SUVs

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2016 Volvo XC90 Hits 16,000 Pre-Orders So Far + 38 New Dynamic Photos

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  The 2016 XC90 is easily the most important Volvo in the last five years. Scoring a hit with buyers is a make-or-break venture for the much-loved Swedish car brand. A simple refresh with new cabin tech, design and exterior upgrades might have secured a 30-percent sales increase all on its out. The previous scenario assumes carry-over powertrains. Volvo has not taken that route. The new strategy is an all-new platform with standard plug-in hybrid tech, a T6 power level and T8 setup with 400-horsepower. If the old gains might have been modest, the new XC90 is looking set to …

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2016 Chevrolet Equinox 1

2016 Chevrolet Equinox Facelift Revealed in Chicago

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The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox just had its best-ever sales month in January 2015, which is proof that the large and affordable crossover is still a hit with shoppers. For 2016, the Equinox features an all-new nose and tail look, along with a classier glasshouse shape and upgraded interior. Chevrolet Equinox – 2016 Fresh Face: Chevrolet Introduces Restyled 2016 Equinox Premium cues, new safety features enhance Chevy’s record-selling compact SUV CHICAGO – Chevrolet today introduced the 2016 Equinox – a contemporized version of the popular compact SUV. Updates include new styling with premium accents, new wheel designs and new available safety features, …

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2015 Acura RDX 2

2015 Acura RDX Refreshed With New Tech, LED Lighting and Chassis Refinement

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 The quick and nimble Acura RDX is fresh for 2016 with new LED lighting front and rear, a server of new active safety technology and a redesigned cabin control stack. Now majoring on touchscreens and simplified settings, the 2016 RDX’s standard 3.5-liter V6 will compete even more effectively with the Lexus NX, BMW X3, Lincoln MKC, Mercedes GLK and a half-dozen other five-seat, semi-compact SUVs and crossovers. This segment is definitely not the small or compact SUV norm– these luxury models are big and wide, with roomy rear seats. They are small enough for city duty and most travel, but …

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Update2 – 2016 Honda Pilot Is All-New With 9-Speed Automatic, New AWD and Vastly Superior Cabin

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The new 2016 Honda Pilot is here! With a striking new design that moves away from the blocky look of the current model, this eight-seater promises improvements in almost every single way. The biggest news for drivers is an all-new nine-speed automatic transmission for top trims, plus a redesigned AWD system that can move more torque to either axle than before. Inside, a total redesign makes things far smoother, quiter and safer than before. Upgraded entertainment and touch-screen nav and climate controls are welcome, as are the advanced safety systems to be offered on the 2016. In this family-dominated segment, …

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2015 KIA Trail’Ster Concept Previews Upcoming Soul Refresh + All-New Interior

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The Kia Soul is easily our favorite model in the Kia range – with actual sportiness in the handling and impressive power, there is no other car on the market with such a flexible crossover package. Best of all? The Soul is priced like an economy car, and has almost double the power of the Scion xD and xB. But how to make it a real SUV instead of just a fun and light-hearted crossover? For that, you need all-wheel-drive. KIA has gone theRX450h route here — powering the rear axle with hybrid electric motors. Efficient, compact, and lacking any …

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2015 Chevrolet Colorado GearOn Special Edition Packs Anything Via Cargo Management System

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With a name like Colorado, you would definitely expect the vehicle to excel there. And as the fittest state in the nation, Colorado folks love to get outdoors and live the active lifestyle that most people just see in glossy magazine or TV ads. This means skiing, camping, kayaking, biking, hiking and boating.   The new Colorado GearOn Special Edition is a handy way to have a truck that is ready to haul anything right from the factory. Unique style like the gloss-black running boards, gloss-black wheels and body-color grille are a cool look, but the real action for the …

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INFINITI QX70 Larte LR3 Widebody from AHG-Sports

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Larte Design is making some waves in tuner-loving Germany! The wildest of the three upgrade kits, dubbed LR3, is fitted here to the QX70 by AHG-Sports, who also completes a comprehensive dechroming and black-on-black styling overhaul. The results speak for themselves! INFINITI QX70 Larte LR3 Widebody from AHG-Sports INFINITI QX70 LR3-WIDE BODY from AHG-SPORTS Since five years AHG-Sports has been extremely positively talked about as in-house tuning department of the car dealer Günther, which is represented four times in Hamburg especially with cars of the precious Nissan-offshoot Infiniti. And cooperation agreement recently reached with LARTE Design resulted in additional opportunities …

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2007 Nissan BEVEL Concept 23

Concept Design Analysis – 2007 Nissan BEVEL Was Futuristic SUV Workvan

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As Nissan explored the commercial vehicle segments leading to the NV and NV200, there were a few exploratory design concepts leading the way. This BEVEL concept is a cool look at what a cross between the Cube and Pathfinder might resemble — at least in some far-off universe. A single door on the driver’s side contrasted with normal twin doors on the passenger side, while all the seats folded flat to form a flat load bay. The panel-van style of the rear sides is then contrasted with a giant glass roof and huge glass tailgate. Overall, the design is characterized …

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JEEP Heritage and Icons - Mega Gallery in 113 Rare Photos 98

JEEP Heritage and Icons – Mega Gallery in 113 Rare Photos

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You all know the Jeep story. The GI’s personnel transport system is a legend worldwide for its off-road prowess, but is there a brand trait that more accurately describes Jeep? Yes. We would argue its deliberately simple designs helped the Jeep to excel in three other areas: –build-ability from scratch –durability once assembled –repair-ability once damaged These three abilities make any Jeep a superhero in your driveway and in harm’s way with shells landing nearby.   A fourth ability? Perhaps this new skill should be adaptability. The Jeep brand name itself is evolved from the short-hand for its name, and …

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2012 Jeep Mighty FC 1

Concept Flashback – 2012 Jeep Mighty FC

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The 2012 Jeep Mighty FC is hilarious to behold, and a really cool concept idea overall. Beyond the many Jeep pickup truck conversions and concepts, the Forward Control recreates an actual Jeep production truck from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s. Overall, the Mighty FC builds on Jeep’s very impressive concept repertoire: this truck is not just a runner, but it hit the Moab Jeep Jamboree for some extreme off-road proving. Versus most concept cars that are barely rollers, this is an impressive level of engineering. Two things: How!? and Why!? How? The Forward Control is created by the very-simple-sounding …

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Larte Design Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 74

LARTE Design Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Black Crystal in 80 New Photos!

