The Peugeot 4007 - the SUV from the Lion’s Lair developed jointly with Mitsubishi - will receive a mid-career restyling before the end of the year. The updated 4007 could be unveiled in September, on the occasion of the next Frankfurt Auto Show. At the same time, at the German festival the restyled Citroen C-Crosser could be presented, which, like the 4007, was also born from the Mitsubishi Outlander. The biggest change in the two French SUVs will be the adoption of the new 3.0-liter V6 HDi engine with 240 hp which just made its debut under the hoods of the Citroen C5 and the C6.

From | Autonews.fr

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The dr5 is debuting for the DR range, which will include the all wheel drive system already seen on the SUV. The vehicle is Italian, but with Chinese origin, and is the first from the company established by Massimo Di Risio. The dr5 is equipped with a 2.0 litre petrol engine with 128hp, developed by AVL and built by Acteco - the engine division of Chery.

A turbodiesel 1.9 litre Multijet with 120 hp will also be available, supplied by Fiat Powertrain. Compared to the front wheel drive version, the dr5i AWD has an ITM 3e system from Borg Warner that distributes power to the back wheels. It works like an electromagnetic friction. The transmission is a five speed manual, and no automatic shift is currently planned.

The dr5i has all the usual aspects of the range with good options and a low price point. The 2.0 litre version will be sold for 18,830 euros, while a twin-fuel (petrol and LPG) version is also available for that price. The natural gas version costs 1,000 euros more.

Continue reading: DR brand: dr5i SUV on the scene

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The moment has arrived for the Audi Q7, V12 TDI version, to undergo an ‘ABT’ makeover. The amazing SUV with its V12 engine, developed on the competition Audi R10, will see its power increase from 500 to 560 hp, and the torque will go up from 1000 Nm to 1200 Nm. No official news is available as to the Q7 tuning, but reports have 0-100 km/hr figures at just 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of 258 km/hr.

Source | Autoblog.nl

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I can safely say this is one of the more dramatic changes I’ve seen in a vehicle in the many spy shots that come our way. The Porsche Cayenne, originally a more controversial model for the company, is taking on a more refined Porsche look with a sloping bonnet, as seen in these Cayenne spy shots.

The car is expected to debut in 2010, and we had already seen the interior and the rear lights in previous pics. These spy shots take the glimpse a step further, showing a refined car smaller in size than the current Cayenne.

The height will be reduced by two centimetres; while in itself it is minimal, it shows the overall evolution of the vehicle. Driving pleasure and sports handling will be a focus compared to its cousins, the Audi Q7 and the Volkswagen Tuareg. The updated engines will be those already seen on the Panamera, including the future hybrid version and V6 diesel. Reports have been floating around of a V8 diesel as well.

Source | MotorAuthority

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After the Audi Q5 Custom Concept pics, here’s the Q5 concept video, to take a closer look at the SUV with its V6 three-litre engine. A power-step version at 408 hp and 500 Nm was presented at teh Worthersee Tour 2009., after work on the aspiration system which now guarantees greater air being brought to the compressor. The exhuast also got an overhaul, which makes itself heard in the video after the jump.

Continue reading: Audi Q5 Custom Concept vidoes

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Audi has released new official pics of the Q5 Custom Concept prior to the prototype’s presentation at the Worthersee Tour 2009 next weekend. The prototype is not so interesting for its look, but for the engine that they’ve put under the bonnet.

Currently absent from the Q5 range, the V6 3.0 litre TFSI is that of the Audi S4, brought from 333 to 408 hp for the occasion. This power will be managed by the S-Tronic seven-speed transmission, and the whole proposal has fans a-flutter.

The model proves that the possibility of an “S” version in the Audi SUV range is not so fantastical. This could also be a preview to the next RS4, currently oscillating between a V6 and V8. And given the closer relationships among the VAG cars, we could even see this engine on Volkswagen or Porsche models.

Audi Q5 Custom Concept

Continue reading: Audi Q5 Custom Concept pics

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Here’s the new Volkswagen Touareg spotted without camouflage in its final version, although we still have more than a year before its debut. The new style is on display, including the smaller dimension, and elements similar to the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7.

Left Lane News reports that we will see a reduction in weight, and that the slightly longer length indicates a third row of (folding flat) seats could be an option. With an overall update in the look, keeping its family feeling but with added sports style, it could also prove to be cheaper.

Source | LeftLane

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These videos show some close-ups of the Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC version. The diesel SUV is the ecological effort for this segment from Mercedes, presented at the New York show in a slight restyling.

The BlueTEC version is based on the 320 CDI with the same V6 three-litre engine with 211 hp. The car is equipped with a special filter system, with DeNox system that reduces NOx values by 80 percent, reducing consumption to 9 l/100km.

Continue reading: Mercedes GL 350 BlueTEC videos

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With the new Mercedes GLK arriving in autumn, the small SUV will broaden its offering with rear wheel drive versions, that will be available alongside the current 4Matic all wheel drive system.

Initially the rear wheel drive will be offered only on the 220 CDI version, but with a new six speed manual transmission that expands on the only shift currently available: the 7G-Tronic option.

Continue reading: Mercedes GLK with rear wheel drive available after summer

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As already announced, the Fiat Panda will soon debut on the US market, and the Cross 4×4 city car will appear with the Jeep brand, and will be sold under the name “Phoenix”. Expected for 2011, the Jeep Phoenix is planned for success with an off-road look, practical use and different enough from the rest of the Jeep range.

Here are the first Fiat Panda reconstructions of the stars and stripes version of the Italian car. Seeing one of the originals on mountain roads in Italy, she’s difficult to recognise. Time will tell if the choice is a hit or not.

Source | Autoblog.com

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