Hatchbacks

Chinese car designers are rarely lauded for their efforts, mostly because of the country’s reputation for ‘borrowing’ designs from other brands, but a number of local carmakers are helping to turn around the bad rep with several interesting concepts planned for this month’s...

Mercedes-Benz isn’t set to reveal its all-new 2010 CLK until early next year but new reports coming out of Germany claim a ‘shooting brake’ concept version will be on display at the Paris Motor Show this October. The concept, previewed by the rendering above, is said to combine...

Audi could be producing more A1 minicars than previously predicted as the carmaker bolsters output ahead of its 2015 sales deadline. You may recall Audi has set itself an ambitious target of building more than 1.5 million vehicles by the middle of the next decade, and to help reach that goal...

As we approach the final launch date of Alfa Romeo’s new entry-level model, the ultra-stylish but oddly named Mi.To hatch, more details about the car have emerged including the final design of its new badge. Alfa Romeo called upon web users once again to pick the final logo by setting up a...

Incredible demand has created a waiting list for buyers trying to get their hands on a Smart ForTwo in its first year of official U.S. sales. Strong fuel efficiency, easy urban maneuverability and a very positive image have all contributed to the sales success, but now that the NHTSA's first round...

Chinese automobile manufacturer Dongnan has released an official sketch of a new concept car it’s prepping for this month’s Beijing Motor Show. Until now Dongnan’s designs have relied on existing Mitsubishi products as their basis but this latest concept demonstrates the...

Volkswagen may have to call upon its Skoda subsidiary to manufacture its forthcoming production up! minicar, which many are predicting will be the next-generation Lupo compact. This way VW will be able to take advantage of Skoda’s low-cost production facilities in Vrchlabi and Pamplona to...

Chinese car designers are rarely lauded for their efforts, mostly because of the country’s reputation for 'borrowing' designs from other carmakers, but one company, Geely, is helping to turn around the bad rep with a number of interesting concepts it has planned for the upcoming Beijing Motor...

The 500 ‘Cinquecento’ has proven to be a runaway success for Fiat, with the entire 2008 production run selling out in just three weeks and order books for next year already starting to fill. Customers from all walks of life are lining up to get behind the wheel of the classic-styled...

Earlier this month Mercedes-Benz took the covers off its facelited B-Class range and now we have first details about the 2009 model year update for the smaller A-Class. Due for release in the second half of the year, the new A-Class gets a slightly revised look, a revamped interior and a cleaner...

It’s been well documented BMW is developing a new minicar to rival cars like the Mercedes Smart and upcoming Volkswagen Up! (Lupo) family, but Audi too has confirmed it will be joining the fray with the launch of its new A1 compact hatch. The new super-mini is slated to arrive in late 2010...

Ford has confirmed plans to launch a high performance RS version of the European Focus hatch sometime next year, but according to latest reports the Blue Oval may also launch an RS version of the new Fiesta and this one could become a global model. This means there would be two new sports variants...

Coinciding with the start of this year’s HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season, Spanish carmaker Seat has taken the wraps off a new performance version of its Leon hatch. Inspired by the diesel-powered BTCC Leon race car, the new model also sports a turbocharged diesel motor...

Despite America’s reluctance to embrace compact econo-cars, Mercedes’ diminutive Smart Fortwo is selling far beyond expectations in the few months that it’s been on sale in the world’s biggest car market. Sales of the car were expected to be strong in urban areas like Los...

Up against the aggressively styled Mitsubishi Evo X and Nissan GT-R, Subaru’s new Impreza WRX STI looks a little timid and ungainly. At least the hot-hatch at least has little to worry about when it comes to the track as this latest clip form Fifth Gear reveals. Follow the jump for the full...

With cars like the new GT-R and IS-F getting all the attention, Japan’s other performance thoroughbreds, the Impreza WRX and Evo X, have quickly fallen out of the limelight. However, American tuner Perrin Performance hasn’t forgotten about the potential of one of the world’s most...

After just three years on the market Mercedes-Benz has revised the design and engineering of the B-Class MPV, giving it a range of more efficient engines as well as a new look. The facelift program focused on improving the car’s green credentials and includes an engine lineup that burns up to...

Saab’s 9-X BioHybrid concept has been a big hit at Geneva, not only for its unique and interesting design, but because of its cues to a possibly entry-level Saab compact car. Bearing similarity to the previous Aero-X and 9-X concepts, the car managed to turn heads at the show and may just...

Ford’s official statement on the new Fiesta hatch is that it likely won’t be arriving in North America, which will instead receive a sedan model based on the recent Verve 3 Concept, but that doesn’t mean the new hatchback has been completely ruled out. On hand at the launch of the...

Smart has unveiled its 'limited two' model at the Geneva Motor Show. The limited two is a special edition version of the Smart fortwo and will only be produced as a limited series of 2,000 units. The limited two will get a number of high quality upgrades to the exterior and interior, including...