2008 Saturn Vue rivals Toyota RAV4. In terms of price

General Motors has finally announced pricing on the 2008 Saturn Vue car-based SUV. Still struggling to find its niche in the compact SUV segment, the new second generation Saturn Vue will be $3,295 more expensive than the outgoing model.



The new Saturn Vue will start at impressive (for the Saturn) $21,395, which makes it more expensive than the new Honda CR-V but exactly $200 cheaper than the latest Toyota RAV4.



Although, both Japanese SUVs are clearly superior to the American competitor, GM insists that an average buyer still gets value for money opting for the Saturn Vue. For example, GM's chief engineer for compact and crossover vehicles Robert Reuter said in his interview to Automotive News that for additional $3.3K a customer will get a more powerful 169 hp 2.4-liter inline four-banger and an automatic gearbox, which previously was available as an option.



The 2008 Saturn Vue will also be available with standard 16-inch wheels, ABS, collapsible pedals, side curtain airbags and stability control.



See also: 2007 Saturn Outlook is almost a steal

Technorati tags: Saturn, Saturn Vue, price, cars, SUV

Permalink: 2008 Saturn Vue rivals Toyota RAV4. In terms of price

Edo Competition tunes VW Touareg. Makes it a Porsche

Edo Competition has unveiled its new tuning program for the recently updated VW Touareg SUV. As usual for the German super-tuner, the program is focused around pumping-out some additional horsepower out of the vehicle's standard engine, as well as getting the souped-up model more stable on the road.



Details are scars but the company claims increasing Touareg's engine's performance by up to 70hp and reaching not so bad 360 hp (although the new 32-valve V8 FSI produces around 350 hp) and raising its peak torque to enormous 850 Nm @ 2,200 rpm.


After these modifications, the Touareg accelerates from zero to 60 in just 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 160 mph, God help us!



To get this power under control, Edo Competition's engineers have equipped the new Volkswagen Touareg with new 6-piston sport brake system with larger 380mm disks and new 22-inch wheels sizes 10,0x22 ET60 with 295/30R22 for the front axle and 10,0x22 ET48 with 295/30R22 for the rear axle.

The SUV's ground clearance may also be decreased with new electronic lowering module.



The VW Touareg tuned by Edo Competition also features new stainless-steel 4 x 89 mm round tailpipes, new chrome frame grille insert set, new muffler and fender widening set with side skirts and modified rear bumper.

See also: Edo Competition Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Technorati tags: Edo Competition, VW Touareg, tuning, cars, SUV

Permalink: Edo Competition tunes VW Touareg. Makes it a Porsche

2008 Nissan Armada will start at $35,250

Nissan has eventually announced prices for its facelifted Nissan Armada full-size SUV. The huge vehicle, which shares its body-on-frame platform with the Nissan Titan pickup truck (also recently updated), will be offered in eight models, featuring only one 5.6-liter, 317hp Endurance V8 engine mated with a five-speed automatic gearbox.



The cheapest 2008 Nissan Armada will be offered as the 4x2 SE model, which will start at comparatively low $35,250 price and the 4x4 SE that starts at $38,050. More upscale Nissan Armada 4x2 LE and 4x4 LE will set you back at $41,750 and $44,550 respectively.



For the additional money you'll get a Michelin tire package, power folding 60/40 3rd row seat, heated steering wheel, Intelligent Key with twist start, enhanced Bose sound system with 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and 3rd row speakers and amplifier, and this sort of stuff.



All Nissan Armadas may also be ordered with an E85 FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) engine at no additional costs.

See also: Nissan Pathfinder scored well in EuroNCAP tests

Technorati tags: Nissan, Armada, price, cars, SUV

Permalink: 2008 Nissan Armada will start at $35,250

Ford Ranger Wildtrak courts buyers with extra comfort

At the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, UK, Ford has unveiled its new Ford Ranger Wildtrak special edition mid-size truck. Equipped with new diesel engine and all sorts of appearance extensions, the Wildtrak just has to improve sales of the already popular workhorse.



The truck is motivated by a new 3.0-liter TDCi engine, producing up to 156 PS and 380 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

Available in August 2007, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak will feature rear box rail extensions, aerodynamic sports bar, lower sports cladding and tail lamp protectors, as well as rather pretentious side intake 'gills' and new door mirrors with integrated indicators.



