Porsche believes it can make more profit by producing electric vehicles than its current combustion engine models.

Porsche chief financial officer Lutz Meschke says there is more potential to raise prices of electric vehicles than combustion models. He added that the carmaker's EV margins will reach parity with combustion engines in two years and that customers will be willing to pay more for the new technology, per Automotive News.

The automaker predicts that 80 per cent of the vehicles that it sells by the end of this decade will be electric. It also says that EVs will account for half of the luxury vehicle market in 2031.

Read Also: Porsche Pushes Back Macan EV Launch By A Year To 2024

Among the most important new electric vehicles being readied by Porsche is the all-electric version of the Macan. While many important details about this vehicle remain uncertain, it is expected to cost more than the combustion-powered Macan. Porsche also recently revealed that it is readying an electric luxury SUV that will be positioned above the Cayenne.

Porsche is planning a public listing to help fund its electric transition. The IPO has been in the works for many months and not too long ago, some bankers involved in the move had valued the car manufacturer at more than €80 billion ($81.89 billion). However, it recently emerged that a large markdown may be required for the IPO, meaning Porsche may need to settle for as little as €60 billion ($61 billion).

Bankers involved in the deal are expected to survey market conditions at the end of August while a final Porsche board decision will come shortly after. Most sources suggest that an IPO on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange will occur towards the end of the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter.

A few months ago, Subaru announced the tiniest model year updates for the JDM-spec BRZ, but now the automaker is back with a new special edition. The Subaru BRZ S 10th Anniversary Limited is celebrating a decade from the market launch of the first-gen BRZ / GT 86 sportscar duo, with a limited production of 200 units reserved for the Japanese market.

The model is based on the mid-spec S trim rather than the flagship R, but it comes with a few extra bits to justify its commemorative nature. The stand-out feature is the standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, finished in black. The same dark treatment has been applied to the BRZ emblem on the tailgate and the mirror caps. There is also a 10th-anniversary sticker on the rear side windows, but other than that, the special edition looks just like any other BRZ.

Also Read: Subaru BRZ Concept Racecar Testing Synthetic Carbon-Neutral Fuels In Japan

Inside, we find ultrasuede and leather upholstery for the seats, with blue accents and stitching. The steering wheel, the gearknob, the handbrake, and the door armrests are also covered in leather. Subaru opted for dark metallic accents on the dashboard, instrument cluster, and steering wheel. As a final touch, a 10th-anniversary logo is embroidered on the door. As you can see from the press images, the infotainment touchscreen is optional, being covered by a plastic piece as in the no-frills Cup trim.

Predictably, there are no mechanical changes, which means that the special edition still gets the naturally aspirated 2.4-liter boxer engine. The mill produces 232 hp (173 kW / 235 PS) and 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque in Japanese specification vehicles. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic, with power always being transmitted to the rear wheels.

Subaru will be taking orders for the BRZ S 10th Anniversary Limited between July 28 and September 30. Pricing starts from ¥3,388,000 ($24,840) for the manual, and from ¥3,553,000 ($26,049) for the automatic.

The Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 were originally introduced in 2011, with a market launch in 2012. The second generation debuted in 2020, with a market launch in 2021. Following the 10th Anniversary Limited edition of the BRZ in Japan, we expect similar special editions in the US market for both sportscars from Subaru and Toyota.

Unlike Kia, which may reportedly axe the Stinger from its lineup, Lexus is keeping the faith in compact sports sedans and has dropped a big V8 under the hood of its IS. A new video pits the two against one another in drag and roll races and the results might surprise you.

Brought to us by the YouTube channel Sam CarLegion, the host mentions straight away that the Lexus IS 500 used for this video is his own personal daily driver. Factory rated at 472 hp (351 kW) and 395 lb-ft (534 Nm) of torque, the Lexus is a brutal RWD beast indeed. It goes up against the best that Kia has to offer, the Stinger GT with its twin-turbocharged V6 developing 369 hp (274 kW) and 376 lb-ft (509 Nm) of torque and AWD.

From a dig, the Lexus falls back quite quickly. Despite having far less power, the Stinger GT walks away with clear car-length wins in back-to-back drag races. The host jokingly commented on the video to say that “Maybe this was the reason I sold the IS 500… just maybe.”

Read More: Watch The 2021 Kia Stinger GT Hustle Its Way Around The Nurburgring

 

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While the AWD system certainly has an advantage off of the line, we’re a bit shocked to see just how easily the Kia dispatches the Lexus from a standing start. We fully expected the IS500 to manage its horsepower and torque more effectively off of the line. Keep in mind too that it’s lighter than the Stinger too.

