Range Rover

The 2010 Land Rover Range Rover ranks 4 out of 10 Luxury Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 62 published reviews and test drives of the Land Rover Range Rover, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Built for traversing an empire, the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover continues the tradition of uncompromising off-road abilities coupled with unparalleled luxury.

Land Rovers have always been vehicles with a large dose of luxury cachet. For 2010, updates to the Land Rover Range Rover have made the company's flagship model more powerful, more capable and more luxurious. The changes have been so well-received that it's tough to find a reviewer who has anything remotely negative to say about the Rover.

Range Rover built its reputation on remote trails, and the 2010 Range Rover continues to astound reviewers with its rugged capabilities. What's more astounding is that, unlike other off-road SUVs, the Range Rover has very good on-road performance as well. Two new engines -- one of which makes over 500 horsepower -- give the Range Rover the power it needs in any situation.  Handling and braking are so good that the Range Rover is as at home on the freeway or in the city as it is on rock-strewn trails.  Inside, reviewers say the cabin lives up to the Range Rover's nearly $80,000 price tag.

The one quibble reviewers raise about the Range Rover is Land Rover's reputation for poor reliability. While Tata Motors, the company that recently bought Land Rover, has promised to improve reliability, it's too early to tell if improvements have been made

Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser ranks 4 out of 10 Luxury Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 22 published reviews and test drives of the Toyota Land Cruiser, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Toyota Land Cruiser is well-mannered on-road and ruggedly capable when the pavement ends.

With its strong combination of on-road refinement and off-road chops, the Toyota Land Cruiser is a good choice for buyers who want a luxury SUV, but who also want to go off-road.  In fact, reviewers say the Land Cruiser shoots right down the middle and hits its mark. Its ride and handling are plush but composed.  Thanks to its powerful V8 engine, the Land Cruise scoots better than its size might suggest and gets gas mileage that's about average for the class (though no SUV in the class has gas mileage that could be considered good).

Still, the Land Cruiser stands out in one way: in a class full of vaunted marquees like Land Rover and Mercedes, the Land Cruiser is a humble Toyota. However, when the chips are down, the Land Cruiser competes well with its more-pedigreed competition. Reviewers like how it drives and its cushy interior. Taken as a whole, the Land Cruiser stands up well to the competition, even as consumers move away from full-size SUVs.  Still some reviewers question if this Toyota's capabilities are worth its price tag, given that most owners won't take theirs off-road.

Audi A1 Quattro

An Audi A1 quattro prototype that brings all-wheel-drive to the premium subcompact hatchback segment for the first time is currently undergoing a baptism of fire grappling with freezing conditions on Canada's densely snow-packed roads. The one-off development car is one of the stars of the `Fascination of quattro' event taking place in Montreal to celebrate the past, present and future of the legendary four-wheel-drive system, which reached its 30th anniversary in 2010. It reaffirms the Vorsprung durch Technik brand's commitment, made at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, to underpin future high performance variants of the A1 with this proven driver aid. 

The latest member of the burgeoning quattro family uses technology very similar to that used in A3 and TT models. At its core is an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch located in front of the rear axle for an optimized distribution of weight. Inside is a package of plates that rotate in an oil bath. 

During normal driving, the clutch sends most of the engine's power to the front wheels. If the front axle loses grip, the clutch can instantly transfer torque to the rear axle by forcing the plate packages together. A pressure reservoir helps the electric pump to develop the necessary oil pressure. 

The UK A1 range currently offers a choice of ten front-wheel-driven models powered by 1.2-litre TFSI (86PS) and 1.4-litre TFSI (122PS) petrol engines and a 1.6-litre TDI (105PS) diesel, and is priced from £13,420 OTR to £18,665 OTR. 

Even before it filters into the most diminutive of Audi models, the quattro system is already a feature of over 120 variants in the Audi line-up, from the A3 hatchback through to the R8 super car. 

