It’s a far cry from the 1960s and 1970s when in Britain, you couldn’t throw a rock without hitting a MGB or Midget. It was almost a similar story in the United States, which for much of the postwar period was Britain’s largest single vehicle export market.

Nonetheless, despite a very troubled recent history and selling so few cars in the UK last month (three of the seven were MG TF mid-engined roadsters, the other four MG 6 hatchback/sedan models), current parent, China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC, which builds the MG 6 and ships complete knocked down examples for final assembly in the UK), has said it isn’t giving up on the brand.

Part of the firm’s strategy with MG is the introduction of several new models for the UK market, including the MG 3, which is aimed at the likes of popular sellers such as the Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 208 and Toyota Yaris.

This should help bolster sales, as despite being on the market for less than a year, the MG 6 is a relatively large car by UK standards, competing in a segment where demand is shrinking. The lack of a diesel option and a hoary old, relatively thirsty 1.8-liter turbocharged gas engine that can trace its roots back to the mid-1980s certainly aren’t helping matters, despite the 6 earning a four-star crash rating in NCAP safety tests.

Besides the MG 3 it will be interesting to see what other new models materialize; a  ”halo” replacement for the TF, which can trace its roots all the way back to 1995 is long overdue and would certainly help bolster the brand’s reputation as a maker of fun, affordable sports cars, something it was synonymous with back in its heyday.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Smaller than the Cruze. Smaller than the Sonic. The Spark is Chevy‘s new urban mini-car, designed for sale globally, the bowtie brand has now officially unveiled the Spark for the U.S. market, here at the LA Auto Show.

Powered by a 1.2-liter 4-cylinder it makes just 85-hp and will compete against cars like the Smart fortwo, Scion iQ and Fiat 500. For full details on the Spark, watch the video below.

GALLERY: 2013 Chevy Sonic

Watch the video below:

Continue Reading…

The Fiat 500 was just an appetizer. This is the car Fiat fans have really been waiting for, the 500 Abarth. Built by the automaker’s in-house tuning division, the Abarth model gets a long list of upgrades, from a lower and stiffer suspension, to upgraded wheels and, most importantly, a turbocharged mated to the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine to deliver 160-hp. Find out more on the Fiat 500 Abarth in the video below.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Abarth

Watch the video below:

Continue Reading…

Did he just say that? Yes, Fiat Brand boss Oliver Francois commented that the new Fiat 500 Abarth “arouses without the need for a prescription”. Spoken with a thick French accent at the vehicle’s launch today at the LA Auto Show, it sounds much more eloquent than “Viagra on wheels.”

Powered by a 160-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter multiair engine with 170 lb-ft of torque, it’s an over 50 percent upgrade from the standard Fiat 500. “When you see the scorpion you know the vehicle behind that badge packs venom,” says Francois.

Other upgrades include 16 or optional 17-inch wheel, a 0.6-inch lower ride height, 40 percent stiffer springs and adjustable Koni shocks. Larger brake rotors improve the stopping distance, while a custom aero kit help aerodynamic performance and looks great too. Plus, there’s a dual-exhaust setup.

Inside there’s a turbo boost gauge and shift light, with custom aluminum pedals, a flat-bottom steering wheel and red stitching on the seats.

Pricing for the Abarth model has yet to be announced.

GALLERY: 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

Discuss this story at Fiat500Owners.co

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show coverage here

It’s plenty of fun even with just 100-hp, but Mazda isn’t called the Zoom Zoom brand for nothing. Revealed today at the 2011 SEMA Show is a tuner car concept dubbed the Mazda2 Turbo. Rather than some bolt-on turbocharger this sub-compact gets a complete swap from its big-brother, the Mazdaspeed3.

Borrowing that 2.3-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder, power more than doubles to 263-hp with almost triple the amount of torque at 280 lb-ft.

Other upgrades include a custom aero kit, 17-inch OZ racing wheels and a Brembo big brake upgrade.

GALLERY: Mazda2 Turbo

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show coverage here

Fiat has officially confirmed it will add a third model to its U.S. lineup, debuting the new 500 Abarth at the LA Auto Show.

Looking like a kitted-out version of the standard 500, this car is certain to hit the sweet spot with enthusiasts, and is expected to come equipped with a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces as much as 160-hp – 59-hp more than the standard car. Other upgrades will include a stiffer suspension, larger brakes, bigger wheels and tires, plus a aggressive bodywork and plenty of graphics. With the car Fiat is looking to take the fight to its closes rival, the MINI Cooper S.

