Volkswagen’s Golf is getting a makeover, marking the seventh incarnation of the marque.

Details on the Golf VII are still vague, except the official public reveal, which will take place at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. With the trend towards fuel economy, and the Golf’s history of being a very fuel conscious car, one can only assume that the next generation of the hatchback will move further in that direction. For power plant options, odds are that many of the engine choices from the current model Golf will carry over, such as the BlueMotion TDI engines and the smaller TSI motors – with of course GTI and Golf R models to follow. Then look for an electric model and possibly even a diesel-electric hybrid.

Based on the band’s new MQB platform, the Golf VII will also be getting a little bit lower and a little bit longer as VW looks to draw some sports car looks out of the little hatchback.

[Source: Auto-Motor-Und-Sport]

Audi has entered the Audi Quattro concept in the Concept Cars and Prototypes category at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The event is being held at Lake Como from May 20-22,2011 and the concepts will be showcased beside historic vehicles from around the globe. The Quattro Concept features a 408-hp five cylinder turbocharged engine, a lightweight body and the latest in Audi’s permanent all-wheel drive.

“The Audi Quattro concept reinterprets the sports car in which Audi introduced all-wheel drive more than 30 years ago. It combines an homage to our history with groundbreaking design, making the Quattro concept the perfect car for the Concorso d’Eleganza. For more than 80 years, this competition has celebrated not just the history of the automobile, but also its future,” says Wolfgang Egger, Head of Design for the Audi Group. Egger is also the person responsible for the design of the Audi Quattro concept.

54 classic vehicles will be competing in eight vehicle classes. The cars will be judged by a five-member panel based on the design, state of preservation and originality.

GALLERY: Audi Quattro Concept

Most of you are familiar with the Chevrolet Orlando, the minivan touted by Chevrolet as a game-changer that was canned at the last minute for the United States.

We were lucky enough to get our first glimpse of the Orlando during its unveiling here in Paris, and it’s actually a bit larger than expected.

The Orlando gets a choice of 4-cylinder engines, ranging in displacement from a 1.8L four-cylinder to a pair of 2.0L diesels, with a max output of 163 horsepower. Inside, the Orlando is pretty similar to its Cruze stablemate, but with a couple extra seats. Ford’s C-Max, which is going to be sold over here, is the more interesting American minivan if you ask us.

Check out the press release after the jump

Gallery: Chevrolet Orlando

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Abarth, Fiat’s in-house tuner, launched two new vehicles at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, both which feature the optional “esseesse” kits that give the cars a modest power boost.

The Abarth 500C Esseesse is the most powerful version of Fiat’s 500 hatchback, and Abarth introduced a convertible version based on the 500C as a companion to the fixed roof model. Specs remain the same, with 160 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque from its 1.4L turbo engine. 0-60 time is 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 129 mph.

The larger Punto Evo esseessse gets 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, but most move a bit more metal, giving it nearly identical performance figures. The Punto hits 60 in 7.5 seconds and tops out at 134 mph.

The esseesse kits feature some neat enhancements, beyond the tuned air filter and muffler systems. Seatbelts are now made by renowned racing equipment manufacturer Sabelt, and the GPS system has a built in telemetry system by Magnetti Marelli, the same company that makes data loggers and electronic equipment for Ferrari.

Gallery: Abarth Punto Evo

Gallery: Abarth 500C

Audi‘s E-Tron Spyder debuted at the Paris Auto Show today, and surprised observers by departing from the purely electric setup seen in previous E-Tron concepts.

The Spyder will use a 3.0L TDI V6 and a DSG transmission to power the rear wheels, while the fronts get a pair of twin electric motors. An aluminum space frame chassis helps keep weight low, as does carbon-fiber re-enforced plastic bodywork. With the E-Tron coupe set to go on sale in 2012, it’s possible that it could be joined by the Spyder shown here.

Gallery: Audi E-Tron Spyder

Volkswagen‘s Passat had its official unveiling today in Paris, and while the car boasts sharp, Phaeton-inspired lines, it won’t be coming to North America.

Our side of the Atlantic will get a market-specific sedan, but the Passat soldiers on in Eurpoe and the rest of the world. With a whole new range of engines, both diesel and gasoline and features like a start-stop system and Park Assist, which can parallel park the car on its own, the Passat looks like yet another great car we won’t get.

Hit the jump for more information

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat

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Volkswagen‘s Passat was unvieled in advance of the Paris Auto Show today, and for the first time in years, North America won’t be getting it. Instead, we’ll be receiving a an all new car designed to compete with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The rest of the world gets the Passat seen here.

Underneath the non-descript bodywork, the Passat gets a whole range of engines, from a 105 horsepower gasoline engine to a 3.6L 6-cylinder making 300 horsepower. Diesels, of course, will be on offer for Europe’s taxi drivers.

Details are still scarce, but if you’re interested in a cut-rate Phaeton and live outside North America, you could scarcely do better. Check back for our Paris Auto Show coverage and the launch of the new VW Passat.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat

[Source: Volkswagen]

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Audi‘s Quattro Concept was revealed ahead of the Paris Auto Show today, ending speculation that this car was actually the long rumored R4 baby sports car.

Harkening back to the light-weight Ur-Quattro of the 1980′s, the Quattro concept weighs in at around 3,000 lbs and features a 5-cylinder turbo motor, pumping out 408 horsepower and 354 lb-ft through a 6-speed manual gearbox and a quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Sparco seats and an Audi MMI system modeled after a rally computer feature inside, as does the usual gorgeous Audi interior. Look for more content shortly as the Paris Auto Show gets underway.

GALLERY: Audi Quattro Concept

[Source: Audi]

Rumors have been circulating that Jaguar is going to bring a new concept to the Paris Auto Show, dubbed the C-X75 – and that’s all the information we have.

Despite a supposed rollout of new product, including a small sports car and a BMW 3-Series rival, the C-X75 will be a design study first and foremost, showcasing the new themes and design languages that will be present on future Jag’s. Other rumors have indicated that this model will eventually morph into a new entry level roadster model, designed to compete with the Porsche Boxster and help the British automaker meet increasingly strict emissions regulations.

Check out our Paris Auto Show page for coverage of the Jaguar C-X75′s unveiling this Thursday, September 30th.

[Source: TopSpeed]

Lamborghini has released yet another teaser of their so-called “technology concept”, with this photo showcasing the carbon fiber technology that’s said to feature prominently in future Lamborghinis.

Previous photos have highlighted things like smaller engines (a relative term, of course, when you go from a V12 to a V10) and discussed the importance of light weight. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the supercar maker from Sant’Agata wants to cut weight as environmental regulations get increasingly tougher. The use of carbon fiber, as seen above, is going to be an integral part of future Lamborghinis, and other supercar makers will almost certainly have to follow suit, or risk a demise at the hands of environmental legislation.

With the Paris Auto Show just days away, we’ll finally get a look at the new Lamborghini, whatever it may be. Stay tuned to our Paris Auto Show page for more coverage.

[Source: Lamborghini]