Crossover
Rumor: Rolls-Royce Considering a Crossover
Not so long ago, Rolls-Royce executives dismissed the possibility of creating a crossover that would be adorned with the Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood. Now, after watching other exclusive marques like Bentley and Lamborghini prepare similar vehicles for launch within the next two to three years, it appears Rolls-Royce may now see a case for a $200,000 crossover, as CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes now says such a vehicle is currently being seriously considered.
Base Versus Loaded: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Five-Door
Until then, though, let’s take a deeper dive into the smallest vehicle to wear the Range Rover badge, the Evoque. The Evoque is available in three different trims: Pure, Prestige, and Dynamic. Pure represents the base (but still amazingly well-equipped) model, while Prestige is the luxury oriented offering and Dynamic has a sportier lean. Both the Prestige and Dynamic are strikingly similar, except for a few very minor areas. Still, the Prestige is slightly more expensive to start (by about $900), while the Dynamic is pricier overall.
Driven: 2012 Cadillac SRX
If you ever needed proof that crossovers are the next big thing in luxury, than here it is: as of 2010 the crossover segment constitutes almost 25 percent of the sales of the luxury market. It should come as no surprise then, that every manufacturer that styles itself with luxury pretensions currently offers a car-based, tall wagon loaded with tech and comfort features for the affluent buyer.
Driven: 2011 Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer helped to start the SUV trend way back in 1990, and along the way it has gone from sales leader, to public disgrace, to also-ran SUV. It has sold in the millions and has been exported to over 90 different countries in its lifetime. With 96 percent nameplate recognition, the only Ford products that are more well known are the Mustang and the F-150, both of which have been on sale continuously for 26 and 42 more years, respectively. To say the Explorer is important to Ford’s business plan is an understatement of mammoth proportions.
Driven: 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R
Coming right on the heels of our drive of the Legacy GT, we found it fascinating to experience the transformation of the Legacy’s driving dynamics through seemingly modest changes. In short, by raising the car about 3.5 inches, retuning the suspension and switching from a manual/turbo four to an automatic/normally aspirated six, this feels like a completely different car. Those of you with a penchant for saying “because car X uses the same platform as car Y, we know Z” should drive these cars back to back. If you were honest, you’d drop the platform bigotry in a flash.
First Look: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Gets More Power, Better Fuel Economy
Hyundai’s Santa Fe crossover is only due for its mid-cycle refresh this year, but that doesn’t just mean touch-ups to the front six inches and rear six inches of the vehicle. Instead, Hyundai is making good on its promise to increase fuel efficiency across its lineup, and the Santa Fe will receive two new engines for the 2010 model year, as well as some other interior upgrades.
Driven: 2010 BMW X5M
If a nonsensical vehicle like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S tickles your fancy, you may want to leave space on your bedroom wall for another drool-worthy pinup. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the BMW X5M. It has 555 horsepower, it runs a tuned version of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, and it costs $85,400—that’s a whopping $40,900 less than the starting price of Madam Cayenne. And if you immediately think to yourself, “Well, clearly this is because the Porsche is a superior vehicle,” you’ll want to think again. The X5M is as good to drive as it is unnecessary to own.
First Look: 2010 Hyundai Tucson
The previous-generation Tucson, while trusty and capable, looked rather odd and never really separated itself from the more popular Kia Sportage that it shared (everything) with. This all changes for 2010, though. The new Tucson is more powerful, more economical, and much more appealing on the eyes.
Mitsubishi Previews Pint-Sized RVR Crossover, Confirms Sales For North America
Mitsubishi has announced that it will begin production of a new small crossover, dubbed RVR, which will go on sale next spring in Japan. And while we’re very accustomed to the idea of Mitsubishi releasing JDM-only products, the three-diamond folks have confirmed that this little cutie will be coming to North America at some point next year.
Driven: 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo
During our drive through the woodsy, hilly roads of southern New York and northern New Jersey, there was one question that kept cropping up during every conversation about the new BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo: “What is this thing?”
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