A crossover SUV or XUV is an automobile with a sport utility vehicle appearance but is built upon a more economical and fuel-efficient car-based platform.
The warning disclaimer before the start of the video seems appropriate. Nobody in the right frame of mind should ever try duplicating this stunt, let alone even remotely think about it.
Leave it up to the pros, fellas.
MINI’s participation in the stunt is indicative enough that this won’t be your average performance. See, when you have the German automaker bringing in a heavily-modified MINI Countryman with GRAVIT-T team driver, Guerlain Chicherit, in the setting of the Tignes Ski Resort in the French Alps, you can do a whole lot of crazy things, including performing a 360-degree backflip that clearly goes way past the bounds of sanity.
To their credit, they managed to pull the stunt off and it looks pretty remarkable with the magic of video editing, but for the love of God, this is one stunt that no matter how good it looks, you better need to stay away from at all costs.
You know an auto show is a really big deal when you have a brand like SsangYong preparing more than just one concept to bring the show.
We already touched on the Rodius minivan concept about a week ago and now, the Korean automaker has released a few teasers of yet another concept, this time called the SIV-1.
Not to be confused with the XIV-1 that we first saw a few years ago at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the SIV-1 definitely looks a lot more up-to-the-times than any of the current SsangYong models in production today. While no details have been given for the SIV-1, the two teasers indicate a lot of the styling cues the crossover has, including the fancy LED-infused headlights, a small yet distinctive Kia-looking grille, and a huge fender that makes the SIV-1 appear bigger than it actually is.
The sloping roofline is also nice touch, something SsangYong should definitely consider on their future models so we don’t make fun of how square they are anymore. A tailgate-mounted spoiler and a dual-exhaust system are key features on the rear, as are the distinctive taillights that, if for nothing else, look a tad on the bland side, at least compared to those LED headlights.
French automaker, Renault, is headed to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with a bevy of new models that, moving forward, will most likely head to production status.
One of them is Scenic XMOD, a B-segment MPV that provides crossover-type looks designed to attract a younger and hipper market, and who are we to go against the Renault’s strategy?
There seems to be growing clamoring for MPVs these days, although with the caveat that they’re not really some of the most fanciful vehicles available in the market. Still, there’s strong interest in the type and Renault wants to take advantage of it by offering a vehicle that passes the eye test in more ways than one.
Plus, it should also have a variety of engine options that will be right in line with what the market looks for. Having said all of that, the Scenic XMOD will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, where we’ll be able to know the full details about the vehicle.
For now, click past the jump to read about what we think about Renault’s new MPV.
The Geneva Motor Show is set to host one of the biggest showcases of concept cars for the entire year. It seems that every automaker is bringing a concept to the show and, as expected, that includes Japanese automaker Subaru.
One of Subaru’s concept offerings is the Viziv Crossover, a concept model that is expected to preview the next-generation styling language of Subaru’s crossover lineup along with new technologies that the automaker is fixing to use for its future models.
Although there’s only one teaser image to look at, there are plenty of notable features about the Viziv Concept that you can take notice of. The most significant, obviously, are those outrageous slit-like LED headlights that, while awesome in concept guise, we’re not entirely sure will ever make it past the concept phase. A trapezoidal grille is also prominently shown in the teaser as is what looks like a front spoiler.
It’ll be interesting to see what Subaru did with the Viziv Crossover Concept. The early returns are definitely promising and if we do say so ourselves, we’re looking forward to seeing the whole thing when the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors in a month’s time.
Do you remember the Suzuki S-Cross Concept that was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show? If you don’t, let us refresh your memory a little bit: it was a concept cat that previewed the company’s next-generation C-segment crossover model. This new crossover is slated as the replacement for the current SX4. The production version of the S-Cross will make its world debut on March 5th at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
Few details have been released, but Suzuki confirmed it will offer "clear crossover styling,” a "roomy interior and one of the largest luggage areas in the crossover segment," and "outstanding versatility."
There are no details offered on the engine lineup, but each version will be combined with the company’s advanced four-wheel-drive technology that ensures excellent handling and driving enjoyment.
Full details, including name, design and technical specifications will be unveiled during the car’s official debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
Opel has unveiled the first teaser images for its new Adam concept car set to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The new Adam Rocks is an urban mini-crossover study that measures 3.7 meters (145.66 inches) long and offered in a three-door configuration.
