Hatchbacks
Lexus CT200h Priced from $29,120
Lexus has just released pricing on its new entry-level hybrid hatchback and, as promised, it will be the most affordable car in the brand’s lineup. Priced at $29,120 it comes in at just under the IS250 and priced a few hundred dollars less than its main rival, the Audi A3 TDI. With delivery charges the…
Volkswagen Golf R Officially Confirmed for the U.S.
Volkswagen‘s hottest of hatchbacks will make its way to U.S. soil, confirms the German automaker. A spiritual successor to the R32, the Golf R is part of VW’s new ‘R’ performance brand, and gets its motivation from VW’s always-impressive 2.0T turbocharged 4-cylinder rather than the old V6 in the R32. While VW hasn’t released specs…
Volkswagen Golf R Coming to America, Will Debut at Detroit Auto Show
While still less than certain, the Volkswagen Golf R is reportedly set to be offered in North America next year, with a likely announcement set for the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January. The ultra-hot hatch has already been on sale in Europe for close to a year, making the GTI look tame in comparison…
Audi RS3: The 340-HP Luxury Hot Hatch Video
After officially revealing the car earlier this week Audi has now released some B-roll video footage of the RS3 hot hatch. Powered by the same turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder found in the TT-RS, the RS3 Sportback makes 340-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque. Mated to a 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission and using Audi’s quattro…
Audi RS3 Sportback Revealed With 340-HP
With the current A3 model nearing the end of its production cycle, Audi will send the car out with a bang, announcing an all new RS3 model. Putting even the Golf R to shame, the RS3 Sportback produces an incredible 340-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque from the same turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine found in…
Volvo To Introduce 1,000 Plug-In Hybrids For Test Program
Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby announced a pilot project that will see 1,000 plug-in hybrid models based on the C30 hatchback. The vehicles will be offered in unspecified European and Chinese locations, as well as California. The plug-in hybrids are part of an approach to meet growing demands for environmentally friendly vehicles, as well as boost…
SEMA 2010: Ford Focus RS Is Ken Block’s Personal Car
As if we needed another reason to be jealous of Ken Block. The millionaire entrepreneur and rally driver has a full sponsorship package with both Ford and Monster Energy Drinks just got a brand spanking new Ford Focus RS thanks to The Blue Oval’s generosity. Wearing Michigan manufacturer plates, the Focus RS is painted in…
New Audi RS3 Spy Photos Reveal More, Confirm a Lot
It was supposed to arrive at the Paris Auto Show, but never did. Still, rumors persist and the latest spy photos certainly seem to indicate that Audi is pushing ahead with plans to deliver an RS-badged high-performance version of the A3 hatch. While new photos of the hotted-up hatch testing have surfaced, more important shots…
Volvo C30 5-Door Coming in 2012
As a European automaker, its more than just a little strange that Volvo has never offered a small 5-door hatchback, considering cars like the VW Golf, Audi A3 and 5-door BMW 1 Series sell in such huge numbers overseas. True, Volvo has had the V50 for many years now, but it’s always been a bit…
2012 Toyota Yaris/Vitz Revealed in Leaked Dealer Brochure
Thanks to a few scans of an internal Toyota dealer brochure, we have our first look at what the 2012 Yaris will look like. Toyota is planning a new Yaris model in a bid to keep up with the likes of the Honda Fit and an onslaught of new subcompact products from Chevy, Ford and…
Suzuki Swift R Concept Revealed Ahead of Beijing Auto Show
With the launch of the all-new Swift in other markets, we’ve heard rumors that Suzuki will eventually bring the small hatchback back to North America, and if this concept makes it to production, we’ll really be crossing our fingers. Revealed well ahead of its planned official debut at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, the Suzuki…
Ford Focus ST Revealed as 247-HP Hot Hatch [Paris 2010]
Ford has just released full details on its new Focus ST hot-hatch ahead of its Paris Auto Show debut tomorrow. And this is no Euro-market only boy racer. Nope, the Focus ST will be available in North America as a 2012 model starting in 2011. True, it’s no RS model, but thanks a a turbocharged…
