Aston Martin Confirms Production of First Crossover Model

No, don’t adjust your computer screens, yes, Aston Martin Lagonda has confirmed it will be putting the DBX into series production. The automaker will be expanding its Gaydon production operation (or build an entirely new factory in the US) with a £200- / $300- million investment and seems to have big plans for the future.

Half of that money has already reached the automaker, while the other half will be injected into its accounts over the coming 12 months.

Aston Martin Lagonda CEO, Andy Palmer, said “this additional long-term funding, will enable us to add extra model lines and broaden our presence in the luxury market segment by the end of the decade. The DBX concept, has generated interest far beyond our expectations. The additional investment announced today will allow us to realise the DBX and other new luxury vehicles that will form the strongest and most diverse portfolio in our history”.

He adds that their “shareholders have shown their strong commitment and confidence in the management team to execute the strategic plan.”

We don’t know the specific details (when it’s going to be launched) but we assume it will roughly be a two year wait. Hopefully, it will have an AMG engine under the hood...

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Lamborghini Urus

According to Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann, if the Raging Bull is to add another model to what is right now just a two-car line-up, it will definitely be an SUV.

In a recent interview, Winkelmann told Autoblog.com that "We are working on it, but there is no decision taken. If we do a third model, then it's better to have the SUV as this is a growing segment, a more emotional segment, a segment which is very well-distributed in terms of volume all over the planet, and therefore this is a car which is more likely."

Naturally, this wouldn't be the first time Lamborghini has produced an SUV - remember the LM002? So it would be a little unfair to accuse them of venturing into uncharted waters.

We'd love for them to use the design of the Urus Concept for the production model as well. And by that we mean that we'd rather they not change the looks and make it less aggressive visually. If they can improve on it then by all means, improve away Lambo!

A Lamborghini SUV would also target supercar owners that also own sports utility vehicles, such as the Porsche Cayenne.

However, perhaps even more interesting was seeing Winkelmann bring up hybridization in his interview by saying that, "Due to packaging, due to the weight of the entire vehicle, it's more likely that the hybridization is getting in place. It's less a car which is about absolute performance. So this could be an opportunity."

This would certainly be one way to remind people that the Asterion concept they brought to Paris in 2014 wasn't just to showcase what they can do, but also what they will do.

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Drag Race: VW Golf R vs Touareg V8 TDI

Well this is awkward. We're usually used to seeing supercars go at each other, not diesel SUVs and hatchbacks. Still, none of these two cars could be called "slow" in any way.

As you know, the Golf R isn't just a family hatchback. Well, it is, but it's no entry-level petrol-burner. It's got a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, sending 300 HP to all four of its wheels, which is a recipe of fun regardless of where you live.

The Golf R can reach 62 mph (100km/h) in 4.9 seconds, which no too long ago was supercar territory. The first gen 4.2 FSI Audi R8 hit 62 mph in 4.8 seconds if you remember. So we have ourselves quite a capable hot hatch over here.

In the other "corner" we've got size and we've got torque. Precisely 340 HP and no fewer than 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. There is of course a massive weight disadvantage but also a disparity in mid-range pulling power.

If the two cars met from a rolling start, we'd actually expect the heavier yet torque-happy Touareg to jump out in front, at least for a bit. But seen as though this was a standing start, it just couldn't get off the line as quick as the much lighter Golf R.

Even so, it was an interesting match-up, and they measured the time/speed all the way up to 160km/h (99 mph). So in the end, we have a pretty clear picture of what the difference is between these two cars.

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Opel SUV

Opel and Vauxhall currently lack an SUV above the Mokka, which is why their utmost priority is to launch a model in this highly profitable mid-size SUV segment.

GM CEO Mary Barra announced late last year that Opel will build a flagship SUV at its core plant in Rüsselsheim by the end of the decade and it’s believed that the model will take styling cues from the Monza concept, unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Photoshop manipulator Remco Meulendijk has already made this exercise and the final result looks quite impressive, from both angles. His SUV renderings feature somewhat similar headlights to the study and a muscular appearance typical to crossovers.

It’s not yet known when exactly the Opel/Vauxhall SUV will arrive, nor whether it will be called Monza. What’s certain though is it will be a global model which will also be adopted by Buick. What do you think?

Renderings courtesy of RM Design

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2016 Volvo XC90 SUV

It seems that Volvo spent more time crafting the interior of its mid-size luxury SUV which at a first glance, looks stylish and modern. The dashboard contains a large tablet-style infotainment screen angled towards the driver, which replaces the traditional selection of buttons and controls in the center stack. 

The 2016MY (or 2015, we're not sure yet) XC90 is Volvo's first car to be built on the firm's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular chassis that was developed in-house. 

Previously, Volvo said that the new XC90's powertrain lineup will comprise several four-cylinder petrol and diesel Drive-E engines. These will include a range-topping T8 Hybrid with a 2.0-liter supercharged gasoline unit driving the front wheels and an 80hp electric motor turning the rear axle, for a combined output of 400hp, and a D5 twin-turbo diesel with 190hp and 225hp. 

Photos via Worldcarfans & Autoblog.nl

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Peugeot 2008 SUV

At this point, we do not have specific details on the new 2008, but we anticipate that it will share its diesel and petrol engine range with the 208 supermini, topped out by a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline unit rated for 154hp (156PS).

Peugeot has said that the 2008 will be manufactured first in France at its Mulhouse plant, then in China (Wuhan) and later in Brazil (Porto Real), with sales to start later this year.

The official world premiere of the new French crossover will take place at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March.

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VW Rocky SUV

Here's another design concept for a small crossover model utilizing the platform hardware from the Volkswagen Up! family of mini cars.

 The Rocky Concept featured in these renderings maded by designer Rafael Gordo García from Spain, is a little bit more compact at 3.7 meters (146 inches) long, with the three-door model dreamt up to run on electric power.

For more details on the the Rocky Concept, head past the break to read García's description of the project.

VW Rocky Concept Project by Rafael Gordo García:“In the exterior I was looking for a really strong, solid image, that could be recognized as a Volkswagen at first glance, but with a younger, more daring look than the rest of VW SUV’s (Tiguan, Touareg).”
“The proportions, with the short, horizontal hood and really short overhangs, give the Rocky a very solid yet agile image.
“Its boxy forms, wide sheet surfaces and pronounced fenders provide the car of a great stance.
“The narrow and angular DLO gives the Rocky a very dynamic look, without being claustrophobic thanks to the wide glass ceiling.
“The front end has the familiar Volkswagen face, with big headlights fitted on the horizontal, narrow grill like those of the first Golf. The graphic seen on the door also reminds of the classic 181, the ‘first’ off-road Volkswagen, Small cameras on the top of the floating cant rails work as mirrors.”
“At the rear, the glass back door framed inside the body gives the car a really solid image from behind. The elevated pilot lights they blend with the spoiler on the top, creating a floating effect.”
The car is powered by four electric motors set inside the wheels; the light plastic rims completely cover and protect them, with the five arms ‘floating’ over the center.”
“Due to its structure, the Rocky could also fit an explosion/hybrid engine under its hood if necessary in any particular market.”
“There’s also a more rugged version with unpainted bumpers and fenders and aluminum touches.”

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