The Japanese automaker Honda has just reveled the first details on their all new crossover variant based on the popular Accord sedan, the Accord Crosstour, as it will be known will be placed at the top of the Honda Accord family and is slated to go on sale this Fall after today’s online debut.
The new Accord Crosstour’s design is inspired by the Accord’s familiar body lines and adds a bolder front grille that is complemented by a bolder and more muscular front bumper giving the Crosstour an aggressive stance while the wedge shaped C pillars add a bit of a fastback appeal to the sporty CUV. The flowing roofline narrows smoothly into the rear of the vehicle to create an attractive set of hips, which also makes for a rather large cargo area that can fit a bit more than the traditional sedan.
With the Honda Accord Crosstour, the world’s largest engine manufacturer is getting into the game of plus sized luxury sedans that offer the practicality of a wagon while at the same time giving the owner the appearance of driving an SUV. It should only be a matter of time before we see an Acura badged variant to compete with other high end crossovers.
Press release after the jump.
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At last year’s Paris Motor Show, the English automaker Mini showed the world the Mini Crossover concept that took the cute Cooper and beefed it up with some off road attitude, and everyone expected to see the production version this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. however Mini has announced that the crossover’s official launch has been delayed until 2010 at the earliest.
That doesn’t mean that the Mini booth will be empty in Frankfurt, the automobile manufacturer will be unveiling the Mini Coupe concept and the Mini Roadster concept at the German auto show, a fitting move considering that their parent company BMW is from the region.
The crossover model, reportedly called Crossman, is almost certain to make an appearance at the Geneva motor show next spring. According to a BMW Mini spokesman, "The Crossover launch has been pushed back as we wish to first explore differentiation within future Mini smaller models and get feedback." Hopefully we don’t face any more financial crisis before then.
It looks like MINI is ready to unveil their new crossover vehicle sooner than we thought.
Rumors are running rampant that as early as next week, MINI will be ready to show the whole world their very first crossover vehicle. While there isn’t an exact date as to when this happen, a number of sources have indicated that the unveiling is likely to happen before the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The company had initially intended to unveil the crossover vehicle at Frankfurt next month, but apparently the company figured that lifting the veil on the car sooner than expected could drum up public interest leading up to the highly-anticipated motor show.
The MINI Crossover, which, according to a number of sources, has been given the name ‘Countryman’ is MINI’s first foray into the SUV market.
It would be interesting to see how the general public reacts to the car when it is officially unveiled. For the most part, the car has received positive reviews from people who have seen renderings and spy shots of the car.
The new crossover vehicle is definitely a ground-breaking step for MINI, especially since they’re a brand that has rarely – if ever – ventured outside the hatchback market. If the MINI Countryman proves to be as good as advertised, then it wouldn’t be too far off to assume that it could end up selling like hot pancakes.
The Chevrolet Equinox is the car that ushered in the era of the utilitarian Crossover at General Motors, so it is only appropriate that the new model come equipped with certain features that make for a very functional automobile with standard features like a 6 speed automatic transmission, direct injected gasoline engines, XM satellite radio, an iPod input jack, power everything and OnStar roadside assistance. However there is more to the crossover segment than reliability, these are the cars that will take families down the street to soccer practice and across the country to Disney World, so they need to be comfortable, attractive and engaging; especially for the back seat passengers.
Our well equipped 2010 Chevrolet Equinox AWD 2LT also came with some of the more desirable features being offered by GM, like the back up camera with park assist, power tailgate, Vehicle Interface Package that includes Bluetooth, the Chrome Exterior Appearance Package to dress up the outside, the Cargo Management Package that makes storage a snap in the back of the truck and the Rear Seat Entertainment System that includes some of the best designed backrest monitors on any new car today. However our personal favorite was the 18 inch machined aluminum wheels, Chevrolet offers rims as big as 19 inches in diameter, but we didn’t want to be too flashy. Of course, because we are Top Speed, Chevy made sure we tested the 3.0 Liter direct injected V6 that makes 264 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque version that is still able to get 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.
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First launched in 2003, the Murano SUV is entering the 2009 MY with a new exterior, interior and enhanced technology. For 2009, Murano is being offered in five different versions: S 2WD, S AWD, SL 2WD, SL AWD and LE AWD, with prices ranging from $27,680 to $37,260.
For 2009, Murano comes with a wide front end with a dynamic front fascia design, a wide grille with large integrated headlights, strong body side character lines with pronounced 18-inch or 20-inch wheels and tires and a distinctive rear end set off by an expansive rear glass area and LED taillights.
The 2009 Murano is powered by a revised 265-hp 3.5-liter DOHC V6 backed by a new advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission), with a front-wheel drive or an advanced all-wheel drive drivetrain. Murano also features a new D-platform, as well as new suspension, body structure and state-of-the-art steering for improved ride comfort and precise handling.
