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.
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.
Find out more about the Track’ster below and let us know if you think Kia should build a high performance crossover:
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.
Watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the Acadia Denali and Acadia below:
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.”
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.
Unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, find out all the details in our first look video below:
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.
See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Coverage Here
Watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the 2013 RDX below:
Kia is looking to create some excitement at next week’s Chicago Auto Show, debuting a new concept car called the Track’ster.
Based on the brand’s popular Soul crossover, the hopped-up Track’ster will be the “ultimate performance” Soul and feature sleek new body that does away with two doors for an aggressive coupe look.
There are no details on the engine, but look for something exciting, along the lines of the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder found in the new Veloster Turbo, which makes 201 hp.
Look for dull details from the big reveal next week and until then, check out AutoGuide’s Chicago Auto Show preview here.
Pricing details are now available for the rethought 2012 Honda Crosstour featuring a more cost-minded four-cylinder engine.
The 2012 Crosstour will start at $27,655 and go all the way up to $36,540 for the four-wheel drive version with navigation. At the base price, you get a 192-horsepower engine that squeaks out an extra three miles-per-gallon in the city and two on the highway. The 271-horsepower V6, which is unchanged over previous models, is still available as well.
The company made the official announcement about their plans to launch a less expansive version of their crossover last December. They hoped it would help the Crosstour finally feel marketable in light of failed sales. Despite that failure, Honda still seems confident and determined to make the Crosstour work.
“The new four-cylinder Crosstour offers sleek design, unmatched passenger comfort and ingenious functionality now with four-cylinder pricing and fuel economy,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. “With four-cylinder and V6 options and a long list of standard features, Crosstour should be on every CUV buyer’s shopping list.”
That might be how Honda feels, but the Crosstour has been consistantly criticized as the ugly duckling in the lineup. Consmers complain that it’s too much like a larger Accord, which makes sense because that’s how it was originally marketed.
Speaking of ugly ducklings, it’s probably important to point out that the top-of-the-line Nissan Juke sells for about $4000 less than the base Crosstour. It also gets better mileage than the two-wheel drive crosstour, with all-wheel drive. Sure, you sacrifice four horsepower, but who cares?
The only new selling point for Honda’s less potent 2012 Crosstour is a lower price, but we say that fails to deliver against the competition.
Of the major Japanese Automakers, Nissan Motors has been one of the least affected by natural disasters and the strengthening yen, effectively minimizing exposure to regional risks by erecting facilities overseas.
Nissan has announced plans to build another manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to expand North American production. An investment worth $2.0 billion USD, the new facility will be joining two other Mexican Nissan factories already in place. When construction is completed, operations are projected to begin late in 2013, with an initial production capacity of 175,000 vehicles annually.
Operations in the new complex include body, trim, and chassis installation, paint manufacturing, associated parts warehousing, as well as an on-site test track for quality assurance tests of new vehicles. All this means that the manufacturing complex will provide up to 3,000 new jobs at the facility, and approximately 9,000 new jobs from supply chain and wider community. All in all, Nissan’s expansion will allow a total of 13,500 jobs provided for Aguascalientes.
Nissan currently makes up six of the ten most popular vehicles sold in Mexico. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said, “Mexico is a key engine for Nissan’s growth in the Americas. Together with our new plant in Brazil, this new manufacturing facility in Aguascalientes is an important pillar in our strategy to ensure that Nissan has the capacity it needs to increase sales volume and market share across the Americas.”
Jose Munoz, president and general director of Nissan Mexico adds, “No other automaker is investing in Mexico more than Nissan. Nissan’s investment in new manufacturing, engineering and technology resources in Aguascalientes validates what thousands of our employees, suppliers, and customers already know. Behind our market leadership is an unparalleled commitment to deliver the best vehicles for Mexico and more than 100 international markets.”
The next product in the busy Hyundai launch schedule has been leaked online, with new photos showing the 2013 Santa Fe from different angles.
One of the oldest models in the current lineup, the photos show just how dramatic a design change this will be, gaining the brand’s new “fluidic sculpture” design language. Notable is a chrome hexagon grille (part of the brand’s signature), while there are elements of the new Ford Explorer mixed with the BMW X1. Like some of the other Hyundai products (notably the Genesis Coupe), there seem to be design cues taken from Infiniti, particularly with the Santa Fe’s taillights.
Along with the obvious chrome, look for LED light bars for the headlights as well as the use of LEDs for the taillights
No details on engines for the new Santa Fe are yet available, but it’s likely the the 274 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder from the Sonata will find its way under the hood, while a more potent V6 is an option as well.
