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.
Abarthos preparing to further expand its 500 line-up with the addition of the new 500 Abarth Turismo, making its world premiere at the 2011 Bologna Motor Show. The new model combines the sportiness of a standard Abarth 500 with new levels of comfort and personality. The first thing we noticed about the new 500 Turismo is its two-tone livery: a combination of Rosso Officina and Grigio Pista livery with white liner.
The Abarth 500 Turismo will sit on a special set of Gran Turismo inspired titanium-colored 17" alloy wheels and will be distinguished by historic 595 logo in aluminum on the side panel and tailgate.
The interior will combine a sporty black leather steering wheel and an electrically-operated manual Competizione gearbox with controls on the steering wheel. Another special feature is the special "flocking" treatment for the central tunnel and dashboard, as well as a pedal unit, kick plate, and gearbox trim made in Alutex aluminum glass fiber material.
Under the hood, there is a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine that delivers a total of 160 HP and 169 lbs-ft of torque. This is enough power to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and up to a top speed of 131 mph.
The Abarth 695 "Assetto Corse" launched by Abarth at the 2011 Bologna motor Show continues the tradition started by models like the 695 Tributo Ferrari and the Abarth 695 "Competizione". The difference is that it is an evolution of the Abarth 500 "Assetto Corse", a car that scored huge successes during the past three years of racing.
On the exterior, the new 695 "Assetto Corse" will be distinguished by an aggressive front decorated with a badge bearing the Abarth logo, a broader bumper completed with aerodynamic spoiler and screen-printed grilles. And as this is a track car the aerodynamics are very important so at the rear it has received a winged spoiler, a badge bearing the Abarth logo and a twin exhaust pipe. The package is completed by a new set of 17" light alloy racing wheels enriched with new floating, perforated and self-ventilated front disc brakes and perforated rear disc brakes.
The interior has been designed so that it offers the highest safety levels required by FIA regulations. The car gets a safety roll-bar, racing seat and a racing steering wheel, while the doors have been lightened by using Lexan for the side windows.
Under the hood Abarth has placed a 1368 cm3 turbocharged engine that delivers 205 HP of power.
The Stig is an intimidating character that even the most professional of racers can’t help but be in awe of. At least that’s what the Stig likes to think of himself. We can’t blame him for the lack of oxygen in his head. Lord knows how long it’s been since he last took that helmet off, but whatever you think of him, the dude is a polarizing figure that needs someone of equal stature to put him in check.
Enter Ken Block.
The world-class rally driver recently teamed up with Top Gear’s resident test driver for a promotional gig for Top Gear Australia magazine. The two are scheduled to be in the cover of the November issue of the magazine and you can expect that article to be a must-read.
Before that issue hits newsstands, though, Top Gear Australia bought a camera crew to a race track to film the two drifter extraordinaires participate in a one-on-one Hoonigan show in Melbourne, featuring Block’s Monster Rally Fiesta and the Stig’s ride-of-choice, the Australian-born Ford Falcon FPV.
Check out the video after the jump and wait for the dramatic climax in the end. There’s plenty of rubber-burning, tire-shredding action in this 90-second promo video.
Audi may be sending out the current generation TT-RS with one final special edition - the TT-RS Plus - but they are introducing another with that same package. At least, that is what a leaked document is suggesting.
Back in June 2011, Audi reported that all of the 2,700 units of the highly anticipated RS3 Sportback had been sold out, but if this document is to be taken seriously, then customers may have another chance to snag the sports hatch in an even cooler package. The RS3 Plus will take the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine - also found in the TT-RS - and jump-start it by 20 HP, leaving it with a total of 360 HP and 342 lb-ft. of torque. And just like with the TT-RS Plus, the RS3 Plus will be a few pounds lighter, thus making it a little bit faster. Expect to see different carbon fiber elements as well, most likely a specially designed wheel and a fixed rear wing.
The Audi RS3 Plus will be unveiled in May 2012, a month after the TT-RS Plus.
With the debut of the new Takeri Concept, Mazda has revealed the design language for their future Mazda6 sedan, but that isn’t the only new model the Japanese company has in their future plans. In a recent interview with Automotive News, Robert Davis - Mazda’s Senior Vice President of U.S. operations has announced that the company plans to unveil four redesigned models by 2014.
The first to arrive will be a major update for the CX-5 in the spring of 2012. It will be followed by a redesigned Mazda6 and redesigns of the Mazda3, MX-5 Miata, and CX-9 in 2013.
The big news is that these redesigned models will not only receive exterior and interior updates, but new lightweight platforms and new gasoline and diesel powertrains that boost power and fuel economy. By 2016, Mazda also plans to add stop-start, regenerative braking, and hybrid technologies.
The new platform developed for the four new models will be the first one developed solely by Mazda. The company has been using platforms shared with Ford Motor Co. for most of its vehicles, but since Ford sold its stake in Mazda in 2006, the Japanese company has announced it has no plans to share its new platforms and powertrain technologies for U.S. vehicles with Ford.
