To celebrate its third Formula 1 Constructors’ world title, Renault and Red Bull Racing have teamed up to create the limited edition Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8.

The new flagship Megane Renaultsport is inspired by Red Bull Racing’s Formula 1 identity, but in a much more subdued fashion. It’ll be offered in a Twilight Blue exterior finish accented by Platinum Grey details.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine with 265 hp. The car is further made special thanks to Red Bull Racing branding, Recaro seats, R-Link multimedia and TomTom Live navigation system, Bridgestone Potenza RE05A tires and the latest Version 2.0 of the on-board R.S. Monitor.  The only available transmission is a six-speed manual.

Essentially, the limited edition model is a mechanically standard Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup except for the tires.

In total, 30 will be made for the UK market and will be available until September 30, 2013. Pricing will be announced closer to its launch.

GALLERY: Renault Megane Renaultsport Red Bull Racing RB8

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Ten years ago the so called “tuner scene” was in full affect. Every manufacturer wanted a piece of this compact performance pie and the possibilities seemed endless for consumers. But, like any automotive trend, time moves on, tastes change and only a handful of hopped up economy cars remain.

That didn’t deter Ford. After years of hot editions of the Focus in Europe, the maker finally brought the fire-breathing Focus ST States-side. Not only that, but pricing has been kept in check as well with the ST starting at $24,495.

After week behind the wheel, the ST proved it isn’t just a vast improvement over a regular Focus, but quite possibly ready to redefine the hot hatch segment. Here are five reasons why.

The 2013 Ford Fusion Energi has been awarded a five-star Overall Vehicle Score in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

The Energi plug-in hybrid’s five-star rating is no real surprise considering the other Fusion models also received five-star safety ratings. NHTSA, however, has chosen to test plug-in vehicles separately since the market share of electrified vehicles continues to grow.

SEE ALSO: Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid Rated Up to 108 MPGe

The 2013 Ford Fusion was also named a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and is rated at 108 MPGe.

“The Fusion Energi combines the highest possible safety ratings from NHTSA and great fuel economy, two things we know customers are looking for in their vehicles,” said Steve Kenner, Global Director of the Ford Automotive Safety Office. “Our strategy is to provide our customers with a range of powertrain options in our vehicles, while still leading in fuel economy in every segment that we compete.”

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid

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Each week, we recap the most popular videos from AutoGuide‘s YouTube channel just in case all seven days passed you by and you missed out. This past week, AutoGuide had a little fun putting two hot hatches in a shootout – the Ford Focus ST and the Mazdaspeed3. Which one prevailed?

2013 Ford Focus ST vs 2013 Mazdaspeed3

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SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Focus ST vs 2013 Mazdaspeed3

2013 Ford Fusion vs 2014 Mazda6

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SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Fusion vs 2014 Mazda6

2014 Chevrolet Silverado Review

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SEE ALSO: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Review

Make sure to subscribe to AutoGuide‘s YouTube Channel for the latest in car news and reviews.

We are back with this week’s instalment of AutoGuide’s newest, interactive weekly feature ‘Commute, Toy or Destroy’.

Once again, we present to you, our faithful readers, a choice of three vehicles. We are asking you to decide which one you would make your daily driver, which one would become a weekend Autocross machine and which one should be blown up by a 500 shot of nitrous.

Remember, the commuter car you must live with every day. The toy would be only available to you for occasional use on weekends or car meets and the final car would be the one you’d leave the keys in the ignition in a shady neighborhood.

This week we select icons of affordable performance from the late 1980s that represent three different continents. First, from North America is the Ford Mustang 5.0. Yeah, the storied Foxbody ‘Stang. Next, from Asia is an incredibly fun-to-drive light weight hatchback, the Honda CRX. Finally, representing Europe is the highly engaging Volkswagen Corrado. So what are your choices going to be?

1987-1993 Ford Mustang

The ‘foxbody’ Mustang (which refers to its ‘fox’ platform) was in production for a long time. In 1987 it was refreshed and modernized, but that didn’t matter too much. The 5.0 L V8 (4.9 L to be technical) was all the Mustang faithful cared about as it made this budget sports car not only a good performer, but also a great vehicle to modify into an absolute terror.

1988-1991 Honda CR-X

In 1987, the CRX received modern sheet metal, a better suspension and a significant bump in power; especially in Si models. Although power still barely exceeded the 100 hp mark, the fact the CRX weighed in at only 2,000 lbs. meant it was still fairly quick. This light weight also meant the CRX was incredibly nimble in the corners and fuel efficient. Later in life, this car became the darling of the import tuner community.

1988-1995 Volkswagen Corrado

When the Corrado first came out, many claimed it to be one of the best handling front-wheel drive cars ever made. Twenty-five years later and many are still in love with this three-door veedub. If handling prowess wasn’t enough, two letter and number combinations still set Corrado fans hearts a flutter; G60, which refers to the 158 hp 1.8 L supercharged four-cylinder and VR6, which was the name of the 178-192 hp narrow angle V6 engine.

Mitsubishi is getting ready to launch its new 2014 Mirage subcompact and is looking to the general public to help name its paint shades.

The Japanese automaker is taking a different approach to build buzz around the new Mirage. It has launched a website where users can vote through five rounds (for each color) to help determine what each color will be named once the vehicles are produced and hit dealerships this fall.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage to Cost Around $13k

After choosing your favorite name for each shade, the website reveals what the rest of the voters have chosen. The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage will boast 40 mpg combined and will be the most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid vehicle in America. The five-door subcompact is powered by a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine with 74 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque.

Click over to vote for your favorite color names here.

