Join us as Chief Copy Editor Laura K. Cowan takes us on a short tour of the 2008 Volvo C30, giving answers to even the most bizarre of our reader questions. Make sure to tune back in on Friday when we offer up yet another vehicle for Ask It consideration.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
We’ve just taken delivery of a spanking new Volvo C30 hatch and thought that the stylish Swede would be the perfect subject for this week’s Ask It segment. It’ll be hard to argue with the small Volvo’s looks as we think the car is one of the prettiest hatchbacks on sale today, but questions about the ultimate functionality of the design might not go amiss. Let us know what you ponder when you hear “C30”, in comments.
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Opel has officially pulled the sheet off of its new Insignia, which is liable to come to the U.S. after its European launch as the newest version of the Saturn Aura. While we thought that we had seen all there was to offer on the sleek four-door sedan, our friends at CarPix have delivered up a few images of a brand new variant to the range, a five-door hatchback.
The totally undisguised hatch, possibly to be known as the CombiCoupe or Fliessheck, mimics the lines of the sedan everywhere but the rear section. The liftgate of the new Insignia looks to be of good size, and promises to add a measure of utility to the car that won’t be possible with a mere truck. Why doesn’t everyone offer a five-door?
No word of course about whether this configuration could make it to American Saturn dealers, though the GM brand’s recent willingness to stock its showrooms with straight Euro copies is encouraging. Tell us what you think of the car, after browsing our gallery below, in comments.
A few of our staff members aren’t too smitten with the styling of the new Toyota Matrix, but once we all got time behind the wheel, it didn’t matter. We agree that this car has plenty of power and passengers praised the Matrix’s comfortable interior, as well.
Click through the jump to read our full impressions and click the images below to open a gallery.
Ford has unveiled the Chinese version of the Fiesta hatchback in Beijing, a five-door hatch trimmed out for Auto China as the Fiesta S.
While the Chinese version of the car seems to be largely the same as the European Fiesta that was shown this year in Geneva, the car’s S trim package offers a funkier body kit which could hint at performance variants of the Fiesta yet to come. The more aggressive front air dam and five-door layout certainly seem to work well on the car’s architecture though, and make us wonder how well the Fiesta five would do stateside, competing against cars like Honda’s Fit.
Take a look at the five-door Fiesta S in our gallery below or click through the jump to read Ford’s press release.
It seems like Chinese automaker Geely is looking to make a big splash at its home auto show in Beijing this year. The company has already shown off sketches for a sultry GT concept, and our man in China tipped us to an upcoming Geely MPV as well.
Now it looks as if Geely is attempting to hit all market segments, by introducing a possible new hatchback called the Geely CE. While the CE looks a bit like a Mazda-designed Honda Fit, it doesn’t appear to be warmed over copy from another automaker, which is a positive step for the Chinese company. Taken strictly on its own merits, some might even be tempted to call the new five-door a handsome vehicle.
While there are no details available from Geely as yet, reports are that the CE could be close to a green-light for production. We’re sure we’ll hear more as the Beijing show draws nearer.
(Check out the other Geely’s headed to Beijing in the galleries below.)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
We’ve been asleep at our Honda wheel when it comes to the incredible website the company built for their F1 team. One of the recent features the site published is a lap in a Civic Type R with F1 pilot Jenson Button. It’s cut into two parts, with the first (above) more of a preview and the second (after the jump) containing the lap.
One thing you’ll notice is how incredibly quiet it is inside the Type R. Are they actually moving?
We’re having a hard time justifying a need for the Mini Clubman, but we found our test car to be rather enjoyable during it’s week-long stay in our fleet. We wish it had the Cooper S Clubman’s performance specs, but with fuel economy figures of 28 miles per gallon city and 37 mpg highway, we’re not complaining.
Click through the jump to read our staff’s impressions of the Clubman and click the images below to open a gallery.
Seeing as our recent exclusive access story on the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works coupe and Clubman attracted a little indignant huffing and puffing from Mini geeks due to a couple of incorrect pricing projections, we’re bringing you the definite truth from the floor of the New York auto show.
According to Mini USA spokespeoples, whereas the last generation’s $6500-ish JCW kit was almost entirely from-factory only (dealer-installed kits were available only for a short period in 2006) due to its added complexity of all-new headers, new supercharger, and limited-slip differential, the price of the new more dealer-installation-friendly JCW kit is set at $2100 plus two hours of service for mounting.
A General Motors executive said today that the company has plans to build a second minicar for the Indian market. GM introduced its first main competitor in the Indian segment, the Chevrolet Spark (pictured above), in April of last year.
President of GM Asia Pacific Nick Reilly told reporters at a press conference, “We believe there is space for us to have another entry in the minicar segment in India.”
While GM currently produces six Chevy models in India, including the Aveo hatchback, the automaker feels that the blooming Indian economy could support a further lift-back. Market leader Suzuki currently sells as many as five hatchbacks in Indian local markets.
GM has said that the new model will not be positioned to compete directly with Tata’s $2,500 Nano minicar. (Check out another Chevy India offering, the Aveo, in our gallery below.)
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
An Alfa Romeo hatchback, with styling based on the flawless 8C Competizione, powered by a range of turbocharged engines, and headed to the U.S. You can consider us pretty excited too.
Alfa has let go with some new high-resolution images of its Mi.To model, which drew such rabid response earlier in the month when our own Matt Davis reported that it would be headed our way. The Italian automaker’s press release tells us nothing that might dampen our excitement for the sexy coupe, only that we’ll have to wait for June for the international media reveal, and July for introduction (gradual, but hey) into all major markets. Enjoy the gallery below.
(Click through the jump to read the full Alfa Romeo press release.)
Most European compact hatchbacks aren’t much to write home about, but their hopped-up performance variants usually are. Such is the case with the new Renault Twingo RenaultSport, the hottest Twingo variant launched at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
The RenaultSport touch includes a 133-horsepower 1.6-liter I-4, delivering nearly 33 more horsepower than the second-fastest Twingo. Reportedly, it’s more than enough to move the Twingo RenaultSport to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds. Stiffer springs, revised shocks and a wider track all help the little Twingo effectively put its power to the pavement.
Also added are exterior cues unique to the RenaultSport model, including larger alloy wheels, an aggressive body kit and a small rear spoiler help give the car a sporty look. Inside, the hatch is filled with other minute RS touches - like checkered-flag textiles and the cutesy pause, stop, and play symbols on the pedals - in an attempt to further differentiate the sporty Twingo from its lesser siblings.
Certainly, it’s no Renault 5 Maxi or RenaultSport Clio V6 - but we’ll take all the RenaultSport that Renault cares to dish.
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