News Front

Q7 Alternative Fuels
The new seven-passenger SUV from Audi is likely to receive a hybrid powertrain and may also be fitted with a diesel, in addition to the 4.2-liter V-8 gas engine.

New Titan, Tundra Engines?
Nissan and Toyota are rumored to be looking seriously at diesel engines for their full-size pickups.

EPA Changes Tests
For the first time since the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning on changing testing procedures to provide more accurate fuel-economy numbers.

TrailBlazer, Envoy Evolution
The stretched versions of both models have ceased production, as has the lengthened Isuzu Ascender, and the extensive reengineering of the short-wheelbase SUVs has been postponed.

The G-Class Lives!
Even though the new GL will be out later this year, the current G will stay on the market--and gets an interior makeover.

Santa Fe Stretch
When the 2007 Hyundai sport/utility comes here, it'll have three rows of seats, and its V-6 could be as big as 3.8 liters.

Unimog U500
What happens when the world's ultimate off-road vehicle slams head-on into a luxury tuner like Brabus? Simple: the Mercedes-Benz U500 Unimog Black Edition. Shown recently at the Dubai Motor Show, an event for supremely wealthy kings and magistrates, the Black Edition concept has custom side panels and body molds to make the all-terrain wuender-truck look more like an custom SUV on steroids. In the states, the M-B Unimog is marketed under the Freightliner banner, but don't expect many Black Editions to be sold in North America. Pricing for the short-wheelbase model is likely to start at $150,000.