Following the first lot of spy shots of the new Bmw X5 that we published a week ago, here is another bunch of images picturing the mule of the eagerly awaited new luxury crossover from the German manufacturer. Different set of rims and blacked out rear windows aside, this prototype doesn’t seem to show any significant difference in comparison to the one spotted the last time.

The third generation of the X5, codenamed F15, will be developed on the same platform that generated the recent 5-series F10 and is expected to come with an engine range made of 6- and 8- cylinder petrol and diesel units, and is should make its debut in the second half of 2013 as a 2014 model.

0 comments

Opel will introduce its new compact SUV ‘Mokka‘ at the next Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18), and here is the first bunch of official pictures released by the German carmaker. The model should become available in the showrooms toward the end of the year, and is basically a twin of the Buick Encore, which has been unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show of Detroit just a few days ago.

The Opel/Vauxhall Mokka measures 4.28 meters in length, a feature that qualifies it as a proper sub-compact SUV for the B-segment, surely one of the most competitive areas of the automotive market. Initially the model will be available with the following engine options: a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol unit producing 140 hp and 200 Nm of peak torque, a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol delivering 115 hp and a 1.7-litre CDTI diesel engine producing 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 CDTI can be combined either with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. All versions will be offered in both Front- and All-Wheel-Drive variants, while all manual transmissions will be equipped with the fuel saving Start-Stop system

The new Opel/Vauxhall Mokka comes with 1,372 litres of loading space, 19 storage locations and the innovative Flex-Fix rear bicycle carrier. Standard equipment also includes the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the Traction Control (TC), the Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) systems, the Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+), the High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and a Traffic Sign Recognition system. It’s got them all, basically. L’Opel Mokka sarà offerta di serie con cerchi da 18 pollici. To find out more about the new Opel/Vauxhall Mokka, see the official Press Release after the jump.

Continue reading: Opel Mokka: official pics and info released

0 comments

In the wake of its recent unveiling at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Audi releases an official photo gallery starring the Q3 Vail concept, the model that somewhat anticipates the future ‘RS’ version of the popular compact SUV from the four rings house. This all-wheel drive concept car shares its platform with the A3 hatchback and is powered by a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 314 hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque that - in combination with a 7-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission - provides the model with a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 262 km/h (163 mph).

The Audi Q3 Vail concept has been named after the famous Colorado ski resort, hinting at the fact that Audi designed the model targeting a young custom base made of winter sports fans who love skiing and snowboarding. The model uses an exclusive Energy Red paintjob with matt gray add-on body parts are in its lower body. However, the most striking elements are the flared fenders and running boards, which Audi will soon add to the already wide range of Q3 accessories. Another interesting feature is the front roof-rail support with integrated LED lights that can illuminate the area around the vehicle.

As for the interior, the Audi Q3 Vail Concept comes with a combination of color matching black, gray, and red elements. The headlining is made from titanium gray Alcantara and large parts of the interior, including the carpet, are black and edged with red velvet-finish leather. To find out more about the Audi Q3 Vail Concept, see the official Press Release after the jump.

View the full Audi Q3 Vail Concept photo gallery

Continue reading: Audi Q3 Vail Concept: official photo gallery released

0 comments

Here are a few spy shots of the next generation of Bmw X5, the luxury crossover SUV that basically single-handedly created this new segment of the market when it was first launched back in 1999. The third generation of the successful X5, codenamed F15, is expected to make its debut in the second half of 2013 as a 2014 model, and will replace the current E70 version, which was launched in 2006 and underwent a mid-life facelift at the beginning of 2010.

The pictured mule is obviously in its very early testing stage, but is not wearing too much camouflage, although we are well-aware that its bodywork as well might be far from its final, definitive design. However, this prototype seems to be slimmer and less threatening than the current version, and with a lower ride height too.

Rumor has it that, in an attempt to lose as much weight as possible, the next X5 will make use of plenty of aluminum as well as a smaller and lighter turbocharged engine. It is also reported that Bmw is currently working on a long wheelbase version of the vehicle that will go on to compete with Audi Q7, which could end up being called XL5 and not X7, as rumored in some early reports.

View the full 2014 Bmw X5 first spy shots photo gallery

0 comments

Maserati introduces the Kubang SUV concept to the North American public at the 2012 NAIAS. The model was designed at the Maserati Style Center by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, and is bound to become the first Maserati car to be assembled on the other side of the Atlantic. However, the whole project will be developed by Maserati in Italy, meaning that the Italian engineers will take care of suspension, brakes, steering and electronics. Besides, a team led by Paolo Martinelli -Head of the Maserati Powertrain Department and for nearly 30 years at Ferrari, where he also served as engine chief of the Formula 1 racing team during the Schumacher era - is currently developing a new range of high-tech engines for the Kubang, which will eventually be produced at the Ferrari plant in Maranello and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. .

In the meanwhile, the house of the trident can enjoy the brilliant commercial results for the year 2011: Maserati registered a +10% in worldwide sales with a +21% in North America, that still is Maserati’s main market thanks to its 2,465 sold units. The second most important market for Maserati is China, which recorded almost a +50% in comparison to the previous year, and then Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Australia, UAE, Switzerland and Honk Kong.

