Before we have had a chance to get our heads around the supremely weird 5 Series GT hatchback, crossover, tall-sedan thing-a-ma-bob, BMW has confirmed that it's going to bring the weirdness to the 3-series line.
Inside Line has the full details and some illustrations of the vehicle that's set to come to the U.S. in 2001. Who exactly will buy the 3 Series GT instead of an X1 or X3 or 3-series sedan or wagon is an open question.
Suzuki will expand its SX4 lineup with the addition of a Sportback model this fall. It's essentially a performance-oriented version of the current SX4 hatchback. It will feature a new 2.0-liter engine that bumps output to 150-hp and 140 pound-feet of torque.
Power will go to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Sportback also gets a lower ride height, revised dampers, 17-inch wheels and revised front and rear fascias.
If you can't wait until the fall, Suzuki has also announced a new pre-paid gas promotion that runs through the rest of the summer. Custormers that buy a new Suzuki SX4 prior to Aug. 31st will get a debit card good for three months of free gas based on various national averages.
Looks like Consumer Reports has finally caught up with reality. In its latest review of the 2010 Honda Insight, the magazine takes the car to task calling it a, "noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling." First time in a hybrid CR?
As much as we appreciate the technology offered by vehicles like the Prius and the Insight, we've always considered them a huge compromise. You don't get that kind of mileage without giving up a few things, it's not a free ride. Unfortunately, many of the things hybrids ditch in the name of mileage are the very things that make driving enjoyable. Looks like CR isn't ready to make the trade just yet.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
We've all heard it a million times. Americans don't dig hatchbacks. The Euros can't get enough of them, but bring one to the States and it instantly becomes some kind of niche vehicle with a cult following. A very small cult following.
Audi knew all this when it introduced the A3 back in 2006, but it plowed ahead anyway. It was hoping that the A3's more reasonable price, potent 2.0-liter engine and useful configuration would finally win over some buyers who couldn't quite step up to an A4 Avant.
So how much are you giving up by choosing the A3 over the all-new A4 these days? The balance of power has shifted a bit, as the A4 now uses an upgraded 2.0T that delivers 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The A3's similar size four-cylinder continues with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft.
In this case, our A3 tester was helped out by the presence of a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive to save some weight. The more powerful A4 uses a traditional six-speed automatic funneled through a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Care to guess which one was the better track car? Full details after the jump.
It's taken Porsche a long time to get to this point, but we all knew it was coming. The Panamera sedan is finally here and our Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot just returned from Germany where he drove all three versions.
Not surprisingly, he found them all plenty fast and surprisingly nimble. A four-door 911 it is not, but it will more than hold its own against any other sedan in its class. And it's comfortable too, up front and in back.
The only question left now is whether or not luxury sedan buyers will accept this new sedan as a true Porsche. Given their response to the Cayenne SUV, we're betting they won't have a problem with the Panamera sedan. Video after the jump.
No big shocker here as General Motors is basically going through the formalities of winding down a brand at this point. Today's announcement merely added a date to the demise of the Vibe compact wagon.
Production will end in August of this year at Nummi, the plant shared by GM and Toyota plant in Fremont, Ca. GM says it's still considering the production of other future models in the plant, but has no set plans for now.
Our man in Japan, Peter Lyon, has driven the newest eco-mobile, the Subaru Stella Plug-In electro-box.
The profoundly unsexy Stella Plug-In uses the body of the standard Japanese-market Stella, (which is typically powered by a 660 cc gas engine) and the 63-hp electric motor and lithium-ion battery from the company's R1e development vehicle. For perspective, the hot-rodded Stella RS, with its tiny supercharged motor makes the same 63 horsepower.
Range and the time needed to re-fuel don't quite match the performance of the gas version though. The vehicle will go on sale to the general public (the general Japanese public, that is) in April 2010 for the equivalent of $47,900...wait...what? Well, after various national and regional government rebates, the Stella Plug-In will still be a not-insubstantial $29,000.
Kind of puts GM's Volt pricing struggles into perspective, no?
We heard it was coming, but we didn't think it would look quite like this. This 2010 Honda Accord hatch, or Crosshatch, or whatever it's going to be called was spotted on a trip through Las Vegas.
It was probably on its way to Death Valley for some last minute hot weather testing before it goes on sale later this year. No doubt designed to take on the Toyota Venza in the "cool wagon" category, this Accord hatchback is more carlike than even the Venza. Fine if that's what you're into, but we kind of prefer the real Accord wagon that Europe gets. We'll see how this version goes over in the States soon enough.
International forecasting firm IHS Global Insight has released a detailed report on how it thinks the Chrysler/Fiat alliance will shake out over the new few years.
The Insurance Institure for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just released bumper tests on 7 "minicars" as it likes to call them and the results weren't pretty.
Smart Fortwo -- Acceptable Chevrolet Aveo -- Marginal Mini Cooper -- Poor Toyota Yaris -- Poor Honda Fit -- Poor Hyundai Accent -- Poor Kia Rio -- Poor
In the case of the Kia Rio, IIHS noted that repair costs from a 6mph frontal impact would result in $3,701 in damage, which equates to rougthly 30% of the car's original cost. The solid rating for the Smart car was largely a consequence of its easily replaceable pre-painted body panels.
Do something enough times and patterns become apparent. Dyno testing is no exception.
For example, supercharged cars usually produce their best dyno result within the first few pulls. Heat soak tends to quickly get the best of the intercooler circuit and erode the engine's output. Once this happens, we call it quits and review the data to select the run that represents the car's stabilized output.
Not so with the 2010 Shelby GT500. With each pull on MD Automotive's Dynojet chassis dyno in Westminster, CA, we witnessed the power from the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 creep up further and further. Five, six runs in and the power was still climbing.
Finally, upon the seventh run, the output of our color-coordinating GT500 stabilized. And we saw that it was good.
This new Shelby appears to have the thermal capacity of an industrial meat locker. That, and Gary and Jeff deserve a high-five for their efforts.
Jump for the dyno chart, video and the lowdown on Gary and Jeff.
Scion has announced that its last limited-production vehicle of 2009, the xD Release Series 2.0, will hit showroom floors at the end of the month. Pricing on the five-door hatch starts at $15,320 for the manual tranny and $16,120 for the xD with the automatic.
You're stuck with Electric Wasabi (that makes me hungry for sushi) paint for the RS 2.0, and inside, the vehicle has four-in-one interior lights to set the mood and a cool Pioneer touch screen head unit with a rear-view camera. "Release Series 2.0" is also illuminated in the door sills.
For another $285, Scion will throw in a spoiler already dressed in Wasabi paint to spice up the xD's rear end.
According to a report in Automotive News, Tata hopes to sell the ultra cheap Nano in the U.S. by 2012.
Speaking to a panel at the Cornell Global Forum on Sustainable Global Enterprise, Chairman Rattan Tata said he expects to meet all U.S. crash and emissions standards with the Nano within two years.
Mr. Tata is a man of vast resources, but getting a Nano to pass U.S. vehicle requirements is going to be a monumental task. A version is planned for Europe in 2011 is expected to cost around $2,300, a U.S. version would probably be slightly more.
This is the 2011 Ford Fiesta sedan, at least in prototype form. Not surprisingly, it looks very much like the Fiesta concept sedan shown at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Back then it was known as the Verve and it wasn't a bad looking little car.
It still looks better than most compact sedans, but we hope that Ford does the right thing and offers the hatchback too. It's a much more compelling car even if it's a given that the sedan would sell better.
General Motors announced this morning that it intends to build a new small car at an undisclosed plant in the U.S. We assume GM is referring to the Chevrolet Spark, but who knows at this point.
Announcing production plans just days before you also announce your own bankruptcy seems like odd timing, but then again, everything coming out of GM seems a little bit odd these days.
We've been periodically checking in on Ford's Fiesta Movement test program, and we'll be following the Mini E test program with equal fervor. And it is just a you-test-it-for-us program, remember, since "owners" only get to lease these electric Minis for 1 year to the tune of $850/month, after which time the car gets shipped back to Munich for a full download by BMW Project i engineers.
The first lessee, Peter Trepp, of Pacific Palisades, CA, has been getting plenty of press recently. He's also taken the step of starting his own blog, so you can follow his experience with the car if you like.
