Mercedes-Benz G-Class 6x6

G-Class 6x6  The Monster

Up until now, the best chance you'd have to get to drive this monster 6x6 AMG would be to join the Australian army, which signed a contract with Daimler in 2008 to procure 2,100 of these unstoppable desert chasers. But now Mercedes has decided - rather brilliantly - to make a civilian version, ready to order by millionaires before the end of 2013.

From the original military blueprint, it keeps six driven wheels, an off-road low-range ratio in the transfer case, portal axles, five differential locks and a tyre-inflation control system that allows the pressure in the 37-inch tyres to be adjusted in record time, on the move.

But once you climb into the cabin, there's a much less utilitarian bent. Four heated and ventilated leather armchairs, a leather-finished dash with contrast stitching, carbon-fibre trim and Alcantara slathered on the roof headlining and pillars. Pure AMG opulence. And the weirdness doesn't end there. Once you've got over the sheer size of the 6x6, it's worth noting the gigantic carbon wheelarch extensions and a pickup load area featuring an exclusive bamboo lining. Normal, this thing is not.

Did we mention it was big? At 5.85m long and 2.3m tall, it's positively huge. And fast. With the G63's 540bhp, 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8, the G63 AMG 6x6 can hit 62mph in seven seconds. And it does so with no hesitation, the 561lb ft being split in 30/40/30 (front, mid and rear axles) with the help of the familiar 7spd dual-clutch 'box. It just stomps its power to the road. Or whatever surface you happen to be on.

Ok, so the strangest product AMG has ever engineered was likely never supposed to corner like a sports car, but its relative agility is mind-blowing, especially considering that, at 3.85 tonnes, it's a VW Golf heavier than the already mighty G63 AMG.

More than that, it just will not be stopped. By anything. It has axle articulation that would make a Land Rover wince, manages 460mm of ground clearance and has a diving - sorry, fording - depth of a solid metre, 40cm more than the bodystyle it has been derived from. You can take it as read that absolute traction is never an issue, and even if you do begin to slip, you just drop the tyre pressures - independently for each axle, I might add - via switches mounted on the overhead console.

It's the best big boy's toy ever invented. Not a cheap one, though, at something over €300,000. But be honest, can you think of a better way to get your off-road kicks?

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2013 Range Rover Vogue Review

Neil Dowling road tests and reviews the new Range Rover Vogue 3.0 TDV6 with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

A decade ago fundamentalist greenies accused SUV owners of damaging the planet's climate and plundering fossil fuel reserves.

The all-alloy Vogue's versatility, perfect form and outstanding function will arrest prospective luxury-car buyers. The equipment level, the superb ride comfort and spaciousness put it above saloon cars and its performance smothers many so-called sports cars.Today, a 5m long, near-$180,000 Range Rover SUV uses the same amount of fuel as an automatic 2012 Toyota Corolla. Argument over. The Range Rover Vogue - even in its entry-level TDV6 version - may be out of financial reach for most people but nothing can deny it a place as one of 2013's most remarkable motoring exhibits.

Show it the dirt and it'll plunge through where no normal SUV would dare. It is, in fact, the motoring equivalent of Inspector Gadget - a car that is everything to all buyers. Damn shame it costs so much.

VALUE

My wife wants a Thermomix because it's one kitchen appliance that does everything so we don't have to buy five devices.

The Range Rover falls in the same category. Of course, like the Thermomix, the price is five times the price of a single-purpose appliance. So at $178,900 (plus $13,420 of options) the 3.0 TDV6 Vogue isn't cheap but can be all cars to all men. And women. The warranty is ordinary, the service costs are high-ish but fuel costs are low.

Hot features include massage and heated front and rear seats, huge sunroof ($3080 must-have option), dual-view touch screen ($1300 option) and superb audio. Your neighbours will hate you.

DESIGN

This 2013 model softly reflects the original Range Rover silhouette but does so with a bigger, more accommodating body.

There is more subtly with the styling - note the neater grille, headlights and tail lights - while 21-inch alloys ($3240 option) give power to the design. Cabin design is beautiful. Lots of leather and wood, excellent graphics and switchgear, superb seats and a wide field of driver vision.

