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" Hmm let's see MB ML isn't an outstanding off-roader, BMW doesn't have one, and GMC was probably the Denali which isn't off-roader either!
-mike
How very German of them. Americans say it tows 7,500 lb (or even 7,000 if the lawyers are in the room). Subaru of America says they don't know what it will tow and you better not try to put a tow kit on it.
(just kidding, but it was funny.)
-Colin
-Colin
Jim J.
Putting this in perspective:
• The standard TrailBlazer's wheelbase is 113."
• The 3-row seat Explorer's wheelbase is 113."
• The 3-row seat full-size Tahoe's wheelbase is 116."
• The full-size Suburban's wheelbase is 130." 1" more than the TrailBlazer LWB!!
Pictures of the vehicle in the brochure make the extended wheelbase version look way out of proportion. The breakover angle looks to be terrible, so forget any off-roading. Since the wheelbase is 1" shorter than the Suburban, you can expect a turning circle in the Suburban neighborhood too.
GMC gets a version (of course) too. I doubt if the Bravada will, since Olds is being phased out. Also, this extended wheelbase model is what the new Isuzu Ascender is being based on.
Bob
After all, Caddy is on the rise and doesn't have a midsized SUV in the stable.
-jim
Went to the Cleveland auto show last night. No Brat, er, I mean Baja, but there were a lot of people looking at the LLB 3.0H6 and the WRX. First time I'd actuall seen one. I like the two sunroofs!
Steve
Steve
-mike
*= on topic part of post
-mike
Looks like a nice station wagon.
Electrochromic Windows: http://www.nrel.gov/buildings/windows/how.html
http://www.sage-ec.com/pages/sgexplained.html
Forester Turbo: can't wait much longer
- D.
On the towing note, how much do you want to bet that the tow rating is decreased dramatically for the US spec version? You know once those US lawyers get in there it'll be dropped to about 4000-4500lbs.
-mike
Bob
I wonder what they meant by the improvements to the suspension. Were they refering to the current Legacy platform in general vs. the 2002 upgrade?
Ken
Bob
http://just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=37429&dm=yes
14"x16" limit on the electrochromatic mirrors so far. And they said it has 7 layers. They didn't discuss weight, but to form a large window they'd have to create several panes. They'll improve on the technology, though.
No surprise on the vans - door wars were declared years ago. Now we got coupes with 3 doors, pickups with 4, and vans with 4. 6 door Suburbans were rumored for a while.
Ascendor has potential, then. I read it will get the 270hp straight six, so power is there. I hate GM interiors, so to me the question is will Isuzu get to completely re-do it, or will they inherit GM's junky buttons and switches?
The catch is it will be assembled at a GM plant, too bad it's not SIA.
-juice
-mike
-juice
-mike
-juice
Look, I could care less whether Porsche makes an SUV or not. I'll never be able to buy one. If they feel that's what they need to do, so be it. I do think it will be a better SUV than some here claim, however. In any case I'd be much more interested in the VW version that mere mortals have a chance of buying. From that link I posted, they said the VW will probably be the better off-roader anyway.
Bob
Bob
No offense Bob, but I was actually thinking the opposite when I received my copy yesterday.
;-)
-Colin
Bob
As to being pretender, I guess we won't know that until the magazines start testing them.
With all due respect Chuck, I do sense more than a bit of irritation on your part that Porsche is entering what is considered Land Rover market. Now this could very well be your own opinion,as you've stated, but I can't help but think the folks at Land Rover are none too happy about having another potential "showroom" competitor. Afterall, every Cayenne sold is one Range Rover that isn't sold.
Bob
If I gave a rip about SUVs I'd subscribe to Motor Trend instead of Automobile. 'nuff about that though...
-Colin
Bob
Bob
http://www.detnews.com/2002/insiders/0203/09/b01-435370.htm
I've always found the E-Class, while certainly an excellent car, to be among the dullest looking Mercedes products. Maybe it's because it's the "middle" model, and just seems to get lost among its bigger and smaller siblings, much like that of a middle child in some families... I've found this to be especially true of the out-going E-Class; it's styling is especially dull in light of the great looking new C-Class and S-Class which act as "bookends," with the E-Class being in the middle.
So what's all this go to do with Subaru? Plenty. The current E-Class and the current Impreza, besides both being somewhat awkward looking, share similar headlights and fender contours. The all-new E-Class has retained the oval headlights, yet the visual transformation is incredible. They have softened the harsh angles and contour of the front fender into a much smoother and better flowing design. It's now a great looking car IMO.