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Better than even the awesome Larte QX80 and QX60 makeovers? Better than the LX570 Alligator that Larte Design just launched in Moscow? Taste is always subjective — but in terms of the high-fashion and high-exclusivity goals of a luxury SUV upgrade, we’d vote for this Larte GL as their best work yet. The angularity and strongly matte finishes to the Larte trucks grilles and body kit certainly applies here, giving the brand a relatively unique statement of design across all its models. They best part of this body kit and accessory package for the GL550, GL450, GL350 and GL63 is …

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LARTE Design Range Rover Sport WINNER 18

LARTE Design Range Rover Sport WINNER Styling Kit in 26 New Photos

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Updated 2.8.15 The Larte Design WINNER kit for the Range Rover Sport is now available to order!  Who would have thought… seven items to make any RRS so cool and stylish!? There are no shortage of custom upgrades for the new Range Rover Sport, but this latest kit from Larte Design is instantly one of the most distinctive. A gloss black dip for all the trim elements and the new alloys sets the tone, while new bumpers front and rear are fresh and angular like the best supercars.A new pair of white LED DRL’s live in the lower intakes, and …

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2015 Ford Edge 4

2015 Ford Edge Pricing and Powertrains Revealed

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The 2015 Ford Edge pricing is out! Base sticker price is from $28,100, while the Edge Sport comes in from $38,000. This Edge Sport packs a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 making 315-horsepower and 350-pound-feet of torque. Check out all the Edge colors in animated turntables over at the below link, or see the new info from Ford down below. http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/06/26/2015-ford-edge-visualizer-10-colors-every-angle-animated-turntables/ 2015 Ford Edge Feb 6, 2015 | DEARBORN, Mich. Performance and Power: 2015 Ford Edge Sport Certified as Highest-Performing Edge Yet 2015 Ford Edge Sport is the most powerful Edge yet, thanks to a 2.7-liter EcoBoost® V6 making 315 horsepower …

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2016 Mazda CX-5 8

Update1 – 2016 Mazda CX-5 Goes From Good To Great

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The Mazda CX-5 just went from one of the best crossovers available to perhaps the single best under $30,000. The changes for 2016 include a freshened exterior via a more premium dark-grey grille in a smaller shape, dark-accented wheels and more body-colored accents. Stylish new LED lighting in a cool and expressive design are standard front and rear, plus LED main beam headlamps for the first time. These Adaptive LED Headlights are part of a suite of new safety tech for the CX-5 and a redesigned cabin infotainment setup. Mazda MZD, this new tech package has a larger screen and …

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2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept 2

2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept Headed for Geneva

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  The newest Infiniti is almost here! The QX30 Concept’s first teaser image is official, and is almost a dead ringer for the Q30 concept seen at Frankfurt 2013. From the back at least, the new QX30 does appeal to be significantly more SUV-ish than the low-riding Q30. This would imply there might be road and trail versions of the model in the cars. This version is also nearly production-ready (tires aside…) and should arrive in global Infiniti showrooms by December, we predict. The premium compact crossover is likely to be an influential design template, later rolling upmarket with a …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Lexus NX300h Is Swanky, Ultra-Smooth, 35MPG+ SUV!?

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2015 Lexus NX300h Review Is the Lexus NX the most impressive new luxury crossover with a base price under $40,000? After a week with the plucky and quick NX200t F Sport, we whole-heartedly say YES!! But even quick spin in the NX300h shows that the incredible (seriously otherworldly) smoothness and efficiency of the NX300h is not to be dismissed out of hand. With effiiency figures that are up about 10 on the turbo on city and highway to the mid-30s overall, the NX300h is seriously desirable as well. With 200-pounds of battery under the back seat, the NX300h handles with …

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2016 Fiat 500X Pricing, Colors and Real-Life Photos 30 - Copy

2016 Fiat 500X Pricing, Colors and Real-Life Photos!

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Can you imagine a more perfect follow-up to the Fiat 500 in the brand’s return to the US? A compact four-door crossover that is sporty, chic, right-sized and right-priced. The 500X is so good, it is likely to be the best-seller of the Fiat range almost overnight. Along with the jumbo 500L MPV, the 500X is the best news for Fiat shoppers since the brand’s return itself. Why all this steep praise? The 2016 500X just feels like a huge hit. Standard with an automatic nine-speed and turbo-charged four-cylinder, the 500X’s main powertrain option is AWD for a kinda-steep $1,900 …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Feels Light, Quick and Lux

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 Video First Drive Review: 2015 VW Touareg TDI Clean Diesel INTRO Few people have been more scathing in their assessment of the new Touareg’s extremely light exterior refresh than us. But think about it: when a person gets a facelift, they do not want to be some shocking cat-lady whose new face is shocking from 100 yards away. You want it to be exceptionally subtle. You want to look 2X as fresh and young and modern, but without causing too much attention or interest in exactly how you achieved this fountain of youth. So goes the new Touareg’s refresh for …

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2016 Renault Kadjar 8

2016 Renault Kadjar Is New Mid-Size Crossover With High Style and Available AWD

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 This is the all-new Renault Kadjar! Revealed ahead of its public launch in Geneva next month, the Kadjar is the freshest entry into Renault’s rapidly-growing crossover arsenal. After owning family car transport for the last decade or more with the Espace and Picasso minivans, Renault is changing with the times. Ultra-functional vans are no longer the must-have family accessory. The new must-have for carpools and primary-school dropoffs? Mid-size crossovers. This new Kadjar takes aim squarely at the Honda CR-V and a three dozen other alternatives. The Kadjar promises to be more luxurious and stylish than the Nissan Qashqai, which comes …

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BMW M Performance Parts for 2015 X5M and X6M Include Tri-Color Racing Stripes!

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  INTRO: Exciting discovery: these images allow a near-perfect animated comparison showing the different X6 vs X5 rooflines.   It might seem silly to buy a brand-new BMW X5 or X6 M and go shopping right away to upgrade it. But it is actually more normal than you might think. These factory upgrades are often things BMW would like to include on the factory trucks, but can’t because they are too polarizing (the M-color graphics…) or the M Performance exhaust (for legal reasons…). You have to imagine BMW ships these cars around the world in a universally appealing specification, but …

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4.0s, 567HP 2015 BMW X6 M In 140 New Photos From Austin COTA

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The X6M is harder, lower, wider and wilder than the new X5M — really cementing its status as one of the quickest SUVs of all time. The design showcases a new rear fender strike and even more chopped-roof design feeling — and sets the right for its massive new power and pace from all sides. The most powerful BMWs ever made have just shattered the glass ceiling of SUV performance. With 567-horsepower through standard xDrive AWD, the new X5 and X6 M have sprint times of just 4.0-seconds along with a devilish M styling overhaul. The grille and front fascia …

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Houston Auto Show Customs - Top 10 LIFTED TRUCKS 21

Houston Auto Show Customs – Top 10 LIFTED TRUCKS!

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If there is one memory of the Houston Auto Show that really sticks with you, it is the dominance of lifted trucks. Tuners, custom shops and even new-car dealerships all are deeply into the custom truck business. We have little idea who the tuning companies are who created all these beasts, so we’ll just label them by the base machine they started as from the factories when tuner branding is not available. 1. RAM 2500 Bolt Locks If the challenge is to be tallest, this Ram definitely won. Seeing its handler come down from the cabin was shocking. He literally …

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Mecum 2015 Florida Faves - 1962 Willys JEEP Utility Wagon 9 - Copy

Mecum 2015 Florida Faves – 1962 Willys JEEP Utility Wagon

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  Despite being painted like the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, this Willys Utility Wagon is actually really cool and special. This machine, of course, was a Willys and not a Jeep by name. But in spirit, it shows what Jeep could be as a commercial and civilian machine in a post-war world. In terms of charm, the wood paneling outside is real, and also lines the roof of the cargo bay. Very cool.   1962 Willys JEEP Utility Wagon       1962 Willys Utility Wagon Lot L215// Mecum Auctions Kissimmee 2015 // Jan 16-25 High Bid: $21,000 1962 Willys Utility …

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2016 Land Rover Discover Sport HSE 11

