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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 |

After more teasers than we care to mention, official pictures of the new generation of the Toyota Highlander surfaced online today, just hours before the Japanese carmaker performs its song and dance at the New York Auto Show.

The new 2014 Highlander features a revised styling inside and out, with some hints of Venza-inspiration here and there.

From what we know, the new model rides on the latest Camry platform and will likely offer a similar mix of regular four-cylinder and V6 gasoline engines, as well as a hybrid variant.

We'll have all the official details and more pictures later in the day, but for now, head past the break to check out Toyota's sever-seater model and tell us what you think about it in the comments.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 |

The all-new third-generation 2014 Toyota Highlander was finally revealed today at the 2013 New York Auto Show.In his presentation speech, Toyota Group USA Vice President Bill Fay pointed out that the brand heard current owners of the mid-size crossover and made the appropriate changes for its replacement, which is slightly bigger and roomier, both for passengers and their luggage, features improved handling and a more premium interior.
At 191.1 inches long and 75.8 inches wide, the Highlander Mk3 is 2.7 inches longer and 0.6 inches wider than the outgoing model, while retaining the same height at 68.1 inches tall and wheelbase length at 109.8 inches.
The exterior styling of the new Highlander features tauter surfaces and a bolder front end with a large grille piece, which kind of reminds us of Toyota's trucks.
The design of the interior is also new and follows in the lines of Toyota's latest models, with the Japanese carmaker stating that it has used more "premium materials to offer an upscale experience". Contrast stitching will be offered on most models, as will soft-touch surfaces and better looking trim accents.
There's also more space inside with the new Highlander offering the option of a 7- or an assumingly, very tight for the last row passengers, 8-seat configuration. According to Toyota, there's a width increase of 4.3 inches in the third-row of seats that also gain a standard recline function.
All Highlanders will come equipped with Toyota’s Entune multimedia system featuring a 6.1-inch touchscreen as standard, while there's also an optional rear seat entertainment system.
New available safety and convenience features for the 2014 model include rear parking sonar, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and a Pre-collision System.
Engine choices remain the same with the previous model, and include a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6, both paired to a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, and a Hybrid model teaming the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine to an electric drive motor-generator.
The new Highlander will be built at Toyota's Indiana plant in the U.S., with sales to start early next year.
2014 HIGHLANDER PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i
Transmission: Six-speed ECT-i
Drive System:  Front-Wheel-Drive
3.5-liter V6 engine with VVT-i
Transmission: Six-speed ECT-i
Drive System: Front- and All-Wheel-Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive with 3.5-liter V6 Engine and Electric Motor
Transmission: Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Drive System: All-Wheel-Drive
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 191.1
Overall Width: 75.8
Overall Height: 68.1
Wheelbase: 109.8
Ground clearance: 8.0-inches
Wheels: 18-inch alloy wheels             
             19-inch alloy wheels (Limited)
Tire Size: 18-inch:  245/60R18 (LE and XLE)
               19-inch:  245/55R19 (Limited)
Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs. (V6 only)
Seating Capacity: 7 or 8

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TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013 |

Following last week’s teaser photo, Indian coachbuilder and styling firm DC-Design has released the full set of images with its interpretation of the Renault Duster (known as the Dacia Duster in Europe).

Called the DC Duster, the SUV has received a complete overhaul on the inside, with the Indianaftermarket company adding materials like faux wood and artificial leather and fitting the car with a multimedia infotainment system for the rear right passenger.

The center console continues all the way to the rear seats, meaning the DC Duster is now a 4-seater. The two generous seats in the back are six-way adjustable, with the left one even forming a bed - provided that the front left seat is folded.

There’s also a foldable tray table and entertainment controls placed on the center console. As for the DC Duster’s exterior design, the main changes involve the front end, which has received a very thin string of LED lights (would those be enough to light up the road?) and a redesigned grille and bumper. The latter includes the DRL’s and the fog lights.

The car’s body is painted matte black, with DC Design replacing the Renault logos with its own. Other changes include custom DC alloy wheels and polished side steps.

DC charges 3.49 lakhs (€4,940) for this transformation. Of course, this adds to the price of a standard Renault Duster, which in India starts from 7.87 lakhs (€11,150).

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: DC-Design via Indianautosblog

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