0 comments

Nissan releases an official video and some images of its Pathfinder Concept, currently on display at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. The model represents a juicy anticipation of the next generation of the popular Japanese offroader, which is due to inter the market in its final form next Autumn.

In this two-minutes long video, Nissan’s vice President and General Manager, Mr. Al Castagnetti, introduces the main features of the vehicle, which seems to depart from the classic offroader concept in favour of a more SUV-oriented approach.

Under the bonnet, this Pathfinder Concept uses a V6 unit coupled with a CVT automatic transmission, a combination that should allow the car to decrease its fuel consumption (in comparison to the current model) by an impressive 25%. To find out more about the Nissan Pathfinder Concept, see the official Press Release after the jump.

Continue reading: Nissan Pathfinder Concept at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit (video)

0 comments

In view of its official unveiling at the imminent 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, Ford Motor Co releases a first bunch of pictures and a video of its brand new Ford EcoSport, a compact SUV based on Fiesta’s B-Car platform and built under the ‘One Ford’ policy as a global product. However, the model was designed and developed bearing the so-called emerging markets in mind, meaning that the model is unlikely to hit the US showrooms, while a possible arrival on European shores is still in the cards but not yet official.

As for now, Ford has not revealed much about engine range and powertrain of this new model, but rumor has it that it will be equipped with the new supercharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine, that is supposed to eventually replace all 1.6-liter normally aspirated units. The new engine should deliver about 120 hp and be mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Moreover, an ethanol version of the EcoSport could also be in the works.

0 comments

Volvo Car Co. will show up at the imminent North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the innovative XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, a highly economic SUV that also exploits the power of a petrol engine. The most distinctive feature of the model is perhaps the fact that drivers will be able to decide how to combine the two power sources by the simple touch of a button, a new technology that President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, Mr. Stefan Jacoby, describes “as ingenious as it is unique“, adding that “no other manufacturer has succeeded in delivering fuel economy and electrical range on this level in a capable, spacious performance car with 350 horsepower on tap.”

More specifically, drivers will be able to choose the driving mode by three buttons placed on the instrument panel: Pure (electric motor only), Hybrid (the standard setting, with gasoline and electric engines cooperating to provide maximum driving pleasure with minimum environmental impact) and Power (with the two units working together to create maximum possible power). The petrol engine is a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4 cylinder unit delivering 280 hp and 380 Nm of peak torque while the electric motor produces an output of 70 hp with 20o Nm of maximum torque, making up a grand total of 350 hp. Performance figures are not bad at all for an hybrid vehicle: with the ‘Power’ mode on, the carmaker claims a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 5.8 seconds with a top speed of almost 210 km/h (130 mph). With the ‘Hybrid’ mode activated, the performance of the model is not as good but the average fuel consumption goes down to 2.3 l/100km and CO2 emissions would be 53 g/km, with a full autonomy of about 960 km (about 600 miles), whereas the ‘Pure’ mode gives the car 45 km (28 miles) of range. The 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment can be recharged from a regular power outlet, reaching the full charge from a 220v/12A source in 3.5 hours.

The electric motors provide power to the rear axle while the whereas the petrol unit feeds the front wheels. The latter is coupled to a 8-speed automatic transmission and works together with an Integrated Starter motor and Generator (ISG) connected to the crankshaft, which is located between the engine and the transmission, which delivers an extra 45 hp during acceleration and charges the battery during braking. To find out more about the model, check out the official Press Release issued by Volvo North America after the jump, where you will also see a short video-presentation of the main feature of Volvo XC60’s innovative hybrid powertrain.

View the full Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept photo gallery

Continue reading: Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept: official video, pics and more info available

0 comments

Belgian aftermarket firm Caractere Exclusive presents its tuning program for the second generation of Porsche Cayenne, consisting of an aerodynamic kit (front and rear bumper, side skirts, wheel arch extensions and roof spoiler), a sport exhaust system and a set of carbon fiber interior trims, available in a range of different colors and finishes. Caractere Exclusive also offers 20″, 21″ and 22″ alloy rims in CW1 Graphite or Silver designs.

View the full Porsche Cayenne by Caractere Exclusive photo gallery

via | CarBuzz

0 comments

Mitsubishi will launch a special edition of its Shogun SUV model - a.k.a Pajero and Montero in other markets - quite simply dubbed ‘Black’ which, in the comparison to the regular model, is supposed to have just an aesthetic enhancement. The car is named after the color of satin black styling kit, which includes black 20″ alloys, roof, spoiler, wing mirrors, front grille, headlamp and fog lamp surrounds, door handles, badges and side steps. As for the body of the car itself, it will be available in 5 different colors: Frost White, Cool Silver, Diamond Black, Orient Red and Granite Brown.

The Mitsubishi Shogun Black will be powered by a 3.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit delivering 197 hp and 441 Nm (325 lb/ft) of peak torque. Other remarkable features of this version include a communication system with sat-nav, parking camera, iPod connectivity, leather interior and auto lights and wipers.

via | CarScoop

0 comments