Of course, the increased power and lower weight of the Lexus completely flipped the results of the first two races on their ears when the two cars lined up for roll races. Starting off with traction is more than enough to help the IS500 take three straight roll race wins from speeds of 32 mph (50 km/h) and 62 mph (100 km/h).

Even so, considering that the Lexus costs about $10,000 more and has an extra hundred horsepower on tap, the Kia’s performance was quite impressive. Either sedan looks like a hoot to drive, though. Which would you have? Let us know in the comments below!

The China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group says it has received more than 37,000 pre-orders for its all-electric Hengchi 5, the first in a host of planned EVs that it is developing.

Pre-orders for the Henghi 5 opened two weeks ago and while they are non-binding, they do require buyers to pay a 1,000 yuan ($148) deposit. Company president Liu Yongzhuo said pre-orders for the electric SUV had far exceeded the company's expectations.

Evergrande intends on delivering the first 10,000 units between October 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 and notes that buyers will be eligible for a full refund if they change their minds within 15 days of collecting the keys.

Read Also: Dongfeng EV Nano Box Is The $10k Chinese Cousin Of The Dacia Spring

Production of the Hengchi 5 was originally scheduled to begin in June but has since been delayed until the third quarter.

Evergrande has an ambitious plan to make one million EVs a year by 2025 and is currently in the middle of a debt restructuring plan due to difficulties it has had in raising external investment for the Hengchi brand.

The Hengchi 5 is 4.73-meters long and is outfitted with a CATL-sourced lithium-phosphate battery. It is powered by a 201 hp electric motor and Hengchi claims it can travel 435 miles (700 km) on a single charge according to the NEDC testing cycle .

In early 2019, Evergrande chairman Hui Ka Yan said the company would "strive to become the world's biggest, and the strongest, electric vehicle group within three to five years." He has added that he wants to shift Evergrande group's primary business from real estate to its automotive venture within 10 years.

A number of factors, from greedy dealer markups to super-low inventory numbers to increased demand, have sent automotive prices into the stratosphere. Despite those high prices and a used-car price increase of 10.5 percent on average, buyers are still snatching up vehicles left and right. You might be surprised by some of the top selling choices in June.

This new report comes from iseecars.com and highlights top sellers in both the new and used car market. As gas prices continue to soar it will come as no surprise that electric vehicles and fuel-efficient internal combustion vehicles are taking the lead on each of these lists.

At the top of the list for new vehicles is the Subaru Crosstrek, which took an average of just 12.9 days to sell from the day that it landed on the dealer lot. Second place went to the Honda Civic which took more than a full day longer at 14.1 days. Third place ended in a tie between the Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V, which both took 14.7 days.

Read More: The EV Sales Race For Second Place Is Heating Up In America With Hyundai And Ford As Front Runners

Six of the top 10 vehicles are SUVs while just three, the Subaru Impreza, Honda Civic, and the Kia Forte, are sedans. According to the study, the average cost of a new vehicle in June was $42,706. Interestingly, the average price of a used vehicle sold in the same month was less than $10,000 cheaper, at $34,629.

Leading that list is the Tesla Model Y, which spent an average of just 24.9 days on dealer lots before someone snatched it up. The Toyota Prius Prime took second place with a total time on the lot of 25.1 days. Third place was rounded out by another EV, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with an average of 26.8 days.

Seven of the top 10 are either fully electric or electrified hybrids. In fact, Tesla claims three of the top six spots with only the pricey Model S missing out on the top 20. It’s just one more sign that the transition to electric vehicles is well underway.

While you may not have heard of German tuning company S. Bader Karosserie und Lack before, the company's new widebody Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is sure to make you remember its name.

Not satisfied with the standard Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody, the tuner fitted an even more outlandish package from Lion's Kit. This package includes bold wheel arch extensions that add 6 cm (2.3 inches) on each side at the front and 10 cm (3.9 inches) on each side at the rear, meaning the modified Charger is now 2.10 meters (6.88 feet) wide, making it wider than even a Lamborghini Aventador.

Read Also: Brand New Dodge Charger Hellcat Gets Burnt Trying To Do A Burnout

In addition to adding extra width to the car, these wheel arch extensions make the super sedan look even more aggressive than normal. Complementing the arches is a large ducktail-style lip spoiler on the trunk lid, as well as the hood from the Redeye variant of the Charger Hellcat.