2016 Land Rover Discover Sport HSE – Full Design Analysis + Letter Grade Scores

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INTRO: ICELAND IN JANUARY The new Land Rover Discovery Sport just enjoyed its big coming-out party over the weekend in Iceland, with many auto writers enjoying a 1000-mile adventure trying out the new baby Landie across heaps and dales and ice bales. But from our impression back at home, the vast majority of the travel time was not by car, but by plane. Iceland is farrrrr from everywhere in the United States. Far. (Sidebar, would we have gone if invited? YES!) And a general rule of thumb? The more exotic the launch location of a hum-drum car, the worse the …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado Rally Sport and Custom Sport Trucks + New Midnight Edition Preview

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The 2015 Silverado packs four special editions for 2015: the Texas Edition, upcoming Midnight Edition and the just-launched Rally Sport and Custom Sport Trucks. The Midnight Edition will bow in Chicago next week, while the Texas Edition has been on sale for a month or so already. In between are the new RS and Custom Editions — which we caught up with in Houston. They look good and are a cool way to have a distinctive and customized rig – right from the factory with warranty intact and lifetime durability for the paintwork and finishes.     2015 Silverado Midnight …

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1970 Ford Bronco V8 Pickup 33

Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – 1970 Ford Bronco V8 Pickup

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What is it about these 1970s Ford Bronco’s? There is just something so crisp and charming about their utilitarian design. Along with nearly no front and rear overhangs, a short wheelbase and heavy off-road hardware — the Bronco was just totally overprepared and over-strong for most road duties. It was like a heavy-duty, 2500-payload beast trapped in the dimensions of one of today’s mini crossovers. This red pickup hardtop with roll bars and a 302-cubic-inch V8 was fully restored with a body-off upgrade to new diffs, plus new air conditioning. 1970 Ford Bronco V8 Pickup      

2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition 3

2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition in 20 New Photos + Freedom Edition Preview

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The new Willys Edition Jeep Wrangler looks very, very cool and desirable with its gloss-black grille and wheels. The Freedom Edition with a dark grey grille and military star is pretty cool too, mind you. That being said, Jeep Wranglers have never struggled to be ‘cool.’ They have always been cool as hell. But these minor factory customizations just might spark a must-have sentiment in shoppers. Even after deciding on a Freedom or Willys Edition, the doors and roof options are still plentiful!   2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition      

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 BMW X5 M Looks Mean, But Logos Nearly Invisible

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Perhaps this is the new BMW M strategy for M trucks – small badges. Whatever the case, it is increasingly difficult to know which car is the X5 M and which is the X5 xDrive50i M Sport. Even so, the performance is the main selling point of this hot new muscle-truck. The giant footwear and unique chinstrap bumper design are the clearest signs that this is the X5 M versus an M Sport X5. That and the ridiculous pace, of course. 2015 BMW X5 M        

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 BMW X6 xDrive50i – LEDetails Front and Rear in 50 New Photos

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The first-gen BMW X6 seemed like a huge joke, if we’re honest. All the impracticality of a tiny rear seat, plus barely half the total luggage volume of the X5. But the new X6 really does make a convincing style argument for itself versus the very-practical new X5 shape. The X6 also wears the new wide-spaced LED headlamp signature only visible on the X5M. The base X5’s have an indicator in the corner of the lamps, and tighter and smaller angel eyes inside. The M Sport model shown here does a very impressive M truck impression, despite being just the …

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Houston Auto Show – Camp JEEP – Animated Action Sequences!

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The Houston Auto Show brought some really cool drive experiences inside the convention center this year: with Camp Jeep a real highlight and crowd-pleaser. It might not seem realistic to simulate off-roading with ultra-steep ramps, buck-board surfaces and steeply tilted later angles. But based on the screams and smiles of drivers sampling Jeep hill-descent-controls and off-road prowess, we’d say the internal thrills and G-forces are authentic! Enjoy these two brief sequences of the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee making their ways down a 45-degree ridge. Smooth and under control, like true off-road pros. Houston Auto Show – Camp JEEP – Animated …

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2016 Lincoln MKX 18

Houston Auto Show – 2016 Lincoln MKX Really Impresses in 27 New, High-Res Photos

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Like us, you might have been slightly underwhelmed by the design of the brand-new, 2016 Lincoln MKX when it was revealed in Detroit just two weeks ago. It seemed new, yes — but virtually identical to the MKC crossover!? In the flesh, there are dramatic family resemblences between Lincoln’s two new crossovers, but the MKX does impress with its own premium details and much-larger overall profile. The MKC is bite-size next to this luxury cruiser. They both seat five, but the MKX will have much happier occupants in the posh second row of seats, and more luggage room in back …

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Mecum Florida 2015 – 1973 Ford Bronco 302ci V8 Custom Off-Roader

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Editing these photos, we just saw the $24,000 sticker on the windshield and kept thinking what a great buy this was. All these off-road parts would tally about $20,000 even in crates off the truck. A rusty original Bronco might be worth $24,000 by itself…. so obviously to get both in perfect, restored and custom condition would be quite a steal. Alas, $24k was the high bid — and did not meet the reserve. The one good thing!? That means this very cool truck is still available for sale.   1973 Ford Bronco            

Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites - 1987 Volkswagen SYNCHRO 4x4 TurboDiesel Westfalia 11

Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – 1987 Volkswagen SYNCHRO 4×4 TurboDiesel Westfalia

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A VW Vanagon with, get this: – factory Synchro 4×4 – Westfalia full camper van setup inside – turbodiesel engine from the factory with five-speed manual – and 45k original miles Those four, folks, are a very rare combination in the US market. Any suriviving VW Vanagon — or bus, for stoners — is relatively special these days. But a 4×4 with these cool off-road upgrades like the steel bumpers, rally lights, custom nose detailing and four-pack of round headlamps, plus tinted brake lights!? Very, very cool. For me, the only thing that would make this VW cooler would be …

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Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites - Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser 1

Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser With Matching Trolley!

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We’re back from some epic adventures last week, and eager to share the wealth of 3000-plus photos taken along the way. We counted at least four FJ40 Land Cruisers at the Mecum 2015 Auctions in Kissimmee Florida, but this sunkissed red example with knobby off-road tires and matching trailer stole our vote. It sold for $35,000. It is interesting to note that the new TRD Pro Tundra echoes this Toyota grille script almost exactly for 2015. Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser  

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Updated with 36 New Photos – Mecum Kissimmee 2015 – 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter

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This Shelby-upgraded Ford Super Duty truck was a real sentimental favorite ahead of the Mecum auctions. In person, the truck is just as sweet and lovable. It sold for more than $50,000 – proving our affection for the big brute was not a one-off feeling.   PREVIOUS Sure, this Shelby transporter from 1966 might not be as glamorous as the classic Mercedes, Porsche or Ferrari transports — but it does have one huge factor in its favor. Authenticity. This truck is the real deal and in original, unrestored condition. That alone will make it quite a special find for Shelby …

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2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country – Updated With 20 New, Real-Life Photos from Houston

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First details today on the newest Volvo – a US-bound V60 Cross Country! The new V60 XC is a tough and rugged version of the V60 sportwagen, and will ship to the US with standard AWD and the 250-horsepower T5 engine. Some have asked if the V60 Cross Country is necessary, considering the presence of the XC60 SUV in the lineup. There is certainly some overlap, but the V60 XC will appeal to a sportier customer and have pricing a few thousand less than the taller XC60 SUV. More models are a good thing for Volvo in the US – …

