Cadillac XT5

The Cadillac brand has been on the mend as of late, following many years of sliding sales due to a lack of exciting cars. The brand built its V-Series lineup to attract a younger following, but the styling was too dated to garner much interest. Now with the new ATS and CTS, and the upcoming 2016 CT6 already in the fold, Cadillac has turned its attention to the SRX midsize crossover; more specifically, its replacement, the XT5.

With the SRX sliding nearly 6 percent in overall sales in 2014, the midsize crossover is in desperate need of an overhaul. Keeping true to his promise when he took over Cadillac, Johan de Nysschen will change the name of the SRX to the XT5 when the redesigned model arrives at dealers. With a new name, new look, and new engine lineup, can the XT5 help bring Cadillac back to the top of the luxury car heap?

Continue reading my full preview of the XT5 to find out.

Note: Current Cadillac SRX pictured here.

Cadillac XT5 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 February 2015 15:00 EST.

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Jaguar F-Pace Will Get An Electric Version By 2018

One of the last carmakers to finally jump on the crossover/SUV bandwagon, Jaguar is said to be working on its first electric model as well, with British sources indicating that the new F-Pace SUV will provide the basis for the future EV. This bit of info comes from Autocar, so you may want to take it with a pinch of salt or at least consider it a far-fetched speculation, although some parts do sound realistic.

According to the British car magazine, Land Rover would also offer a version of this future all-electric SUV, courtesy of the Jaguar-Land Rover union, which would obviously help reduce R&D costs. Using the aluminum-intensive platform of the Jaguar F-Pace would also help keep the weight down, despite the heavy battery pack needed to offer a projected 300-mile range.

With more Alpha cities introducing "zero emission zones" and Tesla proving that you can make good business selling premium electric cars, the Jaguar and Land Rover EV may have a brighter future than some might expect at first glance. On the other hand, it seems a bit counterintuitive not to offer a plug-in hybrid model first, just to test the waters with something that blends the advantages of both worlds. Sure, the Tesla Model X may need a few competitors in order to evolve faster, but I'm not entirely sure that the first electric Jaguar or Land Rover will be the best ones for the job.

Click past the jump to read more about the Jaguar F-Pace.

Jaguar F-Pace Will Get An Electric Version By 2018 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 February 2015 11:00 EST.

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Infiniti QX30 Concept

We've already seen the 2013 Infiniti Q30 Concept, and we've caught the production 2016 Q30 out testing, so it was only a matter of time before we saw a crossover version. That time is now, as Infiniti has announced that the QX30 Concept will debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, which starts on March 3. In anticipation of this unveiling, Infiniti has released a teaser image of the upcoming crossover.

As with so many of these part-SUV, part-hatchback models, the QX30 borrows heavily from the hatchback it is based upon. That's not a bad thing either, as the Q30 Concept was pretty well-received, and I find it a nice interpretation of Infiniti styling.

With the likes of the Mercedes GLA already occupying this segment and the BMW X1 set to convert to a front-wheel-drive-based crossover in 2016, can the QX30 really make waves when it makes it to production?

Updated 02/19/2015: Infiniti released a new image of its new QX30 Concept along with the first details on the exterior. Check them out after the jump.

Click past the jump to read my review on the 2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept to find out.

Infiniti QX30 Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 19 February 2015 11:30 EST.

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BMW X1 M Sport sDrive28i

Posted on 08.5.2013 16:00 by Tom Burkart

The BMW X1 is a fantastic addition to the Bimmer range, as well as to the TopSpeed Garage. During our week testing the M Sport X1 sDrive28i, the car won many friends with its driving environment, striking new-BMW styling crispness and a truly sports-car-like agility versus the larger X3.

The X1 is offered stateside in three trim levels across the turbo four-cylinder 28i and turbo six-cylinder 35i powerplants, with xDrive available across the range. The test car's X1 sDrive28i pairs the base engine with the top M Sport trim level at the top, bringing a beautiful body-color bumper treatment absent from the cheaper 'Sport' and 'X-line' trim packs. The M Sport option also includes a variety of other tasty upgrades, including sports leather seats and handsome special paint and wheel options.

