While the most recent SRX is founded on the same Sigma platform expended by the CTS and STS, the new one has a unusual architecture. It is moreover argued to own a transverse-mounted urge train provided the odds of front or all-wheel-drive. Based on its size, it is underlying thought to be an improved, upcoming creation version of the Theta mid-size CUV platform at this moment exhausted by the Saturn Vue. The SRX, that has earlier continued referred to as the BRX, is planning to share the new platform amidst the arriving Saab 9-4X CUV. For now GM is easily releasing these types of 3 images, but the car itself plans to possibly debut the first part of in 2009, likely at the Detroit Auto Show.

[Source: Cadillac]

The addition of a four-pot to the Highlander lineup is able to post folks a lower costly and a large amount of gas compact opportunity in such a example lineup, that given that provide evidence mighty popular. What is to be witnessed is whether a 187-hp engine can right require a 4,000-lb vehicle. We’re heralding such a from the time of multitude of Highlander individuals are not probable all which interested in driving dynamics, the a good number of valuable stat for Toyota’s CUV ought to be its EPA number. Hit the jump to for Toyota’s force release if you are becoming for nitty gritty details.

[Source: Toyota]

The Ford Flex-based crossover should extend Lincoln a seven-seat CUV to fight through the Acura MDX and the Audi Q7, additonally initiating households a a larger amount of energy compressed sustainable to the Navigator. The generation MKT will be able to share none of the Flex’s boxy sheet metal, but the mechanicals is able to be outstandingly similar. The MKT will be able to launch provided either the 3.5L V6 from what i read in the Flex or the bored-out 3.7L version according to the MKS sedan. It’s close to protected the MKT will be able to get Ecoboost quickly ensuing launch, but Ford hasn’t announced everything yet. Ford plans to make around 25k Lincoln MKTs annually, and creation is slated to start imminent year.

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]

The Sienna and Venza can be equipped amid hybrid drivetrains in 2012, providing the Sienna getting a facelift late upcoming year, along surrounded by larger amount of cargo space and room for third-row occupants.

The article goes on to district too the Corolla ought to be redesigned in 2013, along investing in the Matrix, the consequently Camry are able to be given a facelift in 2010, in the new perfect debuting in 2012, and the new Avalon might debut in 2011 as a 2012 model.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

The blind spot has been heard a continuous safety quandary for automobiles as of before the invention of the C-pillar. Some automakers own just recently tackled the challenges providing complicated caution governments too beep when your blind spot is close to to mean an accident. Ford is rendering a multitude of but no a reduced amount of effective low-tech course amid the introduction of its Blind Spot Mirror on the 2009 Edge. The technology behind the Blind Spot Mirror is simple; it is bit a multitude of as opposed to a secondary convex mirror in the top perfect corner of the traditional half mirror too sells a obvious view of how before was easily visible by craning your neck left and right. We’ve observed that kind of tech expended before on aftermarket mirrors for towing applications, but it causes only as a good deal sense on an unencumbered passenger vehicle.

Ford came up in the mirror in response to its own consumer exploring this suggested drivers got 76% a greater number of confident behind the wheel when paying for the mirror. The overwhelmingly absolute feedback has led the Blue Oval to introduce the Blind Spot Mirror throughout its lineup as rapidly as possible, commencing amidst the 2009 Edge.

While we’re already familiar with most of the vehicles Nissan and Infiniti intends to release in the coming year (Qashqai+2, new Z), two models were officially confirmed: an Infiniti G37 convertible (rumored to sport a retractable hard top) and a “mini SUV.” While there’s been speculation that a G37 cabrio was on the way, the small ‘ute is likely to the rumored 1-series competitor we’ve reported on before.
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Granted, many of the names will be duplicates. And many of the names will be completely unusable, whether they’re owned by other companies or just plain inappropriate. It’ll take Pontiac a good long while to sift through them all, and while the carmaker won’t reveal what names were submitted or which of them are being considered, a spokesman for the GM division did confirm El Camino was one of them, although it remains to be seen if GM can or will use a defunct Chevy name on a Pontiac vehicle. Meanwhile, although the public voice will be taken into consideration, Pontiac is safeguarding itself against an Alfa MiTo-type backtracking by noting that, in the end, the company’s marketing gurus will have the last say.

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Slightly more than 90,000 Toyota Highlanders are being recalled for a seatbelt problem in the third row. The recalled crossovers are all 2008 models built between May of 2007 and March of this year. The stock belts could prevent secure mounting of a rear-facing child seat in the third row, and dealers will install a redesigned part on affected Highlanders. The problem with the third row belts hasn’t spawned any complaints or injuries, and owners will be notified starting in June. Still, Toyota has put the brakes on Highlander sales until current stock is retrofitted and assembly lines are resupplied with the new part.

[Source: AP via WCVB]