Autoblog UK

The Great Wall Hover H7 could well be putting in an appearance on a street near you in the near future, as its emissions comply with European standards. Its 4.80-metre length, 1.92-metre width and 1.82-metre height make this two-tonner one of the larger SUVs on display at the Motor Show in Shanghai. The Hover 7 has four-wheel drive and six-gear automatic transmission and is claimed to deliver a top speed of 140mph (225kph).

SUVs have become a lot more popular recently. Virtually every manufacturer has one in their portfolio and there is no shortage of concept models. Chang'an Auto of China have rolled out a rather unusual prototype at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show. The rear of this futuristic-looking car has a particularly asymmetric design, tapering off into a monstrosity of an air vent. In addition to beefy wheels and a large front aspect, occupants enjoy good visibility, as the two side doors accommodate four large windows.

Three years ago, the Audi Q7 was a surprising success, but in the meantime, these large cars have not been in great demand; sufficient reason then for a facelift and more economical engines. No changes are being made to the basic body with its wheelbase of 5.09 metres and three metre wheelbase, but the single-frame radiator grille that is typical for the marque was redesigned.Together with the Xenon headlights, the daytime running lights and indicators use LEDs. The same applies to the rear lights in the tailgate, the design of which was also reworked. At the rear end, the area around the number plate was also gine a new look.

With its consumption of 31.04mpg, the Q7 3.0 TDI now consumes 0.15 gallons less, which was achieved by the recycling of braking energy. The Q7 4.2 TDI has also had its consumption improved from 24.14 to 28.53mpg. At the same time, the V8 diesel has been given a power boost and now shifts the vehicle's 2.2 tonnes with an added 16bhp, providing a total output of 340bhp. In order to reduce the weight of the XL-SUV, the tailgate, bonnet and mudguards are now manufactured from aluminium.

At the New York Auto Show, the ailing US car giant Chrysler showed there's life in the old dog yet with the debut of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. As before, this large SUV is based on the same platform as the Mercedes M-Class, but the looks have been considerably pepped up. The biggest external changes compared with the current model are to be found in the now more angular front as well as in the side profile of the five-seater. The overall length of the Grand Cherokee has been increased by five centimetres and the wheelbase has extended by 13cm to 2.92 metres. This means that passengers on the back seat can stretch out their legs a bit more. In choosing an engine for the European market, they are likely to stick with the six-cylinder diesel built in cooperation with Daimler and familiar to us from the previous model. The new Jeep offers three different four-wheel drive systems. This SUV won't be appearing on the American market until the end of 2010. No announcement has been made about any launch date for Europe.

Mitsubishi is celebrating a further world premiere at the New York Auto Show with its Outlander GT. The prototype is a sporty compact SUV with many new technologies, including 'Idle Neutral Logic'. This system switches the transmission into neutral as soon as the car comes to a stop. Visually, the "Jet Fighter-Grill" which was taken from the Lancer Evolution stands out. The Japanese are describing the Outlander GT as a genuine Mitsubishi and during the coming days, further information will be provided about this prototype.

Range Rover has presented its latest models at the New York Auto Show. Visually, the new model has been given stylish external modifications on the headlights, grille and bumpers. The vehicle has also been fitted with a new leather interior. This luxury SUV is fitted with a new 5.0 litre V8 with supercharger which is known from the Jaguar XKR and XFR and the manufacturer claims a fuel consumption of 22.8mpg for this engine. It is a considerable improvement on the old 4.2 litre V8 which guzzled 18mpg, and also provides over 100bhp more in power. The diesel version is still powered by the 272bhp 3.6 V8. The price of this new Range Rover is yet to be confirmed.

With the launch of the new RX 450h in summer, Lexus are already bringing the second generation of thier hybrid SUV onto the market. Between 28th March and 5th April, visitors to the Auto Mobil International (AMI) show in Leipzig will be able to form an initial impression. Delivering an output of 299bhp, the all-wheel-drive vehicle has a fuel consumption of 44.8 miles per gallon. Compared with its predecessor, the RX 400h, CO2 emissions have been reduced by a further 45 grams per kilometre. One new feature on this SUV is its EHR (Exhaust Heat Recovery) system which is now for the first time being fitted as standard by the luxury marque of Japanese carmaker Toyota.

An investigative photographer got lucky and snapped the first spy shots of the new BMW X1. This totally unassuming camouflage was in any case probably enough to trigger the camera without human intervention. At the front, the skirts were lifted ever so slightly to give a glimpse of what lies beneath. We look forward to the next striptease pics of this 4-wheel-drive SUV estate crossover from Bavaria.

We have had a glimpse of things to come with the publication of the first pictures of the new Kia Sorento. The Sorento can no longer be considered an 'ugly duckling' but is set to provide serious competition for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Lexus RX. Kia's new SUV will seat seven and looks great. We will soon be able to see it in the flesh as it is due to be unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in April.

Skoda are using the international stage of the Geneva Motor Show to premier their vision of the future: the Yeti is Skoda's interpretation of a compact SUV. This model bears some characteristic features that we have already seen on the Roomster concept. Design accents are the wide wrap-around windscreen and concealed A-pillars. The roof panel also reflects the new direction that design at Skoda is taking and which the Roomster has already hinted at.

The styling is entirely devoid of any aggressive traits and the Yeti has a positive and friendly appearance, in stark contrast to most SUV and off-roaders on the market. But this concept vehicle will not only shine off the beaten track: with its compact dimensions and generous interior, it is also eminently suitable for urban use. The Yeti is well equipped for transport duties as befits a vehicle of its class; once the back seats are removed, the boot offers up to 1,760 litres of luggage space.