Thursday, November 5, 2009
volvo xc70
The Volvo XC70 is the go-anywhere toughened up version of the V70, with all the V70's practicalities, married to a slightly raised ground clearance, four wheel drive, hill descent control and a meaty looking off road body kit. Despite these additions the car is not a full 4x4 off roader, so don't expect mountain climbing ability, but a rugged farm track, or towing a trailer through a muddy field should be all in a days work.the XC70 sells in limited numbers, but has a cult following, and very few natural competitors - only the Audi Allroad (based on the A6) and the Subaru Forester can count themselves as true rivals, with most customers either opting for a traditional estate or a 'proper' 4x4. To match the limited numbers, Volvo only produces the XC70 with 2 different engines - either the evergreen 2.4 D5 diesel with 185bhp or the new 3.2 litre 6 cylinder petrol model. The D5 is a solid engine with decent power, but is starting to show its age, and can be a little gruff, but will still be the most popular choice due to the 40 mpg+ fuel consumption.
Volvo xc90
The XC90 is Volvo's Flagship model, and a semi-premium 4x4 offering to compete against the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes M Class off roaders. Available with a range of 3 engines, a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder petrol thats powerful and smooth, likes to rev but is thirsty with it, an even more powerful 4.4 petrol V8, primarily built for the American market, and the ever popular 2.4 D5 diesel with 185 bhp, which is available in all volvo carson sale in the UK today. In this application, the performance of the motor is gruff, and only just enough to pull the weight of the rather heavy XC90, but compared to the other powerplants, is vastly more frugal, averaging low 30's mpg.
Styling wise the Volvo xc90 comes across as graceful, without some of the overdone aggression built in to many 4x4's, suggesting rightly, along with the 7 seats that this is to be a family car, with a high proportion of female drivers. The cabin is built solidly and to a high quality, if maybe lacking a little of the style of some of its German rivals. It's spacious, with plenty of head and legroom in the first two rows of seats, however the back two seats are best left for kids, with limited legroom.
Styling wise the Volvo xc90 comes across as graceful, without some of the overdone aggression built in to many 4x4's, suggesting rightly, along with the 7 seats that this is to be a family car, with a high proportion of female drivers. The cabin is built solidly and to a high quality, if maybe lacking a little of the style of some of its German rivals. It's spacious, with plenty of head and legroom in the first two rows of seats, however the back two seats are best left for kids, with limited legroom.
New Jaguar XF Station Wagon to appear in September Show?
More rumours are circulating on the net regarding Jaguar possibly launching a station wagon (or Estate as the UK like to call it) version of the fantastic XF model.
The Image above is a photoshop job unfortunately but it's a very good effort, ans shows just how an XF station wagon could look. The image is taken from Auto Express magazine who have a varying reputation for their "scoops" -some extremely accurate, some less so - but we like this one so we thought we'd show it - you can find a link to the original article below.
It runs along the lines that the only other station wagon version of a Jaguar ever launched - the X-Type, was more of a lifestyle car rather than a true load lugger, and it's expected that the XF would follow the same thinking, and have similar space to say a BMW 5 series rather than the more spacious Audi A6 Avant.
Rumours suggest Jaguar could show this car at the Frankfurt motor show in Germany in September, but with the new Jaguar XJ so close to launch, it may be doubtful that Jaguar would show 2 new products at the same show, so the XF Station Wagon may have to wait until next year. With sales of big SUV's dropping in the US, this has prompted many buyers back into station wagon models, which may be what has prompted Jaguar to look again at this model.
The Image above is a photoshop job unfortunately but it's a very good effort, ans shows just how an XF station wagon could look. The image is taken from Auto Express magazine who have a varying reputation for their "scoops" -some extremely accurate, some less so - but we like this one so we thought we'd show it - you can find a link to the original article below.
It runs along the lines that the only other station wagon version of a Jaguar ever launched - the X-Type, was more of a lifestyle car rather than a true load lugger, and it's expected that the XF would follow the same thinking, and have similar space to say a BMW 5 series rather than the more spacious Audi A6 Avant.
Rumours suggest Jaguar could show this car at the Frankfurt motor show in Germany in September, but with the new Jaguar XJ so close to launch, it may be doubtful that Jaguar would show 2 new products at the same show, so the XF Station Wagon may have to wait until next year. With sales of big SUV's dropping in the US, this has prompted many buyers back into station wagon models, which may be what has prompted Jaguar to look again at this model.
new jaguar xj teaser
Jaguar has started the countdown to the launch of the all new aluminium XJ model, by releasing this teaser shot of the car - see above. Jaguar is expected to bring us a few more pictures from obscure angles before the car is revealed properly in London on the 9th July.
From the picture, we can see that the XJ will abandon many of its current 60's styling cues and go for a look much closer to the incredibly successful XF model. It should have a much wider grille than the current XF and the headlights will be much sleeker units more akin to those seen on the C-XF concept.
The roofline will be a flowing curvy affair, with the option of a full length panoramic glass sunroof letting plenty of light into what will be a very advanced interior, again taking XF styling and stretching it further, and the rear c-pillars look to be very narrow, with the majority of the metal hidden behind blacked out glass.
From the picture, we can see that the XJ will abandon many of its current 60's styling cues and go for a look much closer to the incredibly successful XF model. It should have a much wider grille than the current XF and the headlights will be much sleeker units more akin to those seen on the C-XF concept.
The roofline will be a flowing curvy affair, with the option of a full length panoramic glass sunroof letting plenty of light into what will be a very advanced interior, again taking XF styling and stretching it further, and the rear c-pillars look to be very narrow, with the majority of the metal hidden behind blacked out glass.
new york auto show
Well, the 2009 Auto Show is on and we went, sat, talked, ate, oggled at Jill and honestly came back less than impressed. It makes total sense that the 2009 NY Auto Show be somewhat low-key, but come on! While we could go on about this, we did find some bits to get excited about
time to make new category
Not that we care all that much for Trucks* but what the hell is Chrysler thinking? A brand just around the RAM trucks? It's not like these things have been selling like hotcakes... so WTF?
Is Chrysler going to spin off the Challenger, too? Oh, look, the Challenger brand is up 100% (when they sell their second car).
Seriously, we almost started the WTF category when Penske was going to buy Saturn but we scrapped it when Penske scrapped their plans. We decided we'll move ahead with the WTF category if Konenenishooterglavenberg makes the Saab purchase official, but now we're wondering if we should do it now.
Mini milano
Keeping up with the Joneses gets tougher in September, when the 480-hp 911 TurboCabriolet goes on sale. The seats are covered with hand-stitched leather, and high-tech features borrowed from racing include a rear spoiler that automatically extends at speeds over 75 mph. The Cabriolet has the same 3.6-liter, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged boxer engine found in the 911 Turbo Coupe. The manual transmission version goes from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 3.8 seconds; top speed is 193 mph.
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