Look for a possible debut at the New York Auto Show in April.
[Source: Hyundai-Blog]
Infinti is pointing their cross hairs squarely at the Japanese luxury crossover market, hoping that their new JX will be a hot seller capable of boosting the brand, but there could be an arduous road ahead.
Their biggest competition: the Acura MDX and Lexus RX crossovers are their brand`s top sellers, meaning Infiniti will have to pick a few pockets to put the JX in their aspired sales bracket.
“It will become our second-best-seller this year, right behind [the] G [lineup],” Infiniti’s North American vice president Ben Poore said to WardsAuto in an interview.
Despite their high sales ambitions, Infiniti isn’t undercutting the competition, at least not completely. Poore said they plan to start the JX at $41,400 including the destination fee. That means it starts off cheaper than the Acura MDX’s $43,815 tag and pricier than the Lexus RX for $39,950.
As far as specifics for those ambitions are concerned, Poore didn’t name any exact sales targets. Despite that, we know the company’s best-selling G coupe and sedan sold 58,246 total units last year.
That could be a tall order given that the brands current runner-up, the QX SUV, only sold 13,428 units last year. Maybe that’s why Poore is playing coy about actual figures. His statement could suggest a relatively low sales target or a tough push against the competition.
Given that last year Lexus and Acura sold 82,595 and 123,299 RXs and MDXs respectively, it would seem to be in Infiniti’s best interests not to irk the juggernauts, but instead to siphon off a sliver of tired customers from each when it goes on sale as a 2013 model this March.
[Source: Ward's Auto via Motor Trend]
Those eagerly awaiting the launch of a diesel Mazda finally have some solid news about the oil-burner’s arrival in the U.S. According to the latest reports, Mazda is planning to have its diesel model on sale in early 2013 – just around 12 months away.
The arrival date of the new Skyactiv-D powered Japanese car was confirmed by spokesman Jeremy Barnes.
What has yet to be revealed is exactly what model will receive the diesel powerplant, although speculation is that the new CX-5 crossover will get the nod, while cars like the Mazda 3 and 6 could follow.
The 2.2-liter four-cylinder is capable of around 160 hp with over 300 lb-ft of torque, handily besting VW’s TDI mill. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Skyactiv-D engine, however, is that while it delivers excellent torque at low rpm it doesn’t fall on its face as the revs rise. In fact, it redlines at 5200 rpm, as opposed to 4500 rpm in most diesel engines, delivering more of that Mazda zoom-zoom quality.
For more on the Mazda Skyactiv-D diesel engine see here, or watch our video on the new technology below.
[Source: Car&Driver]
In Parenting Magazine‘s first “Genius” issue, a new magazine committed to helping parents find ways to best help their children unlock their “genius” potential, the all-new Infiniti JX SUV was chosen as one of the “Smartest Family Cars Of 2012.”
Editorial Director for the Parenting Group Ana Connery said, “By recognizing today’s smartest cars, Parenting hopes to make it easy for families to use technology on the road, whether it’s for quick run to the store or for an extended road trip vacation. Our editors’ top picks have thought of everything so that parents don’t have to.”
The Infiniti JX, available at Infiniti dealerships by spring 2012, was selected for its many smart, high tech, and family-friendly attributes, including 360-degree external cameras and collision sensors that engage the brakes, actively assisting in accident avoidance. The JX also provides a Google Calendar sync to its infotainment system, so that parents could better manage their busy schedules.
Infiniti America Vice President Ben Poore said, “The Infiniti JX’s features were inspired by families who told us they wanted a luxury vehicle with features like the world’s first Backup Collision Intervention system, an Around View Monitor and not having to take out a child safety seat to get access to the 3rd Row. We’re proud that Parenting magazine recognized our desire to make hectic family lives a little more efficient and much more enjoyable.”
Among the list of “Smartest Family Cars of 2012″ is another Nissan product, the Quest minivan. Click here for the complete list of “Smartest Family Cars.”
After every auto show there’s normally a lull in new product news as media and PR folks alike decompress. That won’t be the case with this year’s Chicago Auto Show, however, with the reveal of electric car maker Tesla’s new crossover the day after the Chi-town press day.
The reveal won’t be anywhere near Chicago either with Tesla announcing yesterday it would reveal the new Model X at its Design Studio in California. The new model is expected to sit on a modified version of the same platform used for the Model S electric luxury sedan and make use of similar powertrains.
Tesla recently announced pricing for the Model S, which will start at 49,900 after a federal tax rebate. The top Signature package will retail for $69,900 after tax incentives and will deliver a 300 mile range plus a 0-60 time of just 4.4 seconds.
