10. Chevy Impala: 14M units sold

The numbers are always changing and a new list of the Top 10 best-selling vehicles in history, compiled by 24/7 Wall St. has a new model on top.

There are some surprises on the list, but for the most part it all makes sense. Whether they’ve been in production for a long time or they’re reasonably priced worldwide, the top 10 best-selling cars of all time might not be the most exciting, but are clearly the most popular throughout history.

The Chevrolet Impala is the only GM vehicle on the list and has quite the history since hitting the market 54 years ago. Starting its life as a large two-door performance coupe, the Impala evolved into a versatile sedan. Or as we like to call it, a rental car. Ironically, it isn’t actually offered as a coupe anymore, which seems like a distant memory after 10 generations of upgrades.

With the newest version of VW’s iconic Beetle already on sale, Volkswagen is expanding the car’s product range and appeal with a diesel powered model.

Unveiled today at the Chicago Auto Show, the Beetle TDI makes use of a familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged engine to make 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Along with that big torque number, fuel economy is high, with a 29 mpg city rating and a 39 mpg highway rating. Buyers can choose from either a six-speed manual or VW’s DSG dual-clutch automatic.

Three trim levels will be offered: TDI, TDI with sunroof and TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation. That top-trim level gets a five-inch touch screen and a Premium audio system.

With both gas and diesel versions of the coupe now available, look for a convertible version to bow at the New York Auto Show in a few months time.

GALLERY: 2013 VW Beetle TDI

Recently BMW revealed its new M Performance Diesel models, the M550d, X5 M50d, and X6 M50d, all of which are powered by the German automaker’s new 3.0L six-cylinder, tri-turbo diesel engine with 381-hp and 546 lb-ft of torque.

Unfortunately none of America will get to experience the new powerplant since BMW doesn’t find them fitting in the US market, but it appears as though AMG doesn’t find performance-minded diesel engines fitting in any market. The high-performance division for Mercedes-Benz vehicles, AMG head boss Ola Kallenius recently said that they have no plans to follow its German automaker rival in producing diesel engines, saying that it would introduce too many compromises to its performance-focused lineup.

“The technology of performance gasoline engines is converging with diesel tech. Direct injection, downsizing and turbocharging are all having an effect. We looked at diesel a few years back, but petrol engines have obvious benefits of sound, weight, agility and response,” Kallenius said.

We’re not ones to argue, considering AMG has a new 5.5L V8 Biturbo powerplant that puts out 544 to 571-hp with up to 664 lb-ft of torque. You could say some of us subscribe to the belief that if you’re looking for pure performance, fuel efficiency shouldn’t be of concern.

[Source: Autocar UK]

Maseratis exude power, style and sex appeal. They do not, on the other hand, evoke anything close to the unrefined image of a diesel engine. Or at least they haven’t in the past.

According to a report by AutoBild, Maserati is making a smaller version of its yet-to-be-release Quattroporte luxury sedan and it seems the Italian automaker plans to package it with a V6 diesel, a first for the company.

Wait! Don’t reach for the barf bag just yet. The oil burner is actually supposed to make 300 horsepower and 516 ft-lbs of torque, not too bad for a car that’s supposed to be somewhat smaller than the automakers usual preference.

There’s no official name tag on this one yet, but it’s being called the ““Maseratina” for now and will probably try to stack up next to the likes of the BMW M5, or Audi S6. Those might seem like a couple of tall glasses to fill for engines that notoriously top out ahead of the game, but we’re excited nonetheless.

[Source: AutoBild via GT Spirit]

The star of the Honda booth at this year’s Geneva Motor Show will undoubtedly be the new NSX Concept. Unveiled as the Acura NSX Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, it will be rebranded for display in other markets, like Europe.

But the mid-engine V6 hybrid drive Japanese exotic won’t be the only new product, with Honda also set to reveal the first of its Earth Dreams Technology engines – a new 1.6-liter diesel that will find its way under the hood of the European Civic. The new engine makes 120 hp at 4000 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm, but perhaps its biggest advantage comes in its light weight, with Honda saying it will be the lightest engine in its class, weighing even less than a 1.6-liter gasoline engine. Honda has not announced any plans to offer this new diesel engine in North America.

With it’s Earth Dreams Technology lineup of engines Honda is aiming to reclaim leadership in the fuel economy race, offering not only the most fuel efficient engines, but also the most powerful.

In addition to these products, Honda will also showcase a prototype of the European CR-V, as well as the EV-STER electric sports car.

GALLERY: Honda NSX Concept

Volkswagen first showed off its XL1 Concept at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show, and the futuristic-looking coupe will be making its way to production, albeit in a limited run.

The XL1 will be will be built on Volkswagen’s new modular MQB platform and even though no official photos of what the production model will look like has been released, sources believe that it will closely resemble the concept pictured above. What has been confirmed – at least as confirmed as rumors can be – is that the XL1 will have a new 800-cc, two-cylinder diesel powerplant with 48-hp and 88 lb-ft of torque and will be mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission.

