The last couple days have been a storm of spy photos with the latest to come our way picturing the 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Last time we saw pictures of the two-door hatchback it was going through winter testing. When it arrives, the 2013 model will be the first car built on VW’s new MQB architecture. The new GTI is shaping up to be the hottest hatch to come from the German automaker yet. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine making 260 hp it will already be the more powerful version to date.

That paired with the fact that it will lose weight thanks to being build on the MQB platform means it’s shaping up to be a real rocket. In the latest batch of photos we see the car’s actual headlights and what appears to be its production side mirrors.

Hinged on a technicality, the M135i concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show is based on a 1-Series hatchback layout exclusive to the European market. However, a recent interview between BMWblog and Nitschke revealed that an M135i tailored for the North American market will be available. Rather than a hatchback format, the American M135i will likely adopt a coupe or convertible layout.

No word on the official release date for the hot little Bimmer, but its arrival should come well after the standard second-generation 1 Series in 2013. BMW is refraining from revealing official performance numbers as well, but we expect the solid twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six to produce roughly 340 hp.

GALLERY: BMW M135i Concept

[Source: BMWblog.com]

Ward’s Auto has released its top 10 picks for best interior in 2012 today, though in no particular order. Here they are with brief notes on each car’s engine specs and starting price.

The 2012 Mazda CX-5 crossover is powered by 2.0-liter Skyactiv inline four cylinder that makes 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque with a starting MSRP of $20,695 with front-wheel drive.

Fiat’s return to America has been met with limited success. Sales of the 500 mini car failed to even come close to expectations, selling just a third of expected volume or around 20,000 units last year.

In Canada, however, with the higher costs of vehicles (and gas), not to mention a more European mindset towards acceptance of smaller cars, the small 500 has done surprisingly well. In 2011 Fiat managed to move over 5,000 units. While a fourth of the US total, it’s an impressive number for a population that’s one-tenth the size.

As a result, Fiat is looking to make a bigger push into Canada in the near future. While the recently-revealed 500L is expected to be offered in both the US and Canada, the Great White North will see two additional models: the Panda MPV, as well as the Punto. Enthusiasts who are now being introduced to the Fiat 500 Abarth, are sure to appreciate the Abarth Punto which is powered by a 165 hp turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and comes outfitted with the usual long list of Abarth performance goodies from brakes, to wheels and tires, to suspension components. In it’s highest trim, the 178 hp Esseesse version is sure to make for a compelling rival against the rumors Ford Fiesta ST.

[Source: TTAC]

Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine equipped Sonic subcompact will now be available with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The quickest of its class, the 6-speed manual turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine propels the Sonic from 0-to-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, or Hyundai Accent. Although initial offerings only came with a 6-speed manual, the addition of an automatic transmission makes the Sonic more accessible to more consumers.

According to vehicle line director and chief engineer for North American small cars Jim Danahy, “Providing the option of a turbocharged engine to our non-stick driving Chevy customers allows us to offer everyone the thrill and power of a fuel-efficient Ecotec 1.4L powerplant. Both in the Sonic and Cruze, the engine enables better fuel economy without sacrificing power or performance. It’s really a winning combination.”

The added convenience of an automatic transmission comes at a cost, as 0-to-60 mph acceleration clocks at a slower 8 seconds and will earn an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city and 37 highway, while the manual transmission is capable of 29 in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. What’s more, adding the automatic transmission will take on an additional $440 to the price of a Sonic LT sedan or hatchback, or an additional $630 to the price of a Sonic LTZ sedan or hatchback.

GALLERY: Chevy Sonic

With a less-than-impressive track record and generally poor customer reception, it’s remarkable that Honda continues to work on making the Crosstour a palatable vehicle. 

Nonetheless, the Japanese automaker is soldiering on, most recently announcing today that it will debut the 2013 Crosstour concept at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

It’s been a sad tale — that of the frankencar Honda originally branded as an Accord, but the Crosstour hasn’t just stayed in the company’s lineup. Instead it’s enjoyed continued evolution in an insistant effort by the company to make the car sell, despite dissenting consumer feedback.

The most recent of those evolutions was an added four-cylinder engine, which was meant to make the not-crossover appealing to a wider audience. Unfortunately, the smaller engine gained inconsequential gas milage and dropped dismally in its power rating.

Worse yet, the car (seen above) is ugly. That’s why it’s not surprising to see Honda announcing new styling for the car. The real question is whether or not that will be enough for customers to revisit the idea of buying one.

GALLERY: 2012 Honda Crosstour

Introduced for the Japanese market last December, the Toyota Prius C had only hit U.S. showrooms on March 12.  In only its first three days in the U.S. market, the Prius C sold 1,201 units, eclipsing the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf’s complete February sales performance of 1,023  and 478 units respectively.

However, demand for the new small hybrid is even greater in Japan. Quite the hot seller, a 120,000 order backlog for Japan threatens the U.S. allocation. Toyota announced that current supply constraints limit the plants to only assembling 6,000 units per month for the North American market, or 30,000 Prius C’s a month in total.

The car is built exclusively in the Kanto factory of Iwate, northern Japan, and while the plant exported as much as 60 percent of its output in 2007, only 30 percent of its output is exported today. The lack of a North American plant for assembly combined with the yen’s steadily rising rate of exchange against the dollar has tightened the profit margin of the Japan-made vehicle, causing Toyota to concentrate its sales efforts to Japan.

