Motor Authority - blog Tag: Hatchbacks

Borrowing a page out of parent company BMW's playbook, MINI's "Wash Me" art car video shows off the latest batch of art cars from the MINI lineup. BMW has long been known for its art cars, and the latest push, complete with a book based around these art cars, is to give MINI that same sort of history.

By using the MINI as a canvas, 10 different artists present 10 different takes on what an art car should be--and what a radically custom MINI paint job can look like.

Playing on the theme of casual art drawn in dirty cars, the "Wash Me" video shows how a single car can express many different themes, depending on the personality of the artist....

As the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show approaches, the first trickle of concept cars and show highlights are starting to be revealed, the latest being from Honda. Today, the automaker debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the upcoming stylish and sporty hybrid coupe.

If you don’t recall, the CR-Z Concept was first revealed back at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and previewed a new hybrid sports car that Honda plans to launch next year. The latest version of the concept picks up the 2009 tag and is almost certainly closer in look and feel to the production version due next year.

While the vehicle displayed at...

The BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 better look out as Infiniti is reportedly working on a new entry-level model as a direct competitor to the aforementioned premium compacts. Lexus, too, is working on such a car, which was previewed recently by the 2009 LF-Ch Concept, however, there will be one distinguishing factor that could see the baby Infiniti form its own niche--an all-electric powertrain.

Such a car from Infiniti would be ideal in strengthening the brand’s presence in Europe, where compact cars like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 sell in substantial numbers. The move reflects the growing demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel...

Audi’s new A1 premium compact is expected to hit showrooms in late 2010 as a 2011 model but today we have the first spy shots of actual prototypes taken as the car was undergoing testing in Germany. Aimed squarely at other upmarket compact cars, namely the Mini Cooper, the new A1 will be available in several different variants--just like the Mini family.

The lineup is expected to be filled with the regular three-door and five-door hatchback models, but a stylish convertible and a compact MPV are likely to be launched as well.

The latest images clearly show the shape of the grille and LED detailing in the headlights. Powertrain options...

Italy's Lancia has had a turbulent past and has only been back on the automotive radar for a short while now. The relatively niche brand, however, may soon be thrown into the spotlight as latest reports indicate that it may be sharing products with Chrysler in the near future.

The appointment of Lancia CEO Olivier Francois as the new head of the Chrysler division is a clear indication that the two brands will become more closely entwined. In fact, several reports are claiming that Chrysler and Lancia will share products across their respective ranges, including everything from small hatchbacks to full-size sedans.

Lancia is expected to get...

The current Mercedes-Benz B-Class has enjoyed reasonable success in most of the markets it has been launched in, selling over 120,000 units in its first year alone, but the next-generation model due in 2011 is expected to sell in even higher volumes and will be sold in the U.S. for the first time.

To increase sales there are rumors that Mercedes-Benz is planning to expand the range by adding new variants in addition to the regular hatch: a new coupe-cabrio, a sporty hatchback to rival BMW's 1-series range and possible a four-door sedan with coupe styling.

The only model confirmed for production, however, is the hatchback seen here testing...