{"id":21737,"date":"2018-01-18T14:23:27","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T18:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=21737"},"modified":"2018-01-18T14:23:27","modified_gmt":"2018-01-18T18:23:27","slug":"stylish-designs-help-transform-luxury-suvs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2018\/01\/stylish-designs-help-transform-luxury-suvs","title":{"rendered":"Stylish designs help transform luxury SUVs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/a78f9c60e10a0dc6099e138c83da97e6688d31ba\/c=0-0-1632-1224&amp;r=x404&amp;c=534x401\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ88G.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"Acura-RDX\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"speakable-p-1 p-text\">The luxury segment has been transformed by SUVs. Long-hooded sedans with flowing, coupe-like roofs are out. Five-door hatchbacks are in. The monotony of designs has forced manufacturers to make SUVs with more coupe-like roofs, sacrificing the rear head and cargo room that drew customers to utes in the first place. But the elevated seating position rules. Even sports-car manufacturers have taken the plunge, with Porsche, Jaguar, Maserati and Lamborghini utes making big profits. Buick, once an also-ran sedan brand, has been transformed by an SUV lineup of Encores, Envisions and Enclaves. Look for a Ferrari SUV soon. I am not making this up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-2 p-text\"><strong>Acura RDX<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>What it is:<\/strong>\u00a0Acura calls its RDX ute a prototype, but in truth this is the near-production version of the most important Acura debut in some time. Adopting the design cues of the Acura NSX supercar and Precision concept, the RDX gets racier lines, a \u201cdiamond pentagon\u201d grille, turbo-4 and standard features galore, including a huge panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong>\u00a0With talented designer and race-car fan John Ikeda at the helm, the RDX signals a return to Acura\u2019s sporty roots. The RDX promises nimble handling and brings back the A-Spec and Type-S performance trims. For all the exterior flash, the interior is more important with an industry-first touch-pad positioned within easy reach that projects onto a 10.2-inch display in the driver\u2019s line-of-sight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>BMW X2<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Qk7NiytYoy8\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/96256efd5c19165d6f460e5914edfda8dcd5db62\/c=166-0-2833-2000&amp;r=x408&amp;c=540x405\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8KV.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"2018_0115_fl_al_infiniti1_13\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8KV.1-0.jpg\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/4044b1e7645488621f157de466cf1a990870caa2\/r=500x333\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8KV.1-0.jpg\" \/><strong>What it is:<\/strong>\u00a0First seen as a concept at last year\u2019s show, the X2 continues BMW\u2019s addition of coupe-like SUV designs to its lineup. Like X4 is to X3, like X6 is to V5 \u2014 so is X2 to X1. The couple-a-grand more-expensive X2 shares the X1\u2019s chassis and 228-horsepower turbo-4. But visually the X2 is noticeably different with a narrower greenhouse and new pentagon-shaped kidney grille. The design cues accentuate a sportier, crouched body that is 3.2 inches shorter and 2.8 inches lower than the X1.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong>\u00a0In a development that will cause BMW purists to lose sleep, the X2 marks the second Bimmer with a front-wheel drive based platform and longitudinally mounted engine. Shared with a Mini, for heaven\u2019s sake! The all-wheel-drive X2 makes the best of these heresies with BMW\u2019s typically taut engine setup and three drive modes. The design tweaks are cool, too, from the new kidneys to the BMW logo on the c-pillar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Lamborghini Urus<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Qk7NiysOqSM\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/b969f8880b6cd8e562c62cf0e83f8532a3bfdeb4\/c=436-0-4979-3407&amp;r=x408&amp;c=540x405\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8KT.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"2018-0115-dg-autoshow0464\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8KT.1-0.jpg\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/c4ca2040e070ebc38a4525ff681d7b703556adee\/r=500x314\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8KT.1-0.jpg\" \/><\/aside>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>What it is:<\/strong>\u00a0Lambo joins other exotic sports carmakers like Porsche, Jaguar and Maserati with an SUV. And what an SUV. With a longitudinally mounted, 645-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 under the hood, the Urus will sprint past most sports sedans while comfortably carrying four adults and their luggage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong>\u00a0Where are the scissor doors? Urus means ancestor of domestic cattle, and this SUV proves that a crossover design will domesticate a Lambo. The Aventador-like design cures are unmistakably there: the front jet-fighter scoops, the sharp, chiseled body lines. But the upright five-door utility has inevitably compromised sex appeal. Buyers, however, will rejoice at the more domesticated, ergonomically friendly interior.