SUVs

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RM Motor City 2014 Highlights – 1976 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser is Flawless, Earns $70k

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“Icon” or “hall of fame” status for a new automobile is never a sure thing. Those first few hundred models roll out from an engineer’s blueprints, down the assembly line, and into global showrooms (relatively) untested and unproven. Will it sell? Will it break down? Time will tell. So nobody claims current cars are icons right away. Even fewer automakers would say: will this truck define the brand (and even ‘Made in Japan’) in the eyes of global car shoppers from this point forward? Will it be a good reputation? All of these are lofty goals, but ones the FJ40 …

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2016 Kia Sorento Paris Preview Shows Deeply Sexy New Design, With Elements of K900 Flagship to Nose

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INTRO CAVEAT: All these hopefuly statements are moot. Why? Kia is still furious with your humble scribe for what he said about the current Sorento’s woeful steering.   The Kia Sorento has the makings of a great SUV – but needs a few extra tweaks to really get to the same levels as its Hyundai Sante Fe cousin. Those changes required include a fresher and more appealing exterior style, some dynamic tweaks, and a sportier cabin and driving position. 2014 Kia Sorento SX-L Kia looks set to address all three of these needs in one fell swoop for the all-new …

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Update2 Debut Photos – 2015 BMW X4 Arriving Now to USA BMW Dealers – Pricing From $46,000

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Updated 7.28.14 with 74 real-life dynamic photos of the 2015 BMW X4 M Sport.     The production BMW X4 was a nice surprise when touring the BMW Spartanburg factory in late March. The car is very attractive in real life – especially in this M Sport trim level!           Much better than expected and a solid proposition for all AWD performance sedan shoppers. More thorough articles coming soon, plus all the full details from BMW below. The New BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe A new dimension for the mid-sized premium Sports Activity Vehicle Woodcliff Lake, …

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2015 BMW X3 xLine vs M Sport, Pricing + Specs with 100 New Real-Life Photos

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Updated 7.28.14 with Pricing, Specs and 100 New Photos Hooray! The 2015 BMW X3 debuted last night in a sneak peak at the Chicago auto show – and all seems well for this glamorous new five-seat crossover. Why the elation? I hated was not a fan of the previous X3. Sometimes my own critiques are so scathing that the words echo and reverberate in my head after I type and publish them. What do I mean? Well, I called the previous X3’s LED and nose look a “zombie-like stare.” Accurate? Maybe, maybe not. Memorable? Perhaps too much so. The X3 …

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4.1s 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Leads Refreshed Lineup in USA from November

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Porsche revealed the updated 2015 Cayenne model line today – with a variety of style in and tech to go along with the new Cayenne S twin-turbo V6 replacing the current 4.8-liter V8. This new 3.6-liter engine drops the sprint pace of the Cayenne S half a second down to 5.1-seconds gor the Sport Chrono pack, 5.2-seconds for the standard S.  The V6 produces 420-horsepower and 406-pound-feet of torque in the big Cayenne, which is up 20 from this engine in the Macan S. Power is through a new eight-speed transmission across the board. The latest Cayenne S E-Hybrid has …

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2016 JAGUAR XQ-Type Preview – C-X17 SUV in 150 Photos, 4 Colors from Frankfurt, LA, Dubai and Guangzhou

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Everything we have seen so far from the C-X17 concept is included here!  The first-ever Jaguar crossover is expected to be a huge volume hit for the resurgent brand, with commercial prospects that seem far more lucrative than the just-confirmed XE compact exec sedan. The XE-type will debut September 8th in Paris, while the XQ-type — as it is expected to be called — should see its production debut around that time as well. The other name trademarked by Jaguar is the Q-type – which could be an alternative name for this five-seat SUV or the name of a possible …

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BRABUS ML-Class Mercedes-Benz Increases Speed, Exclusivity and Cabin Luxury

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UPDATED for the ML-Class — and this all certainly applies to the five-seat Benz SUV as much as it does the seven-seater!   Who are we to judge a megalux custom SUV? Nobody – that is who. At least, nobody with anywhere near the wealth or status to feel let down by the factory ML-Class AMG from Mercedes-Benz. But in certain worlds, the factory model is just too plain, and too similar, to even find in a Brentwood organic produce parking lot — let alone feel passionate about. BRABUS takes things up a notch in every regard. More premium, much …

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TECHART MACAN Upgrades for Wheels, Engine, Exhaust, Suspension and Cabin Revealed

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The Macan is the hottest thing to hit the Porsche books since the Panamera – and TechArt knows it. Their first set of upgrades is already well under way — with details promised for a styling overhaul in a month or so. Until then, we have the first four wheel styles available for any Macan Porsche, plus the well-regarded Engine and Suspension module upgrades from the TechArt Cayenne. Both of these plug-and-play mods keep all the mechanicals the same, but liberate a huge amount of extra power and earlier torque peaks. High recommended is the new exhaust as well. Stay …

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186MPH 7-Seat SUV? BRABUS B63S 700 Widestar for Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

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Who are we to judge a megalux custom SUV? Nobody – that is who. At least, nobody with anywhere near the wealth or status to feel let down by the factory GL63 AMG from Mercedes-Benz. But in certain worlds, the factory model is just too plain, and too similar, to even find in a Brentwood organic produce parking lot — let alone feel passionate about. BRABUS takes things up a notch in every regard. More premium, much faster, more exclusive and *much* more expensive. But these upgrades are so deep and thorough that they have a definite value proposition in …

