Yes if you were wondering, the Paris Motor Show will start early next month. More important than the date is the fact that more and more car manufacturers are teasing us with new images of their newest concepts. Here is the new MINI Crossover that may get an invitation to Paris, with a mix between the Cooper, the Clubman and some off-road styling. I always knew MINI was meant to stay mini, not biggie, so why they plan on building a crossover is not something I’m interested in.

With an overall length of over 4 meters and a 2606mm wheelbase, BMW is planning on building the new MINI crossover by 2010, with minor changes to the interior we get to see in the pictures. Would you buy one? Do you at least like it? I don’t (except for the interior)!

The new Audi Q5 made its world debut, where do you think? At the Beijing Motor Show.

I’m sure Audi knows who they are going to fight with, in the compact crossover niche, because BMW already has the X3 live, Mercedes-Benz have just announced the GLK and Volvo seems pretty active, too. Their ace up the sleeve is the sportier (elegant) looks, or at least the Germans think so.

Beautiful headlights with bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights, a large single-frame grille or those big wheels are extremely eye-catching when you take a look at the picture. I wouldn’t expect anything cheaper on the rear: taillights with LED technology or the aluminum wraparound tailgate.

The engine palette is also nice. Three choices that include two diesel versions and a petrol engine, all turbocharged:

• 2.0 TFSI that outputs 211 hp and 350 Nm torque.
  It does o to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h. Fuel consumption is 8.5L for 100 km.
• 2.0 TDI that outputs 170 hp and 350 Nm torque.
  It does o to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and has a top speed of 204 km/h. Fuel consumption is 6.7L for 100 km.
• 3.0 TDI V6 engine that outputs 240 hp and 500 Nm torque.
  It does o to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h. Fuel consumption is 7.7L for 100 km.

I really like what I see. Waiting for prices now !

Source

Renault just announced today that they will produce their first ever 4 x 4 crossover vehicle. Dubbed Renault Koleos it has a lot of “parents”: design by Renault, developed by Nissan and manufactured by Renault Busan Motors in Busan, Korea. The French company said that we’ll see it first in March at the Geneva Motor Show.

Besides being impressed with the fact that this is the first crossover from Renault, it has good specs, too. Koleos uses either 2-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive, will use a six speed manual transmission while rumors say some countries could come with an automatic, has a petrol engine that sports 175hp and two diesel engines, one has 150hp and the other one 175hp.

Renault Koleos uses the Nissan X-Trail’s suspension system.