Daily Archives: October 29, 2013
Volkswagen CrossBlue Concept
Right after Chevrolet gave to the market the C7 Corvette, Volkswagen is ready to offer SUV lovers, or rather the American SUV lovers the most American vehicle of the year. Volkswagen CrossBlue concept was revealed at the Detroit auto show this year. Officially a concept, the CrossBlue while sporting the plug-in diesel-electric powertrain as a token to carry on the legacy of the classic auto-show fare, the concept is quite a foretaste to the three-row SUV Volkswagen is about to offer in the coming two years.
As the brand tells about the Volkswagen CrossBlue and the production version that will step into the light with a different name, the crossovers are claimed as being “made for America”. It’s a two way deal. While the CrossBlue concept is a stunning treat to the American taste buds, the CrossBlue will be a trump card for VW quest for American sales growth. Anticipated to be a six or seven seater, the three-row crossover takes straight aims at the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. The design of the concept perfectly displays the key characteristics of American SUVs. Marc Lichte, exterior designer for the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept skillfully incorporated giant wheel arches, a broad stance and the general brawn and masculinity into the design for the Americans to indulge into their rides. The successful attempt to style the CrossBlue for the Americans is testified by the fact that it is virtually a doppelganger to the Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and the styling is to remain mostly the same for the production model as well.
The Volkswagen CrossBlue concept’s powertrain is a diesel hybrid setup combining the latest EA288 2.0 liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, a six-speed DSG dual clutch automatic transmission and two electric motors, one at each axle. On its own, the diesel is capable of producing 190 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque while the front mounted motor delivers 54 horses and 133 pound feet of twist along with the rear mounted one that is good for 114 and 119. Overall, the system is one big machine successfully producing 305 horsepower and a phenomenal torque of 516 pound feet. The brand claims that CrossBlue can cruise at a theoretical top speed of 127 mph and can achieve 60 mph from rest (o mph) in an impressive 7.0 seconds.
It is not yet decided where the CrossBlue will get its final North American assembly. Reports are the various VW plants are to bid for the right to build the stunning crossover. However, it is strongly anticipated that the crossover will unite with the Passat in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There is expected to be a long wait between the idea and the implementation. The concept is not yet to be headed for production and there have been no official announcements made. For a German company to pursue such a considerable wait for a behind schedule model, it comes with a bit of the surprise, but maybe it is just another aspect among many of the Volkswagen’s Americanization.
Redone 2014 Nissan Rogue
It has been almost seven years since Nissan last staked a claim to be the newest pursuing suburban dead ends. To boast the tag for once again, 2014 Nissan Rogue is getting a makeover. Arriving in November, 2014 Nissan Rogue will be priced just above $23,000 and will be welcomed part of a new global family of Renault and Nissan vehicles. Globally, Rogue will be displaying glimpses of the Nissan X-Trail and in further iterations the design of the stylish SUV will spawn some more Renault and Nissan vehicles. The new features boasted by the 2014 Nissan Rogue include a first-time three row seat with a more flexible seating system and a cargo organizing setup with 18 possible configurations.
Flaunting a completely new styling theme, the Rogue now has dressed up its familiar size with more appealing surfaces. Just like Honda, Nissan has evolved positively taking baby steps to remove the odder add-ons of the past. For instance, the last Rogue’s skewed grilles have been replaced by a more conventional grille option with vertical bars braced by LED running lamps. The sculpting on the sides makes it easy to mote the striking influence from the wild Juke. The recent Nissan Resonance concept doesn’t mark much of its presence but the shape still manages to push the Rogue’s corners in more reminiscent directions as compared to the blander first generation crossover.
The Rogue makes its comeback with a 2.5 liter four cylinder engine and Nissan’s signature continuously variable transmission that was also seen in the first generation crossover. Still producing 170 horsepower, the compact crossover is claimed to be, by the brand, at the top of the niche with 175 pound feet of torque. The efficiency is going to improve by 10 percent. The 2014 Rogue will feature all-independent suspension and electric power steering assisting in controlling the funky ride. What’s more new is the Active Ride Control that directs the CVT and the engine responses to smoothen the ride in case you encounter a bumpy road. The standard Rogue is set to sport 17 inch wheels while 18 inchers are an option on the top Rogue.
Just like Nissan Altima, the Rogue is promised to offer its passengers with better seating comforts with especially dense seat foams and more room for the backseat passengers all due to the sliding and reclining second row seats. The most unusual addition is the third row seat since there is not much of an increment in the passenger space. But because of the fact that the second row can be adjusted on a 9-inch long track, the third row seat could be a bit of a surprise, potent with some fine amount of leg room.
Nissan Rogue 2014 is a straight competition to the 2014 Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota Rav4. With a completely new and striking design, the promising Nissan engine and transmission and the new promised interior comfort, 2014 Nissan Rogue has quite some capability to stir up trouble in the market and keep the honor of having the oldest model in a hot vehicle segment like compact crossovers for the brand by being Essentially Nissan.