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SRT Hellcat Envy? OCT Tuning Supercharger Conversion Delivers Easy +200 Horsepower in All HEMI V8s

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With the recent launch of the SRT Challenger for 2015 with a supercharged engine, owners of an existing Hemi V8 or SRT8 Mopar might be feeling a little down on power. O.CT Tuning of Germany to the rescue! These guys work extensively with the Hemi V8 in its 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4-liter sizes – and have a few Supercharger upgrades in boxes ready to ship out today! The power figures are staggering – and so will the burnt rubber once you have this installed by a local mechanic! Output Data KW HP Nm Original 317 431 570 O.CT 443 602 …

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RENDERED RUMORS: Bugatti Galibier Back in Pipeline – As 2017 Super SUV!

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It might make you chuckle on first thought: a Bugatti SUV. But take a step back and think about sales trends and Buagtti’s next steps. Sure, a SUperVeyron is very likely in 2016 or so as the current model finishes production by January 2015. And sure, a limo with a front-engine setup would be a logical next step. But here is the thing with limo’s versus SUVs and supercars: they are a hard sell. The car would have to be something quite spectacular indeed for people to stump up about 5X the $500,000 cost of a new Rolls-Royce Phantom. Similarly, …

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2015 Ford Explorer XLT Appearance Pack Adds 2.0L Turbo, Big Wheels and Dark Grey/Black Trims

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The lovable Ford Explorer brings a few updates for the 2015 model year, highlighted by the new XLT Appearance Pack and its dark grille, big wheels and black trims. This brings much of the street presence of the range-topping Explorer Sport to the volume leader of the Explorer group — and is a welcome style and handling upgrade! The main way to tell the XLT Appearance Pack trucks from the Explorer Sport is the grille: the XLT option is a dark grey grille, while the Explorer Sport runs a gloss black grille. 2015 Ford Explorer XLT Appearance Pack 2015 Ford …

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2015 Lincoln Navigator Power Confirmed at 380HP and 460 Lb Ft. – Pricing From $63k Undercuts Escalade by $10k

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Pricing for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator is here! We’ve put together a handy chart for ease of use versus picking the numbers out of the below… 2015 Lincoln PRICING 4×2 4×4 Navigator $       62,475 $       65,400 Navigator Reserve $       69,975 $       72,900 Navigator L $       64,640 $       68,215 Navigator L Reserve $       72,140 $       75,715 The Navigator’s available ‘Reserve’ trim level will be the best bet for the Navigator’s loyal buyers – it brings a brand-new set of super-plush leathers and the 22-inch wheels that help update the truck’s look almost as much as the LEDs front and rear. The …

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Subaru VIZIV 2 Concept From Geneva Is Fug of the Year Award Winner

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The nose and tail of the Viziv 2 concept from Subaru definitely go into the “What were they thinking” file. The design shown here is expected to preview the upcoming Tribeca replacement, which will be a jumbo Outback seating seven. But hopefully the production car looks… A.) nothing like the first B9 Tribeca B.) nothing like this. In fairness, the worst elements by far are the twin giant round light elements in the nose and tail. If you block those out, the car is not half bad. New lean surfaces and geometric shapes show a nice crispness. But the red …

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Official: Volkswagen Mid-size SUV Will Seat 7, Be Built in USA – Name TBD

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After much dithering and time-wasting, VW has formally announced Chattanooga as the assembly location of the forthcoming 2016 Passat-based SUV. No new name or production images have been released – leading us to believe the production car will be close in form and spirit to the CrossBlue concept — which is pictured outside the VW Tennessee plant here. NEW MIDSIZE SUV FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO BE PRODUCED IN CHATTANOOGA Jul 14, 2014 Winterkorn: “This model will play a key role for Volkswagen’s presence in North America” Volkswagen Group of America to invest approximately $900 million in the project Second model to …

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OP_ED: Latest Mitsubishi Exterior Designs Are Bizarre and Alarming

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Mitsubishi is doing great on a few fronts, and simply keeping its head above water on other fronts. In the realm of PHEV and battery-electric vehicles, the firm is on a great trajectory. The iMiEV has been a pretty large global seller over the last five years by EV standards, and the new Outlander is fully prepped for a PHEV drivetrain that is already on sale in Japan and the UK, along with a few other markets. The SUV and pickup truck model ranges are still relatively robust sellers, with modern diesel engines and a butch appeal in their style. …

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Is Now The Smartest Time To Buy a 2014 Ford F-150? New Truck This Winter Bringing BEST DEALS EVER on Current Models

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This is somewhat counter-intuitive for a car news writer to ask – but I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind at some point as well. Here is the scenario: You want and need a new truck. New F-150 looks awesome, so you have been waiting to see it come out before you decide whether to buy one. But here is an alternative scenario: Save yourself $10,000 or more buy snapping up one of the 2014-model-year trucks — loaded to the gills and priced to move. Tempting, right? As new as the 2015 F-150 is, the 2014 truck is still …

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2015 Range Rover Evoque Gains 9-Speed Auto, Refreshed Info Tech and Boosted Engine HP

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The 2015 Range Rover Evoque’s updates are a bit deeper than first reported at Geneva with the loaded Autobiography trim level. It now appears that the full US range of Evoques will benefit from an exterior refresh as well as a tech suite update inside. The exterior changes are extremely subtle, and include new Range Rover Sport-style wheels and grille detailing. The Autobiography model shown here will offer gloss black for all these brightwork accents (orange car) or the normal satin silver shown on the grey model. The other changes include a new accent element for the foglamp surround up …