The new Adam Rocks combines muscular proportions, with fierce design and open-air capability. When compared to a standard Adam, the new Rocks version is higher, wider, tougher and more compact. The concept features a fabric roof extending across the entire width and length of the roof, right back to the C-pillars.
The concept has been specially designed for those who want to combine the practically of urban driving with off-road capabilities.
If put into production, the new Adam Rocks will launch a new segment onto the market: open-top compact crossovers. Full details will be unveiled during the concept’s official debut at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show.
At the upcoming 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, Citroen will unveil its new DSX Concept car that previews a new SUV set to target models like the Audi Q5 und BMW X3. The new model will be built on the same platform as the DS5 and its production variant will be unveiled in 2014. The model will be initially offered in China and after that will arrive in Europe.
The new concept will have a length of 4.70 meters (185.04 inches) - about the same size as the Audi A5. The production version is rumored to be offered with petrol and diesel engines, which will deliver from 160 to 200 horsepower. There will also be a hybrid version that will combine a 1.6-liter THP petrol engine with an electric motor for a total output of 240 horsepower.
The hybrid model will be offered in an all-wheel-drive version where the electric motor will drive the rear wheels, while the petrol engine powers the front wheels. For non-hybrid models, only a front-wheel-drive version will be offered.
When put on sale, the production version will be priced at about €39,000 (about $52,500 at the current exchange rates).
We’ll update this review, once Citroen releases additional information on the concept.
After being teased for a few weeks, the new Kia Cross GT Concept made its world debut at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. The concept features a design inspired by nature and previews a larger premium CUV than the current Sorento.
The concept has been built on a 122.0 inches wheelbase - 15.7 inches longer than the Sorento and measures 192.8 inches long - 8.4 inches greater than Sorento and 79.1-inch wide - or 4.9 inches wider than Sorento. Still, the concept is 65.3 inches tall - or 1.6 inches shorter that the Sorento.
On the exterior the new Cross GT concept will adopt Kia’s signature grille, headlamps with LED lights and "suicide" doors. The light arrive into the cabin through a multi-paneled sky light with hexagonal glass inserts. On the interior it offers enough space for four passengers and their luggage and features bucket seats wrapped in Almond-Terra-colored leather. There are also features like HVAC, telematics and entertainment that are accessed via an easy-to-use touch screen and central mouse control technology.
Under the hood the new Cross GT concept combines a 3.8-liter V6 engine with a pancake-shaped electric motor sandwiched between the V6 and the 8-speed automatic transmission. This system delivers a total of 500 pound-feet of torque and 400 horsepower, while delivering an all-electric autonomy of 20-miles.
A few days after it was reported that Nissan’s in-house tuning firm, NISMO, was preparing a more powerful version of the NISMO Juke, the fine folks over at Sport Auto released a video of the said crossover during a recent test run of the prototype model in Spain.
As was earlier reported, this prototype model, which could take the name of Juke NISMO RC, is set to produce an output of 221 horsepower, a significant uptick from the 197-horsepower output of the NISMO Juke. More importantly, it’ll come with a host of other modifications, including a more aggressive body kit, a more in-tune suspension system, and a drivetrain option of either front-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission or all-wheel drive with a continuously variable transmission.
As far as the video goes, the prototypes - we saw at least three of them in there - were all being subjected to numerous testing activities, including handling, cornering, and straightaway speeds.
It’ll be interesting to see how NISMO offers the final package for the Juke NISMO RC. But the early returns seem to suggest that it’s going to make the Juke that much more of an attractive crossover. It still looks a little quirky, but if it runs the way it’s been hyped, then we’ll take the quirkiness as part of the overall package.
British customers will enjoy a new addition to their already very impressive Kia Soul Originals collection. The new addition, the Soul Shaker will be offered in both petrol and diesel engine variants and will carry a relatively low price.
The model sits above the "2" specification version and shares some high-tech features with other models in the Soul Originals range, including iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and air conditioning.
When compared to other Soul models in the lineup, the new Shaker edition will be distinguished by an exclusive paintjob, a new set of alloy wheels, and premium interior in a new unique ’Houndstooth’ design.
Kia also paid intensive attention to the car’s safety level and equipped the new Shaker with technologies like electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability management and hill-start assist control.
Hit the jump to ream more the 2013 Kia Soul Shaker.
