Compact car is a largely North American term denoting an automobile smaller than a midsize car, but larger than a subcompact car. Compact cars usually have wheelbases between 2.54 metres (100 inches) and 2.67 metres (105 inches). Another definition specifies between 100 ft³ (2800 L) and 109 ft³ (3000 L) of interior volume.
We don’t usually associate Playboy with cars, unless scantily clad women were somehow involved, but the American men’s magazine has just unveiled the top 11 hottest models people should buy in 2012. Now guys can really say they are picking up Playboy’s latest issue for the articles!
There are certainly many fabulous vehicles to choose from on this list - and some not so fabulous vehicles - so do you agree with the top spot? Let us know in the comments section below!
Volkswagen unveiled the Golf GTI for the first time back in June 1976 and currently, the model is in its sixth generation. Many may consider the fourth generation Golf to be the very best of all, but without all six generations going toe to toe, it may be difficult to make such a decision, Enter Volkswagen.
The brand poised to dominate the auto world has put together a video with all six generations of the Golf, totaling more than 35 years of its GTI history. From the first generation’s 110 HP 1.6-liter inline four cylinder engine evolving to the sixth generation’s 207 HP turbo engine, all six were there to represent for their time period and all six were put to test on the race track, and while this video is not very long, it sure provides an idea on the classics vs. moderns dilemma.
It was only a few days ago that Lotus announced their intentions on building a small city car to rival the new Aston Martin Cygnet, and now they have unveiled details on a project they have been working on with the International Council on Clean Transportation that was undertaken with the California Air Resources Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The project is for a Lotus World Car Concept and only exists in a computer somewhere for the time being. It features the Toyota Venza’s interior package, capability, performance, wheels, and tires.
As of right now, all of this sounds like a normal beginning point for a new, cleaner model, but Lotus has also announced that the Word Car may go into production fairly soon. Does this mean that we may be looking at a concept that previews their City Car? Stranger things have happened. We are all used to concept cars coming out with extravagant details that we only wish would make it on the production version, but most of the time, we are left with just a shadow of what the concept was. Following this trend, it would seem fitting to start off with a World Car just to downsize it to a City Car come production time.
The Lotus World Car Concept offers interior room for two passengers and a 9-cubic-foot luggage area or fourth occasional seat. There’s no instrument panel, so the driver will need to get all the necessary information from a smart phone or tablet.
As far as power, on paper, the Lotus World Car Concept is powered by a 50 HP 600cc engine placed ahead of the rear axle and combined to a shaft-drive motorcycle transmission. It is said to weigh just 1,150 lbs and will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in the 8-9 second range. Top speed is supposed to be about 120 mph and fuel economy has been reported at 84 city/127 highway.
Not much information was given on Lotus’ future City Car, but images released of both vehicles illustrate a similar exterior look. They did, however, offer a price on the City Car - about £29,000 (or about $45,300 at the current exchange rates) - which is a far cry from the intended price of the World Car - less than $9,000 if put into production.
The Chevrolet Sonic is fixing to get hotter with the announcement of a new offspring to the Sonic line: the 2013 Sonic RS.
The car is scheduled to make its public debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show this coming January and it exemplifies the kind of attitude that attracts the stylish and youthful market of today’s hip-and-happening generation.
The new Sonic RS comes plush with exterior and interior enhancements that result in a sportier and more aggressive profile exuding an edginess that young consumers look for in a car.
In addition to that, the Sonic RS also makes use of the Sonic line’s turbocharged power train, continuing the model’s claim of being the only car in its segment to offer a turbocharged engine.
There’s plenty to like about the Chevrolet Sonic RS, a lot of which has to do with the enhanced looks on both the exterior and the interior. Keep up to date to see what Chevrolet has in store for the car leading up to its debut in Detroit in a month’s time.
For now, you can find out more details about the Sonic RS after the jump.
Volvo recently unveiled the first teaser image for their new five-door hatchback that will compete with models like the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3. Up until recently, the prototype seen testing was rumored to be called the V30, but along with the teaser image came an announcement from Volvo’s CEO, Stefan Jacoby, stating that it would officially be called the V40. The small taste of the teaser image simply wasn’t enough for us, so our spy photographers went on the hunt to catch the new hatchback testing in winter conditions.
Jacoby also announced that the new V40 will be replacing two existing models: the S40 and the V50. It’s still unclear if the C30 will be replaced or if it will be deleted from the lineup altogether because Jacoby said that it would be replaced with a new model, but that model would have more than three doors.
It is believed that the new V40 will be a smaller version of the V60, so expect to see a prominent grille, a sloping roofline, a tailgate-mounted spoiler, and distinctive taillights.
After the V40, Volvo will also be bringing a XC40 and rumors of an S40 sedan for the Chinese market have also surfaced.
