Mercedes R350 CDI

Part MPV, part SUV, part luxury tourer... Mercedes’ R-Class has always had an identity problem. That has meant only 3,100 have been sold here since 2006.

Can the new second-generation version change all that?

Gone is the original’s goggle-eyed look, replaced by a more mature take on the family face. A new bonnet, more upright grille, sleeker headlamps and sculpted bumper give the front a radical look. At the rear, standard LED tail-lamps match the sparkle of the bi-xenon headlights.

The interior is as luxurious as that of an E-Class, but it has room for seven in leather-lined comfort. Fold rows two and three, and our long-wheelbase car offers 2,385 litres of space – only 173 litres behind Land Rover’s Discovery. Standard kit is as generous as you’d expect for a £45,000 MPV.

Two models will be available from launch: the rear-wheel-drive R300 CDI and this LWB R350 CDI 4MATIC. Our car offers 40bhp and 110Nm more than the previous R350 CDI, at 261bhp and 620Nm, yet economy and emissions are improved by nine per cent.

The V6 diesel has a muscular power delivery, and the upgraded 7G-Tronic auto delivers seamless shifts. But given the car’s weight, it still feels a bit sluggish.

The 4WD offers strong grip in corners and would come in handy over muddy fields. Importantly, though, it could persuade buyers out of SUVs. We’d recommend adding the optional adjustable air-suspension, too – it suits the car’s laid-back demeanour well.-autoexpress.

Chrysler Grand Voyager 2010 - First Look

Chrysler has announced improvements to its 2010 Grand Voyager people carrier. 

The Chrysler Grand Voyager may be more reminiscent of a school minibus, but its solid build and practicality have helped it to more than 12 million sales worldwide in 25 years.

Diesel drops a tax band, 10% more fuel-efficient

The 2010 Chrysler Grand Voyager is still available with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine, as well as the best-selling 2.8-litre turbodiesel. Both units are coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

However, the diesel Grand Voyager has now been retuned to produce 10% fewer CO2 emissions, dropping the vehicle's tax band to 'K' and saving £200 of car tax in the first year. Fuel economy has also improved by over 10%, with the Voyager now returning up to 33.6mpg on the combined run.

Improved spec but practicality still rules

The Chrysler Grand Voyager is available in three derivatives: LX, Touring and Limited. All versions now get active headrests, traction control, ESP, tyre-pressure monitoring; front and all-row side-curtain air bags and three Isofix child seat points as standard.

Inside is also generously specced,with three-zone climate control, power sliding side doors and electric tailgate, third-row electric windows, a removable torch and Chrysler’s Stow 'n' Go seats. Go for the Limited version and even the rearmost seats fold flush into the floor. The cabin materials may not be able to match some German MPV rivals, but the Grand Voyager is built to last.

Options include a dual-screen DVD system that allows children in the second-row to play a video game or watch a different film to those in the third row. There’s also a Uconnect GPS system for mum and dad, which offers MP3 player compatibility, touchscreen sat nav and an integrated 30GB hard drive that can store more than 4,000 songs.

Prices and warranty

Prices for the Grand Voyager start from £26,995 for the LX entry model to £34,995 for the range-topping 2.8-litre diesel Limited. The 3.8-litre petrol model costs £35,495.

As with all models in the Chrysler range, the Grand Voyager gets a three year/60,000-mile mechanical warranty, seven-year anti-corrosion warranty and one-year European roadside assistance. Perfect piece of mind for those camping holidays.-which.

2011 Kia Sorento EX V6

It’s happening more and more. Kia is the latest automaker to revise a model so substantially that it has completely changed market segments. The outgoing Sorento was a truck frame-based SUV, capable of serious off-road duty and impressive hauling and towing capability. The new 2011 Sorento is still a decent tow vehicle, albeit only capable of 1,588 kilos (3,500 lbs) compared to the old model’s 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) in top trim, though it’s clearly a crossover in that it’s now unibody, like a car, and has no low gear range and less ground clearance to traverse rocky or muddy terrain.

2011 Kia Sorento EX V6

But does that really matter? Considering the small percentage of buyers that use their SUVs off-road, it may not be worth making a vehicle that is inherently less capable on pavement. After all, the taller a vehicle is the more prone it is to top-heavy handling, and a truck based frame experiences greater torsional twist and therefore can’t react as well in corners. The new Sorento, however, feels like a sports car in comparison to the old.

Actually, the new Sorento just might be the best midsize crossover available today from an entry-level brand, or at least right near the top. It would require a back-to-back test to confirm, of course, but I’m beyond impressed with its character. Handling is superb and the Sorento’s top-line powertrain is ultra-smooth and plenty powerful.

While the base Sorento starts with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder capable of 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque, my tester’s powertrain featured a silky 3.5-litre V6 that puts out 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, ample for spirited launches from a standstill and superb passing performance. The transmission is one of the smoothest I’ve experienced in the crossover segment, a six-speed automatic with manual mode.

At high speed the Sorento feels ultra stable and fully in control. I’m guessing that it would be good in the wet too, although Mother Nature thankfully didn’t comply. All Sorentos get a lighter weight and more compact MacPherson strut front suspension plus a fully independent multi-link rear setup for 2011. My tester featured front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is optional. That all-wheel drive system incorporates a locking centre differential that distributes power evenly to each wheel during low-speed operation when traction is less than adequate. But again, you’ll probably want to assess your personal needs, as most won’t require the added grip when countering such benefits with increased mechanical complexity and fuel consumption, especially considering how capable modern-day traction and stability control systems are, and these last two features are standard with the Sorento. Kia’s new crossover even comes with Hill Start Assist, so you won’t roll back when taking off from a sharp incline, and Hill Descent Control, for maintaining a steady speed down a steep grade, plus standard ABS enhances its four-wheel disc braking system.

