New
from Germany, France, Japan, China…
It’s
nothing personal against the road, but everybody wants to sit further and
further away from it. Herewith four new ways to roll at the same height as
everyone else. By CJ Hubbard
Infiniti QX Sport
Inspiration
Once upon a time, Infiniti
was among the first to build truly sporting SUVs – the chunky FX and unassuming
but engaging EX crossover were both happy to get stuck into a B-road. With the
QX Sport Inspiration concept the company is trying to recapture that magic.
Most closely previewing the next QX50 (which is what the EX later became), the
Sport Inspiration was designed at Infiniti’s Beijing studio and looks set to
become a promisingly well resolved challenger to the X3 and Q5. Concept-car
rear view cameras aside, the sumptuous curves make the exterior particularly
pleasing, while the intricate, hand-finished interior is properly lux. Fingers
crossed for the real thing...
Volkswagen T-Prime Concept
GTE
Sounds like a fancy German
steak, is actually a preview of the next VW Touareg. As the super massive
elongated proportions probably make plain, it’s based on the same MLB platform
as the Audi Q7, while the GTE tag reveals the T-Prime is also a plug-in hybrid.
Combining a 2.0-litre TSI turbo with an e motor it boasts 275kW, a 50km
emissions-free range, 0-100kph in 6.0sec and 224kph top speed. Before you go
totally ‘so what?’ on us, the most interesting thing about this concept is the
Curved Interaction Area interior. Taking tips from the XC90 and E-Class, this
delivers a button- free digital dial and infotainment experience collated under
a single pane of curving glass. Fancy indeed.
Peugeot 3008
The 3008 has adopted a more
conventional, 4x4-like styling direction this time round. Small SUV-style
crossovers are big business these days, after all – SUV sales have increased
two and a half times since the original 3008’s launch in 2009.
Its face looks angry, while
the f lanks have a whif f of recent Lexus SUV about them.
Naturally, to reinforce the SUV’s ruggedness, there are unpainted wheelarch
trims and deep plastic cladding for the lower quarters of the doors. From
launch there will be no hybrid versions – a petrol-electric system with four
driven wheels is a couple of years away. So, initially, you’ll have the option
of petrol and diesel powertrains that send power to the front wheels, with
traction amplified by Grip Control.
Renault Koleos
If at first you don’t
succeed... the original Koleos seemingly sunk without trace in the SUV market,
but did in fact rack up 300 000 sales globally – 70% of which were outside
Europe. This is the all-new version, which shares its underpinnings with the
Nissan X-Trail in much the same way that the Kadjar is related to the Qashqai.
Should said Kadjar be anything to go by, we should probably pay a little more
attention this time around, as the smaller crossover is something of a triumph.
Supporting its case, new Koleos promises class-leading rear space, R-Link 2
infotainment with multi-touch control, and 4x4-i efficiency and traction. Not
to mention 19in wheels and 150mm higher seating.
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