Section: Crossovers
Written By: Evan McCausland
February 6th, 2008 11:40 AM
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We’re busy covering the ins and outs of the Chicago auto show, but already we’re hearing of GM’s plans for the Geneva show next month. Although three world debuts are slated for the show, we only know a little about one - the concept for the next-generation Opel Meriva crossover.
(Click through for more on the upcoming concept)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 6th, 2008 11:20 AM
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Chevrolet unveiled its Trailblazer replacement without delay this morning at the Chicago Auto Show, showing off the new and very family-friendly, 2009 Traverse CUV.
Chevy presented its new crossover hauler with a full six-person family in tow, aiming firmly at the domestic demographic that was previously the purview of larger SUV’s and minivans. The automaker would have us believe that every member of the family will be pleased and delighted with the CUV, claiming excitement across the board from baby boomers to teenagers.
We’ll reserve judgment until we see how the Traverse plays with the real members of Middle America, and let you tell us how crossover strikes you. Browse our gallery of live 2009 Chevy Traverse images, and then tell us what you think in comments.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Evan McCausland
February 6th, 2008 12:01 AM
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Fret not, Chevrolet dealers - you now have a Lambda crossover to sell. The 2009 Traverse, which will be unveiled today at the Chicago auto show, shares its underpinnings with the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave while eventually succeeding the fated Trailblazer..
Replacing the TrailBlazer may be the raison d’etre for the Traverse’s existance, but it could be internal competition for Saturn’s Outlook. Although pricing for the Traverse is yet to be seen, we think the pricing structures used by both the Chevrolet and Saturn brands may prove to be close to one another, leading the consumer to choose between the two based on styling.
On that end, the Traverse shares the most with the swoopy Enclave; much of the sheetmetal and window forms are carried over from the Buick crossover, not the Acadia/Outlook twins. The Chevrolet version gains unique taillamps and front fascia that supposedly ape those on the 2008 Malibu, although we see too much influence from the ungainly Uplander minivan up front. Inside, the Traverse sports a new dashboard that resembles that of the Malibu, but the remainder of the cabin is carryover Lambda.
(Click through for a gallery and more on the Traverse, including a release from GM.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
February 5th, 2008 2:00 PM
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The WINDING ROAD News team is getting prepped and ready to head off to the Chicago Auto Show, in part so that we can track down some live images of new products like Ford’s 2009 Edge Sport.
We spared no time early this morning in delivering the post-embargo information Ford had supplied for the new-look Edge, but we thought we had better follow it up with a little more in the way of imagery. Take some time to rummage through this gallery of official Edge Sport images, and stay tuned for more and better live pics from the Chicago show.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Evan McCausland
February 5th, 2008 12:01 AM
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We don’t find Ford’s Edge crossover unattractive, but the automaker chose to dress it up a bit for the Chicago Auto Show. Slated for an introduction in the Windy City later this week is the Edge Sport, a new model that seemingly is more show than go.
Visual changes mostly lie on the Edge’s exterior, which is treated to an eight-piece body kit. Included are a Sport-specific air dam, side skirts, and lower door caps. In contrast to the two-toned look on a standard Edge, these pieces are finished in the Sport’s body color - either blue, red, black or silver.
(Click through for more on the Edge Sport)
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Written By: Evan McCausland
February 2nd, 2008 10:45 PM
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We know the upcoming Pontiac G8 ST may be the closest thing to a reborn Chevrolet El Camino, but we can’t help drawing ties to the ‘ute whenever we look at GMC’s concept for the Chicago auto show, the Denali XT. Or if not the El Camino, at least some GMC-badged version of it. Sprint, Caballero; you make the call.
No, there aren’t any styling cues that trip our memories into a retro-hazed flashback, but you try looking at this four-door unibody pickup without seeing muscle. The flared haunches, high cowl, chopped roof and short windows all suggest plenty of power, all of which is channeled through the rear wheels - measuring in at 23 inches, by the way.
(Click through for a gallery and more on the Denali XT, including a release from GMC)
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Written By: Winding Road Staff
February 1st, 2008 4:00 PM
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Chris Champion finds the hybrid system in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid to be seamless, fluid, and powerful. To read what other WINDING ROAD staffers thought about this Toyota Highlander Hybrid, follow the jump.
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Written By: Peter Nunn
January 24th, 2008 10:30 AM
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America’s crossover market has exploded into life in recent years, gaining new and enthusiastic recruits almost by the hour. But for those paying attention, one of the earliest exponents on the U.S. crossover block came from Japan more than a decade ago. Drumroll, please, for the Subaru Forester.
Subaru has done it differently all along with the Forester, which historically boasted those boxy wagon looks, compact size, car-like driving style, and of course the company’s favored flat engine and full-time all-wheel drive running smoothly underneath. The Forester has always been one of a kind, a pioneer in this business.
(Click through to read more about the 2009 Subaru Forester Test Drive.)
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Written By: Evan McCausland
January 21st, 2008 10:20 AM
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The jury’s still out on whether a Pontiac G8 pickup is in the wings for North America, but visitors to this year’s New York Auto Show may well see some form of a Holden-based ute. Product czar Bob Lutz has told the Australian car website GoAuto that a a four-door pickup crossover, based off Holden’s current VE Commodore, will appear as a GMC-branded concept at the show.
“It’s a very interesting study,” said Lutz, “in that it is a GMC tough-looking four-door ute that could then obviously be badged as a Holden for Australia.”
Reportedly, the pickup closely resembles a mix between the current Commodore and the previous Crewman four-door ‘ute, which isn’t surprising, given the entire concept was reportedly designed by Holden’s staff in Melbourne. Lutz says the vehicle mixes tough with a very low and aggressive stance - although it may not be love at first sight.
(Click through to read more on a possible Crewman for the U.S.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
January 21st, 2008 9:00 AM
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Certainly in the right place at the right time, a camera-wielding reader of Autoweek.nl has captured what appears to be an almost completely uncovered copy of the new Infiniti FX55.
The images show a vehicle that has stayed very true to the swooping, low lines of the original, while also keeping the wheels at the corners stance. The overall silhouette may be unfussed with, but Infiniti has seemingly amped up the aggressiveness of the crossover, adding a blade-like front bumper, and a mean set of multi-element headlights.
The new FX is rumored to be heading to the Geneva Motor Show in March for its official debut, so stay tuned for more information as we hear it. Until then, tell us how you feel about the styling of the spied Infiniti, in comments.
+ Autoweek.nl: Infiniti FX 55 verkent Europa
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
January 17th, 2008 11:20 AM
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Though it’s been just a little while since we’ve caught a version of the car out and about, news out of NAIAS this week is that General Motors will start sales of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse CUV starting this fall.
GM North America’s head of sales, Mark LaNeve, said that GM expects to shift between 80,000 and 100,000 of the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook cousin in North America, though there are currently no plans to export the crossover.
(Click through the jump to read more about the Traverse or on the thumbnails below to check out our gallery of spy images.)
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Written By: Winding Road Staff
January 16th, 2008 4:20 PM
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Kim Ewing, our Fleet/Business Manager, had the fortune of taking the CX-9 for an extended New Year’s trip to Northern Michigan and told us that she would gladly shell out $40,000 for this vehicle and would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for this type of crossover. Click through to read what other WINDING ROAD staffers thought of the Mazda CX-9.
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