Auto Flash: Cadillac SRX

Cadillac has revealed that it's all-new and more compact sized 2010 SRX Crossover will hit U.S. dealerships this summer with pricing starting from $34,155, which is about the same as the entry-level RWD Mercedes GLK 350 ($33,900) but undercuts the BMW X3 xDrive30i by around $5,000. The 2010 SRX will be offered in North America with two petrol units, a new 260HP 3.0-liter direct injected V6 and a 300HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that are both matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The SRX gets front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as optional.

Latter in the summer, the compact crossover will be joined by another new Cadillac, the CTS Sport Wagon. GM has yet to announcing pricing but expect it the Sport Wagon to be priced a little higher than the sedan variant of the CTS. The new Sport Wagon includes the same 260HP 3.0-liter Direct Injection engine that serves as the standard engine in the new SRX, returning an estimated highway fuel economy of 28 mpg.

We believe that there are some things in this world that were never meant to be and one of those is transforming a Cadillac SRX into a sedan. It's not only that a SRX Crossover Sedan is completely useless (what's the point of reducing the SRX's practicality?), but more importantly, from a stylistic point of view, the result is even more repulsive than a SsangYong Musso with a boot.

Mahoning Automotive Design doesn't see it this way as the American firm states that its concept, which made its worldwide debut at the 2009 Cleveland Auto Show, "defines an exciting new type of passenger car: comfort, space, visibility, all-season capability and amazing utility, all wrapped in classic, elegant style with impressive road presence."