Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Concept Cars, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

The Chevy Orlando, due to be revealed at next month’s Paris Motor Show, has turned tail and the rendering doesn’t look half-bad. It’s mildly reminiscent of the Audi A2 from way back when, in an exaggerated, chunked-up way, and we get a little Volvo feeling from the sculpted area of the rear lights. Overall, we give it a thumbs up.

The Orlando is a compact seven-seater, and the dip in the rear roofline means that those last to occupants might need to be especially compact. However, the intended audience is probably not the local WNBA team, so the kids should fit just fine. With a hot front and rear, and an interior that nearly qualifies as dreamy, this is the kind of thing we’re looking forward to checking out in the flesh. Stay tuned for Paris…

[Source: GM]

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Volvo

Click the image above for a full sized galllery.

Volvo introduced the XC60 concept last night here at the Detroit Auto Show as a way to appeal to the thirtysomething loft-dwelling crowd (drawing on the momentum of the C30, no doubt), and the Swedes also want to make a design statement in the process. “If today you can see that it’s a Volvo from 50 meters, I want to make that figure twice as big” says Volvo chief designer Steve Mattin, the XC60 accomplishes this via a strongly-stated grille and slanted headlamps that will make their way onto other future Volvos. Other notable exterior features include a rear tailgate that can be lifted independently of the rear hatch (allowing the loading of small cargo with minimum hassle) and a transparent roof panel.

More impressions and a press release can be found after the jump.

For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: Volvo debuts the oh-so-Swedish XC60

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs

America has become the Land of the Crossover, and if Alfa Romeo wants to succeed here when it returns to the US market in 2009, it will need a CUV with which to combat the competition. Fortunately, last November Alfa revealed that it will be launching just such a vehicle to coincide with the Italian marque’s sailing the ocean blue.

Called the CXover, Alfa’s crossover will feature styling closely modeled after the Kamal concept unveiled at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Combining coupe-like styling with SUV proportions, surfacing reports suggest that the CXover will be offered in a three-door configuration in addition to conventional five-door bodystyles. This illustration (click through to Motor Authority to see the whole thing) gives a pretty good preview of what the former could look like.

Based on the platform from the 159 and upcoming 169 sedans, the CXover will offer - in foreign markets, at least - a range of engines including a 2.2-liter inline-four, a five-cylinder turbodiesel and, to top off the range, the 3.2L 24v V6 co-developed with GM, only tuned in-house for 250 horsepower and a distinctively Alfa Romeo exhaust note. All-wheel-drive is expected to come as an option over standard front-drive. Alfa confirmed the vehicle will measure 4.6 meters in length, with versions selling for €28,000-45,000. Styling promises to be as awe-inducing as Alfa’s dramatic 159 and Brera, and if the driving dynamics are better, the venerated Italian marque just might have a winner on its hands for its grand re-emergence in the American market.

[Source: Motor Authority]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford

For those Ford Edge owners who have been wondering what to wear with their new CUVs, Ford has teamed with Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik “The Dominator” Hasek on a range of Edge-branded apparel. Aimed at active women and available through Dominator Clothing’s online store and it’s Birmingham, Michigan outlet, the promise of “High performance edge from zip to zen” awaits all takers. The discretely-branded line features three tops, a pair of pants, and a kit bag, all in the Edge color palette, with prices ranging from $30 for the domitech v-tee to $80 for the panel jacket. Each piece also sports a Ford Bold Moves label, just to let everyone know you mean business.

Ford describes the Edge as “A dynamic, modern shape with the right proportions and short overhangs.” If you want your clothing to say the same about you, follow the link.

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Cadillac, GM, Rumormill

MotorTrend reports that GM insiders are saying that the next-generation Cadillac Escalade will jump from its current GMT900 truck platform to the Lambda crossover architecture that underpins the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave, and Chevy Traverse. MT points to the Buick Enclave Super that didn’t happen as evidence that an Escalambda would be able to handle an eight-cylinder engine, which would be a step up from the rest of El Generalissimo’s increasingly-crowded crossover lineup. Edgier, CTS-like styling would likely be a given, too.

Frankly, this is a good idea. The packaging afforded by the Lambda platform is vastly superior to what the GMT900 trucks offer. Remember that in the latter, the 3rd row is bolted to the cargo floor, it doesn’t fold flat, and it’s generally uncomfortable. The Lambda solves that instantly, and is better suited for what’s positioned as a luxury vehicle anyway. Ride quality would be much better, and if GM Design were to deliver an interior on par with what’s now found in the CTS, a Lambda-based Escalade would probably represent a quantum leap forward in terms of styling and refinement over the current vehicle.

As for the Avalanche-based Escalade EXT, MT says that GM’s mulling over the idea of moving to a unibody pickup, a la the Zeta-based GMC Denali XT concept, to replace both of those vehicles. Again, not a bad idea, especially for Cadillac. The downside is that owners of the current vehicles who use them to tow will likely need to look elsewhere to fill that need. Still, if Cadillac’s gig is to sell legit luxury vehicles, moving to more car-like platforms makes all kinds of sense. It’s going to be really interesting to see if any of this stuff actually pans out.

[Source: MotorTrend]

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