What's The Alternatives?

[dave.m]

Dramatic Lexus LF-NX concept targets Range Rover Evoque

The LF-NX concept is designed to gauge reaction to an avant-garde SUV to take on the baby Range Rover

The LF-NX concept is a front-wheel-drive hybrid

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by Matt Saunders

4 September 2013 9:18am

Lexus is

set to preview its answer to the Range Rover Evoque at the Frankfurt

motor show next week, in the shape of an athletic, avant-garde compact

SUV concept called the Lexus LF-NX.

This five-door premium

soft-roader will make its global debut at Frankfurt, in an exercise

intended to gauge the reaction of European show-goers to a bolder and

more aggressive design than they’re used to in a class where the Evoque

is an exception rather than the rule, and where the dominant powers are

such conservative cars as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

“We want this to be a very influential car — one to make its rivals

look boring,” says design project manager Nobuyuki Tomatsu.

The

design of the production car is still to be decided. “This isn’t one of

those show cars that is 95 per cent representative of something

finished,” Tomatsu says. “We have taken a risk, and we hope the reaction

will be positive. If it is, there is no reason why our production car

couldn’t look like this.”

Power comes from an adaptation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system from the American market’s Lexus

ES300h saloon. That means the front wheels will be driven by a

combination of a 156bhp 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor,

serving up 200bhp in total. “We haven’t ruled out four-wheel drive for

the finished car,” says Tomatsu. “The powertrain is just a starting

point for us.”

The LF-NX’s exterior styling is a sounding board

for several individual developments of features of the Lexus L-Finesse

design language. Its spindle grille is larger than it is on Lexus’s

current production crop, and features a diamond-shaped mesh conveying a

more vivid sense of density and strength.

At the rear, that

spindle shape is echoed in the sheet metal around the lights. And both

of the character lines along the car’s flanks — the boomerang

shoulderline and kinked lower feature line — have been exaggerated to

create added dynamism.

The cabin of the LF-NX is designed to make

an equally strong impact. It contrasts dark grey with ‘sunrise yellow’

leather. An axe-themed centre console, topped by satin chrome, creates a

feeling of strength for both front and back-row occupants, while

switchgear has been kept to a minimum.

At the head of that console, Lexus’s familiar, mouse-like Remote Touch Interface controller has been replaced by a simpler Audi-style fingertip touchpad.

Click here for more Frankfurt motor show news.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/dramatic-lexus-lf-nx-concept-targets-range-rover-evoque

[Davrav]

Looks good if you don't like pedestrians...............

[DjRav]

And good for ploughing snow too!

Dave

[firemac]

Looks good if you don't like pedestrians...............

I tend to go with the Clarkson view: roads are for cars, footpaths are for peds......

[uniquestar]

Looks good if you don't like pedestrians...............

I tend to go with the Clarkson view: roads are for cars, footpaths are for peds......

Where do cyclists go then??

[firemac]

Looks good if you don't like pedestrians...............

I tend to go with the Clarkson view: roads are for cars, footpaths are for peds......

Where do cyclists go then??

I know where I'd like most of them to go.

However the reality is that they usually go just where they like!

[DjRav]

Looks good if you don't like pedestrians...............

I tend to go with the Clarkson view: roads are for cars, footpaths are for peds......

Where do cyclists go then??

Do cyclists pay road tax? No? Get off then!

Dave

[uniquestar]

You don't pay road tax either - you pay Vehicle Excise Duty, same as I do for my car, but when on my bike, my car is not on the road.... (And I do also hate the cyclists that give us a bad name but intentionally getting in the way and ignoring redlights & crossing)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23694438

[firemac]

You don't pay road tax either - you pay Vehicle Excise Duty, same as I do for my car, but when on my bike, my car is not on the road.... (And I do also hate the cyclists that give us a bad name but intentionally getting in the way and ignoring redlights & crossing)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23694438

That BBC article is a load of typical left-wing b0ll0*ks. It could have been written by the LCC.

It is pedantic in the extreme to suggest that a "duty" isn't a "tax". Once upon a time road tax was genuinely progressive in that it at least tried to levy the amount based on usage, e.g. HGV's paid more than cars/motorcycles.

Now however, it is punitive in that it seeks to penalise vehicles that are deemed to be not environmentally friendly (read "politically correct") using a formula of emissions that is wholly discredited. If you don't believe me then just look at the fact that motorcycles are required to pay VED despite taking up minimal roadspace, thereby contributing to reduced congestion and causing minimal damage therefore contributing little, if anything, to maintenace requirements.