It's also big inside with giant-size leg and headroom in the rear and an expanded cargo area that fits a mountain bike without removing its wheels. The electric tailgate, electric fold rear seats and rear-seat control panel adds icing to the cake.

TECHNOLOGY

The big news is its all-aluminium body that shaves up to 400kg off the old model. The 190kW/600Nm 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel may pale against the optional V8 diesel and Porsche's new 4.2-litre oiler, but it's the right choice for owners who don't tow heavy gear.

It's mated to an eight-speed auto that goes through a constant all-wheel drive system. Unlike most rivals, it has a low-range gearbox. The suspension is air adjustable, electric-assist steering, there's Terrain Response to electronically dial in the wagon for different off-road conditions and even stop-start to save a bit of fuel. Brilliant.

SAFETY

It's (only) a four-star crash-rated car with nine airbags, electronic stability and traction control enhanced with roll-stability and cornering brake control, cruise control (adaptive is $3240 extra), all-wheel drive and a full-size spare wheel.

DRIVING

Boat lovers will salivate over the aquatic bent of this vehicle. It moves forward like a luxury launch, cutting a fluid path and gently pitching and rolling with an unseen ocean's swell. That underbody cushioning - attributes of air suspension - and leather armchair comfort create the feeling that your loungeroom is suddenly capable of motion.

There's a cautious vagueness about this marshmallow ride but even when thrown into a corner, the wagon reacts immediately, hardening the suspension and steering so it unrelentingly follows its confident line through the bend.

The engine is quick to respond, though there are moments when it gets caught napping and the turbo fails to quickly ignite the engine. In terms of response though, it's a better engine than the optional V8 turbo-diesel that in comparison feels almost truck like.

Acceleration to 100km/h is a quick 7.9 seconds and it feels like being pushed in the back by a powerful, velvet-encased glove. It's an incredibly quiet car as well. Electronics run this wagon, from the steering to the optional adaptive cruise to the ride-height air suspension and the five-mode Terrain Response system.

In the sand and gravel this never even looked like slowing down. The low-range box, gobs of torque and diff locks sneered at sand. Pump the air suspension up to the max (from 220mm to 295mm) and while wheel travel is reduced, the wagon will clear some really big hurdles.

Towing is rated at 3500kg so it may suit a lot of holiday haulers.

VERDICT

This is a clever vehicle. Few cars come close to its flexibility while being luxurious, secure and even fun to drive.

Range Rover Vogue 3.0 TDV6

Price: from $178,900 ($192,320 tested)
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km, roadside assist
Resale: 63%
Service Interval: 12mths/26,000km
Safety: 9 airbags, ABS, ESC, EBD, TC
Crash rating: 4-star
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, 190kW/600Nm
Transmission: 8-spd auto, 2-spd transfer; constant 4WD
Thirst: 7.5L/100km; 196g/km CO2
Dimensions: 5.0m (L), 2.0m (W), 1.8m (H) WEIGHT 2160kg
Spare: Full size 

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2013 Honda Urban SUV On Detroit Motor Show

Honda has previewed plans for a new Jazz-based SUV with this Urban SUV Concept at the Detroit motor show.

Honda has already confirmed a production version, which closely follows the sleek style of this concept. It will be introduced in Japan late this year, the US in early 2014 and Europe later in 2014.

Underpinning the 4300mm-long Urban SUV Concept is the next-generation Jazz’s platform. A third generation of the standard Jazz supermini will be launched in 2014 with the new underpinnings. A saloon is also planned based on this platform and will be targeted at emerging markets.

Each of Honda’s global regions is being given autonomy to tune it to suit local conditions. Both the exterior and interior styling are also likely to differ slightly between global markets.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has previously described the global small car platform as strategically very important to Honda’s bid to boost sales from about four million units to seven million annually by 2017. He called the Jazz SUV a “younger brother” to the new CR-V.