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2016 Ford Explorer Sport 6

2016 Ford Explorer Sport Inside and Out in 28 New Photos from Houston

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  Thrilled to see the 2016 Explorer is progressing and evolving into an even better seven-seat SUV: new engines, new luxury and tech inside, and new style outside are all very promising. Even more exciting for shoppers than the new Platinum trim level at the top of the ladder? All new colors for every trim level – even the base Explorer 2.3-liter EcoBoost from $31,000. We’ve prepared this animated colors visualizer with half an eye toward file sizes. Previous Mustang and 2015 Edge color articles have nearly broken the poor interwebs under the weight of 400-plus images. =]     …

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 Jeep Renegade Inside and Out in 45 New Photos

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The Renegade is the second Jeep we have absolutely hated upon first sight, but really warmed up to as the style sunk in and was seen in the flesh. Visiting the Jeep stand at the Houston Auto Show this week confirms the cool and chunky stance of the Renegade, as a right-sized compact SUV. The ultra-traditional tall windshield and functional upper bodywork maximize cabin and storage space, with the Jeep heritage styling cues at once both very modern but also classic. If the new Cherokee is almost Cayenne-like in its swoopiness from the rear three-quarter angle, the new Renegade harks …

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2015 Peugeot 2008 DKR Rally Racer – Tech Specs and Pre-Dakar Photos

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The Peugeot DKR prototype currently blasting through the Chilean sahara on the 2015 Dakar rally has been a bit of a wallflower before the race. Few official photos of the truck have been seen. The mid-engine, rear-drive off-roader is an evolution of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak car, but raised dramatically for its new Dakar mission. The same team that created the LeMans 908 HDi FAP cars have created both of these latest racing Pugs, and all have shared the primary super-diesel engine power. This 3.0-liter twin turbo-diesel is a total torque monster: it pushes out 590 pound-feet of …

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Dakar 2015 – IVECO Making Big Gains With One-Two Finish on Day 11 in T4 Trucks Class

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These Dakar press releases are always a bit confusing due to how long and how many stages there are in this grueling race. We are wrapping day 12 today, with two more to go. The T4 trucks class is always a fun one to watch because the vehicles are simply so gigantic. To see a 10-ton truck do flying leaps and landings is an unfortgettable spectacle, to be sure. Italian Iveco has been moving up the charts late in the Dakar 2015 race, but still languishes about 7th in overall truck rankings — behind the huge volume of Kamaz, Renault …

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Infiniti QX70 by AHG-Sports 3

Infiniti QX70 by AHG-Sports Shows Great Style and Stance

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One of the big advantages of going to a big tuner for your car upgrades is that — no matter how eye-watering;y expensive they are, a big tuner’s parts will be far less than commissioning the work piece by piece. In Germany, driving one of the big local brands really helps broaden the availability, and affordability, of tuner parts and car mods. The Infiniti here by AHG-Sports lacks both of these benefits: it is nearly a one-off upgrade and each change is deeply pricey. Secondly, Infiniti’s in Europe are so rare that limited options exist to go wild on power …

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2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV 14 - Copy

Design Analysis – 2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV

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When Mitsubishi rolled out its latest trio of design concepts in Geneva last March, we were slightly horrified and very shocked. The designs are quite ‘advanced,’ — which is another way of saying they are freakishly ‘out there’ and not exactly attractive on first glance. But after seeing how this look filtered down to the 2016 Outlander, we are determined to give the new Mitsubishi design style a chance. And clearly, Mitsubishi believes it is on to something here. The XR-PHEV here became the firm’s Vision Gran Turismo car as an ‘Evolution’ version of this design, so you cannot say …

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#NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery – Day Two in 175 Photos!

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175 more photos from the Detroit Auto Show! A few at the beginning from the Industry preview the 14th and 15th, with engineers pouring over the competition in very extreme detail. The Detroit auto show opens to the public on the 17th. This gallery is the new slideshow — so after the new tab opens, the main window is now a slideshow. Next photo: click right-hand side of image. Previous photo; left-hand side. Enjoy!   NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery Two    

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3.8s 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Is Quickest SUV EVER!

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  Here is the scenario: two amazing Porsches. Which to do first? Our first article definitely led with the new Targa GTS — until we looked at the spec sheets. The PDK Targa GTS sprints to 60-mph in a very-respectable 4.1-seconds with the PDK pack. But brace yourself for some real heat with the new Cayenne Turbo S. This $160,000 super-truck is now the quickest SUV of all time: 3.8-seconds to 60-mph. Apologies for the lack of formatting in the specs below. Screenshots of the full specs PDF included, however, as proof of this unbelievably quick new Cayenne Turbo S. …

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2016 Volvo XC90 R-Design Is Damn Sexy Swede

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When the Volvo XC90 debuted earlier this year in Stockholm, we were floored by its super luxurious cabin and extremely smart PHEV powertrains that actually deliver huge horsepower — and mileage. The 400-horsepower T8 is far ahead of any other seven-seat hybrid SUV, and is the world’s first plug-in seven-seater. But to be honest, the style of the normal two XC90’s — one body-colored and one with off-road pieces unpainted — seemed extremely frumpy and dull. The XC90 R-Design helped a great deal in those stakes, but it is always hard to get a sense of a car from renderings, …

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2016 Lincoln MKX – Will Mini-Bentley Design Appeal to US and Chinese Luxury Crossover Buyers?

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Updated 1.13.2015 Mini-Bentley!? Yes, that is the sense we have when viewing the MKX in some of its profile shots. It is actually a really well-resolved and premium appearance, with great proportions that say Luxury and Big Back Seat loud and clear. This is important, because the MKX is aimed squarely at two markets that value those two things very highly: the USA and China. Lincoln is launching in China with the MKX as one of its star cars. The luxury crossover segment is one of the few segments that is still red-hot in Chinese sales, and Lincoln is well-positioned …

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hyundai santa cruz concept

2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept Explores SUV Pickup Crossover

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  What is this Hyundai Santa Cruz? A pickup/SUV? Think of it like a Honda Ridgeline, but perhaps tilted a bit more toward the SUV side of things versus the pickup truck? The Hyundai Santa Cruz concept revealed minutes ago in Detroit is certainly a headscratcher.Not least because the Honda Ridgeline has been a bit of a dud, despite a new model coming for 2016 for Honda. The best way to think of the concept is a look at Hyundai entering new truck segments in the future, as well as a snapshot of the brand’s latest design ideas in the …

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2017 Ford Raptor Is EcoBEAST! Cool New Style, Much Quicker and Even More Bad-Ass

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It is very rare to have a truck’s front suspension A-arms be a styling detail that lights up your eyes from the front, but the 2017 Raptor proves the exception. The truck shows off its tough and rough off-road equipment and suspension from all sides, especially dead-on from the nose. Here we see the Raptor’s trademark honeycomb grille and giant FORD letters writ large, paired with the super-cool new LED lighting from the top F-150 Platinum trims. Here the lamps are exposed and free of a clear shell — the better to show off the box-LED style and also to …

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2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupé S-Model Storms The D With 585HP

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The new GLE63 Coupe is official!  It is the flagship model above the AMG GLE450 Coupe, and packs a huge wallop from its twin-turbo V8: from 557HP in the normal truck to the 585HP in the S-Model. Stunning performance is a sure thing: we could be looking here at the quickest-sprinting SUV of all time via pace of 4.0-seconds to 60-mph.   2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupe   The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC: Driving performance reinterpreted Affalterbach/Detroit Jan 12, 2015   Affalterbach/Detroit.  With the new GLE 63 Coupé, Mercedes-AMG is in highly dynamic mood as it enters the 2015 …

