Work hard and play hard with Kia Mesa SUV

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Even though Kia sounds like Killed in Action, the KIA SUV is far from that. the Full-size Kia Mesa SUV will come to life in the year 2009.This is the latest SUV in the kia family. Let’s see what’s so special about it. As far as the body and the styling factor is concerned, I think it looks a lot like Dodge Magnum. It definitely going to be one of the stylish SUVs released in the market. This SUV can be compared with it’s parallels like Chevy Tahoe or the Ford Expedition. What can we expect? Interiors: * From the picture you can see the classy and well presented interior * Kia Mesa offers three rows of two seats. The seats are basically Captain’s chairs. So you can imagine the comfort level. * The cabin lighting is awesome. Neon lights will be provided in two rows. * DVD and video monitor on board. I think this will make the riders quiet and help them enjoy the ride. Kia President and CEO Peter M. Butterfield mentions: Designed to be rugged enough for play on the weekends yet sophisticated enough to take to the theater at night and the office on weekdays, the Mesa really brings everything you could ever want in a truck to the table As for the exteriors: * Kia promises a futuristic design * The engine will be a 3.8 liter V6 for starters eventually upgraded to a V8. I think this should give the big SUV plenty of power. * Conventional alloy wheels with 6 spokes. Although the SUV is going to be a big mass of steel to haul, it will still sell because of it’s posh interiors, unique seating capacity and all terrain capability. The company is looking forward to release the vehicle for the American market in 2009. Image Links: Weblogsinc and Thecarconnection Source Link: cars.blog.ca

BMW shrinks to mini suvs like Clubman

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The auto industry is shrinking these days. Recently automobile manufacturers all over the world are trying to shrink SUV sizes down to MINI SUVs. The auto industry leaders decided to cut down the size to MINI SUVs like Austin Ant, Suzuki Samurai, Moke as well as the MINI cooper. The latest MINI in the industry is the BMW MINI known as the CLUBMAN. The BMW’s design plant in California is working on the CLUBMAN. But, what’s it going to be like? * Clubman will be based on X5 and Z4 roadster. I think Clubman will find itself at ease with the X5 & Z4. * According to sources, it will have a long wheelbase. * It will be based on the BMW-1 series platform. Personally, I think this is a great idea since this would be a common platform and will be easy to provide future support for the clubman. This kind of vehicle is aimed for people who want to have the comfort of bigger SUVs yet drive them like a regular town car. Also, they provide plenty of room for all your stuff and passengers. Clubman is yet to be developed and should be out in the market around 2010. Once it rolls out and hits the streets, it will change the concept of SUVs. Image credits:blogsmithmedia & autoblog

BMW chairman gives green signal to 3-series based F3

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We have been hearing about the rumors of some new BMW 3-series based crossover vehicle and now, BMW has reported the development of a new model dubbed F3, which is slated for a 2010 launch. The new CUV based on the 3-series will be based around the modified 3-series platform and will either the rear-wheel drive or BMW’s xDrive AWD system. The F3 has been possibly designed to target the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The F3 will be below the current model X3, both in price and size. Anyway, the 5-Series based MPV is anticipated to be revealed in mid-2009. Via: WindingRoad

Hyundai sees the future of SUVs green with their new HED 4 crossover

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If you thought that the Rinspeed’s eXasis is the only one to be made of high-tech plastic, you need to have a second thought after looking at the  new HED-4 concept crossover. The Hyundai European Design 4 has been developed as a result of a venture with GE Plastics. The SUV comes rocking Hyundai’s new Elastic Front technology and features a scratch-resistant windscreen (50 percent lighter than that of one made of glass). The compact two-door crossover has been blessed with an energy-absorbing “Elastic Front” to meet Euro-NCAP pedestrian safety standards. The innovative concept is claimed shows how the compact SUV of tomorrow can be safer and greener. Via: Autoexpress

Infiniti shows Euro-focused Crossover

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Infiniti has shown a new SUV dubbed EX. The company has billed this new car as a concept, but hopes to bring it to the public by the end of 2008. EX will get a four wheel drive, though it has been stated as a crossover and not a standard 4 x 4. The car will be based on Nissan’s rear-drive FM platform, and will be powered by a 3.7-litre engine. The company also hopes to release a diesel version of the car as it is hoping to launch a 250hp V6 oil-burner for its forthcoming European launch. On the accessories side the car flaunts an Around View Monitor that displays information from the camera mounted around the car’s exterior to reduce blind spots while parking. Lane Departure Prevention automatically corrects the car’s position on the road if the driver allows it to drift out of the lane. The car is expected to be priced at £35,000. Via: autocar

