A hatchback is a type of automobile design, consisting of a passenger cabin which includes an integrated cargo space, accessed from behind by a hatch or flip-up window. Hatchbacks are also often called three-doors (two entry doors and the hatch) or five-doors (four entry doors and the hatch) cars.
There doesn’t appear to be a sports compact car that’s been the subject of more tuning programs than the lovable Fiat 500. Now, Chrysler’s in-house tuning arm, Mopar, is joining in the fun with the 500 "Stinger."
Built as one of Mopar’s 75th anniversary models, the Fiat 500 Stinger comes to the party packed with a two-stage Mopar program that combines a unique styling upheaval with a bold, high-performance engine modification.
The Stage 1 program deals with plenty of exterior and interior enhancements. For the former, Mopar gave the 500 Stinger a more aggressive appearance, highlighted by a special "Giallo" exterior paint with a matching "whiskers and logo" face and circular Black Chrome projector headlamps. In addition, the head and tail lamps have been tinted while the bodyside was wrapped in vinyl with complimenting black checker roof graphics. Finishing off the exterior details are a new set of 17" Abarth Hyper Black aluminum wheels wrapped in wider 205/40 R 17 performance tires.
As for the latter, the interior of the 500 Stinger continues the Giallo-and-black two-tone treatment of the exterior with Katzkin leather seats. Speaking of the seats, Mopar also added Alcantara seat centers with Giallo black leather bolsters and Giallo accent stitching. A carbon-fiber instrument panel decal has also been added, as was a Mopar shifter ball finished in Gloss Black, completing an interior look that’s a far departure from the usually mild-mannered 500.
While no specific numbers were given on the 500 Stinger’s performance boost, we know that Mopar’s Stage 2 kit ensures all that and more. Included in this program kit are a cold-air intake and free-flowing cat-back exhaust and performance brakes with cross-drilled rotors, allowing the 500 Stinger to deliver even more power and torque, as well as serious track-ready brake performance.
Just like the rest of Mopar’s 75th Anniversary models, the 500 Stinger will be proudly displayed at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show this coming February.
The recently released Dodge Dart has been a simmering topic of conversation for a lot of people. In order to build off of the buzz the car is generating, Mopar has gone out of its way to pay homage to the Dart GTS of the 60’s, building a program that it has affectionately called the Dart GTS 201 Tribute.
The car is part of a four-vehicle assault from Chrysler’s resident aftermarket company, which released the vehicles as part of their 75th anniversary. For the Dart GTS 210 Tribute, Mopar prepared two tuning packages, beginning with the Stage 1 Appearance Package. As the name suggests, this program centers on a plethora of aerodynamic upgrades on the Dart, featuring a new chin spoiler, new side sills, a rear spoiler, and a rear-diffuser-style panel, all of which have been finished in fine matte black texture. In addition, the Stage 1 program also comes with a carbon fiber hood, an applied carbon fiber roof appliqué, and a new set of 18" 10-spoke titanium wheels.
Interior modifications are also part of the Stage 1 program, consisting of seats, door panels, map pockets, and a center armrest that have been finished in a Ruby Red color with black serving as a perfect contrast on the stitching and the suede instrument cowl. Meanwhile, a red-and-black, leather-wrapped steering wheel and new floor mats finish off the rather audacious looking interior space of the Dart.
Moving into the engine - that’s the Stage 2 Performance Kit - Mopar added a slew of performance enhancing equipment, including a new cold-air intake, a cat-back exhaust, and a remapped ECU. These changes bring the Dart’s output emanating from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder MultiAir2 engine from 184 horsepower to something Mopar calls “over 210,” which explains why ’210’ is part of the car’s designation.
According to Chrysler, pricing for the two packages will be made available later this year, so stay tuned.
With all due respect to Audi’s "Vampires" commercial for the S7, the early favorite for funniest auto Super Bowl commercial now belongs to Hyundai and their new ad for the Veloster Turbo.
Titled "Cheetah," the ad features the Veloster Turbo preparing to race a cheetah, considered the fastest animal in the world with a 0-60 mph time of just three seconds. But, apparently there are still some cars that the cheetah can’t outrun and in this particular commercial, it’s the 201-horsepower Veloster Turbo.
As soon as the cheetah realizes that outrunning the Veloster Turbo wasn’t an option, it turns its attention towards its handler. Apparently, the nimble feline wasn’t too enthralled with its handler’s attempt to have it race against the high-powered Hyundai sports hatch.
So as a way of "paying back" the handler’s lack of foresight, the jungle cat decided to chase the dude and jump on him, doing so amidst all the girlish shrieks coming from the petrified handler.
Check out the commercial and prepare to laugh out loud. Repeatedly.
Volkswagen unveiled the coupe version of the new generation Beetle in April 2011 at the New York Auto Show and at that time, everyone believed that a cabrio version would only be a few months away. However, Volkswagen has decided to make us wait a little bit longer with the new Beetle Cabrio not making its world debut until late 2012. That’s just a little too long to wait so we got to work and came up with this rendering of the future drop top Beetle.
The upcoming Volkswagen Beetle Cabrio will feature a design language similar to that of the coupe version, except, of course, for its soft-top folding roof. This means that the convertible Beetle will be bolder, more dynamic, and more masculine, making it a tad more appealing to the male population. Looking at the new Beetle, there’s a new design line from the front bumper and front air inlet, straight lines of the bonnet edges, a precisely drawn line between the A-pillar and C-pillar, and new styling of the rear lights, all assisting in the new generation’s transformation into a new world.
The engine line-up will also be borrowed from the coupe version and will include one diesel and two petrol engine with power ranging from 138 HP to 197 HP. Every engine will be paired with either a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 6-speed DSG transmission.
Peugeot is ready to leave the current generation 308 out in the cold, with a new model ready to jump in its place. Logic and previous history will tell us that the new model will be called 309, but back in 1993, Peugeot was selling a car in Europe by that name and that turned out to be a "not so successful car." Not to have that negative air to surround their new model, Peugeot has decided to name their new model the 301. We’ve already gotten our first glimpse of the new 308 back in November 2011, and now the vehicle is out again, this time for its cold weather testing somewhere in Sweden.
The Peugeot 301 will be built on a new platform shared with the Citroen C4 and DS4. Compared to the model it replaces, it will be shorter as well as wider and will be lighter and more agile than the new 208.
The 301’s engine line-up will also be shared with the Citroen models and includes a wide range of both petrol and diesel engines, as well as a diesel hybrid. Peugeot will also be adding engines from the new three-cylinder family under the short bonnet.
As for the exterior design, it is believed it will be a mixture between the 208 and the SR1 Concept.
Expect to see the new Peugeot 301 launched sometime in 2013.
