Lexus will debut its latest model, the CT200h, in front of a North American audience for the first time at the New York Auto Show at the end of the month. Officially unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show last week, the CT200h is not only a luxury hatchback, but the first hybrid in the compact premium class.

Power comes from a version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system using a 1.8-liter VVT-i 4-cylinder, however, Toyota has yet to announce any engine output numbers. A similar setup used in the Prius makes just 134-hp, but we’re hoping for something closer to the HS250’s 187-hp. Lexus claims a fully electric range of 1.2 miles in EV mode at speeds up to 28 mph, while driver’s can also select Normal or Sport driving modes. The CT200h is a front-wheel drive model and runs 17-inch wheels.

The interior is certainly of a reasonably premium level, with some typical Toyota hybrid touches like the small gear shifter and push button ignition. The dash is divided into two “zones” with a Display Zone for vehicle information (which includes an 8-inch LCD screen) and an Operation Zone, which includes the Lexus Remote Touch mouse control. As a hatchback, Lexus rates the car’s storage capacity at roughly 12 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 25 cubic feet with those seats folded flat.

Originally designed for Europe, Lexus has announced this new model will be offered world-wide, with sales expected to start late this year.

GALLERY: Lexus CT200h Debut in Geneva

Leave it to Germany’s largest and most popular Volkswagen tuner to take something as cool as the brand new Golf R and make it even better! With VW’s 4MOTON all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder the Golf R is already seriously badass, but ABT has tuned the 2.0 TFSI engine to 310-hp, allowing for a 0-62 mph time of just 5.2 seconds.

ABT has also launched a new front bumper for the car and the company offers either 18 or 19-inch wheels.

We’re certain ABT will deliver even more goodies for the most hard core Golf yet, but until then, feel free to browse through the gallery below and say a prayer that the Golf R might make its way to the U.S. some day.

GALLERY: ABT Sportsline Golf R

Official release after the jump:

Barring the unlikely scenario that Volkswagen releases a Polo R, the Polo GTI is now the sportiest mini-Golf offered in Europe. Sadly, VW sill has no official plans to bring the Polo (including this new GTI model) to North America. Read on to see why that’s such sad news.

Powering the car is VW’s impressive 1.4 TSI Twincharger engine. Displacing 1.4-liters this four cylinder uses direct-injection technology as well as a turbocharger and a supercharger to make 178-hp and 184 ft-lbs of torque. Combined with a 7-speed DSG transmission, the little GTI can hit 62 mph in 6.9 seconds. It’s also incredibly efficient, delivering 40 mpg on average (using the more generous European Test Cycle). This represents a fuel economy improvement over the last Polo GTI’s 1.8T engine.

Along with a GTI-styled exterior and interior (with the necessary Interlagos plaid seats), Polo GTI highlights include a sports suspension that is not only stiffer but also 15mm lower to the ground. A set of 17-inch wheels allow for wider 215/40/17 tires. And to help in the corners, the Polo GTI gets VW’s XDS electronic differential, which uses the car’s brakes to slow the inside wheel in a corner.

Maybe, just maybe, VW will bring the Polo, and this hot GTI version to the U.S. soon.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Polo GTI

Official release after the jump:

Joining the sporty Polo GTI model at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show will be the crossover-styled CrossPolo. With new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and fender flares, all in a black plastic, the sporty hatch gets a rugged off-road look. To complete the look it also gets some roof rails, as well as some 17-inch wheels.

A total of six engines will be offered (three gasoline and diesel each), combined with a six-speed or 7-speed DSG transmission. Gasoline powerplants include 1.2-and 1.4-liter 4-cylinders as well as a 1.2-liter TSI engine with direct-injection and a turbo that makes 104-hp, can accelerate the car to 62 mph in 9.9 seconds and achieves 42.7 mpg on average. As for the diesels, all three engines offered are 1.6-liter units with power levels ranging from 74-hp to 89-hp to 104-hp, with all achieving 55-mpg on average.

Inside, the CrossPolo gets some unique and rugged trim items, while total cargo space is listed at 37 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

With Volkswagen still yet to make a move on bringing the Polo to North America, it’s highly unlikely that the CrossPolo would ever see our shores. Even if the Polo does jump the pond, a standard and GTI model are likely the only versions we’ll see – which is really just fine by us. (We really do wish they’d hurry up and bring the Polo here).

Volkswagen will also display its new CrossGolf at the Geneva Auto Show, of which we will bring you live coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Volkswagen CrossPolo

Official release after the jump:

After a leaked brochure earlier this week, Lexus has has now officially revealed the CT200h hybrid hatchback with news of “worldwide sales.” Set to debut next week at the Geneva Auto Show, the car was initially designed for Europe, but according to the Lexus press release Toyota’s luxury arm will offer the car in other markets – including the U.S.

Power comes from a version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system using a 1.8-liter VVT-i 4-cylinder. A similar setup used in the Prius makes just 134-hp, but we’re hoping for something closer to the HS250’s 187-hp. Lexus claims a fully electric range of 1.2 miles in EV mode at speeds up to 28 mph, while driver’s can also select Normal or Sport driving modes. The CT200h is the first full hybrid in the premium C-Class segment and is front-wheel drive, running on 17-inch wheels.

The interior is certainly of a premium level, with some typical Toyota hybrid touches like the small gear shifter and push button ignition. The dash is divided into two “zones” with a Display Zone for vehicle information (which includes an 8-inch LCD screen) and an Operation Zone, which includes the Lexus Remote Touch mouse control.

