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]

News regarding the release of coupe, convertible and wagon variants will soon follow after the release of the all-new BMW 3-series.

Although the wagon is a less popular choice for 3-series purchasers in North America, sources confirmed that the wagon, known as the BMW 3-series Touring, will make it to our shores eventually. There was some speculation that it might not, after BMW dropped the 5 Series Touring in North America in favor of the 5 Series GT. That vehicle has subsequently been a flop and BMW is looking to reintroduce the 5er wagon to the U.S.

No date has been set, but the new 3 Series Touring will be available in Europe late 2013. Coupe and Convertible variants will be released later as well, while the outgoing E92 coupes are to be sold alongside the new sedan until replacements arrive. Rumors have suggested the coupe and convertible models could wear the ’4 Series’ badge.

In addition, BMW has hinted that the 3 Series diesel may return to the U.S. as well. A 335d wagon? Now wouldn’t that be nice!

GALLERY: 2012 BMW 3 Series

[Source: Autoblog]

After years of hype (and delays), Fisker finally delivered its first shipment of production models to customers this Summer. The next obvious step would be a concept, followed by several more years of teasers and production hickups. Not so, says CEO Henrik Fisker, unveiling the new Surf model at the Frankfurt Auto Show today.

A five-door shooting brake design, the Surf is intended to bring the Karma’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain to a more functional (yet still very luxurious) segment. Built alongside the Karma on the production line the Surf uses the same platform and engine as its sedan counterpart and will go on sale mid 2012 said Fisker during the press conference.

So if you’re in the market for a 402-hp hybrid that can travel emissions free for up to 50 miles, plus you’ve got kids and a dog, Fisker has your wagon.

GALLERY: Fisker Surf

Hyundai has released a single photo of the new Elantra Touring model head of its official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The Korean automaker will reveal the car under its European badge, the i30.

Now sharing the brand’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, the Elantra Touring also gets a hexagonal shaped front grille to help bring it closer to the rest of the Hyundai lineup.

When it does make its way to North America, power is expected to come from the same 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine found under the hood of the Elantra sedan, making 148-hp and achieving a 40-mpg highway rating.

The previous generation Elantra Touring never really caught on in North America, despite generally good things said by the automotive media. The addition of this more stylish, yet functional 5-door hatchback will, however, give Hyundai a product to offer against the new Ford Focus hatchback, competing in what seems to be a re-emerging segment.

Well, there’s good indication that it will at least be heading for ‘South’ America, where automotive tastes tend to run more closely to those across the Atlantic.

The B-Max adopts much of the current Fiesta’s styling, albeit in a taller package. It’s also the first to receive Ford‘s new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. And with Ford recently announcing the EcoBoost 3 will be offered in North America, it’s not hard to speculate that this is the package it could come wrapped in.

Both engine and B-Max will be assembled at Ford’s plant in Craiova, Romania, though with Ford expected to wind down Fiesta production at its Brazilian plant in Cuantitalan (relying instead on models built in Mexico for that market), there’s a good chance B-Max production might be added there. That would make the idea of a B-Max ending up in our showrooms more feasible.

Further indications that this pint-size MPV could make it here, include the fact that Ford has trademarked the B-Max name with the U.S. Patent Office, along with ‘Easy Access Door System,’ marketing speak for a sliding door setup which, incidentily, was previewed on the B-MAX concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. All we can say for now is, watch this space.

[Source: Ford Inside News]

After first introducing the Prius v at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Toyota has now released complete specifications on the new hybrid wagon with one important change; the car’s fuel economy. Back at Detroit, execs said they expected the car to achieve a 42/38-mpg (city/highway) fuel economy rating with a combined 40-mpg number. Toyota has since upped that for the production model by 2-mpg across the board, meaning it is now rated at 44/40-mpg for an average fuel economy rating of 42-mpg.

Apart from cars like the fully-electric Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Volt, the Prius v ranks just behind the new 2012 Civic Hybrid (44-mpg combined) and the original Prius (50-mpg combined) and is tied with the Lexus CT200h.