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2015 Chevrolet Trax USA Arrival In September To Battle Juke, Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade Mini SUVs

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Can you blame Chevrolet for bringing the Trax to the US market? Of course not! There is no bigger growth segment in the car market than the mini SUV. This one shares most of its platform and running gear with the Sonic and other little guys in the Chevy portfolio, but will command a $3,000 premium just for sitting a bit higher up and having some SUV body cladding. This model is required to slot in below the ever-larger and very dated Equinox and very-old-indeed Captiva Sport that is a fleet-only model. Chevrolet and GM have been rightly lambasted for …

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New Mitsubishi Shogun SWB Barbarian for UK Will Make You Miss The Montero

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  New Mitsubishi Shogun SWB Barbarian for UK Will Make You Miss The Montero The Montero was always a quietly handsome and off-road-ready SUV, but was caught out by the global financial crisis combined with shifting buyer priorities. Its final flared-fender style was a big leap above the too-narrow look of the first few generations, but the Montero always seemed in the Toyota Land Cruiser’s shadow as far as consumer awareness. A steep price meant it was Mitsubishi Motors’ flagship model in the US – and the trucks tended to hand around showrooms for a bit too long. This clogged …

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Past and Future Perfect – Rolls-Royce Is Evergreen in 111 RARE Photos + 2017 RR ALPINE RENDERING

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Past and Future Perfect – Rolls-Royce Is Evergreen – 111 RARE Photos Celebrate 111-Year History FUTURE PERFECT? Yes, this tense in language certainly applies to Rolls-Royce in the coming years. Here is (one of) Lutz Valdeig‘s artist renderings of a 2017 Rolls-Royce Alpine SUV – with a name borrowed from RR’s Apline Trial glory.   Rolls-Royce is more successful than anyone might have guessed 15 or 30 years ago. At that time, the whisper was that The Best Car in the World might be losing its touch with modern times. BMW’s guiding principles of quality and advanced driving characteristics have …

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Paging Dr. Gerry McGovern – There Is A Ford Explorer Sport Here To See You

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Paging Dr. Gerry McGovern – There Is A Ford Explorer Sport Here To See You This is tough news to deliver to you, Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s head of design. When a car designed abroad is about the be released in the United States, looking just like a car we have all seen thousands of times for the previous few years. The Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept is one such machine. It might as well be an exact match for the Ford Explorer of 2009-present. When I had this white Explorer Sport last Fall, my neighbor already thought it was …

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Update1 – Land Rover Discovery Concept Previews 2016 LR4 Discovery and 2015 LR2 Disco Sport

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Update1 – Land Rover Discovery Concept Previews 2016 LR4 Discovery and 2015 LR2 Disco Sport The sternness of the original article here (below) seems like overkill in the face of perhaps the best-ever set of new Range Rovers from JLR in the past year. The firm is moving quickly and has eager buyers lining up for every new model it releases. This strategy is set to continue for at least the next three years, during which time we will see the replacement for the LR2 Freelander first. Renamed the Discovery Sport, the LR2 badge will go away and it will …

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2015 VOLVO XC90 Powertrain Teaser – Twin-Engine PHEV with 400HP Dubbed T8, 316HP T6 Also Coming to USA

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2015 VOLVO XC90 Powertrain Well, here is some good news! So far, we have seen the new XC90’s interior luxury and infotainment solutions. The luxury looks good, but the info touchscreen is a bit short of the Tesla 17-inch ideal. Under the hood? This has been another worry – will dropping the inline-6, turbo six and V8 engines hurt the XC90 in power-pad American showrooms? The answer is a big No! The range-topping plug-in hybrid powertrain is teased today, and it looks awesome. Called T8 for twin-engine 4+4 shorthand, the T8 brings 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Through …

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2015 Lexus NX200t and NX300h Are Ultra-Modern Inside and Out

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The 2015 Lexus NX200t and NX300h instantly make all other compact crossovers look 1000 years old. This is a seriously new and innovative take on the design of Lexus SUVs – and we love it. The surfacing is the most-notable point, with interesting creases throughout that make light bounce around inside the door panels and fender flares. It is totally fresh in a way that a mainstream, or even luxury model, has not been in at least a decade. Overstating things a bit? Perhaps – but the NX200t is extremely good-looking. This is one car where the F Sport trim …

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Happy B-Day to the Volkswagen Minibus and Transporter! Work Van Legend Turns 60 in UK This Year

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 Happy B-Day to the Volkswagen Transporter We’ve been pretty down on VW USA this year. Can you blame some pushback from automotive media here in the US in the face of the two-year delay on the Golf 7 arriving on our shores? The first GTI’s are arriving in VW dealerships now, but these are from Germany. The bulk of the line is still months out, at the earliest. The Jetta makes me cringe when I see it on the road, and the new US-market Passat is looking less-good every single day. These old products are priced at the tippy-top of …

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2014 Overfinch Range Rover Sport To Debut at Salon Prive With +40HP and Extra-Loud V8 Bellow

