Cars Blog

Ssangyong C200 SUV – Giugiaro Styled

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:43:58 +0000

Ssangyong – the company who’s trying to come up with a lot of new models in the next few years to get a bigger slice of the market share, partnered with Shanghai Automotive Industries Group and showcased their newest compact SUV, dubbed C200, at the Paris Motor Show a few days ago. The design was done by Giugiaro because his ItalDesign styling house is in charge with the looks of the new models to be built.

“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.

Ssangyong C200 SUV – Giugiaro Styled

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:42:32 +0000

“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.

Hyundai SanteFe Blue Hybrid

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:41:08 +0000

Honestly, Hyundai is not the company and SantaFe is not the model, that I would have expected to see entering the hybrid-electric game, but now that I know it’s for sure, that’s a nice surprise.

Dubbed SantaFe blue Hybrid it’s the company’s first to use the new family hybrid system. It uses a 2.4 liter gasoline engine geared to a six-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW electric engine that also works as a generator to charge those 270V lithium polymer batteries. That has taken the CO2 emissions down to 148 g/km and fuel consumption to 6.2l/100km.

But it’s still a hybrid and I guess you’re expecting less performances? Well if you do, you’re dead wrong because that thing goes from 0 to 100km/h in 10.6 seconds. Other than the three-piece panoramic glass roof with UV protection by Magna Car Top Systems, the new SantaFe blue Hybrid is no different than the other SantaFes.

Hyundai ix55 SUV

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:40:16 +0000

There is something about SUVs today. First I told you about the Ssangyong C200 SUV then we took on Hyundai’s SantaFe blue Hybrid. Well this also a SUV and a Hyundai, too, but it’s the new ix55. On the floor in Paris, the new Hyundai ix55 looks similar to the Veracruz that gets sold in North America but has some significant changes to make it more attractive.

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.

Hummer H3 on Wagon Wheels

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:39:37 +0000

It’s not pretty, it’s somehow funny, but what I would like to know is how safe this is. I’m talking about a Hummer H3 that packs authentic wagon wheels installed in place of its 32-inch offroading tires. And no, it’s not a Wild Wild West modern movie if you wanted to know, it’s just Matthew Harrison’s mixture of art, engineering and motoring.

If you want my honest opinion, it’s just a bunch of bull because that thing will never run on streets (I guess breaks are useless, or need to be adjusted?) and it’s really ugly. Isn’t it? Why would you make a Hummer 3 look like that, it’s still beyond my imagination. The wooden-wheeled H3 will be on display courtesy of the Limoncello gallery in East London. Check it out if you’re there.

Kahn Cosworth Sport 300

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:38:19 +0000

Though I’m not a fan of SUVs, I always loved what the Land Rover Range Rover series looked like. With clean and simple design line, there’s a new character in this play. Dubbed Kahn Cosworth Sport 300 it will be presented during the 2008 MPH show, where wealthy guys can pay the £69,995 price to buy their own. The reasons why I simply love it, is that the upgraded engine is covered in carbon fiber and uses a new Cosworth fully adjustable electronic module to improve handling and huge 285/35-22 tires.

Cosworth aluminum pedals, a beautiful Nappa leather interior with white stitching, stainless steel door sill plates with an engraved Cosworth logo and some interesting in-car entertainment, are just a few things you get for that huge price. – via 4wheelnews

SEMA 2008: Toyota Tacoma V8 Incross Concept

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:35:44 +0000

SEMA 2008 is running and Toyota is not about to lose time. They just announced a new Tacoma V8 Incross Concept that is going to be powered by a 4.7l i-Force V8 engine that produces 271 hp and 321 lb/ft of torque and will feature custom Bilstein shock absorbers, Bushwhacker modified flared arches, 17-inch American Racing Wheels, a revised front grille, Toyota’s Racing Development headers and a custom Tube Solutions dual exhaust. Other than a roomier cabin and the Green Matte color, I must say I’m not really impressed with the design. Are you? – via WCF

Nissan’s NV2500 Concept Truck

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:33:51 +0000

In 2010, Nissan is expected to entry the commercial truck market with its newly NV2500 Concept Truck that will debut at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. So far it’s the largest concept vehicle from Nissan that have seen daylight. It may be me but it looks a lot like those huge Ford or Chevrolet full-sized vans with its long-nosed panel and front sheet metal. Check out these teasing images of the new NV2500 concept truck and let us know what you think. Like it? – via WCF

VW Race Touareg 2 for the Baja Race

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:33:00 +0000

Looking at this “thing”, a VW Race Touareg 2, I think it’s one of the ugliest Touaregs I’ve seen. This 5.5l V12 that runs on clean diesel and develops 550hp, has a spaceframe-chassis with 75 cm of suspension travel. With all these RedBull colors and logos, the VW Race Touareg 2 is going to take part in the Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 Race, this weekend. Driver Mark Miller and his navigator Ryan Arciero, have been the winners in last year’s Baja 500, so we’ll have to see if they’ll manage to get it this year, too. Would you drive such a thing on the streets? – via AutoBlog

LA 2008: 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h

changngocld — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 08:31:56 +0000

This year’s Los Anageles Auto Show has some goodies on the table. For example the new 2010 Lexus RX 450h and RX 350 which have been unveiled today. Lexus RX 350 is a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine that sports 275hp, has a sequential 6-speed ‘box in both FWD and AWD (which uses an Active Torque Control AWD system that optimizes torque for all driving conditions). The other one – Lexus RX 450h – is a hybrid (hence the “h”) that features a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine and runs on the Atkinson cycle to generate 295hp. It also uses an exhaust-heat recovery system to reduce the time the engine has to warm-up, and also features an exhaust-gas recirculation setup. You’ll get more details about these two on WCF.