2007 Lancia Ypsilon Facelift

Polished Letter

It’s has been quite some time since spy-shots of a Lancia prototype have surfaced, but here are the first pictures of the facelifted Lancia Ypsilon, due to be presented at the Geneva Show in March next year.

It is believed the engines and other mechanical systems will be left untouched, but the grille and the bumpers front and rear will get an overhaul losing the massive black plastic bars.
Headlamps and taillights as well as the fog-lights appear to be re-shaped, too, and we assume the Ypsilon’s interior will be freshened-up as well.

2008 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV

Volkswagen announced the official name of its new compact SUV last month, and now we bring you the first unofficial video of the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan. Caught during hot-weather testing in Death Valley, California, the Tiguan shares its platform with the Rabbit and GTI hatchbacks. Power for base models will come from the same 200bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder used in the GTI with an upgrade to VW's 3.6-litre V6 a possible option.

The ForMotion all-wheel-drive system used in both the Passat and the upcoming R32 could be standard if Volkswagen wants to position the Tiguan further upscale than typical compacts like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, both of which offer lower-cost front-wheel-drive models. Although European versions will have a manual transmission as standard, U.S versions will get a six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox as the sole option. Although the Tiguan is based on the Concept A, what little of the cabin we could see showed a fairly typical dash layout. There may be a few upgrades added to give the Tiguan a unique look and feel compared to its Rabbit and GTI cousins, but other than a few minor trim changes it will be a standard-issue Volkswagen design.

A third-row seat won't be available, but it looks as though second-row passenger room will be generous by compact-SUV standards. And just in case you're wondering, the name "Tiguan" is a made-up combination of "tiger" and "iguana." Volkswagen decided on the name after polling readers of a European automotive publication. Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Volkswagen's chairman, called it a "unique event [that is] demonstrative of how Volkswagen is opening up."

We call it a unique look at how clueless Volkswagen is when it comes to selling SUVs in the U.S. We won't see how the Tiguan name goes over here in the States for another two years as production doesn't begin until 2008.

New Car: 2007 Skoda Octavia Scout

Here it is. The Skoda Octavia Scout. This should be different from the Octavia 4x4 sold in Europe. I hope this has an all wheel drive (AWD). No information on it yet but prices around £16,500. Plastic SUV styled bodykit gives it a proper SUV look. Overall, it looks nice, modern and stylish and I won't mind owning one either.

2007 Mercedes GL63 AMG

Mercedes GL 63 AMG:

While Daimler-Chrysler’s largest new off roader GL-Class just about to arrive in dealerships, the even more powerful AMG version is currently being tested in the streets of Stuttgart. Just like all AMG models, it can be recognized from the two large double exhaust pipes and sportier air intakes in the front skirt It will also be equipped with a 6.3 litre V8 engine.

2007 Volkswagen CrossGolfPlus?

Thats right! Volkswagen is planning another crossover or SUV. Its believed that the VW GolfPlus will get another brother set to be called "CrossGolf" or "CrossGolfPlus". This CGI suggest that the new vehicle will be a GolfPlus but with SUV body kit.

I don't know where this will fit into the range because we have the CrossFox, CrossPolo, Tiguan (Golf based SUV) and last but not least Toaureg. If this will be put into production prices will start from £13,500 in the UK.

New Car: 2006 Fiat Doblo Adventure

Intended for the Brazilian market is the all-new Fiat Doblo Adventure. Based upon the very popular Doblo compact commercial van, the Adventure has plastic bodykit, giving the impression of a faux-4x4. Revised front bumper, roof-rails, external spare wheel and side-steps will be standard.

Availability of engines is only restricted to a petrol, which is mated to a manual transmission.

Next generation Kia Sorento spied?

Although the current Sorento just underwent a facelift, Kia is already testing the next-generation SUV. This time, as is obvious in these pictures, the Sorento is growing to accommodate three rows of seating. In addition to the larger size, the Sorento will also move upscale.