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Mercedes G-class<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Qk7NiytZcDQ\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/53c75d3e08d67716611c5d18e39d1451f3014e0a\/c=310-0-5259-3712&amp;r=x408&amp;c=540x405\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8PJ.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"2018-0114-dg-autoshow0786\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8PJ.1-0.jpg\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/4044b1e7645488621f157de466cf1a990870caa2\/r=500x333\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GSR1QQ8PJ.1-0.jpg\" \/><\/aside>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>What it is:<\/strong>\u00a0The icon of the Mercedes SUV lineup,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/autos\/detroit-auto-show\/2018\/01\/14\/mercedes-benz-reveals\/109407116\/\">the G-class\u2019s rugged exterior changes little<\/a>\u00a0(the front fender-mounted turn signals, for example, now retract in a collision to protect pedestrians) in this comprehensive remake \u2013 but the interior gets a major facelift. The dash and console conform to other Mercedes, with instruments and infotainment screen encased under a single pane of glass \u2013 the latter operated by Benz\u2019s signature touch-pad. The big turbo V-8 and three locking-differentials carry over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong>\u00a0As Wrangler is to Jeep\u2019s SUV lineup, so is the tough \u201cGelandewagen\u201d to Merc. The difference is the G-class must conquer Austria\u2019s Schokl mountain (not the Jeep\u2019s Rubicon). It stickers for $120,000 and doesn\u2019t (ahem) come with detachable sway bars. The G-class is coveted by celebrities and comes with quilted leather seats and fashionable flat-black paint to look the part.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Lincoln Nautilus<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"module-position-Qk7NiytITwk\" class=\"story-asset image-asset\">\n<aside class=\"wide single-photo\"><div align=\"left\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/d4bac3b4059130181266d0ca288f2ef739005715\/c=406-0-6955-4912&amp;r=x408&amp;c=540x405\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GJI1QP4GI.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"New_19Lincoln-Nautilus_BL_48_HR\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" data-mycapture-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GJI1QP4GI.1-0.jpg\" data-mycapture-sm-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/4044b1e7645488621f157de466cf1a990870caa2\/r=500x333\/local\/-\/media\/2018\/01\/17\/DetroitNews\/B99618751Z.1_20180117193851_000_GJI1QP4GI.1-0.jpg\" \/><\/aside>\n<\/div><div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>What it is:<\/strong>\u00a0Formerly known as the MKX. The Nautilus is the latest Lincoln ute, following the Truck of the Year Navigator, to shed its alphanumeric badge for a more approachable, organic name. Nautilus also gets a new face, adopting the handsome Bentley-like grille first seen on the flagship Continental sedan. Two turbo engines (4- and 6-cylinder) mated to an 8-speed transmission are offered \u2014 as are smartphone-app compatibility and an active-safety system to automatically steer you out of harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Payne\u2019s take:<\/strong>\u00a0Lincoln eradicates the polarizing split-wing face with major plastic surgery. That should allow suitors to focus on the interior ergonomics, which are some of the industry\u2019s best. Console storage is everywhere, thanks to a space-saving, button-operated digital shifter. Navigator and Nautilus suggest an aquatic theme. May I suggest the compact MKC be called Nemo?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The luxury segment has been transformed by SUVs. Long-hooded sedans with flowing, coupe-like roofs are out. Five-door hatchbacks are in. The monotony of designs has forced manufacturers to make SUVs with more coupe-like roofs, sacrificing the rear head and cargo room that drew customers to utes in the first place. But the elevated seating position [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21737"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21737"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21738,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21737\/revisions\/21738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}