Midsize cars offer a compromise between expensive luxury and cheap cars. They are comfortable and nicely equiped but they often look a bit dull and not real fast. But they will often be the best deal for the money conscious consumers.
Audi will be bringing the new generation A3 hatchback to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, leading the way to the unveiling of the S3 and RS3 versions shortly thereafter. The RS3 will be the last to arrive, but will undoubtedly be the most impressive.
The new RS3, like the entire A3 family, will be built on a new MQB platform that will make the car about 10% lighter when compared to its predecessor. Audi will also adopt an updated exterior language as seen in the A3 Concept unveiled last year at the Geneva Motor Show. There will also be an improved interior and an upgraded infotainment system.
Under the hood, the next RS3 will retain its usual turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, but its output will be increased from the current 340 HP to 350 HP. Audi will also be working to improve fuel economy.
More details about the next RS3 will follow shortly, so stay tuned! Until then, check out our rendering and let us know what you think!
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.
Although we were able to catch a semi-glimpse of the new Mazda6 when the Mazda Takeri Concept debuted in late 2011, we all know that concepts are the jazzed up versions of production models. Luckily, our spy photographers were able to catch a mule for the new generation Mazda6 testing in winter conditions. This mule sits on the next model’s platform, but still maintains the chopped up body of the current generation Mazda 6.
Mazda has made it clear that the next generation Mazda6 will have nothing in common with the current model, with the new model being wider and longer and its exterior design modeled after the aforementioned Takeri Concept. The new Mazda 6 will be built using the company’s new SkyActiv technologies, including a Skyactiv-D Clean diesel engine, a new six-speed automatic transmission, and an engine start-stop system. The next Mazda6 will also be the first Mazda equipped with regenerative braking. This system converts kinetic energy into electricity during braking and stores it in capacitors for use later in powering electrical equipment such as the air conditioning, lighting, and audio system.
The new generation Mazda6 will also feature a coupe version set to be released sometime in 2014, but expect to see the Mazda6 sedan at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
Ford unveiled the new generation Fusion in early January 2011 at the Detroit Auto Show and, right on cue, it has been followed by the NASCAR version. This is, in fact, the third time Ford has simultaneously launched production and NASCAR versions of a new model. The first dual launch came in 1968, with the sleek fastback Ford Torino and then again in 2006 with the Fusion.
The NASCAR Ford Fusion features a very aggressive stance from the outside and the inside, but keeps the proportions found in the production Fusion. There are brand and design cues on the side of the vehicle and an identifiable front end grill with the distinctive look of a Ford.
"This is a seminal moment in the sport where we had a chance to get it right once again and make sure the race cars are race versions of street cars. And I am proud because I believe we have accomplished just that," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "The 2013 Fusion is a stunning car and the 2013 NASCAR Fusion is even more stunning and I can’t wait to see it perform on the track and connect with race fans."
The new NASCAR Ford Fusion will be enduring its testing season for the entire year and will then have its racing debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 in February.
UPDATE 05/23/12: Ford Racing has unveiled the first livery of the Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup race car. It bears the red and white colors of Motorcraft, which, if you didn’t know, is Ford’s spare parts division. Check out the Fusion’s new digs leading up to its maiden NASCAR voyage this season.
The Volkswagen Jetta is getting a hybrid version. Yes, a hybrid version.
That may not mean much to those gas-guzzling, sports car-driving types, but for those that take pride in alleviating some of Mother Nature’s plights, a green Jetta is just what the doctor ordered.
The Jetta Hybrid, which was launched at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, will provide customers a more economical version for a car that has long been one of Volkswagen’s most popular models.
The hybrid engine doesn’t sound like a world-beater - the lithium-ion battery only produces 1.1 kWh - but it’s still competent enough to allow the car to hit 44 mph. And when you add that to a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that hits a total of 170 horsepower, you have a car that’s fixing to make a lot of Jetta lovers smile from ear to ear.
UPDATE 01/19/2012: Volkswagen has unveiled the first promotional video for the new Jetta Hybrid. Enjoy!
Find out more about the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid after the jump.
The calendar might have just flipped over to a new year, but that doesn’t mean that auto show fever is subsiding anytime soon, especially since the 2012 North American International Auto Show just opened its doors. Many automakers are on hand to show off their newest concepts and production models, including Honda and their first preview version of the ninth-generation 2013 model set to go on-sale in Fall 2012. The Honda Accord Coupe Concept shows off a new exterior and interior design, as well as a choice of three all-new powertrains, including the first U.S. application of both a 2.4-liter direct-injected engine and two-motor plug-in hybrid system.
At the front of the new Accord will be a revised four-sided honeycomb grille and deeply set multi-reflector headlights, lower fog-light spoilers accented by crystallized chrome inlays, a trunk -lid spoiler, and larger exhaust finishers integrated into the bumper.
"Marking the 30th anniversary of U.S. production, this new ninth-generation Accord will raise the bar again through a tour de force of new Honda powertrain and safety technologies, geared to ensure that Honda and the Accord continue to lead in fuel economy, safety and fun-to-drive performance," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept.
In the middle of all the presentations of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show was the unveiling of the 2013 MKT and the 2013 MKS, but Lincoln had another ace in the hole. Apparently, Ford’s luxury brand also revealed a teaser image of a car that looks like the next MKZ. It is believed that we will see the new MKZ in January 2012 at the Detroit Auto Show.
Fast forward to today and the Lincoln MKZ Concept has finally been unveiled in all its glory.
The Lincoln MKZ Concept is a take on the company’s design language that will be featured in a number of their future models. Taken as a concept, the MKZ comes with a variety of new features that will look sweet when translated to a production version. The automaker has penciled a production date for later this year so we won’t have to wait long to see what the production MKZ is made of.
More details on the Lincoln MKZ Concept after the jump.
The Ford Fusion was brought to the American market as a 2006 model, and after six years, the second generation model was finally unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. A notable detail about the Fusion is that it will become a global car, being sold in new markets like Europe under the Ford Mondeo name.
The new generation Fusion will adopt Ford’s latest Kinetic design so there are hints of the latest Ford models, such as the Focus and Escape. Under the hood, Ford has placed a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers best-in-class four-cylinder non-hybrid fuel efficiency of 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. A 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine – paired with a paddle-shifted six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission will also be offered, as well as a Hybrid version that uses an all-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine and a new Energi plug-in hybrid version that is expected to deliver up to 100 mpg.
UPDATE 01/09/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images for the new Ford Fusion.
UPDATE 05/09/12: Ford has released the online configurator for the Ford Fusion, which means that it’s time for us to put our creative hats on and try setting up our own virtual Fusion. Hop on over to Ford’s website and start getting to work!
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Ford Fusion.
With the calendar turning over a new page to 2012, the very first major auto show is set to open its doors in Detroit when the North American International Auto Show welcomes automakers - both local and foreign - to the Motor City.
This year, American brands are coming to Detroit in full force where they will be joined by a number of international automakers in presenting a steady diet of concept cars, production debuts, and just about everything else in between.
Among the notable debuts set to take place include the brand-new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL, as well as the 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8. German automaker Porsche has also penciled in the 911 Cabriolet for the festivities, while Lexus will be on-hand to display the intriguing and mysterious LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept.
As for the local contingent, Ford is leading the way with the premiere of the Fusion global mid-size sedan while Dodge is set to introduce their Alfa Romeo Giulietta-based compact sedan, the Dart.
There’s plenty of action headed to Detroit when the 2012 NAIAS opens its doors on January 14th. Head over after the jump to check out a preview of all the cars scheduled to be part of all the festivities.
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!