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2013 Audi SQ5 349bhp

A petrol-engined Audi SQ5 has been unveiled at the Detroit show - but it's not coming to the UK

This is the petrol-powered version of the Audi SQ5, which has been revealed at the Detroit Motor Show. It won’t be sold in Europe, but has been built with the North American, Chinese and Russian markets in mind.

The SQ5 petrol is powered by Audi’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6, which develops 349bhp and 470Nm of torque. This is transferred to the road via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system.

Performance for the new Q5 range-topper in the US is decent, with the SQ5 sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph.

Thanks to its 650Nm of torque, the 309bhp 3.0-litre diesel Audi SQ5 sold in Europe takes 0.2 seconds less to complete the benchmark 0-62mph sprint, taking 5.1 seconds. It also hits a top speed of 155mph.

What’s more, the diesel SQ5 is more efficient, too, returning a claimed average of 41.5mpg and emitting 179g/km of CO2. The petrol car manages 33.2mpg and 199g/km respectively.

The petrol SQ5 features the same enhancements as the diesel model sold in Europe, which includes 30mm lower suspension, 20-inch alloys and plenty of gloss black trim. It will go on sale in the US in the autumn.

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2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT facelift revealed

                 The revised Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has debuted at the Detroit show

Alongside the facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee, an updated version of the performance SRT model is also on display at the firms' Detroit Motor Show stand.

It gets the same Chrysler 300C-inspred headlights as the regular Grand Cherokee but the SRT’s grille features a black background and there’s a deeper, more aggressive front bumper, too.

Power comes from the same 6.4-litre Hemi V8 as the pre-facelift car and it produces the same 464bhp figure. Now, though, Jeep has fitted launch control as standard and a new eight-speed auto has replaced the old five-speed 'box.

Jeep hasn’t released any official performance figures for the new Grand Cherokee SRT but expect to see acceleration from 0-62mph in under five seconds.

There’s no word as to when the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT will make it to the UK, but it is expected to cost around £60,000.

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2014 Jeep Compass debuts updates at Detroit auto show

                                          Engineering updates expected to improve fuel efficiency, power

The Jeep Compass compact SUV gets a light refresh for 2014, and is bowing Monday at the Detroit auto show.

The most notable change with the 2014 Compass is a switch from a CVT to a new six-speed automatic as the main transmission option. PowerTech independently developed the fully electronic transmission, designing it to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

The six-speed features a closely aligned 5.46-gear spread, which provides, according to Jeep, “nearly imperceptible shifting.” Fuel-economy numbers are not yet available.

Jeep also claims the transmission will reduce maintenance costs because it features a “fill for life” design. There is neither transmission dipstick nor transmission filter, and fluid changes are not required under normal driving conditions. Low-viscosity fluid is used to improve fuel economy by enabling quicker operating temperatures on the transmission to reduce drag on internal components.

The 2014 Jeep Compass lineup carries over from previous years with three configurations: Sport, Latitude and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system or the Freedom Drive II off-road full-time active 4x4 system with low-range capability.

Jeep Freedom Drive I 4x4 is a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system that can be used daily for low-traction, slick conditions. The system can also be locked in four-wheel drive for deep snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces. The Jeep Freedom Drive II 4x4 Off-Road package is an available four-wheel drive system that includes 17-inch all-terrain tires with aluminum wheels, a 1-inch raised ride height, a full-size spare tire, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and manual seat-height adjuster. A CVT can be mated to Freedom Drive II, returning 20 mpg city, 23 highway.

The standard powertrain option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or the optional (new) six-speed automatic transmission. It achieves 23 mpg city and 30 highway when mated to the five-speed manual.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder produces 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. It is available on all models and standard on the top Limited model. The engine features dual variable-valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize torque and produce more power, achieving better fuel economy and a smoother engine operation. This setup with a five-speed manual in two-wheel and four-wheel-drive achieves 23 mpg city and 28 highway.

Exterior upgrades are minor, but keep the Compass looking modern. The grille -- on the Latitude and Limited -- is enhanced with plated upper-grille trim and mold-in-color billet silver grille texture. Halogen headlamps now have a black inner bezel on the base Sport and Latitude models, and the Limited models have projector halogen headlamps with a black inner bezel and chrome fog lamp bezels.