The Audi A1 with quattro drive

As announced at the Paris Motor Show back in the fall of 2010, Audi is also bringing the permanent all-wheel drive system to the premium subcompact class. Consistent traction, a high level of driving safety and exciting dynamics - the A1 with quattro drive will be the first car in this segment to power all four wheels. 
 
During normal driving, the clutch sends most of the engine's power to the front wheels. If the front axle loses grip, the clutch can instantly transfer torque to the rear axle by forcing the plate packages together. A pressure reservoir helps the electric pump to develop the necessary oil pressure.

Volkswagen Taxi Concept

The man behind the project, Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design at Volkswagen, was present in Central London earlier today to unveil the car. 

Designed to meet the challenges faced by vehicles in modern cities, with ever tighter restrictions on space and emissions, the Volkswagen Taxi Concept is powered by an electric motor fed by lithium-ion batteries. With a capacity of 45 kW/h the batteries allow the electric motor to generate a maximum power output of 115 PS, translating to a theoretical top speed of 74 mph.

The range of the Volkswagen Taxi Concept is estimated at 186 miles between charges with an 80 per cent charge taking around one hour to complete. 

The Concept, which measures 3,730 mm in length, 1,680 mm in width and 1,600 mm in height, is shorter than the current smallest Volkswagen, the Fox. However its long wheelbase and minimal front and rear overhangs allow it to have a spacious cabin with room for two adults to be seated in comfort plus an allocated area for luggage. At the front, the driving environment is similarly spacious, an impression emphasised by the large glass area. 

The theme running throughout the vehicle is simplicity, with an elegant, clutter-free look to the interior. The major functions of the vehicle including climate, entertainment and fare information are all grouped onto one touchscreen display mounted next to the driver. In the back a similar screen relays information to the passengers on their route and their immediate environment. Despite its modest size, the Volkswagen Taxi Concept feels luxurious, with use of cream leather and individual, as opposed to bench, seats. 

The styling draws on that of the UP!, Space UP! and Space UP! Blue concept cars and features deliberately tongue-in-cheek details such as the silver Union Jack on the roof and the City of London's coat of arms resplendent on either side of the vehicle as well as on the dashboard. 

Elegant daytime running lights mounted within the headlight units are joined by a distinctive `Taxi' light on the roof. This has two settings - it glows green, indicating when it's free and red when it's not. 

At the rear the light units are integrated into the 60:40 split tailgate, behind which are a pair of cubbies to house the belongings of the driver. 

GMC Sierra Denali 2011

GMC has always been about "Professional Grade" trucks, but the Denali trim level takes it up a notch or two -- it's the package for people who work hard but like to do it in style, too. Now, the folks in the big trucks will get their own pampering as GMC reveals the new 2011 GMC Sierra Denali Heavy Duty.

The Sierra Denali HD marks the first time the luxurious Denali trim has been offered on GMC's toughest trucks. Specific to the Denali package is a four-bar grille with a chrome surround, chrome accents on the doors and door handles, body-color bumpers and new 18- and 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels. Inside, the Denali package features a Bose audio system, power-adjustable pedals, 12-way power seats and brushed aluminum trim. A heated steering wheel and heated and cooled seats are optional.

Beyond the Denali package, which will only be offered on the Sierra 2500 Crew Cab Standard Box model, those who look closely may notice a few other subtle enhancements to the 2011 Sierra's appearance. Most notable is the enhanced hood with its big louvers and powertrain badges, along with new 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheel options. Non-Denali trucks also get a new three-bar grille and a full-width chrome front bumper.

So far, you may be wondering what the big deal is. Leather and chrome packages don't mean much on work trucks, so you'll be happy to know all the money GMC didn't spend on aesthetic upgrades was directed toward upgrading the Sierra's chassis and powertrain. The result is the same 20,000-pound maximum towing capacity with a fifth-wheel trailer as the Silverado HD, as well as the same 16,000-pound maximum towing capacity with a traditional hitch and the same 6,335-pound maximum payload capacity. Unfortunately for GMC and Chevy fans, that's a little short of the specs for the new Ford F-Series Super Duty, though not by much.