CUVs celebrate compact size and green theme
Though green (electric, plug-in and ethanol-powered vehicles) and mean (hulking pickups and fierce horsepower) seem to be the overall themes at this year's North American International Auto Show, crossovers are still going strong.
A few years ago journalists were shaking their heads over the name crossover – a word used to describe car-based SUVs with the ride of a sedan, room for a family of four or more and enough cargo space for a road trip to Florida.
Now crossover utility vehicles are the norm.
Here are a few more unveiled-in-Detroit CUVs to add to your shopping list:
BMW X5 xDRIVE35d
BMW has finally ended the speculation: the German automaker will indeed be bringing its award-winning six-cylinder turbodiesel engine to the U.S. and Canadian marketplace.
In addition to the current gasoline six- and eight-cylinder engines, X5 buyers will be able to opt for a 3.0 L turbodiesel that produces 265 hp and an impressive 425 lb.-ft. of torque, which is anticipated to allow for 0-to-100 km/h sprints in just 7.2 seconds.
A diesel's other strength is a relative reduction in fuel consumption (and hence, CO2 production); some 25 per cent better, by BMW's reckoning, when compared to a similarly powerful gasoline engine.
If there's a downside (beyond the added cost of the diesel option, which has yet to be determined), it's the necessity of injecting urea into the exhaust in order to meet current emission standards – BMW is not alone in this requirement.
Dubbed "AdBlue," the system requires that its two tanks (approximating 20 L) be refilled at the same extended interval as the engine oil.
Frankly, that seems a small price to pay for the considerable power, flexibility and improved economy that this engine is likely to provide when it becomes available with the new model year this fall.
BMW X6
BMW refers to the new X6 as a Sports Activity Coupe. That's a bit confusing, as it is actually a four-door vehicle, but in this case the "Coupe" refers to the dramatically tapering roofline and car-like hatchback.
Based on the X5, with which it will share its Spartanburg, S.C., production line, the X6 takes virtually all of that model's available performance features and equipment and adds to them, in the form of an active rear-axle torque distribution system called Dynamic Performance Control. DPC is intended to complement the X6's stability control and active steering systems.
Similar in theory to the SH-AWD system employed in Acura's MDX, RDX and RL, BMW's design differs significantly in that it can also operate while decelerating.
The X6 also marks the first availability of BMW's new twin-turbo direct-gasoline-injected V8 engine.
Rated at a nearly ludicrous 400 hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque, this 4.4 L powerplant should be able to whisk this model to 100 km/h in about 5.3 seconds.
"Lesser" X6s will have to make do with a 300 hp twin-turbo inline six; both engines are paired with a six-speed automatic and BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive.
Perhaps the substantial amounts of power are required to carry the new, longer nomenclature being used on all all-wheel drive BMWs; the V8 model's full name is "X6 xDrive50i"
Look for this unique model in Canadian showrooms beginning April 19 of this year.
HONDA PILOT
While other vehicles are shrinking in size (think big, bulky SUVs reincarnating as slimmed down CUVs), Honda introduced a bigger, bolder Pilot prototype.
The second-generation eight-passenger Pilot will be more spacious – with more leg and cargo room and increased occupant space across the board – yet it's more fuel-efficient than the original.
Three-row vehicles are often criticized for the uselessness of the third row (often best suited for kids rather than adults). But John Mendel, Honda's executive vice-president for the U.S., said "these are three rows of seats for real people," with the third row large enough to "seat an above-average" sized male.
In the technology department, the new Pilot will get the latest generation of Honda's fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. The system works in six-cylinder mode when extra power is needed, and powers down to four- and three-cylinder modes when cruising.
The new Pilot looks better, moving from a blend-in-with-the-flow design to styling that's bolder with a strong front end and crisp lines.
Honda says the new Pilot will debut in the spring.
KIA BORREGO
With a design that looks more SUV than CUV, the Borrego is Kia's largest utility vehicle.
The seven-seat Borrego rides on an independent suspension and is powered by Kia's first V8 engine: a 4.6 L that makes 300 horsepower. It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V8 Borrego can tow up to 3,750 kilograms. A 3.6 L V6 is also available, and gets a 2,500 kg towing capacity.
Len Hunt, president and CEO of Kia Motors America also announced that a clean diesel engine would be on offer in the first-generation Borrego, though he would not confirm when it would come to market.
Inside there's three rows of seating with room for up to seven passengers, a 600-watt Infinity audio system with USB/iPod capabilities and Sirius Satellite Radio. The Borrego also offers power-adjustable pedals and Kia's first DVD navigation systems as options.