VED is a tax, no matter how much the liberal elite try to convince folk otherwise.

And I don't really have any problem with cyclists not paying road tax, despite my tongue-in-cheek Clarksonism (& I have a bike and have been known to cycle myself quite often); what I think is a real problem is the fact that there is no mandatory way to identify the cycling morons who think that the law (and the need for common courtesy) doesn't apply to them.

[Plutus]

Oh dear, another who thinks the road belongs to him.

Pedestrians don't pay "road tax" but have just as much right to use it as you.

Horse riders, ditto.

I suppose you do not complain when a huge tractor holds you up.

Sorry if I or another cyclist has delayed your journey by 5 or 6 seconds.

As for cyclists breaking the law, I couldn't agree more. They should be dealt with in a way that makes sure they do not re-offend.

Do many motorists break the law?

[firemac]

Oh dear, another who thinks the road belongs to him.

Pedestrians don't pay "road tax" but have just as much right to use it as you.

Horse riders, ditto.

I suppose you do not complain when a huge tractor holds you up.

Sorry if I or another cyclist has delayed your journey by 5 or 6 seconds.

As for cyclists breaking the law, I couldn't agree more. They should be dealt with in a way that makes sure they do not re-offend.

Do many motorists break the law?

Don't know who your opening comment is aimed at but I did already point out that my initial remarks about peds was meant to be jocular.

I live in the sticks so tractors (and combine harvesters and horse-boxes and balers, etc, etc.) are somewhat daily occurances. As for horses, my daughter is an accomplished horse rider (& competitor) so I'm maybe just a little bit more conscious of horses on the highway than most.

I'm also a biker (as well as an occasional cyclist) so I tend to come across idiot car drivers, the SMIDSY brigade, on a daily basis.

None of which changes my views on road tax however.

[DjRav]

I used to pay £35 for my little Peugeot which is crazy. My Landrover is £280 which is also extreme. So common sense should balance these out!

My earlier comment was in jest btw. I also cycle occasionally and ride my horses on the road regularly!!

Dave

PS Rav Tax is £200 pa, presume same for all?

PPS Don't answer that- were off topic.....

[dave.m]

Jaguar SUV revealed in leaked photo

New Jaguar C-X17 SUV to sit on hi-tech aluminium platform; official launch at Frankfurt motor show

Image purporting to be new Jaguar SUV was revealed online

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by Hilton Holloway

2 September 2013

This is believed to be the new Jaguar SUV, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show next week.

The image, above, was leaked on to the internet on Thursday night at Carscoops. Earlier in the day another website revealed a separate detail shot of the car, which can also be seen in our gallery.

Dubbed

C-X17, Jaguar says the design study has been created to ‘introduce

Jaguar’s new, high-advanced, modular aluminum architecture’. Autocar

understands that the new architecture will be given its own brand name.

At

present Jaguar is saying little about the concept ahead of it being

revealed, but the company says that it is designed to illustrate "the

diversity of vehicles that could be produced using this architecture,

which underpins the innovative future of the Jaguar brand."

It’s

though that Jaguar the C-X17 is also intended to underline Jaguar’s

plans to eventually switch to using aluminium construction for all its

models within four years.

Even though the company has been using

its unique bonded-and-riveted aluminum construction for the XJ since

2003, insiders say that the company has failed to make enough of its

technological lead in lightweight structures.

The upcoming ‘baby’ Jaguar saloon will use this new platform, which will also be rolled out for the next-generation Jaguar XF. It is thought be flexible enough to be used on vehicles sized between 4.5 and 5m long.

Jaguar

wants to become synonymous with aluminum construction as soon as

possible because Audi’s new steel and aluminium MLB platform is due to

be launched next year under the new A4. The next-generation BMW 7-series

is also thought to be of all-aluminium construction.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/jaguar-suv-revealed-leaked-photo

[dave.m]

New Nissan X Trail -

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/new-nissan-x-trail-revealed

[firemac]

Jaguar SUV revealed in leaked photo

New Jaguar C-X17 SUV to sit on hi-tech aluminium platform; official launch at Frankfurt motor show

Image purporting to be new Jaguar SUV was revealed online

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by Hilton Holloway

2 September 2013

This is believed to be the new Jaguar SUV, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show next week.