A new set of wheels have also been installed. These are the Schmidt FS Line 21-inch three-part wheels that have a dark copper-colored spoke design and are wrapped in 295/35 front and 355/25 rear tires. A set of 25 mm (0.9 inch) spacers have also been fitted to ensure the wheels sit perfectly flush with the new fenders. Rounding out the visual modifications are a set of KW Variant 4 coilovers and various adjustable suspension components from Eibach.

Work then commenced on the sedan's 6.2-liter supercharged V8. The first upgrade made was the fitment of a Momentum GT coil air intake and a 105 mm (4.1-inch) Blox throttle body. A GME Performance exhaust has also been installed with 200-cell catalytic converters. There is also a new JXB Performance bearing that adds extra support to the prop shaft. S. Bader Karosserie und Lack have not said how much power the car is now pumping out thanks to these changes.

Jowyn Wong, a professional automotive designer who has penned the Apollo Intensa Emozione and the gorgeous De Tomaso P72, posted some sketches of a new V12-powered supercar on his Instagram profile, taking inspiration from great racecars of the past.

While the concept is a digital-only affair, it proves how well retro and modern design work when fused together in a low-slung body. Jowyn Wong has opened his own design studio called Wyn Design, but this is just a free-time project showcasing his expertise and the positive effect of digital tools in the design process. For the design aficionados, the concept was created using Gravity Sketch, with additional work done in Shapr3D and Alias for small details.

Read Also: 917 Living Legend Is The Perfect Tribute To Porsche's Most Iconic Race Car

 

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For the unnamed supercar, the designer took inspiration from a bunch of classic Le Mans racers, including the legendary Porsche 917, the Lola T80, and the Ferrari 512 S. Indeed, the mid-engined proportions with a cab-forward style, the sharp nose, the pronounced fenders, the bubble-style canopy and the rising tail are clear nods to racecars from the ’60s. The body of the supercar is full of curves, with the designer spending a week perfecting the shape and the reflections.

Large headlights with LED graphics are mounted on the fenders, with the sculpted intakes, the rounded grille and the carbon-fiber splitter completing the front. The highlight of the profile is the gold accents on the five-spoke wheels and the ring-like features on the seductive body, contrasting the green exterior shade. At the back, we find quad tailpipes finished in gold mounted above the LED taillights, and a massive carbon-fiber diffuser.

 

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Jowyn Wong didn’t stop at the exterior, but he also blessed us with a couple of renderings showing the interior of the supercar. The retro-flavored game continues inside the cabin, with plenty of leather-covered areas, bare carbon fiber, and an interesting choice of green tartan fabric for the seat cushion upholstery. We also get a wooden three-spoke steering wheel and shiny metal accents on the round dials.

The supercar was envisioned with a V12 engine, going against the electrification trend. This would place it against the likes of low-volume V12-powered exotics like the Ferrari SP3 Daytona and the Pagani Huayra Codalunga. Jowyn says that he loved his Lotus Exige so much, that he was inspired to make a “new V12 glory machine to celebrate the last decade of the combustion engine”.

One could say that the supercar market is crowded with plenty of new companies trying hard to get into the territory of established automakers like Ferrari, Lamborgini, Pagani, Koenigsegg, and McLaren. Still, design talent keeps proving there can be more exotics coming our way with unique styling elevating them into collectable pieces.

Sketches by @mr__wyn

Dozens of cars come out every single year and no doubt, most of them don’t really get our motor revving all that hard. In fact, on the spectrum from love to hate it’s easy to think that very few cars ever really attain the former while far more fit into the latter category. With that in mind, we’re wondering what used car have you bought and appreciated despite hating it when it came out?

Possibly one of the most famous examples of this sort of thing might be the Porsche Cayenne. Sure, it sold faster than most expected but by and large, the automotive community looked at it as sort of sacrilegious when it arrived on the scene. Today, even the early ones are considered to be truly remarkable both with regard to on-road capability and off-road prowess.

Tesla vehicles could possibly fall into this category as well. A decade ago many thought that battery electric cars weren’t ever going to really take off but put a doubt in the seat of a Model S Plaid and just as fast as you can go from 0-60 you might have a new believer on your hands.

Read More: Elon Musk Hopeful That Tesla Cybertruck Deliveries Will Begin In Mid-2023

I for one was one of those folks who stoutly dismissed any performance vehicle that was front-wheel drive as somewhat pointless. In fact, it’s almost more frustrating that a number of small FWD cars look phenomenal and have a wheelbase that makes them perfect for autocross because no matter how good they might be, torque steer and physics can’t be cheated.

