Who ever thought that a hybrid had to be boring never spoke with the Japanese tuners at Wald International about their Black Bison RX. With the growing popularity of fossil fuel saving environmentally friendly gas/electric automobiles that we will begin to see more and more green tuner cars on the streets. Starting off with one of the best new cars on the market, the artisans at Wald International have turned the new Lexus RX hybrid into an attractive vehicle. Now that may not sound like much of a feat, but they had their work cut out for them.
The previous generation Lexus RX Hybrid wasn’t much of a looker, but the biggest problem with the new version is that it looks like a bloated cow, as is a grenade went off inside the old car and bulged out the bottom, made the eyes all squinty and left it with a fat butt that looks like it is being clenched for dear life because otherwise it will explode. Let’s say that it is not the most desirable of car designs; however with a lower hanging front bumper Wald International has made the new RX look mode like an oversized Toyota Matrix, which isn’t a bad thing. Fortunately this kit is available for both RX 350h and RX 450h owners, so they can feel a little better about being green.
Like all the latest tuning package the one for the Lexus SUVs is also called Black Bison and consists of a new front bumper with integrated fog lights and a pair of perfectly placed horizontal bars that visually extends the front end of the Lexus all the way to the ground, helping to eliminate the standard car’s puffy cheeks that Toyota considers to be aerodynamic fenders. Out back a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser makes the hybrid Bison seem a bit more relaxed. The oversized wheels, although they may rob a few MPG, go a long way to draw your eyes away from the Toyota stamped sheet metal. We would like to thank Wald International for making the new Lexus RX a car that we would want to drive and goes a long way to dispel the notion that efficient cars have to be unattractive.
For most automotive enthusiasts, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is almost too much sports truck as it comes from the factory. However in this crazy world of winged warriors and blown behemoths there is no such thing as enough, so the Porsche tuning experts at TechArt are offering a new performance package that significantly improves the SUV’s abilities.
On the outside, the Höfingen based tuners have added a bold new front bumper apron complete with larger air intakes and a combination of LED and large lower driving lights, a new vented hood, wider arches that house anywhere from 21 inch to 23 inch wheels, new rear bumper with integrated air diffuser and cutouts for the TechArt tuned exhaust and and a rear roof spoiler that all work together to turn the Cayenne Turbo S into a truly mean machine.
Thanks to an revised engine computer program, high flow air filter, modified turbochargers and tuned manifolds, TechArt has boosted the Cayenne’s output up to 680 HP and 664 lb-ft of torque up from the standard car’s 550 HP rating. The result is a 0 to 60 MPH time of 4.2 seconds for the 5000 pound machine that can also reach 125 MPH from a standstill in just 14.5 seconds on its way to reaching a top speed of 191 MPH. If you were a bit intimidated by the Turbo S before, the TechArt tuned Cayenne should scare the pants off of you.
Acura’s largest SUV is entering the 2010 model year with a new front and rear fascia, redesigned suspension and a new six-speed automatic transmission. The 2010 MDX will go on sale in September.
The 2010 MDX is powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that delivers a total output of 300 hp and 270 lbs-ft of torque. Compared to the 2009 model, the new MDX has a fuel consumption of 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, a 1 mpg improvement. The engine is mated to a new sequential shift six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2010 MDX exterior gets a fresh new look as a result of Acura’s signature design front grille, a new front fascia, revised hood, new side sills, a new rear fascia matched with rolled edge polished stainless-steel exhaust finishers, revised taillights with brighter LED lights, many new trim pieces and available 19-inch diameter 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels.
Inside, the 2010 MDX benefits from the expanded use of Milano leather, a new thicker sport steering wheel with racing-inspired paddle shifters, new gauges, easier to understand button placement for center stack functions, available ventilated front seats and upgraded interior trim.
After years of being on the pine, the Land Rover LRX is about to be unleashed.
The official statement of the LRX’s confirmed release in 2011 came almost two years after the LRX concept greeted us at the Detroit Auto Show last January 2008.
Looking at the proposed production version, it seems that not a lot has changed from the concept, although Land Rover has boldly announced that the LRX is poised to become the smallest, lightest, and most efficient model they’ve ever come out with.
Bold words considering they’re known for their big, heavy and gas-guzzling vehicles. Nonetheless, were going to take their word for it; after all, they wouldn’t be promising anything if they’re not going to back them up, right?
Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director even said that the LRX, while a Land Rover, is the first step in producing a new breed of Land Rovers, ones that would put credence on efficiency and maneuverability
“The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles,” he says.
First launched back in 1984, the Toyota 4Runner is currently entering its fifth generation of all terrain go anywhere toughness, this time with a more athletic look and a redesigned interior. Not to mention more power and better gas mileage, what is there not to like about the all new Toyota 4Runner. For 2010 Toyota will offer the sport utility vehicle in three different trim levels; the first is the Trail Grade 4Runner, followed by the well equipped SR5 with the Limited model topping out the range. TAs part of the fun truck’s off road agenda it will be offered with a rear wheel biased 4x2 drivetrain, part time 4x4 as well as a full time multi mode 4x4 rock crawling system.
On the outside, the 2010 4Runner comes with more rugged looking bumpers, more aggressive headlamps and taillights and some bolder boxed fenders that frame a set of 17 inch alloy wheels. The Japanese design team has also added a few new color options to the 4Runner’s pallet to satisfy the more refined off road shopper with colors like: Shoreline Blue Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic and Classic Silver Metallic. All 4x4 equipped models will be powered by a 4.0 Liter V6 that cracks out 270 HP and 278 lb-ft of torque while the 4x2 models will receive the new 2.7 Liter four banger engine that produces a much lesser 157 HP and 178 lb-ft of torque.