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If there are two certainties in the JLR supercharged V8 in its latest Ford-Coyote-derived 5.0-liter supercharged setup, it is the huge power and huge wall of sound it is capable of delivering. Not supercharger whine these days either: it is all induction up front and exhaust bark out back. Through the amazing ZF eight-speed automatic, the stock powertrain is nothing short of remarkable. Both the speed and the noise are standard features on cars like the F-Type R – but not available on the Range Rover Sport yet. This changes with the launch of the very exclusive Overfinch Range Rover …

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PART TWO: 2016 Audi S Q3 Rendering – Future 4.9-second Sport Compact Crossover

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 2016 Audi S Q3 PART TWO… Mercedes-Benz seems relatively confident with the GLA45 AMG as the one engine upgrade to the GLA250 series, and the GLA45 AMG will make its way well past $55,000 with a few options packages. So what is the Audi of America counter-strategy? Not the full-blown RS Q3, but a car with nearly all the affordable performance and speed enhancements, but with the S Q3 label instead. This is a great alternative. Simply boosting the power levels of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in the top Q3 and adding standard quattro AWD will work wonders for the …

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PART ONE: 4.5-second 2015 Audi RS Q3 Priced Out of Compact SUV Market in USA

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2015 Audi RS Q3 The Audi RS Q3 is not coming abroad to the United States market – on what has been deemed cost grounds. This makes sense if you start adding up what the showroom sticker would be for Audi of America. With the new Q3 priced in the $35,000 to $45,000 range with options and the upgraded 2.0-liter turbo engine, there is little headroom for the price premium that Quattro GmbH models command. Based on the RS5 versus the S5, we are talking a full $10 to $15,000 price bump – which would lead the RS Q3 perilously …

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Goodwood 2014 Galleries – PORSCHE Macan Turbo, Panamera S E-Hybrid, RS Spyder, 962 and 917

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My huge crush on the Macan is an open secret. Great to see how wonderful it looks being pushed to the edge up the hill! Also including a cool photo I found recently of the 917 doing a jump test, plus that monster 16-cylinder 917 prototype from last week… 917 MACAN TURBO PANAMERA S E-HYBRID RS SPYDER GT1 LM Check out the tarts in the right of this photo testing the Lola Aston Martin… 962 and 935

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2015 Lincoln MKC Arriving in Showrooms Now – 2.0L EcoBoost from $34k, 2.3L WIth 285HP from $40k

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The new MKC is huge news for Lincoln – at a time when this is the exact product the company needs. Lincoln needs the MKC to really enjoy some of the sales gains being logged by Audi and even Cadillac. Speaking of Cadillac, the MKC hits a big hole in this cross-town rival’s product portfolio. A mid-size premium crossover is an exploding segment, and the MKC is right atop the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 on size and price. The pricing is a bit more ambitious than expected – with the $34,000 base price for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost climbing up …

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Off-Road Test Review – 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk On Some Tough and Rocky Trails!

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Update1 – Off-roading the Trailhawk! The Jeep Cherokee’s styling hit me like a kick from a horse when first glimpsed earlier this year.   I took to Twitter to say some less-than-encouraging things about its new appearance. Luckily, using Twitter is like throwing effort into a well – hopefully no one noticed… I’m actually very relieved to report four things about the 2014 Cherokee: – Optional 271-horsepower V6 engine with nine-speed auto and available 4WD promises a fun and powerful truck – Nose looks good on highways and in real life, LEDs visually widen car. The red trailhawk tow hooks …

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Future Truck Rendering – 2016 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Expected To Adopt Beijing Concept Coupe SUV Nose and Tail

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 2016 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Rendering While on a mad Photoshop bender today, here is another interpretation of a future Mercedes-Benz SUV – the upcoming M-Class refresh. The current ML63 AMG and the ML350 4Matic have fallen flat in the marketplace versus the evergreen sales of the BMW X5 and even the Audi Q7. With the arrival of the Porsche Macan and BMW X4 and X6 in the same year as the new X5 — the heat is really on the ML to pull its own weight. The ideas for a totally new Mercedes SUV nose and tail were quite prominent …

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Future Truck Rendering – 2016 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG Black Series

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The G-Class Mercedes-Benz must be made until 2017 at the earliest to meet a contract with the German goverment and military. After that, the fate of this big beast is unknown and likely uncertain. So let’s send everyone’s favorite posh SUV workhorse out in style! A lowered roof, altered windowline, chopped tail section and lower ride height round out the changes in profile. Oh, and the spare tire is now inside the cabin. 2016 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG Black Series – rendering 2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG In front, a similar lower/wider strategy is utilized — with wider rubber and fender flares …

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2015 Ford Edge Visualizer – All 10 Colors From Every Angle + Animated Turntables

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The 2015 Ford Edge looks awesome! It wears an all-new design with some really fresh design elements from all sides. The loaded Edge Sport is the looker of the group with body-colored lower sills and large wheels that are available in a rich gloss black to match the mean new grille style of the sportiest Edge available. Front triangles of LED light make quite the impression up front, while a solid LED lightbar in back is finished with a chopped diamond shape on either side of the truck. There even appears to be a lower brake light/reflector or perhaps fog …

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2015 Ford Edge Debut in 200+ Photos – Standard EcoBoost + Better Dynamics, Tech and Style

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The first-ever global Ford Edge has arrived! The 2015 model will be sold in 110 markets across the world, which is a first for any Ford truck or SUV. Other firsts keep rolling in with this all-new model – including a standard EcoBoost turbo in 2.0-liter flavor making a healthy 245-horsepower and 270-pound-feet of torque through the standard six-speed automatic. This six-speed is the SelectShift auto – a traditional torque-converter automatic that promises smoother city coasting than the sometimes-unpleasant PowerShift twin-clutch unit. It also pairs well with the standard front-drive or optional all-wheel-drive of the new Edge in all three …

