Audi A3 TDI

Audi A9

2011-05-19T00:32:00.000-07:00

the A9 coupe could be launched as soon as 2014.
Although unconfirmed, Car Magazine says the range-topping model would be based on the A8 and built alongside the R8 at the company's factory in Neckarsulm, Germany. Furthermore, with the redesigned Mercedes S-Class set to spawn a convertible variant, an A9 cabriolet could be in the cards for 2015.

Engine options are highly speculative, considering the model hasn't been green-lighted yet, but Car is reporting choices could include everything from a 211 PS (155 kW / 208 hp) 3.0-liter V6 to a 520 PS (382 kW / 513 hp) 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S9.

Audi A3 TDI Is Bound for US

2011-05-18T20:35:00.009-07:00

The Audi A3 is a premium compact hatchback from the German automaker and, when it went into production in 1996, featured the same styling as the A4 had at the time

Audi A3 TDI®

2011-05-18T20:35:00.008-07:00

The next Audi A3, the company’s smallest offering in North America, will be a restyled and improved version of the A3 five-door hatchback that’s been on the market here

Audi A3 TDI - Review | Hybrid Cars

2011-05-18T20:35:00.007-07:00

A3 is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury wagon, available in 6 trims, ranging from the 2.0T Premium Manual... read more to the 2.0T Premium quattro S tronic

Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140PS.

2011-05-18T20:35:00.006-07:00

All Models. The 2011 Audi Models. See All Audi Models; See New Audi Models; Learn More About Audi TDI® clean diesel Cars; Progress is the driving force behind

Audi A3 2.0 TDI | The Truth About Cars

2011-05-18T20:35:00.005-07:00

The Audi A3 was introduced in 2005 as a compact luxury automobile built by Audi since 1996. Its size places it somewhere between a 5-door sedan hatchback and a

Audi A3 - New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing

2011-05-18T20:35:00.004-07:00

In crowded European cities, small, space-efficient vehicles are very popular because of their versatility, fuel-efficiency and nimble nature. These vehicles exist in

Audi A3 TDI - Short Take Road Test - Auto Reviews

2011-05-18T20:35:00.003-07:00

Audi Worldwide Models A3 A3 Sportback Audi A3 ... View A1; Online Special; True grandeur shows character and substance. And is determined not to miss great moments

Audi A3 TDI Review - where gas mileage matters

2011-05-18T20:35:00.002-07:00

Audi started its big push for clean diesel here in the U.S. market this spring when its big Q7 TDI finally went on sale. While the Q7 TDI is one of the most fuel

Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport

2011-05-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

A3. Starting from £16,620. Versatile and stylish from every angle, the Audi A3 brims with innovation

Audi of America > Audi A3

2011-05-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

The Audi A3 is a small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which

Audi R18

2011-03-27T23:13:00.001-07:00

Audi let its new diesel-powered R18 LMP1 enclosed prototype loose on the U.S. for the first time for testing over the four-day weekend surrounding the 12 Hours of Sebring. Audi tested both R18s, chassis 101 and 102, against an R15 for a control group. The first U.S tests garnered feedback from all 10 of Audi's factory drivers.

The tests put a beating on the R18s to make sure their aerodynamics, reliability and fuel economy all stacked up to the standards set by the previous generations of Audi's diesel LeMans prototypes.

Their next stop is Ingolstadt to be fully disassembled and checked out, before being shipped to LeMans for the 24-hour race in June. Trust us, you owe it to yourself to see the images below in their full high-res glory.

the front of the pack is the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2010-09-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're finally beginning to get a glimpse of exactly what Chrysler has been up to since snagging a whopping $6.6 billion in federal funding during the automotive implosion of 2009. While General Motors has been busily chugging along like nothing happened, the Pentastar hasn't exactly rolled out a wave of new and refreshed models. There's been an obvious hitch in the Chrysler giddy up, and those loyal to the company's three brands have been forced to settle for little more than slightly reworked option packages... until now. As 2010 comes to a close, the company is pulling the covers off a range of new models, each as important to its future success as the last.

In a world populated by bubble crossovers, the Grand Cherokee clearly stands apart.

At the front of the pack is the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a vehicle that's become synonymous with Chrysler's righting of itself in the public eye thanks to some of the most well-crafted advertisements in the industry. If you don't know what we're on about, we highly suggest pointing your browser toward YouTube and spending a few minutes watching the company's "The Things We Make, Make Us" spot. Be prepared for an overwhelming sense of patriotic duty, as well as a burning desire to pick up a hammer and bang some nails.