The image, above, was leaked on to the internet on Thursday night at Carscoops. Earlier in the day another website revealed a separate detail shot of the car, which can also be seen in our gallery.

Dubbed

C-X17, Jaguar says the design study has been created to ‘introduce

Jaguar’s new, high-advanced, modular aluminum architecture’. Autocar

understands that the new architecture will be given its own brand name.

At

present Jaguar is saying little about the concept ahead of it being

revealed, but the company says that it is designed to illustrate "the

diversity of vehicles that could be produced using this architecture,

which underpins the innovative future of the Jaguar brand."

It’s

though that Jaguar the C-X17 is also intended to underline Jaguar’s

plans to eventually switch to using aluminium construction for all its

models within four years.

Even though the company has been using

its unique bonded-and-riveted aluminum construction for the XJ since

2003, insiders say that the company has failed to make enough of its

technological lead in lightweight structures.

The upcoming ‘baby’ Jaguar saloon will use this new platform, which will also be rolled out for the next-generation Jaguar XF. It is thought be flexible enough to be used on vehicles sized between 4.5 and 5m long.

Jaguar

wants to become synonymous with aluminum construction as soon as

possible because Audi’s new steel and aluminium MLB platform is due to

be launched next year under the new A4. The next-generation BMW 7-series

is also thought to be of all-aluminium construction.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/jaguar-suv-revealed-leaked-photo

Like the look of the X-Trail. Pity about all those shared Renault bits - they've really knackered Nissan's reliability, especially on their SUV's & Pick-ups.

[dave.m]

Volkswagen CrossBlue concept first drive review

The CrossBlue is, at heart, the new seven-seat SUV that Volkswagen will slot between the Tiguan and Touareg in 2015

A production version of the CrossBlue isn't due until at least 2015

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by Greg Kable

22 September 2013

What is it?

Officially still a concept, the production version of the CrossBlue isn’t set to appear until 2015 at the earliest, and it’s going to be three years at least before it makes its way to the UK.

Today,

though, we get to sample what we can expect from the CrossBlue, with a

drive of the very concept that raised eyebrows in Detroit back in

January.

The CrossBlue has been conceived and constructed as a

fully operational prototype, complete with a diesel-electric drivetrain

and lithium ion Battery pack. Yet despite the extensive engineering work

that has gone into it, the concept isn’t quite road legal, so we’re

driving it on an airstrip near Frankfurt in Germany. They’re not exactly

the surroundings that VW

had in mind when it was conceiving the big SUV, but the broad expanse

of asphalt provides a good opportunity to manoeuvre it around without

drawing attention from inquisitive onlookers.

Seeing it in

daylight for the first time reinforces the view that the CrossBlue

concept is very close to what we can expect to see in showrooms. Apart

from a few detail features – headlight graphics, mirror housings,

tail-light design – it looks ready for production. It’s big, too, riding

on a lengthened and widened version of the steel monocoque MQB

structure that is set to be used beneath the second-generation Tiguan,

due in 2015.

Stretching to 4987mm in length, 2015mm in width and

1733mm in height, the CrossBlue is a significant 562mm longer, 205mm

wider and 33mm higher than our Tiguan camera car, which looks tiny in

comparison. It is also 192mm longer, 70mm wider and 10mm lower than a Touareg, which will surely grow in its next iteration to make way for its more affordable sibling.

There

is a classless, functional appeal to the exterior design, which is

conspicuously unadorned. It has only a simple horizontal grille, taut

surfacing, fine bodyside crease lines and ultra-tight shutlines. The

silhouette is quite boxy, but the upright design provides exceptional

practicality, with large door apertures and a wide tailgate that opens

at bumper level.

The best aspect, though, is the way that it sits

on the road. With track widths of 1686mm at the front and 1696mm at the

rear, and 21-inch wheels shod with 285/45 tyres, VW’s new SUV has a

confident stance. But with only a moderate ride height, it is clearly

not intended to venture too far into the rough.

What is it like?

Step inside and you behold an appealing cabin with lots of

leather, black piano-finish fascias, glass inlays, metal highlights and

wood veneer.

It’s inviting and tremendously roomy. The design of

the high-mounted dashboard is clean and orderly and a large touchscreen

is sited high up in the line of sight. A wide console runs down the

centre of the cabin, housing a broad but stubby gear selector quite

unlike any other in a VW, an electronic parking brake and generous

cupholders.