The Compass features painted mirror caps, tail lamps with a new “smoked” inner bezel, a plated chrome insert on the tailgate trim, new available 18-inch aluminum wheels on Limited models and a new, chrome-plated insert with recessed “Jeep” badge on the tailgate trim for models equipped with the available rear backup camera.

Inside, the instrument cluster graphics have been updated and accents are finished in satin chrome. The top-of-the-line Limited model has a new interior trim option: Saddle brown perforated leather seating with accent stitching. The Latitude gets a new sport mesh and vinyl seat with light gray accent stitching. A Light Pebble beige trim features a new tangerine accent stitch on the seats.

About the Detroit auto show

The annual North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit auto show, has maintained its place as a barometer for the entire industry. For 2013, NAIAS takes place Jan. 14-27 and will host concept cars, green cars and supercars from all the major automakers, including what's expected to be a highlight this year: the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Detroit auto show here.

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2014Lincoln MKC concept previews 2014 crossover at Detroit auto show

Creating a design statement with a crossover isn't the easiest thing to accomplish, but Lincoln makes a serious attempt to turn heads with the stylish MKC.

The concept debuts Tuesday at the Detroit auto show, and it previews a coming crossover due in 2014 that Lincoln hopes will add sales and prestige to its historic, if stagnant, image. The utility vehicle is handsome in the bulging manner of the BMW X6, a sport ute with athletic undertones.

“You see the swelling of these muscles, but it's very subtle,” said Murat Gueler, lead designer for the concept.

The MKC features flared wheel arches, a prominent split-wing grille in front that summons the spirit of the 1930s Zephyr, and a noticeable beltline that gives shape to the sides.

The MKC rolls on 20-inch wheels mounted in Pirelli rubber all set off with polished aluminum rims. Indeed, the entire vehicle is an exercise in tasteful use of brightwork, with different materials employed to accent features inside and out. The most dramatic element of the cabin is a panoramic roof, which offers a wide view of the above. It's also enhanced with a slim dual rail running through the center of the ceiling, which adds ambient lighting.

Inside is wood, chrome and the fresh signature of Lincoln: a push-button transmission shifter mounted to the right of the steering wheel first used in the MKZ. The brand's star emblem and extensive latticework are also stitched throughout the interior.

The MKC is the first fully completed vehicle created from the reborn Lincoln design studio. The MKZ sedan was done before the studio opened.

Though the MKC has plenty of style, its purpose is all business. Ford is hoping a small utility vehicle can give it traction -- and sales -- amid tough competition both foreign and domestic. The segment is showing growth, Ford says, and the MKC is part of a product blitz that includes four new vehicles in the next four years.

Lincoln hopes to appeal to a broader range of customers and lower its customers' average age in the process. Today, its average customer is 65 years old. Brand execs hope to drop that to 57 and strengthen Lincoln's presence on the trend-setting East and West coasts. Called “brand agnostics,” Lincoln wants to target customers who don't have entrenched loyalties and are seeking a less-conspicuous luxury appearance. Lincoln sales have dipped 4 percent last year to 82,150 units.

About the Detroit auto show

The annual North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit auto show, has maintained its place as a barometer for the entire industry. For 2013, NAIAS takes place Jan. 14-27 and will host concept cars, green cars and supercars from all the major automakers, including what's expected to be a highlight this year: the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Detroit auto show here.

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2013 Volkswagen seven seat SUV revealed on Detroit Motor Show

                     

                             New Passat-based seven seat SUV will rival the Toyota Camry-based Highlander

Volkswagen’s new seven-seat SUV, aimed at providing the company with a rival for the likes of the Ford Explorer in the US, will get its first public outing at the Detroit motor show.

The new 4x4 will be positioned below the Touareg as a cheaper, more spacious offering - the Touareg makes do with five seats.

It will be based on VW’s MQB platform, which is versatile enough to be used in cars as diverse as the Polo and this new SUV, and will be built in the US at the firm’s Tennessee plant.