You've been warned.

Even before Chrysler's run-in with Chapter 11, there were flickers of hope within the company's fleet. The Dodge Ram packed one of the best interiors in the segment, and the previous-generation Grand Cherokee wasn't a horrible place to spend a few hours. The 2011 Grand Cherokee picks up those cues and runs with them in all directions, resulting in a vehicle that's as capable off road as it is jousting with mid-town traffic. If this is the new face of Chrysler, we like what we see.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback New hatchback Lancer

2010-06-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

When Mitsubishi redesigned its Lancer for 2008, the compact sedan took a substantial leap forward in style and roadability. While the 2002-07 Lancer endured a reputation as an econobox, the new Lancer drew praise for virtues beyond its dollar value.

For 2009, the GTS edition of the Lancer gained a more potent 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, deflecting any criticism that the basic Lancer lacked power. Rather than the regular engine's 152 horsepower, as installed in DE and ES models, the larger GTS version develops 168 horsepower. Mitsubishi also introduced a Ralliart edition, with design touches and turbocharged performance to echo that of the renowned Evolution series.Styling

In Europe, hatchback body styles and sporty behavior tend to go hand in hand. That used to be true in the U.S. market as well, but hatchbacks have had a hard time keeping up the sales pace in recent years. Nevertheless, Mitsubishi has added a Sportback (hatchback) edition of the Lancer for 2010, in the hope of stimulating even greater interest.

Lancer Sportbacks come in two trim levels: sporty front-drive GTS with the 168-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, or high-performance all-wheel-drive Ralliart with a turbocharged/intercooled 2.0-liter. Adapted from the engine that drives Mitsubishi's Evolution, the Ralliart's four-cylinder generates 237 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque.

Either a manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) may be installed in the GTS. The Ralliart comes only with a Twin Clutch Sportronic transmission, borrowed from the Evolution MR. Mitsubishi's Evolution, which descends from a series of all-out racing machines, unleashes a 291-horsepower turbocharged engine to its all-wheel-drive system.

With five-speed manual shift and the 2.4-liter engine, a Lancer GTS Sportback earns a fuel-economy estimate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of 20 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway. Mitsubishi's CVT boosts the city figure to 21 mpg. In Ralliart trim, the Sportback's estimate drops to 17/25 mpg (city/highway). Gas-mileage proponents may instead turn to a regular Lancer sedan with the milder 152-horsepower engine, which gets EPA figures of 22/31 mpg with manual shift (23/30 with CVT).

Performance and Safety

Frontal crash-testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Lancer a 5-star rating for the driver and 4-star for the front passenger. Side-impact testing has not yet been done.

The Ralliart's transmission has Normal and Sport shifting modes. Drivers can manually shift using the console shifter or magnesium-alloy paddles; or choose fully automatic mode. Numerically-lower upper gear ratios help boost Ralliart fuel economy. Ralliart also has an Active Center Differential, with a selector for Tarmac, Gravel, or Snow.

New Cars Maybach's Face-lifted Offerings

2010-04-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

Maybach, Daimler's Bentley/Roller division, is debuting the face-lifted versions of its 57 and 62 models in Beijing (now "with added sparkle"!). What can we expect from the little mega-luxury brand that couldn't?

First off, the body gets a few pinches here and there: a redesigned front bumper gets some extra trim, the new arrow-shaped hood gets snazzy edges and bigger, aerodynamic mirrors improve merging and now reduce driving noise.

Outside, the newish models will also feature more bling in the form of "a large new chrome radiator grille", LED daytime running lights, "high-quality dark red taillights", and "stylish wheels".

The grilles are unique to the two model lines (standard and "S"). Regular models will have 20 thin bars and S models get 12 thicker ones; the good news is, S grilles get a "shadow strut" to "flag up the vehicle's tremendous power." That's really what they wrote in the press release...

Inside, buyers will have access to wireless internet and a few new options including a perfume atomizer brought down from the Zeppelin model. What will they think of next?

For the short-wheelbase model, buyers can now request a reclining rear seat behind the front passenger. They can also order Swarovski crystal elements on the seat piping and some sterling silver "Maybach" compensation badges on the seats. You know, in case their old S-Class just isn't shiny enough.