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Cars & Coffee – 1949 Willys Overland Jeepster and 1994 YJ Wrangler Safari LWB 4-Door

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Only 3,000 Jeepsters were built by Willys-Overland in 1949, with the car a lightly-equipped Phaeton four-seat cabrio with little power and even fewer features. Refinished and restored to better-than-new condition, we estimate this Jeepster to be one of only 400 surviving examples worldwide. In concours condition like this Jeepster? One of perhaps 50. The Jeepster’s biggest threat to achieving big sales was in fact the ubiquitity of the original WWII Jeeps, which were still around in huge numbers after both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war drew to a close by the 1950s. During wartime, Willys made 363,000 …

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2017 Aston Martin ELV8 Crossover, SUV and AWD Sedan Renderings

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 2017 Aston Martin ELV8 Crossover, SUV and AWD Sedan Renderings SUV adaptions by Car-Revs-Daily.com staff Original Artwork by Lutz Valdeig – Atelier Valdeig PART TWO: ASTON GOES AWD All the previous article applies to this SUV idea even more. Aston Martin could sell alot of SUVs or crossovers with access to the 4Matic-ready platforms of Mercedes-Benz. 2017 Aston Martin CROSSOVER RENDERING 2017 Aston Martin SUV 4×4 RENDERING   2017 Aston Martin AWD SEDAN RENDERING ASTON MARTIN REACHES INFLECTION POINT   Big changes at Aston Martin – 2013 and 2014 have finally seen the big apex point in the company’s resurgent …

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2014 Range Rover Sport By StarTech Is Gorgeous Even Without the Widebody

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    Man, I have fallen hard for these custom StarTech Range Rover Sports today!! Generally not super excited by custom cars and tuner stuff – they just seem very OTT, in many cases. Over-the-top styling enhancements are fine if you are a pop star or athlete, but at the local grocery store in your town or city? It might look like you are trying a little too hard. StarTech strikes a good balance with these upgrades, so here is article two: *Without* the widebody. StarTech calls this the ‘Refinement’ program versus the Widebody program – and refinement in this …

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Updated with Prices – 2014 Range Rover Sport STARTECH Widebody on 23-Inch Wheels Looks Amazing

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With the upcoming Range Rover Sport RS almost a sure thing, why not beat the factory to the punch with one of Germany’s top performance and design shops? StarTech’s Widebody kit for the new Range Rover Sport inspires me to come up with a new name: the Range Rover SuperSport. =] Here is the transition from Stock to StarTech. StarTech of Germany’s WideBody stretches the width of the truck by about 2.5-inches via wider fenders, sills and wheels. A custom module for the air suspension goes even lower than stock at the push of a button or when at highway …

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2014 BRABUS 700G 6×6 Is A Bond Villain’s Dream Truck

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A bit of visual and intellectual candy to start this Friday morning – from the fun-loving minds of Brabus in Germany. The 700G 6×6 takes the already-bonkers G63 AMG 6×6 and really goes wild. There is not one angle or touch point that has not been fully overhauled – and the result makes a regular G550 look like a Corolla by comparison. The huge width and track stretch is perhaps the most notable element on first inspection – and it also bodes well for the 700G’s ability to handle all this new power in the corners. Versus the standard G-wagen …

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2014 Toyota Venza Limited Is Like An Allroad Avalon Limousine

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For shoppers with back-seat room and all-weather traction top-of-mind, the Toyota Venza is a compelling luxury sedan alternative. With dimensions that make this much like an ‘all-road’ Avalon, the Venza is able to maintain a truly hushed cabin for five. Roominess in back is even better than the Avalon, courtesy of extra recline angle in the back seat and a higher seat base. Overall access is far easier in a car like the Venza, which is unique in delivering an ultra-low floor and step-in height versus many other crossovers. The huge doors make ingress much easier than even the longer …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2WD Is Low and Sexy

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A two-wheel-drive 4Runner? Why? I might have asked myself the same thing if it weren’t 95-degrees of scorching sun in South Carolina today. In places like this, the usefulness of four-wheel-drive is extremely limited. 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2WD … Is Sexy?   Yes, it is. Especially in this white with dark windows – the new 4Runner Limited is quite a looker. The benefits of rear-drive for the 4Runner make it a real stand-out in the seven-seat segment — the vast majority of other crossovers are front-drive machines that can be AWD when equipped. Standard rear-drive is a blessing for …

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2014 Jeep Wrangler Visual Buyers Guide to Trims, Tops, Colors and Options

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The Jeep Wrangler lineup is larger and more inviting than ever for 2014. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Standard V6 power and a new six-speed manual start things off in the two-door trucks from about $23,000 — which is an excellent driver’s package versus previous entry-level Wranglers. The Wrangler with the four-cylinder and automatic in the 1990s (of my high school days) was a very fun truck to ride around town in. Truly one for those who want to see and be seen doing the coolest things with the coolest people.   But at anything over 50mph, the soft-top Wranglers of the …

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Update1 – KAMAZ 4911 Dominates 2014 DAKAR Rally For 12th Truck Class Win

