Audi will be giving the Audi Q5 compact crossover SUV a couple of new engines, although these engines aren’t headed for US releases anytime soon.

Two new smaller engines for the entry-level Q5, only in Europe for now

Along with the Audi A4 Allroad, the Q5 will be getting the 143-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI diesel engine and the 180-horsepower 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder gasoline power plant. The two will be leaned on to give buyers more options in the entry-level segments, along with better efficiency and savings options.

It is unclear when the Q5 equipped with the new engines will be released Stateside, if at all. The A4 Allroad executive car isn’t even released in the US.

There’s no question that the Crossomotive team loves the Volvo XC60 crossover. We loved it when it initially came out, as seen in our preview on the car. We loved the XC60’s City Safety system, even if there aren’t any figures yet that show how effective it is. We even featured the mixed-review XC60 ski campaign.

Now, Volvo is giving XC60 lovers and crossover lovers alike a new treat, as it will be releasing the sporty Volvo XC60 R-Design edition, which is set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The XC60 R-Design gets a sporty setup, with a new body kit and a lowered sports chassis. The car gets standard 18-inch Cratus aluminum wheels, but buyers also have the option to upgrade these to 20-inchers. The car’s lower part is color-coordinated with the body (although we personally prefer the matte black on the standard model’s lower parts).

There are also premium R-Design elements for the interior. The steering wheel has aluminum inserts, and there are also door moldings, aluminum pedals, and a new center console. There’s a new dual-tone design for the leather seats, too. Perforated-leather trimming and an R-Design engraving on the sports steering wheel round out the interior premiums.

The bottom line: If you loved the XC60, then you’ll definitely love the sportier XC60 R-Design.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser

Thanks to the Chrysler PT Cruiser’s declining sales on epic proportions, the company had already said that it will discontinue the retro-styled wagon crossover SUV. However, new Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is keen on keeping the model alive–at least for another year.

Marchionne confirmed that the PT Cruiser will continue production at the Chrysler plant in Toluca, Mexico. That’s good news for many people who are part of the PT Cruiser’s following.

The PT Cruiser started selling back in 2000 and was practically a hit right off the bat. It combined good retro looks with a pocket-friendly price. Chrysler sold over 50,000 PT Cruisers in 2008, but so far in 2009 has only managed to sell 8,591 units, effectively making the model a candidate for cancellation.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

To hike up sales, Chevrolet will be banking on the efficiency of the new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. The mid-size crossover SUV is expected to reach EPA ratings of 22 mpg on city traffic and 32 mpg on highway traffic.

The CUV is powered by a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with direct-injection technology, the tools that help the vehicle achieve its heightened mileage.

There’s an option for a more powerful but less efficient engine, namely the 255-horsepower 3.0-liter direct-injected V-6 engine.

GM further expects its upcoming GMC Terrain to achieve similar efficiency figures.

Source: Car and Driver

2009 Rav4, in Limited trim

This right here is the 2009 Toyota Rav4, and it’s got styling upgrades and updated features, along with three trim levels that should suit potential buyers’ needs. Of course, my favorite is still the compact first-gen Rav4 in the 3-door frame, but this baby doesn’t look too shabby itself.

Trim levels are in Base ($21,500), Sport ($23,200), and Limited ($24,490)*. The Sport variant has color-keyed fender flares, fog lamps, and an exclusive “dark charcoal” interior. The Limited trim’s features include a smartkey system and leather interior components.

* prices are MSRP.

Source: Rav4 minisite

Mazda Hakaze Concept, circa 2007

Remember this car? It debuted around two years ago at the Geneva Show. The Mazda Hakaze Concept 2-door small crossover featured a unique design that would be at home even in today’s Geneva Show.

Notable attributes that would still be quite unique after two years from its unveiling include:

- handleless doors

- cameras instead of mirrors

- scissor doors

- wraparound center console

Just goes to show you how far designs can come along in just a short period of time.

The Škoda Yeti Yeti

Yup, that’s a yeti with the Škoda Yeti compact crossover, at the Geneva Motor Show. I think it’s really funny and a nice show of left-field thinking on the part of the Czech automaker’s marketing staff.

Let’s just hope the CUV doesn’t come with one of these when you buy the vehicle. Yipes!

Mazda CX-7 Update

The updated version of the Mazda CX-7 mid-sized crossover vehicle was showcased at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, which kicked off a couple of days ago. The new CX-7 sports substantial exterior revisions as well as interior upgrades.

Among the new exterior design elements are larger air intakes, chrome surrounds for the front grille, and some minimal changes to the rear.

The interior has a new central console, an LCD monitor, and a premium steering wheel.

More on the new CX-7 as details surface. Stay tuned!

Source: Left Lane

The Dacia Duster Concept CUV

Dacia, the Romanian car manufacturer majority-owned by Renault, will be unveiling its new crossover concept at the Geneva Motor Show in a few days. The Dacia Duster features some different design elements, including rear-hinged doors for the middle row.

Dacia calls the Duster “an adaptable, modular concept car” that can be shifted from utility mode to a leisure mode by sliding the passenger seat under the driver’s seat. The added room can be used for bikes and other cargo.

More from the Dacia press release: This futuristic crossover showcases the brand’s core values – namely simplicity, robustness and authenticity – in a surprising form, yet Dacia’s hallmark ingenuity and generosity are immediately apparent in the way designers have approached Duster’s cabin.

The Duster’s rear-hinged doors look to be a love-it-or-hate-it design element, but it does have some potential. We will get into this nifty-looking CUV concept as it is unwrapped at the Geneva Show.

Source: Dacia Site

Kia Sorento teaser image

Kia has released some teaser pictures of its new Kia Sorento compact crossover vehicle, which is slated to debut at the Seoul Motor Show this coming April. The teasers show the car’s bigger frame and more-aggressive looks.

The new Sorento will have an added third row of seats, because of the vehicle design’s shift to the platform used by the Hyundai Santa Fe CUV (which is essentially the Sonata platform). This makes the new Sorento larger and longer.

Kia will also be using Hyundai’s Theta II 2.4-liter engine, which goes for 170 horsepower at 170 lb.-ft. of torque. Buyers have an option to get a 3.8-liter V6 engine good for 275 horsepower. Either variant will likely be mated to a six-speed transmission.

The new Kia Sorento will be manufactured in West Point, Georgia.

Source: Left Lane News