For 2010 the Lincoln MKX is offering available all-wheel-drive, standard heated-and-cooled front seats and available heated rear seats. And for 2010, its 265-hp engine and six-speed automatic transmission have been extensively refined to increase fuel mileage. Prices for the MKX start at $38,345 for the FDW version and at $40,195 for the AWD version.
With its distinctive chrome grille, sophisticated flowing exterior lines, and broad, athletic stance, Lincoln MKX takes vehicle design to a whole new level. The interior features genuine wood, bright-nickel and chrome accents as well as a stylish, contemporary instrument panel. There’s also available ambient lighting in multiple color choices.
The Lincoln MKX features a 3.5L Duratec V6 engine that delivers a total of 265 hp and 250 lb. ft. of torque, and an impressive 25 mpg highway. The engine is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission that uses a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio. Short first and second gears provide impressive launch and acceleration, while the tall overdrive gears deliver seven percent better fuel economy than a four-speed automatic.
For 2010 Lincoln is offering a new package: Midnight Limited Edition Package that includes a unique body-color grille and Tuxedo Black Metallic paint offset by assertive 22-inch bright polished aluminum wheels.
Press release after the jump.
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A familiar face just rolled back into the Top Speed garage, but unlike the fully loaded chrome clad bright white baby Benz this GLK is more of a red hot roller skate. You could never imagine how much a color change and a few less options can completely transform the way the compact crossover looks. Aside from the Mars Red paint and lack of running boards this is the same vehicle that we had before, minus a few pricey interior amenities. However the little G Wagen looks less like an off road luxury vehicle fit for a diminutive South American import/export specialist and more like a sporty crossover, and yes with its 20 inch rims pushed far to all four corners and the swept back two box body it is hard to deny the roller skate similarities.
The inside of our Mercedes GLK comes equipped with the $1,750 for Full Leather Seating Package that obviously includes the seats incorporates a leather wrapped steering wheel an Burl Walnut trim which we think is well worth the expense. This time the front buckets don’t have oversized monitors hanging off the backrests, and it is honestly a bit easier on the eyes, but the German design team did leave the dual glass sunroof which goes a long way towards opening up the GLK’s interior. Keeping occupants informed and entertained is a $3,350 Multimedia Package that includes everything from a rear view camera to the Logic 7 DolbyDigital Surround Sound system and a $300 iPod interface.
Powered by the same 3.5 Liter V6 that came in our last GLK350, but unlike mini Pablo Escobar’s four wheel drive Mercedes the roller skate strictly sends power to the rear wheels. As most SUV owners won’t ever take their vehicles off road it shouldn’t be an issue. This does mean that the power plant can send all 268 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque to the drive wheels more efficiently. This sporty red GLK is a more affordable alternative to the last one we saw, especially when you consider the $3,150 Premium Package that includes just about power everything at a savings of over $1,200 if purchased separately. Tack on a very reasonable $970 for the brushed roof rails and plus sized wheel and tires amongst a few other items, this $34,600 GLK added up to a nicely equipped $45,645 premium CUV.
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Revealed in January at the Detroit Auto Show, the 2010 Cadillac SRX is now officially on sale with prices ranging from $33,330 for the 3.0L V6 FWD version to $47,540 for the 3.0L V6 AWD Premium version. The SRX features new downsized and fuel efficient engines in a completely redesigned vehicle that delivers a dynamic alternative in terms of visual appeal and driving character.
The 2010 SRX is powered by a choice of two six-cylinder engines that are new to Cadillac: a standard 3.0-liter that delivers 260 hp and an optional 2.8-liter turbocharged unit that makes 300 hp. The engines are mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission that helps save fuel by lowering the engine’s rpm at constant highway speeds.
The car keeps many of its design elements from the concept car. Although the original concept was designed with aerodynamics in mind because it was an electric fuel-cell vehicle, this only helps the fuel economy in the gas-powered production car. The interior is unmistakably part of the new Cadillac design line. It uses upgraded materials and has an eye for symmetry like that in the CTS.
Back in August we reported that the base SRX would move from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive as the SRX switched to the Theta platform. We can now confirm that the SRX comes with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as an option. The car uses a mixture of the Theta platform (also used on the new Chevrolet Equinox) and Epsilon II platform (also used on the Opel Insignia).
Full breakdown in the press release after the jump.
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The 2010 Lincoln MKT made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This will be the sixth model in Lincoln’s lineup, and slot between the MKX and the Navigator.
The Ford Flex cousin will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 3.7-liter V6 that delivers 268 hp at 6,500 RPM and 267 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,250 RPM; and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 that delivers 355 hp at 5,700 RPM and 350 ft.-lb. of torque at 3,500 RPM. The upgraded EcoBoost engine should provide similar fuel economy as the standard (non-turbo) 3.7-liter engine. Both engines are mated to a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The 3.5 liter version is being offered standard with AWD system, while for the 3.7 version the AWD is optional.
