Nissan Resonance Concept. Preview of the future Murano III

Nissan took advantage of the Detroit Auto Show to reveal the future direction of Nissan crossovers, but I suspect that will only serve to show the lines of the Murano III.

This new concept has a hybrid electric drivetrain driving all four wheels. The system combines a smaller displacement internal combustion gasoline engine with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery and an advanced management system, together with the new Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The design is innovative, in particular the profile. Francois Bancon, Nissan Motor Co. division general manager, Product Strategy and Planning, added: "When the designers were first working on conceptualizing the Nissan Resonance, they were inspired by amazing scientific advancements in technology and material innovations. They also were inspired by the aspirations of those people who unabashedly embrace innovation and are optimistic about the future. It was about serving those people a concept vehicle that is forward-looking and fuses style with an athletic ride."

Honda Urban SUV Concept [Video]

Honda presented the Urban SUV Concept at the Detroit Auto Show indicating the styling direction for a future SUV that will be launched in Japan later this year and in the USA in 2014.

The new car will be priced and positioned below the CR-V and will feature fuel-efficient engines with Earth Dreams Technology, plus the configurable Magic Seat setup that can provide a host of passenger and cargo options, which are already used in the Fit.

The production will take place at Honda's newest North American plant near Celaya, Mexico, expected to open in the spring of 2014.

Short News: Volkswagen shows a drawing of a seven seat SUV concept

This new SUV will be slotted between the Tiguan and Touareg, which has room for only five people, and should reach dealers within a few years.

The SUV, which has no name for now, will be built in the German company's factory in Tennessee which also manufactures the Passat and therefore is expected to also use the same MQB platform.

The render you can see below was shown by the English magazine, autocar, and according to them the price will be around €22.500 ($30.000). My bet is the name of this SUV will start with a "T".

Source: carscoop

Short News: Renault's future crossover, Captur, will be presented this Friday morning [Teaser]

Renault said today that they would show the brands new crossover this Friday morning, which is codenamed the Project J87, but we already know the production version uses the name Captur.

For now we only know it will use the same platform used by the Nissan Juke but is closer to the Clio in an aesthetic level. Will have 4.2 meters long and will be available with two-wheel drive only. It will use the 0.9TCe with 90hp and 1.2 TCe with 115cv, both petrol engines and the diesel 1.5 dCi with 90 and 105hp, and the 1.6 dCi producing 130hp.

Stay tuned next Friday!

Source: Renault

Short News: Alfa Romeo 4C testing in Detroit and crashed in Italy [Video]

Would you look at this, the Alfa Romeo 4C was caught testing in Detroit, USA (picture), meaning a presentation may happen soon, especially if we take into account the teaser revealed before Christmas by the Italian company promising a big surprise in 2013.

Source: Golden by Design

Yet we still do not know anything, and can only speculate about the mechanical characteristics of the 4C. Rumors point to a 4 cylinder, 1750cc engine with around 250hp and should weigh less than 1000kg (2200lb). The maximum speed should be limited to 250km/h (155mph) and will take less than 5 seconds to reach 100km/h (62mph). So far nothing extraordinary, but what will make the car stand out is the intense use of composite materials such as carbon fiber for the structure of the car. Production should start this Spring.

The 4C was also caught testing in Italy. As you can see in the video below the car left the road and got stuck in a ditch. But right in the end of the video we see another disguised car, does anyone have any idea what car is that? The Giulietta has the rear door handles "hidden", while the mystery vehicle has them in sight. Can it be the future Giulia? Or the Giulietta based SUV? What do you think?

Short News: Qoros teases their future SUV

 

A few weeks ago Qoros showed us some teasers of their new flagship sedan, and now it is time to reveal a little more about their upcoming SUV.

 

It will use the same platform of the sedan, but the engine won't be the same. The sedan will use a 1.6liter, and the SUV will use a 1.8 or a 2.0liter engine. Sales are scheduled to start in 2013, while the official reveal might happen in March, at the Geneva Motor Show.

Source: Auto Sohu

 

Short News: Honda Urban SUV Concept in Detroit 2013

Honda released today one teaser of the compact "Urban SUV Concept" that will debut in the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next month.

At this moment we have no official information, but we believe this will be based on the next Jazz / Fit to be launched in 2013.

The Urban SUV Concept, teased in a sketch released today, is a global concept model combining a sporty and dynamic SUV profile with a spacious, functional interior.

This is what Honda had to say about the concept which is what everyone says about their SUV concepts.

Source: Honda

Lamborghini Urus might not be produced after all

According to Stephan Winkelmann, the current CEO of the Italian brand, the Volkswagen Group doesn't need a new luxury SUV. VW already has the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg and for next year we may have the Bentley EXP 9 F and the Audi Q8.

Winkelmann also said that it isn't a priority for them, because they don't need it. Lamborghini sales are going strong and the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 has received orders until the end of next year.

Source: Turbo.PT

Volvo's entry level SUV delayed

According to Auto Motor und Sport Volvo has put his small SUV, which could be called XC30 or XC40, on hold because their current Ford-based platform is not flexible enough to be used on a new crossover and their new Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) is too large for the model.



So now Volvo has to solve a big problem and fast, because that segment is growing fast with vehicles like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 arriving soon. Volvo has been in contact with several car makers to reach an agreement in platform sharing.

Source: WorldCarFans