Ahead of the driver is a flat-bottomed, multi-function

steering wheel and a contemporary instrument binnacle with main dials

that glow red or blue depending on the driving mode. It all looks bang

up to date and feasible to recreate on a large scale.

We’re not

sure yet just how much of the concept’s interior will be reflected in

the production version, but the elevated driving position provides a

commanding view of the road and overall visibility is excellent. From up

front, the new VW feels smaller than its external dimensions suggest.

The relationship between the seat, pedals, steering wheel and gear

selector is flawless and comfort is also high on the list of positives.

It is, without a doubt, the CrossBlue’s strongest attribute.

And

it gets better, with a clever combination of seating arrangements that

offer individual seating for up to seven people in a two-three-two

layout. The CrossBlue feels truly commodious from the middle pews, and

access to the third row is eased by a sliding mechanism for the second

row. Luggage capacity is put at 335 litres, rising to 812 litres with

the third row folded. Lay the second row of seats down as well and

there’s nearly 2000 litres on offer.

The length of the load area

varies between 600mm and 2230mm, with up to 3110mm available when the

front passenger seat is folded. As VW suggests, there’s enough space on

offer to fit a mattress.

The CrossBlue’s plug-in diesel-electric

powertrain, which is likely to be one of a number of engine options for

the production version, whirrs for a couple seconds before settling in

silence as we hit the starter button. The instruments dazzle, first

turning a shade of red and then bright blue, indicating that Hybrid mode

has been activated.

First impressions? The unusual-looking gear

selector needs a firm shove into Drive, the throttle pedal has a firmer

feel than is necessary and the electro-mechanical steering is overly

light. Still, this is just a concept, so you shouldn’t read too much

into the way it drives.

Our top speed is limited to just 24mph in

the interests of mechanical preservation, which is disappointing. Power

comes from a 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine supported by two electric

motors – a 54bhp one sited next to the combustion engine at the front

and a 114bhp one mounted at the rear. Together, the three power sources

provide a combined 302bhp, with a peak torque figure of 516lb ft. Energy

for the electric motors is supplied by a 9.8kWh lithium ion Battery,

which is mounted in the floor of the cargo area.

On our low-speed

runs, the hybrid system switches seamlessly from all-electric to

diesel-electric propulsion with a faint but unobtrusive growl, and

backing off sends the CrossBlue into a mechanical drag-reducing coasting

mode. The overall cohesiveness of the driveline is impressive, if not

quite up to production standards. The crisp action of the six-speed

dual-clutch automatic gearbox is also notable. The brakes are a little

over-servoed initially, but they’re manageable enough.

Volkswagen’s

computer simulations indicate a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec and a top speed

of 127mph. The hybrid drivetrain offers zero-emissions propulsion at the

push of a button, with claims of a 14-mile all-electric range at speeds

up to 75mph. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is put at 135mpg.

Should I buy one?

With global SUV sales on an ever-steeper trajectory, it is hard

to see where VW can go wrong with the production version of the

CrossBlue.

It is going to be a late starter in a hard-fought

market segment, but based on what we’ve seen so far, the new

seven-seater will have the potential to challenge established class

favourites on a number of levels.

The pricing of Volkswagen’s new

SUV, whose name remains a closely guarded secret, will be crucial.

There is talk that the base version will slot somewhere between next

year’s second-generation Tiguan and the third iteration of the Touareg,

at about £38,000. It’s late to the party – again – but Volkswagen looks

ready to make an impression on the SUV competition, even if it’s still

describing its new model as a concept.

Volkswagen CrossBlue concept

Price na; 0-62mph 7.5sec; Top speed 127mph (hybrid), 75mph (electric); Economy 135mpg; CO2 na; Kerb weight na; Engine 4-cylinders, 1968cc, turbodiesel, plus 2 electric motors; Power 302bhp (combined); 187bhp diesel; 54bhp/114bhp electric; Torque 516lb ft (combined); Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch auto; Wheels 21in, alloy; Tyres 285/45 R21

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/first-drives/volkswagen-crossblue-concept-first-drive-review

[dave.m]

New baby Jeep.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-jeep-baby-suv-2014

[anchorman]

I'd rather have a French car than an Italian car.

[dave.m]

Suzuki update

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/suzuki/sx4-s-cross/first-drives/suzuki-sx4-s-cross-16-ddis-allgrip-first-drive-review

[dave.m]

For those with deep pockets.