Of course, once I bought a 2006 MINI Cooper S for my wife (our lead image) my mind changed quickly thereafter. Not only did that little puddle jumper fulfill every one of my hopes about how well it would handle and change direction, but my goodness the acceleration was addictive. A smaller supercharger pulled and a catless exhaust system combined to create one of the most fun little city cars I’ve ever driven.

Still though, we get the feeling that there are a number of excellent hidden gems so to speak, or at least ones that were shockingly better than you expected them to be. So let us know in the comments down below. Which used car did you end up buying and loving after originally hating it when it was new?

The Ford Mustang is not typically known for being a tow vehicle, which is why this example equipped with a tow hitch is particularly interesting. However, there’s one key feature that allows this Mustang to tow: a diesel engine.

That’s right, a diesel. Instead of a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder or a 5.0-liter NA V8, YouTuber Westen Champlin decided the “Smoke-Stang’s” engine bay should be home to a 5.9-liter Cummins six-cylinder diesel engine. Originally, this engine was good for 230 hp (233 PS / 172 kW) and 440 lb-ft (597 Nm) of torque, but after some extensive modifications, it likely makes a good deal more despite no actual figures being known.

See Also: Cummins Diesel Swapped Ford Mustang Is Bound To Upset Muscle Car Enthusiasts

The result is a wonderfully bizarre creation that is now capable of towing a boat with seemingly no issues. And it manages to do so in style, with the diesel Mustang seen performing burnouts as it pulled the watercraft down the road. Adding to the theater of it all is the sound of the massive turbo spooling up, as well as plumes of smoke billowing out of an exhaust that could only be described as hood-exit – if this car still had a hood.

It’s worth noting that this engine swap was done mostly just because it could be, not necessarily with the goal of turning it into a speed demon. Granted, it likely has an obscene amount of torque if it’s able to pull a boat like it does, but even with the big turbo, it was only able to manage a 13.2-second quarter mile time in a previous video, which is only 0.7 seconds quicker than the four-cylinder EcoBoost Mustang and actually 1.1 seconds slower than the V8 GT.

The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer is a crucial car for the bowtie team. The firm's first ever electric SUV has to prove it can cut it against the mighty Tesla Model Y in a fast-growing EV segment that's also contested by the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4.

Chevy hasn't released full mechanical details for the Blazer, which is available in 1LT, 2LT, RS and SS trim, but we do know how much the four models will cost, and how far each of those trim grades can travel on one charge. And we also know the size of its infotainment screen. Don't laugh – those three facts will help many potential buyers decide whether or not to pick the Blazer over its rivals. Let's quickly run through the key details of the 2024 Blazer and then see how the top- and bottom-spec versions stack up against their rivals.

The Blazer starts at $44,995, which buys you an entry level 1LT with a single motor and front-wheel drive. LED lights and 19-in wheels are standard on the 1LT, as is the 17.7-inch infotainment screen and 190 kW DC fast charging capability you'll find on the flagship SS. But the base car misses out on the illuminated bowtie grille badge, heated seats, and rear- and all-wheel drive options available on more expensive models.

Related: 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Offers FWD, RWD, And AWD As Well As A Blazingly Fast 557 HP SS

Those pricier Blazers also get a bigger battery (GM isn't saying how much bigger), meaning the 1LT has the shortest electric range in the Blazer lineup. It can do around 247 miles (398 km) on a charge, while a 2LT with the optional battery has a range of 293 miles (472 km). One of the three available powertrain combos for the RS (we're guessing the RWD with the bigger battery) can travel 320 miles (515 km) before needing to be tethered to the mains, and the SS, which comes standard with all-wheel drive and is Chevy's answer to the Mustang Mach-E GT, is good for 290 miles (467 km).

Blazer 1LT Price Comparison

The entry-level Blazer 1LT has a $44,995 MSRP, which makes it fractionally more expensive than the base Ford Mustang Mach-E ($43,895) and significantly more costly than the bottom-rung Volkswagen ID.4 Pro ($41,230), which will soon be joined by an even more affordable model with a smaller 62 kWh battery. Tesla doesn't have a comparable car in the U.S., the Model Y only being available in North America with dual motors and all-wheel drive, although Australians can pick up a single-motor, rear-drive version for AU$72,300 ($49,500 USD).