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Update 1 June 17, 2014 Okay, so this race was in January 2014. Which makes this is bit of a late update… So you like the Ford Raptor and that feeling of being unstoppable on any terrain? Try the Kamaz-4911 on for size: – 17.2-liter, mid-mounted TD V8 engine – 730 horsepower @ 2500 rpm – 1991 pound-feet of torque @ 1300 rpm – Maximum Speed – 102.5 MPH Trust me, I had to check those numbers thrice myself. A 17-liter V8 is cool, but only the start of the fun for this multi-purpose truck platform. Initially designed with six …

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2014 Dodge Durango Has Coolest SUV Stance, LED Lights and Even A 7-Seat Interior

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The new Durango is a completely different machine from the first two generations of large SUVs from Dodge. Where those rigs really drove like trucks, with graunchy diffs and a stiff ride, the new Durango feels just as butch – but now far more nimble and polite in town. There is no harshness whatsoever from the RWD or optional AWD setups, and this is still one of the only rear-drive-based, seven seat crossovers on the market. Yes, there is the Tahoe, but that really moves the trucks up a size (and garage) class too far, for some. Tow ratings and …

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2014 Range Rover Sport Stealth Pack Brings Black 21s or 22-inch Wheels

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This new addition to the Range Rover Sport is very welcome to keep it as stylish as its Cayenne arch-rival. The just-announced Stealth Pack includes satin-black wheels in two sizes for a premium of about $2,000 for the 21’s and up to $3,500 for the 22-inch wheel upgrade. Pricing is not yet official for the US market, but its arrival later this summer year is almost guaranteed based on the huge RRS demand this market provides Land Rover. 2014 Range Rover Sport Stealth Pack RANGE ROVER SPORT STEALTH PACK MAKES ITS GLOBAL DEBUT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED Range Rover …

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Track Test Review Video – 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport + 77 Action Photos

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While I am on the naughty list in general – I cannot help but share this amazing video. Previously unpublished due to stern language – read too late – on the press car loan. As many readers will know, the videos of me so far are only “okay.”  They desperately need editing and better production values — but I am only one man. My best video so far was from the 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport loaner from July 2013. I was in such a panic after spending perhaps 100 hours editing this video. Videos are hard to shoot, …

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Concept Flashback: 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force

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The Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-force concept from Los Angeles 2012 deserves a fresh look, despite its ridiculous name. As part of the annual LA design challenge, the Ener-G truck seemed a bit too whimsical to ever see production. But could times be changing? The Galendewagen must be made until 2017 (I believe) based on a supply agreement with the German government. While keeping production lines open, the luxury G63 AMG is a consistent superstar for the brand. Even if only a few hundred are sold per year – the margins on a $150,000 SUV offer plenty of leverage to keep G-wagon fans …

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2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Revamped with Cool LED Running Lights, Extra MPGs and Quieter Cabin

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 Quick! Name a mini crossover that is fun, cheap, sporty and reliable!? Did you get any? My immediate answer to those criteria would be the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. This chuck-able little crossover is just about the coolest way to enter the stylish AWD SUV segment on a compact-car budget. The tradeoffs are less than ever this year for the 2015 model, which adds miles-per-gallon stats to its roster via a new automatic transmission. The exterior is now offered in this shiny metallic blue paint, which goes well with the SE model’s new LED daytime running lights in the lower corners. …

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Updated With Real-Life Photos – 2015 Cadillac Escalade Leathers, Colors, Specs and Prices

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Updated With Real-Life Photos 6.11.14 2015 Cadillac Escalade – Leathers, Colors, Specs and Pricing Great to see the 2015 Escalade arriving to buyers recently. It looks quite dapper and handsome in person, but the ESV length upgrade would be on my list for maximum style and roomy functionality. The only downside of the bigger ESV is a $3000 price premium, slightly worse mileage, and that it is a bit trickier to park quickly in crowded lots. Standard 2015 Cadillac Escalade 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV   [Orig Published November 2013] Introducing the 2015 Escalade. The 2015 Escalade is looking pretty  extremely …

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2015 BMW X6 Debuts Tech-tastic 445HP xDrive50i and New Rear-Drive sDrive35i

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One issue with BMW’s rapidly-evolving technology suite in all models is that the existing cars can feel a bit left-behind by mid-cycle. Luckily, BMW is also rolling out models far quicker than Mercedes-Benz and especially Audi/VW. While the new GTI has finally – finally! – arrived in US dealerships this week, BMW has made its long-time best market a priority, especially for the Spartnburg-built X5, X4, X3 and X7 models. We truly get them first. The gravy train keeps rolling and even picks up speed today, with the second-gen X6 debuting online ahead of its expected arrival in stores by …

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Off-Road Test Review – 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid is Surprisingly Silent + Very Capable

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As shown by the Toyota 4Runner off-roading article earlier this week, we know I am a total wimp when it comes to off-roading. Despite my grand ambitions to be a Bowler Wildcat-running mudder in my own 2005 Subaru Legacy GT — all efforts to date have seriously damaged the car. I am on my fourth set of wheels, for example. But what would even lead me to take my beloved Subie off-road? One word: grip. The Subaru AWD system is seriously unflappable. In wintertime this year, I was fortunate enough to have a 2WD Chevy Silverado press loaner in my …

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Future SUV Rendering – 2016 GMC Denali VIP Concept – Black Trim, Wheels + Extra LED Lighting