The Wildtrak's looks are further enhanced with new alloy wheels, a new sports front grille, side steps, an aluminum style front over rider and roof rails, an integrated bedliner and a rear protection bar with integrated park distance control.

Inside, you'll meet heated seats in leather and perforated Alcantara, new sports steering wheel, dash-mounted off-road 'information centre', and footwell lighting.



Prices to be announced in August

See also: Twenty Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUVs go to six states

Technorati tags: Ford, Ranger, Wildtrak, cars, truck

Permalink: Ford Ranger Wildtrak courts buyers with extra comfort

Hummer H4 to arrive by 2010

In an interview to the Australian GoAuto magazine, Hummer's general manager Martin Walsh has confirmed that GM is indeed planning to create another SUV, which will be even smaller than current Hummer H3 sport utility vehicle. The Hummer H4 is supposed to compete against such premium-segment compact SUVs as the Nissan Murano, not the much smaller Jeep Wrangler as it was speculated a year ago.



It is still not clear, which platform will be chosen as a basis for the new Hummer, but the Hummer H4 is still supposed to "offer legitimate off-road capability" upholding the brand's trademark off-road capabilities.



See also: 2008 Hummer H2 makes accent on luxury, safety

Technorati tags: Hummer, H4

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Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia tries on hiking boots

Although from the very beginning the Porsche Cayenne family of SUVs was regarded mainly as an outrageously laughable attempt of going mud-plugging in an Armani suit, the vehicles proved to have not that bad off-road capability. A normal (i.e. not tuned) Cayenne features an 8.5-inch ground clearance, a low-ratio box and locking differential. With its lower center of gravity the luxurious SUV can handle approach angles of up to 45 degrees and lean up to 30 degrees before toppling over.



And now Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is trying to make the Cayenne a real rally-racer. The new Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia is not only painted in that orange-on-black color scheme from the Half-Life franchise. With all its additional gear it could have successfully be driven by Mr. Gordon Freeman through the contaminated barrens of the HL2 brave new world.

Although its 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 still develops 385 bhp, which is 45 bhp more than the older engine could produce, the SUV is actually about 15 per cent more fuel efficient than the less powerful model. More than that, it's a flexible-fuel engine, which means it not only drinks premium gasoline but can also run on a mixture of a gasoline and ethanol with up to 25% of the latter.



The Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia is now equipped with an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch and an additional transverse lock usually available only as an optional Offroad Technology Package. To make the Transsyberia's off-road capability even more prominent, Porsche's engineers have fitted the vehicle with the air intake tube moved up to its roof so that no water could get into the intake manifold while crossing water streams.

The SUV also sports modified wheels and suspension, such as the doublearm front axle, which comes with reinforced track control arms and new off-road tires measuring 255/55 R 18 T and fitted on 18inch "Cayenne S II" light-alloy wheels. The regular foot operated brake is replaced by a hand brake enabling the driver to understeer the vehicle intentionally in a tight bend.

Inside, the Cayenne Transsyberia lacks rear seat bench, interior body panels and sound proofing material but sports new safety cage and its glove compartment is replaced by a Tripmaster computer. The luggage compartment also comes with two 20 liter reserve cans, and two transport boxes for tools, company is reporting in its press release.

See also: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid is coming upon us

Technorati tags: Porsche, Cayenne, Transsyberia, SUV, Tripmaster, rally, Cayenne S II, cars

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Renault and Samsung unveiled QMX mini-SUV

During the motor show in Seoul, French Renault and Korean Samsung have jointly presented their latest QMX small crossover concept. Being a rebadged version of the same Renault Koleos we've seen in Paris, the mini SUV features 1.7-liter turbodiesel four-banger, outsourced from Renault.



The engine is equipped with piezoelectric injectors and a Variable Geometry Turbocharger and therefore capable of producing some 177 hp, which is pretty good for such a modest displacement.



No info on commercial availability yet.

See also: Peugeot Holland & Holland 4007 Concept SUV

Technorati tags: Renault, Samsung, QMX, SUV, crossover, diesel, Korea, cars

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Huanghai to introduce Hyundai Santa Fe clone

Huanghai Automobile, which belongs to Chinese Liaoning SG Automotive Group, has announced its plans to go ahead with production of its controversial Huanghai mid-size crossover SUV. Although being accused of copying exterior design of the latest Hyundai Santa Fe, the Chinese company still hopes to produce as many as 5,000 units and sell them to local buyers, The China Daily reports.