In yesterday's entry, he reflects on the handling of his Mini E:
"I could describe in great detail the merits of joining a MINI Cooper S with a high-torque electric motor and how the extra 600lbs is a blessing in that it keeps the tires safely planted on the road, but nothing replaces a first-hand test drive. Virtually everyone I've taken for a test drive comes back feeling like they just stepped off a roller coaster with that "can we go again?" look on their face.
"Here is my simple description of the handling. Lateral motion (e.g. cornering) is much like any well-tuned sports car - tight and fun."
Trepp is a venture capitalist specializing in early-stage clean technology companies, says BMW's press release, which no doubt made him an attractive candidate for Mini's electric car field trial.
Update: Looks like blogging might be mandatory if you lease a Mini E. We've found two more Mini E blogs started by field trial participants who are waiting to take delivery of an electric Mini -- Our 100% Electric Mini E and Robert's MINI E Field Trial.
Despite earlier reports to the contrary, the Honda Fit Hybrid may arrive in the U.S in less than two years time. At least that's what a wire report from Japan indicates. It pegs the arrival of the Fit Hybrid in Honda's upcoming 2010-2011 fiscal year.
According to our own Green Car Advisor, the move could be an immediate response to the recent announcement of more restrictive CAFE regulations. Honda is already has one of the most efficient car lineups in the business, but it's still a way off from the 2016 requirements. A Honda Fit Hybrid is expected to achieve even better EPA numbers than the slightly larger Insight sedan.
Ken Block is a rally car driver, skateboarder, snowboarder and - let's not forget -- shrewd business man. The current Subaru Rally Team USA driver and co-founder of DC shoes, last year turned a day of sliding his gymkhana car around a California airbase into one of the most popular automotive internet videos of all time .
How do you top that? You go bigger of course. Higher production values. Better location. And, naturally, a new, faster and more powerful car. And if you're Ken Block you make the whole thing an informercial to promote DC's latest clothing collection - like we said, he's shrewd.
We not big on the Fiesta Movement, but Pikes Peak is another story. This summer, the Olsberg Motor Sport Evolution team from Sweden will campaign two Ford Fiestas in the annual "Race to the Clouds." The two Fiestas will be driven by Andreas Eriksson and rally legend Marcus Gronholm.
Although based on the road-going Fiesta, the cars will run in the Unlimited class which allows extensive modifications. Both will use all-wheel drive and have engines capable of producing more than 800 horsepower. The suspension setups were designed with help from Ohlins and Ford of Europe's Team RS engineers who are responsible for Ford's WRC cars.
"We are excited to be bringing the car to Pike's Peak and to be able to see what it can do in such a unique competition," said Eriksson. "It's a legendary event, and we've already been there to take a look at the challenge we will face. I'm convinced we'll be a top contender to break the 10-minute mark and give the Fiesta a proper racing debut in the U.S."
We've had our doubts about this whole Fiesta movement thing. It was a brilliant marketing plan as giveaways tend to be, but unless someone is going to try and jump the Snake River in one who cares what the winners do with them?
Don't worry, Ford created reasons to care. Ploy number one: pretend a Fiesta was stolen. Oh the humanity.
It was a slightly amusing story right up until the car's owner spotted the car sitting in a local impound yard. So theoretically, the thieves could have stolen the car, parked at the curb to get some post GTA cheeseburgers and forgotten to feed the meter. Or it's all crap.
We showed you a few pictures of the 2010 BMW 5 Series GT earlier, and now we have the full release on BMW's oddly-shaped people mover. Most of the details were expected, but there are a few surprises.
Most notable is the introduction of an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. With a direct drive sixth gear and two overdrive gears, it should give the 550i GT decent mileage even with its 4.4-liter, twin turbo V8.
Another first, at least on a U.S. model, is a regenerative braking system. It allows the alternator to cycle on and off which reduces load on the engine and theoretically saves gas. The 5 Series GT is still a huge vehicle though, so don't expect impressive mileage numbers.
Although it's labeled as a 5 Series, the GT borrows heavily from the 7 Series when it comes to its suspension setup. The GT adopts essentially the same three-link setup up front and the 7's multilink configuration in back. BMW's integral Active Steering is also featured on the GT so the rear wheels are capable of turning up to 3 degrees to improve steering response.
BMW says it expects to have the 5 Series Gran Turismo in U.S. dealers by the end of this year with a price between $65,000 and $70,000.
Don't bother lamenting the fact that we don't get the Scirocco. Yeah, it's cool looking and all, but how many people in the U.S. would pay $35-$40k for it? As far as Volkswagen is concerned, it's not worth trying to find out.
That said, there's still some potential news here. The upgraded 2.0T used in this Scirocco is the same motor pegged for the Golf R20 we showed you on the Nurburgring last week. The revised engine uses a reinforced block and stronger con-rods to handle its output of 261-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That power goes through either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG transmission. Volkswagen's XDS differential control manages front wheel torque to get the most power to the ground.
Will any of this matter? The best answer we can give you now is maybe. Volkswagen knows the Scirocco is too expensive to sell in the U.S., but a Golf R20 probably wouldn't be cheap either. If the market improves considerably by the end of this year, Volkswagen could change its mind and give it a shot but don't get your hopes up.
Like its predecessor, the 2010 Mazda 3 looks to be one of the safer small cars on the road. Here you can watch NHTSA crash the sedan into a wall for the frontal-impact crash test -- once at full speed and then again in (somewhat) slow-mo.
NHTSA has issued a five-star rating to both the 2010 Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback based on the above crash test. No side-impact ratings, yet, though like almost every passenger car on the road, the 3 gets a four-star rollover rating.
We showed you spy photos of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf R20 a month ago and now we have spy video of the same car testing on the Nurburgring. It may have lost the tell tale burble of the R32's exhaust, but it looks as though it's making good time nonetheless.
Here's hoping we actually get to find out. Last we heard Volkswagen wasn't planning to sell this car in the U.S. We should know for sure by the end of the year.
Here they are, your new Chryslers. Well, maybe they'll still be badged as Alfas or Fiats, nobody really knows at this point. What we do know is that these four vehicles and the Fiat 500 will represent the bulk of Fiat's contribution to Chrysler's lineup.
They include the Alfa Romeo MiTo (bottom right), an upcoming replacement for the Alfa 147 (top left) that will be renamed Milano, the Fiat Grande Punto (top right) and a version of the Fiat Panda utility vehicle (bottom left).
We've reported that Ford is busy gauging interest in a possible U.S.-spec version of the Ford Focus RS. And yesterday in Royal Oak, Michigan, a Focus superfan spotted a Focus RS with Michigan tags. It appears identical to the Euro-spec version we've already driven.
We'd guess there will be a few more opportunities for sightings as Ford mulls the desirability of a 305-horsepower hot hatch. Probably a few curbings, too, with those vulnerable 19s.
It obviously looks kind of like the Mazda 3, or at least the old Mazda 3, but does it drive like a Mazda 3? Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton thinks it's pretty close. Find out why in our latest full test of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring.
One of our editors spotted this Ford Fiesta parked on the streets of West L.A. this morning and it reminded us that this marketing gimmick is now in full swing. The cars have been handed out and the website is live, so now the fun begins right?
Well, maybe.
Ford's idea for a video contest to pick the winners was brilliant, but the entertainment value of the videos, pics and tweets that will emerge over the next several months is questionable. I mean, as nice as the Fiesta may be, it's still just an entry-level economy car. If you're dying to know what it's like to drive one to the Grand Canyon, just go rent a Focus and pretend it's smaller.
Then again, maybe the Fiesta agents will prove us wrong.
After a public debut on March 23 in Mumbai, the Nano officially went on sale from April 9-25. For a fee of around $6, customers could apply to purchase a Nano at more than 30,000 locations in 1,000 cities across India. Orders could also be submitted online.
The response to this unusual booking process appears to be overwhelming, so much so that Debasis Ray, Tata Motors' head of corporate communications, told Inside Line the results are still being calculated days after the order books were officially closed. Several Indian media outlets have reported that Nano bookings could reach 1 million, though Ray said he had "no idea" where these publications were getting that figure.
Earlier this week, Volkswagen announced that it would build its new minicar lineup in Slovakia starting in 2011. The new vehicles would be the production versions of the Up! minicars shown at the 2007 Frankfurt and Tokyo shows.
