Following release of pics of the new generation Porsche Cayenne, the company had a strong offering at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, with the lovely Porsche 918 Spyder on show, alongside the Porsche Cayenne S hybrid and Porsche 911 GT3R Hybrid. Such that the new Porsche Cayenne and 997 Turbo S faded into the background. In the galleries below you’ll see Porsche live at Geneva, and the official pics of the new Cayenne.

Everything about the Cayenne restyling suggests more sport and less utility. It is lighter, more compact looking (although longer) and has more Porsche style than previously. The major evolution in the model, though, is the new hybrid version, which will be available from its market launch date, expected in dealerships from May 8th. The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is equipped with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine with 333 hp, and a battery-powered motor with another 47 hp, for a total of 380 hp. It produces 193 g/km of CO2 emissions and has fuel consumption of 8.2 litres per 100 km.

The new Cayenne diesel is also more environmental than the previous model, consuming 20 percent less fuel with its 3.0-litre V6 with 240 hp and 550 Nm of torque. Other engine options include the 4.8-litre V8 of the Cayenne S and the Turbo, while the entry level Cayenne model now also has the eight-speed Tiptronic S with Start&Stop technology. Automatic transmission is available on all models.

Continue reading: New Porsche Cayenne and live pics from Geneva

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Here are live pics of Volkswagen at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and a gallery of the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg after the jump. Much like its German counterpart, BMW at Geneva, Volkswagen is focussing on its green credentials for the environment, or blue in this case, with its Bluetec models. The new Touareg Hybrid was on display, for example, which weighs 208 kg less than the original version. With its V6 333 hp engine combined with an electric motor of 47 hp, it should compete directly with the BMW X6 hybrid, and the Audi Q5 hybrid.

Other models on show at the 2010 Geneva motor show from Volkswagen include the Amarok pick-up and the Polo GTI, which is more economical than the previous version despite an increase of 30 hp. The CrossPolo also debuted, which can only be described as a hatchback soft off-road model.

Below is a full gallery of the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg, which could be quite a successful model for the brand in the future. It is roomy, with more luxury internal finishings than the previous generation, and large boot capacity. The Touareg is already available on the German market, costing 50,700 euros for the entry level model, and 73,500 euros for the top-of-the-range Touareg Hybrid. The 4.2-litre TDI V8 costs 70,800 euros. Click on the galleries for more pics.

Continue reading: Volkswagen live at Geneva and new Touareg pics

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The Dacia Duster will debut in the UK in 2012, with the new SUV appearing on the European market in a few weeks’ time at just 11,900 euros. The Dacia is a Romanian car brand that belongs to the Renault group, and is creating a stir with its entry level market options. Dacia was not a brand originally earmarked for the UK market, but with solid results in the last five years, the Duster is up to the challenge.

While Dacia is not set for a UK debut until 2012, you can see details of the project on the website at www.daciacars.co.uk, complete with a countdown. The Dacia Duster will be available in both 4×2 and 4×4 driving options, costing 11,900 euros or 13,900 euros. It has an engine range with a 16 valve, 1.6-litre petrol unit with 110 hp, and two dCi diesel models with 85 or 110 hp. CO2 emissions measure between 135 and 145 g/km. It has the minimum safety features you’d expect with ABS, ESP and four airbags.

Off-road options include the Pack Look kit with 16-inch light alloy wheels, roof bar, brushed chrome side skirts and darkened rear windows. The Pack Cuoio, on the other hand, includes interior leather finishes. The Dacia Duster comes with a six-speed manual gearbox with a short shift for off-road driving. Below you can find live pics of the Duster at Geneva, more official pics and a video showing its offroad capabilities.

Continue reading: Dacia Duster at 2010 Geneva Motor Show: official details, price and video

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The 2010 Geneva Motor Show afforded us our first glimpse of the Mini Countryman live, and we’re a little nonplussed about this new Mini crossover and the departure from the core of the Mini brand. The Mini Countryman is a five-door Mini with the possibility of ALL4 all-wheel-drive and a differential with DSC which manage the torque distribution of the vehicle. We don’t have a problem with any of this technology per se, we just don’t really understand its inclusion on a Mini. We guess the only explanation lies in the pressure to frequently create something new for the Mini image, not to mention jumping on the SUV band wagon.

The Mini Countryman appeared with the new Mini One petrol engine line-up, and the Mini One cabrio model. The Countryman is available in the following engine options: One 98 hp, Cooper 122 hp, Cooper S 184 hp, One D 90 hp, and Cooper D 110 hp. The ALL4 option is available only with the Cooper S and Cooper D. After the jump is the first Mini Countryman video, where the philosophy behind the model begins to make more sense. Only time will tell whether that translates into sales or not.

