A selection of leaked images are providing a clear picture of the next generation Audi A3 hatchback.

The photos, leaked by ZR.ru, clearly show Audi’s big hexagonal grille and the sharp lines running from where that mouth meets the pointed headlights, all the way to the windshield. Details on the car aren’t out yet, but should emerge in advance of its release expected later this year. Look for several diesel options for Europe, as well as Audi’s 2.0T gasoline engine.

The A3 is based on Volkswagen Group’s new MQB versatile platform, which is said to eventually become the underpinnings for as many as 60 models.

Traditionally, Audi always releases new products in Europe well ahead of bringing them stateside. In the past, we’ve reported that the A3 hatchback will actually be discontinued in the U.S. in favor of a more Americanized sedan.

In either case we’ll be watching to see what happens next. For now you can look at our gallery below and weigh in under the comments section.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi A3 Hatchback leaked

Race cars, check. Beautiful women, check. Ken Block video, check. Gymkhana racing with Ken Block in video, negative. Wait, what? Ken Block is releasing a video that has no real action in it and it’s still worth watching?

The Ford Fiesta driver spoofs himself with the aid of actor and comedian Nick Swardson in this fairly hilarious video. From inventing his own vegetable called the “Blockli” to referring to rival Travis Pastrana as the drummer from Blink 182, this 2012 race season interview is not only creative, but well worth the laughs.

Whether you like Block or not, you have to admit that he certainly knows how to make a viral video.

Watch the interview below:

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Making its way to the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show will be Rinspeed’s Dock + Go creation, an innovative yet strange concept that will leave some scratching their heads.

The Swiss-based tuner is marketing the Dock + Go as a backpack on wheels but is also a detachable range-extender for electric cars. The product essentially adds a third axle to the vehicle, adding an extra pair of wheels to a compact electric car – in this case, a Smart Fortwo Electric Drive. Essentially it’s a mini-trailer that can also serve as a range-extender, but its versatility is what leaves the possibilities endless for what it can be used for.

In its demo photos, for example, Rinspeed shows off its Dock + Go aiding in a pizza delivery company, camping, golfing, skiing, and more. We could definitely see these things being a hit out at tailgating parties in the US.

Rinspeed didn’t release exact figures as to how long the extended range is with the Dock + Go.

GALLERY: Rinspeed Dock + Go

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show Preview here

Peugeot will be bringing a pair of 208 concepts to the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show, with the GTi Concept marking the return of an icon for the French automaker.

The GTi Concept pays tribute to the legendary 205 GTi, featuring double-chromed exhaust tips, lower aerodynamic spoilers, lower side skirt extensions, and brushed aluminum GTi Concept logos on the rear quarter panels. A checkered-flag motif adorns the metal mesh of the front grille while the bottom bar of the grille features the French “Le Tricolour” flag or the Union Jack when it’s out in the United Kingdom.

The interior is packed with sporty accessories, including a leather-stitched steering wheel, gear shifter and double-stitching on the seats. LED backlighting can be seen in the surrounds of the instrument cluster while the sporty seats are upholstered in Nappa leather with cloth in the center featuring an embossed tartan motif and a leather head restraint.

Powering the GTi Concept is a potent 1.6L THP engine with 197-hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. The RCZ THP 200 powerplant is mated to a six-speed manual transmission for a true, sporty drive. Braking, suspension, and aerodynamic tweaks are also on the GTi Concept to set it apart from the standard 208.

In addition to the GTi Concept, Peugeot will be bringing its XY Concept to the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, geared towards “city dwellers who love distinction and refinement.” The XY Concept features a 1.6L e-HDi engine with 115-hp and a six-speed manual transmission. Those attending the show will be able to check out its special “Pulsion” paintwork that Peugeot claims that it “appears to constantly change, depending on the distance and the position from which it is viewed.”

GALLERY: Peugeot GTi Concept

GALLERY: Peugeot XY Concept

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show Preview Here

The acclaimed Hyundai Veloster receives a major upgrade for the 2013 model year. Recognized for its unique three-door configuration, provoking design, build quality, and great value, the Veloster has also been criticized for falling short in the driving department.

For 2013, Hyundai answers with the introduction of the Veloster Turbo, armed with a 1.6 liter turbo inline-four delivering 201-hp and 195 lb.-ft. Torque. While the base Veloster offered a choice between a 6-speed manual or dual clutch transmission, the Veloster Turbo will keep the manual but forgo the dual-clutch for a traditional 6-speed automatic instead.

The new Veloster Turbo hatch will be available for sale by summertime and, according to a Hyundai official that spoke to Inside Line, should receive a starting price at $21,500, or $22,280 when you factor in the $760 destination charge. An affordable price for cars delivering a similar package with similar performance, the more powerful Veloster is actually a $4,000 premium over the 138-hp base model. Of course, the Veloster Turbo will be provided with more standard equipment as well.

Strangely, a turbo variant for the Veloster was reportedly not a part of Hyundai’s initial product strategy in North America. Due to the daily practice of freeway driving by most Americans, we’re glad Hyundai reconsidered.

