First Saab 9-4X Rolls Off Assembly Line in Mexico

It's been a rough ride for Saab's 9-4X, but the very first production model has now rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, just three months after the compact crossover was unveiled last November at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

“This is a great day for Saab,” said Jonsson. “The arrival of the 9-4X is another important step in the fulfillment of our business plan. This sporty and distinctive product will significantly broaden the appeal of our brand and give us access to an important new vehicle segment that is still growing, particularly in the United States.”

The first vehicle bearing the chassis number 00001, is a 9-4X Aero model finished in an Ice Pearl metallic and powered by a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine. According to Saab, it bound for a media test drive event in the United States before being shipped to Sweden for display at the Saab car museum.

Based on the Cadillac SRX, the new Saab 9-4X is will arrive in U.S. showrooms in May 2011, with sales in Europe and other global markets due to begin from August.

Geneva Preshow: Fiat Publishes New Photos of Freemont Crossover

The star of Fiat's exhibition area at the Geneva Motor Show and the first Fiat-branded vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group is the new Freemont 7-seater crossover. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Freemont is a re-badged 2011 Dodge Journey, but if for whatever reason you weren't satisfied with the first batch of official photos, the Italians have just released a more comprehensive set that includes pictures of the interior as well.

We'll remind you that the Freemont is due to go on sale in Fiat dealerships across Europe from the second half of 2011. The Italian firm's newcomer will initially come with front-wheel drive and a Fiat-sourced 2.0-liter turbo with 140HP and 170HP, linked to a manual gearbox. By the end of the year, Fiat will also offer two four-wheel drive versions fitted with the 170HP 2.0 MultiJet diesel, and Chrysler's 276HP 3.6-liter V6 petrol unit. For more details on the Freemont, check out our previous story here.

First Saab 9-4X Rolls Off Assembly Line in Mexico

It's been a rough ride for Saab's 9-4X, but the very first production model has now rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, just three months after the compact crossover was unveiled last November at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

“This is a great day for Saab,” said Jonsson. “The arrival of the 9-4X is another important step in the fulfillment of our business plan. This sporty and distinctive product will significantly broaden the appeal of our brand and give us access to an important new vehicle segment that is still growing, particularly in the United States.”

The first vehicle bearing the chassis number 00001, is a 9-4X Aero model finished in an Ice Pearl metallic and powered by a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine. According to Saab, it bound for a media test drive event in the United States before being shipped to Sweden for display at the Saab car museum.

Based on the Cadillac SRX, the new Saab 9-4X is will arrive in U.S. showrooms in May 2011, with sales in Europe and other global markets due to begin from August.

Geneva Preshow: Fiat Publishes New Photos of Freemont Crossover

The star of Fiat's exhibition area at the Geneva Motor Show and the first Fiat-branded vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group is the new Freemont 7-seater crossover. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Freemont is a re-badged 2011 Dodge Journey, but if for whatever reason you weren't satisfied with the first batch of official photos, the Italians have just released a more comprehensive set that includes pictures of the interior as well.

We'll remind you that the Freemont is due to go on sale in Fiat dealerships across Europe from the second half of 2011. The Italian firm's newcomer will initially come with front-wheel drive and a Fiat-sourced 2.0-liter turbo with 140HP and 170HP, linked to a manual gearbox. By the end of the year, Fiat will also offer two four-wheel drive versions fitted with the 170HP 2.0 MultiJet diesel, and Chrysler's 276HP 3.6-liter V6 petrol unit. For more details on the Freemont, check out our previous story here.

How to Convince Your Sweetheart to Watch a Car Movie on Valentine’s Day

Yep, it's Valentine’s Day and we all know what that means: having to choose between Made of Honor and Eat, Pray, Love for our February 14th viewing (dis)pleasure. Is there nothing a heterosexual man dreads more than having to sit down with his partner to watch a boring, car chase-free romantic comedy?

Fortunately, we at Carscoop share your pain. We had to endure the horrors of the Sex and the City movie and overwrought melodrama of Julie & Julia. We’ve seen the worst and lied about it to our significant others afterwards. So, here’s how you get out of it: describe your favourite car movie as something that you'd interest her. It’s easier than you think:

Transformers

What it is: Giant robots that can transform into cars / helicopters / fighter jets fight each other in a struggle against flat acting, huge explosions and frenetic editing.