So the base Model Y for the U.S. is the Long Range, which costs $65,990. It's also worth noting that neither the Chevy nor the Tesla are eligible for federal tax credits, and Ford is about to run out of credit allocation, which makes the VW the biggest bargain here and one you can buy now: the base Blazer won't be in showrooms until early 2024, months after the other trim grades.

Blazer 1LT EV Range Comparison

Chevy says you'll be able to travel 247 miles (398 km) in the base 1LT, which perfectly matches Ford's figure for the entry-level Mach-E. Both cars are significantly out-performed here by the ID.4 Pro, which the EPA has rated at 275 miles (443 km).

But the VW sticks to its 82 kWh battery even at high trim levels, meaning the further you climb up the range, the lower the EV range drops. A loaded all-wheel drive Pro S is only rated at 245 miles (394 miles), whereas the leggiest Blazer, the two-wheel drive RS, can travel for 320 miles (515 km). Ford's rangiest Mach-E mates the 88 kWh long range battery with a rear-drive, single-motor setup and is good for 303 miles (488 km), but the Tesla Model Y Long Range trumps them all with a claimed 330-mile (531 km) range.

Blazer 1LT Screen Size Comparison

One of the great things about the Blazer and Mach-E is that Ford and Chevy don't force you to buy an expensive model to get a wowser interior. Okay, so the base Blazer and Mustang miss out on the heated seats and steering wheel that come standard on the lowliest VW ID.4, but they both get the same big infotainment screens you'll find in top-end cars.

And of the two, it's the Ford's portrait display that's actually the smallest. It measures 15.5-inches, which is 2.2-inches smaller than the landscape screen fitted to the Blazer, though 0.5-inches bigger than the screen in the Tesla Model Y and more than 50 percent bigger than the one in the entry level Volkswagen. Base ID.4s make do with a puny 10-inch touchscreen, and even higher spec Pro S cars don't get more than 12-inches of digital real estate.

And while we're talking digital displays, it's worth mentioning that every Blazer gets a 11-inch configurable instrument pack that's bigger than those in its rivals, no matter how much money you throw at them.

Blazer SS Price Comparison

Related: Speeders Beware, Chevrolet Offering A Police Pursuit Vehicle Based On The Electric Blazer SS

We've looked at the budget end of the Blazer range, but how do things look at the other end of the scale? The Blazer SS is the performance flagship of the range, Chevy’s first ever electric performance car, and will cost $65,995 when it lands in 2023.

That compares with $61,995 for the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, while you'll need to add a further $5k to get the GT Performance version. Volkswagen doesn't have a go-faster flagship in its ID.4 range, but Tesla does. The Model Y Performance will set you back $69,990, which is only $4k more than the Model Y Long Range.

Blazer SS Power Comparison

The Mach-E GT is a potent and punchy machine. It makes 480 hp (487 PS) and 600 lb-ft (813 Nm) of torque and scoots to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. Go for the Performance version and you get the same power output but gain 34 lb-ft (46 Nm) and lose three tenths from your sixty time.

But both Mach-E GTs look pretty tame next to the Blazer SS. We don't know exactly how fast it accelerates, GM only saying that it needs "less than" 4 seconds to 60 mph when the Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode is activated. But given that it pumps out 557 hp (565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of torque, we suspect the final number might be closer to three than four.

Tesla doesn't quote power figures for the Model Y Performance, but it does tell us that the car can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, down from 4.8 seconds for the Long Range, while also boosting top speed 20 mph (32 km/h) to 155 mph (250 km/h).

Blazer SS EV Range Comparison

The Blazer SS is the most expensive, most powerful model in the lineup, but it isn't the version with the longest electric driving range. That would be the two-wheel drive RS, which can travel 320 miles (515 km) on a charge, whereas the SS needs a top-up after 290 miles (467 km). That means Chevy's electric muscle car plays second fiddle to the Tesla Model Y Performance (303 miles/488 km), but makes a better long distance companion than the Mach-E, which the EPA rates at 270 miles (435 km) in GT guise, and only 260 miles (418 km) when equipped with the GT Performance upgrade.

We're looking forward to doing a more in-depth comparison when Chevy releases additional Blazer details closer to summer 2023, which is when the mid-range 2LT and RS models will arrive (the SS lands in late '23, and the 1LT in spring '24). But so far it's shaping up to be a genuinely capable and desirable family EV. Would you take a Blazer over its rivals? Drop a comment below and tells us which would get your cash.

Note: We’ve tried to use pictures relating to the exact models we’re talking about where possible, but in some cases we’ve had to post images of the closest trim grade available.