With the all new 2010 Toyota 4Runner, the Japanese automaker is reaching out to younger more enthusiastic car buyers with a fun truck that looks rugged enough to cross over any mountain trail and still look cool parked on the streets of a concrete canyon. Toyota is offering the reasonably sized 4Runner with a host of different trim level and drivetrain combinations to fit any consumer’s budget.
The Korean automaker Kia has finally spilled the beans about the 2011 Sorento, the first vehicle to roll off the new assembly line at Kia Motors’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia with sales will begining in January of 2010.
For 2011, the Sorento will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 172 HP or a larger 3.5-liter V6 with 273 HP, either way both coupled to a new six-speed automatic transmission for effortless shifts.
The car will be longer and roomier than the previous-generation Sorento, with an overall length of 184.4 inches and overall width of 74.2 inches. First on a Kia model, the 2011 Sorento comes with a panoramic sunroof. Also standard equipment includes: AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service2, auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting personal MP3 players, and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls.
The Japanese luxury automaker Infiniti has just release details about the 2010 EX35 luxury crossover, and it is still selling for the same price as it did in 2009, but with a long list of available features, including standard leather appointed seating and Around View Monitor, as well as a coat hanger integrated into the back of the driver’s seat, advanced audio systems and a power folding 2nd row seat. The 2010 Infiniti EX35 will start from just $33,800 for the rear wheel drive version and go all the way up to $37,400 for the top of the line all wheel drive EX35 Journey.
Just like the previous model year, the 2010 EX35 is powered by a 3.5 Liter VQ35 V6 engine that produces a maximum of 297 HP and is mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission and is available the automaker’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.
Some of the more attractive features of the EX35 are the new Bose Audi system and Around View Monitor Package that includes an Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Plasmacluster air purification. The Navigation Package adds hands free Bluetooth Streaming Audio, XM NavWeather (XM subscription required, sold separately) and Zagat Restaurant Guide. The Navigation Package is offered at no additional charge when you choose the Bose and AVM Package.
Something interesting was running laps around the Nurburgring this past week, despite looking like a Land Rover Freelander going through an identity crisis; this is actually a test mule for the upcoming 2011 Range Rover LRX. The new compact go anywhere 4x4 made its debut as the Land Rover LRX concept car at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, however, the automaker feels that an upscale compact SUV fits better in line with the needs of the up market Range Rover brand. So it looks like the little LRX will be sold as the baby Range, and being a premium compact SUV means that the now Indian automaker will be able to charge whatever they want for the LRX, and most likely get away with it too.
Despite jumping ship for a more luxurious market, the LRX will still be built alongside the equally compact Land Rover Freelander. Expect for the upcoming LRX to feature the same transversely mounted 2.0 Liter gas burning engine as the Freelander, with a hybrid power train to come out at an undetermined future and will most likely feature electric motors connected to the truck’s rear axle like in the Land Rover Land_e Concept.
You can expect to see more about the upcoming LRX in the near future as more information becomes available about the premium compact crossover. Although we must say that it would not be a coincidence if the production Range Rover LRX is out in time to coincide with the automaker’s 40th anniversary next summer, bringing the 4x4 brand into a greener future.
As it comes from the factory, the Infiniti FX50 is a sports car trapped in the body of a much larger sport utility vehicle, so when the tuning specialists from Car Research & Design decided to have a go at modifying the Japanese luxury SUV we were eager to see what they had come up with to dress up the FX at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week.
The Car Research & Design upgraded appearance package is available in either black or white and focuses around a set of special turbine inspired 21 inch light weight alloy wheels, a new front grill, fender vents and roof rail all painted in a more subtle matte gray color than the factory’s highly polished pieces to make the Infiniti FX stand out from the rest of the high performance luxury SUV crowd. On the inside, the Car Research & Design FX’s upholstered panels were all rewrapped with the finest leather available while the headliner was recovered in Alcantara and headliner. Another cue to the FX’s hidden agenda is that the team from Car Research & Design replaced every piece of wood trim with some very sporty carbon fiber pieces.
Car Research & Design is offering the concept FX in both FX37S and FX50S trim levels. The first is powered by a 3.7 Liter V6 that produces 320 HP and the larger moves like a sports car thanks to a 390 HP 5.0 Liter V8. This "Limited Edition" interpretation of the Infiniti FX is a pleasant surprise for those enthusiast drivers who want their high performance SUV to look as good as it goes.
Of all the props that were used at the Frankfurt Motor Show, we can’t think of anything that has served a bigger purpose than the BMW track. Since the show opened, we’ve seen car after car take a lap on the track and we figure that it’s only bound to get busier as the days go by.
One of the vehicles that made its intro on the said track is BMW’s new SUV, the X1. We’ve heard so much about the car – from its Facebook page to a bunch of commercials – but seeing it up close certainly brought our excitement up a few notches.
Of course, the X1 does cater to a younger – and more dynamic – market so it was expected that the SUV came with a more aggressive design compared to the X3 and the X5. If you look closer at the vehicle, you’ll actually notice that the car took some design cues from another BMW new release, the 5 GT.
But judging from the responses we gathered, the X1 looks to be a real winner, and not just to the market it aims to conquer, but to the more traditional BMW market. As it stands, the X1 is set to be released in Europe sometime in 2010 while the US would have to wait longer – in 2011 – to see the X1 out on their local BMW dealerships.
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