Today, Volkswagen of America told Inside Line News that this lineup was definitely headed to America. Which models and what they would be called are still being determined.
Audi of America will drop use of the Volkswagen-derived, narrow-angle VR6 six-cylinder engine for the 2010 model year.
The engine, which dates back to the '90s VW Corrado/Passat days, has grown to 3.2-liters over the years and produced 250 horsepower in the 2009 TT and A3. But the VR6 doesn't use direct-injection like Audi's newer engines (2.0T and 3.2 V6). The company will also drop the front-drive 2.0-liter turbo TT.
The company will also limit use of its more conventionally arranged 3.2-liter V6. The 265-hp V6 will no longer be available in the A4 sedan. Almost all A4s will be powered by the 2.0 turbo. The S4, that arrives later this year, will be the step up engine in the line. It will use the supercharged 3.0-liter that's just gone into the A6. It will be available in the A5 coupe, but only with the automatic transmission. In other A5 news, the ubiquitous 2.0T will be offered as the base engine in the two-door.
And you better get your order in for your V-10-powered S8 super-sedan soon because that model will be discontinued for the 2010 model year. The S6 carries on with the Lambo-sourced V10 and so does the R8 5.2 V10 which also arrives in the U.S. as a 2010 vehicle. And the range-topping, black-tie-wearing A8 W12 is dead too. Not a big surprise given that the car sold only about 100 units last year (no, we didn't forget a zero in that number).
It appears as though there's a bit of a Fiesta movement going on in Europe already. The bite size hatchback became Europe's best selling car in March with 52,805 units sold. Volkswagen's Golf had previously held that title.
That said, we're still waiting for the Fiesta here in the U.S. and it won't be headed our way anytime soon. Sure, Ford handed out 100 Euro-spec cars to obsessive Twitter tweakers so they could tell everybody how much they like the car that isn't costing them a dime, but actual customers will have to wait until next year to buy U.S. versions.
It wasn't all bad news, though, as the half-Canadian/half-Italian CEO noted that if the deal does happen, Fiat would likely build its iconic Cinquecento hatchback in a North American plant along with the Alfa Romeo 149 sedan.
More importantly, Marchionne said that Chrysler could build its own small car on the Cinquecento's platform. "Chrysler needs its own Cinquecento, meaning a model that is the remaking of Chrysler," he said.
So what do you think, could Chrysler build an iconic small car for the U.S. market?
Used by permission of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. All rights reserved
First it was the addition of the LeMons class to Pebble Beach, and now comes the first ever motorcycle class at the Pebble Beach Concours.
"International interest in collecting classic motorcycles is on the rise, and we want to celebrate them and do all we can to support their preservation and restoration," said Sandra Kasky Button, Chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours.
This year's class will focus on British-built motorcycles built before 1959. Two legendary Vincent HRD V-Twins are expected to show up -- the famed 1947 works racing machine known as "Gunga Din" and a 1948 bike built for US sportsman John Edgar and often nicknamed the "Bathing Suit Bike" due to the scant attire of its primary rider, Roland "Rollie" Free.
The Pebble Beach Concours is scheduled to run Aug. 16th at the Pebble Pebble Beach golf course on the Monterey Peninsula.
Sales of BMW's 335d sedan and xDrive 35d are off to a slow start. According to Edmunds.com data, the 335d comprises about 1% of current 3 Series sales while the xDrive 35d is only slightly better at roughly 7-8% of X5 sales.
According to a report in Automotive News, BMW only expects to sell about 3,000 diesel models total this year. BMW of North America CEO Jim O'Donnell told the industry trade paper that sales "haven't taken off" largely because the brand hasn't advertised them much.
Volkswagen is having much better luck with its Jetta TDI model. The diesel models currently make up 30% of sedan sales and 50% of Jetta wagon sales. The company is expecting similar results for its upcoming sixth-generation Golf TDI that will go on sale later this year.
#NYIAS Already on sale in Europe, the 2010 Volkswagen GTI hasn't yet made it to the U.S. You may not have even noticed, though, as the sixth-generation Golf looks almost unchanged compared to its predecessor.
Same look, same engines and typical Volkswagen attention to detail. And according to European Editor Alistair Weaver, surprisingly civilized, almost to a fault. Get the rest of the detail in our first drive report from Europe. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
#NYIAS We didn't know it was going to show up, but calling the 2010 Kia Forte Koup a surprise is a bit of stretch. The production version of the Kia Forte sedan debuted in February and a concept version of the Koup was shown in New York at last year's show.
If anything, we're surprised how faithful the production Forte Koup is to the original concept, and that it kept its kooky Koup name. Strangely, the rear of the production model is actually more aggressive than the concept thanks to a finned diffuser that hugs a pair of chrome exhaust tips. Can't remember the last time that happened.
It's a nice-looking package though. At 176.4 inches long, 55.1 inches high, 69.5 inches wide and riding on a 104.3-inch wheelbase, the Koup is within an inch or so of the Honda Civic coupe. It even shares the Honda's front-end design to some degree, yet thankfully the Koup goes its own way toward the back.
#NYIAS After the release of a revealing teaser image last week, the unveiling of the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype was hardly a surprise. It looked like an Outlander with an Evo front end and that's exactly what it is. That's not all, though.
#NYIAS The Scion iQ is the best and most interesting Scion concept we've seen since the original bbX.
Granted, you have to look past all the oversize fascias, skirts and "bubble flares" that Five Axis (a Huntington Beach, California-based aftermarket company specializing in Toyotas) has added to the New York showcar. But if you do that, there's a Toyota iQ underneath. And in marked contrast to the overgrown, current-generation Scion xB and the rather hideous Hako concept, the iQ takes the Scion brand back to where it started: small for small's sake and styling that's "with it" without pandering to perceived Generation-Y whims.
Mike Michels, communications director for Toyota, tells us the company will make a decision whether to import the Toyota iQ to the U.S. as the Scion iQ before the end of the 2009 calendar year. Since the iQ was designed for world consumption, minimal modifications will be necessary to meet U.S. crash standards.
Curiously, it might not be the entry-level car of the Scion family. "The point on this wouldn't be cheap, it would be cool," Michels told us. "I wouldn't say that it's even intended to be the least expensive car in the Scion lineup."
More photos and details after the jump. Update: Video added after the jump.
#NYIAS Does that whole Chrysler/Fiat merger seem unlikely to you? You're not alone, my friend -- and Chrysler knows it.
In order to instill a little confidence that Chrysler is working hard to make it happen, Vice Chairman Jim Press drove a Fiat 500 onto the show floor. Isn't it cute?
He then used the first 10 minutes of his speech to tell everyone how promising the merger looks. "This would be a great marriage with no overlap in our product portfolios," Press said.
He said it with conviction, but not many in attendance seemed to believe it. At least not yet. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor
Seems like a no brainer this one. Ford is apparently considering the idea of bringing its Focus RS superhatch to the U.S., but isn't sure enthusiasts on this side of the Atlantic would like it.
Hermann Salenbauch, Ford's director of advanced product creation and global performance, told Automotive News that the decision to bring the Focus RS here will depend on reaction from U.S. car enthusiasts.
Ford is looking for "feedback from the media and customers," he says. "How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is."
So there you have it, the fate of the Focus RS rests with you.
#nyias A couple teaser images have been released on the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype that will appear at the 2009 New York Auto Show next week. Although blurred for effect, it obvious that the new Outlander model will get a front-end design similar to the Lancer Evolution sedan. Mitsubishi also says to expect more power from this Outlander's 3.0-liter V6 along with increased efficiency and a revised all-wheel drive system.
Caught just yesterday testing on the Nurburgring, the R20 as it may be called will get a 260-horsepower version of the 2.0-liter TFSI engine used in the GTI. It will also get all-wheel drive like the old V6-powered R32, and by the looks of this prototype, a pair of center-exit exhaust pipes.
There's an interesting story behind the 19-inch sport package wheels on the 2009 Nissan 370Z. Randy Rodriguez, the Nissan designer who penned the original sketches for the 370Z (and who showed up to our Z-car party in his 240Z), owns an MV Agusta F4-750, you see. He stores it behind his desk at Nissan Design America in San Diego.