The top-three best selling vehicles in America in 2021 were three pickups: the Chevy Silverado, the Ram line and the Ford F-150. But none of those vehicles appears in a new list of the three most searched-for used cars and trucks. In fact, they don't even make it into the top 10.

The data comes, rather strangely, from the team at Australia's Compare The Market price website, which says it was able to determine the 50 most in-demand used cars in America by calculating the number of Google searches made for popular models of car, truck and SUV between April 2021 and March 2022.

Scanning the full list of 50 reveals some eye-catching details, such as the Porsche 911 making it to 29th spot, ahead of the Mini Cooper and Jeep Cherokee, while the Audi R8's 38th place puts it one rung above the Toyota Prius. The Nissan Leaf, meanwhile, languishes in 49th place, which is surprising since Compare The Market says it’s the worst car in America for depreciation, losing almost 50 percent of its value in three years.

Related: The Most Popular Cars In America By State In 2021

But one electric car proved rather more popular than the Leaf, even breaking into the top three. Think you know what it is? Maybe you do, but we'd put money on you not getting both of the other two podium finishers correct. Let's take a look at the 10 finalists.

10. Honda CR-V (261,640 searches)

9. Jeep Grand Cherokee (282,100)

8. Toyota Highlander (297,290)

7. Toyota Camry (301,890)

6. Honda Accord (318,660)

5. Toyota 4Runner (346,990)

4. Honda Civic (445,000)

3. Tesla Model 3 (490,360)

2. Toyota Tacoma (509,490)

1. Jeep Wrangler (760,940)

This data doesn't means these were the most-bought used cars in 2021, and it lacks depth: people searching for "Porsche 911" could just as easily be daydreaming about a 1980s Carrera 3.2 as seriously considering picking up a new 992 Turbo. But it still makes for interesting reading, particularly the fact that the Jeep Wrangler attracted 50 percent more searches than the second-place Tacoma. We wonder if the hype surrounding the Ford Bronco had something to do with that. Did you guess any of the cars right?

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross, the slightly larger and more practical sibling of the Vitara/Escudo, was recently updated with a new generation. This week we got the keys to the flagship GLX trim of the SUV, with the mild-hybrid 1.4-liter engine and the AllGrip system in order to discover first-hand the improvements compared to its predecessor.

The new SX4 S-Cross is based on an improved version of Suzuki’s Global C architecture that was used by the previous generation and many other SUVs – from the smaller Brezza all the way up to the similarly-sized Grand Vitara. Thus, the footprint of the SX4 S-Cross is identical to its predecessor, with a length of 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) and a wheelbase of 2,600 mm (102.4 inches).

Driven: Suzuki Across PHEV Is The Neglected RAV4 Twin Blessed With All The Virtues Of The Original

Despite the shared underpinnings, the update is a lot more than a simple facelift, since the entire bodywork and the interior have been redesigned. The larger grille flanked by aggressive headlights, the discreet plastic cladding, the skidplates, and the boxy shape of the wheelarches provide for a more rugged look. The SX4 S-Cross has a ground clearance of 175 mm (6.9 inches) with 17-inch wheels.

Inside the cabin of the GLX, there is a 9-inch touchscreen incorporating Suzuki’s latest infotainment. The same unit has been used in plenty of new Suzuki models that are available in different parts of the world as part of the recent technological upgrades. What is less impressive is the familiar instrument cluster which is a carry-over from the previous generation, featuring a 4.2-inch screen between analogue dials. Other features include leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and plenty of ADAS. In fact, the only thing that is missing is the optional panoramic sunroof.

In Europe, the SX4 S-Cross is available with mild-hybrid and full-hybrid powertrains, just like the Vitara. Our press car is powered by the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine that produces 127 hp (95 kW / 129 PS) and 235 Nm (173.3 lb-ft), plus a 48V mild-hybrid system with an electric motor adding an extra 14 hp (10 kW / 14 PS) and 53 Nm (39 lb-ft).

Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and Suzuki’s AllGrip AWD system. This means that the driver has access to different driving modes from the AllGrip Select, including Auto, Sport, Snow, and Lock. Interestingly, the mild-hybrid S-Cross with the manual gearbox is the quickest of the lineup, with a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 195 km/h (121 mph).

We will be driving the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross for the next few days in and out of the city, so feel free to share your questions about the SUV and we will make sure we reply to all of them.

Photo Credit: Thanos Pappas for Carscoops