New Chevrolet Traverse spy photos

Spying on preproduction prototypes isn't as easy as hiding in the bushes with a big zoom lens on your camera. Sometimes it requires standing in plain sight to get the best shots, a tactic that occasionally leads to some less-than-thrilled engineers.

Such has been the case with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, a new midsize crossover headed for Chevy dealers next fall. While shooting the bundled-up prototype in the triple-digit heat of Death Valley, California, our shooter narrowly missed becoming road kill after one engineer "went a little wide" coming out of a parking lot.

Thankfully, our shooter was undeterred, and recovered from the glancing blow quickly enough to catch the Chevrolet Traverse prototype as it drove away. And thanks to his heroic efforts, we can bring you the best shots yet of Chevrolet's upcoming crossover.

There are few surprises in store, as the Chevrolet Traverse is essentially the same crossover under the skin as the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. The only significant difference you're likely to see is some revamped sheet metal, which blends the existing bodywork with some styling elements from the new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu.

It appears as though the Traverse will get a chevron-shaped grille similar to the Malibu. A large chrome bar splits through the middle, and we expect a big, gold Chevy bowtie sitting front and center. Although the headlights are fully shrouded in camouflage, we expect them to look similar to those used on the GMC Acadia, with a few unique details thrown in to make the Traverse more easily identifiable.

Shrouds over the taillights make it impossible to peg what kind of styling changes are in store for the rear end. We can only hope Chevrolet goes conservative and stays away from the glitzy aftermarket-style lenses featured by the current Chevrolet Equinox. Then again, the door handles for the Traverse are already chrome, so it could go either way.

GM did a good job of differentiating the cabins of the first three crossovers, but there's only so much that can be done the fourth time around, so don't expect a drastically different setup inside the Traverse. That's not such a bad thing, as the Buick, GMC and Saturn versions are all well laid out, with good, solid controls. Same goes for the drivetrain, as the Traverse will get a 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic just like the others. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions will be offered too.

To see the final production version of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, you'll probably have to wait until at least the Los Angeles auto show in November, if not the Detroit auto show in January. By then, Chevrolet's engineers will have calmed down enough to let you take a good, hard look at their latest creation. Until then, you might want to keep your distance.

Car Review: 2007 Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDI 156bhp Exclusive

When the Citroen C-Crosser was given to us we were excited. Although this is the firms first proper SUV it turned out to be abit disappointing.

Despite being based off the Mitsubishi Outlander the 3rd row seats were cramped and small. The 3rd row is suitable for youngsters under 13. The 2nd row seating was average. There was fair amount of leg room, shoulder room and hip room. Sliding rear seats are standard on this SUV but we didn't know how they worked....

The cabin is surprisingly spacious and the drivers seat position was good. The cabin was rather dark and dull and the gearstick had black lettering making it hard to read the gears.

The C-Crosser is easy to get in and out of because it has slightly high ground clearance and the split tailgate makes the SUV very practical indeed.

There is no automatic transmission available and there are only 2 grades; VTR and Exclusive. Another downer is the price. Starting from £25,500 its more expensive than the Mitsubishi Outlander Elegance which starts at £24,000 which itself comes with a satellite navigation system, electric seats and leather seats unlike the entry-level C-Crosser.

If your after fuel economy then don't opt for this model. The Mitsubishi Outlander is more cleaner and efficient. The 5 seater Outlander pollutes 174g/km and combines 42mpg and the 7 seater pollutes 183g/km and manages 40mpg combined. The C-Crosser does 38mpg combined and pumps out 194g/km which according to Citroen is one of the lowest in its class.

Pros:

Quirky styling, good driving position, practicality

Cons:

Expensive, no auto option, high emissions, dull interior

Peugeot 308 & 4007 in the UK

Peugeot couldn't wait to bring the new 308 over into the UK. As soon as it had its Frankfurt debut it went on sale across Western Europe immediately ahead of rest of Europe.

I saw this at my local Peugeot dealer whilst there was a launch party going on. Alongside the 308 was the 4007 mid-sized SUV.

In the car park there were 5 Peugeot 308's which were all 5 door hatchbacks and only 1 4007.

The 308 pictured above has a Cielo panoramic glass roof and it looks big despite being based off the 307 platform.

The 4007 stuck out like a sore thumb because of its face but the interior looked nice and the SUV looked big.

New Car: 2008 Renault Kangoo

On its launch in 1997 Kangoo's affable, expressive style revolutionised the leisure utility vehicle sector. Roomy and versatile Kangoo has been a success, selling over 2,200,000 units since it was launched.

New Kangoo matches family expectations more closely. It draws on Kangoo fundamentals, turning them into an optimised blend of quality, comfort, and practicality. At 4,213mm in length, New Kangoo's resolutely contemporary, affable, cheery lines exert a strong appeal. Its short, chunky front end frees up space for the bright, airy passenger cabin, which is further enhanced by its steeply-raked MPV-style windscreen. Some versions have pop-open windows, and others have electric ones. They all have large doors which open onto a comprehensively reworked interior.

