In this edition, we decided to bring you, dear reader, three of the best options within the Sport Utility Vehicle super-luxury segment to give as gifts this coming Mother's Day.
The first is the totally new Porsche Cayenne, which has been blessed with the latest technological advances offered by the Stuttgart manufacturer to reaffirm it as the most powerful and exclusive SUV in the world.
For its part, the Audi Q7 comes with the new V6 280 HP engine and a level of luxury equipment so complete that, thanks to its dynamics and pleasurable driving, will make the perfect gift.
And we have saved a great surprise until last: the powerful Hummer H1 Alpha, an all-terrain vehicle developed from the Humvee military vehicle, which is capable of traveling across the most rigorous terrain in the most adverse weather conditions with amazing agility and comfort.
Audi
Conquering New Territories
The new Audi Q7 V6 is surprising not only for its audacious style, its high level of technology or its luxurious, enormous and versatile interior, but also for its great performance and response that is clearly demonstrated in its amazing dynamism and driving ease both on and off-road.
Its elegant and powerful image is the result of the exquisite combination of muscular and stylized shapes with cosmetic elements that are pleasing to the eye, which together, conferred on a challenging style and undeniable beauty that commands respect as it passes.
On boarding the vehicle, the first thing that catches the attention is the ample space, that thanks to its three rows of seats, allows seven passengers to travel in great comfort and ease, while its high level of equipment and large doses of luxury make journeys even more enjoyable.
Agile, pleasurable and fun at the wheel
The power plant of this version of the Audi Q7 is a V6, 3.5 liter FSI unit that produces 280 HP and a torque of 365 pounds/foot at between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm, which is linked to a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Despite its large size and weight, the Audi Q7 drives with the agility and pleasure of a luxury sedan and is very enjoyable both on the city and on the highway, with great stability even in very sharp bends.
A wealth of technology is hidden behind its amazing performance, from 4-wheel independent suspension, and all-wheel drive system with a Torsen-type central differential that distributes power at a 40/60% ratio between the axles, power steering, as well as different electronic driving assistance systems, such as ESP, ASR, ABS EVB, to mention a few, which endow it with a very dynamic performance and great driving pleasure.
Specifications
Engine
V6 3,6 L
Maximum Power Output
280 HP a 6,200 rpm
Torque
365 libras/pie 5,000 rpm
Traction
A las 4 ruedas All-wheel
Suspension
Independiente a las 4 ruedas
Brakes
All-round ventilated discs with ABS
Maximum Speed
225 km/h (electronically limited)
Acceleration
de 0 a 100 km/h: 8.5 s
Porsche
The new face of speed and luxury
More” is the concept that best defines the second generation of this spectacular off-roader: More aggressive and luxurious, more equipped and comfortable, but above all, more powerful, dynamic and exciting.
The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo, the star of our test, boasts more overwhelming and sporting aesthetics, thanks to several changes to its bodywork, such as its wider fenders, new directional bi-xenon headlamps, the more stylized grille, as well as the bumpers, rear view mirrors, new rear spoiler and light clusters.
Its cabin has a more sporting and elegant design, made from materials and finishes that gush perfection, as well as more abundant standard equipment.
More powerful and sporty
The Porsche Cayenne 2008 makes its debut with new engines and an improved drive train, which stamp on it a more sporting behavior and better performance which in turn, translate into out-of-the-ordinary benefits and an exciting and fun drive.
The Cayenne Turbo has a new 4.8 liter V8 engine, which is 0.3 liters larger than its predecessor and with two turbo-compressors and for the first time, Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) and the VarioCam Plus valve control system, which provides it not only with greater power, but also with a more energetic response and better fuel consumption and fewer harmful emissions.
Thanks to these changes, the bi-turbo engine how delivers 500 HP, 50 HP more than the previous model, while the torque has been increased to 516 pounds/foot (13% more than its predecessor) between 2,250 and 4,500 rpm.
Its behavior is most sporting and noble, transmitting a feeling of dominance and comfort at all times. This is due to a great extent to the new PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) system, which reduces the vehicle’s lean on bends, the PSM (Porsche Stability Management) system, the PTM (Porsche Traction Management) system that can distribute 100 % of the traction to the front or rear wheels, depending on the road adherence conditions.