Despite the challenges, Kanto Iwate President Tetsuo Hattori said that tweaks will be performed to push efficiencies that should help boost capacity. What’s more, the Japan-specific Ractis subcompact, built in the same plant, will gradually shift its production elsewhere starting in May, providing extra capacity and dedicating more of the facility to Prius C assembly.

Besides the Ractis small car, a number of Scion xD models, the Belta/Yaris sedans, and the Blade hatchback are manufactured at the Iwate plant.

“We have to produce other models too, so we are running at quite high utilization. We are looking at ways of satisfying demand of all our customers,” Hattori said.

So far, Hattori is unaware of discussions to expand Prius C capacity by assembling them at other plants as well. He did note that Toyota will commence a group wide manufacturing strategy review in Japan this April and May.

Read AutoGuide’s Toyota Prius c Review Here

GALLERY: Toyota Prius C

[Source: Auto News]

In an interview, Ford vehicle line director Gunnar Herrman reported that development on the next-generation Focus RS hot hatch have been delayed to bump development of various other vehicles and its trims and variants, especially the Ford Kuga/Escape and the Ford Focus Electric.

Simply, Herrmann explained that “It’s just because we have other priorities to clean up and, effectively, we have to make a final decision on how we proceed [with the new RS].”

For the new Focus RS, the previous Volvo derived 2.5L, five-cylinder engine will be replaced with a new turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing approximately 320 horsepower. Like the previous generations of the Focus RS hatchback, the new RS will be front wheel drive, coping torque steer with the help of a limited slip differential as well as a Revoknuckle front suspension.

GALLERY: 2010 Ford Focus RS

[Source: World Car Fans]

BMW‘s 1M coupe was a hot shot of a car, but the company didn’t keep it up. Now we’re left looking forward to the hot hatch that may replace it — the M 135i.

Bavaria’s own tiny tire-burner-to-be is based on the 135i and it’s formidable 3.0-liter inline six cylinder guilty of giving more than 300 hp to the lightweight German car. That’s plenty to speed with before you let the boys in BMW’s M Division get in and poke around.

We don’t know much about the car yet, but it’s safe to assume it will come with six-speed manual transmission, bigger brakes and sportier interior seats — probably a stiffer suspension too.

Even if the car misses out on major mechanical modification, the engine is easily tunable and such a light chassis with a potent engine and stiffer suspension would be a real blast — think of a Mazda MX-5 Miata with cojones.

 GALLERY: BMW M 135i concept

Audi unveiled the 2013 A3 hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show today, showcasing a lighter and more efficient version of the company’s small three-door car, despite remaining almost exactly the same size.

The car will be available with two TFSI engines or a turbo diesel. All three engines were newly developed for the car and bundle efficiency technologies including direct injection, thermal management and fuel shutoff to discourage fuel thirst.

The TFSI engines offer customers the choice between a more conservative 122-hp 1.4-liter engine or sportier 180-hp 1.8-liter engine. TDI fans sit squarely in the middle in term of power, getting 150 hp from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

Efficiency is further helped by a chassis that loses more than 176 lbs as well as a covered underbody and engine compartment that reduce drag.

Customers will also enjoy the use of Audi connect, the company’s modular infotainment system which makes its debut in the new A3.

Aside from entertainment, the A3 comes with safety technology features like adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist which monitors traffic behind the vehicle and active lane assist.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi A3

In Frankfurt last year, Ford teased us with a new Fiesta ST concept. Shown initially in three-door form we were initially worried we wouldn’t get this spiced-up version so you can perhaps imagine our delight when a five-door concept materialized a couple months later at the LA Auto Show.

Now, at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Ford has announced a production version of the car. Considering that many enthusiasts in Europe have been waiting with baited breath since the last Fiesta ST went away in 2008, there’s clearly a great deal riding on this new one.

Although information  is still somewhat scant, Ford says this new Fiesta ST will sport an EcoBoost, 1.6-liter turbocharged four under the hood, rated at 180 metric horsepower and some 240 NM (177 lb-ft) of torque. Lowered (by some 15 mm/ 0.6 inches) and sporting stiffened suspension, plus one of the first applications of Ford’s SYNC voice command software in Europe (the Fiesta derived B-Max is the other), the peppy new Ford promises to be quite the little performance pill. Also included in this package are enhanced Torque Vectoring and three different Stability Control modes.

On the outside, aggressive aero extensions, including a more pronounced front air dam and signature rear spoiler add to the car’s boy racer persona and although the ST was developed by Ford’s RS performance division in Europe, drawing on much WRC and rally cross experience, standard MyKey technology will help ensure that younger drivers don’t get into trouble.

Revealed in three-door form in Geneva, the new Fiesta ST is clearly aimed at the European market, at least for the timing being, though Ford says “it remains open to introducing [the high performance small car] to other regions.” And if you’ve been paying any attention to Ford and its “One Ford” plan of global products, expect to see a 5-door Fiesta ST grace a North American auto show soon.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fiesta ST

Click here for AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show Coverage

The marketing department has certainly switched gears over at Fiat. From the female-targeted J-Lo ads for the cutsie 500 to the sultry Fiat 500 Abarth spot featuring lingerie model Catrinel Menghia.

Another step in that direction, the Fiat 500 Abarth is back in a new commercial titled “House Arrest” featuring legendary bad boy Charlie Sheen. And don’t worry, Menghia makes a cameo too.

Watch the video below:

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