As a hatchback, Lexus rates the car’s storage capacity at roughly 12 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 25 cubic feet with those seats folded flat.

We’ll bring you more on the CT200h and the rest of the cars at the Geneva Auto Show with live coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Lexus CT200h

Official release after the jump:

With a debut set for next week, a brochure of the European Lexus CT200h hybrid hatchback has leaked out online, although details are still hard to come by. The car is powered by a 1.8-liter VVT-i 4-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery, although no output numbers are available yet. Power does go to the front 17-inch wheels using a CVT transmission and Lexus has designed the car with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. As a full hybrid it will be able to run completely on electric power for short periods of time.

As for the rest of the car, it measured 170-inches in length, is 69.5-inches wide and 56-inches tall, with a 102-inch wheelbase. The interior looks like a genuine premium vehicle, as the Europeans would expect, with a few typical Toyota/Lexus hybrid cues, like the strange transmission shift mechanism. Cargo space is rated at 12 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 25 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

Outside, the car isn’t nearly as dramatic as the concept, which first debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year. To help spice it up a bit and to grow the Lexus brand with younger buyers in Europe, the CT200h will be offered in two new exciting colors: Flare Yellow and Fire Agate. Plus, it has LED lighting.

The car is set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next week and we imagine we’ll find out both engine output numbers and the more importat fuel economy numbers at that time. Lexus is also eager to point out that this hybrid setup produces far fewer emissions than a similar diesel engine.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Lexus CT200h Brochure

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Volkswagen has released three images of the 2010 Polo GTI, which will be introduced at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March.

The 2010 Polo GTI will be powered by a 1.4 liter TSI engine, claiming 178 bhp, and a seven-speed DSG transmission. The GTI version stands 0.6 inches lower and uses stiffer suspension than the regular Polo. The Polo GTI will also use Volkswagen’s XDS electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved handling.

Inside, the Polo GTI features tartan cloth seats and flat-bottomed steering wheel.

AutoGuide.com will have more when the 2010 Volkswagen Polo GTI makes its debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo GTI

[Source: AutoExpress]

Subaru will use the 2010 Geneva Auto Show to debut a new Impreza XV model in Europe and judging from the car’s description we think we’ve seen it before. In a brief press release Subaru describes the Impreza model as having many of the items featured on the U.S.-spec Impreza Outback Sport. What that means are special fender flates, roof rails, a roof spoiler and a new front grille. In Europe, the Impreza XV will come with either a 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder or Boxer Diesel.

At the Geneva show, Subaru will also show-off its Hybrid Tourer Concept, the Plug-in Stella electric car, as well as a selection of models equipped with the automaker’s Boxer Diesel.

AutoGuide’s live coverage of the 2010 Geneva Auto Show begins March 2nd.

Official release after the jump:

Volkswagen has just officially launched the high-performance Golf R model in Europe, just days after its first North American showing as a concept at the Montreal International Auto Show. As an even-higher performance version than the iconic GTI, the Golf R gets an upgraded version of the same 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder as well as VW’s 4MOTION AWD system, making it an exceptional driver’s car – even in the rain… or snow.

Using the same 2.0 TFSI as found in the Audi TTS, the Golf R makes 265-hp at 6000 rpm and 258 ft-lbs of torque from 2500 to 50o0 rpm. Both a six-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered, allowing a 0-62 mph time of as low as 5.5 seconds (likely 5.3 seconds to 60 mph).

Other highlights include a new front fascia and rear bumper with dual center-exit exhausts, as well as a stiffer suspension that has been lowered by 25mm (1-inch). The list goes on an on, with a sport steering wheel, highly bolstered sport seats, upgraded brakes and 18-inch wheels (19s optional). There’s even a version of Audi’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that allows the driver to adjust the sensitivity of the throttle, steering and suspension.

When the car was shown in Montreal, Volkswagen Canada said in a statement that it, “brings this Concept vehicle to Montreal to gauge public reaction and solicit feedback in order to determine the desirability of a premium performance model like the Golf R Concept for sale in the Canadian market at some point in the future.”

We have to imagine the Golf R will also make its way to major shows like the Chicago Auto Show next month, as there’s simply no way VW would sell such a low volume car in Canada and not the U.S.

Volkswagen has released an entirely list of specifications for the Golf R in Europe as well as a new gallery of photos. Feel free to peruse both below and give us your thoughts in if you think the Golf R should come to North America.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R

Official release after the jump:

A collection of amateur spy photos have emerged online showing what appears to be a production version of the Lexus LF-Ch concept, which first debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year. With a slightly less aggressive style, a new rear hatch and some OEM-equipment wheels, it is likely that Lexus is preparing this new model for an official debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

The LF-Ch is intended as a competitor to the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, Volvo C30 and the upcoming Mercedes C-Class Coupe. Initially designed just for Europe, Lexus brought the concept to both the Tokyo Auto Show and LA Auto Show to gauge interest in those markets.

Thanks to patent filings by Lexus, the car is believed to be called the CT200h, signifying a hybrid. The concept version was also a hybrid although Lexus did not give any official details on what sort of engine. We expect it to be a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the HS250h, or possibly a smaller Prius-sized engine.

For more images, see the link below:

[Source: Autoblog]