The Japanese automaker Honda has just cooked up a new pet friendly Element for the U.S. market. The compact crossover is well known as a go anywhere do anything kind of vehicle, the car’s resilient interior allows you to play all day at the beach, store all your surf gear inside and simply hose out all the sand when you get home. Knowing how much consumers are already spending on their animals, Honda figured that the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly was the next logical step to winning over, over accommodating dog owners.
Starting at only $20,525, this new Element is full of features for man’s best friend. The entire cargo area behind the rear seats has been transformed into a pooch’s traveling palace. First of all Fido will be able to effortlessly enter and exit his new perch atop the back bumper via a very sturdy looking ramp that if wide enough could handle a wheelchair. Once inside the pup will ride on a plush foam cushion covered with a neat Dog Friendly Element print. In order to keep Rex cool Honda’s Dog Friendly engineers have built in a ventilation fan and to make sure that he won’t go thirsty they have come up with a trick dog bowl that ensures minimal spillage even around the hairiest of hairpins, guaranteed to keep that extra member of your family comfortable even on the longest of car rides.
The Dog Friendly Element is powered by Honda’s reliable 2.4 Liter i-VTEC four cylinder engine and shifted with a five speed automatic transmission that can send power to either the front wheels or with Honda’s Real Time 4WD power all four. The only thing left for Honda to install is a video monitor so that the passengers can check on the family pet while he is riding in his kennel on wheels. If you have any doubts about how safe this setup is you can rest assured that Honda has chosen the Takata Corporation to design the whole thing. Now you might be asking why is that name so familiar, if you have ever seen a racecar driver strapped in with a really cool looking green racing harness, those are Takatas.
With the release of the new BMW X1, it was only a matter of time before BMW released a new set of family photos featuring the ‘X-Family’ and its latest addition to the clan. As part of a marketing campaign designed to introduce customers to the ‘X-Family’, BMW released these photos showing all four SUVs posing and mugging for the camera. Of course, cars can’t really do that but you get the picture.
While the X1 is of course a new model, BMW doesn’t have plans on redesigning the X5 and the X6 for another few years. The odd one out in this photo is the X3, which BMW is set to drop by the end of the year to pave way for the next-generation model to be launched sometime in 2010 along with the X4 that is if rumors surrounding the coupe-SUV hybrid become more than just hearsay.
In the meantime, the entry-level SUV title has been transferred to the X1, which incidentally, is already out in the European market.
Lincoln is offering the 2010 Navigator with safety and technology upgrades, but also with new standard equipment. The Navigator will be available in standard and L version, both offered in either 4x2 or 4x4 trim. Prices will range from $54,400 to $59,465.
Delivering 310 hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque, the 5.4L SOHC V8 engine on the 2010 Lincoln Navigator is flex fuel capable, which makes it powerful and versatile. You can fill up with E85 (a blend of ethanol and gasoline), regular gasoline, or any combination of the two. And its strength goes beyond the gas pumps. The Navigator 4x2 can tow up to 9,000 lbs. (8,700 lbs., 4x4) when properly equipped.
Punctuated by a striking chrome grille, the Navigator exudes confidence. Strong, assertive lines throughout its imposing body enhance its powerful exterior, while chrome accents add sheen to its already commanding presence. Inside the 2010 Lincoln Navigator you’ll find detailed craftsmanship throughout. From chrome door handles and the leather- and wood-trimmed steering wheel to the stylish, rectangular gauges and flow-through console, Navigator is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside.
Pontiac’s Torrent was not exactly the best fit to share the platform of the Chevrolet Equinox SUV. So for the new Equinox, the SUV-friendly GMC get the variation with the Terrain. Prices for the 2010 Terrain range from $24,995 for the SLE1 model and go up to $29,995 for the SLT2 model.
Just like it’s Equinox twin, the GMC Terrain will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 182 hp (estimated 30 mpg) and a more powerful 3.0-liter V6 engine with 264 hp. Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmissions, and will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
While on paper this may seem like a purely badge-engineered version of the Equinox, there is more to the Terrain. Although mechanically similar, the Equinox still goes for the look of a Lexus RX 350, the Terrain is going after a tougher truck-like market.
With the growing popularity of luxury SUVs it just makes sense that more and more tuners are preparing hot rod packages for these larger people movers. As it comes from the factory, the Audi Q7 is nearly a perfect vehicle. It Is built on top of a solid platform that is shared with the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, the interior of the Audi has a few extremely upscale features like a pair of Bang and Olufsen speakers that pop up from the dashboard and some of the softest leather you will ever sit in. The only area that the German automaker has left to be improved upon is what’s under the hood and B&B Automobiltechnik have all the options covered.
