To be totally honest, I’m more interested in Hybrid fuel economy than football.  Maybe there was something weird in the water where I grew up, or maybe I just agree with Ernest Hemmingway: “There are three real sports: mountain climbing, bull fighting, and car racing.  Everything else is just games.”

Regardless, I hard it find to fake enthusiasm for the Super Bowl.  This year some overpaid athletes in spandex played against some other overpaid athletes in Spandex for the title of something.  Yay.  But I don’t need to fake my enthusiasm for the advertisements.  Manufacturers spend vast sums of money to get ads in the superbowl; it’s the highest-viewed event every year in the US, but at $3.5M USD per 30-second spot, they try especially hard to make ‘em stick.

These are the car ads from this year’s Super Bowl -- some good, some not.  Check ‘em out, and let us know which was your favorite in the poll at the bottom.

Volkswagen’s always had good superbowl ads.  Last year it was the Darth Vader kid with the new Passat; this year it’s a dog inspired by the Beetle to lose enough weight so he can fit out the doggie door.  Adorable, and the cameo by Vader at the end is pretty funny as well.  I’d give it an A-

Is the fact that you can chuck one out of a plane supposed to make us think the Sonic’s a cool car?  Because it would’ve been a lot cooler if they’d skipped the parachute; just saying.  I give it a C.

Much better, nothing like a sarcastic pot shot at your competition while making fun of the Mayan Apocalypse prediction.  Legitimately humorous.  A.

I just wish Suzuki’s US sales were as good as their advertisements are.  This one’s for the AWD Kizashi, which is a pretty damn nice car.  An Eskimo trades his sled in for a Kizashi, with 50 cent as the background music.  I like it.

I was a fan of Fiat’s “Seduction” ad for the 500 Abarth when I first saw it a few months back.  It’s still quite good, substituting a metaphorical Italian hottie (her name’s Catrinel Menghia, and she’s actually Romanian -- here’s her twitter if you’re interested) for a 500 Abarth.  I can’t wait to drive one of these things.

I love Acura’s spot for the 2015 NSX.  Jerry Seinfeld is trying to get his hands on the first NSX, but someone else’s got it -- so he tries everything he can to trade.  Almost got it, then Leno steps in…

I’m starting to think Chrysler’s less interested in actually advertising their cars (some of which are actually quite nice) than giving us all a preachy economics lesson, which is obnoxious.  It’s less obnoxious when Clint Eastwood is doing it -- but only just.  They went through slightly more than $7m of ad money before showing us a Chrysler product; must be made of money.  Also, isn’t Clint more of a Ford man?

Kia’s ads are funny, when they don’t include Blake Griffin.  Your mileage may vary, but their spot for the Optima -- “A Dream Car. For Real LIfe” is amusing, if formulaic.  I’ll take a piece of the giant hoagie!

Kinda disappointing; Ferris Bueller should be driving a Ferrari, not a mommy-mobile Honda CR-V.  Literally: My mom has one.  Thumbs down.

Love Audi’s spot for the A7.  LED headlights kill vampires!  Perhaps this is a shot at Volvo, who sponsored the latest Twilight movie?

BMW might not be the only manufacturer who’s cars will read your texts to you, but so far they’re the only ones who’ve done something funny with it in an ad.  I like the honk censoring the swear word as he backs out of the driveway.

Speaking of BMW, why is Cadillac so intent on comparing themselves to the 3-series?  It’s cool that the ATS is basically an Americanized carbon copy of the 3, but maybe they could’ve focused more on why it’s better.

Heh.  Hyundai’s ads.  The Genesis 3.8 R-Spec can act as a makeshift AED if your boss has a heart attack while you’re on the road in the middle of no-where.

The other Hyundai ad was for the new Veloster Turbo, which I can’t wait to take for a spin.  Kudos to Hyundai for including tire smoke in both of their superbowl ads this year.  The premise is that while the Turbo is faster than a Cheetah, make sure when you let the Cheetah out you’re at a safe distance?  Thanks for the PSA, Hyundai.

And the last one.  I’m not sure if Cars.com was going for funny or creepy here, but I think they landed closer to “creepy.”

Which was your favorite car ad?  Vote in the poll below!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

January 2012

Kia Optima

It’s been available around the world for a while but the Kia Optima finally hits UK soil this month. Our man James has already reviewed the Stateside 2.0 Turbo petrol and he was very impressed. The old Magentis was pound-shop cheap but the Optima has got the executive car looks with a touch of Korean flair and at around £18,000 it’s great value.

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

Just like the last SLK, the new R172 pretty much steals the look of the German firm’s flagship supercar and shrinks them. This month will see the AMG version which has a 5.5L V8 containing 416 horses that will take it from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. It’s less powerful than the SLS roadster but the SLK AMG comes with a better folding metal roof and a slightly more frugal unit for around £58,000. That’s over £100,000 cheaper than its bigger brother.

Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Swift Sport comes with a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol with more power, more MPG thanks to a 6th gear and less CO2. The Swift is one of the finest handling superminis out there, almost as good as the original Mini as some have reported. The Sport version is predicted to be £14,000 which makes it a great value hot hatch. Car Throttle front man will get his hands on one in April to deliver his verdict.

February 2012

Audi A1 Sportback

The 3-door A1 is a great looking premium hatchback but practicality is flawed. The Sportback, though, comes with 2 extra doors and 3 rear seats for an extra £560 over the 3 door, making it more comfy for your mates. It’s also available in Samoa Orange which is an exclusive paint job to the Sportback and it will get the same engines as the standard car.

BMW 3 Series Saloon

There’s not much change on the outside of the F30 3 Series (the only big difference being the more poised kidneys) but inside it’s a complete revolution. The dashboard wraps around the driver like in the older 3-s and looks more lively than the last car. You can even have red trim pieces and stitching on the leather and fabric seats of the Sport models. Most magazines and websites have driven the new 3 already and the overall verdict is that it’s the best 3 Series yet.

Hyundai Veloster

The last coupe we saw from Hyundai in the UK was called the Genesis Coupé and, to me, it looked like a smaller and cheaper Jaguar XK. It was one of the best looking cheap coupés of its time. This one though is taking on the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe, though the Hyundai’s looks won’t appeal to everyone. It does have a unique trick up its sleeve which is the odd door layout (one door on the driver’s side and two on the pavement side) and means your friends won’t have to clamber over the front seats to get into the back. It comes with a 1.6 138bhp which is reported to be a tad slow but a 201bhp Turbo version of the Veloster will make it here in August. Pricing is competitive, starting at £18,000 for the standard car and £23,000 for the Turbo.

March 2012

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Finally, after a wait of what feels like decades, the Camaro has had its suspension tweaked for Europe and this means we’ll see both the Camaro Coupe and Convertible on British roads this March. Both Camaros come with a 6.2 V8 that produces 426bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds. The coupe could be yours for just £35,000 and the convertible for £40,000 the convertible, what a steal! The convertible is rumored to be left-hand drive only, however.

Citroen DS5

This has to be the coolest family car ever made. The reason: it’s just so different. Inside and out is as luxurious as the big executive saloons but the DS5 is a sort of estate/hatchback crossover with a raised ride height. The interior is inspired by cockpits of airliners and it shows. The big Citroen is also available with Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system, combining a diesel engine and an electric engine which will mean hardly any CO2 and massive mpg. Prices are predicted to be around £28,000. We’ll also see an Ultra Prestige version of the ever so popular DS3 from Citroen in March which has things like charcoal grey alloys, luxury leather seats and a white leather dash, ooh la-la!

Volkswagen Up!

The Up! is the first of a trio of city cars from the Volkswagen group to hit our roads. Even though it’s city car cheap (£8,000) it doesn’t feel it. It looks like a premium product and has an interior to match. It will certainly be a hit for new drivers especially since it comes with a cheap to run 1.0 3 cylinder engine. The 3-door will be available in March with a 5-door version arriving in July. The Seat Mii will arrive in May and the Skoda equivalent CitiGo will be on the road in June.

April 2012

Ferrari “F620″

The successor to the 599 is apparently going to be called the “F620″ but the car itself will be revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show in March along with the confirmed name. It takes an updated version of the 700bhp 6.3 V12 from the FF and promises a 0-60mph time of around three seconds, maybe less, thanks to a very light aluminium chassis.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

In a way, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is like the Chevrolet Camaro Coupe. It’s predicted to be £60,000 making it a value for money performance SUV which is way cheaper than rivals from Porsche, Mercedes, Audi & BMW. It comes with a 6.4 V8 that produces 470bhp.

Lotus Evora GTE

The lighter Evora GTE gets a tuned up version of the 3.5 supercharged V6 which aims to produce 438bhp. The plus is the fact that the GTE comes with carbon fibre panels that take 105kg off the original weight meaning that this Evora is going to be one heck of a bonkers Lotus. Prices are expected to be around £100,000.

May 2012

Audi S1

Yes, it’s another small Audi, but this is the spicy S1 with a 220bhp 1.6L petrol engine. It’s not totally immature, though, as it comes with four wheel drive and a wider track to provide secure handling. The S1 is also lower and stiffer than the everyday A1. A predicted price of £23,000 may put you off, especially since that’s low spec Scirocco money.

Fisker Karma

It’s the only plug-in hybrid you would probably lust for more than some supercars. It comes with a 2.0 four-cylinder petrol and two 199bhp electric motors which produce more torque than a Bugatti Veyron meaning a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Set the car into “Stealth” mode and it should return up to 100mpg. “Stealth” mode sounds a lot more hairy chested than wimpy “Eco” mode doesn’t it? The Surf shooting brake will follow suit in July.

MINI Roadster

The most controversial part of the MINI Coupe was that big backwards baseball cap of a roof, which I personally hate. Thankfully, MINI have addressed this issue and made a roadster version to take on the likes of the Mazda MX-5. It looks better than the bigger MINI convertible as well thanks to the fabric roof properly folding away into the boot instead of lying on the rear deck like a tired walrus.

