No fewer than six of those models shown could find their way to New Zealand, and that’s in addition to vehicles we showed in our February issue, such as the Land Rover LRX and the Hummer concepts, as well as a number of monstrous American 4WD "truck" updates from Ford and Chrysler.

FORD’S DISCO REPLACEMENT?

This is the SUV that’s set to put Ford back on the off-roader map once Land Rover has lost its Blue Oval.

The Explorer America is set to replace the Discovery in the Ford lineup, and thanks to innovative engines and lightweight construction, it should be one of the greenest off-roaders around.

A large three-bar grille and Range Rover-style clamshell bonnet dominate the front end, while chunky wheel arches complete the imposing look.
There are neat details, too, such as the sliding rear door and full-length sunroof. Inside, the emphasis is on versatility. The rear seats can be folded away at the touch of a button, and a small table and chairs can be unfolded from the boot for open-air eating.
In an effort to make the Explorer green as well as mean, the company has developed Further fuel-saving measures include the use of lightweight materials for the bodywork and a new electrically assisted steering system.

A production version of the Explorer is set to hit the road in 2010, with the possibility of right-hand drive sales starting shortly afterwards. However, it’s unlikely to come to New Zealand as long as Ford continues to build the Territory in Australia.

RENEGADE ROCKS

Looking a lot like a dune buggy on steroids, the Jeep Renegade concept shown at Detroit is a sporty, "minimised" two-seater ideally suited for the all-weather fun of dune-surfing or rock-crawling.

Renegade is said to be targeted at customers in the "Stylish Green" segment of the marketplace – those who are extremely environmentally oriented, appreciate high-tech and innovation, and enjoy performance combined with style in keeping with their "green" attitude.

Although it’s not likely to be built as shown at the show, many of the features shown will undoubtedly

And guess what – it doesn’t have a petrol engine! In fact it starts with a 64 km lithium-ion battery pack, with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder Bluetec low emissions diesel engine as "range extender" – in other words it recharges the battery to allow for journeys beyond 64 km, boasting a 640 km range in total.

The diesel engine generates an additional 85 kW when needed, while greatly reducing exhaust emissions when compared to standard petrol engines, and it’s capable of achieving an equivalent fuel economy of only 2.1litres100km

It’s also built mainly of aluminium and has regenerative braking to improve overall efficiency, while dual electric 200 kW motors propel a very capable 4WD system – complete with low range and locking differentials - worthy of carrying the Jeep name.

Styling sees large, flaring wheel openings, oversized wheels and tyres, and a cut-down speedster windscreen, and among its unique exterior details are "deconstructed" rubber-clad headlamps and tail lamps, as well as just-for-fun elongated triangular openings in each of the two sculpted doors.

While the Renegade features a roll bar it has no top.

Instead, the cargo deck just behind the cockpit can be fitted with a variety of "lids."

Options include a plain lid, or lids configured to accommodate the gear of a particular outdoor day-trip activity, such as mountain biking or kayaking.

Or it can come "as built" - with formations designed to accommodate two matching water scooters with open storage underneath. Fluid-fill caps, a plug-in port and a first-aid kit are also included.

Its innovative construction includes one-piece moulded soy-based foam seats and doors, a one-piece moulded instrument panel with a urethane skin, a moulded aluminium/silicone steering wheel, a one-piece moulded chassis created without using environmentally-harmful resins, and a one-piece moulded interior compartment "tub."

The dual-cockpit instrument panel is symmetrically balanced for easy "plug and play" left-hand drive and right-hand drive applications.

There is no conventional wiring; instead, the instrument panel features wireless electronics in sealed, self-contained units, removable by the customer.

The panel is built about an exposed cross-car beam containing an integrated power strip, and on the passenger side, yaw, pitch and roll indicators (also built into the fluid-fill gauges).

The instrument panel itself is hollow, allowing ample open storage below the beam. Separately-configured impact-absorbing vinyl-wrapped knee-blockers "float" beneath the cross-car beam.

