Last month, Toyota announced which its Yaris five-door hatchback can eventually require its U.S. debut in 2009. Perfect timing, as going up gas expense are producing minute cars covet the Yaris increasingly popular; very when properties can be had for a song… that brings us to the true surprise here. The ‘09 Yaris five-door can start on at recently $13,305 for the base model, in on the upper-level S exemplary arriving in at $15,125. Also new for ‘09 are regular anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, driver and front passenger front half airbags, and front and rear portion curtain airbags. Fuel mileage might be a steady point, in on 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway when equipped through an automatic transmission and 29 city, 36 highway in on the manual transmission models. Now, if just Toyota may attain a way to move the gauges in front of the driver at which properties when and if be, we would be all set.

Aftermarket facets manufacturer Skunk2 has been heard churning out go-fast bits for Hondas from the time of the mid 1990s. Initially named Skunkworks, the company’s complete racing efforts and an R&D facility one and only discovered in the dreams of a multitude of engineers hold rocketed it to the forefront of today’s sport miniature market. Skunk2 is willing to move to the times ahead and is hunting for to offload its suppose EP3 Honda Civic RR in condition to provide room for somewhat new. Built to establish the present the Japanese tuners might be beaten at such a own game, and loaded in each are expected item in the Skunk2 catalog, the ride carries an requested expense of $17,000.

Volkswagen was planning to unveil the sixth creation of its popular Golf exemplary that week, but the web strikes once again provided a preview of the new people’s hatch into the future of its official reveal. Information is limited so far and comes for the most part based on bloggers who do not speak the Queen’s English, but based on information from how we can notify the next-generation Golf can be perfect as opposed to the recent model. Indeed, it performs turn up to be a bit wider and perhaps still impact as opposed to the the most recent model. Might we nonetheless see one or two info of the Scirocco in its design, as well? Our source spells who the duration of engines to be had provided the Golf VI could key in a 1.4L TSI, 1.8L TFSI and possibly continuing to the 2.0L TFSI, additonally diesels plans to input the company’s 1.9L and 2.0L TDI motors. A manual, automatic and DSG transmission should as well be on the spec sheet. Contrary to certain reports, VW of America has claimed the present the new Golf is able to be purchased in the U.S., even though not until late afterward year. That’s all we can appreciate for now, and it is admittedly simple stuff, so keep tuned such a week for the official word out of Volkswagen.

Jim Magill’s tad Fiat 500 obtained a moratorium in SoCal the present weekend and we got with the lucky few who got chosen seat long time in it. As we just now blogged, Jim shipped his microcar to the States all the way based on data from Belfast, Northern Ireland to windfall growth a small amount of funds for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, and to balance amongst one or two fellow Fiat tifosi along the way. As side of the guidelines the Cinquecento is making driven to a little above average profile happenings to confirm it off and aide spread the word regarding his cause. In the OC the current out of Saturday morning, the car attracted a ton of treatment at a weekly car show, much sitting in the shadow of a few Zagato-bodied Lancias and Alfas. While the nearby Isettas drew up it give the impression favorably huge, the pithy Fiat was a good deal understood for its frugality and little footprint. After the demonstrate we headed for a spin and halted to take a few pics of the car upcoming to a handy Smart ForTwo.

Following the internet’s unofficial, unscheduled and possibly unwanted (at minimum by Volkswagen) reveal of the sixth-generation Golf the week, VW has thrown its cards on the table and revealed its hand. Along in on high-res images, VW has revealed overly the new Golf is able to launch right now October in Europe and subsequently purchase its way to markets in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America. Unfortunately, the association did not specify the U.S. (could merely be Canada, for instance), but we are likely on VW of North America’s word such a it am able to swiftly go on turn over in the States. Europeans, however, get above all dibs and the base prices is able to be 16,500 Euros at launch.

The car’s new design carries offer trademark Golf cues but adds a bit of crispness. VW displays it is larger number of “three-dimensional” as opposed to the latest car, that is multiple from the time they’re both technically objects in space. Regardless, VW performs fess up to the Scirocco’s influence, really the extensive shoulder section on that the roof sits. The interior moreover was inspired and borrows bits and pieces of the a larger number of steep Passat CC.