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2015 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

Update2 – 360HP Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Is Sporty PHEV Crossover Concept

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The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE has arrived today with sporty looks and a five-passenger cabin that is about the size of the BMW X6 inside and out. The concept runs a 3.6-liter V6 plus a large hybrid power unit with EV-driving ability. Its style is an important preview of the production CrossBlue, a Passat-based seven-seater set for assembly in Tennessee beside its sedan cousin. We are likely to see this style replicated near-exactly on the large CrossBlue, but in a larger and blockier roofline layout. This design is production-ready in almost all ways, with the actual Cross Coupe a possibility …

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mkx

2016 Lincoln MKX in 30 Photos – 2.7L EcoBoost, Open-Pore Wood, 19-Speaker Audio

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The 2016 Lincoln MKX has broken cover, and it is a very impressive next step for the resugent American luxury brand. A step up in size from the MKC, the MKX is larger and more posh, of course, but also a bit more evolved. The MKX images here show sexy new detailing inside and out, with a heavy emphasis on advanced luxury not offered on any Ford at any price. These details include the new twin LED DRL accents in front, a multi-lens HID low and highbeam design, and a full-width LED lightbar in back. The MKX with these modern …

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Bugatti SUV Design Concept by Ondrej Jirec

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In the original article toward the bottom of this page, we explore an online rendering of a Bugatti Veyron-style SUV, plus created our own janky lift of the official Galibier concept from Bugatti. But neither of the below ideas is really as avant-garde as Bugatti would seek for any Super SUV with its EB logos attached. College of Art Center of Design student Ondrej Jirec has a very cool idea for a Bugatti SUV. Grand style, grand pace, and the name? The Grand Colombier. A nod to the explorer Cristobol Colon — who we Americans know as Christopher Columbus — …

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q7 tech

2016 Audi Q7 Shows New MMI Touch, Audi Connect and MIB Tablet Interfaces by Nvidia

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The new Audi Q7 will debut not just a much lighter chassis and all-new styling outside, but a cabin that is fresh from the carpet upward and absolutely packed with tech goodies. Where to start? The latest Virtual Cockpit design uses a 12.3-inch TFT panel in the main guage cluster, able to show 3D instruments, full Google-Earth navigation and maps, and a dozen other custom displays as needed. These are operated by voice, redundant knobs and buttons on the wheel and dash, or by the new MMI Touch control panel with multi-touch capabilities (ahead of the shifter). On the road, …

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Land Rover Honors 2015 Defender Retirement with Trio of Special Editions

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  Heading back to the start 65 years ago, Land Rover has created a fantastic Earthen honor to its founding model: the Series I. The legend of this truck actually started in the sand. The salty ocean fringe medium was actually where the first engineering sketches were drawn. Long after the waves washed the shape away, the product of those ideas is now a global icon in off-roading. This brief video shows the latest Defender sand drawing on the English coast – as etched by three new 2015 special-editions in a 1-kilometer-wide shape.     Among the new Heritage, Adventure …

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Concept Flashbacks – 2010 SEMA Mercedes-Benz GLK Tuner Cars

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Shocked and appalled by hideous custom Mercedes-Benzes prowling the world’s roads? Wish there were an upgrade kit that fits the refined aesthetic of the Merc brand? If only Mercedes would commission a few tuner custom show cars of its own, it would have control and be able to yay/nay any questionable elements. For the US launch of the GLK in 2010, MB-USA did just that: four custom GLK’s for the SEMA show in Vegas. Unfortunately for those who do not like loud, brash designs…. what resulted are four of the wildest, silliest concept GLK’s ever seen. Removing the constraint of …

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2015 ARIEL Nomad – Exclusive Digital COLORIZER

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This Ariel Nomad is a very cool piece of news – even as CES is in full swing and Detroit is starting to build momentum ahead of press parties starting on Sunday. We’ve spent a bit of time in photoshop to create an exclusive color visualizer for the new Nomad — with our skills obviously best able to create bright, Skittles-style shades. We’ve also lightened and darkened the wheels for a few ideas of what the gloss-black optional rims might look like. This car seems like it is *perfect* for the X-raid class of rallying, and as such there are …

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3.3s 2015 ARIEL Nomad – Tech Specs, Options and Full-Throttle Testing Video!

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Updated 1.6.2015 If anything, the real-life Ariel Nomad is even cooler than last week’s teaser renders indicated. Power is a stout 235-ponies, the Yokohama 35-inch mud tires are insane, and the options list will make you start drooling onto your touchscreen. Is there any downside to the ultra-light yet super-strong Ariel Atom chassis concept being applied to an off-roader? Not that we can think of. A heated windshield is even offered. The rear-engine playfulness and handling joy seem to apply themselves perfectly to the Nomad’s off-road mission — as well as guaranteeing traction for sprints and heavy braking. The 100-kph …

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larte rrs

LARTE Design Launches Flashy New Range Rover Sport Upgrades

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There are no shortage of custom upgrades for the new Range Rover Sport, but this latest kit from Larte Design is instantly one of the most distinctive. A gloss black dip for all the trim elements and the new alloys sets the tone, while new bumpers front and rear are fresh and angular like the best supercars.A new pair of white LED DRL’s live in the lower intakes, and an F1-inspired rear central brake light shines bright red from the lower bumper. The new three-pod grille insert is a fresh take on the RRS style – and is one of …

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jeep renegade

2008 Jeep Renegade Concept Was Off-Road EV Speedster

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The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles concept parade continues unabated! Here we have the 2008 Jeep Renegade concept — which was a brave look at what a wider, lower and EV-powered Wrangler might look like. The exposed doors and organic surfaces, along with integrated fenders, meld well with the chopped windshield glass. Overall, the Renegade concept showed a modern form language whose lighting elements are seen on the upcoming 2015 Renegade small crossover. 2008 Jeep Renegade Concept

jeep hurricane

Concept Flashback – 2005 Jeep Hurricane Was Twin-HEMI Warthog-Fighter?

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As the Jeep Hurricane started spinning in its own wheelbase length on the stage of the 2005 Detroit show, the crowd nearly forgot all about the truck’s real trump card. Or pair of Kings. A giant HEMI V8 at each end of the Hurricane promised otherworldly off-road power and movement precision. Sure, this vaguely recalls the Peugeot Hoggar from a few years before, but much more closely resembled the HALO video-game machine known as the Warthog. As the Halo game franchise has evolved, the Warthog has too. In 2010, the military machine fantasy even earned a spot in Forza Motorsport …

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2015 Lexus NX Colors, Trims and Cabin Visualizer + Prices for NX200t vs F Sport vs NX300h

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The 2015 Lexus NX is one of the most hotly-researched new crossovers. Its nationwide rollout is in full swing, with three models that all look extremely fresh, modern and premium. The performance of the NX200t, NX200t F Sport and NX300h Hybrid are all respectable, and AWD is available across the board for $1500 extra. Base prices start from just under $35,000 — which is great value for a vehicle that is larger than the BMW X3 inside. The NX is very, very close to the current RX in size, as the next-gen RX350 is expected to grow a bit and …

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ariel nomad

2015 ARIEL Nomad is Off-Roader With ATOMic Lightness and Speed!

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Thrilled to see the latest move from Ariel Motors in the UK: an off-road version of its legendary Atom sports car! This new variant is called the Nomad and is based on the latest Atom 3 running gear — but with a totally new roll-cage/chassis combination, a huge suspension upfit and giant dune-munching tires. A windshield is also in the mix on the teaser shots. This will be helpful for keeping the mud and sand out of your face! 200-horsepower is the output from the rear-engine Nomad, with rear-drive keeping things just a few hundred pounds up on the flyweight …

