A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is a type of passenger vehicle which combines the load-hauling and passenger-carrying capacity of a large station wagon or minivan with features designed for off-road driving. They have been the hot car to own for the past 10 years, but lately they are regarded as gas guzzler and substantially dangerous because of high potential to roll over.
Rally cars modified for the road are some of the most exciting cars ever made, like the Lancia Stratos, Audi Quattro and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution all of which have followed that sideways gravel path to glory on the road.
The Bowler EXR S is one of these very special vehicles. A road-biased handling package, safety features, and a finished interior are the key additions that separate it from the pure Motorsport EXR.
The spec sheet for the road-going EXR S variant is to die for. Researching the details of its construction, it’s as though the Derbyshire-based Bowler team simply doesn’t compromise. Every bolt and brace is simply the best and strongest possible, period. Better ingredients. Better pizza. Or something to that effect.
Click past the jump for the full review, details on ordering a Bowler, and high-resolution images of the exquisite interior and rolling roll-cage chassis.
BMW has been twiddling around with the BMW X4 since 2008 when the idea of a sportier version of the X3 was looking like a profitable venture. Back then, the German automaker was calling it a Sport Activity Sedan (SAS) and had thought they might be able to crank it out in 2010. Obviously that didn’t pan out, but plans for the X6’s smaller brother are still in the works, with a possible debut in 2013.
As you can see from the leaked prototype image provided above, the BMW X4 will get many of its exterior components from the X3, including the use of the X3’s platform. Rumors suggest that the future vehicle will be produced at the company’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, which would be fitting considering the passion we, as Americans, have for SUVs.
Do we need another sporty off-roader to cram into our parking spaces and guzzle up more gas? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that the future BMW X4 won’t zoom right out of dealerships when it finally goes on sale.
UPDATE 04/05/2013: BMW has officially lifted the veil from the X4 Concept to confirm that the leaked concept images are, in fact, a reality. Also released were three videos of the new X4 concept (above). BMW went rather deep into the design of the X4 Concept, but left any details regarding the drivetrain out. See the details after the jump and you can find the images in the gallery.
UPDATE 04/17/2013: BMW has dropped a set of new images for the X4 Concept car. Find them in the picture gallery!
Like all the other models in Porsche’s lineup, the Cayenne is also about to receive a redesign for 2015. Some of you may believe this is a strange move, considering the second-generation Cayenne was just unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, but it looks like the company decided a refresh was needed order to keep the model fresh for the next couple of years.
As you can see, the prototypes caught testing are camouflaged just in the parts that Porsche is updating. This means that the revised Cayenne will receive an updated front bumper and headlamps up front. On the backside the Cayenne will receive new slimmer looking rear lights and a redesigned bumper. Porsche is also offering new wheel designs and small interior changes. It is also rumored that the redesigned Porsche will also be a little bit lighter and will feature revisions under the hood.
Expect the revised Porsche Cayenne to be unveiled sometime in 2014 as a 2015 model year.
Updated 04/05/2013: Today we have created a very cool rendering for the revised Cayenne that has been caught testing the other day. As you probably would have expected, the revised Cayenne will feature design elements we have already seen in the second-generation Panamera, including: redesigned air intakes, new LEDs and headlights.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2015 Porsche Cayenne.
The latest installment of Kia’s superhero lineup was finally unveiled at the New York Auto Show.
This time, DC’s Wonder Woman was the recipient of the Korean automaker’s superhero-themed vehicles.
The Sportage Wonder Woman is actually the seventh of an eight-vehicle partnership between Kia and DC and for what it’s worth, it’s one of the better ones we’ve seen come out of the unique collaboration.
The exterior of the Sportage features a truly unique aerodynamic look with a red and blue exterior scheme that comes accented with the same stars Wonder Woman has in her get-up. Notice also the gold trim found throughout the vehicle; that’s a nod toward the heroine’s golden lasso. On the front, Wonder Woman’s famous eagle chest plate is prominently featured and integrated into the Sportage’s grille with matching blue headlight beams representing her eyes.
Rounding out the exterior modifications is Wonder Woman’s tiara, which is clearly visible on top of the Sportage’s windshield. The chrome side panels on the vehicle that serve as graphical interpretations of her invisible jet and the five-spoke wheel design complete the wonderful work done on the exterior to pay homage to DC’s resident super heroine.
Moving inside, Kia continued the Wonder Woman-inspired theme with red upholstery and dash pieces, as well as blue LED lighting to match the exterior treatment. There are also custom seats bearing Wonder Woman’s costume with embroidered logo prominently featured. Last but not least is the cargo area of the Sportage, which has a see-through panel displaying Wonder Woman’s full list of crime fighting accessories, including her tiara, bracelets and a glowing Lasso of Truth.