The MKT uses a lot of design touches that have become known throughout the Lincoln family such as the split waterfall grille, single piece rear light, and large greenhouse area. Much of the curves in the design look like they came from the same pen that gave us the surprisingly handsome MKS we had in our fleet.
Press release after the jump.
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The Ford Edge crossover is entering the 2010 model year with a bold design, flexible interior, improved dynamic driving characteristics and long list of exclusive signature technologies. It will be available in SE, SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels.
The 3.5-liter V-6 engine features a strong, lightweight, die-cast aluminum block and lightweight four-valve-per-cylinder heads for smooth operation at high rpm. A 10.3:1 compression ratio and close-coupled catalysts will help it meet stringent ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) II regulations. As a result the FWD version has a fuel economy of 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway and the AWD version 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway.
The Sport version is available with an eight-piece factory-installed body kit that includes a unique front air dam, side skirts, lower door caps and a rear skirt, all finished in body color instead of the dark lower finish on other Edge models. The front air dam comes with integrated fog lamps and a lower grille insert. Edge Sport is available in four exterior colors: Black, Red Candy, Ingot Silver and a limited-run Sport Blue.
Press release after the jump.
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The world’s largest engine builder, Honda has seen the demand for mid size crossovers in the automotive market, and in an attempt to sell more of their highly efficient engines the Japanese automaker plans on surrounding them with some more of these utilitarian sports car shells. Their latest example of this is the Honda Accord Crosstour, based on the sedan, the CUV features a BMW 5 Series GT fastback style bulge in the C-pillar adds a bit more practicality to the already superb sedan especially with a Fall 2009 scheduled debut.
According to the automaker, “Like the award-winning Honda Fit, the Accord Crosstour uses a versatile design to create an interior that functions with the practicality of a larger vehicle." One of the things that will help the forward thinking group of Japanese automotive engineers achieve this is a trick removable storage tray that is integrated in the Crosstour’s trunk. The rear storage area features a built in under floor Hidden Removable Utility Box with a reversible lid measures 8 inches deep and features carpeted edges to prevent marking other items while transporting and durable plastic handles to ensure that the Utility Box can stand up to the heaviest of loads. The rear compartment also features a set of convenient handles that are easily within reach of the tailgate opening that will drop the back seats with only a tug, adding immensely to the crossover’s cargo capacity.
The interior of the Accord Crosstour is intended to enhance the open feeling of the passenger compartment while creating a spacious and accommodating environment for both people and cargo. The exterior styling of the Crosstour takes the CUV design to the next level by integrating a sleek and aerodynamic shape with the practicality that we have come to expect from the Honda Accord. However with the way that the luxury market is going it doesn’t look like we will see the Crosstour in the U.S. at least until it is wearing an Acura badge.
Press release and images after the jump.
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We recently received a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT into the Top Speed test fleet. This Deep Water Blue Pearl people mover has seating for up to seven inside with the third row seating and came complete with a host of high tech creature comforts and quite a few clever storage compartments. After all that is what the new Journey is all about, being the epitome of a crossover, the car’s main purpose is to provide consumers with an affordable transportation option that can carry an entire extended family and all their stuff with a smaller footprint than the traditional SUV. The added benefit of these types of children conscious vehicles is that they are being offered with all sorts of infotainment systems that range from in dash DVD players to wireless headphones so that mommy and daddy can enjoy the drive undisturbed, and our car came with all of them.
The exterior of the Journey follows the familiar lines that we saw not so long ago on the Avenger; starting off with the flat front end, continuing on with the bulging fender flares and finishing up with the squared off rear end, the design is unmistakably Dodge. The CUV’s body gives it a somewhat aggressive appearance with its bold boxy body lines and signature Dodge four bar grill and oversized light housings, despite being a very friendly family vehicle. On the inside our Journey comes with two tome cloth seats, attractive easy to read gauges, navigation, dual zone climate control in addition to rear air, naigation, flip down monitor for the backseat passengers as well as the aforementioned DVD player and wireless headphone combination. An interesting aspect of the storage minded crossover is that the Journey comes with no less than four somewhat secret compartments. Our Journey SXT rides on a set of 19 inch six spoke chrome rims, and is powered by 3.5 Liter High Output 24 valve V6 connected to a six speed automatic transmission complete with manual shift selection.
Continued after the jump.