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gsc g400 cdi

Latest G-Class Widebody by German Special Customs Is Classy and Subtle, But Still Super Lux

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When it comes to upgrading your G-Class Mercedes-Benz, the widebody exterior treatments from German Special Customs are some of the best and most realistically desirable. We love their latest bright blue over dark charcoal wheels. The monchrome exteior is much wider and far more modern than the factory model – but is not too over-the-top about becoming such a custom brute. The widebody fits the G400 CDI, G500, G550 , G63 and even the G65 AMG — or is also available on a per-piece basis. Installing all together is highly recommended so you can paint and color-match everything at the …

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mansory g-couture

MANSORY G-Couture and G63 Soft Upgrades Add Fresh LED Headlight Strakes

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The Mansory G-Couture is an absolutely brutal upgrade of the already-militant G-Class — with a huge new bumper and lower body upgrade that is wider, stronger and meaner than ever. The G63 “Soft” kit is a bit more comfort and style-oriented, and is where the latest Bentley-style LEDs debut their new embedded light elements. Beside these new round lamps are three horizontal white LED strakes behind a new glass shroud. It’s a nice update for the Galendewagen’s well-known style — and matches the lower bumper LEDs and roof LEDs very nicely! The upgrades lists are very, very extensive. See the …

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evoques

Six Custom BRABUS StarTech Range Rover Evoques Show Huge Style Gains

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Brace yourself! Evoques on parade today from StarTech Refinement, the Range Rover division of Brabus. This six customs in 120 photos show some really cool style enhancements – making the most of the low-roof and contrast-color designs of the factory truck. Out favorite elements are the five-spoke alloys and the super cool rear spoilers. Te seats from an F-Type R are pretty sweet too.   StarTech Range Rover Evoque Black and Red StarTech Range Rover Evoque White/White StarTech Range Rover Evoque Light Blue StarTech Range Rover Evoque Medium Blue StarTech Range Rover Evoque Urban Tan StarTech Range Rover Evoque White …

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MANSORY Range Rover Sport

MANSORY Range Rover Sport Widebody Upgrades Catalog

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  Mansory typically builds custom vehicle conversions that are so thorough that they’re sold as a completed supercar. The latest Range Rover Sport upgrade program is a bit friendlier and approachable for owners looking for a few a la carte upgrades. The result of the whole widebody kit is still as dramatic as any other Mansory, but being able to pick up individual pieces will broaden the potential market dramatically. For the first time, you do not have to be super-ultra rich to drive a Mansory!  But everyone will still think you are with these Range Rover Sports…. MANSORY Range …

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2017 audi q6 q8

Future SUV Renderings – 2017 Audi Q6 and Audi Q8

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  With gasoline prices in the US now below $2.00 again in a few spots, you can bet that any large SUV idea is seeming brilliant in Germany. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and BMW X7 are two key segments where Audi is not competing with its fierce rivals. The GLE-Class Coupe and the BMW X6 is another huge market opportunity where Audi’s lack of large SUVs makes it a non-competitor. Not matching Mercedes and BMW for every model in the cheaper price ranges might make sense for Audi. But these giant SUVs have the fattest profit margins in the car business, …

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f-150 review

First Drive Review – 2015 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 3.5L EcoBoost Is Best. Pickup. Ever.

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INTRO One-word takeway from a drive of the new 2015 F-150 Lariat 3.5-liter EcoBoost? Outstanding. The new F-150 is perhaps the most-anticipated new pickup truck of all time, and as such it is hyped almost beyond belief at the moment. Trucks are arriving now to Ford stores nationwide after shipments started in early December, but before driving it — we had a hefty, hardy amount of skepticism. Would its all-new alloy bodywork over a steel frame be that much of a revolution? Are its LED lights just icing for the top $50,000-plus models? Let’s dive into this review drive with …

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kahn 600le

KAHN Design Range Rover RS600 Is Private Haven in Snow White/Gloss Black

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KAHN Design will make you turn-key stunner like this or help you upgrade your Rangie a la carte via Kahn wheels, grilles, trims and styling pieces over time. Either way, the results are definitely unique and striking. The level of vulgarity and hints of criminals behind the wheel goes up dramatically with any kind of matte or monochrome paintwork, so this white/black stunner is a great balance. Flashy and classy in all the right ways. There are widebody flares on this car, and totally unique front and rear bumpers as well. The design of these pieces is so well-integrated and …

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explorer colors header

2016 Ford Explorer Colors and Pricing – Animated Turntables in Every Color!

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  Thrilled to see the 2016 Explorer is progressing and evolving into an even better seven-seat SUV: new engines, new luxury and tech inside, and new style outside are all very promising. Even more exciting for shoppers than the new Platinum trim level at the top of the ladder? All new colors for every trim level – even the base Explorer 2.3-liter EcoBoost from $31,000. We’ve prepared this animated colors visualizer with half an eye toward file sizes. Previous Mustang and 2015 Edge color articles have nearly broken the poor interwebs under the weight of 400-plus images. =] BASE PRICING …

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Future SUV Renderings - 2016 Audi RS Q7 16

Future SUV Renderings – 2016 Audi SQ7

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Here is an exclusive look at how the new Audi Q7 might look as an S or even an RS Q7. Despite the current Q7 S-line being the sportiest trim offered, the strong rumor is that this generation of Q7 will have performance upgrades in the trim structure. This will make sense to battle the Mercedes GLS63 AMG, formerly called the GL-Class — as well as the BMW X7 M Sport. We’ve prepared two angles to review, plus a few grille trims to see how the new Q7’s style takes to the latest gloss-black themes. Overall, the appearance of a …

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1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter

Mecum Kissimmee 2015 Preview – 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter

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Sure, this Shelby transporter from 1966 might not be as glamorous as the classic Mercedes, Porsche or Ferrari transports — but it does have one huge factor in its favor. Authenticity. This truck is the real deal and in original, unrestored condition. That alone will make it quite a special find for Shelby and Ford Racing fans. Highlights include the COBRA LeMans engine block, among other tasty details. The big blue rig hits the auction block at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida auction in mid-January, 2015. 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter   Mecum Kissimmee 2015 Preview 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing …

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q7

2016 Audi Q7: Dramatic Quattro-Style Redesign is 700-Pounds Lighter!

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Here is a welcome new crossover! The long-anticipated 2016 Audi Q7 is here and official. The revamp is far more thorough than the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, with Audi using a new mixed-material body and numerous other lightweighting tech to drop its weight ratings dramatically. At 4,400-pounds, the 2016 Q7 is still no ballerina, but is now the lightest in its class, per Audi. It is certainly much more svelte than the 5,000-pounds-plus of the latest Escalade and others. These benefits have a multiplicative impact on performance, handling feel and efficiency for all engines and driving scenarios. We are …

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2015 Subaru Outback 1

Updated With 100 New Photos – 2015 Subaru Outback COLOR Visualizer

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Updated 12.10.14 With 100 Real-Life Photos Third Update: We reversed Lapis Blue and Twilight Blue Metallic. We mixed them up. Lapis blue is the darker color. The new Legacy and Outback are vastly improved over their predecessors in every important way: exterior style is cooler, interiors are more luxurious and refined, and the cabin safety and infotainment take a huge flying leap into the future. To help you pick which Outback color suits your tastes, we’ve prepared a full animated colors guide to all nine options. Many of these colors are premium and new for this year – with the …

