Car Throttle

Since the S60 Concept that debuted last year, Volvo has been busy introducing new models and upgrading existing ones to follow through with that design theme. Oddly enough, the production S60 still hasn't been introduced yet. Rumors had circulated the S60 would be making an appearance at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but the rumors didn't pan out unfortunately. XC60, C70 and now C30! Come on S40 and S60, it's time the sedans get updated too. The update for the C30 works out like expected, displaying the same front end as the C70. A larger, bolder face with a chrome grille surround and the redesigned Volvo logo. The biggest news though is the R-Design model. Like the recently introduced XC60 R-Design, it doesn't offer any horsepower upgrades, but

While (now fellow division mate) Audi decides whether or not to go ahead with an electric-powered R8 Roadster, it appears as if Porsche is considering the possibility. The RUF Greenster Electric 911 has came out, as well as spy shots testing, but does that mean it's a possible go for production? Apparently so. Here's what Porsche's new (Wiedeking is gone) CEO Michael Macht had to say: "I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up," said Macht at the Porsche company's conference today in Frankfurt. He also said the current state of battery technology isn't "sufficient to meet Porsche's strict requirements," but that "our (Porsche's) engineers are already working hard on this challenge." "An electric sports car would therefore only

It's sad, but it seems that Audi has finally figured out how to make a proper Saab. What am I talking about?  Alright, if I told you that there was this really nicely equipped car with four doors and a visible hatchback, tons of grip, lots of safety equipment, refined and modern design, and an engine that combines tons of power with surprising fuel economy...  You'd probably think it was a Saab. But sadly, this is the real world, and modern Saabs continue to disappoint.  Hey, something had to take the spiritual place of the 9000 Aero.  I suppose I'm fine with the fact that it's an Audi.  And why am I whining, then?  Well, mainly because Audi hasn't see fit to stamp "export to USA" on

After seemingly dissing the merits of electric propulsion in favor of diesel power, Audi is unveiling it's E-Tron concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show. We have been hearing about an Electric R8 concept coming at the Frankfurt Auto show for a while. An anonymous Audi representative denied those claims in July and I guess that was correct (sort of). Electric R8? No, that's the E-Tron. Thankfully the car is a whole lot better looking than it's unimaginative name. Reports pointed to something more like a standard Audi R8, but modified with an electric drivetrain for a possible limited-run production version. That doesn't seem to be the case though as this is definitely a concept right now, hence the E-Tron name. It is without a doubt based on

In February of this year, word broke about Citroen bringing back the "DS" name for a new lineup of premium vehicles. The original DS was an amazing car that was far ahead of it's time - there's a lot to live up to with a name like that. Unfortunately, the first vehicle in the lineup the DS Inside hasn't been too exciting. No styling cues from the DS or revolutionary features were debuted at all. If reports are correct, there is three models in the DS group. Let's take a look at the next one, the Citroen DS Revolte. I am officially confused! These pictures have been released by Citroen of the next concept vehicle slated to be introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show. If the naming

I gotta say, I'm getting pretty sick of it. By "it" I mean the constant stream of newly released tasty hot hatches that will never see the light of day in the US.  I can dream, though, right?  There's liable to be a few such debuts at the Frankfurt show, and we've already covered one - the luscious Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari.  It's also likely we'll see an RS version of Audi's attractive A3 hatch, packing my personal favorite current production engine - the TT RS's 5-cylinder DI Turbo motor.  And you can add Alfa Romeo to the list of manufacturers I hate, because they're debuting an especially tasty version of the adorable little MiTo hatchback. Called the Quadrifoglio Verde, it sits above

Now we're talkin'. Mazda's MX-5, aka the Miata, is a car near and dear to my heart and the heart of many a sportscar enthusiast out there. It's essentially what every British sportscar form the 60s was, and also wanted to be. It handles like nobody's business, brakes great, revs high and, best of all it works. You turn on the headlights and the heater fan at the same time and they function, something that could not be said to happen for, say, a 1965 MGB. So what's not to like? Sure, you could say more power – I know guys who are asking for more top end with there Cobras, there's always more power to be had. But an idea that has been kicking around

Frankfurt seems to be the show to debut your exotic supercar at this year. Already we've got the Mclaren MP4-12C, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing, the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Audi R8 Spyder, and probably the Noble M600.  Add the topless variant of Lamborghini's wild Reventon supercar to the mix, and it looks like it's going to be a killer show this year, economy-on-life-support or not. I honestly thought the Reventon was done at this point; it was limited to 25 units of production and all were sold to rich oil sheiks, or something.  Apparently Lambo isn't done with this futuristic-looking range topper, or perhaps they want something mental to compete with the Aston One-77.  The Reventon is still just a Murcielago with a really cool

The Audi R8 is already one of the most desirable vehicles on the market. It combines the exotic feel and performance of a Lamborghini Gallardo with all of Audi's know-how on how to make a modern vehicle.  It's coddling and comfortable, extremely fast yet nimble, refined but slight old-school - have you seen that gated shifter?  And now, Audi's cranking up the "want one" qoutient to 11.  Today the first images of the upcoming R8 Spyder have hit the web, and I like what I see. As far as the design goes, there aren't a whole lot of surprises in store.  It's an R8 without the solid roof.  And while most coupes look awful with the top chopped off (I'm looking at you, Nissan 350Z!), the

The Frankfurt Auto Show is this month, and a lot of the releases slated for the show are appearing early. Kind of unfortunate - there is a lot of excitement in seeing all the vehicles for the first time. Today's reality makes that near impossible though, with embargo breaking and early releases by the manufacturers themselves. Lexus is one of the automakers that has been doing that, with the LF-Ch concept that is previewing the production model of a new Lexus compact for European (and possibly United States) markets. Given that the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series sized market is thriving, if Lexus ever wants to make inroads there it needs to field a solid competitor. I was hoping the LF-CH could be that car. The