Ballers going for the long-wheelbase 62 can also request a 19-inch screen to be installed in compartment partition, should they be riding in a chauffeured model.

Lastly, output increases to 630 horsepower in the S models (up 18; standard models' output remains the same), and emissions drop to 368 g/km (350 g/km in non-S guise).

Fuel economy should be right around 15.8 liters/100km (14.9 mpg) in the S, while people not needing a sporty limousine can expect 15.0 liters/100km (15.7 mpg) in standard form.

With these new models, Daimler is simply drawing out the agonizing death of a brand that is the Joan Rivers of luxury cars: it just won't die and face lifts can only do so much. Time to pull the plug and let it go, guys.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Official F1 Safety Car

2010-03-09T22:06:00.000-08:00

The first race of the 2010 Formula-1 season in Bahrain on March 12 will mark the debut of the most powerful official F1 safety car of all time, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing, which replaces the firm's SL 63 AMG roadster that was used in the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Being a supercar and all, there was no need for Mercedes to fiddle around with the mechanical recipe so the new F1 safety car features the same 571HP V8 engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, suspension and brake system as the standard-production SLS AMG but gets an all-new rear silencer, that is said to allow the naturally aspirated V8 to breathe more easily and offer improved acoustics.

On the outside, the "Gullwing" safety car is distinguishable by its F1 logos, carbon-fibre exterior mirrors and the characteristic roof light bar with integrated TV camera plus a special number plate at the rear, with "Safety Car" lettering and 700 LEDs.

Moving into the cockpit, aside from bucket seats with the six-point seat belts, the "Gullwing" has been fitted with two central screens to monitor the progress of the race and a radio system to communicate with the organizers.

The SLS AMG also gets a "Marshalling System" that is integrated in the central display on the instrument cluster allowing the driver and co-driver to see the same exact signals as the Formula-1 drivers in their cockpits.

As in the last two years, Mercedes-Benz will also provide a C 63 AMG Estate to be used as the Official F1 Medical Car for the coming season.

The strictly two-seater CR-Z also retains the concept model's

2010-01-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

The long-awaited 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid sports coupe made its world premiere in production guise at Detroit Motor Show today. Compared to last year's Tokyo show concept, the U.S.-spec model seen here has remained more or less the same with changes limited to the different alloy wheels, the larger exterior mirrors, the Honda logo that has moved from the grille to under the bonnet and the revised tail lamp crystals.

The strictly two-seater CR-Z also retains the concept model's lightly futuristic interior boasting a multi-layer dashboard and three-dimensional instruments with a blue color scheme.

The coupe also gets a mid-ship console behind the front seats to optimize cargo space while a hard-shell separator can be closed to create additional hidden storage.

At the heart of the coupe is a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda's compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system.

The CR-Z's 10kW electric motor assists in acceleration and also acts as a generator during braking or coasting to capture kinetic energy that recharges the 100-volt IMA nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The gasoline engine can automatically turn off during vehicle stops to further improve efficiency.

The hybrid system delivers a combined peak output of 122 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm with the standard six-speed manual gearbox and 123 lb-ft when combined with the optional CVT.

The CR-Z also gets a three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between individual modes of performance for Sport, Normal and Economy driving styles. The system, which affects the settings for steering, engine response, motor assist and air conditioning, is activated through three backlit buttons to the left of the steering wheel.

While Honda did not announce performance figures for the U.S.-spec model, a leaked brochure of the JDM CR-Z makes word of a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 9.7 seconds, which if true, isn't exactly what you'd expect from a car that's the spiritual successor of the CR-X.

What the Japanese automaker did reveal are the preliminary fuel economy estimates. Honda anticipates that the CR-Z will achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 36 city/38 highway mpg for the CVT-equipped models and 31 city/37 highway mpg (7.6 lt and 6.4 lt/100km respectively) for the manual cars.

Again, nothing to be excited about. For example, the latest Toyota Prius that is powered by a 134HP hybrid powerplant and can sprint from 0 to 60mph in 9.8 seconds returns 51mpg city and 48mpg highway. Heck, even the BMW 335d sedan with its mighty 260HP diesel achieves 36mpg on the highway.

When the CR-Z arrives at Honda's U.S. dealers later this summer, it will be offered in two trim levels, base and EX.

Standard features on the base model include Vehicle Stability Assist, an audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry and cruise control.