Pricing has yet to be released but Toyota has said the Prius v will retail for a few thousand above the normal Prius liftback model, which starts at $24,520. Despite reports that is has been delayed, the Prius v will hit dealers this Fall.

GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Prius v

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Toyota Prius v Review and hit the jump to watch our video review:

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Would you believe that the Volvo XC70 and S80 have received a facelift for 2012? Well, looking at the photos we’re not sure we would either. With styling cues so imperceptibly tweaked, Volvo insists the cars actually have new headlights. Plus, they get some new color options.

Inside the changes are more dramatic, with both vehicles getting Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, currently on offer int he S60. It’s hardly the most user-friendly setup on the market, but it does allow for operation of everything from audio, to nav to Bluetooth and lets you control the City Safety, Collision Warning and Active Cruise Control.

City Safety is now standard on both models, plus Pedestrian Detection is also included that will warn you if the vehicle thinks a collision is about to occur.

Browse through the galleries below and see if you can spot how the 2012 models differ from the 2011s. OK, maybe skip those pics, but definitely check out the new interiors!

GALLERY: 2012 Volvo S80

GALLERY: 2012 Volvo XC70

The Lincoln Town Car is legendary for its ubiquity as a “black car”, a private limo for the well-to-do in New York City and other swanky locales. But with the Panther Platform vehicles (like the Town Car, Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis) set to be killed off very shortly, Lincoln has been scrambling for an alternative.

The new MKT Town Car is a very different machine than the Town Car its replacing. The big sedan was a rear-drive, body-on-frame vehicle that was beloved for its robust nature, cheap repair costs and the ability to go for untold miles without needing anything more than routine maintenance. On the other hand, the MKT is based on a front-drive chassis (though all-wheel-drive is available) and uses a modern V6 engine.

Operators will likely be skeptical that the MKT can handle the rigors of endless commuter duty through the pot-hole ridden pavement of Manhattan, so Lincoln has beefed up the chassis, brakes and other components to handle this task – and to provide a re-enforcements should clients wish to stretch the MKT by 10 feet, a capability built in to the Town Car from the factory. Wi-fi capability, a SYNC system and special rear seat pockets are maps and newspapers are further concessions made for the livery car market.

The rear seats have been moved back by 1.5 inches to allow for more leg room with reclining rear seats and controls for the front passenger chair, should back seat riders desire more leg room. With 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the MKT also boasts more room for material objects than the Town Car, even if the old-money cachet of the outgoing vehicle isn’t quite the same.

Hit the jump for the official press release

Gallery: Lincoln MKT Town Car

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Volvo will strive to be the first to market with a diesel plug-in hybrid, debuting a near production ready V60 wagon at the Geneva Auto Show in March. The V6 Plug-in Hybrid will get a claimed 1.9 l/100 km says Volvo, which translates to an incredible 124-mpg.

Combining a 5-cylinder turbodiesel with 215-hp and 325 lb ft of torque with an electric motor, the gas engine will power the front wheels while the car will also include Volvo’s new ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive), to enable AWD with a 70-hp motor powering the rear wheels. A lithium-ion battery pack will be used to store energy and the car will use a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition, it will be able to travel 50 km (31 miles) on pure electric power.

“This second-generation hybrid is the perfect choice for the uncompromising buyer who wants a superbly carbon dioxide-lean car packed with driving pleasure,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.  “In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we’ve done is to spice it up with spearhead technology.”

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show Preview here.

Volvo enthusiasts and station wagons go together like peanut butter and jam. This desire for Volvo-wagons is especially strong in America, where the brand loyalists keep complaining about the lack of wagons, especially since it was announced awhile back that the sleek new V60 would not make it Stateside.

Not to worry, the new CEO of Volvo Stephen Jacoby has heard your pleas and is coming to your rescue. He has now hinted that the new V60 might come to the U.S.A. perhaps as an “enthusiast vehicle.”

But before you start celebrating the return of something like the old V70R, this new model will get its power boost via electricity. Yes, Volvo is well on its way to develop a hybrid gas-electric vehicle and this technology might premiere in the new V60.

Hopefully this should be enough to keep Volvo fans in Volvo showrooms.

[Source: SwedeSpeed via Autoblog]