The X1 fills such a successful gap in the entry-level BMW offering that it even caught Audi and Mercedes-Benz flatfooted, with their GLA250 and Audi Q3 competitors still at least a year from reaching American buyers.

The X1 certainly doesn't have the small premium crossover market to itself, but does carve a unique niche with few pretend off-road aspirations and a decidedly performance focus to its V-rated, 18-inch Pirelli's.

This road-going bias helps the X1 to be an agile and playful companion on any stretch of pavement, with a 60 mph sprint just above 6 seconds for both rear- and all-wheel-drive 28i four-cylinders and down to the low 5's for the potent X1 xDrive35i.

All this with a base price just above $30,000 means the X1 is the first affordable BMW entry for crossover shoppers, considering the Acura RDX or the Mini Cooper Countryman.

The full TopSpeed Garage drive review is past the jump, and takes a close look at the coolest performance options and features of the practical but sporty X1 sDrive28i M Sport.

BMW X1 M Sport sDrive28i originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 5 August 2013 16:00 EST.

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Infiniti QX60 - Driven

The Infiniti QX60 is relatively new in the crowded crossover market. Technically, 2014 is the QX60's first year in production, but its literal existence dates back to 2013 when Infiniti introduced the three-row crossover as the JX35. Thanks to the automaker's nomenclature shake-up for the 2014 model year, the JX became the QX60 with no major changes happening to the vehicle itself. Infiniti has made things simpler with its new naming structure, keeping sedans named with the prefix Q and the SUVs named with the prefix QX.

I recently spent a week utilizing the 2014 Infiniti QX60 for its intended purpose. I hauled people, their stuff, and even attached a car seat for my toddler. The rear-seat DVD system kept passengers entertained, and the all-wheel-drive system helped the QX60 navigate a few torrential Florida downpours.

I spent the majority of the week's driving on the highway with a smaller portion stuck in city traffic. The Infiniti felt at home in both situations, especially with its optional Intelligent Cruise Control system. Speaking of optional equipment, my QX60 tester came equipped with over $14,000 in extras. To say it was loaded would be an understatement.

Even without the extra goodies, the QX60 comes with a laundry list of features befitting a premium brand. But does that make this crossover a good buy?

Keep reading past the jump to find out.

Infiniti QX60 - Driven originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 19 September 2014 18:00 EST.

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Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is one of the best-selling and most critically well-received models from the Swedish brand. Since its inception in 2002 the XC90 has been praised for its incredible build quality and its family-friendly design. Despite its many great features, very little has changed for the XC90 in the last 12 years, and the car is starting to show its age. The refresh in 2007 and the updates over the last few years have been merely stop gaps for this; the all-new second-generation Volvo XC90.

Volvo is slated to officially announce and reveal the car in the next few weeks, but it has been dropping lots of details over the last few weeks, and we now have a very good idea of what to expect. We know what engines are coming, what kind of architecture it is being built on, and we have tons of information. Basically, the only thing we don't know for certain is what it will look like and how much it will cost.

There are no small changes here. The interior is completely overhauled, the underlying platform is all-new and represents a huge jump forward for Volvo going forth, and the engines are looking like to be some of the best in the class. This is a very exciting crossover for any Volvo fan, or any keeper of children.

So let's jump right into it, shall we?

Updated 8/26/2014: A fresh batch of photos of the Volvo XC90 have been leaked. There are a lot of them to enjoy so click on the gallery and see fanciest production Volvo we've seen in quite some time.

Continue reading to find out about the all-new Volvo XC90.

Gallery 2013 Volvo XC90

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Volvo XC90 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 August 2014 10:00 EST.

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Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

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When Nissan unveiled the Murano CrossCabriolet at the 2010 Los Angeles Show, it entered a zone of the market that had never really been explored before, as it was the world's first all-wheel-drive crossover convertible. Since then, the Murano CrossCabriolet continued nearly no updates to speak of, and much of the same carries into 2014.