New Kangoo emphasizes well-being and ride comfort:

For improved ride pleasure, a number of features have been upgraded. With its outstanding roominess, New Kangoo has put the onus on space and the shared ride experience. It is 180mm longer than its predecessor and that extra length has been lavished on the cabin, where more volume gives the five occupants more room and more comfort!

Resolutely contemporary and featuring a more ergonomic design, the dashboard resembles an MPV's, while the cabin has been refitted and finished with quality materials. New Kangoo boasts standards of thermal and acoustic comfort worthy of an MPV. Some versions feature automatic climate control. Air is evenly distributed at both front and rear thanks to the design of the circuit, which has outlets at each passenger's feet. To ensure acoustic comfort, engineers have used the same techniques as for the rest of the range.

New Kangoo takes an ingenious approach to modularity:

With its practical design dedicated to the pursuit of leisure, it brings to the segment a novel touch of ergonomic design, roominess, and user-friendliness. Its 60:40 split fold rear bench folds down easily in one fell swoop to form a flat load space. On some versions the front passenger seat can fold down in the same way, Payload can thus be boosted from 660 litres to 2,866 litres.
What's more, in this configuration the vehicle can carry objects that are 2.5m long. New Kangoo's interior boasts up to 77 litres of stowage space, which includes 24 litres in handy aircraft-style stowage compartments for the rear passengers. It also debuts innovative longitudinal roof bars that convert into a luggage rack. No tools are needed and the rack can take loads of up to 80kg.

Developed from a C-segment platform that is acknowledged for its dynamic quality, comfort, and safety, New Kangoo offers features hitherto unprecedented in the leisure utility vehicle segment. Its 2,697-mm wheelbase lends it sound, balanced, secure handling. Its active and passive safety equipment is identical to that of a family saloon. All versions are equipped with the latest-generation ABS and Emergency Brake Assist, while some feature ESP with understeer control, ASR traction control, and engine torque overrun regulation functions.For the safety of its occupants, New Kangoo benefits from state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, most of which originate in the segments above. They include cruise control/speed limiter, automatic headlamp actuation, and wipers with automatic rain sensors, none of which was available on the previous model. New Kangoo also has between two and six airbags, seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, and anti-submarining humps in the front and back seats, as well as three seats with Isofix anchorage points (depending on the version).

New Car: 2008 Dacia Logan Hatchback/Renault Sandero (Brazil)

When I first saw the official pictures of the new Dacia Logan Hatchback I was surprised (in a good way). Although its unlikely to come to the UK it looks great compared to the Fiat Palio & Volkswagen Gol (South America). This is Renault/Dacia's answer to the Volkswagen Gol and Fiat Palio.

Although its measuring at 4.2 metres in length it has a small wheelbase 2.59 metres. The interior is very European orientated alongside the exterior. This will slot below the Renault Megane but above the Renault Clio in the European market.
Engines for Europe:

1.0 16v
1.6 8v
1.6 16v flex-fuel engines

Diesel engines are very likely for Europe.

Engines for Brazil:

1.0 12V 60 HP (Flexi Fuel)
1.6 16V 105 HP (Flexi Fuel)
1.5 dCi 70HP/86 HP

New Car: 2008 Dacia Logan Pick-Up

Only 6 days ago we brought you the first spy photos of the upcoming Dacia Logan Pick-up ute. These are the first official photos.

There will only be 2 engines; one diesel and one petrol; 1.5 dCi which develops 70bhp and a 1.6 16v which will develop 90bhp.

Sales are starting early 2008 in Romania with poissbile British sales starting in late 2008/early 2009.

Concept Car: Renault Laguna Coupé

The launch of the third-generation Laguna creeps ever closer and with less than a week before the Frankfurt Show reveals the cars supposed to have been kept under wraps until their official unveiling. The Laguna saloon and estate models make their world premiere at Frankfurt next week but these photos of its fellow Renault stand star have surfaced ahead of its debut, revealing Renault's Laguna Coupe Concept. Essentially a near-production version of the Laguna Coupe, the new car is speculated to enter the market in the second half of 2008.

Renault have made it no secret that the new-generation Laguna is firmly footing itself in a new league of design and build quality, and the Coupe is sure to reaffirm this new direction. Inspired perhaps by the 2004 Fluence Concept, the Coupe Concept further enhances the lines of the Laguna, making them more elongated and mated to the car's external features. New lights front and rear may stay for production to distance slightly from saloon and estate models, signalling a shift upmarket. The concept car's interior is an aesthetically-pleasing two-tonal delight, however the transplant of the new Laguna's interior into the Coupe is what will see production.

Based, naturally, on the new Laguna platform, the Laguna Coupe Concept is likely to be powered by an economical, green engine - perhaps even a hybrid system - in line with a number of unveilings featuring greener drivetrains. In production form, expect a more limited range of engines than the saloon and estate ranges, with the inclusion of 2.0-litre diesel and petrol 4-cylinder powerplants being likely. A range-topping 3.5-litre V6 model can also be expected, with all models offering the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.