Lexus Expects CT200h to Spark Significant Growth in Compact Premium Segment
With the launch of the new CT200h Lexus expects to grow the premium compact segment considerably says Lexus VP Mark Templin. Targeted sales in the U.S. are set at 1,000 units, which while miniscule compared to many other Lexus products, would represent a 70 percent growth in the segment. Currently the CT’s competitors (the BMW…
Lexus CT200h to Get F-Sport Performance Parts
For the first time ever, Lexus will offer a selection of F-Sport performance accessories for a hybrid model – the CT200h. While it’s not designed to be a high-performance model, the CT is being billed as a driver’s hybrid; retaining the trademark Lexus ride quality while also offering a dynamic driving experience. And that’s just…
Higher Performance, More Efficient Lexus CT200h Models Under Consideration
Lexus is taking a close look at even more efficient versions of its new CT200h premium compact hybrid, while hinting that a high-performance version of the car is in the works. During a product presentation of the CT200h at the car’s global launch just outside Paris, France, Lexus College manager Paul Williamsen went out of…
2011 Chevy Aveo Interior Revealed
Set to debut at the Paris Auto Show, Chevy has already given us a look at the all-new 2011 Aveo – but these leaked photos are our first glimpse at the sub-compact car’s interior. Taking design cues from the rest of the Chevy lineup and retaining some of the features from the Aveo RS Show…
Audi RS3 Rumored to Debut at Paris Auto Show
Audi may just be planning an onslaught of high-performance products at the upcoming Paris Auto Show, with the latest rumor suggesting the RS3 will finally make its production debut. According to GermanCarBlog, dealers in the UK have already started taking orders for the car, which will be limited to just 2700 units. That number makes…
Ford Focus ST to Debut at Paris Auto Show With 247-HP
Ford has just announced it will debut a new high-performance ST version of its new Focus model at the Paris Auto Show, with global sales planned. That’s right; a hot hatch Focus we’ll actually get our hands on. No, it’s not as extreme as the Focus RS, but with a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder under…
Lexus CT200h Gets 134-HP, 42-MPG Average
Lexus has been teasing us with tasty bits of info about its new CT200h hybrid hatchback and has finally revealed the details everyone really wants to know. Aimed at younger buyers, performance is sure to be an important selling factor. That being said, it’s at least a little disappointing that the CT only gets a…
Next Gen Mazda3 Teased in New Design Video
Mazda‘s new Shinari Concept has really sparked a renewed interest in the brand and the Japanese automaker appears set to capitalize on this by exploring the direction of its new Kodo design language for the rest of the lineup. Having just released video of the Shinari Concept, Mazda has now released a video that gives…
New Chevy Aveo Unveiled Ahead of Paris Auto Show Debut
Chevrolet has just revealed the very first photos of the all-new Aveo subcompact ahead of its debut later this month at the Paris Auto Show. The car keeps many of the design cues from the Aveo RS Concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, including the large front grille, oversized headlights and…
Chevy Cruze Hatchback Concept Revealed Ahead of Paris Auto Show Debut
As rumored, Chevrolet will debut the Cruze Hatchback at the Paris Auto Show and the American automaker has decided to reveal the new five-door several weeks ahead of schedule. When the Cruze Hatchback does get its official unveiling, it will be joined by three other new products from Chevy. The model set to be revealed…
Lexus to Release Full CT200h Specs at Paris Auto Show
After officially debuting the car at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, Lexus will release full details and specifications on the CT200h, the world’s first premium hybrid compact, at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. Info set to be released includes expected fuel economy numbers as well as performance stats and pricing. To date, Lexus…
Next Mazdaspeed3 Could go Diesel
Mazda officials are considering using a diesel powerplant for the next-generation Mazdaspeed3 hot hatch. According to Car & Driver, Mazda USA product boss Robert Davis made the comments at a decent technology seminar hosted by the Japanese automaker. Davis did say that were the company to go this route “performance wouldn’t be degraded. That’s somewhat…
