crossover
Cadillac SRX, Buick Lacrosse, Recalled Over Defroster Defect
General Motors is recalling 10,179 Buick Lacrosse sedans and Cadillac SRX crossovers due to a fault defroster. The problem is actually a software glitch rather than a physical defect, but one that prevents the unit from properly clearing the windshield. Should the windshield fail to be clear, visibility problems could arise and result in a…
Geneva 2011: Audi Q5 Hybrid Is A Discreet Way To Save The World
During Audi‘s presentation at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, a company spokesman praised the Audi Q5 Hybrid’s as a usable everyday car and not “…a complicated political statement. While this swipe at a well-known rival may be over the line to some observers, the fact is that they compete for two very different customer bases….
Geneva 2011: Mazda Minagi Revealed
Mazda took the wraps off its Minagi concept crossover at the Geneva Auto Show today, showing the world what the upcoming CX-5 soft-roader will probably look like when it comes to market in the next couple years. Powered by an unspecified SKYACTIV powerplant and featuring styling cues taken from the gorgeous Shinari concept car, the…
Geneva 2011: Mazda Minagi Concept Teased [Video]
Mazda‘s Minagi concept, a vehicle that will doubtlessly be seen on the roads as the Mazda CX-5, got its first reveal today, even if only half the vehicle was visible. Check back tomorrow for more detailed pictures as the car gets official reveal at the Geneva Auto Show. GALLERY: Mazda Minagi Concept See video of…
Jeep Grand Cherokee Expected To Boost Chrysler Sales In Japan
The last time the Jeep Grand Cherokee was sold in Japan, only 88 units found homes among Japanese buyers. After a hiatus for 2010, Chrysler is re-introducing the SUV on March 12, and is ambitiously targeting sales of between 500 and 1,000 units. Chrysler sold a high of 15,000 vehicles in 1996, but sold only…
Saab To Mark Independence From General Motors With Celebrations
Saab employees will get a day off on February 23rd to celebrate the company’s independence from GM and its resurgence as an automaker. Slated to die during GM’s bankruptcy proceedings, the Swedish vehicle manufacturer was rescued by Dutch boutique sports car maker Spyker, and is set to launch an all-new product line over the coming years. Saab…
Hyundai Tuscon iX Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Debuts
Hyundai has unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, dubbed the Tuscon iX FCEV, that will allow the automaker to explore another area of alternative fuel technology. With a total range of 403 miles (up from 230 previously), the Tuscon has some fairly good legs compared to the electric vehicles current marketed. Hyundai has also reduced…
Saab 9-4x Production Begins
Saab has officially begun production of the 9-4x crossover at their Mexican assembly plant. While the 9-4x was due to hit the market some time ago, financial troubles at GM halted production. The first 9-4x , an Ice Pearl metallic Aero model, was fitted with a 2.8L turbo V6, and will be used as a…
Dodge To Abandon Cross-Hair Front End, Go For New Look
Dodge‘s trademark cross-hair grille, the front end treatment that has been the hallmark of the brand’s styling for years, will become the sole domain of the Ram truck brand, as the Chrysler division moves toward a new look for future products. “It takes time. We will evolve the products,” Ralph Gilles, CEO of Dodge and Chrysler’s design…
Suzuki SX4, Grand Vitara Recalled Over Defective Pulley
Suzuki is recalling their SX4 compact and Grand Vitara SUV over a faulty tensioner pulley that could cause steering difficulties and engine stalling if it causes the accessory belt to detach while driving. Dealers will replace the pulley at no charge starting February 16th. The recall affects 32,291 vehicles. [Source: NHTSA] Hit the jump to read the…
Lincoln MKT Town Car Set To Take Up The Livery Car Mantle From The Panther Platform
The Lincoln Town Car is legendary for its ubiquity as a “black car”, a private limo for the well-to-do in New York City and other swanky locales. But with the Panther Platform vehicles (like the Town Car, Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis) set to be killed off very shortly, Lincoln has been scrambling…
BMW X6 To Get Five Seats, New Options
One of the BMW X6’s biggest criticisms, the lack of a fifth seat, will be put to bed starting this spring, as the coupe-like crossover will have the option of a fifth seat, making it slightly more functional but no less confusing. Along with new 20″ dubs and interior leather choices (as well as some…