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

[Source: Inside Line]

America might not be blessed with the current-generation Audi A1 anytime soon, but Europeans may be getting a convertible variant with a retractable roof.

The A1 Convertible wouldn’t exactly be a full blown convertible, but a semi-convertible could be in the works sporting a retractable cloth top similar to what’s seen on the Fiat 500C. The German automaker has already tossed out the idea of a full convertible version due to high development costs.

The report comes courtesy of comments made by Audi head Rupert Stadler. The cloth top that could make its way onto the A1 body would cover about 80-percent of the roof, but unlike the 500C from Fiat, the roof wouldn’t incorporate the vehicle’s hatch section.

There’s no confirmation as to when this A1 variant would be available for purchase, but it’s believed that the model has already become an Audi road prototype, proving that it may have already received the nod for production.

[Source: Autocar]

BMW is starting to take a liking to blurring out the vital parts and trying to tease us about what’s next on the horizon from the German automaker. First it was the X6 M Diesel that got teased, and now BMW is showing off its M Performance Parts for their 1-Series hatchback model.

Now to be clear, this isn’t the 1M, but rather a standard 1-Series that has been outfitted with M Performance Parts to spice it up. The Bavarian automaker announced that they have intentions of expanding their M Performance range, releasing variants of all their vehicles packed with M Performance Parts.

This isn’t entirely new or revolutionary from BMW, having offered M Sport packages in the past. This video teases the products that BMW has for the 1-Series hatchback which appears to feature M Performance interior accessories, a body kit, exterior logos, and M-badged brake calipers. It’ll be more interesting to see whether or not we’ll see a M 135 or something similar to the M Performance Diesel models that were recently announced.

Check out the video after the break.

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The Kia Track’ster was arguably the most interesting new vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show this year. Based on the Kia Soul, this compact racer has undeniable good looks.

The Track’ster took nine months to design, but the end product is evidence of the designers efforts. This video walks through every step of the process which takes quite a few people’s input into account.

Concept designs are some of the hardest work car companies will put in because each piece needs to be designed and manufactured by hand. Then, once all the parts are made, each piece is checked over to make sure it perfectly fits the specifications it was built to. Once the car is assembled it is gone over with a fine-toothed comb to check for errors. The process is gruelling and puts any company’s commitment to the test.

Watch the video of the making of the Kia Track’ster after the jump.

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We may have just got the new Ford Focus (seen above), but it’s already time to start thinking about the beefed up RS version.

Rumors are swirling about Ford ditching the Volvo derived 2.5L, five-cylinder engine and going with a 2.3L four-cylinder with a turbo. The new engine will likely be more efficient, but no word on if it’ll be called an EcoBoost. All this could amount to power somewhere in the range of 320 horsepower. That may seem like a lot for a front wheel drive car, but Fords RevoKnuckle front suspension is likely to be thrown in to help deal with torque-steer.

Other rumors that are being tossed around as that the car is coming as a five-door, instead of the previous three-door version and that the engine being used in this Focus might also be making its way into a Ford Mustang.

Regardless, if any or all of these factors come true, the Focus RS could be one heck of a car.

[Source: Top Gear]

Later this year, Volkswagen will reveal its all-new Mk7 Golf (Spy photo shown above). A pivotal new car for Volkswagen, the Golf will be improved in almost all aspects, including a swath of more luxurious features.

The staple hatchback will receive a wider range of powertrains including a natural gas variant, an electric variant, and a plug-in hybrid variant that would not only produce 243-hp, but achieve more than 50 mpg.

Mainstream engines for the Golf will include the 1.4 liter turbo engine expected to be good for 138-hp. Larger petrol engines will be available in 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter. Diesel options include a 2.0L diesel producing 181-hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque as well as a twin-turbo diesel with an output of 220-hp. Finally, the new Golf GTI hot hatch gets hotter. The new GTI is expected to receive a 260-hp 2.0 liter turbo. To handle the newfound power, the GTI also features the new VAQ electrically controlled front differential. VW claims that the “agile steering behavior” offers fantastic feedback and cuts the lap time of a conventional diff Golf around the Nürburgring by 8.0 seconds.

Aiming to set a new benchmark, the new Golf will be the first model in the Volkswagen line-up to receive the new MQB platform, a radical chassis that will eventually serve as the underpinning for everything from the VW Polo supermini to the larger Passat sedan. Volkswagen also developed a tweaked Dynamic Chassis Control active damping system to complement the new architecture.

Promising a lighter weight version of the Mk7 Golf, Volkswagen will also create a platform with aluminum floor pressings, boot floor and windscreen base. The German automaker has yet to announce which models would receive this unique alloy-steel hybrid structure, but analysts suggest the Golf EV and GTI are best positioned to receive it. This structure is designed to be as light as the Mk4 Golf of the late 1990′s while providing much higher standards in safety.

Finally, technology found in the Golf include an 8 inch iPad style infotainment screen that includes adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue detection, 360 parking sensors with semi-autonomous capability, all features previously reserved for more luxury-oriented cars.

Expect to see the new Golf at the September Paris Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2013 VW Golf MK7 Spy Photos

[Source: Autocar]