The CR-Z EX will add High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights with Auto-On/Off, fog lights, a 360-Watt premium audio system with seven speakers including subwoofer and Bluetooth, and perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

2010-01-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

Just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi unveiled a second full-electric sports car concept at the Detroit show today. Bypassing the silly and confusing 'Detroit showcar Audi e-tron' name, the German firm's new concept model is said to provide a vision of how a small sports car positioned below R8 could look like.

Like the original e-tron, the new two-seater concept is built around Audi's ASF lightweight aluminium space frame and features a carbon fibre reinforced plastic hybrid body that helps keep weight down to 1,350kg or 2,976 lbs.

However, at 3.93 metres (154.7 inches) long, 1.78 meters (70 inches) wide and 1.22 meters (48 inches) tall, the new concept is much more compact in size than the Frankfurt Show e-tron (4.26 meters long, 1.9 meters wide and 1.23 meters tall). It's even shorter than the TT that measures 4.17 meters or 164.5 inches in length.

Whereas the original e-tron was fitted with four-electric motors, two at each axle, the Detroit showcar gets two motors that drive the rear wheels and can operate independently.

Audi says that the twin-motors deliver a combined output of 150 kW or 204 horsepower and peak torque of 2,650Nm or 1954.54 lb-ft accelerating the coupe from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.9 seconds. The e-tron accomplishes the sprint from 60 to 120 km/h (37- 74 mph) in 5.1 seconds.

The concept's top speed is limited to 124mph or 200km/h, as Audi claims that the amount of energy required by the electric motors increases disproportionately to speed.

The baby e-tron's lithium batteries that are mid-mounted and tip the scales at 399kg or 880 lbs, offer a driving range of around 155 miles or 250 km. They can be fully charged through a 230v household outlet in about 11 hours, but Audi says that a heavy current (400 volts, 32 amperes) can cut the time to just about two hours.

Mazda 2Evil Special Concept

2010-01-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

Mazda 2Evil and Mazda Active2 Surf & Snow Special Concept

Mazda 2Evil Special Concept

This concept is inspired by the weekend track car but one that can function equally well as an urban commuter. The body has been modified to show a more aggressive front spoiler and a deeper side rocker for improved aerodynamics and lower overall stance. A strong lower diffuser is added to enhance the rear proportion and more emphasis is placed on the exhaust tip. The rear upper spoiler was redesigned for both additional downforce and a race appearance. The dynamic MAZDA2 body is finished in Ceramic Grey metallic with subtle motorsports inspired graphics. The graphics are finished off with the historic number 55, a tribute to the 1991 Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B race car. Wheels, mirrors and other details are accented in Spirited Green. To top it off, the performance and stance are enhanced with 17″ wheels, 215/45/17 Yokahama Advan tires, lowered coil-over suspension provided by H&R and Magna performance exhaust.

Mazda Active2 Surf

The Active2 Surf exterior showcases a more aggressive front bumper and rocker. Adding to the sport theme, 17″ wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires and H&R coil over suspension were applied. The sheet metal is finished in Spirited Green and detailed with Active2 graphics. These subtle effects are displayed on the hood and driver-side fender. The graphics are finished in graphite and white, with matching wheels and mirrors. To support the overall concept, the Active2 Surf has been set up with a Thule roof rack system and a matching carbon fiber surfboard.

Mazda Active2 Snow

The Active2 Snow exterior showcases a more aggressive front bumper and rocker. Adding to the sport theme, 17″ wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires and H&R coil over suspension were applied. The sheet metal is finished in Frozen White and detailed with Active2 graphics. These subtle effects are displayed on the hood and driver-side fender. The graphics are finished in graphite and Spirited Green, with matching wheels and mirrors. To support the overall concept, the Active2 Snow has been set up with a Thule roof rack system and matching snowboards.

Source: Mazda · More on: Concept Cars, Los Angeles, Mazda, Tuning

Even though General Motors used the term 'show car'

2010-01-13T18:26:00.000-08:00

Even though General Motors used the term 'show car' to describe the sporty Buick Regal GS that made its world debut in Detroit, there's nothing conceptual about this model. The GS version of the new 2011 Regal sedan that's due to go on sale this summer is said to be identical to the Opel Insignia OPC in all but one element: the engine.

According to GM, whereas the OPC gets a 2.8-liter twin-scroll turbocharged with 325HP, the all-wheel drive GS is fitted with a tuned up version of the Regal CXL's 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 255HP.