The thin multi-plane acrylic instrument cluster mounts to the steering column, while the similar but separate centre control screen mounts on a swivel base - providing easy access to both occupants.

The Renegade’s contoured, figure-form seats - covered in scuba-like waterproof materials that are both soft-touch and flexible - feature in-seat belts and unusual, hollow, lightweight upside-down "U-shaped" headrests.

A "thermal unit" in the centre console plugs into the electrical battery pack, permitting food to be either heated or cooled.

The Renegade’s wireless interior is designed to be hosed down. It features a drain in the floor, while the formations built into the floor mat are designed to channel water to the opening. Hollow-section billet-formed pedals float above the tub floor.

KIA GOES V8 WITH BORREGO

Kia says the large SUV is not dead – it just needs re-inventing, and says that is what it has done with the worldwide unveiling of the all-new Borrego at Detroit.

Kia says there’s still lots of room for a large 4WD vehicle that can carry up to seven people and also has huge towing ability for those who need to pull large trailer boats, horse floats or caravans.

Voila - the new Kia Borrego, with three rows of seats to accommodate extra passengers and one of the biggest towing capacities in its class, able to pull up to 3.4 tons.

And the Borrego can haul that amount of weight without fear of stretching body panels because it is built on a separate, strong ladder chassis, just like its smaller brother the Kia Sorento.

The new Kia Borrego, named after a rugged breed of American mountain sheep, also has a sophisticated 4WD system that enables the vehicle to haul itself and fully loaded trailer over very slippery surfaces or drive off the beaten track in complete control.

Among its off-road technology is a Hill Ascent system that prevents the vehicle from slipping back when stopped on an incline and there’s also a Hill Descent system that brings the Borrego down tricky slopes under greater control.

The newcomer is designed primarily for the United States market, where it will get a choice of 4.6-litre V8 or 3.8-litre V6 petrol power options and a 6-speed automatic transmission – making it the first V8 passenger vehicle to be released by Kia.

It also sells in its home market, where the Borrego is known as the Mohave.

Kia has yet to announce when other markets will see the Borrego, including when and if a right-hand-drive model will become available for countries such as New Zealand.

When that time comes, the Borrego is likely to be powered by an all-new 3-litre V6 turbo diesel engine that Kia also showed off on its stand at the Detroit show.

This engine boasts 184 kW and 540 Nm of torque ,and in addition to promising good fuel economy is equipped with a raft of clean, green technologies, including a diesel particulate filter.

Based on the Kia Mesa, the 2005 Detroit Kia concept vehicle, the Borrego is incredibly well specified, offering power-adjustable pedals, rear sonar system and backup camera, full leather upholstery, satellite navigation, ABS disc brakes, an electronic stability system with traction control and airbags protecting all seven occupants.

SUV AWARD FOR MAZDA

Mazda Motor Corporation's CX-9 crossover 4WD has been named North American Truck of the Year.

The CX-9 received the award at Detroit - the first time a Mazda vehicle has won this prize.

Established in 1994, the North American Truck of the Year is one of North America's most prestigious motoring awards. Vehicles in consideration for the award are judged by various categories including design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for money.

The Truck of the Year award was determined by 45 prominent automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who assessed 2008 model year trucks - a category which includes both conventional trucks and SUVs.

A clean break from traditional SUVs, the Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV has won high marks for its dynamic styling, powerful and dynamic driving performance and a spacious interior more commonly found in premium vehicles.

MERC’S SMALL 4WD

Mercedes-Benz revealed its all-new GLK 4WD at Detroit in a bid to take on the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander 2 head-on.

The "G" alludes to the archetypal cross-country vehicle, the "L" intimates luxury and, as in other Mercedes model series, the "K" stands for compactness (German: Kompaktheit).

Mercedes showed a concept vehicle, the Vision GLK Freeside study, at Detroit, but also was quick to point out the vehicle is close to series production.

It features what Merc calls "Agility Control suspension" which couples good on-road performance with off-road handling and agility.

