Hatchbacks
High-Performance Ford Focus Concept to Debut at Paris Auto Show
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Ford will debut a concept version of a high-performance Focus model at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. Calling it an “exciting performance model” it will be a concept and not a production version, but it’s likely to be quite close to reality with Ford already announcing plans to deliver a “global performance model” of the…
Mcchip-DKR Tunes Volkswagen Golf R To 315-hp
Yes, we are in love with Volkswagen‘s Golf R and every time we see yet another tuner releasing upgrades for it we curse the fact that it isn’t offered here. Mcchipp-DKR is the newest of our interests, with a simple ECU tune that boosts the stock figures of 270-hp and 256 ft-lbs of torque to…
BBR Power Upgrades Help the Ford Focus RS Deliver Up to 404-hp
The Ford Focus RS craze over in Europe is picking up a lot of steam, and British tuner BBR is offering four different upgrade kits for any Focus RS enthusiast. The kits bump up horsepower to anywhere from 342-hp to 404-hp depending on how much you’re willing to spend. The stage one kit is simply…
2011 Ford Fiestas Delayed, Customers Offered $50 Gift Cards
Sometimes, things don’t always go as planned. And that’s exactly what happened to Ford. Due to a series of unforeseeable events that were out of Ford’s control, some customers will have to wait a little bit longer to get their new 2011 Fiesta sedans and hatchbacks. You can hardly blame Ford for this – railroads…
2011 Nissan Micra Spotted In Canada
Before small car fans get their hopes up, we’re sorry to tell you that this 2011 Nissan Micra has no chance of coming to North America. Not for the foreseeable future at least. It turns out that Nissan was filming a commercial for the UK Market Micra in Toronto, but had the unfortunate coincidence of…
Honda Fit Hybrid to Debut at Paris Auto Show
Honda will launch the Fit Hybrid at the Paris Auto Show this Fall, expanding the Japanese automaker’s hybrid lineup down-market. The new model will be the first hybrid sub-compact model offered and is possible because of Honda’s low-cost Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid setup. While no official details have been released the car is expected…
Next-Gen Ford Focus RS Could go Hybrid, AWD
Following reports of a new Focus ST/SVT model that is set to debut at the Paris Auto Show this fall, we’re now hearing the first rumblings regarding the next-generation Ford Focus RS – which may come to market using an hybridized version of the company’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. According to “very senior sources” inside Ford,…
Ford Focus ST to Debut at Paris Auto Show; Headed to North America
Ford will unveil a high-performance ST version of its all-new Focus at the Paris Auto Show this Fall, and we’re almost certain to see it hit our shores. Ford product boss Derrick Kuzak already commented that a high-performance version of the 2011 Focus would be “exciting to drive and to look at” and use EcoBoost…
Fiat 500 Blackjack Gets Matte-Black Paint
Fiat has just announced a new special edition matte-black paint scheme for its popular 500 model in Europe. Proving that high-fashion finishes aren’t just for high-priced luxury cars and exotics, Fiat will offer what it calls the Blackjack edition for most 500 models, including the recently-released TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder model. Along with matte-black paint, the…
JE Design Puts Volkswagen Golf R Power Into GTI
OK we just wanted another excuse to mention Volkswagen‘s Golf R in a post. And even though this isn’t even a Golf R, it packs the same punch under the hood. JE Design has come up with a nice little package for the Volkswagen Golf GTI to up the horsepower to 270-hp while adding its…
Infiniti to Launch Entry-Level, Front-Drive Coupe
With all the rumors that Acura will bring back the RSX, it seems Infiniti might beat them to the punch. According to a new report by AutoCar, Infiniti is planning a new front-drive coupe model. News of a new front-drive model from Nissan’s luxury brand has been around for several months, but this is the…
Sport-Wheels Volkswagen Golf R Delivers 330-HP, No Bull
Now here’s something we’re digging from bumper to bumper. Sport-Wheels out of Germany has built one real clean and killer looking Volkswagen Golf R that they’ve called “The Bull.” It pushes out 330-hp from the factory 270-hp and backs it up with some simple yet functional modifications on the outside and inside the wheel wells….
