Hatchbacks
EPA docs confirm 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback coming in GTS and Ralliart trims
Any chance we get to grill a Mitsubishi PR person about the 2009 Lancer Sportback, our questioning inevitably centers on whether the five-door will be packing the Lancer Ralliart’s turbocharged, all-wheel-drivetrain. At the New York Auto Show, we were told that the Sportback would “probably” carry the Ralliart’s 237-hp, turbocharged inline-four and Evo IX-derived AWD [...]
Popularity: 1% [?]
2Dec2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
MTM pumps up the VW Scirocco
It was only a matter of time before the Audi and VW specialists over at MTM got their hands on a Scirocco. The results are what we would expect from the German tuner: up to 272 horsepower, a sporty suspension, better brakes, and handsome 19- or 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin tires. The boost in [...]
Popularity: 1% [?]
1Dec2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
Oops! VW accidentally distributes new Golf Plus brochure in Essen
It’s been no secret that a facelifted VW Golf Plus has been in the works for a while. It’s just that the Euro-market hatch wasn’t supposed to be formally revealed quite yet. The car will be introduced on Wednesday with the usual fanfare at the Bologna Motor Show, but media at this week’s Essen Motor [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
29Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
ABT Scirocco heads to Essen
So, the Essen Motor Show is coming up. For those of you unaware, it’s basically a Euro SEMA. All the tuners will be there, showing off stuff that’s both decent and dreadful, proving that yes, Europeans can do bad taste as well as anyone this side of the Atlantic. ABT is entirely capable of serving [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
28Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
Hyundai announces Blue Drive efficiency strategy, Sonata hybrid in 2010
Hyundai has decided not to wait until 2020 to get its fleet average fuel economy up to 35 mpg, aiming instead for 2015. That will provide several advantages for the Korean manufacturer, including earning credits for being ahead of the curve. Perhaps more importantly now that Democrats are controlling both Congress and the White House, [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
26Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
Mercedes-Benz reconsidering A- and B-Class for U.S.
The market for luxury cars is slipping, and stalwarts like Mercedes-Benz are not immune. The German automaker’s current projections indicate that overall sales will drop by about 10% for 2008, and ‘09 isn’t shaping up to be any better. On the other hand, one of the few bright spots in the U.S. auto market has [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
26Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
Volkswagen dropping Scirocco R32 in favor of Scirocco R20T
It’s just a matter of time before Volkswagen begins offering a hotter, harder version of the new Scirocco, and according to CAR, the range-topping three-door will be packing the same 265-hp, 2.0-liter turbo as the Audi S3. The VW Scirocco R20T will be heavily influenced by the Scirocco GT24 racer that campaigned at the Nurburgring [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
25Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
BMW could be developing 1-Series “Shooting Brake” wagon
BMW’s 1 Series is stuck between a rock and a hard place, neatly slotting in between BMW’s perennial best-selling 3-series and the FWD wunderkind, MINI. Loaded-up Coopers pass the $30K mark with ease and the base 3-Series model starts in the same neighborhood. This doesn’t leave much wiggle room with the 1 Series, but BMW [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
25Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
Mazda3 hatch unveiled, will debut next week
The Mazda3 hatchback will be unveiled next week at the Bologna Motor Show, and Mazda has released a quartet of photos to help get everyone excited. The Euro backdrop means that the 5-door’s engine lineup will include a 2.2L turbodiesel that’s guaranteed to keep the EU carbon nannies placated. Up front, it wears the same [...]
Popularity: 1% [?]
24Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
Fiat unveils another special little Panda
You might think that Mercedes and McLaren have been busy churning out new editions of the SLR supercar like madmen (you know, aside from winning the world championship), but they’re just taking a page out of the Fiat playbook. The Italian automaker has once again unveiled a new version of its diminutive Panda.
Called the Glam [...]
Popularity: 2% [?]
23Nov2008 | BlueFox | 0 comments | Continued