"A digital modeler showed me the eBay auction for a stripped MV's frame, engine and suspension," says Rodriguez. "This was in the morning that I first saw the ad, and then I blasted to Sacramento in a truck and by late evening it was parked beside my desk at work.
"Within 3 months I had it mostly complete and running. I got parts for it from all over the world.
"In doing that, I got really familiar with the various parts of the bike, and the 19-inch wheels for the 370Z were inspired by the triple clamp on the MV (and the one on the Ducati 999). I morphed it into the spoke, which became part of the wheel."
The MV isn't just an office sculpture, either. "I totally ride it hard -- when it's safe to do so of course," Rodriguez says.
The new GTI won't be the only hot Golf-based Volkswagen to be unveiled this year. A new, GTI-derived GTD will be on sale in Europe as early as June and a flagship 'R' model will debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September.
Forget all the nonsense about the Tesla Model S, it's all vaporware don't you know. For an example of serious mileage and affordability in the real world check out the Project Sipster series on Top Gear USA. They built a car that could not only achieve 70mpg, but could also go from 0-to-60mph in less than 7-seconds. Oh, and their budget was $7,000.
A near impossible task, but Jared and crew attacked it non-stop for two months. They added a new engine, new suspension and some homemade bodywork that may have improved its aerodynamics.
Dave Coleman of Sport Compact Car fame narrates the story, adding his own unique perspective along the way. It's a great read and a good reminder that mileage and speed don't come easy, especially in a '81 Rabbit.
A funny thing happens when testing the Tata Nano, now the world's cheapest car since it was unveiled in production form in Mumbai, India, on Monday. Instead of the most powerful and expensive models getting all the attention, it's the least expensive, base Tata Nano that attracts all the onlookers.
This is the famous "1-lakh" (100,000 Indian rupee) model that Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, promised he'd bring to market. Inside Line has been on scene in India this week, covering the launch of the Tata Nano as the tiny Indian-built city car (with a base price starting at only $2,000) is introduced to the world.
We already gave you the full low down on the 2010 Toyota Prius, now see how it fares in the face of its new rival, the 2010 Honda Insight. Neither car gets much for style points, but in this matchup it's all about fuel economy and clean emissions right?
Senior Editor Erin Riches gets to the heart of the matchup and ends up with some surprising conclusions. Get all the details in our latest comparison test of these two iconic hybrid hatchbacks.
Rabbit fans, you are too few. At least, that's how Volkswagen is feeling these days according to Automotive News.
The redesigned Golf which is already on sale in Europe, will come to America under the same name this fall, a reversal of the reversal instituted just a few years ago. No particular reason was given other than the fact that the U.S. was the only market that didn't use Golf.
More importantly, the Golf will offer Volkswagen's excellent 50-state legal, 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine that's currently offered in the Jetta TDI. Golf TDI, yep that sounds pretty good.
A report in Japan's Nikkei newspaper says Toyota is developing a Yaris-based hybrid as a low-cost alternative to the Honda Insight. "We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight," Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the latest Prius told the newspaper. "We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the Vitz [sold in Japan] and Yaris."
No timetable was given for the for the car's launch, but the paper did mention that Otsuka inferred a 2011 timeframe.
During its big debut in Mumbai yesterday, Tata chairman Ratan Tata told reporters that although the Nano doesn't currently have anti-lock brakes, airbags or significant bumpers of any kind, it could meet U.S. safety and emissions standards within a few years.
With a price equivalent to $2,000, the Nano would undercut the current cheapest car on the market by at least $7,000. Of course, upfitting Nanos to U.S. standards will probably double the price. Would anybody care at $4,000?
Small cars were all the rage six months ago. Now dealers can't get them off their lots. Of course, they can't really get anything off their lots, but let's not mix up too many issues here.
Hard to tell who's right here. Sure, we probably don't need quite so many full-size SUVs, but does anybody really want to drive a compact hatchback? Maybe when they're 25 and poor, but what about when they're 35 and doing well for themselves?
Everyone always uses Europe as an example, but you know what rich people in Europe drive? S-Class sedans, and 7 Series sedans and A8s. And if they're really rich - Jeep Grand Cherokees. So yeah, they drive small cars when they have to, not because they really want to.
Volkswagen has finally announced official on-sale dates for the latest GTI hatchback. Naturally, the Germans get it first, followed by the rest of Europe in April. U.S. buyers will have to wait until the end of this summer for the mildly revised hatchback.
You might remember from its Paris debut, but not much has changed this GTI. U.S. versions will still use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with roughly 207 horsepower. The transmissions remain six-speeds, in either DSG or manual style. One notable new feature: the XDS electronic transverse differential lock. It's essentially a more sophisticated version of the electronic limited-slip differential already in use, so wheel spin through corners should be reduced.
Mazda announced this morning that it will use the 2009 New York Auto Show to unveil the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3. No big news here really as this hopped up hatchback already appeared at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show as the Mazda MPS.
Most of the changes to the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 are cosmetic as it continues to use the same turbocharged, direct injection 2.3-liter as before. Final horsepower numbers haven't been released yet, but don't expect them to vary much from the current setup.
Now a report from the 2009 Geneva Auto Show sounds a little more definite. Speaking with Automotive News, Global Sales and Marketing Chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said that Audi is working on brand awareness right now, so small cars are not a priority.
He went on to say that American consumers aren't ready for small cars with big price tags. As for Mini and Smart, Schwarzenbauer said their volumes are still relatively small. "I'm not so sure yet we really see a trend to small cars in the United States," he said.
We've heard rumors of this before and now it sounds official, at least according to Automotive News. The industry trade paper reported today that Stefan Jacoby, Volkswagen Group of America's CEO, said to expect two Polo models in 2011, a sedan and a four-door hatchback.
Although Volkswagen showed an all-new Polo at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, it's not the same model we'll get here. Jacoby said the U.S. version will be taller and ride on a longer wheelbase, increased which would make Polo about the same size as a Honda Fit. The goal is to price the Polo between $13,000 and $15,000 according to Jacoby.
You may have seen the thought-provoking headline, "Hybrids Gather Dust at AutoNation Dealerships," on the Marketwatch website last week. The article describes a recent speech by AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson in which he supposedly said that his dealerships have some 600,000 hybrids "that no one wants."
A frightening number eh? Well, it was to John O'Dell who authors our own Green Car Advisor site as that number would amount to roughly half of all the hybrids ever sold in the U.S. With that in mind, O'Dell called an AutoNation spokesman to get a little clarification.
Turns out, Mr. Jackson didn't say his dealerships had 600,000 hybrids on hand. What they have is a 60-days supply, which according to O'Dell's calculation equates to roughly 34,000 hybrids based on current sales rates. So yeah, slightly less than readers of the Marketwatch article were led to believe.
So Fiat is going to save Chrysler? It could happen.
And if it does, we hope access to the Fiat 500 Abarth is one of the results.
Smaller than a Mini and lighter too, this performance version of the Fiat minicar uses a turbocharged, 135-horsepower four-cylinder to propel its front wheels. At less than 2,100 pounds, the 500 Abarth makes even a Miata look hefty and yet it still wears 17-inch wheels and tires.
What's it like to drive? See for yourself in our latest report from France.
The next-generation 2010 Volkswagen Polo is yet another compact hatchback that could be headed to the U.S. in 2011.
A long-time member of Volkswagen's lineup, the Polo has always been considered too small for American tastes. This particular version is larger than previous models, but still smaller than a Rabbit. At 155.6-inches long and 57-inches high, it's half a foot shorter than a Honda Fit and three-inches lower.
In Geneva, Volkswagen displayed various examples, one of which was the Bluemotion diesel concept. According to Volkswagen, the Bluemotion Polo is capable of returning up to 70mpg thanks to a three-cylinder, 1.2-liter diesel engine, stop-start technology, low-rolling resistance tires and improved underbody aerodynamics.
Although labeled a concept, Volkswagen officials said they expect to have a production ready Bluemotion Polo ready for Europe by early next year. For the U.S., sales of the standard Polo could start about a year later in early 2011.
So what do you think? Is the U.S. ready for a Volkswagen this small? - Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Following last week's announcement that the Tata Nano would finally go on sale in India on March 23, the Financial Times is reporting today that Tata Motors has confirmed the European-spec Nano will go on sale in Europe in 2011.
