Autoblog

click above for more pics of the 2002 Dodge M80 Concept

Jim Press thinks that there's an emerging market for small, fuel efficient trucks. You know, the kind of trucks his former employer, Toyota, used to build. Press put in 37 years at Toyota, and he saw the evolution of the HiLux into the Tacoma, which is no longer the diminutive hauler it once was. Press owns a second home in Thailand, and observing how trucks are used in that country leads him to believe that there's a worldwide need for a small, versatile pickup. Dodge's Dakota saw its sales drop by one third between 2006 and 2007, and Press thinks that's likely due to buyers shifting to crossovers.

There's not a whole lot of incentive to buy a midsize truck right now – they cost nearly the same as an entry level full sizer, the mileage is only marginally better, and the size differential isn't that great. We can recall two Dodge concept pickups of the recent past that we think buyers who miss the small pickup market might take a liking to. First, there's the 2006 Dodge Rampage Concept, which packed a lot of utility in a small footprint. Then there's the 2002 Dodge M80 Concept, one of the few Chrysler concepts that got a great reception but wasn't produced. Put the M80 into production on a unibody platform with some unique powertrain options, Jim. Trust us, you won't be sorry.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Like a family of cockroaches living behind your kitchen cabinets, some rumors just won't die. No matter how ridiculous, they just won't go away. And so we waste our cyber-space reassuring our loyal readership of that they're nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

Here we're talking about the prospect of a sport-utility vehicle from Ferrari. We've seen different renderings and projections, and although we're not sold, apparently some people still think it could happen. Leave it to the Dutch, then, to get it right from the source. Holland's automotive magazine AutoWeek spoke with Ferrari's general manager Amadeo Felisa, who firmly denied that the company is developing – or even considering – an SUV. And we'll take him at his word, even if we have our doubts when they continue to refute the development of an entry-level model.

On that front, in lieu of the usual mantra that the company is not building a successor to the Dino, Felisa specified that Ferrari was not developing a six-cylinder model, which doesn't rule out the possibility of a new model to slot in below the F430 with any other type of powertrain configuration... say, a V8 for example.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl via Motor Authority]

Fiat's new car-derived utility truck, the Fiorino Mk IV, has been revealed in all its Chiclet-colored glory. These small car-based working vehicles are just right for businesses that don't need the heft of the ubiquitous pickup-based cargo van here in the states, or larger Continental vehicles like the Sprinter. Horsepower will be around 75 whether buyers choose the 1.4 liter gasoline or 1.3 liter turbodiesel, plenty to haul all those tiny die-cast Eiffel towers down from port to the Champs Élysées. Continuing on the French tip, it's worth noting that the Fiorino was co-developed with PSA, which means there's also Peugeot and Citroen variants of the little van. If you don't want people to laugh at you when you tell them what you drive, you'd be best to stick with the new Fiat, though. The Citroen is named Nemo, ever so cute. Peugeot picked a moniker that sounds possibly lewd: Bipper. Call it whatever, the Fiorino blends utility, more style than you'd expect in a commercial vehicle, and a comfortable interior with carlike dynamics. Coming soon on the heels of the Fiorino will be the announcement of the "Adventure" package, which will outfit the small wagon for duty on less-improved roads in rural areas. The closest thing we've got to this in the States is the HHR Panel, cool in its own right, but alas, no feisty Italian.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Click on the image above to view in high resolution

The new Tiguan cute-ute factored big into Volkswagen's press conference at this year's LA show. And no wonder, as Vee-Dub is hoping its new small sport-ute sells big, especially in the all-important US market, and especially in California where nobody needs a truck yet everybody has one (and parks it next to their Prius).

Volkswagen of America revealed that Tiguan is priced to sell with a starting MSRP of just $22,490. With just two sport-utes in its lineup, that gives VW a huge price-point spread that stretches all the way up to $68,320 for the bigger Touareg 2 with the jumbo-jet-pulling V10 TDI.

Volkswagen is evidently hoping that the Tiguan will become the Golf of the sport-ute market after it hits US dealers this coming summer. Check out our gallery of the US-spec Tiguan below, and VW's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

There are some rumors circulating the web that could very well be true, and some you just hope are true. This, however, doesn't fall into either category. The speculation is over a possible Ferrari sport-utility vehicle, and we're not buying.

Our friends at World Car Fans, with which we'll part company on this, call it the Ferrari F599 FS 599 Fuoristrada, and project an unveiling at the 2010 Geneva show. They've even gone so far as to predict its weight (2.2 tons dry), engine (a variation on the 599 GTB's, itself derived from the Enzo) and output (over 600 HP), wheel and tire sizes (22" and 315), four-wheel-drive system (2/3 rearward bias), performance (0-60 in under five, top end around 180mph) and price (over €250k). Those are pretty specific forecasts, but WCF says they have it on good authority.

