'range rover'

PARIS--These may be trying times for the European economy, but that automakers rallied at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, bringing out a variety of new concepts and some model updates relevant to the U.S. buyer. As has become a theme given European interest in CO2 reduction, many of the cars we saw featured hybrid or electric drive trains. And many new models and updates were what we in the U.S. consider premium cars boasting fine coachwork.

Here is our last day roundup from the 2012 Paris Motor Show.… Read more

Land Rover released details today of its 2013 Range Rover and confirmed a diesel-electric hybrid version to come later. The redesigned model will become available on dealer lots later in 2012, while keys for the spiffy new hybrid-powered vehicles can be had in 2013.

Though the British company offered specifications for Range Rover's conventional drivetrain, as of right now details on the diesel-electric hybrid are slim. It has yet to be confirmed for U.S. markets, although we'll keep our fingers crossed for now. For those of you interested in getting your hands on either of the V-8-powered … Read more

As Americans downsize their vehicles to get better fuel economy and fit on increasingly congested urban streets, automakers have met the demand with a range of small SUVs. Unlike the lumbering beasts of the '90s, these little SUVs use independent suspensions to improve ride comfort and new technologies to aggressively pursue better fuel economy. Versatile seating means these vehicles can seat five or haul large amounts of cargo.… Read more

Switzerland has set itself as neutral ground in Europe, a role it plays every year between the automotive manufacturing powerhouses of Germany and France. The International Motor Show in Geneva gives equal time to not only the regional automakers, but interlopers from the United States and Asia.

Geneva's proximity to the wealthy gearheads of Monaco also assures a good mix of exotic and specialty carmakers. CNET will be covering the show's press days, sending back photos, video, and stories during the week of March 5.

Here are some of the cars we expect to see. … Read more

It wasn't the first convertible crossover to reach production, but I was hoping that the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet would be the last. Unfortunately, Land Rover will also be peeling back the top of its own Range Rover Evoque crossover at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show next week.

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible will feature a power retractable cloth top with a glass rear window pane. A Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) protects passengers in the event of a rollover by instantaneously popping up roll hoops behind the rear passengers when the vehicle senses that it's about to roll. … Read more

Not all the toxics in your car from from the tailpipe. There's a new ranking out this week that finds the worst polluters inside the car and offers some hint of how you can shop to avoid sitting in a toxic chamber when you buy a new car.

The stylish new Range Rover Evoque has been collecting awards like a blue whale in a patch of krill. And considering its high-tech, efficient engine and off-road capability, most of those awards are deserved.

But in the area of cabin electronics, it falls short of its luxury car competition. Where other car companies are beginning to explore connected in-car systems, the Evoque is just covering the basics of navigation, digital audio, and a Bluetooth phone system.

That is not to say the Evoque's cabin electronics are bad. The response of the touch screen may be a bit pokey, but … Read more

RealVNC announced at the BlackBerry World Conference this week that it will be supplying Jaguar and Land Rover with a smartphone-integrated infotainment system.

RealVNC demonstrated the Connect and View system using a BlackBerry smartphone connected to a RealVNC Connect and View infotainment system connected to a BlackBerry smartphone in a Jaguar XJ head unit. When linked with a BlackBerry device, Connect and View uses Terminal Mode to replicate music and navigation applications on the car's in-dash screen.

A few automotive manufacturers such as GM, Toyota, and BMW are using similar technology in their vehicles. So far, some manufacturers have … Read more

When I was in Los Angeles last month covering the LA Auto show, I heard whispers about something the hit band OK Go was doing with GPS and a large crowd of people.

Of course, since I was busy working the auto show, I didn't have time to investigate. But since I am a big fan of OK Go's artistic endeavors--its music videos with treadmills, Rube Goldberg machines, dogs, and more are some of the best and most imaginative of all time--I was just a little annoyed not to be able to hunt down what was happening.

Today, … Read more