Hatchbacks
Honda Civic Type R Headed to Geneva Motor Show
In a sign that Honda hasn’t given up on its fans, or at least not in Europe, the Civic Type R is set to return.
Mercedes A45 AMG Promises to be Brand’s Most Powerful 4-Cylinder
Set to take on the Audi RS3 and BMW M135i, neither of which are available in North America, Mercedes has reportedly confirmed details of its upcoming premium hot-hatch, which will wear the A45 AMG badge.
2012 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Will Cost $21,950
Hyundai announced pricing for its Veloster Turbo hot hatch today with a starting MSRP of $21,950 with a six-speed manual before a $775 destination fee. With 201 hp, the forced-induction version makes 63 hp more than the naturally-aspirated version.
Ford Fiesta RS Rumored
While the thought of an ultra hot-hatch version of the new Focus has been under consideration for quite some time, Ford is also now considering, instead, the possibility of a Fiesta RS.
Honda Civic Type R Caught Testing Near the Nurburgring – Spy Photos
While just speculation at this point, it would seem that Honda is prepping a Civic Type-R for the European marketplace.
2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI Caught Testing
The last couple days have been a storm of spy photos with the latest to come our way picturing the 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
BMW M135i Slated for US Market as Coupe or Convertible
Although BMW M division president Friedrich Nitschke emphasized earlier that the BMW M135i will not arrive to U.S. shores, later reports confirm that we will get the sporty small BMW after all. Hinged on a technicality, the M135i concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show is based on a 1-Series hatchback layout exclusive to the European…
Ward’s Auto 10 Best Interiors for 2012 List Announced
Ward’s Auto has released its top 10 picks for best interior in 2012 today, though in no particular order. Here they are with brief notes on each car’s engine specs and starting price. The 2012 Mazda CX-5 crossover is powered by 2.0-liter Skyactiv inline four cylinder that makes 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque…
Fiat Punto, Panda and 500L Rumored for Canada
Fiat’s return to America has been met with limited success. Sales of the 500 mini car failed to even come close to expectations, selling just a third of expected volume or around 20,000 units last year. In Canada, however, with the higher costs of vehicles (and gas), not to mention a more European mindset towards…
Chevrolet Sonic 1.4L Ecotec Turbo Now With Automatic Transmission
Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine equipped Sonic subcompact will now be available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The quickest of its class, the 6-speed manual turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine propels the Sonic from 0-to-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, or Hyundai…
2013 Honda Crosstour Concept Announced: 2012 New York Auto Show Preview
With a less-than-impressive track record and generally poor customer reception, it’s remarkable that Honda continues to work on making the Crosstour a palatable vehicle. Nonetheless, the Japanese automaker is soldiering on, most recently announcing today that it will debut the 2013 Crosstour concept at the upcoming New York Auto Show. It’s been a sad tale…
Toyota Struggles To Boost Prius C Capacity as Demand Grows
Introduced for the Japanese market last December, the Toyota Prius C had only hit U.S. showrooms on March 12. In only its first three days in the U.S. market, the Prius C sold 1,201 units, eclipsing the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf’s complete February sales performance of 1,023 and 478 units respectively. However, demand for the…
Ford Focus RS Development Delayed
In an interview, Ford vehicle line director Gunnar Herrman reported that development on the next-generation Focus RS hot hatch have been delayed to bump development of various other vehicles and its trims and variants, especially the Ford Kuga/Escape and the Ford Focus Electric. Simply, Herrmann explained that “It’s just because we have other priorities to…
BMW M 135i Concept is a Great Tease: 2012 Geneva Auto Show
BMW‘s 1M coupe was a hot shot of a car, but the company didn’t keep it up. Now we’re left looking forward to the hot hatch that may replace it — the M 135i. Bavaria’s own tiny tire-burner-to-be is based on the 135i and it’s formidable 3.0-liter inline six cylinder guilty of giving more than…
2013 Audi A3 is a Euro-Hatch You’ll Never Drive: 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Audi unveiled the 2013 A3 hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show today, showcasing a lighter and more efficient version of the company’s small three-door car, despite remaining almost exactly the same size. The car will be available with two TFSI engines or a turbo diesel. All three engines were newly developed for the car…
Ford Fiesta ST, a Baby Hot Hatch is Born: 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Although information is still somewhat scant, Ford says this new Fiesta ST will sport an EcoBoost, 1.6-liter turbocharged four under the hood, rated at 180 metric horsepower and some 240 NM of torque.
Charlie Sheen Stars in New Fiat 500 Abarth Ad – Video
The marketing department has certainly switched gears over at Fiat. From the female-targeted J-Lo ads for the cutsie 500 to the sultry Fiat 500 Abarth spot featuring lingerie model Catrinel Menghia. Another step in that direction, the Fiat 500 Abarth is back in a new commercial titled “House Arrest” featuring legendary bad boy Charlie Sheen….
BMW M135i Concept is a 1M Coupe for Europe, Sort of: Geneva Motor Show Preview
With all of the BMW 1M Coupe models spoken for, perhaps this will suffice? Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in just a few weeks time, the M135i Concept is a look at a possible performance version of the 1 Series hatchback offered in Europe. Set to make its debut at the very…
2013 Audi A3 Hatchback Images Leaked
A selection of leaked images are providing a clear picture of the next generation Audi A3 hatchback. The photos, leaked by ZR.ru, clearly show Audi’s big hexagonal grille and the sharp lines running from where that mouth meets the pointed headlights, all the way to the windshield. Details on the car aren’t out yet, but…
Honda Civic BTCC Race Car Revealed
After recently announcing plans that it would once again return to challenge for the title in the British Touring Car Championship, Honda has now released the first photos of the car it intends to do so in. The Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) Civic is based on the European Civic hatchback model (not on our…
Volvo V40 Pictures Leaked, Again
Pictures of the new Volvo V40 hit the internet again today, this time in greater detail than before. The pictures were scanned from a copy of Swedish magazine Motor & Sport and ran on autosites like wildfire. The V40 won’t sell in the U.S. but will sport customer’s choice between a 1.4- or 2.0-liter engine…
Kia Track’ster Birth Chronicled on Video
The Kia Track’ster was arguably the most interesting new vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show this year. Based on the Kia Soul, this compact racer has undeniable good looks. The Track’ster took nine months to design, but the end product is evidence of the designers efforts. This video walks through every step of the process…
Video – 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT First Look: 2012 Chicago Auto Show
Hyundai‘s old Elantra Touring was a function-first vehicle, targeted against cars like the Toyota Matrix. Now Hyundai is switching gears, replacing that small wagon with the Elantra GT (that’s Grand Touring), a hatchback built to compete against fun cars like the Mazda3, Ford Focus hatchback and VW Golf. Unveiled alongside the Elantra Coupe at the…
2013 Hyundai Elantra GT; Hatchback Gets a Stylish New Look: 2012 Chicago Auto Show
Replacing the dull-looking Elantra Touring for 2013 is an all new five-door Hyundai, which along with sporty Euro-hatch looks gets a marketing-friendly “Elantra GT” name. The GT is powered by the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine found in the other Elantras, though it fails to make Hyundai’s hallowed 40-mpg mark. Instead, estimated fuel mileage is 28/39…
