New 2011 VW Beetle Gets SUV Version

According to the Channel4, VW is planning to launch the successor of new Beetle by 2011. Unlike the current Beetle which is available in only two body styles, the coupe and cabrio, the next generation Beetle will be a multi-variant version. By this we mean that future holds a two-seat Beetle roadster just like the 2005 Ragster concept, an SUV-type Beetle similar to the 2000 Beetle Dune concept and of course, a standard version.

The new 2011 Beetle model is expected to be based on the current fifth gen Golf/Rabbit platform, with technical development happening in Germany, styling in California and final construction at Mexico.

We may not be a potential customer for Beetle SUV but definately would love to see one. With BMW MINI steadily churning out new variants, its good that the competition is finally waking up.


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2009 Ford Flex SUV Road Test Drive

When I first saw the Ford Flex as a concept at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show (where it was introduced as the Fairlane concept) I must admit that I didn't get it... Flex has evolved from a puzzling concept into an interesting, appealing, clever and fresh take on the crossover class… First, the Flex looks great. Turns out there's nothing "over the top" about it, even though its key individual design elements (the grooved side panels, the aluminum-look hatch, the straight lines, wrap-around lights, the prominent grille) may seem risky.

Competing against the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and the like, not to mention GM's crossover quartet (GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse) the Flex is a whole new take on the conventional family vehicle -- a new-age Taurus X, if you prefer. But unlike the latter, the Flex makes everyone, and I mean everyone, turn their heads.

Flex Suv (or is it a wagon?) is powered by Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain delivers 262 hp horsepower at 6250 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm with fuel economy numbers on par with other full-size crossovers. Flex also offers optional intelligent all-wheel drive. The 2009 Ford Flex goes on sale in summer 2008. It will be manufactured at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.

The Flex's look at once captures everything good and romantic about American cars while eschewing the bad and the boring... As a people carrier it's equal parts brilliant and flawed. Brilliant: the doors that wrap around the lower sill, making ingress easy for the old, the feeble and the short; the four sunroofs; Sync; Ford's new SatNav system, which just became the best on the market; the driving position that's the perfect compromise between sedan and SUV; the incredibly quiet interior.

Flawed: the third row seats are tiny, much smaller than a Buick Enclave's; the doors don't slide; Ford's 3.5-liter V6 mated to this 6-speed auto is still the worst combination on sale today, delivering neither performance nor economy. It's equally flawed when considered as an emotional purchase.










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Alpha Romeo CXover SUV For 2010 Confirmed

Alfa Romeo Chief Luca de Meo confirmed in an interview with Auto Motor Und Sport that it is preparing a new crossover SUV. The model code-named CXover will debut in 2010 and will be targeted squarely at the American market to enable Italian automaker boost its sale figures here. The CXover Italian SUV will take cues from the 2003 Kamal Concept which was revealed at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.

It is expected that the 2010 Alfa Romeo SUV will be based on the 159 platform, just like Alfa Q4's awd system and on launch will rival the likes of Mercedes GLK, BMW X3, Audi Q5 among others.

Source: CarNoise

New 2009 Infiniti FX35 & FX50 Photos-Pictures

HongQi's SUV Concept Debut At 2008 Beijing Auto Show

HongQi (FAW's premium car division) debuted it's new Concept V12 SUV yesterday at the 08 Beijing Autoshow in China. Earlier renderings showed a car that looked more than a bit like the Lincoln MKR concept but in real thing is nothing like it. HongQi's new SUV comes with a unique design tailored specifically for Chinese SUV lovers, leather wrapped seats and blue theme lights to lit up the interior.

The center stack is almost completely made of LCD touch panel, a feature that would be too futuristic in a production model. One noticable feature on the exterior of HongQi SUV is a roof mounted rearview camera that sends pictures of the view onto a video screen for the driver in lieu of a traditional mirror. All in all it is a huge machine from every side. You can't call it beautiful but definately a car you will like to stand next to. When launched, HongQi's V12 luxury SUV will have the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Benz GLK as its rivals.

HongQi's SUV Concept Photos

source thetycho.com