New Porsche Macan 4x4 - first ride

The Macan, Porsche’s new junior SUV, impresses with its road and off-road ability on a ride with its test team

Prices are expected to start at around £36,000

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by Autocar

9 October 2013 12:10am

Remember the sensational turn of events surrounding the launch of the Porsche Cayenne?

It
was shortly after the turn of the millennium, and the company whose
very existence was based upon a line of legendary sports cars was about
to do something that its boss at the time had earlier pledged would
never happen. Namely, add an SUV to its line-up.

The decision was
met with varying degrees of scepticism among loyal fans. Some even went
so far as to suggest that it marked the beginning of the end for Porsche.

A decade or so on, that controversial decision to diversify the Porsche
model range to include an SUV is now viewed as a masterstroke.
Successful beyond even the most optimistic sales predictions of the
time, the Cayenne has established itself as the fastest-selling Porsche
model of all time.

The Cayenne – worldwide sales of 77,822 last
year alone – has provided Porsche with the scope for record annual
sales, along with a solid financial foundation for further growth that
has included new halo models such as the 918 Spyder.

Inevitably,
given the profits that it has stashed away in recent years, it’s no
surprise that we now have a second Porsche SUV, the new Porsche Macan.

This
time around, though, the purists are notable for one thing only: their
silence. To be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show next month, the
Macan is slightly smaller, more keenly priced and, says Porsche, more
car-like in character than the Cayenne.

The suggestion is that it
will ultimately prove more successful than its larger sibling and, given
that it is tipped to be priced from £40,000 in the UK, this line of
thinking sounds entirely plausible. Before its public debut, though, we
have been invited to sample the new SUV on public roads during a final
validation test with its project leader, Hans-Juergen Woehler, in
California.

A size that matters

From a distance and without any other cars to reference for size, it is very easy to mistake the Macan prototypes with their Cayenne support vehicles.

The two share a common design language that remains clear, despite the light disguise worn by the prototypes that Porsche's test and engineering team has brought to North America. Love it or loathe it, you can’t deny that it is eye-catching.

One
feature that immediately raises interest is the bonnet, a clamshell
affair that features cut-outs for the headlamps and sides that wrap well
down into the flanks below the top of the front wheel arches, similar
to the Mini hatchback.It has been adopted to improve airflow within the
engine bay, according to Woehler.

Despite looking like a
scaled-down version of the Cayenne, the Macan uses quite a different
base. The Cayenne shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Touareg, the Macan with the Audi Q5.
From launch in the UK next May, Porsche intends to offer three engines
and a choice of either a standard six-speed manual or optional
seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which has been chosen over
the Cayenne’s eight-speed automatic on the grounds that it provides the
new SUV with a more sporting feel, says Woehler.

Four-wheel drive –
a Torsen torque-sensing system that apportions power with a distinct
rearward bias – is standard across the range, as are features such as
automatic stop-start and a coasting function that idles the engine on a
trailing throttle for added fuel savings.

Although Porsche
is quick to play down the engineering links between the Macan and Q5,
you don’t have to delve very far to discover that they share the same
2807mm wheelbase. Overall, the Porsche is 70mm longer, 44mm wider and
29mm lower than the Audi, which is now in its fifth 
year of production.

The
Macan’s chassis is also a development of that found in the Q5, with a
combination of multi-links front and rear. In keeping with its sporting
brief, it receives conventional steel coil springs along with adjustable
dampers and regular anti-roll bars, although the finer details are
being kept under wraps until its unveiling in late November.

Wheel
sizes start at 
17 inches and go all the way up to an optional 21-inch
design. The steering, an electro-mechanical arrangement, is described as
a Porsche development with unique components and mapping.

I jump
into the heavily contoured passenger seat of the Turbo model that is set
to lead the Macan line-up. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged version
of Porsche’s 3.6-litre V6 direct-injection petrol engine that, until
now, has been offered in naturally aspirated guise only.

The
adoption of forced induction, a complex cooling system fed by those
substantial front air ducts and other associated internal modifications
have raised output by a significant 100bhp, bumping it to 395bhp – the
same figure touted by the naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 in the
Cayenne S, no less. There is an even bigger increase in torque, which
climbs by 110lb ft to a sturdy 406lb ft. By comparison, the most
powerful Q5, the SQ5 sold in North America, uses a supercharged
3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with 354bhp and 347lb ft.

