Straightline

After the late-2010 debut of the 2011 Fiat 500, the Italian automaker plans to bring us the Fiat 500C Convertible in 2011 and the Fiat 500 Abarth in 2012. The 500 Abarth has a turbocharged version of Fiat's Multiair 1.4-liter inline-4 rated at 135 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque.

Also today, Chrysler-Fiat announced that Chryslers sold internationally will share product and dealerships with the Lancia brand. We don't see that helping either brand, unless C-F miraculously figures out a way to resurrect the Delta Integrale and move it in mass volumes.

And by the way, we've been told that by 2014, 56 percent of all Chryslers sold will be Italian in origin.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Categories: Auto Industry,Chrysler,Convertibles,Fiat,Hatchbacks

The 2011 Fiat 500 will be sold through select Chrysler dealers, mainly in metro areas, by a dedicated staff within the dealership. Expect the sales process to be Scion-style with a huge list of accessories and no-haggle pricing. No word yet on whether each dealer will get a walk-in Fiat 500 in its showroom.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Categories: Auto Industry,Chrysler,Fiat,Hatchbacks

We learned today that the Fiat 500 will launch in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2010, so we'll start calling it the 2011 Fiat 500. It will debut with Fiat's Multiair 1.4-liter four-cylinder presumably making in the neighborhood of 100 horsepower. A turbocharged version will come later on, though no word if the resulting car will get Abarth badging.

Other interesting news: Chrysler's family of four-cylinder engines (1.8-liter, 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter) from the now defunct alliance with Hyundai and Mitsubishi will live on but will be modified with Fiat's Multiair system and direct-injection technology.

Multiair is the Italian automaker's variable valve timing technology, and it's among the most advanced of its kind. Fiat's powertrain expert, Paolo Ferrero, describes the Multiair system as, "variable valve timing on steroids." We'll bring you more details on the tech side of it at a later date.

The other bit of powertrain news is that Fiat intends to share its 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with Chrysler, though it hasn't said which model(s) will get it.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Categories: Auto Industry,Chrysler,Fiat,Green Tech,Hatchbacks

Arguably the most likeable car in the current Dodge lineup, the Challenger will live on in the new Dodge car brand, receiving only a minor refresh in 2011.

The Dodge Caliber, on the other hand, will dead by 2012 (new interior notwithstanding apparently). It will be replaced by a compact Fiat-based sedan and a small B-segment car produced by Fiat and imported to the U.S. A Fiat-based C-segment sedan is also in the works.

The Dodge Avenger will get a new interior and an engine of unspecified size and horsepower (though just about anything would be better than the current offerings) in the fourth quarter of 2010. Exterior styling will be made less offensive, and there will be better NVH control in the cabin. However, this is a just a stopgap, as a new D-segment sedan will replace it sometime in 2012 or 2013.

Even more important is the refresh coming for the Dodge Grand Caravan, which is still one of the most recognizable nameplates in the Dodge brand. The DGC gets a new interior, a refreshed exterior, a retuned suspension, a new engine and improved NVH control.

Finally, an all-new 7-passenger crossover is coming, too, and it will exist along side the Grand Caravan and Dodge Journey.

Reporting by Dan Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit

Categories: Chrysler,Coupes,Crossovers,Dodge,Fiat,Hatchbacks,Minivans,Sedans

We already told you all there is to know about the Subaru WRX STI Carbon. It's just a concept. And it's just the Japanese-market WRX STI A-line ("A" is for automatic) with carbon-fiber roof. But the car got a steady stream of visitors today in Tokyo, so it's one of the bigger, flashier fish in this small pond.

What's more, all that simulated suede on the dash is nicely executed. Lots of it after the jump.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor

Continue reading Subaru WRX STI Carbon at 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Subaru,Tokyo Motor Show

Remember that Honda Accord Crosstour wagon that made its debut on Facebook awhile back? Well, it's back, and this time Honda has provided shots of the interior to give you an idea how much room there is in back.

Does it look like it's worth it to you?

Honda also noted that the Crosstour will come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 and be positioned at the top of the Accord lineup. It also notes that the Accord Crosstour will offer "four-wheel drive" as an option. Wonder what kind of transfer case they're using? 