The World’s Fastest Volkswagen GTI Is 13 Years Old And Goes 208.1 MPH
Magazines have a way of glorifying stories in ways we cannot even imagine (trust us, we know). But this story of Jeremy Freedman’s 1997 Volkswagen GTI is surely worth a read. It relates to everyone of us speed addicts with trials, tribulations and a dedication to a family member. Even though most people outside car…
Hyundai Veloster to Hit 40-MPG, Top Honda CR-Z Fuel Economy Without Hybrid Setup
Hyundai is aiming to achieve an EPA rating of more than 40-mpg with its new Veloster model. The stubby hatchback has already been likened to the Honda CRX of old by Hyundai Motor America president John Krafcik, and now it seems Hyundai is planning to really steal Honda’s thunder, by besting the Japanese automaker’s reborn…
Abarth 500C and Punto Evo Set to Get Hardest-Core Esseesse Trim Levels
As we suspected when Fiat first launched the Abarth versions of the 500C and Punt Evo, the Italian automaker will soon deliver higher-performance Esseesse trim levels as well. Both models will get more powerful engines, with the Punto Evo’s 1.4-liter turbocharged Multiair increasing from 165-hp to around 180-hp. An even stiffer suspension and more capable…
Honda CR-Z Proving Polular With Older Demographic
Honda‘s new CR-Z hybrid sports car is proving to be a sales success already in its home market of Japan, but not with the crowd you might expect. Inspired by the CRX, the CR-Z would seem to be the modern embodyment of the early Honda hatch, appealing to a younger generation interested in a small…
Vauxhall Astra VXR to Get 300-HP; Could Be Offered in U.S. as a Buick
In an effort to compete with the impressive Ford Focus RS and Renaultsport Mégane, General Motors is reported to be building a new Vauxhall Astra VXR with as much as 300-hp. So why should you care? Well, because the Astra shares its underpinnings with the Buick Excelle, which recently launched in China and is set…
Turbocharged Toyota Yaris Makes 350-Horsepower, Runs 12s, Looks Mean
The Toyota Yaris was voted as the 2010 Best Overall Value of the Year. V-A-L-U-E, not F-U-N. But hey, who is to stop crazy enthusiasts from turning it into fun? Much like the Honda Civic Hatchback from say 1995, the Yaris wasn’t meant to be turbocharged, or taken down the quarter mile. It was meant…
BMW 335i And Mazdaspeed 3 Get Into It On Northern California Road, Bad Words Exchanged
We all love those impromptu drives on backroads where you can exceed the post limits just a little, without the action getting too dangerous. Once in a while, you’ll be following someone with a nice car that can actually drive well and set a good pace. The driver of a Mazdaspeed 3 thought it was…
Photoshop Reveals 2011 Chevy Aveo Behind the Camo?
Is this the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Aveo? Sort of. The photo above is one that has been retouched by the folks at AveoForum.com, using an original spy photo showing the Aveo out testing in its usual black and white camo. Sent to us by AveoForum member Darin Cosgrove, some artistic interpretation has been made. With…
WRC Hero Mikko Hirvonen Takes Ford Focus RS500 For A Spin (Videos After The Jump)
Mikko Hirvonen has done an admirable job in WRC. Despite never winning a championship, Hirvonen has stepped into the shoes of legendary driver Marcus Gronholm as Ford’s new factory driver, regularly battling the reigning champion, Sebastian Loeb. When Hirvonen isn’t flinging the Ford Focus WRC car through various rally stages, he can be found driving…
. For more, click https://autoguide.dev.vscopedev.cloud/auto-news/2010/06/wrc-hero-mikko-hirvonen-takes-ford-focus-rs500-for-a-spin-videos-after-the-jump.html "Pin It")
Nissan Leaf To Weigh In The Same As A Chevrolet Volt (Insert Corny Boxing Joke Here)
Let’s get ready to ruuuuuuuummmmbbble. Reports from various blogs say that the Nissan Leaf will tip the scales at 3,500 pounds, the same as its arch rival, the Chevrolet Volt. While the Volt is a plug-in hybrid, with a gas engine and battery pack, the Leaf is a true electric car, with no internal combustion…
. For more, click https://autoguide.dev.vscopedev.cloud/auto-news/2010/06/nissan-leaf-to-weigh-in-the-same-as-a-chevrolet-volt-insert-corny-boxing-joke-here.html "Pin It")
Nissan Leaf Gaining Conquest Sales From Toyota Prius; Surprised?
Is the Nissan Leaf set to overtake the Toyota Prius as the green-status-symbol of choice? According to market research sponsored by Nissan, a fair number of consumers who have put down deposits on the new Nissan Leaf electric car are current owners of the Toyota Prius hybrid, and are looking to take their outward love…
Volkswagen Reclaims Top Sales Spot in Europe
After (supposedly) falling behind Ford in the sales race in Europe last month, Volkswagen has reclaimed the lead for April while Ford has slipped to just fourth. In total, VW moved 138,304 units in EU countries, while Ford managed just 87,721 units. Renault and Peugeot placed second and third respectively with 99,642 and 88,721 units….