Specifications
Engine
V8 biturbo 4.8 L
Maximum Power Output
500 HP a 6,2000 rpm
Torque
516 libras/pie 4,500 rpm
Traction
All-wheel 6-speed Tiptronic S
Suspension
Independiente a las 4 ruedas
Frenos / Brakes
All-round ventilated discs with ABS
Maximum Speed
275 km/h
Acceleration
de 0 a 100 km/h: 5.1 s
GMC
The Family Favorite
The GMC engineers and designers have taken the best qualities of the Sport Utility Vehicle, to merge them with the luxury, dynamism and maneuverability of a high-end sedan.
This has resulted in the creation of the new Acadia, a (CUV) Crossover Utility Vehicle with a powerful and elegant personality distinguished for its easy and dynamic drive and a highly spacious and luxurious capable of transporting 8 adults comfortably.
With a length of 5.098 meters, the GMC Acadia has an athletic and smooth body work that, in conjunction with other strong style details, such as its large jewel-type xenon headlights, its aggressive-looking grille and chrome trim, give it a very elegant and powerful personality.
Easy, dynamic and a pleasure to drive
What makes the new GMC Acadia is without a doubt its smooth drive and agile behavior, which give it very easy and agile handling, both in the city and on the highway, where it performs with great dynamism and surprising maneuverability, even on roads with tight bends of different radii, where it runs at high speed to take them with great precision and in absolute comfort.
The secret of its dynamic response and noble performance lies directly in its platform, which, instead of using a heavy pick-up chassis, it has a monocoque body, like a car, known and LAMDA.
This effect is supported by the excellent work of the 4-wheel drive independent suspension, its low center of gravity, as well as its power-assisted steering, StabiliTrak electronic stability system and traction control, all of which together ensure that the vehicle faithfully goes where the driver wants it to go.
The smooth drive and agile maneuverability are based on an independent suspension system in the four wheels mounted on a rigid integral body-chassis structure (BFI).
The Acadia comes in front and all-wheel drive models.
Specifications
Engine
V6 4,8 L
Maximum Power Output
275 HP a 6,600 rpm
Torque
251 libras/pie a 3,300 rpm
Traction
Independent 6-speed automatic
Suspension
Independiente
Brakes
Solid discs with ABS
Maximum Speed
210 km/h
Acceleration
de 0 a 100 km/h: 8.0 s
Hummer H1 Alpha
The King of the Hills
The heir of the brutal aesthetics and amazing off-road capabilities of the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle military vehicle (The Humvee), the Hummer H1 is the sovereign ruler of all off-roaders.
The cabin design is simple and functional, with materials smooth to the touch and complete luxury equipment, which includes leather upholstery, a Monzon stereo with a 6-CD changer, keyless opening, a heated windshield and a Centralized Tire Inflation System (CTIS), which provides the driver with the facility to adjust the tire pressures based on the characteristics of the terrain, among other factors.
Fearless on the road
Despite its huge dimensions and weight, the Hummer H1 is easier to drive than you would think; it feels smaller than it really is. The power-assisted electronic steering guides this almost 4-ton monster through the daily maneuvers with surprising docility, thanks in part to the independent suspension in the four wheels and its tight turning circle that allows it to traverse all kinds of terrain.
Driving this mastodon generates a lot of adrenaline and the Hummer H1 Alpha opens up the city traffic, because its enormous size and challenging aesthetics automatically commands a feeling of respect and admiration that makes all the other cars give way to it.
But where this model really brings out its caste to shine is its all-terrain driving performance, where thanks to its excellent drive train, its long wheelbase and high ground clearance let it tackle the roughest terrain, in the most adverse weather conditions or even driving through a river of a meter and a half in depth.
It is a real shame that the Hummer H1 Alpha is not now on sale, since its production ended last year, but if you have the chance to acquire this colossus of the road, we can assure you that it will be one of your best investments, because there is no current model, how ever illustrious its family name may be, that is capable of matching the off-road abilities, driving pleasure and the aggressive styling boasted by this stupendous all-terrain vehicle.
Specifications
Engine
V8 Turbo diesel 6,6 L
Maximum Power Output
300 HP a 3,000 rpm
Torque
520 libras/pie a 1,600 rpm
Traction
All-wheel 5-speed automatic
Suspension
Independiente
Brakes
Ventilated discs with ABS
Maximum Speed
180 km/h
Acceleration
de 0 a 100 km/h: 13.5 s
Text: Roberto Pérez S. ± Photo: Cortesía de las marcas.