Tata Motors offered no pricing details on the car, which will be called the Nano Europa. Still, it goes without saying that the modifications required to get it up to European crash and emissions standards will push it past the Euro equivalent of $2,500.
We would wager, too, that plenty of comfort features will be added given the Nano Europa's different market positioning: Whereas the India-spec Nano is an alternative to commuting by moped or bicycle, minicars are everywhere in Europe and buyers aren't necessarily going to be impressed by absolute bare-bones transportation -- they've got choices.
Tata also announced that it would begin selling an electric version of the Indica Vista in Europe in 2012. It will have lithium-ion batteries and a range of about 124 miles.
This is the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA concept. It has a 240-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends its power to the front wheels, and it's likely to see production in Europe next year.
And if that whole Chrysler/Fiat thing goes just right maybe we'll have a shot at it, too. Sure beats settling for a John Cooper Works Mini. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Actually, this is officially the 2010 Mazda 3 MPS in Europe, but it's pretty close to what we'll get in the U.S. as the Mazdaspeed 3 later this year.
Like the standard 2010 Mazda 3, the Mazdaspeed version is only lightly updated compared to the previous model. It uses the same turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine as before and rides on a relatively unchanged front-wheel-drive platform. Horsepower and torque numbers haven't been finalized for the U.S., but don't expect them to change much either.
You may have noticed that this version of the Mazda 3 wears the same overly excited expression as the rest of the lineup. Its front and rear bumpers are unique to the MPS model along with new 18-inch wheels and a revised rear spoiler. It's hardly the toughest-looking hot hatch we've ever seen, but is a Subaru Impreza really any better-looking?
Expect to see the final U.S.-spec version of the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 on sale this fall. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Yes, the 2010 Chevrolet Spark is a European-only vehicle at this point. Between its 1.0- and 1.2-liter engines and tiny footprint, it slots into the growing minicar segment in Europe perfectly.
Along with the Chevrolet Cruze, which launches in Europe this spring, and the larger Orlando MPV that goes on sale next year, Chevrolet expects to substantially increase its European market share.
And the U.S.? Well, GM has said it expects to sell the Spark in the U.S. in 2011, which leaves plenty of time to figure out an engine strategy and a profitable place to build the subcompact four-door.
Of course, GM is banking on the fact that there will be demand for such a small car. There was back in late 2008, but now it's hardly a sure thing. And if there's any company that needs a sure thing right now, it's GM. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Ford of Europe released a bunch of images of the Ford Iosis Max concept, which is on display at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. The company says it's an early look at the styling direction for its next C-segment car (read: third-generation Ford Focus). Given the tall body and sliding rear doors on the Iosis Max, though, we'd say it's more specifically a look at the next Focus C-Max, a five-passenger MPV relation of the U.S.-market Mazda 5.
In these dismal economic times, no one likes to talk about annual sales projections, but Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA, did just that at last week's press launch for the 2010 Toyota Prius in California's Napa Valley. Toyota expects to sell 100,000 examples of the 2010 Prius from the time it goes on sale in May until the end of 2009.
Come 2010, the company hopes to return to its 2007 sales pace and sell 180,000 Priuses. You'll recall that Prius sales fell 12.3 percent in 2008 (to 158,884) after a steep drop-off in demand in the fourth quarter.
Perhaps, it's the 2010 Prius' 50 mpg city/49 mpg highway EPA rating that Toyota thinks you won't be able to resist. As we've reported, the car's 50-mpg combined EPA number is a full 4 mpg better than the second-generation car, and it shames the 2010 Honda Insight, which only manages 41 mpg combined. We'll see in the coming months how significant that difference really is in real-world driving.
Maybe you've heard of the upcoming Ford Fiesta. It's what's known as a "B" segment car, which is a size smaller than anything Ford currently sells in the U.S. Such cars are typically economical and inexpensive, perfect for the young and hip Ford figures.
So in order to remind Millennials that the Fiesta is indeed fun and cool, and not just cheap and small, Ford is going to give 100 Fiestas away for free. Well, actually it's just a loan and the "agents" as Ford is calling them must chronicle their experiences on video. And who are these agents?
"We intend to put the Fiesta into the hands of really awesome, socially vibrant people," Fiesta Brand Manager Sam De La Garza told AutoObserver in an interview Thursday.
To help sort through the awesomeness, Ford is asking candidates to post videos on YouTube detailing their uh...vibrancy. As you might expect, the result vary greatly.
In addition to the amatuerish photoshop manipulations of the upcoming Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler LLC also included the above proposed product plan with its submission to the U.S. Treasury yesterday.
The biggest take-away from the document is how heavily Chrysler anticipates relying on Fiat products to fill out its future lineup. There are at least six new products the company plans to base off of Fiat underpinnings, from a small hatchback to a mid-size sedan and a compact SUV. In fact, the only products designed by what we traditionally think of as Chrysler are full-size pickup trucks and SUVs, full-size sedans and MPVs.
The 2010 Mazda 3 will start at $15,045 when equipped with a manual transmission the company announced this morning. For those who care, that's $355 more than the previous base model Mazda 3.
The most expensive of the base 2.0-liter models, and also the highest volume model, is the "I Touring" and it gets a new price of $18,350, which is again $355 more than the 2009 model.
Step up to the burly 2.3-liter model and you're looking at spending $19,540 for an automatic-equipped "s Sport" Mazda 3. That's $455 more than the previous model. The top-of-the-line Grand Sport model gets a similar bump to a base price of $22,300. Sales are expected to begin in March.
This video is slight less exciting than watching a paperweight, but it is a pretty good walkaround of the new Chevy Spark through the eyes of its designer. Personally, I'd rather watch a wall, but that's just me. Enjoy.
After teasing us at the Detroit Auto Show with a mere picture, GM has finally released, uh, more pictures of the upcoming Chevrolet Spark minicar.
Set for a world debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the Spark is expected to make its way to the U.S. after its European debut early next year. It's a tiny car by American standards, some 18-inches shorter than a Honda Fit.
The Euro versions will use 1.0- and 1.2-liter engines, but GM's new 1.4-liter four-cylinder is a good bet for U.S. models. Expect to see both manual and automatic transmissions driving the front wheels.
More detailed information will be released when the Chevrolet Spark makes its world debut in Geneva early next month.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Fiat CEO, Sergio Marchionne said that Chrysler must meet the terms of federal loans and, "stand up on its own two legs."
"If it doesn't, we won't play," Marchionne added.
That could present something of a problem for the deal considering that some on Capitol Hill are wondering aloud why federal money should go to Chrysler, which would be 35 percent owned by the Italian automaker. The U.S. Treasury has already lent Chrysler $4 billion and the company is asking for an additional $3 billion.
Adding further discontent is the speculation that Fiat will eventually own up to 55 percent of Chrysler. The additional 20 percent stake would cost Fiat $25 million as outlined in the two companies' proposed deal. That, Marchionne told the Free Press is not a given, saying that that scenario is "a long way off."
Marchionne reassured that there would be "no seepage of liquidity" between Chrysler and Fiat and said, "Fiat will not take any cash out of Chrysler not on the basis of the deal that we structured today, and certainly not until all taxpayer funds have been repaid."
In contrast to Chrysler President Jim Press' comments earlier in the week, Marchionne doesn't see any other options for ailing U.S. automaker, "I haven't seen a lineup of people at the door trying to take us out of this deal." Press acknowledged that Fiat was the only entity Chrysler was currently talking to about an alliance, but said that "we have other options."
If the deal is successful, Marchionne said, the Fiat 500 and one Alfa-Romeo could be on sale in Chrysler dealerships in about a year. Those would have to be imported from Europe, while the alliance worked to reconcile building other Fiat Group and Fiat-based Chrysler models at North American production facilities.
We wish there was more to tell you about the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3, but all we have is this crummy photo and what Mazda refers to as a teaser release. Well, it doesn't tease much really as it merely confirms the Geneva debut of the Mazdaspeed 3 that we've been anticipating for some time now.
It does mention that the turbocharged 2.3-liter MZR four-cylinder engine has been "carried forward" so don't expect any big horsepower upgrades. Then again, it already has 263 horses as it is, so more power isn't what it needed. Less "happiness" up front would have been nice, but it appears as though the styling changes are minimal too.