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If you read the glowing review of the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali this morning, you know we are big fans of this big truck. It is everything the Tahoe has, and almost everything the Escalade brings to the table — but with extra under-the-radar coolness as standard. The Escalade is a pop-culture phenom at this point – which is great news for resurgent Cadillac. But the Escalade being the ride of choice for young Hollywood does not universally enhance its appeal.What about those seeking ultimate style without the Cadillac badge? Is the Denali the price ceiling for GMC? Our hunch …

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Road Test Review – 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Is 6.2-Second, 6.2L V8 Dream SUV

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The GMC Yukon Denali has been a pet project of mine since the trio of next-gen GM SUVs debuted in September of 2013. I went from auto writer to fan-boy: creating color turn-tables, pouring over the equipment lists, and generally fawning over the machine. Some seat time only confirmed my strong desire for the Denali as the sweet-spot of the Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade line-up. I deeply enjoyed the Denali’s plush leather and interior mood, while relishing the benefits both the Tahoe and Yukon bring to the table for 2015. Let’s dive in with the usual categories: Exterior, Interior, Driving Experience and Summary. …

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2014 Nissan Juke NISMO in 60 High-Res Photos + Video Walk-Around

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The 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO is incredible value at just above $25,000 all in, with a choice between a manual transmission and front-drive or a NISMO-tuned CVT auto and AWD with a “V” mode for extra shenanigans. Sunny Day Gallery     Rainy Day Gallery      

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VIDEO Review – Off-Roading in the 2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 – Guess Who Chickens Out First…

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Okay, in my defense: every off-roading I have tried to do so far has drastically damaged my car and my pride. I am just nervous and a total amateur when it comes to hitting the muddy trails. Despite driving the impressive and very capable 2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5, underthe direction of Land Rover’s off-road instructors — My internal gyroscope said no to the steep side-angled trail of the mid-ranked Blue trails in this little excursion. BIG WIMP-OUT – EXTERIOR CAM BIG WIMP-OUT – INTERIOR CAM I know rationally that the car was fine on this exact trail, but fear is …

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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Shows Its Trail Rated Skills Off-Road

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When someone or something is world-renowned for a certain skill – it is only natural to want to see it performed up close. It is why we all want to hear a band or musician’s greatest hits mixed in with whatever those weird songs are from the new album. It is the reason Justin Bieber will be belting out “Baby, baby, baby… Ohhh!” until he withers away into dust. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, and all Jeeps for that matter, have made their Trail Rated prowess a key selling point. No matter how soft the road settings can be to keep …

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Best of Awards: 2014 Nissan Rogue Seats 7 – Featuring M.I.A. XXXO

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The all-new Rogue is a huge hit so far: with seven seats and pricing from about $24,000 — this compact crossover nails a huge swath of buyer priorities. Its new LED lighting up front sets the tone, while the Nissan V-bar grille is just foreshadowing. Enjoy this early reveal of the Nissan Rogue in “Full-Throttle Action.” My favorite part? Seeing our pilot’s high-heel shoe mash the throttle to the floor before she uses an on-ramp to jump onto a train’s roof. All in a day’s work for the on-trend and stylish Rogue. This Nissan commercial seems to channel Sri Lankan …

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2015 GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD – Real-Life Launch Photos of the King-Kong 2015 HD Truck

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GMC is on a roll right now – sales are way up, market share is up, and diesel engine adoption is above 70-percent among HD truck buyers. This is all great news for the company, and shows that buyers are stepping up to the HD trucks in record numbers. The trade-offs for doing so are less than ever before, and the payout is far more capability. To make the transition as smooth as possible from the loaded half-ton trucks to the 2500 and 3500 HD lines, the Denali trim comes along and now the All Terrain package (available of SLE …

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2015 Volvo XC90 Interior Is Official! 7-Seat Comfort, Luxury and Tech

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Volvo has rediscovered all of its best brand attributes – and is bringing them to market this fall with the very promising 2015 XC90 SUV. The slow drip of the launch has taken the form of three outstanding concepts since Frankfurt 2013: the Volvo Concept Coupe, the Concept Estate and the XC Coupe Concept. All have shown the firm to be on an exceptional path toward restoring its brand luster. This is a company that is poised for greatness — all by going back to its core roots: stylish but subtle, efficient and safe, and comfortable on the North Pole …

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Travel Adventures – 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE Visits Old Oaks of Colonial Plantation

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PART ONE OF FOUR: 2014 Toyota Highlander TRAVEL ADVENTURE SERIES We’re still preparing the full review of the outstandingly smooth, easy and relaxing 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE. But there is a slight problem! Far too many great photos! =] Granted, it is a good problem to have. Especially for a new and sleek machine like this Highlander. The 2014 Highlander might be a bread/butter crossover model to many people, but to owners: it is a godsend. Small(ish) on the outside, huge on the inside. The new Highlander is extremely affordable but luxurious – and even really hustles on the roads with the XLE’s standard 270-horsepower …

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Concept Flashback – 1997 Nissan Trail Runner – Inspired Peugeot’s 2015 DAKAR Entry?