My well-appointed EX V6 test model felt more like a premium crossover than anything mainstream, other than the hard plastic surfaces covering dash and door panels. Still, their textures don’t look cheap and overall fit and finish is excellent.

Likewise, switchgear is attractively laid out in an efficient design, with buttons that don’t slop around from side to side but are well damped for that quality feel we all like. The top-line automatic HVAC system is ultra-easy to operate and features large dials that can be actuated while wearing gloves, important for colder climes. The nicely finished leather-clad front seats integrate heated cushions for those frigid mornings or occasional relief of lower back pain, although only one preset temperature is offered. They’re power actuated as well, and were totally comfortable.

The Sorento is comfortable in the rear too, with room to spare in either its five or optional seven seat configuration. This is because its greater length and width make it roomier than the outgoing model. Overall, it’s now 4,671 mm (183.9 inches) long and 1,885 mm (74.2 inches) wide, increasing cargo room by 140 litres (5 cu ft). Interestingly, despite a lower roofline, the new Sorento delivers more headroom than the outgoing model.

That lower stance and longer profile makes for a lean looking machine, enhanced by Kia’s extremely attractive new design language. It looks upscale and, like the interior, premium in execution. Just the right amount of chrome trim accents an angular package, brought to life on my test vehicle by a beautiful hue of Spicy Red metallic paint surrounding luxurious Beige hides.  Two-tone Black and Ivory leather is also available, as is solid Black or Grey leather, while more basic models can be had in Grey, Black or Beige cloth.

Cloth trimmed LX models start at a very reasonable $25,645, including a $1,650 pre-delivery inspection and freight charge; while an LX V6 can be had for $30,745, freight and PDI included. An EX will set you back $31,445, while my front-drive EX V6 costs $33,445. The EX V6 Luxury can be had for $39,195 or slightly over 40 with the freight and PDI.

Standard EX V6 items include seventeen-inch alloy wheels, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, leather seats and trim, an eight-way powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, proximity sensing Smart Key access with push-button start, a rear back-up camera integrated into the rearview mirrors, and much more.

Also standard is Kia’s excellent warranty that includes five years or 100,000 km of limited comprehensive coverage, five years or 100,000 km of powertrain coverage, five years and unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage, and 5 years or 100,000 km roadside assistance.

By repositioning the Sorento into the more popular crossover segment, giving it an extremely stylish design, adding a more powerful and more refined drivetrain, improving ride quality, and moving the interior upscale, Kia’s raised the game of the entire midsize segment.-greencarreports.

Paris auto show: 2011 BMW X3 gets new engine line, fresh looks

BMW has enhanced the 2011 X3 with a fresh look and new engine lineup as it tries to fend off increased competition in the luxury SUV segment. The new X3 arrives in showrooms late this year, following its world debut at the 2010 Paris motor show this fall.

In the United States, the second-generation X3 will be available in two 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder versions: the turbocharged xDrive35i, which produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque and can reach 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, and the base xDrive28i, which makes 240 hp and 230 lb-ft and is good for 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. Both come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The new off-roader's styling features a square-edged appearance and blends elements of its smaller X1 and larger X5 siblings. The X3 grows 3.4 inches in length and 1.1 inches in width, while the wheelbase is stretched for more luggage space.

Inside, there's a new dashboard, a multifunction steering wheel and revised seats. The outgoing X3's dowdy interior was often panned during its seven-year model cycle, and BMW hopes the updates raise the perception of quality.

The electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system splits torque 40 percent to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear. BMW officials are pondering a rear-drive model for the North American market.

The X3 will be assembled at BMW's Spartanburg, S.C., facility alongside the X5 and the X6.-autoweek.

Proton To Launch Replacement Model For Waja Before Year-end

Proton Holdings Bhd expects to launch a new sedan model before the end of this year to replace the Waja.

Group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said production of the new model would be undertaken at its plant in Shah Alam.

"All the preparations have been done. We hope to launch it in the last quarter of this year," he told reporters after launching the improved Exora model here Thursday.

"We are working with other original equipment manufacturers," he said.

According to market talks, the new model will display a copy of version Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT but use the engine with a capacity of slightly smaller 1.8-litre.

It is believed that the Mitsubishi feature in Proton is the result of development engineering cooperation between Proton and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, which is also a shareholder.

On the improved Exora model, Syed Zainal Abidin said Proton was confident that it could help to increase the sales volume to 2,500 units per month from 2,300 units per month.

"This would help to surpass our target to sell some 28,690 units of the Exora in the current 2010/2011 financial year," he said.

From its launch in April 2009 and to date, more than 33,000 units have been registered on the road.

As at June 30, 2010, the company has received a total of 42,916 bookings for the Exora.

Syed Zainal Abidin said Proton also planned to launch the improved Exora, which is powered with 1.6 Campro CPS engine, in overseas markets within the next three to six months.

Available in the base-, medium- and high-line variants, price for the improved Exora is RM1,000 higher than the existing model.

On-the-road prices (Peninsular Malaysia and metallic based) for the improved Exora are RM58,998 for base-line manual transmission, RM65,998 for medium-line automotic and RM76,998 for high-line automatic.-bernama.