Large, affordable seven seat SUVS are an important part of the new car industry in the US. Honda’s Pilot, the Explorer and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee all cost from around $30,000, and VW will want to price its new vehicle competitively.

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2013 Land Rover considering new crossover

Land Rover insiders have confirmed that the company is considering a new ‘white space’ concept — a model that would push it into new sales territory should the car make production.

The model is understood to be a new crossover below the Range Rover Evoque that design director Gerry McGovern is keen to pursue.

Besides being a new offering, this car is said to explore a new design language. It also features undisclosed new technologies that are likely to significantly improve powertrain efficiency and reduce weight.

Land Rover’s challenge, however, will be to source a shared platform enabling this cheaper car to be both feasible and profitable. For JaguarLand Rover to develop a new premium compact platform on its own would almost certainly be too costly and resource-greedy, even if Jaguar also used it.

The visual flavour of the new model could be derived from the DC100 next Defender concept, which Land Rover says has been very well received. That would produce a bold, chunkily clean-cut look offered by no rival.

Giving it Range Rover sub-branding seems unlikely, the car instead supplementing the Freelander and Discovery, which are being redesigned as more sophisticated leisure market offerings.

The new model’s concept has been arrived at using the same market research and creative techniques that yielded the LRX concept car, another white space concept that made production as the Range Rover Evoque.

There’s no confirmation of when this compact crossover could appear, but when it does it will almost certainly be as a motor show concept, possibly within two years.

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Volkswagen Adds R-Line Trim to 2014 Tiguan and Touareg Models [2013 Detroit Auto Show]

Volkswagen has gotten into the habit lately of adding a little visual zest to its lineup without piling on more ponies. Throughout the past year, VW has introduced the stylish R-Line trim to both its Beetleand its CC. At this year’s Detroit auto show, the brand is debuting the same treatment for the Tiguanand the Touareg.

The Tiguan R-Line builds off the SEL model and can be had with front-wheel drive or 4MOTION all-wheel drive, with power arriving from the VW Group’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbo four. R-Line Tiguans ride on 19-inch aluminum wheels with low-profile all-season tires and a sport-tuned suspension. Spotter’s-guide exterior additions include chrome-trimmed body-color side skirts, add-on fender flares, a specific rear spoiler, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, and the requisite R-Line grille badge. Climb into an R-Line Tiguan and notable additions to be found include a new scuff plate, aluminum pedals, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, metallic-finish trim on the dash and door, and a black headliner. Sounds will stream from a 400-watt, eight-speaker-plus-subwoofer Fender audio system.

The Touareg R-Line makes use of the Lux trim level, and it provides a choice in engine: the 333-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 or, for diesel fans, the 225-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel. Both come with an eight-speed automatic, standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive, and sport suspension. This R-Line runs on 20-inch aluminum wheels and the exterior eye candy includes a new lower front facia, side skirts, LED taillights, oval exhaust tips and, of course, the critical R-Line badging. Interior upgrades include shiny black– and aluminum trim for the doors, center console, and dash; as well as an R-Line flat-bottom steering wheel; aluminum sport pedals; and stainless-steel scuff plates.

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2013 Renault Captur revealed

Pictures and details of the Renault Captur SUV, ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show

These are the first official pictures of the production version of the Renault Captur SUV. First previewed by the Captur concept, which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011, the finished Captur SUV will make its public debut at this year’s Geneva show.

The Captur is built on the same platform that underpins the latest Renault Clio and the Nissan Juke. It measures 4,120mm long, making it longer than the 3,986mm Clio but slightly shorter than the 4,135mm Juke.

Designed under the supervision of Renault’s styling boss Laurens Van den Acker, the Captur is described by Renault’s small car product boss, Benoit Bochard, as a “compact, unaggressive crossover which is particularly user-friendly”.

Featuring a two-tone exterior as standard, the Captur follows the design themes established by the new Clio, with swept-back headlights, a huge Renault badge on the car's nose and sculpted sides. At the rear, its stubby tail and upswept C-pillar helps make the Captur look more dynamic than a Juke - and arguably more attractive - while the flared wheelarches further add to its sporty stance. 

