Good news just came our way from Eastern Europe where the folks from Dacia (part of the Renault group, as you already know) have finally taken the wraps off of their latest model, the new Dacia Duster SUV. Sold as both a 4×2 and 4×4, and billed as one of the most affordable and frugal SUVs in the market, Dacia Duster is more of a conventional SUV that measures 4.31 meters long and 1.82 meters wide. Powered by either the 85- and 105-hp dCi diesel units, or the 1.6-liter 16V 110-horsepower petrol engine, Dacia’s first ever SUV is expected to go on sale in Europe in spring 2010, with other markets like Algeria, Morocco, and Turkey shortly after. The Middle East, Ukraine, parts of Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the Persian Gulf States and Russia might as well get their hands on a Duster but it’s going to be badged as a Renault for sure.

Toyota reportedly has a Prius sports wagon or SUV in works, according to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri . The SUV has been rumored to be on paper ever since the Toyota Hybrid X Concept was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. There’s not much going on for now in terms of official details, but we’ll have to speculate that the new models will incorporate a regenerative braking system or a solar roof option. More to it, a plug-in version is also rumored to be in the works, but given the fact that Toyota has failed to comment on any of these, we can only assume that next years motor shows in Europe and in Detroit, in the US, will shred some light. [via Edmunds]

note: image of a Toyota Hybrid X Concept

The 2010 Kia Sorento will have a new addition under the hood which is the 2.2L turbo diesel unit which produces 197hp at 421Nm of torque. The transmission is a choice for you to make between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic option. Gadgets on the menu will include an engine start button, keyless entry with an in-mirror reverse camera. The overall weight of the Sorento has also been decreased by 215 kg thanks to the redesigned body which also facilitates an improved fuel economy and a better controlled ride.

Saab are famous for mixing amazing technologies with sytlish shapes and curves, but the new Saab 9-3X is much more than that. Expected to hit the floor in Geneva next month, the lifestyle vehicle is directly competing with Audi’s Allroad, Subaru’s Outback or Volvo’s XC70. With options of a a 2.0-litre petrol turbo with 210hp or a 1.9-litre TTiD turbo diesel worth 180hp, the new Saab 9-3X uses a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, runs on 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels an features a set of dark grey rear bumpers and side arches for protection. We’d definitely love a closer look, but we’ll have to wait for a whole month to learn more.

In most parts of the world, winter has arrived and snow is already present and causing problems. However driving a Mercedes GL-Class could really change it. It looks powerful and to be honest, it is, so before you decide if you’re going to buy one of these muscle cars, we’ve just heard that it’s going to get a minor facelift. Front headlamps will uses LEDs for day driving and full LEDs for the rear lighting, features newly shaped air intakes, new front and rear bumpers, and some interesting exhaust pipes. Doesn’t look like a bad option if you can afford it. Check out the pics below for more details. – via

Take the 3.0-litre V6 CRDi turbo diesel engine that outputs 240 hp and 451 Nm of torque on Hyundai’s first six-speed automatic transmission, doing 0 to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds. With a top speed of 200km/h don’t expect to consume less than 9.4l/ 100km (combined cycle). One last thing that may get you interested is the returned suspension that offers better handling and maneuverability.

Like it ?

“The car is very, very important for us as it’s the first demonstration of the new strategy that was announced at Geneva,” says SsangYong UK managing director Paul Williams.

I really like the way it came out. Looks big and aggressive.

It was about time to get some full specs on the new Mercedes-Benz GLK and to many people’s surprise it’s actually shorter than the 7-seat GL-Class. It  measures 4.528 mm in length, 1.840 mm width and 1.689 mm height which makes it a great compact SUV that fights head to head with the likes of BMW X3, Audi Q5 or Volvo XC60.

As an incentive Mercedes will offer the Edition 1 model with 20-inch wheels, privacy glass, black-white nappa leather on the sporty interior, EASY-PACK tailgate, AMG leather steering wheel, aluminum trim, black roof lining and Comand APS System.

The first specs I’ve been able to read these days are summarized below:

Dacia officials just announced today that they are preparing for the first SUV in their history to compete with Korean rivals Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, with price its main argument. Jaques Daniel with Dacia said that the company will release the SUV by the end of 2009 and it will be built on the Logan version we know.

Rumors also say that it may also be built on the Dacia Logan MCV version that could use Renault Kandoo technology and 4 x 4, but this may not be that cheap as opposed to using the Nissan Qashqai platform.

ProMotor Romania

I’m not sure if you’re as excited as I am with XC60, but all those lines and the beauty mixed with the sporty looks make me believe that this is going to be a success for Volvo. Do you like it?

The car will come with a DOHC 3.2 liter inline-6 derived engine, comes with standard front wheel drive but gives the option of all wheel drive, goes on sale late fall this year in Europe and early 2009 in the US.

The main competitors are BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK and Acura RDX. Here are two more pictures.

AutoExpress

Not that there aren’t enough concepts on the market right now but this one deserves attention, Ford Explorer America Concept, the fuel-efficient SUV with 20-30% improvement. In the United States, Explorer is the top-selling SUV with more than 400,000 units sold each year.

The perception in America has changed for the last few years. A good car is one that can increase the mpg and Jim Farley, Ford’s VP of Marketing and Communications said that “Customers are smart. They value vehicles – the more efficient, the better”. It all depends on the engine you choose and Ford has a few to offer:

• 4-cylinder 2-liter engine with EcoBoost that can deliver 275hp and 280 lb/ft of torque
• 3.5-liter V6 engine that boosts 340hp

There are a few other things that will reduce the fuel consumption like changing from body-on-frame to unibody construction that will reduce weight and better dynamics, 6-speed transmission with auto-control or the fuel saving electric power assisted steering (EPAS).

Here are a few more pictures of the new Ford Explorer America Concept.

LeftLaneNews

BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe will have two twin-turbo engines, first a 3.0-liter with 6-cylinder that sport 300hp and a 4.4-liter V8 engine that goes up to 400hp. All versions will include the xDrive all-wheel-drive technology for better stability, agility and steering precision. It should be available from the second quarter of 2008 (with rumors say end of 2008) and meanwhile you can watch the video.