Well, it has finally arrived. After all the hype and teasers Tesla has unveiled its Model X all electric SUV at the Tesla design studio in California. Well, we thought it would be an SUV, but after having a look, its probably safe to say its more of a crossover than anything.

The model X is said to be a family vehicle with performance roots according to Tesla, and will hit the 0-60 MPH mark in under five seconds. A dual motor all wheel drive setup is available for the Model X, and when outfitted will have two separate electric motors, one driving each axle. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO and co-founder said at the press conference that Model X has ”more room than a minivan, more style than an SUV and more performance than a sports car.” The crossover will come with two of the three available Model S engine sizes,using either a 60 or 80 kWh battery pack. Thanks to its added weight, the Model X will get 10 to 12 percent less range than the Model S. That will give the the Model X about 260 to 270 miles of range for the 85-kWh battery and 200 to 210 for the 60-kWh.

Thanks to its lack of an internal combustion engine, the Model X has storage in the rear of the vehicle as well as the front, with the “frunk” alone offering as much storage space as an Audi Q7.

One of the most interesting features on the Model X are the doors. Tesla calls this unique door design “Falcon Wings” and are building upon many other luxury cars utilizing the classic gull-wing design. The falcon wings allow passengers easy step in access to the second and third row of seats, and because they bend in the middle can be opened in tight spaces without worry of smashing up the car next to you. Tesla says that seating seven adults comfortably will be no problem, and entering and exiting the vehicle will be easier than ever before.

The Model X will begin production in late 2013 with deliveries beginning in early 2014. The Model X’s price is expected to be around $57,500.

Ford is rather proud of its new SYNC system, and will be making it standard equipment on all 2013 Ford Fusion and Ford Flex models, the American automaker announced. Their MyFordTouch system will only be seen on upper trim levels however.

Surprisingly the 2013 model year of the Fusion and Flex will be the first time ever Ford has made their SYNC standard equipment. Since its introduction in 2007, Ford has installed SYNC in over four million vehicles. Now that it has become standard fare in the Fusion and Flex, Ford expects to add another nine million vehicles on the road with SYNC over the next three years.

“ Ford SYNC technology has led the industry in transforming the way we connect to our cars,” said Dave Mondragon, Ford general marketing manager. “SYNC has enabled Ford drivers to take advantage of the latest communication and entertainment technology with an easily upgradeable architecture that is friendly to use.”

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fusion

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Flex

As planned GMC unveiled its refreshed Acadia SUV at the Chicago Auto Show this week, but the GM truck division also prepared a surprise.

In addition to the standard-trim truck, GMC showcased the top-trim Denali version, complete with 20-inch wheels, an upgraded interior and paint-matched body cladding to deliver a more luxurious look.

For more on both vehicles, watch out first look video below.

GALLERY: 2013 GMC Acadia

GALLERY: 2013 GMC Acadia Denali

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After revealing two PX-MiEV concepts, the second of which debuted at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi has now released a few details on the production version of its new Outlander crossover, which will make its official world premiere at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Looking very much like the second PX-MiEV concept, the new Outlander promises to feature upgraded interior fixtures and proper third row seating, which seems to be the latest trend in the family crossover segment.

Sources say the new Outlander, which will initially go on sale in Russia this summer followed by other European markets, will be powered by 2.0-liter gas four-cylinder and 2.2-liter MIEVC diesel engines with a choice of front or all-wheel drive. Auto Stop technology and a six-speed automatic transmission are also reported to be in the cards, at least for some markets.

In early 2013, Mitsubishi plans to launch a Plug-in Hybrid version of the new Outlander, which will incorporate a variant of the 2.0-liter gas engine with dual electric motors (one for each set of wheels) and a lithium-ion battery pack. Clearly derrived from the second Px MiEV concept, Mitsubishi officials say that the Plug-in Hybrid version will deliver a driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km) and very low emissions output (below 50 grams per km is expected).

As for North American sales of the new Outlander, they’re expected to begin towards the tail end of 2012, though don’t bet on the diesel engine making it to our shores.

Opel and Vauxhall have announced the lineup of debuts for the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show, with the highly-anticipated Astra OPC/VXR headlining the booth.

The aggressively designed Astra OPC/VXR will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0L powerplant with 277-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and will also sport High Performance Struts (HiPerStruts), a FlexRide chassis, and lightweight bucket seats in the interior.

Next on Opel’s list will be its new Mokka crossover which is based on the Buick Encore. It will be released with three different engine choices available, a standard gas 1.6L with 113-hp, a turbocharged 1.4L with 138-hp and a 1.7L CDTI diesel with 128-hp. Front-wheel drive will be standard on the new Mokka, but all-wheel drive will be an option. Opel also mentioned in their release that all Mokka models will come with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Hill Descent Control (HDC) as standard.

The Insignia BiTurbo was also announced as a debut, featuring a 2.0L twin-turbo diesel engine with 192-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Not exactly automotive related, but Opel and Vauxhall will also show off a RAD e electric bike concept. They described it as the “first e bike to be built around automotive construction and production principles.” The RAD e electric bike will show off a 250-watt motor that can give it an electric-assisted range of 37-90 miles.

Opel will also have refreshed variants of their Corsa, Meriva, and Astra at the show including their Corsa Kaleidoscope edition, a Meriva 1.4 LPG Turbo ecoFLEX model and an Astra 1.4 LPG Turbo ecoFLEX model.

GALLERY: Opel / Vauxhall Geneva Lineup Preview

You wouldn’t expect a Kia to be the star of an auto show. Then again, you probably wouldn’t expect a 250 hp, widebody Kia Soul.

Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, the wildly modified Track’ster is just a concept… for now. Kia has announced that while it has no plans to bring this specific car to market, company execs are awaiting market reaction to judge if a high-performance crossover is in the cards for Kia.

GALLERY: Kia Track’ster Concept

Find out more about the Track’ster below and let us know if you think Kia should build a high performance crossover:

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Nobody expected there to be a second car under cloth at the GMC display this morning, but two CUVs were ready to bare it all shortly after 9 a.m. today at the Chicago Auto Show.

The fancier version designed for more luxury-oriented customers gets a host of upgrades meant to set it apart from the standard model.

“When designing the new Acadia, we considered the contemporary shapes and materials GMC buyers expect from many products they buy,” said Dave Lyon, executive director of design for the Acadia. “The Denali’s attention to detail is the ultimate demonstration of that.”

In a side interview, he said they chose to make the Denali’s interior look “a little warmer, to soften the feeling.” He also mentioned that the steering wheel’s wood inserts are made of real wood, where the standard model gets “real aluminum, but fake wood. Most people just want it to look good. We had trouble getting the aluminium to match the real wood [in the standard model],” he said.

Aside from nice visual touches, the Denali comes with standard blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert systems, which are options in the cheaper model.

The exterior is rethought as well, including a shining chrome grille, 20-inch machined wheels and a chrome exhaust. Customers also get lower, redesigned front and rear fascias. The wrap-around rear window, which is new to both models, gives the Denali an especially luxurious look with tinted windows wrapping around the back and accenting the wheels.

Both the Denali and standard models will be available at dealerships late this year, though pricing details haven’t been announced yet.

GALLERY: 2013 GMC Acadia Denali

Watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the Acadia Denali and Acadia below:

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Kia, you’re such a tease. Today at the Chicago Auto Show, the Korean automaker revealed what it’s calling the Trak’ster Concept. But this sport cross came with a disclaimer, “there are no current plans to produce the Track’ster”.

Boo! Hiss.

Of course, that has to be the case, with this wild widebody and 250 hp turbocharged Soul just too extreme for the road.

Expanding on Kia’s Optima Super Bowl ad with the tag line “A Dream Car for Real Life”, the Track’ster was created to show what happens when a dream becomes a reality.

Designed to add some bulldog aggressions says Tom Kearns, chief designer for Kia Motors America, along with some significantly wider fender flares that add 5-inches to the width of the factory car, the Track’ster has a sportier appeal thanks to the removal of two doors. Inside the big fenders are 19-inch HRE wheels with 245 wide front tires and 285 wide rears. Keeping with the track theme, braking potential has also been upgraded with 6-piston front calipers and 14-ich rotors, while out back are four-piston units with 13.6-inch disks.

Power is generated by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cyinder making 250 hp – a 66 percent increase over the standard car. That power makes it to the ground through an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system and (of course) a six-speed manual transmission.

The interior of the Tack’ster further conveys its track-ready capabilities with orange suede racing seats up front. The rear seating area has been removed to make room for a spare tire and the tools you’ll need to work on your car at the track.

As though teasing us with such an impressive performance crossover and then denying plans to build it weren’t bad enough, Kearns continues to tease us more, commenting that concept cars like this, “allow KMA’s design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question.”

GALLERY: 2013 Kia Track’ster Concept

GALLERY: 2013 Kia Track’ster Reveal

Enthusiasts may not like the fact that the 2013 RDX no longer has Honda’s Super Handling AWD system, or its impressive turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. But enthusiasts don’t buy cars like the Acura RDX… not enough of them anyway.

As a result, Acura has revamped the RDX with a softer approach, with added utility and a new V6 that gets more power and better fuel economy.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura RDX

Unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, find out all the details in our first look video below:

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Revealing the all-new second generation RDX compact luxury crossover on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show, Acura admitted it made some mistakes in the past.

The previous generation RDX was targeted at your urban males, putting the focus on performance. It should come as no surprise that it was then a big hit with auto journalists, who loved its turbocharged 2.3-liter engine that made 240 hp and a serious 280 lb-ft of torque. It also had Acura’s amazing Super Handling All Wheel Drive system, which made its cornering capabilities spectacular.

As it turns out, however, buyers in this segment are actually couples, young and old, and they’re more interested in utility than performance. As a result, the RDX was never the success Acura hoped, especially as sales of the MDX soared.

Now Acura is launching a second-generation model, with a softer approach all around. Gone is the hi-tech and expensive SH-AWD in favor of a more conventional system. Also gone is the immensely fun, but equally fuel thirsty turbocharged engine in favor of a new 3.5-liter V6. The new unit produces 33 more horsepower for a total of 273. Torque numbers haven’t been announced, but expect them to drop.

Mated to a new 6-speed automatic Acura says it expects the RDX to receive a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 20/28 mpg (city/highway) for front-drive models and 19/27 for AWD versions.

Improving both ride quality and handling is a longer wheelbase, as well as a wider track and a lower center of gravity. Plus, the RDX gets standard “Amplitude Reactive Dampers”, an adaptive electric power steering system and 18-inch wheels.

Other standard and available goodies include an active noise cancellation system, keyless access and a push-button ignition, a three-view back-up screen, Pandora internet radio and an SMS text messaging feature that lets you reply to text with one of roughly 10 pre-selected responses.

Interior room is up on the RDX, though Acura hasn’t said by exactly how much. The cargo area does use its space more effectively and Acura says it has expanded the rear opening by up to six inches.

A watered down RDX? Yes. But will the new model find a home with more buyers? Most likely.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura RDX

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Coverage Here

Watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the 2013 RDX below:

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