Honda Crosstour

Categories: Crossovers,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Honda

Surely you've heard of the Ford Fiesta movement by now? It's a promotional program for the upcoming Fiesta subcompact that was designed to make use of all that social networking stuff that we all love so much.

Ford got off to a good start by giving away a bunch of free cars for a year. Then it asked the recipients, or "agents," to tell the world all about their cool new car. Simple enough eh?

According to Ford, the program has been a huge success, naturally. Over 50,000 people have raised their hands, presumably to get more info. The web is buzzing, too, of course, with over 3 million impressions on Twitter.

"We didn't break the bank. We didn't use traditional media. We tried something different, and it is working" said Connie Fontaine, Ford Brand and Content Alliances manager. "We're delighted with how Fiesta is gaining traction with consumers.  It's a whole new way of introducing a car to market."

Clearly Ford thinks this is a great way to get the word out on new cars, but do you agree? Have you seen a Fiesta or one of Ford's agents? Did they convince you to take a look at the upcoming hatchback? 

Oh, and by the way, one of the so-called agents said today that the U.S. spec Fiesta will finally debut at the L.A. Auto Show in November.

Categories: Ford,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Trends

A report in Automotive News says that the next-generation Audi A3 may include a sedan version for the U.S. Europe is likely to get a full range of vehicles that includes wagon, convertible and crossover variations.

Sales of the current A3 hatchback in the U.S. have been slow so far. Audi is hoping to add some incremental sales this fall with the introduction of the 2.0 TDI model.

Blame that whole aversion to hatchbacks thing for the A3's slow sales, or maybe the fact that the A3's price is so close to the A4. Either way, Audi is clearly looking to grab bigger sales numbers on the low end of the price scale. Automotive News says to expect the new A3's to show up sometime in 2012.

Automotive News
 

Categories: Audi,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks

Volkswagen released pricing today on the Scirocco-faced 2010 Volkswagen GTI and Golf. As we've written, the Mk6 generation of the VW Golf and GTI do not represent a full-on redesign. Rather, Volkswagen set about to make them simpler and cheaper to manufacturer, while making small refinements here and there.

Notably, the 2010 VW GTI adds only $60 to its base price ($23,990 with destination); however, Bluetooth is a mandatory option ($199) on all U.S.-bound GTIs, so effectively, the base price for a 2-door GTI with the conventional 6-speed manual gearbox is $24,189. Add $600 if you want a four-door GTI. Add another $1,100 for the DSG automated, twin-clutch transmission.

Bluetooth is also mandatory on the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI, also available with two or four doors, and also available with the regular 6-speed manual or the DSG. Like the Jetta TDI, the sophisticated 2.0-liter diesel four makes 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Still, we'd like something sportier like, say, the Euro-spec VW Golf GTD.

Pricing on the 2010 Golf TDI ranges from $22,690 for a 2-door 6-speed to $24,390 for a 4-door DSG. But remember to add another $199 for mandatory hands-free peace of mind.

Categories: Diesels,Hatchbacks,Volkswagen

Photos sourced from Petter Solberg Blog

We've driven Sebastian Loeb's Citroen C4 WRC, and we rode shotgun while Loeb drove it. Now Petter Solberg offers his take on the C4 rally car. Stuck with an older Citroen Xsara for most of the 2009 season, the Subaru refugee has secured a factory-supported C4 to drive as a privateer in this weekend's Rally de Espana. Solberg will then drive it for Citroen's junior WRC team in Great Britain, the last race of the season.

"Compared to the Xsara, this car needs a more aggressive driving style and I need to learn where the limit is," Solbert said in an interview published on the WRC site. "That's why I did so many runs on the shakedown -- just to get more experience. I should have done much more testing before the rally, and also at home in the go-kart, but I just didn't have the time.

"I haven't driven on tarmac since Corsica last year, so of course it will take time to get into the full rhythm -- but it's coming. I hope to improve my speed throughout the whole weekend and see where we can be. Maybe somewhere in the top three -- I think it's possible."

More photos of the privateer WRC C4 after the jump, plus video of Solberg talking about what it's like to put together your own WRC team in two weeks.