However, if you pay attention to the second promotional video after the jump (pause at 52 seconds into the film), you'll see that the GS features a V6 Turbo...

We don't know if anyone popped up the hood on the Regal GS showcar in Detroit to see if it's fitted with a four-pot or a V6 Turbo, but the best explanation we can give is that GM's team took the OPC, added Buick's logos and waterfall grille along with a pair of bonnet air-vents leaving the Opel's hardware intact.

It remains to be seen whether or not GM will offer a production version of the Regal GS in the States, and if so, if it will be powered by a four-cylinder or a V6 turbo engine. Till then, watch the two videos after the break or click here to read more details about Buick's sporty saloon proposal.

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Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

2010-01-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

New Special Edition Package for Forester 2.5X
New Navigation and Convenience Package for 2.5X Limited

Arriving in February, new option packages expand 2010 Forester choices and demonstrate the market agility that allows Subaru to respond quickly to customer trends. The Forester 2.5X with Special Edition Package adds 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rails for a discounted package price of $400 over this model’s $20,295 MSRP.

The Forester 2.5X Limited, already luxuriously equipped with leather appointed interior, 10-way power driver’s seat, automatic transmission, panoramic power moonroof and other amenities, offers a new Navigation System and Convenience Package for $2,300.

At $500 more than the regular Navigation System, the new Convenience Package also includes the Forester line’s first-ever HID headlights, plus a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, one-touch folding rear seats and a cargo area cover.

In addition to the new option packages, the Forester also features other enhancements for 2010, including a standard 10-way power driver’s seat for the 2.5X Premium and Bluetooth(®) wireless capability for the available navigation system in Limited trim lines.

Like all Subaru models, the Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a traction and value advantage over competitive models that make all-wheel drive an extra-cost option. The Forester was named Motor Trend Magazine’s Sport/Utility of the Year for 2009, followed by the 2010 Outback getting the award for this year making Subaru the only brand to win the award two years in a row. Subaru is also the only brand to have all five of its model lines receive a “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2010. (The IIHS adopted stricter criteria for the Top Safety Pick for 2010, including rollover safety.)

Forester is offered in five trim lines for 2010. The Forester 2.5X, powered by a 170-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer engine, is one of the best values in the crossover SUV segment. The 2.5X Premium adds a 10-way power driver’s seat, large panoramic power moonroof and interior enhancements and offers an available All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer). The Forester 2.5X Limited includes the All-Weather Package and offers more luxury and an available navigation system. For powerful, sporty performance, the 2.5XT Premium and 2.5XT Limited are powered by a 224-hp turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine.

2010 Subaru Forester

Next UAW president to be Ford lead negotiator King

2009-12-14T23:12:00.000-08:00

Ron Gettelfinger, the United Auto Workers' (UAW) president during the recent tumult, is moving on from his post, and has thrown his support behind Bob King. King is currently a vice president in the union and manages the relationship with Ford.

While the outlook is positive for King's nomination, he's going to have some reconciliation to do. In the last go-round with Ford, King asked his membership to agree to concessions that took strikes off the table, which the UAW's rank and file promptly denied. Despite the contention, King has been thought of as Ron Gettelfinger's replacement for some time, and the union hopes King will be a tougher customer in the throes of negotiation.

F1 grid comes into focus as Lotus signs Trulli and Kovalainen 2010

2009-12-14T23:01:00.000-08:00

The pieces to the puzzle that is the upcoming Formula One season are coming together bit by bit. In the latest development, the upstart Lotus F1 Racing team has announced the signing of two veteran drivers: Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen.

A former Monaco Grand Prix race winner, Trulli has driven for five different teams over the course of the past twelve years on the grid. Speculation was that he could switch to NASCAR following a recent test with Michael Waltrip Racing, particularly as the Toyota team for which he'd been driving for the past six years announced its withdrawal from the series. Finnish driver Kovalainen, meanwhile, is also a former race winner, left without a ride when McLaren replaced him with reigning world champion Jenson Button. Local aspirant Fairuz Fauzy, formerly of Malaysia's A1GP team, will serve as reserve/test driver.

The announcement was made by Malaysia's prime minister, whose government is backing the team. Although the outfit has no direct ties with the automaker of the same name – save for mutual patronage by Malaysia's state-run Proton – the British sportscar-maker and engineering firm could buy into the team at some point in the future as part of its comprehensive racing plan, giving Lotus the kind of operation Ferrari has run for decades.