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GLE450 AMG

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Revealed! Production Form Ahead of Fall 2015 USA Deliveries

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Here is a twin-turbocharged burst of huge news for this Tuesday! The new Mercedes GLE-Class is official: the red model is the GLE450 AMG 4Matic and is set for its public unveiling at Detroit in just a month’s time. The GLE-Class will slide in beside the ML-Class replacing-GLE as a sportier X6 rival. The GLE-Class proper then is likely to be more practical and family-friendly, with a taller roofline and a third row of seats for the first time. This GLE-Class Coupe is therefore targeted at the coolest and most-stylish clients in the luxury SUV business. This GLE450 AMG is …

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hoggar

Concept Flashback – 2003 Peugeot Hoggar Was Twin-Engine 4×4 a la 2015 DKR Racer

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Here is a fun look at a dune buggy from Peugeot more than a decade ago. The brand had long ditched its  off-road-race pedigree through the 1990s, and with it any available 4×4 powertrains. The only way they could make this little cabrio a true 4×4 involved some very unique engineering. In what is a strange and exponentially more complex arrangement than a prop shaft, the Hoggar has twin four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. Both mounted transversely – with one on each end. Think of it like the noses of two Peugeot hatchback’s joined by a chromoly chassis in between. It is …

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Animated Evolution of the Chevrolet Suburban from 1915 to 2015

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  One thing has been pretty constant throughout the last 100 years: Chevrolet. The icon of Chevrolet for most people is the truck line. Imagine a world where Chevy could only keep making one car. That is it. Which model would you pick to evolve through year 2100? Many people would choose the Suburban. The “Chevrolet One Ton Commercial Truck” can do it all. As an all-new model arriving to Chevy dealers just before the Super Bowl 2014,all signs show this upscale workhorse will be a huge hit with shoppers. Who does not have an awesome Chevy Suburban memory? Growing …

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RM Arizona 2015 Preview – 1989 Lamborghini LM002 – The Off-Road Countach Is USA Street Legal

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A bit less of a legend than the 037 Lancia? Perhaps. But almost as appealing. After 25 years to appreciate the LM002’s overt masculinity, dreamer-spec engine and mechanicals, and before-its-time superlux offroader credentials — the LM002 looks like a new shape of timeless classic supercar to us. The biggest news about this Lambo Rambo besides its very fresh paint and excellent interior condition? It is finally old enough to be driven legally in the United States! It might even be time for John Rambo Jr. to hit the big screen, with this his on-screen battle truck….   1989 Lamborghini LM002 …

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2015 Chevrolet Trax Arriving in January With Base Price of $21,000

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Updated 12.1.14 The Chevy Trax is arriving to Chevy dealers very, very soon! As these latest photos and top 20 features below show, Chevy is eager to make Trax in the compact crossover market sales charts! We were pretty far below the Trax’s actual prices in our ballpark below of $19k to $25k — the Trax will actually start from $21,000 as a front-drive and $22,500 with AWD. Simple trim levels at least mean the LTZ AWD will not be much of a jump up the price ladder – with our new estimate being $27,000 with every available option. Fuel …

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gle gif

Sneak Peak! 2016 GLE550 Coupe and C400 Coupe in Mercedes-Benz Detroit Teasers

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Updated 11.27.14 Mercedes-AMG has revealed a teaser for the Detroit auto show in January: some sweet new AMG Sport and AMG Performance trims for the C-Class Coupe and GLE Coupe. The AMG Sport is a returning trim level for the C-Class, while AMG Performance is a new feature that has C63-style lower detailing that is dark-colored and very convincing. The new GLE will wear a full revised from bumper design — but this sneak peak indicates a full redesign may be a year or more into the future. Actually, after taking a look at the roofline of this preview more …

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2015 outback scroller

2015 Subaru Outback COLORS Guide – All 9 Shades From Every Angle

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The new Legacy and Outback are vastly improved over their predecessors in every important way: exterior style is cooler, interiors are more luxurious and refined, and the cabin safety and infotainment take a huge flying leap into the future. To help you pick which Outback color suits your tastes, we’ve prepared a full animated colors guide to all nine options. Many of these colors are premium and new for this year – with the new Crystal White Pearl looking especially nice. The 2015 Outback is priced from $25,000. http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/index.html 2015 Subaru Outback COLORS 2015 Subaru Outback Crystal Black Silica 2015 …

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Design Evolution Series – 2003 INFINITI Triant Concept – Explored Crossover Coupe Design Themes

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Part Two in a Series. In 2003, the excitement about Infiniti’s new G35 sedan was palpable. Thousands were pre-ordering the vehicle on the strength of the initial drive reviews alone. A combination of 350Z sportscar platform kudos and the latest style were all confirmed as excellent on the roads. The G35 sedan would go on to be the most-successful vehicle ever to wear the Infiniti logo. It would become a two-door coupe, be stretched for the M35 and M45, and even grew into the stunning FX35 and FX45. During this design evolution, the Triant concept was a fresh look at …

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Design Evolution Series – 2001 INFINITI FX45 Concept Expored Idea of Supercar Crossover

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Part One in a Series. The first of five or six articles here walking through Infiniti’s first steps designing and visualizing what the brand’s values would be in acrossover form. The QX4 (Q by 4) Pathfinder overhaul arriving in the late 1990s was a decent first effort, with some stylish cues to its wheels, lighting and overall aesthetic. But some time at the wheel made clear how luxury-focused the QX4 was. It was not an eager canyon-carver, and its 3.3-liter V6 was given extra-short gearing to the four-speed automatic to make the QX4 feel a bit less sluggish than it …

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sorento sxl

2016 Kia Sorento SXL Adds Quad-LED Fogs for LA Debut

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Updated 11.25.14   The updated Sorento is likely to arrive in the US market some time in the spring of calendar 2015 as a 2016 model. The 2015 Sorento is already available at dealers, which is why we speculate about the 2016 model year. Kia calls this the third-gen Sorento, as Europe is less concerned with model years than we are in the USA. Overall, the styling update is a big success. It is paired with a new refinement on the road, an all-new cabin, and a much larger third row of seats than before. The design upgrade really helps …

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2015 BMW X6 M Sport vs xLine in 350 New Photos

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Okay, we admit defeat! Usually, the main gripe when new cars launch is that there are far too few photos of the vehicle. Or they are not photos at all: but digital renderings that often do not show the car in real-world detail. But with the latest BMW X6 photo batch, we raise the white flag. 350 photos is too many for any editor to process. But in the name of completeness, we have faithfully included them all here. The car looks most amazing in M Sport trims versus the xLine, which has a somewhat busier lower nose, more chrome …

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unimog upfits

2015 Unimog U218 and U423 Upfit Showcase: 4 Seasons Hero in 30+ Configurations!

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When investing in a hard-core heavy truck like the new Unimog U218 and U423, you might have one or two general usage scenarios in mind. But once you realize how unstoppable and customizable the Unimog platform is, what was once a snow-plow or fire rescue truck is suddenly an all-purpose hero. Pull a freight train?  Check. Agriculture tractor-replacement? Dumptruck? Extreme landscaper? Check, check, check. Here is the incredible Unimog in 150 photos showing some of its most popular upfitted uses. A handful of the photos are the previous-gen trucks  – which can be told apart based on the grille. The …