Never mind that an array of Ferrari execs have repeatedly refuted any such speculation - they've also been saying that about the "Dino" and we've just stopped listening by now - but it would make little sense for the racing-team-turned-sportscar-maker that, a couple of one-offs notwithstanding, has never made anything with more than two doors, let alone five. Sure, Lamborghini made a truck once, but then again that company started out building tractors. And never mind that Porsche has the Cayenne... numbers aside, Ferrari's not about to sell out its customer base with an SUV. (That's what excessive merchandizing is for.) For a company like Ferrari that trades on its heritage and Formula One dominance, a sport-ute would have no connection to either.

[Source: World Car Fans]

The Italians are known for making great sports cars, touring cars, supercars, even little itty-bitty cars. Sport-utes, not so much. Lamborghini's monster LM002 notwithstanding, the last time few times Fiat tried its hand at SUVs, it came up with the Sedici (a slightly taller than normal compact car built in partnership with Suzuki) and the Oltre concept (some sort of twisted cross between a Hummer and an Apple store). But with crossovers continuing to sell big, despite the impediments of fuel prices and an increasingly enviro-conscious market, the mafia legitimate business association of the Italian auto industry can hardly afford to sit it out. So they'll try, try again.

The next up to bat is the production version of the CX-Over, expected to hit the market in 2010. Sources indicate an overall length of about 4.5 meters, potential for hybrid powertrain options (though more likely a range of the company's highly-efficient diesels), available AWD and a body style fitting somewhere between a minivan and a sport-ute. The Fiat version is expected to sell in the €22k-30k range in Europe, and is expected to spawn an additional version from sister brand Alfa Romeo.

[Source: Info Motori]

The Range Rover has long held the high ground in the luxury off-road segment, holding its own quite honorably against the constant onslaught of latecoming rivals from mainstream luxury carmakers.

It might have a more difficult time of it, though, if the other Double-R of British luxury automobiles were to join the fight. This jacked-up Silver Shadow shouldn't leave Land Rover's range-topper with much to worry about, though.

[Source: Automobiles De Luxe]

With the MINI Clubman rapidly approaching production, and the new cabrio coming along, the BMW-owned automaker is reportedly working on another variation of the theme: the MINI crossover.

Although rumors have been bouncing around for a while of a MINI-derived mini-ute, the automotive sleuths over at MotoringFile say they have it on good authority that the vehicle has been given the green light for production, and has now entered the development phase.

Alternately code-named R59 or R60 and referred to internally as the "Colorado", the crossover is reported to be based on the Clubman, but with more rugged styling, a larger body, possibly more doors (suicide rear doors would be a smart choice) and a new advanced all-wheel-drive system.

The news also comes hot on the heels of the reported Fiat 500 crossover derivative. Let the retro wars begin.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Not a moment's rest for the people over at Fiat, who've been pursuing an aggressive rejuvenation program. The ink on the press releases for the new 500 isn't even dry, and already they're working on new versions of the retro super-mini. Launched as a standard three-door hatch, new versions could include high-performance models, a cabrio, a Mini Clubman-style wagon (or "shooting brake"), and even a 4WD mini-ute derivative.

The sportier Abarth model – drawing on the company's relaunch of their once-famous performance division – and the cabrio are said to already have been approved for production. Joining the 135-hp Abarth could also be an even more potent 155-hp 500 Super Sport version, while the 4WD model, if approved for production, would likely pick up the system from the Panda 4x4, which already shares its platform with the 500.

Fiat is evidently preparing to capitalize big-time on the 500 throwback, and while its Mini rival took some time to spawn derivatives, Fiat is ready to run full-speed right out the gate.

[Source: Motor Authority]

click above image to view more pics of the 2007 Ford Expedition EL

Ford's new Expedition EL has to follow in some huge footsteps – or, perhaps more appropriately, tire tracks. The stretched-wheelbase SUV not only has to do battle with GM's Suburban and Yukon XL duo (long the sales leaders in the extended-wheelbase segment), but it also has to live up to the reputation of the Excursion. That monstrous predecessor never sold in large numbers, but it built a loyal following that remains to this day (if you doubt this, just try to find a bargain on a low-mileage example with the Powerstroke diesel).

Since Ford's previous attempt at building a cargo conveyance and people mover on the Super Duty platform didn't appeal to the average mass-market buyer, this go-around utilizes the far more civilized Expedition platform – and its independent front and rear suspension – as a starting point. Will this move create a kinder, gentler mastodon of metal? We put one through the paces for a week to learn more.