With the Lotus drivers in place and Force India having recently confirmed the retention of Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi, the 2010 grid is rapidly taking form. The only remaining seats are with Mercedes/Brawn GP (which has yet to announce Nico Rosberg's team-mate as speculation intensifies over Michael Schumacher's return), Renault (which has yet to announce a wingman for Robert Kubica as the team's future remains in question), Sauber (which was only recently approved for next season), Toro Rosso, Campos Meta (which has announced only Bruno Senna), Virgin/Manor (which has confirmed only Timo Glock so far) and USF1.

Follow the jump for the full press release from Lotus.

Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT)

2009-12-14T20:40:00.000-08:00

You can always rely on the Japanese car makers to invent the craziest names. Honda didn’t disappoint at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show, with the new P-Nut concept car. That stands for Personal-Neo Urban Transport, in case you were wondering.

It’s quite a different kettle of fish (bag of nuts?) from last year’s striking supercar hybrid concept car shown a year ago almost to the day. The P-Nut is an urban weapon, with a 2+1 seating layout for a compact shape and a McLaren-esque central driving position.

It’s also rear-engined, to help with the miniaturised packaging, says Honda. The concept was designed in the company’s advanced design studio in the US, whose director Dave Marek said: ‘The P-Nut concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle.’

So no need for any motorway cruising ability then?

Exactly. Honda says the footprint of the P-Nut is similar to a city car: it’s a scant 3400mm long, 1750mm wide and 1439mm tall.

Although there is seating for three, you can fold away the two rear outboard seats to increase boot space when travelling one-up.

Honda P-Nut: the engineering bit

Although Honda hasn’t specified an exact powertrain (ie this concept car is in make-believe land), it suggests that the P-Nut could use an internal combustion engine, hybrid-electric power or a pure battery EV solution.

We reckon they should stick an engine in fast. This thing is rear-engined and rear drive. And we all know that the best Hondas of recent years, the NSX and S2000, all drove the back axle not the front. Game on, Honda.

Audi celebrates 20th birthday of TDI

2009-12-01T22:12:00.001-08:00

Audi A3 TDI – Click above for high-res image gallery

As Audi begins to roll out the A3 TDI to its U.S. dealers in the coming weeks and the diesel version of the Q7 takes an ever larger share of sales, it's time to celebrate. This Fall marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the first ever TDI engine. TDI, for the uninitiated, stands for turbocharged-direct-injection, and refers to modern diesel engines from the Volkswagen group. Today's TDI technology has evolved from the 20 year-old 2.5-liter five-cylinder in the Audi 100.

Back then, the first TDI engines retained distributor type injector pumps, although the fuel was sprayed directly into the combustion chambers rather than a pre-chamber. Later, the company used something called Pumpe Düse – pump-injectors – for fuel delivery. This design integrated the high pressure pump and injector for each cylinder. These days, TDI uses common rail injection where a single pump pressurizes a single fuel rail that feeds all of the injectors. Regardless of the injector type, TDI has gone a long way towards improving the power output and reducing emissions of diesel engines. Audi and Volkswagen have built over five million TDI powerplants and remain committed to the technology. Congratulations on the double-decade milestone, guys.

Audi A3 TDI

Audi A9

Audi A3 TDI Is Bound for US

Audi A3 TDI®

Audi A3 TDI - Review | Hybrid Cars

Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140PS.

Audi A3 2.0 TDI | The Truth About Cars

Audi A3 - New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing

Audi A3 TDI - Short Take Road Test - Auto Reviews

Audi A3 TDI Review - where gas mileage matters

Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport

Audi of America > Audi A3

Audi R18

the front of the pack is the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback New hatchback Lancer

New Cars Maybach's Face-lifted Offerings

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Official F1 Safety Car

The strictly two-seater CR-Z also retains the concept model's

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

Mazda 2Evil Special Concept

Mazda 2Evil and Mazda Active2 Surf & Snow Special Concept

Mazda 2Evil Special Concept

Mazda Active2 Surf

Mazda Active2 Snow

Even though General Motors used the term 'show car'

Forester comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

2010 Subaru Forester

Next UAW president to be Ford lead negotiator King

F1 grid comes into focus as Lotus signs Trulli and Kovalainen 2010

Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT)

Audi celebrates 20th birthday of TDI

Review: Audi A3 TDI