US pretty much carryover and include the new 3.0-liter TDI diesel. Over in Europe, the optional 4.2-liter TDI V8 is now up to 340 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. The fuel consumption of the diesel V8 has been reduced with mileage on the European combined cycle going from 21.2 to 23.8 mpg (US).
Categories: Audi, Crossovers/CUVs, SUV Tags:
Nissan Skyline Crossover Announced For Japan Launch this Summer
Nissan has announced plans to launch the new Skyline Crossover in Japan this summer.
Essentially a Nissan badged Infiniti EX, the new crossover features Skyline inspired styling with a wagon-like twist. While the exterior is all Skyline, the interior is completely different as it adopts a more luxurious cabin with a unique design and higher quality materials.
Although Nissan failed to provide technical details on the new Skyline Crossover, the press release states that power will be provided by a “VQ37VHR engine with VVEL technology.” This engine is already available in Europe for the Infinti EX37 making 310hp while the U.S. EX35 comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 297 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque.
Categories: Crossovers/CUVs, Nissan Tags:
New York Auto Show 2009: Mitsubishi Outlander GT heading for production
Mitsubishi made it official, the Outlander GT Protoype revealed at the New York Auto Show will go into production with these changes: a higher ride height to match the typical Outlander, more power for the V6, but you’ll lose the vented discs and Brembos. The polished aluminum roof on this GT is a beautiful addition, but only for the show, and that’s a shame. You will be rewarded with the upgraded interior, which also stays for production. Price for the more powerful V6 model with S-AWC is expected to be about $30,000, nicely equipped. And yes, you can expect the new Lancer nose to make its way throughout the rest of the Outlander line.
NEW YORK, April 9, 2009 – Mitsubishi Motors pulled the wraps off its Outlander GT Prototype today, providing clear directional clues into the next generation of the popular Mitsubishi Outlander CUV. The Outlander GT Prototype is loaded with new technology, greater performance, higher fuel efficiency and an aggressive new design. The world debut occurred at the annual New York International Auto Show.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Mitsubishi, New York Auto Show, New York Motor Show Tags:
New York Auto Show 2009: Acura ZDX aimed squarely at BMW X6
After a few weeks of teasing, Acura has finally revealed the ZDX, its new four-door, luxury crossover “coupe” that is clearly aimed at the similarly proportioned BMW X6. The ZDX wears the now familiar shield grille and sharp styling that has spread across the entire Acura lineup. To further emphasize the crossover’s coupiness, Acura designers have hid the rear door handles in the base of the C-pillar. The ZDX rides tall on 20-inch, 9-spoke wheels and also glints under the lights thanks to a number of chrome trim pieces including a pair of shiny dual exhausts out back. Inside you’ll find typical Acura luxury with high quality materials arranged in a high-tech package that includes a new multi-view rear camera system with both a wide angle and top down view. The production ZDX will be V6-powered and kept in line by Acura’s superb Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
Feel free to poke around the ZDX in our high-res gallery below. It’s the best expression yet of Acura’s new design language, which has taken some getting used to on its current lineup of sedans. This segment-busting crossover should arrive in dealerships by the fall of 2009, according to Acura.
Categories: Acura, Crossovers/CUVs, New York Auto Show, New York Motor Show Tags:
2009 New York Auto Show Preview: 2010 GMC Terrain prepares to polarize
While GMC’s new-for-2010 Terrain crossover may be all but identical to Chevrolet’s Equinox, one look at this bluff-faced polarizing design will tell you that badge-engineering wasn’t part of the program at General Motors. Yes, both vehicles share the same platform, the same engine choices and even the same suspension calibrations, but the in-your-face look here is likely to inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions. We’ll let you decide on which side of the fence you sit, with one caveat: It is often the case that certain cars look better in the metal than on screen or in photographs. We were invited to GM’s Design Dome for a media backgrounder, and after being in-and-around the vehicle, we profess that we can’t make the same case.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, GM, New York Auto Show, New York Motor Show Tags:
