Just days before its official unveiling at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, images of the new SUV concept from Maserati have been leaked onto the Web.

The image, that appeared in an online pocket guidebook for the show, came with the description that the new SUV model due for launch in 2013 is expected to feature a 4.7-litre V8 engine under the bonnet producing around 335kW of power. The engine is also likely to be backed up by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. However, the SUV will be tuned more for speed than actual heavy off-road duty.

The luxury off road vehicle based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, will have new bodywork and a bespoke interior. The image showcases typical Maserati design features from the latest models with the vertical slat front grille, fender vents, and angular headlights.

The price is yet to be revealed but it’s expected to be priced higher than its top spec Jeep counterpart at an estimated amount of $80,000 to $100,000.

The luxurious, yet sporty, four or five-seater 4×4 Bentley will feature all the available modern equipment from air suspension to a complete driver assistance system. The aluminium frame construction and five-door shooting brake will add to the charm.

It is rumoured that the car will sport MLB Evo matrix architecture. The vehicle will drive in with suspension geometry complete with steering assembly, brake system, better crash performance systems (with airbags and seat belts), an electronic platform and drivetrains.

The SUV is expected to come with a twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8, a twin-turbo W12 or possibly a V12 TDI engine. Rumuors also hint at an engine with a plug-in hybrid assembly coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The first model will be sold in the US market in over a week. Things look rosy as Saab has already garnered bookings for a hundred more.

Doesn’t that sound impressive? For a company that has managed to sell only 323 units in the US in June, the orders placed for the 9-4X could augur well for the company.

The Saab 9-4X hides under the hood a 3.0-liter V6 with 265 PS (195 kW / 262 hp) and will boast of 302 Nm (223 lb-ft) of torque. The car carries a tag starting at $34,205.

This in turn makes the auto capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds. It offers a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph).

The vehicle is incorporated with an adjustable sport suspension as well as a high performance braking system. The braking system has got vented discs that measure 380mm front and 345mm rear.

The body of the vehicle is outfitted with modified fascias and wheel arch extensions that add to its stylish appearance. The variety of wheels used range in sizes from 20- to 23-inches.

Interior features a sport steering wheel, a revised instrument cluster, and stainless-steel scuff plates. Leather upholstery and exotic wood trim could be ordered by the customer along with.

It has got exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels as well as chrome exhaust pipes. The vehicle features plenty of hybrid badging as well.

To talk about the power source, the auto features a 155 kW (211 PS / 208 hp) 2.0-liter TFSI petrol engine and a 33 kW (45 PS / 44 hp) electric motor.

The engine churns out a combined output of 180 kW (245 PS / 241 hp) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. The Q5 Hybrid takes 7.1 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h. It boasts of a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph).

Above all, the unparalleled vehicle exhibits average fuel consumption of less than 6.9 L/100km (33.60 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km.

It is perhaps one of the most fuel-efficient crossovers. The vehicle also makes the lightest hybrid SUV in the world.

It is said to be the most luxurious SUV ever created. The noteworthy features of the vehicle include a dark atlas grille, special badging etc. It also comes with an exclusive 20-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels. Not much exterior changes have been made as compared to the interior.

The interior comes with large scale make over. The most notable features among them include individual rear seats, a full-length center console which comprises a refrigerator and a collapsible laptop tray as well as two Apple iPads. The highly modified inside also features semi-aniline leather upholstery, Kalahari wood trim, and teak decking in the cargo compartment.

The engine options include the 4.4-liter LR-TDV8 diesel producing 313 PS (230 kW / 309 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque and the 5.0-liter V8 petrol producing510 PS (375 kW / 503 hp) and 625 Nm (461 lb-ft).

Porsche is likely to unveil the Panamera diesel and a gasoline-electric hybrid this March at the Geneva Motor Show. Porsche has understood that the need for fuel efficient vehicles is increasing even in the premium segment.

This is no big deal for Porsche as they had started selling Cayenne diesel in Europe from 2009 beginning. In 2010 a Cayenne gasoline-electric hybrid was launched in Europe and the U.S. Since then diesel and hybrid versions makes up for 30% of Cayenne sales globally.

Bernhard Maier, the brand’s sales and marketing chief, told Automotive News Europe that even though U.S automotive market only has a small share for diesel vehicles, the routine is reversing. Maier said that Porsche would not be bringing diesel cars in China owing to poor quality fuel.

Maier said Porsche deliveries increased by 27 percent to more than 97,000 deliveries in 2010 and order quotes rose by 49 percent to 114,000 units. This is the company’s largest number of orders in history and looking good for the new year. With its presence in 113 globally scattered markets, Porsche can surely expect its sales to grow rapidly.

(Via Autobloggreen)

Volkswagen US boss Jonathan Browning has been quoted as saying that the new SUV will seat seven passengers. The new model’s launch is a part of VW’s plan to increase US sales from last year’s 256,830 to 800,000 by 2018.

Volkswagen is looking at capturing a major share of the American auto market, for this they would have to bring up a whole line-up of cars suited for the US.

The German major has already brought the new Jetta and Passat (cheapened up versions) to the US and also plans to bring in the Polo too. However, the Up! city car or any other pick-ups will come to the US.

Not many details about the SUV are known as of now. We are waiting for the pricing and launch details too.

(Via AutoExpress)

The company believes that building Porsches from North America or China wouldn’t break the tradition since earlier they had given the production of Boxster to Valmet contract manufacturers in Finland.

Porsche is also expected to open a customer centre in China and a test track in Shanghai close to a Formula One track. The company’s dealers in China would be increased from 35 to 85 and then possibly to 100.

It is expected that, during this year itself, Porsche would make a decision on whether to start production from North America or Asia. Porsche might start building their upcoming SUV Cajun in a Volkswagen factory in China.

Apparently the same factory builds the Audi Q5 (SUV). The previous Karmann factory in Osnabrueck, Germany – now acquired by VW – will be used to boost the production of Boxster and Cayman. VW will use the plant to manufacture Golf Cabriolet.

Porsche is merging with VW, making it VW group’s 10^th brand along with the likes of Audi AG, Bentley, Bugatti , Lamborghini, Skoda etc. This happened after VW obtained 49.9% of Porsche Automobil Holding SE’s carmaking unit when Porsche last year failed in a bid to takeover VW.

(Via WCF)

Despite the delay in U.S markets, Canada will get the X1 early this year as scheduled, due to their smaller market size. Moreover, customers over there have more inclination towards compact vehicles.

The small crossover BMW X1 enjoys wide popularity and demand in Europe. The auto recently overtook the Audi Q5 to become Europe’s top selling premium SUV.

(Via WCF)