So, how did the Murano become a convertible crossover? With a lot of work, of course, and a tiny bit of insanity on from Nissan's R&D department. In order to obtain this crazy transformation, the front doors were stretched by 7.9 inches, and the B-Pillars and rear doors were eliminated. Nissan's mad scientists then hacked off the roof and replaced it with a cloth convertible top with a rear skylight.

For the 2014 model year, Murano Crosscabriolet will be offered in one fully equipped model with prices starting at $41,995.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet.

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 31 January 2014 15:00 EST.

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Kia Sorento "Justice League" by West Coast Customs

Posted on 07.18.2013 12:00 by Justin Cupler

The San Diego Comic-Con opened up today and what better way to celebrate it than with a comic book-inspired ride? Well, Kia was happy to deliver the goods by way of a Justice League-inspired 2013 Sorento that took a whopping 10 months to complete.

For those that don't know, the Justice League first appeared in The Brave and Beautiful issue No. 28, which was put on shelves in 1960. The original seven members of the famed comic book team were Batman, Superman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter, but many characters came and went through the years. This Sorento features all of the original characters with the exception of the lesser-known Martian Manhunter - in his place is more mainstream Cyborg - painted on each side of the vehicle by West Coast Customs. Each of the characters on this Sorento also had their own individual customized Kia and you can see each one by clicking on each name above.

Up front, the hood features a "Justice League" decal and nothing else, giving the crossover a clean, but still custom, look from the front end. The Kia also received blacked-out upper and lower grilles.

On the inside, the customization continues. West Coast Customs reupholstered all three rows of seats with one character's colors and logo on each seat. Up front, the driver's seat features the Superman logo and red piping, and the passenger's seat features a batman logo on the headrest and gold piping. The three center-row seats features Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Flash logos with their respective colored piping. Finally, the third row of seats feature Aquaman and Cyborg logos with piping to match.

Also customized are the door panels, which feature comic strips on the upper inserts and color-coordinated piping, and the center console with its comic-strip covering.

What's more, is that you can buy this custom rig on Ebay and bidding runs from today through July 27th here. The profits from the auction will go to help the We Can Be Heros campaign, which helps feed starving families in the Horn of Africa. So, not only can you own an awesome ride, but you also help a great cause, it's a win-win situation.

The customization is based on a Sorento EX with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that puts down 276 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.

Click past the jump to read more about the Justice League Sorento.

Kia Sorento "Justice League" by West Coast Customs originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 18 July 2013 12:00 EST.

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Chevrolet Captiva Sport

Posted on 07.18.2013 17:00 by Tom Burkart

In the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport's senior yearbook, the standard headshot would have been replaced by a blank "No Photo Available." This commercial vehicle sits in the fleet-only section of Chevy's U.S. lineup. These models major on sale price and fuel mileage - but typically include few tech or luxury features and zero trendy styling.

The opposite of trendy, the Captiva Sport is eerily familiar on all American roads. By george! It is the stillborn, second-gen Saturn Vue in a bowtie grille! Additional fender flares and chrome accents appear where there were once maroon Saturn badges.

Reviving this car is a special treatment within General Motors, and only replicated with the (also fleet-only) Chevy Caprice PPV that started life as the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT. What this distinction means for the Captiva Sport is that the vehicles have to be delivered directly to a commercial operator, thereby skipping the local retailer in favor of bulk orders.

The Captiva Sport's big news for 2014 is an updated infotainment unit that now offers Chevrolet MyLink touchscreen audio and mobile connectivity.

The Captiva Sport is therefore a work car for people who might otherwise be in a Malibu Classic (yes, it existed..) or a Cruze - neither of which have AWD winter traction.

The larger Chevrolet Equinox is also on the fleet books for virtually identical list prices. How do they compare?

Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport, the only autobahn-tested AWD crossover in the Chevrolet's American commercial fleet lineup.

Chevrolet Captiva Sport originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 18 July 2013 17:00 EST.

