New 85.6mpg VW Polo BlueMotion Available for Order in the UK

After yesterday's presentation of the fastest version of the new Polo, the 180HP GTI, Volkswagen today announced that it is accepting orders in the UK for the most economical variant of the supermini, the Polo BlueMotion. Prices start at £14,445 on the road for the three-door, and at £15,045 for the five-door model with the first cars expected to reach dealers in May.

The latest generation of the Polo BlueMotion adopts a new 1.2-litre TDI three-cylinder common rail diesel engine generating 75 horsepower and 133 lbs ft (180 Nm) of torque.

Read more »

Ford Announces New 2.0 Turbo Engine with 203HP for Mondeo and 163HP Diesel for Kuga SUV

Along with the Euro-spec 2011 Focus, the final versions of the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX which go on sale in Europe this year and some updates to the optional equipment of the recently revealed S-MAX and Galaxy facelift, Ford will also unveil the 2010 model year Mondeo and Kuga with powetrain and transmission enhancements at the Geneva Show.

Ford didn't clarify in its press release if the new Kuga and Mondeo also benefit from any cosmetic changes of the same subtle nature as those on the S-MAX and Galaxy (the Mondeo pictured above is an '09MY), but here's what the company had to say about the upgrades under the hood.

Starting with the Mondeo, the firm's European competitor in the mid-size saloon and estate segment gains the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost SCTi gasoline engine with an output of 203HP and a new version of the 2.0-liter TDCi diesel with 163HP, while the 115HP and 140HP variants of the same diesel have been improved.

Furthermore, Ford's Powershift six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission is fitted as standard with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost gasoline engine and optionally available for the 140HP and 163HP Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.

Together with this transmission, the new Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 163HP delivers a combined fuel economy of 5.6 lt/100km, equal to 42 mpg US and 50.4 mpg UK.

The same 163HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel as well as the six-speed dual clutch transmission also make their way into the Kuga crossover.

With the 163HP diesel engine, the Kuga accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 9.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 195 km/h or 121mph while achieving a CO2 output of 159g/km in the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) models with manual transmission.

VIDEO: Alfa Romeo Giulietta on the Move During Winter Testing in Sweden

Already revealed in pictures, Alfa Romeo is now showing off its Giullietta hatchback on film with a new video clip that was shot during winter testing in Arjeplog, Sweden, this past January. The Giullietta is a direct replacement for the decade-old 147 hatchback model rivaling C-Segment cars like the VW Golf and BMW 1-Series.

The new model is set for a world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March and a market launch in Europe this summer.

It will be offered with three petrol engines, including 120HP and 170HP versions of a 1.4-liter turbo unit, and a 235HP 1.7-liter turbo, as well as two diesels producing 105HP and 170HP. Hit the jump to watch the new video clip.

New Hyundai i45, in other words, the 2011 Sonata, Coming to Australia in the 2nd Quarter

In keeping with its new nomenclature for certain regions, Hyundai announced today that the 2011 Sonata will be called i45 in Australia adding that the mid-size sedan will be launched onto the market in the second quarter of the year. The Australian-bound i45s will be manufactured in South Korea.

"We are very excited to be launching the all-new i45 mid-sized sedan in Australia in the coming months, said Oliver Mann, Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Marketing Director. "Already breaking records in South Korea and receiving awards in the U.S., i45 is going to make a considerable impact in the competitive Australian mid-sized segment."

Hyundai did not release any details on the powertrain choices for Australian customers.

In the U.S., the Sonata is currently offered only with a 198HP/200HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit with direct-injection, but the South Korean brand is planning to extend the range with a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI gasoline engine as well as a 2.4-liter Hybrid Blue Drive model featuring the firm's lithium polymer battery pack, with both models expected to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show at the end of March.

US-Spec 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Opel Flextreme GT/E: Sporty Saloon Concept with Chevy Volt Powertrain

A conceptual study that demonstrates how General Motors' extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be utilized in larger and more stylish cars than the Chevy Volt and its European twin, the Opel Ampera, will be the star of the German brand's stand at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

"The Flextreme GT/E concept shows the shape of things to come from Opel," says Frank Weber, Vice President, Corporate and Product Planning. "Bold, expressive and highly efficient, it represents the product strategy we will apply to all our future vehicles, large and small, across all market segments."

Described by Opel as a 'five-door coupe', the 4.7-meter (185-in.) long Flextreme GT/E concept that adopts the new Meriva's rear-hinged rear doors also illustrates a further development of the firm's current design language as seen on the Insignia, Astra and Meriva.

Read more »

Audi A1 with S-Line Sport Package Spotted in the Wild

A sharp-eyed reader over from Autogespot took this single photo of the brand-new Audi A1 in the city of Barcelona, Spain. If we're not mistaken, the specific model appears to be equipped with the S-Line package that adds several goodies such as 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, a larger roof spoiler at the back and unique bumpers (notice the protruding insert on the rear bumper).

Audi's Mini Cooper chasing A1 hatch will have its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show in March. At launch, it will be offered as a three door hatch with of four engines including two petrol units, the 86HP 1.2 TSI and 122HP 1.4 TSI plus two diesels, a 1.6 TDI with 90HP and 105HP.

European sales of the A1 will start this summer with prices beginning from around €16,000. No word yet if the Audi's new entry-level model will make it on this side of the Atlantic.

Via: Autogespot

Can You Guess on Which Car this Lamborghini-Themed Tuning Project is Based on?

UPDATE: Mystery Car Revealed - Click Here for the Full Story

We'll give you a couple of hints to help you out with the answer to our question: it's not a supercar of any sorts and the transformation to something that's clearly inspired by the design of certain Lamborghinis such as the Reventon and Estoque Concept, involves, among other things, the alteration of the donor vehicle's body style.

Follow the jump to check out the rest of the pictures that were sent to us by the owner of the vehicle and to give your answers in the comment section. And of course, stay tuned for a follow up post with details and more photos on the ongoing project.

SPIED: New Pagani C9 Shows Off its Gullwing Doors in South Africa

It's a small world indeed. The next generation of the Italian boutique supercar, the Pagani C9, was caught on film during a pit stop at a gas station in South Africa. Looking a bit like a modern interpretation of the Batmobile, the lightly camouflaged prototype was fitted with a pair of eye-catching yellow stickers that say "Government Approved Highspeed Testing Vehicle".

There are two things that stand out on the Pagani test car. First and foremost, the gullwing style doors and second, the more curvalicious body surfaces of the Zonda's replacement.

From what we understand, the C9 will be powered by a new 6.0-liter bi-turbocharged V12 developed once again by Mercedes-Benz's AMG division. It is said that the twelve-cylinder engine will produce somewhere around 700 horsepower and over 1,000 Nm or 738 lb-ft of peak torque.

Horacio Pagani's latest supercar is expected to debut this fall with annual production to be limited as usual to double digit numbers at a price that very few people in this will ever be able to afford.