[SentraSE-R]

I'm with Mort in thinking you have set far too few specifications for your project, and are letting the tail wag the dog. In order for you to wag the tail, you need to have a budget, a frame with available powerplants and drivetrains, and some concrete design parameters for starters. Your budget will tell you whether battery power is practical. Your frame will tell you whether diesel power and 4 wheel drive are possible. If you want to use a Ford Falcon frame, you need to know if one is available without major front or rear end damage within a six state radius. It will simplify your choices of powerplants, too.

After you firm up your specs, where's your timeframe for completion? Powerplant and drivetrain functional by Feb 2012. Completed project by May. Lots of detail to keep you focused, and to let you know whether your project is feasible.

Right now, you're just dreaming. You can papier mache a cutesy body on anything, but if you're going to build a 6 passenger SUV, your wheelbase and drivetrain specs are already out there. So why don't you have a 116" wheelbase, 4WD, 4 doors, 175 hp, etc. (or something similar) in your specs?

Right now, your project seems much too ambitious. IIWY, I'd get a platform, be it a CR-V, RAV-4, Samurai, Explorer, whatever - then limit your project to building an aerodynamic body on it.