IL Feature: We Take the Wheel of the 2009 Citroen C4 WRC

WRC

Continue reading What Petter Solberg Thinks of the Citroen C4 WRC.

Categories: Citroen,Hatchbacks,Motorsports

The Nissan Micra/March is the B segment Nissan most of the world gets instead of, or in addition to, the larger Renault-based Versa and the Cube. Today Nissan released sketches of the next March/Micra hatchback.

They're very preliminary, obviously, but the importance of this car is undeniable. It will be sold everywhere, and given tightening fuel economy standards, it's possible a version of it might come to the U.S.

So far, all we know is some information out of Thailand that 1.2-liter and 1.3 gasoline engines will be offered in the version sold there, along with a 1.4-liter diesel. The smallest gas engine would evidently be good for 47 mpg, but it's likely the diesel would top that.

The second sketch is after the jump.

IL News: Nissan Offers First Look at Future Global Compact Car

Continue reading Early Sketches of Nissan's Next Global Small Car.

Categories: Hatchbacks,Nissan

Although it's unassuming in appearance, the Suzuki Alto concept is actually the bigger deal of Suzuki's two world premieres at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. The Alto nameplate turns 30 this year, and in addition to its presence as four-seat kei car in Japan, Maruti builds a version of the car for the Indian market.

Suzuki calls the show car a concept, but says it's the basis for the next-generation Alto. And inside and out, this car looks ready for production. This four-passenger hatchback is 133.7 inches long and rides on a 94.4-inch wheelbase. Under the hood, there's a 658cc inline three-cylinder (a typical kei car-size engine) and it's paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This car is front-wheel-drive, but Suzuki plans to offer some form of four-wheel drive.

This latest Suzuki Alto will appear next to the original 1979 Suzuki Alto hatchback in Suzuki's booth at Tokyo.

More photos after the jump.

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Suzuki Alto Concept.

Categories: Hatchbacks,Suzuki,Tokyo Motor Show

If there's a Suzuki to covet, it's the Suzuki Swift hatchback, which has earned a reputation as a poor man's Mini Cooper in Europe and Japan. Suzuki will show a plug-in hybrid version of the Swift at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.

The most interesting thing we know about this concept car is the packaging of its lithium-ion batteries -- right down the middle of the car in the center console. This could potentially make it possible to have a pair of rear seats in the car, though that's not clear from the photos.

As the plug-in Swift is a series hybrid, there's a 658cc gasoline engine on-board to power the front-drive electric motor when the batteries run low on charge and you're not near a suitable electrical outlet. The engine apparently has a generating capacity of 40 kilowatts (54 hp). The front-drive electric motor has an output of 74 hp, according to Suzuki.

More photos after the jump.

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Green Tech,Hatchbacks,Hybrids,Suzuki,Tokyo Motor Show

Cute electric cars should be around every corner at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, but we think there might be more to the Honda EV-N concept than a lithium-ion battery pack. The sheetmetal on this concept is all retro'd up in the style of the original Honda minicar, the 1967 Honda N360, which used a 354cc, 2-cylinder motorcycle engine good for 31 hp at 8,500 rpm.

The EV-N is a touch more advanced than the N360 and features Honda's "HELLO" technology to enable it to communicate with other Hondas and apparently the world at large. Your Japanese kei car might as well stay connected, you know, even if you can't legally send a text message.

More darling photos after the jump.

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Honda EV-N Concept.

Categories: Green Tech,Hatchbacks,Honda,Tokyo Motor Show

Like most show cars with carbon fiber on them, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon is meant to draw a certain demographic of auto show attendee over to the Subaru stand. You know who we're talking about. Subaru claims the carbon fiber roof on this car provides a "significant weight reduction" and a "lower center of gravity," but doesn't give any hard numbers. Given that this STI, part of the Japan-spec A-line series, has the company's five-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters!), we suspect it might be more about appearances than numbers.

The STI Carbon also has a lovely suede dash, and yes, those JDM-spec Recaros that we can't have in the U.S.

More photos after the jump.

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Carbon.

Categories: Hatchbacks,Subaru,Tokyo Motor Show