How you describe it: A troubled love story set amidst a violent, long-running civil war. It’s like Captain Corelli's Mandolin, really.

Black Lightning

What it is: Russian youth saves lives and fights crime in a flying Volga. It’s like Batman Begins, if Batman Begins was freakin’ insane and filmed in Moscow.

How you describe it: After the sudden death of his father, a Russian teenager takes over the family business and strives to live up to his old man’s image. It’s a touching story about courage, responsibility and personal growth.

Gone in 60 Seconds

What it is: Car thieves rush to steal fifty cars in a week to appease a mob boss.

How you describe it: A young man struggles to prove himself to his older brother, who is the only father figure he’s ever had in his life.

Bullitt

What it is: The most boringly realistic crime film you’ve ever seen, redeemed solely by an epic car chase between Steve McQueen in a ’68 Mustang fastback and a black Dodge Charger.

How you describe it: Like American Gangster with Steve McQueen.

The Transporter

What it is: Jason Statham drives a black Audi and kicks the living crud out of hundreds upon hundreds of faceless henchmen.

How you describe it: It has Jason Statham in it, and he’s sometimes shirtless. Also, he’s British.

The Fast and the Furious

What it is: Paul Walker and Vin Diesel fight to see who can underact more while competing in increasingly dangerous street races.

How you describe: An undercover cop and a criminal with a heart of gold forge a special relationship through their mutual interests.

How to Convince Your Sweetheart to Watch a Car Movie on Valentine’s Day

Yep, it's Valentine’s Day and we all know what that means: having to choose between Made of Honor and Eat, Pray, Love for our February 14th viewing (dis)pleasure. Is there nothing a heterosexual man dreads more than having to sit down with his partner to watch a boring, car chase-free romantic comedy?

Fortunately, we at Carscoop share your pain. We had to endure the horrors of the Sex and the City movie and overwrought melodrama of Julie & Julia. We’ve seen the worst and lied about it to our significant others afterwards. So, here’s how you get out of it: describe your favourite car movie as something that you'd interest her. It’s easier than you think:

Transformers

What it is: Giant robots that can transform into cars / helicopters / fighter jets fight each other in a struggle against flat acting, huge explosions and frenetic editing.

How you describe it: A troubled love story set amidst a violent, long-running civil war. It’s like Captain Corelli's Mandolin, really.

Black Lightning

What it is: Russian youth saves lives and fights crime in a flying Volga. It’s like Batman Begins, if Batman Begins was freakin’ insane and filmed in Moscow.

How you describe it: After the sudden death of his father, a Russian teenager takes over the family business and strives to live up to his old man’s image. It’s a touching story about courage, responsibility and personal growth.

Gone in 60 Seconds

What it is: Car thieves rush to steal fifty cars in a week to appease a mob boss.

How you describe it: A young man struggles to prove himself to his older brother, who is the only father figure he’s ever had in his life.

Bullitt

What it is: The most boringly realistic crime film you’ve ever seen, redeemed solely by an epic car chase between Steve McQueen in a ’68 Mustang fastback and a black Dodge Charger.

How you describe it: Like American Gangster with Steve McQueen.

The Transporter

What it is: Jason Statham drives a black Audi and kicks the living crud out of hundreds upon hundreds of faceless henchmen.

How you describe it: It has Jason Statham in it, and he’s sometimes shirtless. Also, he’s British.

The Fast and the Furious

What it is: Paul Walker and Vin Diesel fight to see who can underact more while competing in increasingly dangerous street races.

How you describe: An undercover cop and a criminal with a heart of gold forge a special relationship through their mutual interests.

Geneva Preshow: Toyota iQ Pure-Electric Prototype

An all-electric prototype of the Toyota iQ will make its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The iQ EV is equipped with an electric motor fed through a newly developed, flat and compact lithium-ion battery that is mounted under the car's floor. According to Toyota, the battery pack doesn't reduce the regular iQ's load area or passenger space. The all-electric version of Toyota's mini car is said to have a potential driving range of up to 65 miles or about 105 kilometers.

The EV prototype is currently being tested on European roads, with a potential market launch through a leasing programme in 2012. The Japanese company will also bring the car in the USA (as a Scion) and is also investigating its viability in other regions.

The iQ EV prototype will join three more new models at the firm's Geneva Salon stand including Yaris HSD hybrid concept, the European market variant of the Prius+ minivan with seven seats, and a closer to production concept of the FT-86 rear-wheel drive coupe.