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.
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:
GMC unveiled its 2013 Acadia crossover, alongside a surprise reveal of the more luxury-oriented Denali trim level, today at the Chicago Auto Show.
The 2013 model will feature the same 3.6-liter V6 engine making 288 horsepower, though Tony Disalle, vice president of GMC marketing said the new Acadia will benefit from a new Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission that will improve efficiency and driveability.
The standard Acadia gets a new exterior design featuring LED lighting and standard projector beam headlamps or optional HIDs. Plus, it’s hard to miss the more flat-fronted grille and boxier fender flares, style elements borrowed from the popular Traverse.
Inside the Acadia gets new seats, plus a standard color touch radio, Bluetooth and a backup camera. Optional goodies include GM’s Intellilink system; a version of the MyLink telematics interface found on Chevy products.
There are also new standard safety features, including an industry-first front-center airbag that deploys during a side-impact crash to keep font seat occupants safe from one another during impact.
The Acadia Denali model comes standard with blind spot detection and cross traffic alert systems, both of which can be added to the standard model.
Aside from standard safety features, the Denali model features GMC’s “three dimensional polished grille”, which glistens with chrome. The interior gets a few extra touches as well, with richer-looking wood trim around the shifter than the standard model.
The Denali also gets larger, 20-inch machined wheels to deliver a more luxurious appearance, as well as dual chrome exhaust pipes. See our pictures of the 2013 Acadia below.
Watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the Acadia and Acadia Denali below:
Pricing and equipment details for the 2013 X6 M50d from BMW that won’t be coming stateside are now available.
Don’t fret too much, though. Oil burners aren’t as popular here, at least not yet, and the X6 M which you can have is pretty much the blue print for the euro-only SAV.
The standard equipment list for the M-powered diesel includes 19-inch brakes up front and 18′s in the rear, the same as its gas-powered brother. The X6 will also have an M Servotronic system which will adjust steering sharpness, as well as the X6 M’s adjustable suspension.
The same 20-inch M wheels are also present, in their double spoke glory.
Beyond that, drivers may opt to pay a premium and have the speed limiter removed, allowing for a top speed of 171 mph, which is substantial in any car, let alone a diesel.
BMW individual leather is also an option, though we’re usually more focused on what’s under the hood when it comes to M cars from the world-class Bavarian Motor Works. Oh, and it costs €85,800, which is just over $113,000 U.S.
[Source: autoevolution]
Canadian car thieves have an affinity for the ugly, or so it would seem based on recently released data.
Do you remember the Pontiac Aztek? It’s OK if you don’t, we smacked our heads against a brick wall over its design too. But its ugly looks haven’t stopped it from making number eight on the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s top 10 stolen cars list of 2011.
Specifically, it’s the 2001 four-wheel drive model, not that there’s a difference between the dumbly-designed SUV that ceased to exist, much like it’s manufacturer.
Just to recap, we’re talking about an SUV with a 3.4-liter V6 making 185 horsepower. It weighs 3,779 lbs and gets a miserable 16/23 mpg city/highway, oh and has a face a mother couldn’t even love.
Why anyone would bother stealing this scrap heap is beyond us, especially considering the fact that there are plenty of perfectly easy-to-steal Cadillac Escalades out there that fetch a much better resale value.
That’s the one good thing we can say for the Aztek, if it get’s stolen you’re only out a couple grand. Heck, those thieves probably did you a favor by towing it free of charge.
Plans for a new Jeep model below the Compass and Patriot have been pushed back as part of a larger financial reorganization within Chrysler parent company Fiat. The new model, code named B-SUV, was to be built at the automaker’s Mirafiori plant in Italy, but a $1.3 billion expansion of that facility has been pushed back a year.
Further delaying the process, Fiat will first move ahead with a sister-vehicle to the B-SUV for sale in Europe to replace the Sedici model, which is currently based on the Suzuki SX4. That model will begin production in later 2013, with the Jeep not planned for assembly until mid 2014. Once the expansion is completed, Fiat expects to built up to 280,000 of the compact crossovers based on the new Small Wide platform, which underpins the recently revealed Fiat 500L.
The new platform is capable of running all-wheel drive and so it’s expected the B-SUV will get Jeep’s “Trail Rated” stamp of approval.
[Source: AutoNews]
After much speculation, Lamborghini has finally officially confirmed development and production for its new super-SUV, its first truck since the original Rambo Lambo LM002.
According to a well-placed source at Audi, its Italian supercar subsidiary is hard at work on the project and are aiming to make a grand unveiling of its brand new SUV/crossover concept for the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. The Audi manager could provide little information but did respond, “I can’t comment in detail but the speculation in the press is largely correct.” Lamborghini itself has yet to make any statements.
Initial speculations on the Lambo-ute suggested a version of the V10 powerplant sourced from the Gallardo. What’s more, while alternative-energy power plants go against the Italian supercarmaker’s traditions, a possible hybrid drivetrain capable of 700-hp has also been rumored. As an upmarket competitor rivaling the high performance Porsche Cayenne, Maserati Kubang, as well as the statement making BMW X6, the new Lamborghini SUV is projected to produce less than 1,500 examples a year and is expected to command a steep retail price no less than $200,000 in North America.
During the 2008 Paris Auto Show, Lamborghini revealed a sleek four-door Estoque and although Lamborghini denies the concept will make it to production, a successful Lamborghini SUV just might make room for a sedan as the fourth model in the line-up.
[Source: Autoweek]
Our photographers have captured the latest spy photos of the upcoming Land Rover Range Rover, including photos of the new SUVs interior. The photos below show what appears to be a significantly larger LCD screen in the center of the dash.
The all-new Range Rover is expected to shed significant weight compared to the current model thanks to an all-aluminum structure. Look for similar engines to the current lineup, including the big 5.0-liter V8 and a supercharged version, as well as the addition of an eight-speed automatic transmission to further improve fuel economy and acceleration.
And to further help grow Land Rover’s green image, we expect to see the launch of the brand’s first hybrid. Recently Land Rover previewed its electric technology with the Range_e Concept using a diesel engine mated to a hybrid electric drive, although it’s expected that the production model will use gasoline power instead.
The Houston Auto Show isn’t known for big reveals, but that didn’t stop Jeep from unveiling a new Grand Cherokee special edition concept at the venue today. To name the new concept, Jeep is staging a contest, putting out the call to the public at http://www.jeep.com/en/2012/namemyride/ to put a badge on the back of this machine, which has been confirmed for production.
The choice of the Houston auto show isn’t surprising when you consider that Jeep sales increased 153 percent in Texas in 2011, and Grand Cherokee sales in Texas increased 226 percent. The custom Grand Cherokee is much more aggressive than the standard model thanks to the blacked out theme contrasting with small chrome bits here and there. The 20-inch wheels are blacked out with a glossy finish, the regularly chrome grille is all black, and even the lift gate light bar appears in black to accentuate the stealth look.
Some amenities that will come standard on the new Jeep are leather trimmed heated front seats, Parkview rear backup camera, keyless enter and go, a nine speaker 506 watt stereo system with subwoofer and the Chrysler groups Uconnect hands-free communication system.
Jeep is trying to branch out a little further into uncharted territory with its new design, “Highlighted by a unique platinum-chrome front-end appearance and distinctive black-gloss 20-inch wheels and exterior treatments, our new Grand Cherokee concept provides a completely new look – one that is edgy and aggressive, and certainly different than any Grand Cherokee on the road today,” said Mike Manley, president and CEO of the Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.
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.”
![Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]](http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/wp-content/uploads//2012/02/Mercedes-CLS-Shooting-Brake-thumb.jpg "Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]")
Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]
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