Mitsubishi's U.S. baby got Sportback. It's true. Despite the U.S. market's historic disinterest in five-door hatchbacks, Mitsubishi will begin importing the Sportback this summer as a 2010 model.
It'll be available in commuter-car GTS and sporty Ralliart flavors. Either way, it'll offer a maximum of 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
Lest there be any confusion, the production Lancer Sportback is on the right in the above photo.
Hey, hotshoe. Think you're good at matching revs when you're downshifting? The 2009 Nissan 370Z's SynchroRev Match can do it better.
And if you're one of those drivers that has wondered why all this "heel-toe" business requires your two feet to do three things simultaneously, then you, too, can benefit from SynchroRev Match.
SynchroRev Match is a feature that automatically "blips" the throttle when the driver initiates a downshift in manual transmission-equipped 370s. If you depress the clutch, lift off the throttle and move the gearchange lever to a lower gear, SynchroRev Match zips the engine up to precisely the right speed for that gear.
The result? Perfectly smooth rev-matched downshifts every single time, and drivers that look like heroes.
Rev-matching is common among automatic- and automated-manual transmissions, but the 2009 Z-car marks the debut of such a feature in conjunction with a real-life, stick-in-the-palm manual gearbox.
Now, come with us to the other side of the jump to learn how it works.
Today's episode of automaker teaser video is brought to you by the word, cutesy.
BMW has been working for some time on a wagon-esque, minivan-like, crossover-type vehicle that it likes to call PAS for progressive activity sedan. And now it's released on the web this adorable cartoon of a vehicle that we fear will be something less than adorable. It's a sort of tall wagon thing with adjustable rear seats and a cargo hold that can be accessed via a full-sized hatchback or through a smaller hatch within a hatch should the weather be too cold to expose passengers to a momentary blast of the outside. We're imagining the end result of all this passenger and cargo packaging rethinking (the video points out BMW has thought about this quite a lot) will end up looking a bit like a bloodless X6. But we'll see at March's Geneva auto show, where we expect to see the concept in person.
Until then, sit back and enjoy this silly interlude, because as '90's girly band Veruca Salt once observed, "Can't fight the teaser."
Trying to buy a 2009 Saturn Astra hatchback? No? Oh, just play along, would you? Well, even if you were, now you can't. That's because there will be no 2009 Saturn Astra.
Saturn is skipping the '09 model year and jumping directly to the 2010 model. Officially, the company is holding off bringing any more of the sharp-looking but slow-selling hatchbacks because, well, dealers have more than enough '08s already on their lots to get them through until the 2010 model arrives in the fall of 2009.
But the secret reason for the skipped year was revealed to us in an exchange yesterday with a Saturn official, who admitted, "I did it for personal gain. One day I'll be on Jeopardy and will totally nail that question... (In what year did Saturn not produce an Astra...?)."
It's a master stroke of reason and good sense to be sure. But given that the response of our source would not be in the form of a question, it's ultimately futile. Foiled again, Saturn. Foiled again.
Following a positive reception at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, the 2010 Mini Crossover has been approved for production and will debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Mini officials told Inside Line that the new crossover will launch with front-wheel drive only at first and then add an all-wheel drive version later.
The Crossover in Cooper trim with front-wheel drive will start just above the base price for a Cooper S convertible: around $29,000. A Cooper S four-wheel-drive Crossover should be priced at or above $34,000. There will be no John Cooper Works edition of the Crossover.
Only a week after the two companies announced their intentions to enter into an alliance, word is leaking out about the specific products that will be coming to the U.S., should the Chrysler-Fiat tie-up be approved.
Automotive News is reporting that the companies will bring seven new vehicles to the U.S. market, four wearing badges from a division of Chrysler and three as Fiats or Alfa-Romeos. Those vehicles would be built in North American Chrysler plants and sold through Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers, according to the trade journal's anonymous source. There's no indication when the final plan will be in place, but teams from both automakers are apparently shooting for an April 30 deadline.
Not unexpectedly, Fiat will produce the 500 retro dumpling for sale in North America in Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant where the Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser are built.
But Chrysler clearly needs more than just a mini-car to revive its weak passenger-car lineup. In fact, save for the next generation 300C and Dodge Charger, there won't be much in the future Chrysler car lineup that won't be a Fiat at heart. Join us after the jump for the full slightly speculative round-up.
Automotive News is reporting that Volkswagen plans to sell the Polo subcompact in the United States in the near future.
The Polo is a step down in size from the Rabbit and is roughly equivalent to the Toyota Yaris and the soon-to-arrive Ford Fiesta. The trade journal quoted Volkswagen Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby, "We are working right now to upgrade these cars for the American market." Given that Jacoby expects to more than triple U.S. VW sales to 800,000 annually over the next decade, he'd better hope Americans like the upgrades the company is working on.
No word yet on exactly when the Polo will hit U.S. shores. But a new, presumably less-frumpy, version of the Polo is expected for the 2010 model year, and will be unveiled at this year's Geneva auto show in March. The current model offers a number of engine options including three- and four-cylinder gasoline and diesel mills making between 64 to 180 horsepower.
For all its success in Europe, the Polo is probably best known in the U.S. as the subject of a spoof advertisement (or VW-sponsored viral marketing campaign, if you listen to conspiracy theorists) in which a suicide bomber parks a Polo in front of a streetside cafe and detonates a bomb. The Polo remains undamaged and VW's Polo ad tagline "Small but tough" appears on screen.
Ford wants to put you behind the wheel of a 2011 Ford Fiesta one year early, but only if you are "hungry for adventure" and gifted with the "ability to craft a compelling story through video." As Inside Line news reported today, Ford has launched a contest that will give 100 American drivers the chance to live with a Fiesta, all expenses paid, for 6 months.
Of course, you can't just park the car in your garage and forget about it. You'll be busy going on secret assignments from "Ford Mission Control" that will no doubt take you into all the favored haunts of Ford's target demographic.
To enter, prospective contestants must upload a 2-to-5-minute video on YouTube explaining why they are deserving of this responsibility by March 19. Details are on fiestamovement.com.
Autoblog is reporting today that the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 is rumored to debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. We subsequently spoke with Mazda's director of corporate and product communications, Jeremy Barnes, who said, "I cannot confirm that."
However, given that the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3/MPS debuted at the 2006 Geneva show, we'd say it's very, very likely that we'll see the second-gen hot hatch in the Mazda booth come early March.
#DAS09 Photos of the Audi Sportback concept leaked out yesterday, but the four-door coupe hatchback labradoodle made its official debut at this afternoon's Audi press conference at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
It's based on the A4/A5 platform architecture, and if it goes into production, we'd expect it to be called the A7. Yet, at 195 inches long, this concept is almost 13 inches longer than the A5/S5 (and only 5 inches shorter than Audi's Q7 SUV). It's also 3 inches wider (76 inches) and 1 inch taller (55 inches).
In person, the Sportback looks disturbingly like a lowered BMW X6. However, we heard people raving about the car and the adoring mob around it was so thick, the flesh began to coagulate. This is a good sign for Audi, as company officials say the Sportback heralds the future of its production designs.
#DAS09 The Audi A3, remember it? It's that nice looking, entry-level hatchback that undercuts the A4 Avant on price, but delivers a similar reduction in cabin space. It does quite well in Europe, but hasn't really caught on in the U.S. Audi sold just 4,749 of them in 2008 while BMW unloaded over 12,000 1 Series coupes.
Audi gave the A3 some help last fall with a mild refresh and the addition of quattro all-wheel drive as an option on 2.0T models. Today it announced another new feature: TDI clean diesel power.
In a surprise announcement on everybody's favorite fluffy news program, Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn told the Today's Show's Matt Lauer that GM would bring a production version of the Chevrolet Beat to the Detroit Auto Show. He even did the now trademarked "GM executive sheet lift" which revealed the nose of the subcompact hatchback. Welburn divulged no details, but we're guessing it will be fuel efficient, inexpensive and, of course, a "surprise".
It looks like Fiat will be getting a little help thanks to Suzuki. Their upcoming Sedici is mostly a re-badged Suzuki SX4. Besides the Fiat styling cues there are promised to be some mechanical upgrades, including a diesel option. The cute CUVster will be offered in both AWD and FWD.
VW debuted the second-generation Golf Plus at the Bologna Motor Show. The car will go sale shortly in Europe. No word yet on powertrain options, but you can bet there will both gas and diesel versions offered. I would love to see this offered here.
