Watch Mike Spinelli as he drives the new Nissan Juke -R concept down in Dubai this week on Road Testament.

The Juke-R, first launched back in October, that caused some controversy among the Nissan executives, is a mashup of the Juke and the GT-R with an unusual distended body created to accommodate the advanced all-wheel-drive system, twin-clutch transmission and 3.8-litre twin-turbo 480-horsepower V6 engine.

View Mike in action in the video below:

BMW has recently announced plans to invest $900 million into their plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina for the production of the upcoming X4 crossover.

The investment will create 300 new jobs by the end of 2012, increasing production capacity to 350,000 units and became necessary in response to a growing global demand for BMW’s X-Model crossovers.

A smaller version of the X6, the X4 is being designed for the emerging compact crossover market.Although the company have not yet revealed full details about the model, it will be based on the X3, which was also built on the same plant. Expected to launch in 2014, to rival that of the Range Rover Evoque and the Porsche Cajun, the X4 will reportedly offer a variety of four- and six-cylinder engines.

Image source: Motor Authority

Ford’s chief executive officer Alan Mulally has recently revealed the automaker’s new EcoSport concept car at the 2012 Delhi Motor Show.

The eco-friendly SUV launched alongside seven other new Ford models in India by the middle of the decade. Based on Fiesta running gear, the B-platform is destined to underpin more than two million vehicles a year by 2015.

Under the hood, the vehicle is fitted with Ford’s smallest engine  - a 118bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that will churn out 120PS of max torque. A 1.5-litre diesel powerplant is to follow.

The production EcoSport is being built in South America under the One Ford strategy so while Delhi will be the first to receive the new model, sales will follow in South America, China, North America and possibly Europe at a later stage.

Image source: Top Gear

Based on the Carminat trim package, Renault has unveiled its 2012 Koleos Bose Edition, that is distinguished by faux aluminium mirrors, tinted rear windows and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The interior showcases special seat upholstery with black lacquer trim and aluminium sill plates. Of course, there is the obligatory Bose sound system that has been fitted inside the vehicle equipped with seven speakers and a subwoofer. The Bose badging on the side of the vehicle signifies the special edition.

Power is provided by a 2.0 dCi 150 engine that produces 150 PS (110 kW/148 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque. Customers will be able to choose between three power delivery configurations: six-speed manual/front-wheel drive, six-speed manual/4×4 or six-speed automatic/4×4.

The new model, that starts at a price of 29, 400 Euros in France, is expected to launch in March 2012.

Source: World Car Fans

These shots reveal Land Rover testing their new Range Rover 2012, in full camouflage, in the deserts of Dubai that is being developed at Land Rover’s global headquarters in Warwickshire, UK. These photos will put any enthusiasts at ease who may be concerned that Land Rover could be loosing their off-road focus because if there is any place that tests the toughness and resilience of an out-door vehicle its the desert.

The new Range Rover is likely to showcase all the latest in engineering from the Tata owned 4X4 specialist. The new architecture will be aluminium intensive, increased interior space, a focus on upmarket cabin appointments and a suite of upgraded V6 and V8 engines that will provide the power, with a hybrid electrified powertrain to follow.

This new Range Rover is expected to be revealed in about six months time for the UK summer of 2012.

Source: Car Magazine

The new Juke-R may be receiving positive feedback and considered one of the company’s most impressive engineering efforts in quite some time but apparently Nissan executives in the Japanese headquarters are not happy. The UK team behind the Juke-R apparently did not seek full approval before beginning to build the GT-R/Juke R hybrid. The concept may have been born in secret before the teaser videos were making their way online.

According to sources close to the company, the release and unveiling of the vehicle was a complete surprise to some of the Nissan executives who were displeased that a group of engineers in the UK had decided to take one of the company’s flagship vehicles, representing the best of Nissan, and placing it into an inexpensive, awkward looking crossover.

Watch the latest Juke-R teaser video below:

source: Auto Blog

Volvo has revealed the first sketches of the new Volvo XC90 that have been etched out by the designers. Showcased in California at Volvo’s forward-thinking Concept Centre, the sketches provide a rough idea of what the all new model will look like.

