With a name like that, you might expect this SUV to be all black. And though that's not really the name — in fact, it doesn't even have a name yet — you'd certainly be right. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Stealth ($TBA) drags the company's Laredo X package into the shadows with a black paint job, black grille surround, black headlamp bezels, a black liftgate light-bar, 20-inch glossy black aluminum wheels, and a black interior boasting heated seats, a 9-speaker sound system, rear-view camera and park assist system, keyless entry and start, and over 50 safety and security features. Visit jeep.com/namemyride to give it a proper moniker — and for a shot at a free GC of your own.
It's not "all-new", but when a product just celebrated its 60th anniversary, perhaps it doesn't need to change so much. The 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser ($TBA) retains the 5.7L, 381hp V8 of its predecessor, as well as the six-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive, and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, but adds a refreshed front with a new grille, LED running lamps, and HID headlights, as well a spruced up interior with a new HDD-based navigation system and Entune infotainment system with JBL audio.
Ho Ho Ho-ly shit. The Hennessey Jeep Grand Cherokee HPE800 ($235,000) takes Jeep's top-of-the-line SUV and turns it into a veritable speed demon by expanding the factory Hemi V8 from 6.4 to 7.0 L and adding in a twin-turbo forced induction system to achieve 805 hp and a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds. Of course, all that power isn't useful if you can't harness it, which is why it also boasts an upgraded transmission system, 15.1-inch Brembo brakes in the front and rear, and a lowered, more sporty suspension, and to make sure no one mistakes it for the "regular" version, it also packs lighter alloy wheels, a carbon fiber front end, and a custom leather interior with an Alcantara steering wheel. It'll arrive in 24 well-appointed garages next year.
Audi compact lineup just got a serious shot of interior space. The Audi A1 Sportback (€17,000 and up; roughly $23,000 and up) adds two doors and quite a bit of space to the model, which is still powered by one of six different gasoline or diesel engines ranging from 86 to 185 hp, and which can be outfitted in any level of trim you choose, from the 15-inch steel wheel and base interior Attraction trim to a fully-tricked out S trim with 18-inch wheels, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, LED lighting, xenon headlights, MMI navigation plus, Bose sound system, and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Expect to see it stateside just as soon as the A1 arrives here, which is to say sometime between now and never.
Behold the awesome old school goodness of these vintage-printed, buttery-soft Homage T-Shirts. They turn back the clock with shout outs to eclectic moments and personalities in sports, music, politics and popular culture. From Bruce Lee to Larry Bird, the tees tell stories of triumph, individualism and hustle. Pay Homage.
First the FJ, then the CJ, and now this. The Icon Bronco ($150,000-$195,000 + $7,500-$15,000 for the vintage Bronco) completes an off-road retro trifecta for the company, with this lastest entry based on Ford's first-gen off-road beauty. Designed by Icon's Jonathan Ward with help from Ford designer Camilo Pardo and an all-star team from Nike, this thing has a an assortment of amazing features, including a Ford-sourced Coyote 5.0L V8 engine (currently found in the new Mustang GT) cranking out 412 hp, an Aisin Warner five-speed manual transmission, an Atlas II four-wheel drive transfer case, Stoptech brakes, Eibach coils, and Fox Racing shocks. This bad boy also has all-LED lighting (inside and out), keyless ignition, stainless steel trim elements, and the stunning Volcanic black powder coat exterior. No airbags, but more awesome than you can handle.
Show your appreciation for the great outdoors with a vehicle capable of tackling them in the Xplore Toyota FJ Cruiser ($35,000 and up). Packing features like custom matte paint, Xplore/Method black aluminum wheels, a Magnaflow exhaust system, Blistein shocks, leather and suede seats, Xplore metal badges, and a one year pass to our National Parks and Monuments, it's nearly a one-stop shop for any aspiring adventurer — and it'll look great in your suburban driveway, too.
Sometimes the name really does fit the car. The Maserati Kubang ($TBA) is an updated, production-focused version of the company's prior SUV concept, sporting a fittingly funky front end, parts borrowed from its off-roading stablemate Jeep, new engines designed in Modena by 30-year Ferrari vet Paolo Martinelli, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all the interior trappings you'd expect from the Trident.
Bimmer's X3 may be one of the best-looking small SUVs around, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. At least the group at AC Schnitzer thought so. The AC Schnitzer BMW X3 ($TBA) brings together a number of upgrades, including a boost from 184 to 218 hp in the xDrive20d model, a custom aero kit that includes a new front spoiler, rear roof spoiler, and protective films, a stainless steel sports exhaust, a new suspension spring kit, forged racing rims, and new aluminum accents for the interior.
Land Rover's rugged Defender is one of the true automotive icons of the last century... but that's precisely the problem. The Land Rover Defender DC100 Concept ($TBA) looks to bring the storied model into the new millennia with a fresh new design that takes cues from more recent Discovery and Range Rover models, a short, stout body, impressive new rims, and an upper half that recalls the FJ Cruiser without losing it's Land Rover identity.
Hardcore off-road credibility meets well-appointed luxury in the Vilner Land Rover Defender ($TBA). This aftermarket mod replaces the Defender's spartan interior with sport bucket seats in the front, leather everywhere, a 600-watt entertainment system with dedicated subwoofer and two LCD screens, ambient lighting, and additional sound and heat proofing — all without sacrificing the four-wheel-drive's ruggedness. [Scouted by Mike]
It's not all-new, but it does look new, and that's enough to make the 2012 Infiniti FX ($43,450 and up) an upgrade worth looking at. Beyond its redesigned front end, the high-end crossover also sports a new 20-inch wheel design and an update instrument cluster, while keeping the same 390hp V8 and 303hp V6 power plants, seven-speed automatic transmission, and optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, Bose Premium Audio system, Intelligent Cruise Control, and advanced safety features as before.
Looks like Honda's next mid-sized SUV will be quite the... looker. The 2012 Honda CR-V ($TBA) will be the fourth generation of the model, brining with it a new, longer design, a more aggressive stance, more three-dimensional vertical taillamps, more efficient engines, and improved fuel economy. Oh, and it will probably still be available with four-wheel drive. Just a guess, though.