Hatchbacks
Mugen Planning RR-Version of Euro-Spec Civic Type-R
Honda’s odd-looking Euro-spec Civic Type-R hatchback is about to get the Mugen treatment. With the success of the Honda Civic Mugen RR sedan, the Japanese Honda-tuner wants to take on the latest Type-R, adding power, dropping weight and making an already amazing package that much better. Mugen isn’t releasing any hard and fast facts yet,…
Volkswagen Launches Golf GTD: The High-Performance Diesel
Today Volkswagen officially launched the return of the Golf GTD – a Golf that is high in both performance and fuel economy, thanks to its diesel engine. With 170hp it outstrips the TDI model by 30 ponies. The real difference, however, is in the torque where the GTD makes 258 ft-lbs of the good stuff….
Ford Focus RS Not Coming to North America
Several weeks ago we ran a few photos of a Ford Focus RS that was spotted in a suburb of Detroit. This of course led to speculation that FoMoCo was planning to bring its amazing hot hatch to the U.S. Sadly, a Ford exec has confirmed that the RS will not make its way stateside….
Audi Readying RS3 and A3 Hybrid
With the new A3 due out in 2011 rumors of performance and hybrid versions of the car have already emerged. In the performance category Audi is expected to release an RS3, which will be powered by the same turbocharged five-cylinder currently found in the TT-RS. Output won’t be quite as significant, but expect lots of…
Mini GTI in the Works?
BMW is currently looking at adding three new vehicles to the Mini lineup, including an enthusiast-targeted GTI model. U.K. auto pub AutoCar is reporting that the car would be build on the new five-door Mini platform that will also underpin the company’s upcoming crossover. We’d welcome such a vehicle as Mini is already an enthusiast…
Ford Focus RS Spied in Detroit
Stoking the rumors that Ford is planning to bring its impressive Focus RS to the U.S. are some amateur spy photos of the hopped-up compact, taken just outside Detroit. Forum user 2004SVTAutoXer took the photos in the up-scape Royal Oak neighborhood and posted them on FocusFanatics.com. The 2009 Focus RS is powered by a turbocharged…
2010 Volkswagen GTI Makes U.S-Debut in New York
It’s here… the sixth generation Volkswagen GTI. Making it’s debut at the New York Auto Show the car is sportier-looking but less aggressive, looking more like the European Scirocco and trading in the massive front grille for a two-tier unit. The signature red detailing on the grille is still there though, giving the GTI a…
Volkswagen Singapore Offers 246hp Golf GTI V50
American VW tuner APR has worked out a deal with Volkswagen of Singapore, which will sell the Alabama-based company’s performance parts as official “Volkswagen Performance” parts, starting with a new 246hp version of the fifth-generation Golf called the GTI V50. Volkswagen will even back-up the parts with a 3 year/100,000 km (62,000 mile) warranty. APR…
Fiesta Movement Gets Going as 140 New Ford Fiestas Hit U.S. Shores
Ford kicked-off what it calls the “Fiesta Movement” yesterday when 140 new European-built Ford Fiestas were unloaded at ports in Baltimore and Oxnard, Calif. The vehicles will be loaned out to young “trendsetters,” who will report on the vehicles using modern social networking sites like Facebook, Flickr and YouTube. Ford actually used YouTube to select…
Ford Focus RS Looking to Set Nürburgring Record
Ford is preparing to take on the front-wheel drive Nürburgring lap record with the all-new 2009 Focus RS. The current front wheel drive record is held by the Renault Megane R26R, which set a blistering 8 minute and 17 second run, eclipsing the previous 8:22 of the Chevy Cobalt SS. U.K. publication AutoCar reports that…
Toyota Readies Yaris Hybrid With Honda’s Insight In Its Sights
Toyota has just announced that it is currently developing a hybrid version of the sub-compact Yaris (known at the Vitz in Japan) to take on Honda in the increasingly diminutive hybrid war. Honda’s launch of the Insight Hybrid was the catalyst in this hybrid war, undercutting the Prius in both size and cost. Honda recently…
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