Nissan debuted its 2013 Pathfinder Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but didn’t disclose what would be powering the crossover – apart from the fact it would be a V6 engine. Motor Trend is now reporting that the 2013 Pathfinder will be powered by a 3.5L V6, perhaps identical to what the new JX35 will have.
The JX35 features a 3.5L V6 with 265-hp, 248 lb-ft of torque and we could expect the Pathfinder to have similar if not identical specifications under the hood. Fuel economy for the new Pathfinder will be a big improvement, with Nissan claiming that thanks to significant weight reduction, as well as the use of a new CVT transmission, we should expect gains of up to 25 percent.
What is more interesting though is that Nissan also told Motor Trend that it plans to unveil a second, completely new vehicle at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in April. Nissan stated that no outsider has ever seen this vehicle.
[Source: MotorTrend]
See AutoGuide’s First Look video of the 2013 Pathfinder Concept below:
Well, it was nice while it lasted, but Audi has decided to drop the new 2012 Audi A6 Allroad from the U.S. market. The original Audi Allroad was introduced in 1999.
Debuting at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, the all-new A6 Allroad features an extra 2.3 inches of ground clearance than the standard A6, and also comes available with front and rear skid plates. The A6 Allroad will also be available in four distinct powerplants, including a strong 3.0L TDI capable of 308-hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.
While the A6 Allroad won’t be available in the United States, Audi’s new A4 Allroad will join the Q5 and Q7 SUVs in showrooms this June.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that investigations of the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Kia Sorento have both ended.
The NHTSA first looked into Accord Hybrid models after initial investigations linked unintended acceleration to a fatal accident. After a thorough investigation, the agency found no evidence of defect within the Accord Hybrid. No safety recall has been issued for the Accord Hybrid.
A total of 18 complaints have been reported, relating to fuel spilling from the filler port of Kia Sorento models from 2003-2004. The Sorento’s fuel evaporation system has a canister filter that may clog over time. Excess pressure could build due to the clog and may cause gasoline to spill out of the filler neck. A total of 86,000 Soreno units will be repaired and Kia agreed to provide a one-time replacement of the canister filter, at no cost to the owner.
With the 3 Series now directly in its sites with the ATS compact luxury sports sedan, Cadillac is looking to take on the BMW X3 as well.
While the GM luxury brand does already offer the SRX (above), Caddy VP of sales Kurt McNeil has admitted that a new, smaller crossover is under consideration. It would be one that, “would go a little bit more head-to-head with the X3.” McNeil stopped short of confirming the car, saying that no final decision has been made on the product, however, he did drop one important remark that can be seen as a clear sign that baby SRX is on its way.
“The fact that Cadillac is becoming more of a global brand will certainly play a role in that decision,” he said. Small luxury crossovers are one of the fastest growing segments in the auto industry, particularly in emerging markets, and Cadillac isn’t likely to miss out on the surge – especially not when they have an all-new platform in the ATS that can be adapted for just such a purpose.
[Source: AutoNews]
Taking a page out of Ford’s playbook, Nissan appears ready to follow suit in the move from SUVs to crossovers announcing that the 2013 Pathfinder will ride on a car-based unibody platform rather than a body-on-frame truck chassis. Over a year ago, Ford made a similar switch with its new Explorer.
As a concept Nissan hasn’t released many specifics about the car but has said it will be powered by a V6 with a CVT transmission and will continue to offer seating for seven. For more on the new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder concept check out AutoGuide’s first look video from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show below.
Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest auto company, is set to unveil the new XAα concept car at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo.
While earlier reports suggested that the new concept will eventually replace Maruti Suzuki’s highly successful Jimny SUV, Maruti Suzuki managing director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi explained that, “the Concept XAα is designed for a market of customers with a young urban lifestyle.” While the Jimny is sold to the masses as a cheap, practical, and rugged offroader, the XAα aims to be a chic, urban lifestyle SUV for the younger generation.
A production version of the XAα will be launched next year but details are scarce. Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive options will be available with a petrol or diesel engine. As a tax break is given to smaller vehicles, the length of the XAα will likely be less than 157 inches.
Maruti Suzuki will also unveil a second SUV called the Ertiga. The automaker aims to introduce the new products in quick succession to take advantage of India’s growing market and to remain as the leading automaker for the country.
Nakanishi says, “India is set to become one of the top automobile markets of the world. This may become evident as early as the next Delhi Auto Expo. Maruti Suzuki will lead India’s automobile growth and evolution by strengthening its compact car portfolio, entering new segments, and creating new product categories across fuel options.”
