A preview of some SUVs at 2008 Beijing auto show

Shanghai, April 15 (Gasgoo.com) A great variety of SUV models by global and local automakers will also come to the 2008 Beijing auto show this month. And here we'll describe some of the SUVs briefly for you get a preview of these sporty cars and their special features:

1. The 2008 Buick Enclave is an all-new large crossover SUV capable of seating up to eight passengers. Power comes courtesy of a 275-horsepower V6. Better packaged than any Buick in recent memory, the 2008 Buick Enclave offers a spacious, upscale cabin that will appeal to SUV shoppers who use all three rows of seating on a regular basis. Attractive interior design, kid- and adult-friendly seating in all three rows, huge cargo capacity, supple ride quality.

Buick Enclave

2. Bold evolution of Land Rover design, the Land Rover LRX is a desirable, premium and more compact SUV which extends the definition of "breadth of capability." With its metallic black paintwork, silver roof and precisely detailed exterior features, the second version of the LRX concept is designed to show how well the vehicle can deliver a contemporary example of personalization. Using lightweight material technologies, Land Rover has developed a series of bespoke features for the black and silver LRX that add to the vehicle's individuality and flexibility.

3. Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster stands just 48 inches tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed adaptive rear wing. Styling is rooted in the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy, conferring the LF-A Roadster's front end with a compact, low-profile, aerodynamic shape. Helping to provide balance and scale to the design, which features an overall length of 175.6 inches and a wheelbase of 102.6 inches, are high-performance tires on turbine-styled alloy wheels. The front tyres are 265/35R20s, while the rears are 305/30R20s.

4. At the Beijing show the Chinese brand Geely will present the NL Concept, a smaller-sized SUV, which as seen in these sketches, brings back a little the Ford Kuga (on the sides and the rear) and also the Opel Antara (in the front). We’re waiting to see the photos but otherwise it appears that Chinese manufacturers these days are fast arriving at “passable” designs for European tastes.

5. The Cadillac Provoq fuel cell concept is the latest example of GM's groundbreaking E-Flex propulsion system, combining the new fifth-generation fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water. The Provoq can drive 300 miles on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles from hydrogen and 20 miles on battery. With a 0-60 mph time of 8.5 seconds, the Provoq is capable of hitting top speed of 100 mph.

6. Kia unveiled its all-new KND-4 concept car in 2007. The three-door SUV is complete with wrap around headlamps and pointy grille. The high beltline and C-pillar give it a compact appearance, while the rear gets a starkly upright hatch. Power comes from a 2.2-liter diesel that sends power to all four wheels via Kia's Active Torque Transfer system. Over time, elements of this KND-4 concept SUV is expected to evolve into Kia next-generation lineup, ensuring continued popularity of the Korean carmaker's already competitive 4x4 models.

Kia KND-4

7. The 2008 Jeep Renegade Concept: With the mix of a lithium-ion battery pack and a small-displacement Bluetec diesel engine, this car is said to have a fuel economy of approximately 110 mpg or more. It looks like a Dune Buggy, and it would really only be practical in the summer. It's a two-seater with no roof, lowered windshield and half-missing doors.

8. The new Kia SUV, Borrego, features body-on-frame construction and come equipped with buyers choice of a V-6 or Kia's first ever V-8. Kia calls the new Borrego its first midsize SUV, for all intents and purposes it appears to be on the larger side of midsize, just like its Sorento is big for a compact model. Body-on-frame design, V8-power and true 4x4 capability will set Borrego apart from SUV pretenders. 

Kia Borrego

9. The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLK will measure 4.5m and feature an elegant but basic interior. It’ll offer space for five passengers and will have generous trunk space, which will be accessible over a relatively low tailgate. Mercedes used GLKs at Fashion Week as a feature in the "Sex and the City" movie.

10. The all-new 2008 Infiniti EX35 offers an exceptional combination of seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technology systems. The new EX35 offers the new Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, and is the first to feature "Scratch Shield," a special "self-healing" clearcoat paint. Infiniti Division, Nissan N America calls the EX35 a Crossover SUV. Its layout combines the look and feel of a luxury "coupe" and an SUV's flexibility.

11. Escalade Hybrid SUV: Two Cadillac models will highlight Shanghai GM's display ceremony themed as "Green Future" at the Beijing auto show. The two of the Cadillac vehicles on show are the dual-mode Escalade Hybrid SUV with an "E-flex" fuel cell power-train and the zero-fuel concept car Provoq demonstrating Cadillac green ideas and the future of the industry's leading technology.

12. The Volvo XC60 is dressed in a thrilling blend of muscular XC capability and the sporty charisma of a coupe. Volvo packed it with cutting-edge safety technology, including City Safety, a laser-guided system that detects an impending slow-speed collision (below 19 mph) and automatically applies the brakes if the driver fails to react. The new XC60 will initially be available with the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 285 horsepower and two five-cylinder turbo-diesels.

13. The Volvo XC90 V8 Inscription edition is a crossover SUV that's based on the S80 sedan. The top version packs a stronger V8 engine, Volvo's high-efficiency in-line six-cylinder 3.2 liter petrol engine that meets the American ULEV II emissions standards. The Volvo S80 V8 engine is also available with Volvo's AWD (All-Wheel Drive) featuring Instant Traction.

14. Volkswagen Tiguan, or 'Tuhuan' in Chinese which means 'Happy Journey,' is a compact crossover SUV built by the German automaker, based on the A platform of the Golf. Production started in the winter of 2007 in Wolfsburg, Germany. Similar to VW Golf GTI, the vehicle is powered by the 2.0 TSI engine and offers strong power. Shanghai Volkswagen Auto is likely to make the VW Tiguan, which will be available in China later  this year for about 500,000 yuan ($71,430).

15. The Audi Q5 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV to be released by German automaker Audi for the 2008 model year. It will be built using the new Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which debuted in the 2007/2008 Audi A5 luxury coupe. As a mid-sizer, the Q5 will be the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7, and will compete with the Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Volvo XC60.