A glance
around the interior reveals similarities in materials, switches and
controls to that of the second-generation Cayenne, suggesting that
quality will be well up to levels of other recent Porsche
models. The driving position is quite sporting – more so than in the
Cayenne – with a neatly proportioned, multi-function steering wheel that
is not quite vertical and a high-set centre console. The cabin is very
spacious. There’s lots of legroom and headroom for four adults, and five
at a pinch.

Then we’re off, up the ramp of the car park and on
to the streets of Los Angeles to a secret canyon road and then farther
inland for some off-road driving later on.

Porsche is yet to
reveal any weight figures for its new model, but Woehler suggests that a
number of weight-saving measures, including the use of aluminium in the
body, will allow the Turbo to hit the scales at under 1700kg.
Nevertheless, there are sufficient reserves to provide it with more than
just brisk performance.

In lower gears, it possesses serious pace
away from the lights and truly impressive in-gear acceleration. Final
performance figures are yet to be validated. My money is on a 0-62mph
time of below 5.0sec and top speed of more than 160mph – enough to bury
the SQ5, for sure.

Impressive performance, dynamic handling

As
we hit the highway, it becomes obvious that the Turbo possesses quite
long gearing at the top of its ’box. With its optional seven-speed PDK
gearbox left in automatic mode, it rarely requires more than 2000rpm to
remain with the flow of traffic. Mechanical refinement is superb, with
only a faint growl of exhaust on part-throttle.

Together with the gutsy twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 in the initial top-of-the-line Turbo, Porsche
will offer the Macan with at least two further Audi-sourced 3.0-litre
V6 engines from the outset of UK sales. Porsche has confirmed a
supercharged petrol engine with 335bhp and 339lb ft in the Macan Sand a
common-rail turbodiesel with 254bhp and a heady 428lb ft in the Macan S
Diesel.

The Macan is also scheduled to receive a limited range of

four-cylinder engines, making it the first Porsche to do so since the
demise of the 968 in 1995. Nothing is official but, sourced from parent
company Volkswagen, a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit with 225bhp and
258lb ft and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 177bhp and 280lb ft are
likely candidates for the price-leading petrol and diesel models.

Along
with the focus on straight-line speed, Porsche’s engineering team was
tasked with endowing the Macan with what Woehler describes as “the most
dynamic handling in its class”.

What strikes me most about its
on-road characteristics, once we leave the wide boulevards of Los
Angeles behind, is its sheer agility. The Macan corners with all the
eagerness of a well sorted sporting estate, displaying sharp turn-in,
remarkably little body roll and an ability to accept lateral forces
without any discernible understeer, even at the limit. There appears to
be abundant levels of mid-corner grip, and the four-wheel drive system
ensures that there’s always loads of traction and, in combination with
the Turbo’s deep reserves of torque, terrific drive out 
of low-speed
corners.

But if you’re looking for a more definitive verdict,
you’ll have to wait until we can drive the new Porsche for ourselves.
There is no doubt that the Macan has the ability to mount a series
challenge to the BMW X3
for pure dynamic ability on the bitumen. From the passenger seat, it
displays all the dynamic hallmarks needed to make it the Cayman of the
SUV world.

And what’s really surprising is that, despite running
21-inch wheels shod with 265/45 rubber, the ride is totally acceptable.
There is a firmness to its springs, but it copes with a wide range of
irregularities – from small and medium-sized intrusions to larger
potholes and speed bumps – with a degree of suppleness that would
embarrass the Q5 on the same combination of wheels and tyres.

Like
the Cayenne, the Macan has been conceived predominantly for on-road
driving. However, Woehler is full of praise for the ability of the new
SUV in tricky off-road conditions, suggesting that it can hold its own
against every conceivable rival in the rough stuff, despite the absence
of anything as hardcore as low-range gearing.

Inevitably, it isn’t
too long before we leave the relative security of the bitumen and begin
charging down a series of narrow gravel roads in the mountains behind
Los Angeles. Despite its sporting slant and a lot of talk from engineers
about efforts to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible, the
Macan possesses greater ground clearance than the Q5.

It also has
more accommodating approach, departure and ramp angles than the Audi.
And after some serious circle work, I can assure you that the sportiness
is not only confined to on-road driving.

Has the gamble paid off?