Chicago 2011: Dodge Journey R/T Debuts
The Dodge Journey R/T is the kind of vehicle we really can’t see a point for, but it’s here to stay and could end up in the hands of an eccentric few customers. Under the hood is a 283 horsepower 3.6L Pentastar V6 with a 6-speed automatic transmission, that will at least give the R/T…
Chicago 2011: Toyota Matrix Revealed
The Toyota Matrix has always been a bit of a non-starter in the marketplace, but that’s not stopping Toyota from launching an all new updated version at the Chicago Auto Show. Just like the updated 2011 Corolla, the changes are essentially all cosmetic. The same 1.8L and 2.4L powerplants remain in place, as does the…
Chrysler Plant Workers Arrested For Suspected Drug Use At Work
Mere months after workers at Chrysler’s Jefferson North factory were caught drinking and smoking marijuana on their lunch breaks, three employees were arrested by law enforcement agencies after Chrysler tipped off police regarding workers who continued to abuse substances while on the job. The workers were arrested on January 24th, but have yet to be…
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Leaked Ahead of Debut
Our first look at the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan comes from an Italian car blog, and even though we don’t speak the language, we can surmise that no details have yet to appear. What we do know is that the styling apes the big brother Touraeg with its new corporate VW front end. You’ll have to…
BMW M Car Sales Up 14 Percent In 2010
BMW‘s M division saw sales of its sports cars increase by 14.2 percent in 2010, to 16,967 units. The M3 remained the brand’s most popular car, with the coupe, sedan and convertible making up 10,116 units. In second place was the X6M with 3,082 units and X5M with 2,778 units. The US led the world…
Alfa Romeo, Jeep To Build 280,000 SUVs Per Year In Italy
As part of the new joint venture between Fiat and Chrysler, the two companies will build 280,000 SUVs a year at the new Fiat facility near Turin, Italy. The SUVs will be produced for the Alfa Romeo and Jeep brands. The Alfa SUV, the first for the 101-year-old sports car maker, will compete with offering…
Lincoln Dealers Won’t See New Product At Meetings With Ford Execs
With 200 of Lincoln‘s 1200 dealers staring down a possible termination of their franchise, an upcoming dealer meeting will provide little comfort to retailers of Ford’s luxury brand, as the Blue Oval will not share upcoming product details with Lincoln’s sales force. Even though Ford is aggressively targeting Lincoln dealers with a demand for a…
BMW Prepares For 4-Cylinder Onslaught
BMW has always been known for their trademark inline-6 engines, but the recent industry-wide trend of downsizing has led to BMW adopting turbocharged four-cylinder engines as an alternative to smaller, naturally aspirated I6 engines in the name of efficiency. First to get the turbo-4 treatment is the X1 small crossover, although Jim O’Donnell, head of…
BMW Driving School Teaches You Defensive Driving At Former Soviet Airbase
Some driving schools teach you the rules of the road. Others show you how to get the most out of your car while driving at the limit on a closed circuit. A rarefied few, like BMW‘s facility in the former East Germany, can show you how to get away with life and limb intact should you ever…
Volvo To Cut Lineup In Hopes Of Boosting Sales, V50 Slated To Die
Volvo will reduce the number of models sold in the United States as part of their effort to bump up sales. While Volvo currently sells nine models in the United States, three of them are expected to be cut. The first victim is expected to be the V50 wagon, a car well regarded by the…
Mitsubishi To Dump Eclipse, Endeavor, Build Global Products
Mitsubishi‘s American plant will transition from making less-than-thrilling cars like the Eclipse and Endeavor SUV to producing vehicles for the global market. The transition will occur in 2014 as part of its new business plan. The vehicles will share a common platform with the Lancer compact car and Outlander crossover. Along with the Eclipse and…
Honda To Recall Accord And CR-V Over Wiring Issues
Honda is recalling 2,277 Accord and CR-V models due to a wiring defect that may have occurred during the vehicle’s assembly. An electrical coupling that was possibly damaged during the engine installation process could lead to the vehicle stalling. While no incidents have been reported, Honda is keen to fix the defect, which only affects 2010 model…