Power for the new Golf, in Europe at least, might be with uni gas engines and two diesels. All of the gassers would be TSI, i.e. properties incorporate both a supercharger and turbo. The diesels meanwhile get routine rail injection all over the team in on two balancer shafts to quell vibrations. Finally, DSG is so much replacing the automatic in all Golfs exclusive of base models. Either a 6- or 7-speed DSG should be exhausted depending on that engine it is paired to. Electronic doo-dads input “automatic distance control” (ACC), “adaptive chassis control” (DCC), a “park steering assistant” and updated ESP system.

If you have listened to our numerous newly made podcast, it is discernable this a couple of us are eagerly expected the occurrence of an critical addition to the Suzuki lineup: the Swift Sport.

We’ve carried on eyeing-up the Swift Sport based on far away, far too long, understanding which we will adore its miniscule footprint, perky-four and road-sucking prowess.

And what is not to love?

A small, high-revving 1.6-liter engine, in variable valve timing, that is been heard honed on the absurdly demanding Junior World Rally Championship circuit. A close-ratio, uni swiftness manual becomes to molest 125 hp before it reaches the tarmac and a suspension setup, mated amid 17″ wheels, overly are able to bid a few Miata drivers on hand to the dark (front-wheel drive) side.

We can not wait, and thankfully, the blokes within the duration of at World Car Fans hold looking at us all the sour things to pour during in a hatch-induced haze.

Since spy shots had by now spoiled the surprise, Nissan determined to unveil its Qashsai small crossover for Europe to come of its official debut at the Paris Motor Show subsequently presently month. The car’s development was a real English effort, amongst styling showing out of Nissan Design Europe in London, engineering based on data from Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield and creation set to start at Nissan’s factory in Sunderland.

Nissan instigates no bones in regards to the Murano’s styling impacts too can be observed in the Qashqai, and why when it? The tiny SUV is making positioned as a bridge for European shoppers tired of making junk to C-segment cars but who are not fairly prepared for a HUMMER H2. Four engines am able to fuel the Qashqai: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas (113 hp/118 ft-lbs.), a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas (138 hp/148 ft-lbs.), a 1.5-liter diesel (105 hp/177 ft-lbs.) and a 2.0-liter diesel (148 hp/236 ft-lbs.). Mated to people engines plans to be a myriad of gearbox choices, not excluding a five- and six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic and a CVT. Finally, to imbue the Qashqai amongst specific degree of off-road prowess, either 2.0-liter ideal can be equipped providing Nissan’s ALL-MODE 4×4 system.

The Qashqai looks as if it’s to be an appealing all-around package, while it looks as if it’s it can not be following Stateside to have to sort out off among the Toyota RAV-4 and new Honda CR-V, with others. The CUV can be exported to Nissan’s property industry of Japan and “other out of country markets”.

Since spy shots had by now spoiled the surprise, Nissan determined to unveil its Qashsai small crossover for Europe to come of its official debut at the Paris Motor Show subsequently presently month. The car’s development was a real English effort, amongst styling showing out of Nissan Design Europe in London, engineering based on data from Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield and creation set to start at Nissan’s factory in Sunderland.

Nissan instigates no bones in regards to the Murano’s styling impacts too can be observed in the Qashqai, and why when it? The tiny SUV is making positioned as a bridge for European shoppers tired of making junk to C-segment cars but who are not fairly prepared for a HUMMER H2. Four engines am able to fuel the Qashqai: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gas (113 hp/118 ft-lbs.), a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas (138 hp/148 ft-lbs.), a 1.5-liter diesel (105 hp/177 ft-lbs.) and a 2.0-liter diesel (148 hp/236 ft-lbs.). Mated to people engines plans to be a myriad of gearbox choices, not excluding a five- and six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic and a CVT. Finally, to imbue the Qashqai amongst specific degree of off-road prowess, either 2.0-liter ideal can be equipped providing Nissan’s ALL-MODE 4×4 system.