For the top of the line 6.0 Liter V12 TDI powered Q7, B&B has added an upgraded air intake, intercooler and injection system along with modified engine software to take full advantage of the new performance parts and bring the diesel burning mill’s output up to 595 HP and an astounding 936.7 lb-ft of torque for only 10,000 Euro. B&B has come up with a few options for the slightly smaller 4.2 Liter V8 equipped Q7, squeezing out 375 HP and 627 lb-ft of torque for a mere 1,698 Euro or and even higher 400 HP and 664 lb-ft of thrust for just 4,950 Euro.
B&B offers even more options for the smallest and most fuel efficient model in the Q7 lineup, the 3.0 Liter TDI powered Audi SUV with three different engine tuning packages. The first stage consists of a simple ECU upgrade that slightly increases the TDI’s boost pressure so that it churns out 280 HP and 431 lb-ft of torque for only 1,398 Euro; the second ups the output to 300 HP and 443 lb-ft of torque for 1,498 Euro while the most powerful makes 325 HP and 427 b-ft of torque for 3,950 Euro. No matter which package you choose, the Q7 is guaranteed to look perfect with a set of twin five spoke B12 rims sized anywhere from 20 to 23 inches in diameter and B&B Automobiltechnik’s subtle aero package.
The BMW tuners at AC Schnitzer are at it again, this time adding a bit more fun into the German automaker’s smallest X-Series vehicle. While the aftermarket manufacturer has announced plans to come up with performance, suspension and even an appearance package for the baby Bimmer they have already come out with a lineup of new wheels for the compact CUV, sized anywhere from 18 to 20 inches in diameter the new rolling stock is guaranteed to add a healthy dose of fun back into your BMW X1.
If you thought that the guys at Gemaballa went a little crazy when they came up with the GT 750 Aero 3 Sport Exclusive based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo then this wide mouth high performance modified SUV from German tuners ENCO Exclusive will simply blow you away. Now this isn’t the first over the top creation that we have seen from ENCO, their previous Cayenne featured body work that was just as bold as their current creation, except this time the Gladiator 700 GT Biturbo has a few more horses under the hood.
ENCO swapped out the standard hairdryers with a pair of larger snails as well as an ENCO designed free flowing exhaust system complete with custom manifolds and high flow sport catalytic converters to eliminate any trace of backpressure from the boosted V8. Along with a proper tune of the Cayenne’s ECU to make all the engine components work together harmoniously ENCO was able to extract a total of 700 HP and 627 lb-ft of torque from the modified behemoth. Despite the Cayenne’s hefty 2.5 ton curb weight, this powerful Porsche is still able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in only 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 MPH.
The interior of the Gladiator 700 GT Biturbo is equally as sporty as the rest of the vehicle, the modified Cayenne features four individually wrapped leather racing buckets complete with Alcantara inserts taken straight from the Porsche 911 GT3. These lightweight racing seats add an extra sense of high speed bling to the tuned Cayenne with their carbon fiber backrests and red carbon look padding. No matter where you look on the inside of ENCO’s new Porsche all you can see is a red carbon fiber weave. The space age material is used everywhere from the dashboard, steering wheel and center console to the fabric that lines the door cards. As an added bonus, everything including the roll cage has been covered with racy red accents.
There’s no better way to promote a new car than to have it tested against the previous model and have the 2010 version thoroughly embarrass its predecessor.
Apparently, that’s exactly what Land Rover had in mind when it pitted the 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged against its 2009 counterpart in a test to determine which car can reach 100 mph first and then brake all the way down to a stop.
From the get-go the 2010 Range Rover Sport Supercharged immediately flexed its power over the 200 version by pulling away convincingly reaching its 100 mph speed and coming to halt even before the 2009 clocked 100 on its speedometer.
The difference is striking, to say the least. The 2010 version has 127 horsepower and around 51 lb-ft of torque more than the 2009 version, which accounts for all the difference.
Now, we’re all for promoting new cars, but for a brand to do it by completely trashing a previous model just may be a little too much for us.
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.
While we here in the U.S. along with drivers from around the world are still waiting for a practical and sporty compact coupe like SUV, the Japanese automaker Toyota has just answered that call for the Australian market when they released the Land Cruiser Prado Three Door. However Toyota traditionalists should not worry because the quality car builder will sell their new truck alongside the old five door model starting this November.
The Land Cruiser Prado is a compact version of Toyota’s full size Land Cruiser SUV and the upcoming three door model wears the same stylish face as the of the five door, with its oversized headlights that are stretched over and around the front fenders, while the chrome framed and stripped vertical bar grill gives the front end more of a three dimensional feel. The three door Prado’s matching boxed fenders scream fun while the six lug hubs, multi piston calipers and spare tire on the trunk let you know that the Prado means business.
However, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado isn’t all about being cute, because of its shorter wheelbase the off road vehicle actually exhibits a higher break over angle and allows the SUV to travel over steeper peaks than the larger five door model. Combine that with the sectioned truck’s reduced curb weight, which leads to improved real world acceleration as well as fuel economy.
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