Porsche's
ambition with the Macan was to produce an SUV that would appeal to a
wide range of customers – from school-run mothers to dyed-in-the-wool
enthusiasts and those seeking more than a modicum of off-road ability.
And in this respect, it has achieved its goal.

At least, that’s
the feeling we got after a day in the passenger seat of the Turbo
version. Its breadth of ability is quite stunning, underpinned by a
heroic engine, fantastically efficient driveline and a chassis that
appears to have been sprinkled with more than a pinch of Porsche magic.

The
exterior won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the interior is classy,
spacious and very inviting. Best of all, there is absolutely no hint of
its links with the Q5. New class king? At the moment, it looks that way.

Yoshi Kimura

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-porsche-macan-4x4-first-ride

[dave.m]

Ford to bring Mondeo-based Edge SUV to Europe

Blue Oval promises a large new SUV for its range in Europe; rumours point to a European Edge

The Edge is already on sale in the US

by Autocar

14 October 2013 10:46am

Ford will debut a new 'global SUV' at the LA motor show next month, believed to be the European Edge.

Ford recently confirmed the Edge as coming to Europe in 2014.

That would tally with the brand's model plans, as the Blue Oval sees

SUVs as a large opportunity in the UK and Europe. Sales and marketing

boss Jim Farley recently told Autocar "the expanding European SUV market

is a unique opportunity for Ford and lands right in our sweet spot."

The

European Edge is likely to use a Mondeo platform and will be its

biggest SUV in Europe, and will form the third entry in the company's

European SUV range, joining the Fiesta-based Ecosport and the Focus-based Kuga.

Any large SUV would rival the likes of the Volvo XC60 and Volkswagen Touareg in this country.

The LA Motor Show takes place in November, with a variety of world and public vehicle debuts already announced.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows/ford-bring-mondeo-based-edge-suv-europe

[firemac]

I'd rather have a French car than an Italian car.

I love Italian engines (except the Fiat Twin Air) - they always seem to have a character of their own. Uno's & Panda's are absolutely brilliant little driver's cars.

Despite all the stories about cr@p French build, my Peugeot 406 was one of the nicest cars I've owned - and 100% trouble-free.

[dave.m]

If you have REALLY deep pockets -......................................

Aston Martin Lagonda SUV plan revived

Full-size SUV planned; will be co-developed with Mercedes and carry the Aston Martin name

The Lagonda concept was originally revealed in 2009

by Andrew Frankel

15 October 2013 10:56am

Aston Martin
chairman and CEO Dr Ulrich Bez has confirmed that the company is
working to ensure a full-sized SUV that will carry the Lagonda name will
reach production.

When asked about the state of the plans first
made public with the reveal of the controversial Lagonda concept at the
Geneva show in 2009, Bez replied, ‘have we got prototypes running around
getting ready for production? No. Is it something that’s still on the
radar? Absolutely yes."

It is believed the recently announced
‘technical partnership’ between Mercedes tuning division AMG and Aston
Martin is what has provided the impetus to turn the idea of an Aston SUV
into an intention. Referring to the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne,
Bez said, “If you look at how Porsche and Volkswagen worked together to
produce two completely different cars, it would be possible to have a
similar arrangement with Mercedes so long as our car was clearly and
distinctly an Aston Martin.”

The wording is significant because
the original plan was to relaunch Lagonda as a brand on its own. Now and
partly informed by the collapse of Mercedes’ premium brand Maybach, the Lagonda name will be used, but as a model, not a marque.

“In
places where this car must sell, like China, no-one has even heard of
Lagonda,” said Bez. “We are working hard to build Aston Martin over
there so what’s the point of doing it all over again with a name no-one
knows? We can call the car Lagonda, and even put the Lagonda wings on
it, but it would be an Aston Martin Lagonda.”

With ink barely dry
on the AMG contract, no-one is talking about a possible timeframe in
which the Lagonda might appear, though it seems likely that the very
first fruits of the collaboration are a minimum of two years away.

The
most likely scenario for the Lagonda is that it would be based on the
next generation of M-class which, given Mercedes current lifecycles,
would time its arrival for some time in 2017.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aston-martin-lagonda-suv-plan-revived

[Davrav]

Looks about just enough room in the back for Kev's sandwich box...................

[silly sausage]

It will be the price of a two bedroom terrace house that will return £450.00 a month in rent against losing £450.00 in depreciation. Unless it comes with an awning, then you could live in it and save on council tax.