The Qashqai looks as if it’s to be an appealing all-around package, while it looks as if it’s it can not be following Stateside to have to sort out off among the Toyota RAV-4 and new Honda CR-V, with others. The CUV can be exported to Nissan’s property industry of Japan and “other out of country markets”.
The Chevrolet WTCC Ultra should be in the core of the automaker’s stand at the Paris Motor Show subsequently presently month. The WTCC Ultra is a ready-to-drive concept, according to Chevy, this “bends the most recent World Touring Car Championship regulations”. Chevy reports it was implemented by a committe across the globe, that causes sense if one compares the highly exaggerated front grille to the one discovered on right now Chevy Malibu test mule in the States. It’s stubby, muscular proportions, though, are supposed to hint that it is supposed rapidly when standing still. A 190-hp diesel engine powers the WTCC Ultra when it in point of fact is likely fast. Renderings are sharp fun, but we are actually interested to see for ourselves in body how such concept’s styling transfers to plastic and steel.

Despite perception overly suffer carried on floating virtually ever since the debut of the Hornet notion in Geneva their year, Volkswagen would not be while Dodge through a platform to get a B-segment vehicle.

According to an report that is due for publication the Monday in the German magazine Automobilwoche, VW’s bid to share its Polo’s bases was too extreme for the German-American automaker. However, DaimlerChrysler’s plans to form the Hornet or a similar car plans to not be thwarted, as D.C. is much the system of negotiations in on Chinese, Japanese and European manufacturers.

Although such a may be a efficient hurdle for Dodge’s new sub-compact, the relationship between VW and Dodge to acquire a mini-van has been heard left intact.

We’re decreased as opposed to a day away based on data from the official unveiling of the 2009 Ford Ka, but as is often the case, additionally cracks are becoming in the dam. This current leakage comes courtesy of AM-Online, among two new images shooting the Ka’s new rear end and, other importantly, the interior.

Ford’s “Kinetic” cues carry within to the Ka, in on a slanted stance, huge C-pillar and minimal spoiler underneath the rear window. The interior has undergone a complete update, and also a new three-spoke steering wheel in on brushed aluminum accents who tie to the door processes and curvaceous heart stack. The new IP is a diffused blend of simplicity and functionality, among a high-mounted shifter similar to this discovered on the EP3 Civic Si, along amidst two-tone thrones this meet the turquoise hue of the exterior.

Earlier states hint at so motivation can be should by a opportunity of 3 powerplants – a 1.4-liter or 1.6-liter gasoline engine or a 1.6-liter TDCi diesel – and a ST variant should possible follow, powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter.

Look for all the official things later on today or the beginning of tomorrow.

Like just about most any automaker, Mercedes-Benz is feeling the pinch of insane gas price levels and an region slow-down in the States. Daimler AG expects M-B’s dealings in the U.S. to dwindle in the instant portion of the year and in form to remain conditions in the black, car levels in the U.S. are ready to rise.

To counter the shift in clamor on larger, thirstier vehicles to smaller, thriftier rides, Mercedes is reconsidering its past decision not to send back its upcoming production compressed and sub-compact vehicles in the U.S. Mercedes originally calculated to bid the B school over, but the weak dollar lead to the automaker to have off. With the access of the 1-series, the forthcoming X1 and minimal crossovers according to Audi on the way, Mercedes is seeming to shoot it front-wheel-drive A and B lesson vehicles to U.S. lendees the current is able to be open to a miniature car out of a luxury automaker.

The A superiority hatch was just recently revealed and the B superiority got a facelift formerly presently year, however, both examples are able to experience to experience one or two revisions to be predicted for transactions in the U.S. With a greater number of derivatives on the way, combined with 230 hp, turbo’d two-liters and a B lesson likely sharing the C’s foundations (similar to the 1 line paying for the 3 series’ platform), do not anticipate either exemplary to hit U.S. shores before 2011.