The all-new model could be launched in 2014 and will feature an ultra-low CO2 diesel-electric hybrid version as part of its line-up. Volvo has confirmed that the new Volvo XC90 will be the first production car to be built on the firm’s upcoming scalable platform architecture with a new four-cylinder-only engine range as part of the plan as well as the use of hybrid and electric powertrains.

source: Autocar

Ford’s new 2013 Escape will go on sale as the new five-seater Kuga crossover 2012 in Europe, revealed at this year’s Los Angeles Motor Show. The all-new Kuga/Escape will be Ford’s first ‘unified’ SUV and, previewed by the European designed Vertrek concept from this year’s Detroit Auto Show, takes much of its design inspiration from the 2012 Focus. The new vehicle is the latest development in Ford chief Alan Mulally’s ‘One Ford’ philosophy.

The cars are almost identical save for a few changes. In terms of styling, the grille and foglamps will change for the 2012 Kuga and there will be more chrome elements for the European models as well with minor changes to the dashboard and centre console. The Kuga’s most significant alteration will be in its 100mm increase in length improving legroom and boot space.

In terms of engines, US models will get a normally aspirated 2.5-litre engine, as well as Ford’s turbocharged 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol Ecoboost units. European versions will get Ecoboosts plus a diesel line-up.

The Kuga will also come with Ford’s updated MyFord Touch technology that includes internet connectivity, a multimedia system fully compatible with voice control and active park assist. There is also an automated tailgate that will open with a wave of a foot under the rear bumper. Stop-start technology will help to lower CO2 emissions

Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of product development says that “We call our all-new Ford Escape the ‘Smarter Utility Vehicle’ because it offers the strengths that customers today really value – fuel economy, versatility and new technology that makes driving and living with the vehicle easier and more fun – all wrapped in a sleek, more modern design.”

image source: autoblog

Mercedes has revealed its new 2012 ML 63 AMG in order to compete effectively with BMW’s M division SUVs and Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo.

The new 4X4 is installed with AMG’s new 5.5-litre V8 Biturbo engine that cranks out 518bhp and 516lb ft.  Although limited to 155mph, the ML63 will surpass 62mph in just 4.8 seconds.  It is also offered with a performance package and if selected, turbo pressure is increased from 1.0 to 1.3 bar to unleash 415kW and 760Nm, making it possibly the most powerful production SUV in the world.

With speed also comes conscientious driving as Mercedes has fitted the vehicle with a number of fuel saving technologies. There’s stop-start, the latest piezo-managed direct injection and a seven-speed auto transmission for a CO2 rating that decreases fuel consumption by 27% from its predecessor. Average economy is also trimmed with a decrease in weight of 40kg. Four-wheel drive, Airmatic air suspension with three selectable modes, adaptive dampers and a choice of 20 inch or 21 inch alloys comes standard.

The performance package also offers some special extras that include an engine cover in genuine carbon, red-painted brake callipers and the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather.

According to Mercedes’s website “The ML 63 AMG thrills with unbridled power- felt and heard with every acceleration and visible in every detail of the powerful, distinctive AMG design.”

source: car magazine

General Motors has just unveiled its next generation Chevrolet TrailBlazer for 2013 at the Dubai International Motor Show.

The new seven-seater is powered by a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine and has second and third row seats that fold down to provide a space that functions as a cargo area. The TrailBlazer combines the hauling and towing capability of a body-on-frame SUV with the comfort and efficiency of a crossover. In terms of styling, the vehicle gets a power dome in the hood, high-mounted dual projector headlamps, tri-coat pearlescent white paint and polished 20-inch aluminum wheels.

According to Brad Merkel, GM’s global vehicle line executive for midsize trucks and SUVs, TrailBlazer offers the strength, design, capability and refinement needed to compete with the world’s best off-road vehicles.

While the new model featured was purely a show vehicle, it is expected that the production version won’t stray too far from the original.

So far, GM has no plans to sell the Chevrolet in the U.S. with sales beginning in Thailand in 2012 and later continuing into other global markets still to be confirmed.

Watch the Chevrolet TrailBlazer promo video below:

source: autoblog