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America’s luxury car maker Cadillac is so confident that the new for 2010 SRX is better than their Japanese and German rivals that they are inviting the public to join them for some back to back test drives. This past weekend Top Speed attended the Cadillac of Crossovers Test Drive Event that took place at the Village of Merick Park, one of Miami’s newest and one of the more upscale shopping establishments in all of South Florida. The event combined a relaxed viewing environment for a host of Cadillac’s new products ranging from environmentally conscious Escalade Hybrids to one very hot CTS Sport Wagon as well as a cooking demonstration with Chef Michelle Bernstein and the all important test drive of not only the new Cadillac SRX, but the BMW X5, Mercedes Benz GLK and Lexus RX350 as well.
Admittedly we were a bit unfamiliar with the new Cadillac SRX when we arrived at the event, but after a quick spin around the block and few minutes talking to a few informative men and women in black we felt like we were ready to start working the showroom floor. The 2010 SRX has been completely redesigned and features a chassis that is unique to the luxury crossover. Where most CUVs have a tendency to look large and round in order to maximize interior space, the SRX’s designers incorporated enough bold body lines and creases to make it look muscular, not that the six lug 20 inch wheels didn’t help. If you look close enough at the rear tail lamps you will also see that Cadillac is bringing back the tailfin. Current SRX models are available with either two or all wheel drive and are powered by a 3.0 Liter VVT DOHC direct injection V6 that gets 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, while a 300 HP turbocharged 2.7 Liter V6 is scheduled to arrive soon.
Continued after the jump.
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We recently received a Salsa Red Pearl 2010 Toyota Highlander into the Top Speed test fleet. The first thing we noticed when the full size Japanese crossover was delivered is just how big the Highlander is. This gives the 187 HP entry level CUV a more powerful rather than playful, unlike the majority of the crossover field. This should make a few more men fell comfortable behind the wheel when doing the job of a soccer mom. The Highlander that Toyota chose for us to drive is representative of the automaker’s high quality economical transportation options. At around $26,000 the CUV came with everything you need to get the job done, minus a few of the pricey creature comforts that the segment has become synonymous with.
Going along with the economy car theme; our Toyota Highlander is spacious and well laid out, but the seats are wrapped in money saving cloth as opposed to “Corinthian Leather” and while the crossover came equipped with rear air you won’t find any factory mounted screens to entertain the second and third row passengers. That is because the Highlander can seat up to seven passengers safely (did we mention the seven standard airbags) and after all aren’t vehicles more about getting people to their destination than being a rolling entertainment center. However Toyota does offer an optional 9 inch display complete with a pair of wireless headphones that are guaranteed not only to keep the back seat passengers entertained with DVDs, but it will do it in complete silence as well, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Either way our entry level Toyota Highlander has it where it counts, even in basic trim the truck rides on a set of massive 17 inch six spoke wheels and is powered by a 2.7 Liter 16 valve VVT-i four cylinder engine that gets an EPA estimated 20 MPG in the city and up to 27 MPG on the highway. The engine is connected to a six speed automatic ECT-i transmission with a manual shift mode that is supposed to be tuned perfectly for the four banger’s 186 lb-ft of torque, honestly we can’t wait to take this 3800 pound crossover for a spin. Another treat that we found after popping the hood is the equal length 4-2-1 headers that looks like it could have been lifted from the TRD catalog, the piece is the perfect example of how far the Japanese car builders at Toyota go to squeeze every last drop of efficiency out of their vehicles.
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Mitsubishi’s attendance at the Tokyo Motor Show next month should come with a bevy of concept cars in tow to unveil to the automotive world. One of its newest – and Tokyo-bound – showcase vehicles is the PX-MiEV, a next-generation hybrid crossover CUV that the Japanese automaker says was created to maximize fuel efficiency, decrease emissions, all while keeping the Mitsubishi standard of performance at a high level.
The PX-MiEV comes with a 1.6-liter inline-four powerpack for the front wheels and a revolutionary auto-volt plug-in system. Similar to previous Pajero models, the PX-MiEV is capable of running on either front or all-wheel drive, only this time the CUV also has a hybrid mode plus a parallel hybrid system when the PX-MiEV is running on heavy. Mitsubishi also gave some of its Evolution X configurations to the PX-MiEV, including the S-AWC and E-AYC systems, which is capable of triggering power shuffling in any part of the car whenever the need arises.
As far as the car’s interior is concerned, Mitsubishi installed a bevy of technological features, including what looks like two touch-screen configurators found in the front and rear of the car. The PX-MiEV also comes with a revolutionary safety system that – by all accounts – should make its way to a number of Mitsubishi vehicles down the road. The system, which in all appearances looks just like a camera, warns the driver of any potential problems through visual or audio warnings, in addition, of course, to alerts of the vibrating persuasion.
The CUV is set to be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show where it is expected to be one of Mitsubishi’s meal tickets during the two-week event.
Press release after the jump.
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