Alfa Romeo 159

The 159 is available in both front and four-wheel drive, configurations. The "Q4" four-wheel drive system utilises a Torsen type C twin differential (front and center differential in the same unit) and is available on the 3.2 litre petrol and 2.4 litre diesel engines. The gearbox is a six-speed manual on most models (1.8 has a five-speed), and a six-speed automatic Q-Tronic gearbox (Aisin AW TF-80SC) is available for the 1.9 diesel, 2.4 diesel and 3.2 petrol models. The Selespeed gearbox is for sale in some countries with the 2.2 petrol engine.

Several levels of trim are available, depending on market. Four trim levels: Progression, Distinctive, Exclusive and Turismo Internazionale (TI). In the UK there are three levels of trim: Turismo, Lusso and Turismo Internazionale (TI). Among other options, the 159 is also available with the Blue&Me infotainment system.

The torsional rigidity of the chassis is one of the best in this category, at 180.000 daNm/rad.^[4]

Nissan Safari

The Nissan Safari is a four-wheel drive vehicle manufactured by Nissan in Japan since 1980. Outside of Japan, it is known as the Nissan Patrol—a name carried over from the Safari's predecessor. The car is available in Australasia, Central and South America, South Africa, parts of Southeast Asia and Western Europe as well as Iran and the middle east. The Safari has been available as either a short-wheelbase (SWB) three-door or a long-wheelbase (LWB) five-door chassis. The LWB version has also been offered in utility and cab chassis variants alongside the wagon. Between 1988 and 1994, Ford of Australia marketed the Safari-based Patrol as the Ford Maverick. The Maverick was available alongside the Nissan-branded Patrol. Also, in some European countries the Safari was for a short while marketed as Ebro Patrol.

The second generation Y60 (GQ) platform is still manufactured as a military vehicle in the countries of Asia and the Middle East, and various versions of the Patrol are widely used by United Nations agencies. These Y60 models are produced alongside the current Y61.

Lexus LX

The Lexus LX is a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) sold by Lexus since 1996. Three generations of the Lexus LX have been produced, all based heavily on Toyota's long-running Land Cruiser series of SUVs. The first generation LX 450 debuted in 1996 as Lexus' first entry into the SUV market. Its successor, the LX 470, premiered in 1998 and was produced through 2006. The latest third generation Lexus LX 570 debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 2007 as a complete redesign for the 2008 model year.

The latest two generations of the Lexus LX have featured a V8 engine powertrain, a welded steel unibody shell combined with a full-size steel ladder frame (body on frame construction), and the capacity to seat eight passengers (LX 470 and LX 570). The first generation LX 450, classified as a mid-size SUV, featured an inline-6 engine and capacity for seven passengers. The second generation LX 470 shared exterior styling with the Toyota Land Cruiser Cygnus (トヨタ ランドクルーザー シグナス), sold in Japan. The LX ranks as Lexus' largest and most expensive luxury utility vehicle, sized above the GX and RX series of SUVs. It was Lexus' most expensive offering until the LS 600h.

Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is a luxury crossover SUV sold by Lexus since 1998. The RX is designed to combine the functional characteristics of an SUV with ride and features of a luxury sedan.^[1] The RX series has comprised multiple V6 and hybrid-powered models (such as the RX 300, RX 330, RX 350, RX 400h, and RX 450h), in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions. Three generations of the Lexus RX have been produced to date, in compact or mid-size form.^[2] The Lexus RX has been the best-selling crossover luxury SUV on the US market since its introduction and has ranked as the best-selling luxury vehicle in the United States.^[3]

The Lexus RX first premiered in 1997 as a Lexus concept, followed by the debut of the production RX 300 model at the 1998 North American International Auto Show.^[4] In 2003, the second generation RX debuted in the U.S., and the redesigned RX 330 went on sale shortly after. Equivalent versions of the first and second generation models were sold in Japan under the Toyota Harrier (トヨタ・ハリアー) nameplate until 2008. In 2006, the RX line added the world's first luxury hybrid,^[5] the RX 400h. The redesigned third generation Lexus RX 350 went on sale in early 2009,^[6] followed later that year by the second generation Lexus RX Hybrid, the RX 450h.^[6]

As the earliest luxury crossover on the market, the Lexus RX has inspired similar competitors from rival marques.^[7] Its commercial success as Lexus' best-selling model has been attributed to the strong reliability reputation of Lexus and the RX line.^[8] The RX is the only Lexus vehicle to be produced within as well as outside Japan, with North American market RX 350s being made at the Cambridge plant in Canada.^[9] The RX designation, signifies its place in the Lexus lineup next to the larger body-on-frame GX and LX SUVs.

rand Cherokee's origins

The Grand Cherokee's origins date back to 1983 when American Motors (AMC) engineers were designing a successor to the smaller Jeep Cherokee (XJ).^[1] Three outside (non-AMC) designers — Larry Shinoda, Adam Clenet, and Giorgetto Giugiaro — were under contract with AMC to create and build a clay model of the replacement model, then known as the "XJC" project.^[2] However, the basic design for the Cherokee's replacement was well under way by AMC's in-house designers and the 1989 Jeep Concept 1 show car foretold the basic design.^[3]

The Grand Cherokee was the first Chrysler-badged Jeep product. Development work for the new model continued and Chrysler employees (after the 1987 buyout of AMC) were eager for a late-1980s release date; however, then-CEO Lee Iacocca was pushing for redesigned Chrysler minivans, thus delaying the Grand Cherokee's release until late 1992 as an Explorer competitor.

The Grand Cherokee debuted in grand fashion at the 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Then-Chrysler president Robert Lutz drove Detroit mayor, Coleman Young up the steps of Cobo Hall and through a plate glass window to show off the new vehicle. Production of the Grand Cherokee started shortly afterward in the purpose-built Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit, Michigan and has remained there since.

Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat is a family car built by Volkswagen Passenger Cars through six design generations since 1973. Slotting between the Volkswagen Golf / Volkswagen Jetta, and the Volkswagen Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, the Passat has been badged variously as Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat. More recently, Volkswagen has extended its range with the launch of the Passat CC, a 4-door "coupé" version of the Passat.

The nameplate Passat derives from the German word for tradewind — and the period in its history when Volkswagen named vehicles after prominent winds, including also Golf (after Gulf Stream), Jetta (after Jet stream), Bora (after Bora) and Scirocco (after Sirocco).