[Source: Left Lane News]
Thanks to Bentley‘s strongest sales performance since 2008, the gentlemen of Crewe are looking to expand their line-up with the introduction of a new luxury SUV by 2014.
Known for its generous application of wood and leather, Bentley does not intend to compete against the likes of Cayenne or Range Rover. Instead, Bentley aims to position its SUV above any other SUV currently on the market. Expect prices to begin at $140,000 plus.
Volkswagen, Bentley’s German owner, also plans to carry this project over to its Lamborghini operation as well. A new Lamborghini SUV would become the third model in the brand’s exotic line-up and would also mark the return of the Lamborghini SUV after the LM002 “Rambo Lambo” was built from 1986 to 1993.
In 2008, Lamborghini first unveiled the 4-door Lamborghini Estoque concept car. Although the sedan was well received by both the press and public, a strong demand for sporty soft-roaders from emerging markets like China, Russia, and India suggest that a high-performance SUV for Lamborghini may be better going forward.
An official Lamborghini address on the matter is expected by the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.
[Source: MotorAuthority]
We’ve already been given the scoop on Volvo‘s upcoming V60 Plug-in Hybrid, however, given the nature of that vehicle, it was hardly surprising that Europe was most definitely its target audience.
Considering that North American (and Chinese) buyers clearly have a strong preference for gasoline engined vehicles over diesels, as well as SUVs over wagons, Volvo has now announced that it will build an XC60 Plug-in Hybrid with a petrol engine for these markets, which will make its world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit .
The news is particularly welcomed by US dealers, providing a much needed boost in the shape of a green “halo” vehicle, at a time when much of Volvo’s vehicle lineup is essentially marking time and (apart from volume sellers like the XC60 and S60) significantly new models are still a ways off.
The XC60 gas/electric Plug-in Hybrid will sport an electric motor producing 70 hp, along with a four-cylinder gasoline engine, resulting in a total power output of 350 hp. According to Volvo, this version will be able to travel a distance of up to 35 miles on electricity alone as well as delivering some 50 miles per gallon in Hybrid mode.
It also uses an innovative electric AWD system, with the gasoline engine powering the front wheels, while electric power can be fed to the rear wheels when accelerating or in low grip situations.
“A plug-in hybrid is the ideal eco-car for today’s conditions,” declared Volvo President and CEO Stefan Jacoby. “It gives a large proportion of motorists sufficient range on electricity for their daily commute. More than half of U.S. drivers cover less than 30 miles a day. With its three driving modes, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept also offers the owner a conventional model’s interior space, safety, performance and long range. It gives the driver uncompromising flexibility to cover every type of motoring need.”
Although deliveries of the European diesel/electric V60 Plug-In Hybrid are scheduled to begin late this year, so far there’s been no word on US availability of the XC60 Plug-In Hybrid, though it’s likely cars will be on dealer lots sometime during 2013.
See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Preview Here
Honda is rumored to be planning another crossover model to join its lineup in the near future. Slotting in between the CR-V and Civic, it would be the brand’s smallest utility vehicle.
Word of the new model comes out of Europe where Honda sells a Civic hatchback that rides on a different platform than the Civic sedan and coupe sold in North America. The new crossover will reportedly be based on that architecture, raising doubts that it might not be available in North America.
Designed to compete against the European Nissan Qashqai, Honda is looking to regain much of the ground lost to smaller compact crossovers in Europe.
The yet unnamed car is scheduled to go on sale as early as next year.
[Source: AutoExpress]
If Chevrolet isn’t careful they may start to be known as the “Burning Bow-Tie Brand” to some of their customers.
General Motors is recalling 15,627 Chevrolet Captiva crossovers from the 2011-12 model years because there is a chance the cars may catch fire on the road. The issue stems from power steering fluid overheating under certain conditions, leading to an engine compartment fire according to the company.
Thus far, there haven’t been any fires reported by consumers, though 3,150 of the vehicles included in the recall were distributed as rental cars in the U.S., meaning there is a good chance such a problem might rear its head given the heavy use those vehicles experience. The key message: don’t go hooning in a Captiva, not that many people would. Fires are only likely if drivers leave the transmission in first gear under manual mode for a prolonged time, causing the overheating.
It’s been a tough year for Chevy and fires. Earlier this year the NHTSA found that in some cases after a severe crash the Volt could spontaneously combust. The problem occurred after coolant around the lithium ion battery leaked and crystallized on the battery itself, causing a short circuit. General Motors offered to buy Volts back from any customer requesting such action.