The mid-size Borrego takes its design cues from the Mesa concept that Kia showed off in Detroit three years ago. The boxy design of the Borrego gives it more of a sport-utility vehicle look rather than following the rounded cues of the current crossover trend.
Kia's Borrego is set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model.
LAND ROVER LRX CONCEPT
Wheels' Laurance Yap has already introduced us to this LR2-based two-door hatchback crossover, but Detroit was its official unveiling.
Although considered a concept, it's not difficult to see something very similar finding its way into production – the current Range Rover Sport began as a concept, and the Freelander that the LR2 replaced did have a two-door variant.
The LRX's lighter weight (it's 149 mm shorter than the LR2), superior aerodynamics, and proposed 2.0 L turbodiesel hybrid drivetrain should go a long way toward reducing its impact on both the environment and your gas card.
Its sportier, classier appearance should help it find more buyers than the quirky two-door Freelander did too.
MERCEDES-BENZ VISION GLK
Though unveiled as concept vehicles, the Vision GLK Freeside, kitted with off-road capabilities, and the Vision GLK Townside, designed to stay on the paved track, translate into the German automaker's next-gen compact SUVs.
"The GLK ... fits all the strengths of our large model into a compact format," said Dieter Zetsche, Daimler AG CEO.
Later in the presentation Zetsche was joined by sultry Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall (not so much a coincidence since the new Vision GLK also plays a role in the new Sex movie).
True to character, Cattrall summed up the GLK in her own words: "I love its masculinity, its assertive qualities, the bulges in all the right places. It's a tight little package."
Dirty innuendos aside, the GLK is actually pretty clean: It's fitted with the latest generation BlueTec four-cylinder diesel engine with seven-speed automatic transmission and the new 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
When the GLK lands at Mercedes dealers later this year, it will up the number of Benz's SUVs to five.
SAAB 9-4X BIOPOWER CONCEPT
The 9-4X that this concept predicts is not based on a Subaru (that was the short-lived 9-2X), nor is it a Chevy TrailBlazer in drag (that's the 9-7X); this is a new, mid-sized crossover, in concept form powered by a turbocharged 2.0 L engine that is E85 (85 per cent ethanol/15 per cent gasoline) compatible.
Producing 245 hp on straight gasoline, its output swells to 300 hp on E85 due to that fuel's higher octane rating.
While this model's mechanicals would seem to be based on those of the current 9-3 – the 2.0 L turbo engine, six-speed automatic, and XWD all-wheel drive are common features – it appears that the concept itself is built on a version of the Theta platform that's found beneath the Saturn Vue and Chevy Equinox. Could this be the first domestically made Saab?
SATURN VUE GL 2 MODE HYBRID
While Saturn has offered a hybrid model of its Vue for a few years, this is the first 2-mode hybrid. The latest technology offers better fuel economy and fewer emissions than the previous model.
The 2-mode hybrid is fitted with a 3.6 L V6 engine, two 55 kW motors, and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The engine shuts off at idle, and delivers electric-only propulsion at low speeds. The battery is charged during regenerative braking.
Saturn says the new 2-mode hybrid can travel up to 800 km on a single tank of gas, offers 50 per cent better fuel economy over the non-hybrid V6 Vue, and can make it from 0-to-96 km/h in 7.3 seconds.
Production is scheduled to begin late this year.
SATURN VUE GL PLUG-IN HYBRID
General Motors' Saturn division also announced what it touts as the "world's most fuel-efficient production vehicle."
It's rare to get a crowd of journalists to react at an auto show, but reporters pulled their hands out of their pockets and away from their BlackBerrys to applaud the plug-in Vue.
The Vue plugs into an electrical outlet and can fully charge in four to five hours. When juiced up, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only driving for about 16 km at low-to-moderate speed.
For motoring close to home, the plug-in model has the potential to eliminate the need for fuel.
Though GM would not confirm a date, it said production may begin as early as 2010.
TOYOTA VENZA
It wouldn't be completely accurate to call Toyota's new Venza a Camry Wagon, but they do share their basic design and Kentucky assembly line.
Like the Camry, the Venza will offer a choice of V6 or four-cylinder power, but it differs in that all-wheel drive is an available option.
Other crossover-like characteristics include a higher hip-point, elevated ride height, 19- or 20-inch wheels, and (with the 268 hp V6) a maximum 1,588 kg towing capacity.
Still, if you sell as many Camrys as Toyota does, having the mechanical relationship pointed out can't hurt much.
Venzas will become available late this year in just one well-equipped trim level, though there is a comprehensive option list that includes a panoramic glass roof and all of the latest electronic infotainment and convenience gear.
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