Volkswagen gave us a first look at their Polo R WRC, a competition version of their Polo R hot hatch destined for the World Rally Championship. Powered by a 1.6L TSI four-cylinder engine, the all-wheel drive Polo R makes 296 horsepower thanks to turbocharging and direct injection. The usual competition modifications, like a rollcage, bucket...
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Two new special editions of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class have been announced. The “Edition Select” is a $9,513 trim package for the long-wheelbase mode. It is recognizable by a two-tone paint scheme, a sporty AMG exhaust and black 18-inch alloy rims. The interior features two-tone Designo leather and piano black wood trim. The second special edition...
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As a bachelor, Prince William was noted for his Audi S4 sedan, equipped with a 4.2L V8 and a stealthy grey paint job. But now that William is a married man, it might be time for something a bit tamer, and the Royal Family’s relationship with Audi means that the future King of England has...
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Volkswagen could barely sell one generation of the Passat here in the United States, but over in China, VW is selling no less than 4 different Passats, from the mid-1990’s B5 chassis car to the all-new, “Made for America” Passat that will be sold here. The New Passat, as the current car is dubbed, will...
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With the extreme popularity of the BMW X1 crossover within Europe, sales in the United States have been delayed until the end of 2012. The X1 was formally launched in Europe in November 2009 and was initially planned to launch in the US earlier this year. The delay has been caused by the Leipzig plant, which can...
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BMW North America CEO Jim O’Donnell apparently made some “disparaging” remarks about electric vehicles, including his dislike for EV tax credits, and his belief that the battery range currently available makes them an unrealistic proposition for “at least 90 percent” of the population. O’Donnell subsequently apologized for his remarks, and re-affirmed his commitment to BMW’s...
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Volkswagen is looking to add an entry-level brand for the Chinese market as a means of stabilizing its lead in the Chinese marketplace. “We are currently evaluating with our partner First Auto Works whether we need to add a domestic brand to enter the low-cost portion of the Chinese market,” Soh Weiming, executive VP for Volkswagen’s...
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The BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster will be the first BMW to get a 4-cylinder engine in the United States since the BMW 318i was offered in the early 1990s. But unlike the underpowered 1.8L mill of yore, this new 2.0L 4-banger will pack a turbocharger, helping it make 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The...
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While the British Royal Family are known for their patronage of British cars (with the Queen favoring Land Rovers and Prince Charles being a notable Aston Martin owner), Audis have been making an appearance in the family’s fleet over the last decade, and the Daily Mail reports that the company offers some very favorable terms...
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Buick fans disappointed that the forthcoming Regal GS shares little in common with the European market Insignia OPC now have another reason to get mad, after Opel revealed that their hottest sedan is good for an astounding 168 mph when the speed governor is removed. Naturally, Opel is going to try and squeeze another buck out of...
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While Audi’s plans for the U.S. market originally did not include the compact Q3 crossover, but Audi is re-considering the decision to not import the car after seeing the segment expand with offerings like the MINI Countryman, BMW X1 and the Nissan Juke. While the Q5 starts at $35,200, Audi would likely have to price...
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We often take our own personal safety for granted, but in Mexico, the situation is quite different to say the least. While full-size SUVs are generally the vehicle of choice when armoring comes in to play, they’re not always the most discrete, and Volkswagen is cognizant of this. For about $70,000, Volkswagen will sell you...
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The lightweight version of the BMW M3 sedan, first shown last week, will be known as the M3 GTS Sedan, and serve as a bridge between the standard car and the more hardcore M3 GTS Coupe. The same suite of lightweight parts and a specially calibrated dual clutch gearbox will be carried over from the...
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Audi is planning to launch new special editions of their R8 and Q7 vehicles in Russia and the United Arab Emirates, with prices as extravagant as their customers tastes. Russia will be the first market to get their own special Audi, with a Q7 V12 TDI being offered with an exclusive two-tone black paint job...
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Audi will apparently produce an R8 GT Spyder, defeating the purpose of the lighter, more performance-oriented R8 GT, but opening up a whole new market for their supercar, and those more concerned with looking fast than going fast. The Spyder will likely pack the same 552-horsepower 5.2L V10 as the coupe, but be limited to...
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BMW and Chinese automaker Brilliance have joined forces to create a plug-in hybrid version of the 5-Series long wheelbase sedan sold in the Chinese market. Set to be revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, the 5-Series plug-in will back an unspecified displacement turbocharged engine making 215 horsepower and a 94 horsepower electric motor....
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Audi has released a number of sketches showing their forthcoming Q3 crossover, based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, that will serve as an entry-level vehicle for the brand. The Q3 is unlikely to come to North America, but its unveiling at the Shanghai Auto Show should give a clue as to where Audi anticipates a fair...
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Has BMW, the maker of the ultimate (electric) driving machines decided to follow Chevrolet’s example? Word from Munich today is that BMW’s head of electrical components, Dr. Christian Schmidt, said it is weighing the possibility of a range-extended engine to pair to electric vehicles. For some time now BMW has said it would consider an...
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For all the skepticism surrounding the Hyundai Equus, the Korean luxury sedan appears to be doing well, even exceeding Hyundai’s own expectations. Hyundai’s Midwestern PR head Dean Bedore gave us some insight into the success of the Equus, noting that it currently has a 5 percent market share of the luxury car segment, while Hyundai...
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The not-quite-an A6, not-quite an A8 five-door from Audi finally has a price: in America it will start at $59,250. At that price, the A7 will come with a 3.0-liter supercharged, direct-injection V6 hooked up to a Tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The sedan-cum-coupe-slash-hatchback will reach showrooms later this month, to confuse potential A6...
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BMW reportedly considered creating a stripped-out CSL version of its M6 luxury coupe, but ended up axing the project after the company could not justify a business case for the car. The CSL would have had an active aerodynamics package, 220 lbs stripped from the car and upgraded power levels, but BMW ended up nixing...
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With its target of 800,000 sales still firmly in mind, Volkswagen is taking its next step towards achieving their goal, and the company is looking to their dealers for help, as they continue to roll out all new vehicles designed with American consumers in mind. With the new Passat and Beetle set to be launched...
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Despite the stupid April Fool’s prank involving the BMW M3 Pickup, this announcement is not a joke. BMW is bringing a lightweight version of their M3 sedan to the M Festival, an event to be held at the Nurburgring 24 Hours race in late 2011. Positioned as a stopgap between the standard M3 and the...
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Kia is forging ahead with plans to build a rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, complete with a turbocharged engine and class-leading driving dynamics. The new car will be part of Kia’s effort to differentiate itself from Hyundai by focusing on performance and excitement. The GTI rival will likely be based on the well-received Cee’d, which...
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