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2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Wins Its Baja 1000 Full Stock Class + SEMA Pro Truck Showcase

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The lightly race-prepped TRD Pro Tundra is back from Baja — with a win! The TRD Pro Tundra jumped and roared its giant V8 the 1200 miles to the finish line in first place, then cruised home the 1000 miles back to the start line for good measure. Was it showroom-fresh upon arrival back to Toyota headquarters in Torrance? Not exactly!  A huge gash in the sheetmetal and rear fender shows the fury of racing. But the fact that the TRD Pro Tundra continued on its mission is impressive. A solid achievement and vote of confidence in the new TRD …

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2015 Nissan Murano Pricing + COLORS and 60 New Photos

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  Nissan just announced the pricing for the 2015 Murano, plus released a nice batch of photos in the car’s signature Pacific Sunset color. We have not see the wheels or detailing of anything but the top-flight $41k Murano Platinum, but are pleased to see the base pricing slide in below $30,000 overall. The new Murano is on sale from December 5th. Deep below are all the Murano colors, the 60 new orange photos from Nissan, and finally: 100-plus real-life photos of the stylish new Murano in Magnetic Black from an Atlanta preview the other week.     2015 Murano …

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HD First Drive Review – 2015 Ford Transit PowerStroke Diesel

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  In the broad and deep Ford Transit line for 2015, there are more than 50 variations in cab setup, overall length, wheelbase, roof height, engine and rear axle setup. The dually rear-end in LWB, high-roof cargo configuration is surely one of the hardest-working in the bunch. This extends to its payload and tow ratings as well as its overall cost-of-ownership. For cargo and passenger Transits that will cover huge miles with a full pack of cargo in back or on tow, the PowerStroke diesel is a welcome option to consider. This cutting-edge 3.2-liter inline-5 diesel is one of the …

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2015 Ford Transit Upfits Bring 30+ Factory-Adjacent Suppliers For Streamlined Procurement

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One of the most impactful changes in the 2015 Transit vs Econoline is that a huge variety of custom cargo upfits can now be ordered right at a local Ford dealer or through any fleet manager. This means the trucks arrive ready-to-work with exactly the right set of interior cargo solutions, exterior racks or even full chassis conversions. We saw a great selection of the Transit Upfits available on Ford’s recent roadshow — and were very, very impressed. Ford’s suppliers all now have factories within 20-miles or so of the giant Transit hub in Kansas City. This means the trucks …

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2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury AWD 89

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury AWD – Long Live The King

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INTRO   The 2015 Cadillac Escalade is the ultimate in look-good, feel-good luxury SUVs. After a week driving the Escalade around Georgia and the Carolinas, we really came to love the big truck and never ceased to be amazing by its performance and tech achievements in this fourth-generation model. For many years of the first three generations of Escalade, SUV buyers seemed to bow down to the king Caddy for its prestige appeal — with the actual changes and upgrades from the Denali seeming less-than-complete. The risk of paying the Cadillac premium is that car-guys might see through the blingy …

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2015 Nissan Murano Colors Guide 15

2015 Nissan Murano COLORS Guide With Animated Spinners and Tallpaper Collages

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      Let’s say you are curiously smitten with the 2015 Murano – arriving in Nissan dealers in December with an all-new style, extremely luxurious cabin and all the latest safety and infotainment tech. You will be thrilled with the Murano’s eye-catching LED lighting, flowing and expressive sheetmetal, and the 20-inch machined-surfaced alloy rims on the Platinum trim level. With such a stylish mission statement for all Murano’s, the exterior color is going to be a serious choice. The magnetic black of the mega photo gallery below shows a lovely rich and deep ebony that makes the artful chrome …

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2015 Ford Mustang SEMA Showcars – Roundup of All Ten Official Wild Ponycar Customs

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Ford really dominated SEMA this year with about 10 custom F-150’s and Mustangs – not to mention a wicked pack of Transits, Fiestas and Expeditions. The downside of these customs being based on all-new, not-yet-available cars? Many appear not to have been ready until hitting the show glitz. So here is a recap of all the official Ford Mustang customs from SEMA 2014.   2015 Ford Mustang SEMA Showcars Roundup 2015 Ford Mustang by Forgiato   2015 Ford Mustang by Mountune 2015 Ford Mustang by Galpin Auto Sports     2015 Ford Mustang by DSO Eyewear / MAD Design 2015 …

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2015 Ford F-150 Show Trucks – Roundup of All Nine Pimped Pickups for SEMA and LA

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Ford really dominated SEMA this year with about 10 custom F-150’s and Mustangs – not to mention a wicked pack of Transits, Fiestas and Expeditions. The downside of these customs being based on all-new, not-yet-available cars? Many appear not to have been ready until hitting the show glitz. So here is a recap of all the official Ford F-150 customs from SEMA and LA 2014.       2015 Ford F-150 by TS Design   2015 Ford F-150 by Fabtech   2015 Ford F-150 by ADD Pearl   2015 Ford F-150 by The Custom Shop   2015 Ford F-150 by …

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Best of Awards – 2016 Mazda CX-5 Goes From Good To Great

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The Mazda CX-5 just went from one of the best crossovers available to perhaps the single best under $30,000. The changes for 2016 include a freshened exterior via a more premium dark-grey grille in a smaller shape, dark-accented wheels and more body-colored accents. Stylish new LED lighting in a cool and expressive design are standard front and rear, plus LED main beam headlamps for the first time. These Adaptive LED Headlights are part of a suite of new safety tech for the CX-5 and a redesigned cabin infotainment setup. Mazda MZD, this new tech package has a larger screen and …

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2016 Kia Sorento X-Men Custom For Wolverine at Australian Open!

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Kia’s new X-car Sorento for the X-men will bring out the inner comic book nerd in all of us. Set to attend the Australian Open in Jabuary, the Sorento X-Men model ties in with the blu-ray release of the latest film in Australia. The 2016 Sorento just made its US debut in LA – stay tuned for details in a different article. Pretty cool – but not sure if it would pass pedestrian safety regulatory approval with those adamantium blades on each side of the nose… =] 2016 Kia Sorento X-Men ‘X-Men’ inspired Kia Sorento to debut at the Australian …

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Update1 – 2015 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Concept Runs 2.8L DuraMax Diesel

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  The new Chevrolet Colorado mid-size trucks seem just about pitch-perfect for many reluctant truck buyers. People who want to park easily both in the city and in their garages adore the Colorado’s right-sized approach and also love its Z71 off-road trim levels for added butchness and off-road-ability. The 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine has been confirmed by GMC and Chevrolet as coming to the Canyon and Colorado in a few months — so this ZR2 concept is a blend of real and fantasy. The ZR2 concept truck brings a cool and futuristic front end, revised styling all around the lower sills …

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2016 Ford Explorer Revealed With New Engines, Fresh Styling and Platinum Range-Topper

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  Ford’s rapid product rollout this winter continues today with the reveal of the 2016 Explorer in Los Angeles. Packing freshness outside, inside and under the hood — the Explorer is even sporting a new badge for 2016. Improvements center of style with LED lighting front and rear, a new grille design and completely fresh bumpers and fascias, along with standard LED low-beams for the first time. LED accent lighting and LED foglamps are also in the mix up front, where the Explorer is now much crisper and more modern via a chiseled and sharp lighting design. In profile, the …

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