The vehicle will be equipped with either 2.0-liter 4G63 or the 2.4-liter 4G64 engine licensed from Mitsubishi. There will also be an optional 2.8-liter diesel engine.

The list of equipment includes multi-point EFI system, adjustable leather seats, anti-ultraviolet glass, SRS airbags, ABS, automatic air-conditioner, intelligent automatic sunroof, power glass and this sort of stuff.

See also: Hyundai Veracruz to invade America

Technorati tags: Huanghai, Hyundai, Santa Fe, SUV, crossover, diesel, China, cars

Permalink: Huanghai to introduce Hyundai Santa Fe clone

2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with more premium features

DaimlerChrysler has eventually revealed the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee model range. The facelifted full-size SUV will now be available with a choice of five engines, three four-wheel-drive systems and first in the class SIRIUS Backseat TV entertainment system.



New engines

In its press release the company claims the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee to be the first full-size SUV which is offered with a choice of five engines, including a Mercedes-built 3.0-liter CRD V-6 oil-burner and a 4.7-liter flex-fuel V-8. Capable of producing up to 305 hp and 334 lb-ft of torque, the engine may work on up to 85 percent (E85) concentration of ethanol.

The other engines mentioned are 3.7-liter V-6 (standard on Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo), 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI (standard on Overland and available on Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited) and 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 (standard on Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8).



New safety features

The facelifted 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee may now be ordered with auto-leveling HID and SmartBeam headlamps, ParkView Rear Back-up Camera (with or without navigation), ParkSense Rear Back-up System, rain-sensing wipers and Hill Descent Control system, which is standard on all Grand Cherokee 4x4 models. There are also Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control systems to make the SUV even safer on the road.

Craftier interior

New interior features include two-tone instrument panel with a soft-touch surface and better styling; new tilt and telescoping steering column; and updated instrument cluster with brighter LED illumination.



Technorati tags: 2008, Jeep, Grand Cherokee, SUV, HEMI, CRD, E85, cars

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2008 Subaru Tribeca loses its face

The redesigned 2008 Subaru Tribeca large crossover SUV is actually a car without a face. Its original front may have been too extravagant for the American customers but now, when it lost its trademark headlamps and grille, the new Subaru Tribeca is more like just another Japanese SUV that you pass on the road without noticing it.


The new Subaru Tribeca's design may be described as "Hyundai Santa Fe meets Chrysler Aspen meets new Toyota RAV4". Whether it's good or bad is up to you to decide but, seriously considering getting the 2007 Subaru B9 Tribeca as the new family vehicle just a month ago, I wouldn't buy the new Tribeca under any circumstances.





The only good news about the face-ripped-off vehicle is that it now receives larger 3.6-liter 256-horsepower Boxer engine, which is claimed to be delivering more power while drinking the same amount of fuel, regular instead of premium as it was before. Well, Subaru's engineers are still superior to Subaru's designers I suppose.





See also: Redesigned 2008 Subaru B9 Tribeca to be unveiled in New York

Technorati tags: 2008, Subaru, Tribeca, SUV, crossover, Boxer, B9, cars

Permalink: 2008 Subaru Tribeca loses its face

Suzuki Grand Vitara Trekker tuning package

Australian customers are offered with the last chance to put their hands on the new Suzuki Grand Vitara compact SUV available in the popular Trekker package. The package is offered for both the three-door and five-door models and consists of $3,000 worth of equipment.



The most interesting accessories are the new Garmin nuvi 310 GPS navigation system preloaded with WhereIs maps for all of Australia, text-to-speech voice guidance, hands-free calls with Bluetooth wireless technology, touch-screen interface and USB interface for loading data; a 21-litre Waeco portable fridge/warmer with a cooling capacity of -30°C and a warming capacity of 65°C; a genuine Suzuki nudge bar and a six-stacker CD system.



Also available are acrylic headlamp and bonnet protectors, front weather-shields, a cargo net and a genuine Suzuki floor mat set.



Suzuki Grand Vitara Trekker will start at $23, 990 for the three-door, $28,990 for the 2.0-liter five-door and $30,990 for the 2.7-liter V6 engine. Five-door model may be ordered with automatic transmission, which will add extra $2,000 for the package.

See also: Hyundai Veracruz to invade America

Technorati tags: Suzuki, Grand Vitara, Trekker, SUV, Garmin, GPS, Waeco, cars

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