Everything substantive you'd like to know about the 2010 Kia Soul is in our first drive.
At today's official unveiling at the LA Auto Show, Kia indulged in a little self-effacing wackiness. At least a dozen Souls were in attendance, easily surpassing Ford's collection of Mustangs, lending a packed-in feel to the press conference.
As Tom Loveless, vice president of Kia Motors America, spoke, his apparently college-age twins appeared on web cam, LOL-ing and OMG-ing via IM as he told us the story of the Kia Soul. We don't need to tell you much about target demographics, then.
We were also touched by the metallic "SOUL" sculpture that inflated like Jiffy Pop (in the images below), as Loveless and Tom Kearns, chief of Kia's U.S. design team, closed out the conference. There's no functional need for this bit of installation art, but it reminded us of the giant Fiat 500 at this year's Geneva show. It's just fun and weird. That's all.
Now for the informative stuff: The U.S.-spec 2010 Kia Soul goes into production in January 2009 and will be at dealers by early spring.
Kia doesn't want to talk about pricing, yet -- other than to let you know that it will be "aggressively priced," Loveless said. We take that to mean that you'll be able to get into a decent one for about $15,000.
Annual sales numbers, too, are anybody's guess, but, says Loveless, "There are two ways to look at 2009. One way is doom and gloom, oh my gosh, it's a 13-million-unit market.
"But we don't think we're held by the industry. The Soul is going to change the way people think about us. And we're coming right behind that with the redesigned Spectra."
Honda is keenly aware of the fact that some of you are buying its subcompact Fit simply because you like small, efficiently designed cars -- rather than because it's an economic last resort. Hence, at the 2008 SEMA Show, you're seeing the Mugen Accessories 2009 Honda Fit Sport, which has all sorts of cosmetic enhancements that you can buy from dealers a la carte or as a kit in the spring of 2009.
On the outside, there are 16-inch "black metal coat" wheels that look suspiciously chrome-y (and presumably are the same size as the Sport's stock wheels), all manner of underbody spoilers and oh-so-stylish trapezoidal exhaust finishers that are only a tad disingenuous on a car with a single exhaust. Inside, there's an aluminum-topped short-throw shifter and aluminum-trimmed pedals, which are quite tasteful. But the lighting was too harsh in Honda's booth, so you'll have to take our word for it.
For Mazda3 fans, the upcoming LA show is both good news and bad news. The good is that the all-new Mazda3 will debut. The bad news is the all-new Mazdaspeed3 will be MIA.
Not sure exactly when the new Speed3 will debut (could be next year?), so in the meantime some teaser spy photos will just have to do.
Interesting. It looks like Mazda has discovered the happy face (as opposed to Mitsubishi's angry face) as the new look for their cars. We saw it first on the facelifted Miata, and now again on the 2010 Mazda 3. The new car will debut at the LA auto show, and will be available with both 2.0L and 2.5L engines.
I'd call the Smart ED (electric drive) the hit of the entire 2008 Paris Auto Show, but I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face. The electric-powered Smart, which the company today called the future of mobility, is quite simply an electric version of the Smart Fortwo, a very small two-seater that has seen success in Europe and began sales in the USA earlier this year.
Production of the Smart ED could start as early as next year, according to company officials. In the meantime, development of the little city car continues. Apparently a prototype has been running around the clogged streets of London for the past year with very positive results.
In other Smart news, the company recently built its 1millionth Smart, and will begin sales in China sometime next year. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
Slowly but surely Subaru is spreading their nifty new 2.0L diesel around to other models. First it appeared in European Legacys and Outbacks, but using a 5-speed manual gearbox. Now not only is the UK-spec Impreza getting that oil burner, but it is also being paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Deliveries are expected to begin after the first of the year.
When the Subie diesel makes it Stateside (it's a-comin' folks, just not sure when...), I fully expect it to also have this 6-speed tranny hooked up to it, as well as a CVT option.
Also of interest to Subie diesel fans is the all-new Forester in the UK which also has a diesel option, beginning in September. It too comes with a 6-speed manual.
VW fans won't be shocked at the new images of the next-generation Golf, which was to be introduced later this week; but then again, best laid plans are foiled thanks to the Internet... The new model, as usual, follows the long-established VW Golf overall look, with a hint of the new Scirocco up front.
The new model is said be larger than the outgoing model. Gas engines should include a 1.4L TSI and a 1.8L TFSI (perhaps even the 2.0L TFSI?). On the diesel front, expect 1.9L and 2.0L TDI versions. A manual, automatic and DSG transmission are also expected.
I guess better late than never, as it looks like Mitsubishi will be offering a "lifted" Lancer Sportback X that would compete with both the Subaru Outback and Outback Sport.
The image above is pure speculation, but probably gives a pretty good indication as to what this vehicle could look like. No word on mechanical changes other than the rumored lifted suspension. It would be pretty cool if they offered it with the turbo from the Ralliart (or EVO).
Carscoop is reporting the car will be released internationally sometime in 2010.
As a fan of hatchbacks and 5-doors, news that the 5-door Toyota Yaris coming here is great. I think the 3-door Yaris is really neat. I never felt that way about the 4-door sedan version, as it's is typically Toyota boring; not so with this 5-door hatch.
Spy shots of a heavily masked next-gen Mazda3 have surfaced over on UK's AutoExpress. They've also included a rendering of what they think it might look like. If they're anywhere near being accurate, it looks to be an evolution of the current model in terms of styling direction. No doubt the the mechanicals will get a good going over, but no word on that yet...
The upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z 2+2 sport coupe won't have that market to itself for long as Nissan is working on a direct competitor. Not much is known at the moment other than it will be small, FWD and it will be a hybrid. Rumors include a 6-speed DSG, possible Brembo brakes, and the engine will be around 1500cc.
While these images are pure speculation, it's interesting to to note that the grille strongly hints "Infiniti," and not "Nissan." Hmmm...
The production version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will debut at the Paris auto show this September. The pixs above show both the base Lancer and the Ralliart version. The Ralliart will go head-to-head with the WRX, as it will be turbocharged and have AWD.
No word as to whether the EVO will get the Sportback model...
Ford's next US-spec Fiesta (a model name not used here since 1981) is going to be built in Mexico. The Fiesta will be built in a plant that used to build F-Series trucks. It will be available as both a sedan and hatchback, and will arrive as a 2010 model.
It looks like Chinese-owned MG has been inspired by the Subaru Outback Sport (and Suzuki SX4 as well) with their new 3SW. The car comes with two engine choices: a 1.4-liter four and a 1.8-liter four. The 1.4-liter puts out 102 horsepower and 91 pound-feet of torque. The larger 1.8-liter engine offers 118 horsepower with torque coming in at 118 pound-feet...
Do you know the name of this car? If you do, you're the winner. Well, you don't actually win anything. However, you can tell your buddies you know more about cars than them. Wait, you already do that - just for fun then...
Whether you think it's massively cool or just as far down on the ugly spectrum, the Scion Hako coupe concept was one of the most unusual and interesting-looking cars unveiled at New York's Javits Center today.
Actually, Jack Hollis, Scion vice president, is kind of hoping you won't like it. "If you think it's ugly, great. That's perfect. As you know, polarizing style fits in well with our lineup."
Honda didn’t feel the need to make a fuss over the debut of the 2009 Fit today. No flashy displays, no weird dancers, not even throbbing music accompanied its unveil. Instead, Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda, pretty much got up and read the press kit off a teleprompter. More room, more power, cleaner emissions, blah, blah, blah...
The Tata Nano made its European debut here in Geneva, and once again it drew a huge crowd. Onlookers marveled at its impossibly small wheels, straw-sized exhaust pipe and single windshield wiper. We weren’t allowed to get inside, but given that there’s no radio, air-conditioning or any other features to speak of, there isn’t much to see anyway. The rear-mounted engine displaces a whopping 623cc and generates all of 34 horsepower. It’s connected to a continuously variable transmission that helps it achieve roughly 50 mpg. Acceleration is probably leisurely at best, but what do you expect for $2,500?
