Autoblog

Thinking of trading your gas-guzzling SUV in for something smaller, a bit more fuel efficient? You are not alone. The rocketing cost of gasoline, and diesel fuel, is having a ripple effect on the SUV market. With consumers trading in their behemoths by the thousands in exchange for more frugal transportation, dealers are stuck with a surplus of unwanted sport-utes sitting on their lots with values dissolving.

Diesel-burning trucks aren't immune either. As diesel fuel costs hovering about fifty cents per-gallon above gasoline, some of the bigger oil-burning SUVs and trucks are losing measurable resale by the day. Overall, according to CNW Marketing Research, used SUV sales were down 14% in March alone. With any surplus, come big discounts. It may be a ghastly time to fill a 30-gallon tank on an SUV, but it is the perfect time to negotiate with a dealer for that seven-passenger family truckster you've been fancying. No need to hurry -- there will be an even better selection tomorrow.

Thanks to Jim for the tip!

[Source: U.S. News and World Report]

Take a quick look around the light-truck market, and it's clear that diesels are the hottest thing on dealer lots right now - but oddly enough, it's not currently possible to get an oil-burner in a full-size SUV. Jeep has apparently identified this massive hole in the market and will announce later today that a diesel Grand Cherokee will be available for the 2007 model year.

Details are a bit sketchy at this point, but it sounds as if the vehicle will use a 3.0L Bluetec common-rail diesel from Mercedes - an engine that makes 221 HP and 376 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is said to be improved by "30 percent" (we're guessing this is compared to the somewhat thirsty Hemi V8), yielding a driving range of 425 miles on one tank. Towing capacity is also supposed to be impressive, but that claim will need to be evaluated further once we have more information. Like its smaller Liberty brother, the Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will be shipped from the factory with a tank of B5 biodiesel blend.  

While it will be the only full-size diesel SUV available in the US when it debuts in the first quarter of next year, we have to remind Chrysler that it isn't the first (as they claim) - GM's Suburban, Jimmy, and Blazer were available with the 6.2L Detroit Diesel way back in 1982, and more recently, Ford offered its monstrous Excursion with a Powerstroke diesel engine until that vehicle's demise last year.

[Source: The Chrysler Group; the press release is available after the jump]

 

The Hummer H8 website (NSFW due to profanity) is a parody* of all those 'manly-man' characteristics attributed to the brand's customer base like physical bravado, sexual prowess and the ability to eliminate the ozone layer in one fell swoop. It's also the perfect vehicle for the woman who can drive an entire soccer team to practice while applying make up, chatting on her cell and stradling two lanes on the highway.

Shirts with slogans like "I'm a full 3" with my H8" and the handout, "My Hummer H8 can kick your SUV's ass!" are available on the website.

*The alphanumeric "H8" is a well-know acronym for the word 'hate'.

[Source: PR Web]

This large unibody SUV from Hyundai could be a replacement for the  Terracan sold elsewhere around the world or it could be a new CUV developed specifically with the North American market in mind. The Car Connection seems to believe the latter, and who are we to argue? Known internally as the “EN”, this Ford Explorer-sized utility vehicle would occupy the territory above the Sante Fe in Hyundai’s line-up. The two vehicles would share the same platform, except the EN would receive a stretched and widened version to go with its unique interior and exterior. Motivation will most likely come from Hyundai’s flagship 3.8L V6 being used in the Azera at the moment.

[Source: The Car Connection]

UPDATE: Corrected availability of Terracan - it's also sold in Europe, as well as Asia.