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.
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.
Called the Clubman Bond Street Edition, the specially dressed Clubman is a new take on an old formula for MINI. Special-edition models have always been one of their calling cards and the Bond Street Edition is the latest in a long line of them.
It’s been graced with a lot of exterior and interior refinements, which in this case, work for the vehicle. MINI didn’t go for the splashy route like they’re accustomed to doing; instead, they went for a scheme that’s a little more high class and refined.
Make no mistake, MINI will always be known for its quirkiness; that won’t change. But this time, they left that out of the door in favor of something that actually looks like a classy stand out.
UPDATE 02/20/13: The MINI Clubman Bond Street Edition is headed to the Geneva Motor Show. Watch out for it at the MINI stand, fellas!
Find out more about the MINI Clubman Bond Street Edition after the jump
The Nissan Juke is a pretty interesting car. On its face, the Juke doesn’t exude the kind of bravado and confidence you’d normally associate with a powerful crossover. For some reason, however, the quirky-looking crossover has been the subject of some of the most insane aftermarket programs we’ve seen in a while.
Nowhere was that more evident than when Nissan itself decided to drop the GT-R’s supercar-like powertrain in the crossover. The Japanese automaker’s in-house tuning firm, NISMO, also went to work on the Juke and as it turns out, they’re tinkering on the crossover is far from finished.
According to Autocar, NISMO is preparing for a more powerful version of the Juke NISMO, one that’s meant to be a step up from their current program that we saw at the Paris Motor Show. Whereas that version saw its output bump up to 197 horsepower from the 186 horsepower of the standard model, the hotter NISMO Juke is expected to generate 217 horsepower and 220 pounds per feet of torque.
In addition, NISMO will also revise the Juke’s suspension setup, lowering the crossover by 20 mm (0.78 inches), thus giving it equal handling improvements relative to the power bump it’s going to get.
Unfortunately, we are uncertain what name this new hot Juke will carry. There is a chance that it will be just a new-generation Juke NISMO, but we suspect it will carry a different designation that will set it apart from a standard Juke NISMO – possibly Juke NISMO R, or something to that effect.
It appears that the Juke’s popularity has given Nissan even more confidence to play around with it. We’re looking forward to seeing this hotter Juke in the coming months and more importantly, we’re not closing the possibility of seeing more Juke programs in the future.
Rumors about a possible smaller Lincoln crossover have been circulating for quite some time now, and now it has been confirmed that Lincoln will unveil a concept version at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The model will be called MKC and will be based on the same platform as the Ford Escape.
This will be just one of the four new models Lincoln plans to launch between now and 2014 – the other models include a new MKZ, a new version of the larger MKS and the replacement for the Navigator SUV. The new MKC is built with Lincoln’s new design language and is for those customers "who are open to new ideas and experiences."
The new MKC will go on sale sometime in 2014 and will take on models like Buick Encore and BMW X1.
Updated 01/13/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Lincoln MKC Concept.
Up to this point, everyone knows that Mercedes is about to unveil a small A-Class-based SUV named the GLA. While until now our spy photographers have caught only the standard version during its testing sessions. Today, however, the GLA45 AMG has been caught testing for the first time.
In fact, Mercedes’ decision to also offer an AMG version for the upcoming GLA-Class is genius, considering that we are going to see a production version of the Audi RS Q3 Concept.
This GLA45 AMG prototype was caught testing in the freezing cold of Nothern Sweden. When compared to a standard version, this prototype features dual exhaust pipes, bigger wheels and cross-drilled brakes. Our spy photographers also noted that when it drive off in full throttle it confirmed the fact that it was indeed an AMG version.
The Mercedes GLA45 AMG is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 350 horsepower. The engine is mated to a seven-speed AMG Speedshift MCT dual-clutch gearbox that sends the power to all four wheels.
The standard GLA-Class will be unveiled in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and we expect the AMG version to arrive in early 2014.
Renault showed up to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with the cool Captur — a concept car with a very futuristic design language first seen on the DeZir Concept. Nothing much was said about this concept’s production, much like every other concept, but today Renault announced that the production version Captur will be unveiled in March at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The production version takes both the spirit and the name of the concept and combines them with elements from the new generation Clio hatchback.
The new Captur will be built on the same platform as the new Clio, but it will feature "a high-up driving position, large boot, modular interior and innovative stowage solutions." Under the hood the model will be offered with the same engine line-up as the new Clio, so customers will have to choose between both petrol and diesel engines.
After the Captur, Renault will be unveiling a larger SUV based on the Nissan Quashqai.
Updated 01/11/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the new Renault Captur.
It looks like many automaker have used the 2013 Detroit Auto Show to preview their future design language, and Nissan is one of them. Their new Resonance Concept previews the "future direction of Nissan crossovers with smart, edgy design."
The exterior features a new V-Motion design language that includes the front grille, the hood and of course the new boomerang shaped headlights. What we really like about the new concept is that very cool Flare Orange exterior paint combined with the 22 aluminum-alloy wheels with Satin Chrome accents. The interior features a "VIP lounge" look and includes buttery leather and premium-stitched seats, an advanced instrument panel and a open glass roof.
The new Resonance is of course a hybrid vehicle: it combines a smaller displacement internal combustion gasoline engine with an electric motor
Updated 01/15/2013: This review has been updated with the full details, images and specs. Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Nissan Resonance Concept.