Mini Countryman live at Geneva motor show

Continue reading: Mini Countryman live pics from Geneva and Countryman promo video

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Volkswagen has already released the German pricing of the new Touareg, which can be ordered now for its local market, although the official debut is not until the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. The SUV is available in three versions and pricing starts at 50,700 euros for the 3.0-litre TDI V6 with 240 hp. The top-of-the-range model is the Touareg Hybrid, costing 73,500 euros. The 4.2-litre TDI V8 with 340 hp completes pricing at 70,800 euros.

All new Touareg versions come equipped with the eight-speed Tiptronic with ESP, ABS, Traction Control System, cruise control, automatic air conditioning, Hill Holder, alloy wheels and on-board computer. Other features include radio, multifunction steering wheel, fog lights, parking sensors and Start&Stop system. A Volkswagen Luxury Touareg will also be available in the future.

Source | Es.autoblog

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The new Volkswagen Touareg pics show the second generation model, which will now also be available in hybrid version. The hybrid Touareg has impressive performance figures, with its 3.3-litre V6 and electric motor producing a total of 380 hp and 580 Nm of torque. Other engine options in the range include a 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 240 hp and 550 Nm of torque, which rivals the hybrid in terms of fuel economy.

There’s also the 3.6-litre V6 FSI with 280 hp and 360 Nm of torque, and the 4.2-litre V8 TDI with 340 hp and 800 Nm of torque, which substitutes the discontinued V10 TDI. Overall, the new Touareg is longer and lower than the previous generation, with more interior space, too. It weighs 208 kg less and fuel consumption has been reduced by 20 percent across the range.

The Touareg Hybrid consumes 8.2 litres of petrol per 100 km, while the V6 TDI does 100 km with 7.4 litres. The new Tiptronic eight-speed transmission also helps reduce consumption. A Terrain Tech option is offered with five different options under the all-wheel 4XMotion drive. All models are fitted with the Tiptronic transmission and start-stop technology.

New Volkswagen Touareg

Continue reading: New Volkswagen Touareg released

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Perhaps in response to Jeremy Clarkson rubbishing the BMW X6, in particular its ability as an off-road vehicle, BMW has produced two videos on the snow driving capabilities of both the X5 and X6. The “M” versions of the cars are driven through the Passo Valparola in Italy’s Dolomites mountain range, in a kind of off-road instruction video.

You can see the BMW X6M and X5M drifting and then in hillside driving (in the second video after the jump). In fact, it’s actually high-speed driving up a ski slope. If you’re a BMW driver and fan, you’ll probably be convinced, and I think the videos are useful for anyone who intends to actually use their SUV as an off-road vehicle. I very much doubt that Jeremy Clarkson would be very convinced, at all…

Continue reading: BMW X5 and X6 off-road driving videos

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These Volkswagen Touareg “spy shots” actually show a scale model of the new SUV, which is being planned for a spring debut. The new Touareg will fit the Volkswagen family nicely, with the next generation planned with a front end similar to that of the new Golf and Polo.

Under the exterior, though, the Touareg has much in common with the Porsche Cayenne. On the engine front, we’ll see a new 3.0-litre V6 TFSI unit with 290 hp (from Audi origin), a new 3.0 V6 TDI Euro 6 and a new hybrid version for the environmentally conscious.

It was hoped that the Volkswagen Touareg would see a 2010 Geneva Motor Show debut, but it’s unclear if that will happen. Another alternative, making sense for the US market, would be a presentation at the New York auto show in April. In any case, the Touareg’s commercial launch will take place in the second half of this year.

Source | Autoweek.nl

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A coupe, with high driving position and off-road capabilities…? The BMW X6 always looked like a ridiculous car to me, and I’m happy to have Jeremy Clarkson confirm this for me. The SAV (or Sports Activity Vehicle) has plenty of BMW class and technology, with two petrol and two diesel engine options, and the buttons in the interior to boot. But apart from that, this is an unimpressive effort from BMW, where they’ve tried to do too much in one vehicle.

For example, what is the point of a coupe and a jeep all in one if the back passengers wanting to enjoy the off-road experience can’t fit in properly because of the sloping roof line…? What’s more, trying to drive the X6 is very complicated once you’ve figured out what the computer display system is actually saying, the direction in which the gear change is supposed to work and which steering wheel paddle you use to shift up or down (apparently you can do both with both…). In Clarkson’s words: “What was the boss of BMW doing when all the clowns in the laptop department were coming up with this rubbish?” See it all in the video.

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The Audi Q5 hybrid has been confirmed and will be presented most likely at the 2010 Paris motor show, with production starting for a market appearance at the beginning of 2011. The Q5 will be the first Audi hybrid model to be produced, and will be one of the significant models presented in 2010, along with the new Audi A1 and Audi A7.

No technical details of the Q5 hybrid have been released, although it should include the 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine combined with lithium ion batteries. The new hybrid model will contribute to the 42 model line-up planned for 2015, increased from Audi’s current line up of 34 models. 7.3 billion euros are being invested in the development of new models to achieve this aim.

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