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Video: BMW X1 concept
At the 2008 Paris auto show, BMW unveiled its new crossover SUV for the 1-series, the BMW X1. But does the world really need another BMW crossover?
crossover
Video: Mini Crossover Concept
Mini reveals its new Mini Crossover concept at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Its biggest vehicle yet, the Crossover's existence indicates that Mini is at least interested in getting into the CUV market. But is bigger always better?
84: Will the EPA clobber the Volt?
Have you seen the Volt for real--and will the EPA clobber it? The next Mini could be a crossover, Mercedes gets electric religion, and we romp in the Lancer Evo MR!
Listen now: Download today's podcast
SHOW NOTES• That's the Volt? 'Production' photos leak.
• EPA may botch the Volt's MPG rating
Mini's latest CUV concept to debut in Paris
The magic number for Mini's concept CUV (crossover utility vehicle) is four. Its new Mini's fourth body variant follows the Cooper, the Convertible, and the Clubman. It has four doors, four-wheel drive, four bucket seats, and is about 4 meters long. Perhaps this recurrence of the number four is a coincidence, or perhaps it's the work of an obsessive-compulsive Mini engineer. Whatever the case, Mini has revealed the first round of photos of its new Mini Crossover Concept, set to debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October.
The Crossover Concept packs SUV proportions into a … Read more
Review: 2008 Acura RDX
We zipped around the city and flogged the 2008 Acura RDX through the hills, and in all areas found it an enjoyable ride. Its compact SUV-style body offers practical interior space while giving it carlike maneuverability. With the tech package, Acura throws in just about every cabin gadget imaginable, from an excellent-sounding stereo to its full-featured navigation system. However, while the RDX maneuvers like a car, it drinks gas like a large SUV. We also eagerly await the day that Acura redesigns its dashboard and reduces the ridiculous number of buttons.
Review: 2008 Nissan Rogue
Nissan showed off some serious cabin tech innovations over the last couple of years, but leaves them out of the all-new 2008 Nissan Rogue. This entry-level car fits into the new crossover segment, and seems like a cut-rate version of Nissan's Murano. The cabin tech it does have mostly concerns the audio system and is well integrated with the car.
For an entry-level crossover, it has abundant cargo space and a nicely designed, modern exterior. The Rogue is very easy to drive, although it is a little wobbly because of its high center of gravity. The engine isn't … Read more
Rogue cameo on 'Heroes'
The season opener of Heroes premiered last night along with the Nissan Rogue in a not-so-deft bit of product placement. Scene: exterior, day. An indestructible cheerleader and her adoptive father stroll across a high school parking lot to the family car. Cheerleader suggests, in the manner of teenagers everywhere, how much her life would be improved if she had a car. Adoptive and doting father then indicates that she can have the family car. She screams in pleasure, "Oh daddy, the Rogue!" As well she might, since the car can only be a week old--the Rogue went on sale September 18. … Read more
Nissan Rogue arrives
From the Short Notice Department, Nissan announced pricing for its new Rogue crossover SUV yesterday. The car arrives at dealers and goes on sale today. We saw the Rogue at the Detroit auto show last January, and came away impressed by its interior. The materials and general fit all seemed very good, something we've come to expect from other Nissans we've seen. In proportion and arrangement, the Rogue compares with the Acura RDX.
But the Rogue costs a lot less, starting with the base S trim and two-wheel drive for $19,250. Kick it up to the SL … Read more
Mitsubishi Concept-cX
Mitsubishi fulfills our love of concept cars with its just-announced Concept-cX, to be officially unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show. This concept car is designed as a crossover (although the Mitsubishi Outlander covers that ground pretty well). As a crossover, Concept-cX will have an SUV-like body, but an engine, chassis, and suspension designed for the road. The press release mentions a turbocharged 1.8-liter clean diesel engine that complies with the new Euro 5 emissions standard, appropriate for a car that will be shown at a European auto show. Other tech notes we like about this car are the … Read more
Zoom-zooming in the Mazda CX-9
We were let loose today in the hills outside of Los Angeles behind the wheel of Mazda's new CX-9 midsize crossover SUV. The CX-9, which is the biggest vehicle ever to come out of Mazda's Hiroshima plant, follows Mazda's CX-7 into the crowded crossover market, and is designed to appeal to that growing segment of customers in need of seven seats (how did we ever manage with just five?). Unlike many other seven-seaters we've seen, the CX-9's third row of seats will be standard on all models, and will not be removable.
If the CX-9 … Read more