At this point, the Tata only meets emissions and crash test standards in India, and in case you’re not up to speed on those, they are considerably less stringent than U.S. requirements. Think 1990s and you would be close. In other words, don’t expect to see any Nanos in the U.S. any time soon. –- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
This may be labeled a prototype, but it’s about 95 percent of what you’ll see in the production version. The Evolution hood won’t stay, and neither will those headlights or the 19-inch wheels and tires. And don’t expect to see Orange Metallic Flake on the color sheet either. What you can expect is the same lineup of engines currently offered on the standard Lancer sedan along with a little extra cargo room in back.
Will there be an Evolution version to take on the Subaru WRX STI hatch? Don’t count on it. –- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
What an unusual press conference for Mini today in Geneva. Instead of boring us all into submission with sales results and projections, Mini invited Rauno Aaltonen, aka the Flying Finn, to talk with Dr. Kay Segler, senior vice president of Mini brand management.
In addition to his WRC efforts in the 1970s, Aaltonen drove a Mini Cooper S to victory at Monte Carlo in 1967. He, of course, compared the new 2009 Mini John Cooper Works and John Cooper Works Clubman to the old car (also present), noting that today's JCW is the "direct heir" to the car he drove in '67.
After the Mazda press conference, we went next door to the Ford booth at the Geneva auto show, where we saw three- and five-door hatchback versions of the 2010 Ford Fiesta (a 2009 model for Europe). It was kind of like watching the Mazda press conference again, because the Fiesta looks so similar to the Mazda 2. They are, of course, platform mates.
Ford of Europe didn't hire a band for its unveiling, so instead we saw a typical dance troupe, and the members whimsically tossed around the sheets on the cars.
No longer is it seen as environmentally responsible to toss around terms like "zoom-zoom" in the cavalier manner typical of, say, 2001. Now it's "sustainable zoom-zoom," and says James Muir, CEO of Mazda Motors Europe, that means a "focus on the minute and painstaking weight reduction of every component."
Sounds painful, but on the 2009 Mazda 2 three-door hatchback (which joins the previously released five-door), it's good for a 220-pound weight reduction over the previous model, says Muir. For a car that's 153.5 inches long (2 inches shorter than a Honda Fit) with a 98-inch wheelbase (1.5 inches longer than a Fit), this is quite significant.
Mazda broke up what could have been a rather dry, number-y press conference with a performance by the Infidels, who like the Strokes, come across as a modern-day repackaging of the Stones -- right down to their moves on stage. Mazda, conveniently, is sponsoring their 2008 European tour.
First reports of about the Lancer Sportback indicated that this might be a Europe-only model. Now it's been confirmed that it will be coming to the United States as well. Pictured above is the Mitsubishi Prototype-S concept, which will debut at Geneva, and is very close to what we can expect to see in showrooms.
VW will debut a diesel hybrid that's sure to generate a lot of buzz within the auto industry. It has a 3-cylinder 75 hp diesel that's paired to a 27 hp electric motor. Power is transferred to the ground via a 7-speed DSG transmission, and VW claims 69 mpg. It's full hybrid in that it can run on all electric power, diesel power, or any combination of the two...
What you see here is the Mitsubishi Prototype S, with the "S" standing for "Sportback." If you remember, Mitsubishi showed a Sportback concept (middle picture) before.
Remember? How could you forget, as that concept was drop-dead gorgeous!
Unfortunately, as concepts move from "concept" to "production," often something gets lost in the translation, as is the case here...
There have been rumors of an upcoming Lancer hatch for sometime. In fact Straightline did a blog not long ago that pictured just such a car (Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart a-comin'). Now there's more news/rumors about this vehicle up on the Net. According to Carscoop, the car will appear at the upcoming Geneva auto show...
VW, already known for having a very good DSG, will be offering a 7-speed DSG shortly. Normally you would expect something like this to show up on some high-ticket brand. Not so, as this is VW—and it will be offered in the much "people cars" Golf and Golf Plus. Like the new '08 Subaru Impreza and '09 Forester with manual transmissions, these cars will come with a "Hill Assist" to aid in starting on hills without any rolling back...
'Bout time I say... Yep, hatchbacks, liftbacks, wagonettes, 3-doors/5-doors—whatever you want to call them, are making their way back on the must-have lists of many new car buyers.
I've always loved the hatchback configuration, and as many of you know my daily driver is a '06 WRX Limited wagon. Well, the word "wagon" in this case is pretty much of a stretch...
No big surprises at the North American debut of the 2008 Subaru WRX STI. The announced specs of the 2.5-liter version are no different than the Japanese 2.0-liter shown in Tokyo. It still has 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, although the horsepower peaks at 6,000 rpm while max torque is delivered at just 4,000 rpm. Like the Japanese version, Subaru claims the WRX STI will go from zero to 60 in just 4.9 seconds...
In addition to rolling out its Malibu, Silverado and Tahoe hybrids at the LA Auto Show, Chevrolet also used the occasion to announce production of the Beat minicar concept. It won out in an online poll that pitted three minicar concepts against each other in a virtual popularity contest. GM's South Korean design center came up with the design and Chevrolet plans to put it into production by mid-2009. Don't get too excited though, as it's intended for markets outside the U.S...
Motor Authority is reporting that Volvo is considering adding a 5-door C30 to the already popular C30 3-door lineup.
I think that would be a very smart move, as it would dramatically increase buyer interest. I love the C30, but would never consider one, as these old bones need easier access to the rear seat than what just two side doors afford. Adding two more doors, from my standpoint, is a no-brainer...
We didn't learn many new facts about the 2008 Subaru WRX STI today in Tokyo, but somehow, and maybe it's jet lag talking, the car was less unattractive than expected.
Then again, with one unveiled STI at the edge of the display, a veiled STI on the stage and the WRC car presiding over the whole stand, it was hard not to be just a little excited about what this car might be like to drive.
Inside Line drove the new Saturn Astra on Germany's autobahn.
The 3- and 5-door hatchbacks feature a 138-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, and starting price in the mid-to-high teens.
Could the Astra be the best small car GM has ever sold in the United States?
An appearance on the Nurburgring seems almost required for new models these days, so it was no surprise when these pictures of the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI surfaced recently. Wearing minimal disguise this STI clearly shows what's in store for the top-of-the-line Impreza. Wider wheel flares, a deeper front air dam, quad exhaust pipes and a sizable rear wing are the most noticeable changes. More power, bigger brakes and a retuned suspension are also on the upgrade list...
Excess pudge and average performance credentials relegate the production Suzuki SX4 to blah status in the economy car class, despite the fact that it's an attractive car. Recently, a Suzuki product planner told us that younger owners of the car were asking for a turbocharger option -- a fair request, we think, given that the hatchback version already has all-wheel drive.
The existence of the Suzuki SX4 WRC offers reason for hope. Suzuki had the 2007 version on display in Frankfurt, and the '08 iteration of this car will enter rally competition in the 2008 calendar year. --Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
Subaru's Frankfurt press conference should have been an opportunity to rally the WRX faithful in the wake of recent disappointments -- all related to the softening of the 2008 model. And indeed plenty of fanboys showed up to get a photo of Petter Solberg.
But the Subaru WRC Concept was little more than eye candy, a fiberglass shell, and no tantalizing specs were released. In fact, no specs were given at all. It was just an opportunity to take a photo to stare at on your desktop wallpaper -- something to busy your mind until the STI production car debuts next month in Tokyo.
No question, the WRC Concept recovers some of the old WRX's edginess, but it's hard to know if that will be enough until we know what's underneath.
Solberg kept his comments brief, noting that "I'm a rally driver first and foremost." He of course noted that the new Impreza's stiffer chassis provides more stable handling characteristics in the prototypes he's driven thus far. He also said that Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is a great thing. Who would have guessed? -- Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
We were expecting a little more from Toyota's city car concept when it rolled out this afternoon in Frankfurt. After all, Thierry Dombreval, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Europe, said in his pre-reveal speech that the iQ Concept would be as revolutionary as the Prius. So when the iQ rolled out and we saw nothing more than a really, really small hatchback, we couldn't help wonder where the revolutionary part was hiding.
To its credit, the iQ manages to seat four despite the fact that it's only 11 inches longer than a Smart Fortwo...
Volkswagen made a big deal about a very small car at tonight's pre-show unveil party. It's called the up! Concept, and it's Volkswagen's answer to the Smart city car. Chairman of the Board, Martin Winterkorn, said it was the first project he turned his attention to when he became head of the German automaker...