Chevy HHR gets a ‘Devilish Smokescreen’ at the New York Auto Show

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Paint jobs on cars for publicity, the idea is not all that the bad and although a name like Chevrolet needs no publicizing, yet a few of there products do, especially a panel wagon. Panel wagons always find a specific set of buyers which means there area of sales is limited right from the time of their launch and to make such wagons appealing to all, the carmakers need a sturdy brain drain exercise. The only way the motive of ensuing common appeal other than the hefty strategies is to find a man of Jim McCammons’ caliber. The bloke has done a terrific job in painting a not so special Chevy HHR Panel Vehicle into something which has the potential of common appeal. The impressiveness of his work can be judged by the pictures and as a testimonial of his brilliance, Bob Lutz along with a number of other dignitaries chose him as the winner of the design contest at this years’ New York Auto Show. It was dubbed the Skull from Hell version of the HHR Panel Wagon and they wanted to target the 18-25 years old death metal buffs moving out of their parents’ house on an excursion. It is beyond doubt the Jim a student of the Detroit College for Creative Studies has hit the bull’s eye considering the motive behind the job. Via : Autoblog

Spy Shot: Revamped Ford Sport Trac

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Ford too is on the run to update its SUVs with fresh designs. Analyzing by some spy shots spotted in Detroit, Ford may deliver a bold new look with a pretty facelift to its current Sport Track variant. The revamped Sport Trac’s greatest improvements are an all-new reinforced frame and four-wheel independent suspension. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control is standard in the Sport Trac. The headlights appear unchanged, but a new grille is definitely rocking. It’s tough to tell through the camouflage that the VW-esque chrome grille treatment would do or not, its front bumper appears to be lower. The rear bumper is also camo-covered, so a styling change is surely on the block. The exhaust has also been modified with twin straight back instead of the one on the left side. The changes aren’t surprising, as one would expect especially from a financially-strapped automaker such as Ford. The Sport Trac has been built by the Ford Motor Company since 2001. During the first years in the US, the waiting list grew to over a 3 month wait. Never the less, a humble change appears to be in store. The growth for next waiting list? Time is the greatest teacher. Image Credit Via : Leftlanenews

Student-designed Lamborghini LM 400 concept SUV

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Penned by Rene Harrigan who did his BA in Automotive Design at Coventry University, the Lamborghini LM 400 is a concept vehicle inspired by the Lamborghini LM 002. The original Lamborghini LM002 was shaped from 1986 to 1993 with just 300 units in number but it somehow couldn’t make waves. But now, when SUVs are widely accepted, design student Rene Harrigan might have thought that it’s the just right time to add soul to the old monster. The LM 400 comes touting four diverse body styles, the entry level LM V8, the sporty LM-S, the luxury LM-400 V10 and the high performance LMR, with all of them powered by a V12 engine generating 600hp. While the entry level is expected to cost about $54,000, the price tag will read over $230,000 for the high-end LMR V12. Via: CarBodyDesign

Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV to hit showrooms by the end of the year

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Volkswagen is anticipating its Tiguan compact SUV to hit the showrooms by the end of this year for a starting price of $24,000. The final production model is look-a-like to the concept model showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. The Tiguan has been planned in order to battle the cars like Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav 4. With a seating capacity for five, the Tiguan comes with a range of range of new Bluetec diesels and competent FSI gasoline engines. The vehicle is expected to get the 2.0L ‘Clean TDI’ Bluetec diesel engine. The Tiguan is anticipated to be sold out with FWD in base models and optional 4WD by the fall of this year. Via: Motorauthority

The all-new all-aluminum Range Rover getting final touches

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Land Rover is quite busy giving final touches to the make of the brand new Range Rover, which is expected to go on sale in the year 2012. And, this new model will be all aluminum. Moreover, they have plans to chop off around 600-pounds from the new model (2007 HSE models have a curb weight of 5698 lb and Supercharged models weigh 5842 lb). The technology is already in use in Jaguar’s XJ division. The engineers at the company are planning to reduce the weight of the new Rover by up to 850 pounds while still retaining the spacious, luxurious cabin. If we talk of the innards, the new Range Rover is said to come with a 5.0-litre petrol V8 under its hood in two versions, one with a supercharger and the second without it. You can look for power outputs of 350bhp and 460bhp from the beast. While we don’t have any idea of it will come with a diesel engine but a hybrid powertrain might account for lower CO2 output. Image Via: AutoCar