It also gets a Bluetec 125 kW 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, combined with the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission and new 4Matic 4WD, with fuel economy on a par with an ordinary car the same size.

Just 4.52 metres long, it also boasts technology usually reserved for higher vehicle classes.

These include the Pre-Safe safety concept and the Intelligent Light System (ILS), as well as a Comand APS infotainment centre, a rear-seat entertainment system with two screens and Thermotronic three-zone automatic climate control.

The GLK has boxy styling reminiscent of the original Gelendewagen, including short overhangs, an upright front end and slim roof pillars, plus a steeply raked windscreen and taut roof lines.

There are also specially manufactured 20-inch light-alloy wheels on the concept, though these are unlikely to find their way onto production versions, plus muscular wheel arches.

There are also large angles of approach and departure plus good ground clearance for off-roading.

Unlike conventional metallic paintwork, a matt clear coat protects the surface.

There's a high-quality and comfortable interior with impressive materials and precise detailing.

The dashboard is wide, with matt anthracite-coloured cebrano wood with white grain and a chrome trim strip.

This element, with its rich contrasts, extends across the full width of the interior and divides the main body of the dashboard into three horizontal planes.

The upper area is trimmed in black leather and encompasses the instrument cluster and the static Comand APS central display.

The lower area, like the tunnel and the foot wells, echoes the colour scheme of the exterior paintwork.

The seats and the lower part of the door trim are in specially coated white leather which, like the "diamond white magno" paintwork, has a matt gloss finish.

Treating the natural leather in this way not only produces a stunning look but gives it a velvet soft, skin-friendly, easy-grip surface.

However, Mercedes has opted to follow BMW's horrible iDrive computer mouse control system, albeit with shortcut buttons for the most important main functions.

Safety levels are high, with front airbags, side bags and window bags, plus a knee bag for the driver and crash-responsive head restraints.

The drive system features a 45:55 percent basic split plus electronic ESP, ASR and 4ETS systems.

The newly developed multiple-disc clutch in the central differential supports the system where the friction between the tyres and the road surface is particularly low, for example on snow or ice.

A basic partial locking force of 50 Nm between the front and rear axles produces a significant increase in traction, while maintaining the high level of driving stability.

Pressing the "G" button on the centre console activates a special transmission mode which varies the gearbox shift points, adjusts to "softer" accelerator characteristics and activates the ESP’s off-road function.

A manual shift mode is also available – gears are changed using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

A further switch activates Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR).

The production GLK is to be launched in Germany at the end of this year. It is still not sure whether or not it will be produced in right-hand drive.

SAAB’S BIO-POWER 4WD

The Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept shown at Detroit is said to be a thinly disguised version of the production 9-4X 4WD due in New Zealand by 2010.

The Concept’s modern design features are combined with a responsible, fun-to-drive appeal based on BioPower engine technology and a cutting edge 4WD system.

The design of the Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept reflects a Scandinavian principle of simplicity of form, with clean and uncluttered lines, free of any cladding, mouldings or roof bars, and defining "ice-block" surface and lighting themes.

Innovative load-carrying solutions include a unique ski equipment stowage system, developed in co-operation with mountain sports specialists Salomon.

Optimised for bioethanol (E85) fuel, the four-cylinder, 2-litre BioPower turbo engine offers 224 kW and 400 Nm.

The driver-focused cockpit in the sporty, four-seater cabin features a "clear zone", while other subtle references to Saab’s aviation heritage include the "altimeter" speed read-out scale and aircraft-shaped trim on the steering wheel. It has a panorama glass roof.

The rear cargo deck features a sliding floor with a fold-out aluminium ski-holder, through which up to three pairs of skis and poles can be slotted.

Boots are stowed in an
underfloor heated compartment and, for maximum practicality, the entire rear cargo area is covered in a waterproof and scratch resistant rubber "skin".

The 4WD system uses active management to split torque delivery between both the axles and the rear wheels via an electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential, and there’s a 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel controls.