Press release after the jump.
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The term crossover is one of those dirty words that advertising agencies came up with when SUVs could no longer cut it and automakers needed to figure out a way to move more units. While we tend to frown upon that kind of labeling because it leads to less than capable vehicles built upon a car’s chassis with rather boring styling and even worse performance. However one reliable Japanese automaker has made us eat our own words with the Toyota Venza.
Overall it looks like someone stepped on a Lexus RX and then pulled the e-brake so hard that all the torque from the VVT-i equipped 3.5 Liter V6 stretched it a couple of inches in the midsection. The Venza is smaller than the traditional truck and offers loads of luxury and performance, in short, Toyota has produced the quintessential crossover and is guaranteed to sell a lot of them.
Loaded with options like 20 inch rims, HID headlamps, multi screen displays, comfortable leather upholstery and wood grain trim; this multi passenger vehicle is perfect for any new car shopper who needs the space and practicality of a minivan, but wants the attitude and style traditionally associated with a fun to drive vehicle.
Continued after the jump.
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General Motors announced it will reveal a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011 that will feature plug-in hybrid technology. Buick announced no name for their crossover, but they announced it will first be launched in 2010 powered by direct-injected gasoline engines, followed in 2011 by the plug-in hybrid model.
The new crossover will be built on the Buick Enclave platform and will be powered by an Ecotec 2.4L direct-injected four-cylinder engine with an optional 3.0L direct-injected V-6, and is expected to deliver 30 mpg.
The Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kwh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor.
The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. By recharging rather than refueling, the Buick plug-in hybrid significantly improves fuel economy and reduces petroleum use. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds.
Press release after the jump.
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We have just received an all new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox into our Top Speed test fleet and it will certainly be interesting to try out the crossover that started the trend at GM. Crossovers are interesting vehicles, they utilize many of the same construction techniques as smaller cars, like unit body construction, transverse mounted engines and independent rear suspensions that allows owners to have the practicality of a truck while paying the gas bill of a car. That is mainly in part to our Equinox’s direct injected 3.0 Liter V6 engine that makes 264 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque and is connected to a fuel efficient six speed automatic transmission. Our car was an all wheel drive model, so it gets an EPA estimated 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, not bad for almost 100 cubic feet of passenger room. However, this particular Equinox is not the most efficient of the bunch, a front wheel drive 2.4 Liter direct injected four cylinder making 182 HP will get as much as 32 MPG on the highway, that is not far off from the government mandated 35 MPG Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations.
Don’t let the numbers fool you, the Equinox is more than just a boring old gas sipper, it is also a very fun people mover full of high tech creature comforts on the inside and a couple of stylish touches on the outside. Our Equinox rides on optional 18 inch ten spoke machined aluminum wheels that give the CUV a much more rugged look, everything from 17 to 19 inch rims are available. Chevrolet’s design team also took great care in applying just the right amount of shiny chrome trim around the grill opening, fog light surround and window frames. The interior is dressed up with two tone leather chairs held together by red stitching, a theme that continues onto the door cards and steering wheel. Just like the seats, the dash features contrasting tones that really make it an attractive interior.
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Infiniti launched the 2008 EX37, the world’s first compact coupe crossover. Based on the Infiniti FM platform, EX37 shares much of its hardware with both the G37 and G37 Coupe. As a result, it enjoys the same high levels of handling precision and balance as well as similar levels of performance, refinement, build quality and equipment.
The EX37 is powered by a new 3.7-litre version of VQ engine family. Regularly honoured in independent awards the world over, the twin cam 24 valve V6 produces over 310PS and an impressive over 350Nm of torque.
EX37 is available with a new seven-speed automatic transmission while the suspension design - double wishbone set up at the front and multi-link arrangement at the rear - delivers the ideal blend between sporting handling and superior ride comfort.
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The Nissan Cube may be new to the U.S. market, but the miniature box shaped people mover has been on sale in Japan for over a decade. For 2009 Nissan has redesigned the Cube and decided that they can compete with other space conscious small cars like the Scion xB and the new Kia Soul. Our car came with a 122 HP 1.8 Liter four cylinder engine connected to a fuel efficient Xtronic CVT, continuously variable transmission.
Our $22,780 Cube Mobile Device came complete with the optional Ginormous Kit that adds some bulging bodywork and a healthy dose of personality to Nissan’s boxcar. The interior was equally as interesting with a few carbon fiber trim pieces and a piece of funky looking shag carpet smack dab in the middle of the dash. The only thing better than the spacious interior of our Cube was the way it drove. The Cube was softly sprung and extremely comfortable. The 2009 Cube is all new for the U.S. and it might take some getting used to for domestic consumers, however one quick fix for any hesitant new car buyer would be a test drive.
Continued after the jump.
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