Tesla Model X Promises Smooth and Sport Performance

Months before its sleek Model S sedan is even in car dealer floors, Tesla has rolled out its new AWD non-SUV Model X. The vehicle first debuted at L.A.’s Design and Engineering Building. This crossover shows similarities to the Honda Crosstour and BMW X6.

The sloping rear roofline descends over the rear hatch in a conventional manner. Surprisingly, a button will promote the ‘Falcon Wing’ rear side doors to ascend towards the sky and show DeLorean characteristics. The roomy interior has three rows, with seven seats and has much more cargo room than most crossovers, especially when the Falcon Wings have been raised.

The ‘frunk’ is a trunk that Tesla has placed in the front of the car, with the engine in the rear. Powertrain and chassis similarities are almost identical with the Tesla Model S sedan, except the Model S is RWD. Two electric motors can be ordered on the Model X, so one can drive the front wheels and the other can drive the back.

The X’s launch might still be a few years away, but a few details came out in Hawthorne, California’s design building. The battery pack comes in 60 kw and 85 kw hours. The Model X weighs 10-12% more than the Model S, so it will suffer than in performing.

Tesla states that the Model X gets to 60mph in 4.4 seconds. The Model X will go into production in 2013.

“The thing I've always wanted to do, the thing I'm going to do next, is a mass-market car,” said founder and CEO Elon Musk.

The mass-market car has been called the Gen III, and powertrain components from the Tesla Model S and X can be scaled down to fit even smaller cars, like the Toyota RAV4 EV and Smart ED, both built with Tesla powertrain components.

“That's my aspiration, not a promise, I really believe we'll be profitable within 12 months,” said Musk. “Early next year.”

“Name My Ride” for 2012 Grand Cherokee

Jeep recently promoted its brand-new, blacked-out Concept Grand Cherokee at the Houston Auto Show. The vehicle is slick with its all black exterior, rims and tinted windows. Accompanying the new sport utility vehicle is the “Name My Ride” contest that goes along with the Jeep.

Jeep is allowing fans the opportunity to actually name the new Grand Cherokee model. Fans and consumers can submit what they think the new model should be named. Jeep has set up a micro site for Name My Ride along with a new mobile version of the site to make it simple for anyone to sign up. The “Name My Ride” contest began a few weeks ago and will continue on until the announced winner will be claimed in May.

Fans will choose from the top three choices after all of the entries are narrowed down. The fan enter the winning name will have a shot at winning a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The upscale features of the Jeep Concept are 20” gloss black aluminum wheels, black bezel surround on headlamps for a stealth-like appearance and automatic headlamps and 4” front fog lamps. It also comes equipped with lower fascia appliqué features, seven slot grille, leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls and Bluetooth capabilities.

Premium Capri leather-trimmed buckets seats with heated front seats in black or medium graystone come standard along with a 115-volt power outlet. Bluetooth Uconnect Voice Command creates a safer driving situation with handsfree phone and music options. The dual-zone temp control works perfect along with Alpine’s 9-speaker Premium Sound System.

“Name My Ride” provides creative people a shot at winning a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Uniqueness is clutch in this contest, along with dreaming up an original idea for a name of the SUV.

Acura Super Bowl Spot Features Two Concepts: The NXS and Humor

For comedian Jerry Seinfeld, the debut of the Acura NSX in Detroit demonstrated a concept that was totally different from his classic TV sitcom: it was a show about something. Something worth waiting for.

That’s exactly what Seinfeld is doing in a new advertisement released online by Acura. After he finds out that he isn’t the first in line to receive one of the highly-anticipated supercars, he spends the majority of the ad, entitled “Transactions,” trying to bribe the person who is. In the extended version available on the internet, Jerry offers the services of the Soup Nazi (a familiar face for fans of the show), an alien, a speed boat, the last living munchkin (according to Seinfeld anyway), small talk with an omelet bar attendant and a sock puppet recap of a popular cable gangster drama.

Seinfeld’s final offer is access to his “personal network of Manhattan zip lines” as a means of transportation. Just as he has the keys to the first Acura NXS in hand, Jay Leno swoops in (literally) wearing a ridiculous “jet pack flying squirrel suit” that can supposedly get from New York to Los Angeles in 20 minutes. At the end of the commercial, Seinfeld sulks about the thwarting of his efforts with his cast of misfits in the booth of a coffee shop.

Production of the Acura NSX is expected begin sometime in 2015. It will likely feature a V-6 engine (probably either 3.5 or 3.7-liter), accompanied by three electronic motors. The combination will attempt to balance driving performance with ecological impact. “Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency,” said Honda CEO Takanobu Ito. “But even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.”

In the ad, Jay Leno laughs maniacally as he blasts off with the original NSX owner latched on behind him. This isn’t the first time that he has stolen something that was promised to an NBC funnyman. You’re not alone, Jerry. Conan O’Brien feels your pain. The Acura NXS spot will air during the Super Bowl, Sunday, February 5 on NBC.

Fuel Efficient Beetle by Volkswagen Is Diesel Fueled

The new TDI is “the most fuel efficient 21^st Century Beetle” deemed by Volkswagen. Targeting the American male, VW has an affordable diesel coupe coming soon.

A coupe body style with a diesel engine is tough to come by in the United States. There’s a truck or a 3-door VW Golf, and now there’s a VW Beetle TDI Diesel. The car will offer a 29 MPG city/ 39 MPG hwy when it goes on the market this summer.

The “TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation” will be the German’s top-of-the-line coupe. It will be powered by a 2.0L turbo w/ 140HP and 236 lb.-ft of torque.