GALLERY: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage

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Peugeot is all set to compete in this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, revealing its race livery for the 208 T16 race car.

Packing 875 hp, the 208 T16 race car will be piloted by Sebastian Loeb and weighs in at a scant 1,929 lbs. The livery reveals the key partners to the Peugeot Pikes Peak race car including Red Bull, Total, and Michelin. This will be Peugeot’s first return to the famous hill climb race since its victories in 1988 and 1989.

SEE ALSO: Peugeot Pikes Peak Racer Gets 875-HP, Giant Wing

It will be competing in the Unlimited class at this year’s event. The 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb kicks off on June 30th in Colorado.

Discuss this story at PeugeotForums.com

Fiat dealers in America are unsurprisingly finding it difficult to turn a profit by selling just a subcompact, and are hoping that the new products hitting the US will help boost sales.

While sales of the 500 are improving, dealers are pinning their hopes on the four-door 500L, which will help bring in more customers later this year by offering a product in a different market segment.

Currently, Fiat only sells variants of the subcompact, two-door 500. There’s the base 500 convertible, in addition to a turbo model, and a hopped up Abarth. A new electric power 500e is also available in select markets.

“I’m struggling to break even,” says Gary Brown, Chrysler Dealer Council chairman. “With the one car in a small (volume) segment, it’s a tough go right now.”

The upcoming 500L looks just like a 500, but is bigger and equipped with four-doors. Using a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine with 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, the 500L  will be available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual dry clutch transmission.

“The real key is rolling out new product, additional offerings,” said Brown. “The four-door (500L) is really going to be a shot in the arm. It will put a franchise on more people’s radar as they are shopping for a small car.”

In addition to the 500L, Fiat dealers are also looking forward to the launch of the Alfa Romeo brand, which is spear-headed by the upcoming mid-engine 4C sportscar. The light weight coupe is expected to take on the likes of Porsche thanks to its 1.8L turbocharged engine, and handling prowess.

Source: Reuters

Scion has announced pricing for its 2014 tC and iQ models, along with its 10 Series Edition models which celebrate the brand’s 10th anniversary.

Updated for the 2014 model year, the new tC debuted earlier this year at the New York Auto Show with more aggressive styling, an upgraded interior, and an enhanced driving experience. The 2014 Scion tC will start at $19,210 for the manual and $20,210 for the automatic.

As for the 2014 Scion iQ, the Japanese automaker added the new Scion Display Audio while everything else carries over from the 2013 model year. Pricing for the 2014 Scion iQ starts at $15,665.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Scion FR-S Series 10 Video, First Look

Those interested in the Limited 10 Series Editions will be glad to know that they don’t demand a huge premium over the standard models. The tC will start at $21,440 and $22,440 for manual and automatic, respectively. The iQ will be $17,850 while the Scion xD manual will start from $18,155. Those looking for an automatic Limited 10 Series xD will have to pay at least $18,955.

Fans of the xB Limited 10 Series will have their pricing starting at $19,210 for the manual and $20,160 for the automatic.

The sporty FR-S starts at $27,425 for the manual Limited 10 Series while the automatic is priced from $28,675.

All listed prices exclude a $755 delivery, processing, and handling fee.

Discuss this story at ScionForum.com

Next to don the KODO Soul of Motion skin, the new Mazda3 is expected to debut during this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, but new spy photos are previewing the cabin today.

Mazda made a point of improving its Mazda6 flagship sedan’s styling both inside and out, and the smaller Mazda3 will follow suit. In fact, it looks like the smaller car might actually make strides beyond its larger sibling. A thin display stands out of the dashboard and looks a little like the screen in Mercedes and Audi products.

2014 Mazda6 Review

The shift knob also looks thicker and the center console takes on a new design compared to the CX-5 and Mazda6. Despite that, the same rotating knob is in place.

GALLERY: 2014 Mazda3 spy photos

Volkswagen is heading to this year’s Worthersee event with a concept race car, a 503-hp Design Vision GTI.

Based on the seventh-generation GTI, the German automaker has transformed it into a sleek race car that “could start racing tomorrow.” The design team was led by Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design of Volkswagen Brand, and features an aggressively wide body fitting 235-wide tires in the front and 275-wide tires in the rear. 20-inch wheels will be bolted onto the race concept, and Volkswagen claims it can reach a top speed of 186 mph.

Powered by a 3.0-liter V6, the concept car is turbocharged with direct injection and provides 413 lb-ft of torque to back up the 503 hp. All the power is sent to the wheels through a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and the automaker’s all-wheel-drive system. The Design Vision GTI can hit 62 mph from a standstill in just 3.9 seconds.

But it’s not all about speed, large 15-inch carbon-ceramic brake discs are found up front while 14-inch rotors adorn the rear. As for the dimensions, the Design Vision GTI is 0.6 inches shorter than a regular GTI and is 2.2 inches lower and 2.8 inches wider. The vehicle is finished in a White Club paint while the add-on parts were painted a contrast Piano Paint Black. The GTI insignia as well as the strip in the front has been finished in red.

As for the interior, race-inspired changes were made to give the vehicle a “pure GTI” feel, concentrating on the essentials but with style. Alcantara and Nappa leather were used in the cabin while the rear seats have been tossed out in exchange for an X-shaped cross member to strengthen the chassis.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Design Vision GTI

Discuss this story at MyFastGTI.com

Nissan is taking aim at Europe’s five-door hatchback segment next year to take on the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

Part of a bid to bolster its presence back into mainstream territory, the car will be designed exclusively for Europe and built in Nissan’s Barcelona plant according to AutoCar.