Renault claims that the Captur is designed to feel like an MPV inside, featuring lots of space, a high driving position and a big boot. All models will come well-equipped, too, with keyless entry, hill start assist and parking sensors fitted as standard.

Buyers will also be able to opt for the Renault R-Link system, which adds a touchscreen media tablet to control infotainment functions, Bluetooth and a six-speaker stereo.

The petrol and diesel engine range will be carried over from the Clio, with the headline figure being a diesel model which will return CO2 emissions figures of just 96g/km – 2g/km more than the cleanest Clio but far less than the Juke 1.5 dCi, which emits 129g/km.

The Renault Captur will be built at Renault’s Valladolid plant in Spain, and goes on sale in the UK in June priced from around £13,000.

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Range Rover Evoque limited edition

Land Rover has revealed the new Sicilian Yellow Limited Edition Evoque

Land Rover has revealed the eye-popping new limited-edition Range Rover Evoque Sicilian Yellow at the Brussels Motor Show.

Available in either three or five-door bodystyles, the Evoque Sicilian Yellow Limited Edition is offered with a Sicilian Yellow body and Santorini Black roof, or a black body and yellow roof.

Based on the Evoque Dynamic trim, the limited-edition model is sold with a choice of two 2.2-litre diesels – with 187bhp or 148bhp – and one turbocharged petrol engine producing 237bhp.

The high-power diesel Evoque is available with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearboxes, and comes with four-wheel drive, while the most efficient Sicilian Yellow Limited Edition is the front-wheel-drive 148bhp eD4 model, which emits 129g/km of CO2. The petrol engined Evoque is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.

The limited-edition Evoque also debuts the new Black Design Pack – to be offered on all Dynamic-spec Evoques from April – which includes a rear spoiler, tinted headlights and foglamps, black Range Rover lettering and clear tail-lamps. The special also gets black bumper sections, dark exhaust finishers and 20-inch gloss black wheels.

Order books are open now for first deliveries in May, with prices set to start from around £44,000. This is £4,000 more than the asking price of the cheapest Range Rover Evoque five-door Dynamic model, which starts at £38,795.

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2013 Audi A5, A7 Sportback models make room for five

Audi Australia has announced a practicality boost for the Audi A5 Sportback and A7 Sportback models for 2013, making the versatility of a fifth seat now standard across both vehicle ranges.

The revised interior layout for both the Audi A5 Sportback and A7 Sportback headlines a list of updates for the 2013 model year. The A5 now includes a memory function for the driver’s seat and electric mirrors with heating, memory, auto dimming, reversing auto-dip and folding functions as standard. The A7 benefits from gains in engine performance, with the 3.0 TFSI petrol upped 8kW to 228kW and the 3.0 TDI diesel – now standard with an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission – bumped up 80Nm to 580Nm.

Prices for both variants of the Audi A7 Sportback have also been reduced for the new year with the diesel now starting at $135,750 (a saving of $7000) and the petrol at $143,800 ($3500 less).

Audi says the new pricing structure allows for the introduction of the A7 3.0 TDI Biturbo model – due to arrive next month accompanied by the Audi A6 3.0 TDI Biturbo - with an anticipated starting price around $160,000.

2013 Audi A5 and A7 Sportback manufacturer’s list prices:

• A5 Sportback 1.8 TFSI – $66,900
• A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI – $68,700
• A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic – $83,200
• A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro manual – $80,900
• A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic – $95,900
• A5 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic – $100,300

• A7 Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro – $143,800 (-$3500)
• A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro – $135,750 (-$7000)

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2014 Audi SQ5

We’re guilty of frequently complaining about the U.S. market not getting the coolest of automakers’ offerings or the same seemingly endless powertrain options that the rest of the world—especially you, Europe—is regularly afforded. German manufacturers, in particular, offer a much wider portfolio of vehicles in their home market. But the saying goes that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Take the Audi SQ5 TDI, for example. In Europe, the crossover is powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel that produces 313 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. It’s impressive and we want, but cannot have, one. But at the 2013 Detroit auto show, Audi is debuting another SQ5. This one will be available on U.S. shores, it consumes gasoline rather than diesel, and is propelled by the brand’s most powerful supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 yet.