The diesel engine will work with a 27-hp electric motor putting out 103 lb-ft of torque with the electricity being stored in lithium-ion batteries. The XL1 will be able to travel up to 24 miles in all-electric mode and is expected to go 0-62 mph in 11.9 seconds with a top speed limited to 99-mph.

It is believed that the XL1 will be delivered starting next year but Volkswagen did not confirm how many they will be producing or its cost.

GALLERY: Volkswagen XL1 Concept

[Source: Autoweek.nl]

BMW will be ridding its lineup of the 335d, a decision that is rational from a business point of view, but upsetting to anyone who has driven BMW’s diesel offerings.

According to reports, BMW will retire the diesel engine 3 Series in favor of its new fuel efficient line-up of gasoline engines as well as a hybrid system. The 335d is rated at 23/36 mpg city/highway which has been the most fuel efficient 3 series for some time now. For 2012, BMW has introduced the 328i with a four cylinder 2.0L turbocharged motor which garners a 23/34 mpg city/highway rating showing up the diesel engines ratings. While the gasoline engine does take a bit of hit in horsepower compared to the diesel, 25 hp to be exact, it seems that BMW believes that in today’s market no one would buy a diesel unless the fuel economy numbers are rated higher than a comparable gas engine.

Later this year BMW will release its ActiveHybrid 3, which is expected to have a combined fuel economy rating of 36 mpg and put out 335 hp. Once again beating out the diesel in both fuel consumption numbers and power it seems that BMW’s decision to rid the 3 series lineup of a diesel offering is a sensible one.

While it’s unfortunate that BMW will be getting of rid of the 335d, the company does offer other smaller diesel engines to its European market, which just might find their way into North America one day.

[Source: Auto123]

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI will be going on sale this summer and will make its official debut at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show. VW has fed us some information ahead of its debut, however, revealing that it’ll be available in three trim levels and is expected to get 29-mpg city and 39-mpg highway.

The Beetle TDI will be powered by a 2.0L turbocharged diesel engine with 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or Volkswagen’s innovative, dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic. For the inside, the TDI models feature an extra instrument pod with oil temperature and boost gauges along with a stopwatch.

The three models the Beetle TDI will be available in are TDI, TDI with Sunroof, and TDI with Sunroof, Sound and Navigation. The upgraded models are pretty self-explanatory, with the base model coming with 17-inch wheels standard while the Sunroof model also adds a Premium VIII audio system with a full-color touchscreen display. Lastly, the top-of-the-line model has an RNS 315 navigation system with a five-inch touchscreen display and Fender Premium audio system.

Pricing has not yet been announced.

GALLERY: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Preview Here

Unveiled before its 2012 Geneva Auto Show debut in March, the brand new Ford B-MAX mini-minivan (the term in Europe is mini MPV) showcases a couple new innovations from the American automaker.

Based on a tidy Ford Fiesta platform, the heart of the B-MAX is Ford’s clever 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine producing 123-hp while reaching an equally impressive 59 mpg. The tiniest powerplant of the Ecoboost family, the innovative direct-injected turbocharged engine is exclusive for the European market for now but will eventually make its way into the North American and Chinese markets as well. For those looking for something even more frugal than the Ecoboost, Ford also offers a diesel B-MAX fitted with a Durotorq TDCi engine.

To set the Ford B-MAX apart from the competition in its class, Ford approached the new mini-minivan with a focus on functional design. The B-MAX features wide-open access for drivers, passengers and luggage. Minimizing obstructions, the center B-pillars are integrated into the doors. Ford also promises to present supreme craftsmanship as well as high quality materials, flexible seating arrangements and class-leading cargo room.

Chairman and CEO of Ford Europe, Stephen Odell, said, “The B-MAX combines an exciting, innovative design with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars. It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want more from their small cars.”

Stay tuned for more information on the C-MAX when Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally performs the unveiling at the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

GALLERY: Ford B-MAX

Audi is introducing their new line of bi-turbo diesel engines that will make their way into several A6 cars and the A7 Sportback.

Those included in the list are the A6 sedan, A6 Avant, Allroad Quattro and A7 Sportbacks. Next spring U.K. customers can look forward to those cars sporting the option of Audi’s most powerful V6 diesel to date. The 3.0-liter bi-turbo oil burner will have 309 horsepower and 479 ft-lb of torque. That will be enough to propel the A6 Quattro from 0-60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, while the A6 Avant and A7 will get there in 5.3.

There isn’t any news on those cars making their way across the ocean just yet, but Audi did well in the U.K. last year, selling 14 percent more vehicles than they did the previous year. Audi says part of their plan to continue that upward trend is to invest more money in new products for what looks like a hungry market.

While this is little more than speculation, it doesn’t seem that outlandish that Audi might decide to bring those products to market in North America. An A6 diesel has long been rumored for the US, but the date keeps scooting out of sight.

Hopefully the new engine will sell well in the U.K. and encourage Audi to expand its distribution. That said, we won’t be surprised if it takes a long time or just doesn’t happen at all. Afterall, we’re still staring at the A1 with envy as the clock ticks by. There’s also already a diesel engine being sold in the US, albeit one with only 225 horsepower, sold in the Q7, and soon to be available in the Q5 CUV and A8 sedan.