Other cars comes to mind about the casual 4 x 4

Not too chic for travel in peace regardless of the roads taken, nor too consumer fuel to treat the atmosphere (and wallets), while being able, however, a small tip to speed (from time to time) and enough geek and stylish not to shame the children out of school. You smile It is simply the synthesis of the specifications of "the ideal car" which most of the offices of automotive studies are working at this time. A car "iPhone, Coke, American Apparel, Grand Journal de Canal " also uncomfortable parked before Dior, avenue Montaigne, casual in the parking lot of Castorama, place de Clichy. In short, a car... casual. But the word was ever delivered by an advertiser or a specialist "marketeer" of beautiful mechanical. An oversight, no doubt. At the time where the bling-bling luxury on four wheels from mode and does more recipe and China, where the electric car opens perspectives for renewal, the term casual, synonym of a certain relaxation without neglecting a certain style, makes sense. So meaning, that certain brands automobiles, if some of their models are already... without knowing.

Take, for example, Volvo. Swedish soul, this brand, willingly to premium, did not base its reputation on its woodwork, its leather and its limousines, but on the well-being of its passengers... a break. A clever and ultra-sûr break: Volvo is inaugurated in first world, the seat belt to reel, fifty years ago! And it is still his breaks that, today, perpetuate this tradition of serenity (engineers are "zero death on board" of a Volvo in 2020 by developing devices to prevent accidents with Road exit, with rear collision with a pedestrian) and functionality any Scandinavian accurately. The evidence with the last V60 impeding alone in the city, while being a delight to drive (205 HP diesel), live (seats upholstered leather treated against olfactory and skin allergies) and admire. The silhouette of the V60 definitively turned the page of the cubic Volvo. In short, the ideal.

Other cars comes to mind about the casual: 4 x 4. These famous behemoths which, for twenty years, scour the bitumen without losing a follower! Nice performance for those who are regularly shown the finger for their low carbon footprint. But in SUV (Sport utility vehicle), was renamed in it becomes (their silhouette is is "berlinisée" and the height dropped) and by adopting hybrid engines (Lexus RX 450 h, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg Hybrid) or ultra-sensitive to the environment (new BMW X 3), 4 x 4 holiday spirit has swept all criticism. Land Rover is also poised to revolutionize the market with the ILO Range. A "small" Range, ultra-modern, ultra-mignon, ultra-précieux which does re - storefronts not more CO2 (115 g/km) and a current Peugeot 207. Selling price estimated around EUR 35 000 for more... casual of 4 x 4! As the Infiniti EX30d, which swapped its fuel-efficient 230 HP diesel V6 gasoline engine, he saw popularity go up sharply. Most original yet, the Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet, first real 4x4s convertible of the story, discovered at the Salon in Los Angeles in November 2010 and hoped on European roads this summer.

Finally is the case of the sedans which, by tradition, excludes the casual spirit. Except when a phenomenon like the DS5 may disrupt a bit too complacent codes. This UFO will wear a sedan/break physics should be date in the history of design. Output expected end of 2011, after a presentation with great pomp at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Doodle!

D.R.; TOM KIRKPATRICK / BMW.