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Definitely ahead of its time, this 1997 Trail Runner concept. Nissan was ahead of Jeep and many others who started sensing this small/fast off-roader trend by the early 2000s. Other big guys threw more production muscle to make sketches like this car a real thing, but the results were shockingly-bad from Pontiac and Jeep. Yes, both the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Compass were, in fact, really cool sketches and designs at first. But they were both D.O.A. in production thanks to tiny tires and no engine power to match the compact off-road racer premise. Time has finally come for these …

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Meet the Extremely Rare, 75-Total Jeep Wrangler Lilly Pulitzer Edition

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Lilly Pulitzer is a brand of fancy ladies apparel for the “resort” crowd — typically summery dresses and clothes with floral prints. But a full special-edition Jeep Wrangler? “Oh yes, we have one of those too. Right outside front, Ma’am…!” This 2008 special was offered to owners of a Lilly Pulitzer boutique, and is certainly as feminine as it gets. In terms of female-oriented special editions, this Lilly Jeep is quite an attention grabber, while declining to be as sexist as some of the others that have come before. This includes the Dodge LaFemme of 1955 and 1956, which was …

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2014 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite – Road Test Review – Luxury King for Van Man Dads on Road Trips

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The Honda Odyssey Touring Elite is quite a machine – it brings much of the smooth ride and cabin silence of a luxury car into the jumbo van segment, where it has led the sales charts for the last decade or more. Many think it is the Chrysler and Dodge vans that are the best-sellers, but that is only true when their total numbers are combined. Individual nameplate-wise, the Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna are neck-and-neck to lead the race, trading spots infrequently but keeping the Honda name as a leader in vans. This supremacy of the Odyssey is well-known …

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2015 BMW X7 – Digital Rendering Shows Modest Wheelbase Stretch, But Keeps New X5 Look

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When you know a stretched X5 is coming, the original car starts to look more than a little stubby back there. This is partially BMW’s own design working its magic: the rear cabin is greatly aided by so much roominess in the second row of seating. This leads us to think the new X7 — expected as soon as this Fall/Winter as a 2015 model — will continue to carry many X5 themes and the overall designs for the nose and tail. By keeping the X5 style, BMW may hope to leverage existing buyers and market demand for the X5. …

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HD Video Road Test Review – 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit V6 – Outstanding … But Cramped and Poor Value-for-Money

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Overall, as the video above shows and tells  – the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is an incredible achievement for Jeep and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles overall. It is extremely rigid in the platform, with zero quiver or body flex evident. This is probably the biggest change versus any other Jeep GC that has come before. Many of the piecemeal tech and equipment updates from across the FCA Group really come together exceptionally well for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. These include the new 3.6-liter V6 engine, the new eight-speed automatic transmission, a cabin quality unreachable before, and even some nice handling …

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2014 Acura MDX Colors, Options + Wheels Guide From $43k

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Let’s say you are on a road trip. But you are in the back seat! Ahhh! You are not just a grown-up like Tom Hanks in BIG. You are just a large, tired human. Best stretch-out-comfy cabin this side of Singapore Airlines A380 Business Class? The Acura MDX. New for this year, the MDX really excels in its smooth, confident and quiet luxury crossover mission. This is a car for people who need to feel fewer jabs in the ribs in general — let alone paying the a German SUV to bounce you around choppy pavement. For these shoppers, the …

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Update1 – KAMAZ 4911 Dominates 2014 DAKAR Rally For 12th Truck Class Win

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So you like the Ford Raptor and that feeling of being unstoppable on any terrain? Try the Kamaz-4911 on for size: – 17.2-liter, mid-mounted TD V8 engine – 730 horsepower @ 2500 rpm – 1991 pound-feet of torque @ 1300 rpm – Maximum Speed – 102.5 MPH Trust me, I had to check those numbers thrice myself. A 17-liter V8 is cool, but only the start of the fun for this multi-purpose truck platform. Initially designed with six and eight-wheel options and variants, the Kamaz 4911 basically runs the engine from a tank, but in a (relatively) lightweight racing chassis. …

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2014 Toyota Venza Limited Is Like An Allroad Avalon Limousine

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For shoppers with back-seat room and all-weather traction top-of-mind, the Toyota Venza is a compelling luxury sedan alternative. With dimensions that make this much like an ‘all-road’ Avalon, the Venza is able to maintain a truly hushed cabin for five. Roominess in back is even better than the Avalon, courtesy of extra recline angle in the back seat and a higher seat base. Overall access is far easier in a car like the Venza, which is unique in delivering an ultra-low floor and step-in height versus many other crossovers. The huge doors make ingress much easier than even the longer …

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Hot New Trucks: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from $29,000

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We all know the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best truck ever to don the seven-slat grille. Watching the SRT GC’s launch control starts are intoxicating, and the latest LED style of a pinched horseshoe in the headlight graphic is very appealing. The top-spec Summit trim even brings some heavenly new open-pore woods and fine leathers to the cabin – but at a price. The top Grand Cherokee’s become quite expensive in the higher trim levels – even kissing $50,000 for the diesel engine in some trims. What about a GC for the rest of us? The 2014 Laredo …

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2014 Unimog U5023 Now Packing Scary Style and Tech

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2014 Unimog U5023 Now Packing Scary Style and Tech The legendary Mercedes-Benz Unimog all-terrain trucks are refreshed for 2013 with a comprehensive makeover inside the cabin, underneath that boxed ladder chassis and outside with a menacing new grille and LED lighting. The top of the new Unimog lineup in terms of off-road ability is the new U5023 model, which replaces the previous U5000 nameplates. Sharing the nose layout with its shorter sibling, the U4023, these models are the freshest outside with a dramatic new single-wing grille to house the dinner-plate-sized Mercedes star emblem. This is a unique touch for the …

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