Until Volvo finally unveils the revised XC60 we’ll just have to deal with minor updates. The 2013 New York Auto Show brought just that to the current lineup in the form of a new XC60 R-Design that adds a renewed and sporty appearance, a dynamic driving-focused chassis and a powerful engine.
For the exterior, the new R-Design package adds a frameless Tech Matte Black grille with high-gloss black stripes, a silk metal diagonal and a refined R-Designed emblem. For the interior, the new XC60 R-Design gets new sports seats wrapped in a combination of black nubuck textile and perforated leather, and features an embroidered "R" logo.
The new R-Design models have been specially designed for "performance-minded individuals with a passion for exquisite details." Volvo also hopes that with its latest addition to the lineup will steal attention from customers currently driving other car makes today.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Volvo XC60 R-Design.
As we all know, the Acura MDX model that we saw in Detroit was only a prototype that gave prospective buyers "a strong indication of the styling and design direction for the third generation." Well, now that the 2013 New York Auto Show is upon us, the 2014 MDX has officially been unveiled in full-production form.
In all honesty, the prototype and the production models are very similar, but Acura basically just toned down the extreme stuff. Things like the LED bars on the front and rear bumpers are nixed. Additionally, Acura gave the front skirt a more traditional look; as opposed to the futuristic treatment it received in the prototype. From the side, the prototype and the production models are nearly indistinguishable, as they both carry almost the identical profile and the rims are identical.
One thing that we’re sure every Acura fan has been waiting for is the revealing of the new model’s interior. And Acura delivered the goods today.
UPDATE 3/29/2013: Acura has finally unveiled the production MDX at the New York Auto Show. Plus nearly all of the details have been revealed.
Click past the jump to read all about the 2014 Acura MDX.
It looks like Kahn Design is into a real competition with itself as every week comes with a new tuning package. This week, the tuner updated the Land Rover Discovery 3.0 TDV6 XS with a very cool RS300 package.
For the exterior, the package adds a pair of RS vented front air dams, an RS front grille with 3D mesh, door entry sill plates in stainless steel and RS vented rear air dams. LED lights are used for the front wheel arch stripes and, in order to offer you the best protection, the model comes equipped with privacy tinted glass.
For the interior, Kahn is offers up a diamond-quilted center glove box, vented foot pedals in machined aluminum, front, middle and rear seats in quilted and perforated black leather, and ca lock bezel surround finished with Swarovski diamonds.
The last piece of the new RS300 package is a new set of RS600 wheels.
We knew that Dodge would be offering an updated version of its Durango SUV at the 2013 New York Auto Show for quite some time now, but today the redesigned Durango SUV has been officially unveiled in the Big Apple.
Just two years removed from its re-introduction onto the market, Durango received a series of updates that made the ultimate "no compromise" SUV even better. Numerous changes have been made in order to update the SUV’s design, capability and functionality, but the most impressive feature is the addition of the new eight-speed automatic transmission - a first for its market segment.
The 2014 Dodge Durango will be put on sale in the third quarter of 2013. Customers will have to choose between five trim levels, each offering a different level of customization: SXT, Rallye, Limited, R/T and Citadel.
Updated 03/28/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Dodge Durango.
Nissan is expanding its Pathfinder lineup with a new hybrid version unveiled today at the 2013 New York Auto Show. The new Hybrid model will replace the usual 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a new supercharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. This system provides a fuel economy increased by 24 percent over the standard Pathfinder.
The hybrid version will be offered with the same features we have seen in the standard version, including the new uni-body construction, an aerodynamic exterior and an interior with a wide range of available features, including an optional third row of seats.
The new Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid will be put on sale in late summer 2013 in three trim levels: SV, SL and Platinum. Nissan announced it will be around $3,000 more than Pathfinder 3.5-liter V-6 models, so if you do a little math you will obtain a starting price of about $31,650.
Hit the jump to read more on the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid.
After teasing us with a few images,Toyota has finally unveiled the new-generation Highlander mid-size SUV at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. The new generation combines a sleek exterior look with a refined, premium interior and a new six-speed automatic with sequential shift on V-6 models.
With its new exterior look, the new Highlander tries to combine both refinement and strength,. Helping achieve this is an interior that offers three-row seating that carries up to eight passengers. The model offers design elements we have already seen in the RAV4, like the redesigned trapezoidal grille, wraparound headlamps and the new hood.
Customers still have to choose between a four-cylinder or a V-6 powertrain, while those interested in fuel consumption can also opt for the hybrid powertrain.
The all-new Highlander will be put on sale in early 2014.
Updated 03/27/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Hit the jump to read more on the 2014 Toyota Highlander.