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Kia Provo Concept Could be Headed for Production

Posted on 03.12.2013 12:00 by Kirby Garlitos

Well that didn’t take long, did it?

Fresh off of wowing the crowd at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Kia’s Provo Concept may be headed to production faster than anybody anticipated.

Benny Oeyen, Kia’s European Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning, recently told Auto Express that the Korean automaker is seriously considering building a production model of the Provo Concept.

"The Provo is a possible niche we can venture into," Oeyen said. "Our brand is currently rational, but there's space for a B-Coupe."

While there’s no immediate timetable for the production of the Provo, Kia’s next step in determining the concept’s production future would be to conduct market research to determine if the model will have the kind of demand that warrants a production model being built.

The automaker’s admission that it has no problem venturing into the B-Coupe market should be a big plus in the side of those wanting to see the Provo get its production green light.

Here’s our two cents on it: if Kia decides to retain the concept’s fantastic exterior while simplifying the interior to adhere to production standards, then we have no qualms about saying that it’s a car the automaker has to have out on the road.

Kia Provo Concept Could be Headed for Production originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 12 March 2013 12:00 EST.

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Video: Swiss Artists Lu&Lu Turn the MINI Countryman Into an Alpine Art Car

Posted on 03.2.2013 18:00 by Kirby Garlitos

Switzerland is set to become the center of the auto world when the annual auto show opens next week. It’s also important to remember that the 2013 Burton European Open snowboarding event in LAXX, Switzerland is also on-going.

It’s important because MINI is a sponsor of the event and when a marketing opportunity presents itself, you know MINI going to take full advantage of it. So what exactly did MINI do?

Build a Countryman art car, of course; except that this isn’t just any other art car. It’s one that was designed by Swiss local artists Lu&Lu and has been rechristened as the Countryman RE:LAAX!

Using the Swiss Alps as the inspiration, Lu&Lu proceeded to draw an image - or something that resembles it - of the picturesque landscape of the region. And the best part is, they chronicled the whole thing via a video, which need we say more, is a must-watch.

Video: Swiss Artists Lu&Lu Turn the MINI Countryman Into an Alpine Art Car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 2 March 2013 18:00 EST.

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Video: MINI Countryman Does Crazy Back Flip in the French Alps

Posted on 02.18.2013 07:00 by Kirby Garlitos

The warning disclaimer before the start of the video seems appropriate. Nobody in the right frame of mind should ever try duplicating this stunt, let alone even remotely think about it.

Leave it up to the pros, fellas.

MINI’s participation in the stunt is indicative enough that this won’t be your average performance. See, when you have the German automaker bringing in a heavily-modified MINI Countryman with GRAVIT-T team driver, Guerlain Chicherit, in the setting of the Tignes Ski Resort in the French Alps, you can do a whole lot of crazy things, including performing a 360-degree backflip that clearly goes way past the bounds of sanity.

To their credit, they managed to pull the stunt off and it looks pretty remarkable with the magic of video editing, but for the love of God, this is one stunt that no matter how good it looks, you better need to stay away from at all costs.

Watch the video; that’s all you need to do

Video: MINI Countryman Does Crazy Back Flip in the French Alps originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 18 February 2013 07:00 EST.

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Lincoln MKC

Posted on 12.20.2012 13:00 by Simona

Rumors about a possible smaller Lincoln crossover are being circulating for quite some time now, and now it has been confirmed that Lincoln will be unveiling a first concept version at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The model is rumored to be called MKC and will be based on the same platform as the Ford Escape.

This will be just one of the four new Lincoln plans to launch between now and 2014 - next to a new MKZ, a new version of the larger MKS and the replacement for the Navigator SUV. The MKC will share most of its design elements with the recently announced MKZ, including the new horizontal grille. Under the hood Lincoln will be offering several different powertrain options, almost certainly including the Ford 2.0-liter EcoBoost and a smaller 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost.

The model will go on sale sometime in 2014 and will take on models like Buick Encore and BMW X1.

Note: 2013 Lincoln MKZ pictured here.

Lincoln MKC originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 December 2012 13:00 EST.

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