A lesser version of this V-6 is available in the standard Q5, where it produces 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. In fact, every 3.0-liter V-6 in Audi’s lineup could be considered lesser than what’s under the hood of the SQ5. Here, the mill serves up 354 hp and 347 lb-ft. (That’s 21-hp more than the same engine makes in the S4 and the S5.) Thanks to those increases in output, Audi says that the SQ5 will get from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph. By contrast, Audi says the plebeian Q5 3.0T takes 6.0 seconds to reach 60 mph, and it’s limited to 130 mph. Audi claims a combined fuel-economy number of 21 mpg, which is the same as the combined EPA estimate for the standard Q5 3.0T. That number is likely a result of the optimistic European testing cycle. EPA estimates should become available closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date.

Like all other Q5 models offered in the U.S., the new SQ5 uses a ZF-sourced eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and power is transmitted to all four wheels. The suspension is lowered by 1.2 inches and fitted with firmer springs and shock absorbers. Twenty-inch wheels fitted with 255/45 tires—an option on the Q5 3.0T—are standard on the SQ5, while 21-inch wheels on series-40 rubber are offered as an option and are exclusive to the S model. If the European-market diesel-powered SQ5 is anything to go by, roadholding grip should be spectacular.

There are a few stylistic changes to set the SQ5 apart from the rest of the lineup. Most notably, Audi has added a glossy grille with dual horizontal bars, much like on Audi's other S models; SQ5 badges on the front brake calipers; the trademark aluminum-look mirror caps; and there are two exclusive colors, Panther Black and Estoril Blue. The latter does steal its name from a traditional and eternally cool BMW M color, but the color itself is unique: Audi's Estoril Blue is a glossy, dark shade with a hint of violet, much richer than BMW's lighter, vintage-looking Estoril Blue.

European markets may get their diesel-drinking SQ5, but the model bound for U.S. showrooms this summer remains true to the original Q5 Custom concept that launched at the GTI festival in Wörthersee, Austria, in 2009. That crossover, the inspiration for all SQ and upcoming RSQ vehicles, was powered by the same supercharged V-6 as is our SQ5, although it was tuned to produce 408 hp. While we quietly wonder why we couldn’t have the full power of the concept that begot the 2014 SQ5, we’ll emphatically applaud its introduction with Audi’s most powerful 3.0T yet—and that it’s available in the U.S.

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2013 New Nissan Qashqai 360 unveiled

Nissan phases out n-tec+ trim level of big-selling crossover and replaces it with a new, higher-specification 360 variant

The new Nissan Qashqai 360, unveiled today, will become the UK's best-selling version in the smash-hit crossover's range, according to the Japanese manufacturer.

As the first-generation Nissan Qashqai enters the final stretch of its production cycle before a new version arrives in 2014, the new Qashqai 360 variant replaces the outgoing n-tec+ model and sits between the mid-spec Acenta and top-level Tekna trims.

The n-tec+ trim level accounted for about 60 per cent of all Qashqai sales in the UK last year, and Nissan expects the new variant to carry on that trend, because it offers a higher specification for the same £19,945 starting price.

Like the n-tec+, the Qashqai 360 features Nissan's Connect with 360-degree monitor system, which integrates satnav with Bluetooth and smartphone connectivity along with four cameras to offer a 'helicopter view' when parking. Standard equipment also includes 18in alloys, rear privacy glass and a panoramic roof.

On top of that is a range of style-led additions including part-leather trim, a gloss black gearlever surround, gloss black doorhandles and a leather armrest. The exterior gets gloss black roof rails, door mirrors and '360' badging.

A new pearlescent paint, called Storm White, has been added to the colour range and is available for the same price as metallic paint as a £500 option.

The 360 trim level is available across all engine and transmission variants and can be specified on both the five-seat Qashqai and the seven-seat Qashqai+2.

The Qashqai 360 is on sale now and prices start at £19,945 for the two-wheel-drive, 116bhp 1.6-litre petrol version.

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