Post Tagged with: "SUV"

Rumour: BMW Tri-Turbo X5 Diesel

Now just imagine that M being replaced by an Md.

I’ve got my fingers triple crossed on this one. Just imagine three turbos on a BMW straight 6 diesel engine pumping out over 300 hp and 500 pound feet. Yes, it’s on an SUV/SAV/truck according to this particular rumour, but the amount of torque this thing would produce could shame a Duramax. Almost. And that’s something to write home about. Diesels are coming and BMW is at the forefront of the “Diesel Enthusiast Movement”. Ok, so I just made that “movement” up. But don’t laugh, it really could be the future.

Details after the jump!

Review: 2009 BMW X5 Diesel (xDrive 35d)

The automaker perhaps best known for the handling abilities of their cars has their recognizable blue and white roundel on an SUV.

And it sits there, admittedly fitting in quite well with the rest of the neighbourhood, taking up a good half of my driveway. I don’t like that.

I never understood SUV’s. They do have a purpose, but I don’t get why so many people like them. They are huge and difficult to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking lots. They demand that you constantly keep your wallet open to feed them our ever depleting gas resources, and they all look the same.

But the real tragedy? About 95% of SUV’s talents are wasted. They’re primarily being used to shuffle people to soccer games and the latest Jennifer Aniston disaster movie. Instead, they should be used to take people through tree-rooted roads to go fishing, climb a mountain, or do whatever it is that outdoorsy people do.

I know, I know, the argument is, you might need its capabilities some day, say, for the one time a year it could actually snow 60 centimetres in two hours.

But that’s like keeping your Christmas tree up year round on the off chance they’ll change the date of Christmas on you.

And a lot of them have ridiculous names too like Touareg, Endeavour, and Edge.

This one is no exception: X5 xDrive 35d.

There’s actually gonna be competition for the X6? (Acura Crossover Coupe)

For some reason, Acura thinks that BMW will sell enough of their crazy-crossover-4 door-coupe-SUV things (also known as the X6) that they felt the need to answer back with a model of their own.

The spy shot you see before you is their camo’d version. Despite being already spotted at the famous Nürburgring, it has now been spied on our own soil doing cold weather testing in Winnipeg. Despite the obvious, Acura hasn’t officially confirmed production of this vehicle or confirmed that it even exists.

The TL inspired rear end will likely be either hit or miss, but that seems to be the sentiment of late for most of Acura’s bold designs. Given the overall response to Acura’s new shield grille, this X6 fighter would benefit if the shield was, um, graciously omitted.

[via Autoblog]

Aston Martin SUV/SAC/CUV/SAV? (Lagonda Concept)

Looks like the BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) has started a trend.

At the Shanghai Geneva Motor Show today, Aston Martin took the wraps off of a new vehicle bearing the Lagonda nameplate to mark the 100th anniversary of the oft forgotten brand. 

While the vehicle looks like a Chinese knock-off of a Bentley Conti GT, a Chrysler 300, the Land Rover LRX concept, and an AM Rapide it is supposed to be a Lagonda. Aston Martin is trying to postition the Langonda brand as a less-sporty, more luxurious marque that will appeal to the wealthy elite in established and emerging markets. Currently, Aston is only sold in 34 countries but CEO Dr. Bez hopes to offer Lagonda in over 100.

 Most people had expected a luxury sedan to be announced at the Geneva Show after weeks of rumours flying about a rebirth of Lagonda. But for whatever reason, Aston Martin decided that a politically-incorrect, four-seater, ”off-roader” with no trunk space was more appropriate. To each there own.

Yesterday, I went against the grain by highlighting the (admittedly minor) design flaws of the Infiniti Essence concept while everyone else was going goo-goo-ga-ga over it. Today, I’m going to go against the grain again and try to point out some of the successful design elements of this embarrassment to the badge SUV/CUV/SAV/SAC. 

Remember The Name Peter Schreyer (Kia Forte, 2010 Sorento, No 3 Concept)

What you see here isn’t a poorly photochopped Audi Q7. No, what you see here is a sneak peak at the 2010 Kia Sorento featuring Kia’s new corporate grille courtesy of Peter Schreyer. Peter who? Peter Schreyer. I know his name sounds kind of German for someone who designs Korean cars, but that’s because he is German. You might even have seen some of his designs before because he did a stint at VW/Audi. Heard of the Audi TT? The original was his design. So was the Bauhaus-inspired C5 Audi A6 of 1998-2004. Not a bad resume and it’s also one that makes more sense when you see some of the designs he is pumping out for Kia, his place of work since 2006.

Follow the jump to see Schreyer’s No 3 small-car concept, Forte sedan, and redesigned Sorento CUV.

Leaked: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Liftback

BMW X6, eat your heart out. In advance of the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next month, Adrian van Hooydonk, Chris Bangle and their BMW cohorts have released a sneak peek of the BMW 5 Series GT Liftback concept. Don’t take the “concept” part too seriously though, because the exterior is production-ready; it is just the interior that needs to come down to earth a bit.

The rest of the details and a sizeable gallery are after the jump.

Second Take: Chrysler to Marry Again

On January 20, 2009 Chrysler announce they are engaged again, this time to an Italian mate, Fiat. Will this second marriage work? Is it a better match than their ill-fated marriage to Daimler-Benz? Follow the jump for my (second) take.

Spy shots: Fiat 500 Opens Up Like A Sardine Can

Eschewing the design cues of the current North American leader in small convertibles, the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500 Cabrio appears to open up like a sardine can. Might sound odd, but it has its advantages. Firstly, it does not compromise trunk space, a problem on just about every convertible I’ve ever heard of. Secondly, it maintains more of the structural rigidity than the standard convertible design. Thirdly, it is less expensive to produce and develop. Did you know that the famous Fiat Topolino also employed this type of convertible top?

So not only does this design approach have advantages, it has heritage and we here at CarEnvy love heritage! After all, heritage breeds character and character makes for lovable cars. 

But we don’t even have the Fiat 500 here, you moan. But, and there is always a but…