That's exactly what Subaru needs to do with their reportedly "freshened" '04 Impreza. I say keep the oval headlight theme, but re-contour the fender into a more graceful shape, like what Mercedes has done.
Same with the rear styling: The outgoing E-Class is deadly dull to look at from the rear. The new one is much more exciting to look at with new tailights and revised deck lid. Again, Subaru needs to follow the Mercedes formula here too.
Really, it's just a matter of taking the existing styling cues and have them "massaged" by a skillful design team, be it Subaru (in-house), ProDrive, or some designer-label design house.
The "ugly duckling" would then indeed become a "swan."
Bob
As you may remember, I got temporary custody of my late Uncle's E-class 4Matic (AWD) this past Fall. Even though a past generation model, driving it for two months gave me a totally new appreciation of what better engineering can provide. It looked very dull, but performed way beyond my expectations.
Steve
Bob
RSW= Raised Sport Wagons
SMV= Soccor Mom Vehicles
-mike
Bob
LOL Colin, sorry if this has become "Future SUVs" instead of "Future Models". How 'bout that Blitzen? ;-)
Interesting editorial. I've said Piech was crazy, going more than a little too far. It's all about getting revenge, after Mercedes hit the Golf market straight on with the A class.
We fully aggree on the new E-class, though, the new one is a looker. Maybe Subaru could move the fog lights up, and do something similar, so people would compare them to Mercedes instead of Neons.
paisan: do we really need even more acronyms? ;-)
-juice
I really don't think that will be a problem, and I don't see them as selling out either. I think it will be by far the sportiest vehicle of that type.
However, I'm far more interested in the VW version, than the Porsche version. With VW, I have at least a chance of considering purchase.
Bob
Not so with the front engined 924/944/968 series. Those are huge eye sores in the company's image. I'm sure they'd rather have the history books exclude those.
They were losing focus. Boxster got them back on track, with a back-to-basics mid-engined roadster.
Cayenne will have a front engine, and to many that means it's not a real Porsche, myself included.
The VW version ought to be more interesting. I find that stiffly sprung X5s do not meet my definition of sporty. They are bulky and feel that way. I'd take a 5 series wagon any day, truth is they are much sportier.
So VW's softer tuning may be more realistic of what a platform of that size can achieve. I bet it'll cost $40 grand, though.
-juice
engine configuration seems like a quibbling thing compared to the fact they had the audacity to make the Cayenne look similar to a Boxster / 911.
-Colin
I'll wait to see the final product, but the prototypes look horrible.
Mid engine? The only thing even remotely close that I can think of was the Previa. They still sell in Japan. And no, I don't think Porsche should try it, I don't think they should be in that class at all.
-juice
I see Porsche as a brand that pushes the limit in terms of technology, no matter what they build. I expect to see that here with the Cayenne too.
IMO, and for far too long, SUV engineering has remained almost Neanderthal. I'm excited by any company that injects new thinking into that segment. So, normally I would agree with you on the "focus" issue. But I'm willing to be more tolerant with Porsche, because I want to see what they come up with.
Bob
On the track, these are the vehicles that tend to roll over, right?
So, why did I buy a Forester? Well, it's light. It's small outside, but still practical. The center of gravity is low, yet ground clearance is pretty good for my purposes. Gas mileage is certainly acceptable, even good.
Can Porsche do that? I'm skeptical. It won't be light. Dimensions may be OK, and it just might offer practical space and size. We'll wait and see about center of gravity and ground clearance, but I'd be surprised if they can do both. I'm sure they'll be paying gas guzzler taxes.
It's easy to be the critic, so what would I like to see? X5 is the most direct competitor, so I'd use lots of aluminum to lose 500 pounds, and re-package the interior for better use of space. Put in a boxer engine with full-time AWD like the 911 Turbo.
-juice
-mike
On the track, these are the vehicles that tend to roll over, right? >>
I'm hoping brands like Porsche, VW, BMW, Mercedes, etc., with their new and different thinking, will find ways of minimizing these negatives; Detroit certainly has done little on this front, as we all know.
Bob
Can Porsche break the laws of physics? Or even bend them?
I guess I saw BMW try and was so disappointed that I'm not as optimistic about it as Bob is.
-juice
-mike