http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7419

 

More Jeep pics and bonus Trailblazer SS mule pic.

http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=100585

 

Is there really that much of a market for performance SUVs? Are they trying to set new records for rolls when they tip??

 

You know, if I was into SUVs I'd be really excited.

It's a cool idea, but after seeing how many retarted drivers are already confusing SUVs handling dynamics with Corvettes, it's a little troubling thinking about these same people driving something quicker than my LT1 Camaro while outweighing me by half ,yaking on their cell phones, playing with their satallite navs, sipping Starbucks, while thinking turn signals are optional.

Scary.

 

Argh!! Make it stop. Please. Enough of the 'performance' SUV craze. It's complete bollocks. If you want to go fast and be able to take corners get a performance car. Get a truck if you want to haul stuff. Get both if you want to do both. All the shock and spring rate tweaking and lowering in the world cannot change the laws of physics and make a 5000-6000 lb SUV drive as well a modern performance car. Esp. if you want to have any utility left over to carry stuff when all is said and done.

 

Look, there are people with 2+ kids who don't have the money or the room to have a specialized vehicle for every job. And if an ex-hotrodder-turned-dad wants something with some pep that passes the utility test with the old lady, then these souped up SUVs are the ticket.

Realize cars now cost over half the annual the pre-tax salary of a decently paid professional. Back in the '70s and early '80s cars cost much less as a percentage of household income.

 

Uh... if someone can afford a souped up SUV (that thing ain't gonna be less than 40 grand - more than I paid for all my rides together), and at that one that gets 12 or 13 mpg (less whan driven like a performance vehicle) with the gas prices on the rise, they sure can't be that hard up. And what is this [cliched] ex-hotrodder-turned-dad going to do with this SUV? Go looking for stoplight races with Mustangs and F-bods? Take it to strip (where he's going to break something so that the wife get's all pissed)? Go corner carving? It's not that I disagree with your sentiment it's just that in all reality, SUVs do not equate to performance and handling. You can convince yourself all you like about how 'peppy' these things are, but I'm not fooled.

 

There are so many reasond to create hotrodded SUV's and trucks....it would be hard for a product planner to resist.

-These are architectures already designed to carry V8's
-CAFE is not as big of issue as it would with cars.
-Add some more power (which may not cost much more than the V8 already available), add some chassis bits, some big wheels and some trim....and voila'...you've just added $5,000-$10,000 to the MSRP.

 

What? You gotta run at the strip or go autocrossing to enjoy high performance? It's not about about running ETs or lap times. Bro, sometimes it's just about putting that little ricer in his place.

 

If that's the raison d'etre, then point taken . At the end of the day it's all good I s'pose... each to their own.

 

But isn't this the least bit upsetting? To have cars regulated to death and SUVs get off scott-free? This assessment is correct in that the real beneficiaries are the manufactures who just raked in another $5-10K with little expense.

Oh, and I like the "poor family man" angle on the high-dollar performance SUV. And just what are these specialized needs being met by an SUV? Impressing your neighbors? Or running over everyone else on the road?

 

I am another former F body customer that would buy a hopped up performance SUV. I was salivating at the idea of a Tahoe or Trailblazer SS for quite some time. I couldn't wait so I bought a QC Hemi in 1500 series. Much faster than an Escalade (which would be the equivalent of a Tahoe SS), and it cost only 25K with leather and all. I got 5K in mods, and I can humble the "powerful" Silverado SS with alarming regularity. I just wish DCX would release their codes for the damn TCM/TMR. I had to pull a plug to get my Hemi to roast the tires. The superchips programmer is a step in the right direction, I am just tired that their is no aftermarket because of the factory. I would love an SRT8 Jeep, or an LQ9 extended Trailblazer. RWD, V8, domestic to boot. Whats not to love.

 

Sheesh, performance SUVs. What about Typhoon and Cyclone?


On another note, those who want a performance family hauler with room of an SUV, but handling of a car - there's one answer - MAGNUM SRT8

 

I would certainly take a Magnum over a 5 passenger SUV.....I would take it in a heartbeat. But if you need a 3rd row...like I do...then it's back to an SUV.

 

Let's say there are a few people out there that bought an F-body, Corvette, Mustang, or other performance car a while back. They were a hot rodder, so they started fixing it up. Eventually they fix it up to a point that if they want to go faster, it will need to be retired from daily driver duties or they might start wanting to be able to tow it to and from the track. What do they do? They like having power, but maybe they've realized the benefits of having a factory warranty. The Magnum won't work because the tow rating on it sucks. Maybe they do have kids now, or plan on it in the future so something like a Lightning or 454SS won't work. Don't you think a "hot rod" SUV fits the bill here?