In an official release, the company says the car is, ” designed for track-day enthusiasts and driving-purists who want the ultimate high-performance small car with the pedigree of an exclusive Italian exotic.”

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Abarth

Discuss this story at Fiat500Owners.com and see AutoGuide’s complete LA Auto Show preview here.

Audi‘s growth plan will hinge significantly on the success of its upcoming all-new A3 model. Teased with the A3 Sedan Concept at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, the 4-door was an obvious sign that Audi wants to push the car hard in the North American marketplace. And why not, with the proposed concept almost identical in size to the current A4. Plus, with the concept car’s 408-hp engine and beautiful styling it certainly won over the younger enthusiast base – including most every blog on the internet.

According to Audi chief designer Stefan Sielaff, along with the sedan, the German automaker is looking to introduce three additional models in the A3 range. Essentially a down-sized version of the A4/A5 range, there will be an A3 hatchback (a must for Europe), as well as both a convertible and sportback model.

Using different versions of the same MQB modular architecture, the longer 103.5-inch wheelbase will be used for the sportback and sedan, while a shorter 102-inch wheelbase platform will be used for the convertible and hatch. Audi has no indicated if it will build a coupe model for the A3 family, although S and RS models are likely.

GALLERY: Audi A3 Sedan Concept

[Source: AMUS]

They just love hatchbacks in Europe. In fact, they love them so much it’s possible to sell nearly identical models successfully. Could an automaker do the same in North America? Hyundai might just try and find out.

According to a report by Car & Driver the Korean automaker isn’t ruling-out selling both the Elantra Touring (Euro-market i30) and a new 5-door Veloster model here. While the Veloster is made unique by it’s single door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side, Hyundai is reportedly working on a 5-door hatchback version (with two doors on each side) for right-hand drive markets like the UK.

Hyundai is big on small fuel-efficient cars, but this product duplication seems dangerous and if Hyundai takes the safe road it will leave the Veloster in its funky form to help appeal to the Gen-Y crowd, with the Elantra Touring hitting out shores some time next year.

GALLERY: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[Source: Car&Driver]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Hyundai Veloster review

Discuss this story at Veloster.org

It’s almost here… the most powerful Golf to ever be sold on U.S. soil, and Volkswagen has just released official pricing with the 2-door model starting at $33,990. An over $10,000 premium from the GTI, the Golf R adds custom bodywork, a retuned suspension system, 18-inch wheels and upgraded brakes, plus tighter steering. But that’s only the start, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine’s output being increased to 256-hp and 243 lb-ft of torque – up from 200-hp and 207 lb-ft in the GTI. Available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, fuel economy is rated at 19/27 mpg. And let’s not forged that like the old R32 models the Golf R gets VW’s 4MOTION AWD system, which can deliver up to 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels.

Standard equipment on the two-door Golf R includes bi-Xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, heated leather seats, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, Bluetoooth, an eight-speaker audio system with aux. and iPod hookups, not to mention power windows with auto up/down.

On sale in early 2012, VW will offer a Sunroof and Navigation package (that also includes keyless entry and a push-button ignition) bringing the total to $35,490, while 4-door models will retail for $36,090. The Golf R will be available in five color options: Rising Blue, Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray, Black, and Tornado Red.

GALLERY: 2012 Golf R

Read AutoGuide’s 2010 Volkswagen GTI Review here

Mazda has finally released official pricing on the updated 2012 Mazda3 with the optional 40-mpg SkyActiv engine model starting at $18,450. That model, the Mazda3 i Touring, makes 155-hp and 148 lb-ft of torque for a 5 percent improvement in overall power, a 10 percent improvement in peak torque and a 15 percent improvement in low to mid-range torque. Plus, it delivers 21 percent better fuel economy.

The SkyActiv engine will also be available in the Mazda3 i Touring hatchback model, although with a slight decrease in highway fuel economy to 39-mpg.

In addition, Mazda will continue to offer the old 148-hp MZR 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine starting at $15,200 for the Mazda3 i SV model, while the Grand Touring models get a 2.5-liter with 167-hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. Grand Touring sedans are priced from $21,300 and hatchbacks from $21,800. And who can forget the MazdaSpeed3. Priced from $24,000 it thoroughly thrashed the new 2012 Honda Civic Si in our recent track shootout.

All 2012 Mazda3 models get an updated front fascia with new seats, seat material and some trim changes.

GALLERY: 2012 Mazda3