June 2012

Audi S8

If Jason Statham was still transporting goods with no questions asked, the new S8 would be his vehicle of choice. The 4.0 513bhp twin-turbo V8 goes from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph. The S8 has an invincible feeling cabin with features such as double glazed privacy windows and a noise cancelling system. I would want to hear the V8 though.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

The biggest gripe that everyone has with the 6 Series Coupe is the fact that the “practical gran tourer” struggles to fit two human beings in the back. This 6 Series though is stretched and has two extra doors so that two friends can sit comfortably in the rear seats. This means that four people can enjoy the beautifully designed interior and the excellent engines from the 6 Series coupe. Prices start from £61,380 which is more than the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7 it is up against.

Peugeot 208

The newest Peugeot supermini fixes the big lumpy looks of the old 207 to offer a fitter and sharper looking package. Even though it’s smaller than the previous car, the 208 promises more space for people in the back and more things in the boot. Every version besides the standard car gets a very nice touch screen multimedia system which controls most of the car’s functions. Nearly all of the engines promise under 100g/km of CO2 and prices start at £10,500 for this attractive small car.

July 2012

Ford Focus ST

The last ST was famously nicknamed the “ASBO” by an old geezer named Jeremy Clarkson. With this in mind, the new ST will probably get handed a community service sentence with a 0-60mph time of 6 seconds and a predicted top speed of 155mph thanks to a 2.0 Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 247bhp. The new ST will be easier on your wallet with better economy than the previous 2.5 5-cylinder car and it’s more practical too with a choice between a 5-door hatch and estate. What would complete the range is a sporty 3-door coupe-esque version of the Focus, in my opinion.

Subaru BRZ & Toyota GT-86

Ladies and Gents, the old school, rear wheel drive, purists’ coupe is back and it comes with a choice of two badges and bumper styles; Subaru and Toyota. Both versions get a 2.0 flat-4 boxer engine that produces 197bhp and goes from 0-60mph in 7 seconds. The GT-86 and BRZ can fit four people in comfort (if the people in the back seats are under 5ft 5″ that is) and prices for both cars are predicted to start at around £25,000. They’re the cars that everyone is waiting for this year and we’re dying to try both of them out.

August 2012

Audi S6

Imagine putting the 513bhp 4.0 twin turbo V8 from the new Bentley Continental and S8 in the lightest executive car out there. No need to imagine after August as Audi will fit the new engine in both the new A6 Saloon and Avant. If this is just the S6, I wonder how insane the next RS6 will be.

Porsche Boxster

The next version of the class leading, mid-engined roadster looks a bit like a baby Carrera GT but shares all the tech with the new 911. The standard car will have an all new flat four unit producing 270bhp and the Boxster S will use the same 3.4 flat six as the 911 Carrera.

Vauxhall Astra VXR

The most powerful hot hatch of the 2012 bunch is the new Astra VXR. It promises up to 280bhp which means a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds thanks to a 2.0 direct injection petrol. It also comes with more aggressive looking trinkets than the standard Astra GTC and it’s much more pleasing to the eye compared to the predecessor. All yours for £25,000.

September 2012

Ferrari F70

Introducing the next Ferrari flagship to take over the Enzo, the F70. No official performance figures have been released yet but it’s rumored to have over 700bhp thanks to an all new twin-turbo V8. Mix this with a very light carbon fibre chassis and it sounds like it will be the next ultimate road car. It’s also very expensive with an estimated price of £750,000.

Mercedes SL

The Mercedes SL has been one of the best sports cars ever since the 1950s and this latest one aims to be much better to drive thanks to better suspension. It’s also the lightest and has a more luxurious interior inspired by the SLS supercar. It’s the first SL to get ‘Magic Sky Control’ which lets you alter how much light gets into the car when the roof is up, much like the sunroof on a Maybach. Fancy schmancy.

Renault Clio Williams

To celebrate the end of the current Renault Clio, the company have teamed up with F1 Team Williams to create the last hurrah, just like they did in 1993. It’s pretty much a RenaultSport Clio 200 but with a unique paint job, a better engine and a very special interior.

November 2012

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

There’s only going to be 150 of these so if you like the sound of the new Zagato then you better have the cheque book out. It’s based on the V12 Vantage but contains the design house’s luxurious cabin and has a carbon fibre body. Write £400,000 on that cheque before they’re auctioned for more.

Ford Fiesta ST

Available as a 3 door here in the UK and a 5 door in the US, the other ST from Ford has a 178bhp 1.6 Turbo petrol taking it to 60mph from standstill in under 7 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. Just because it’s a powerful supermini don’t go thinking it will guzzle petrol as it promises up to 40mpg. It should be a fantastic hot hatch especially since the current Fiesta is one of the best to drive. Prices will start at around £17,500.

Maserati Quattroporte

The new Maserati takes some of the looks of the odd looking Kubang and puts them in a much more gorgeous package. The new saloon is set to be even more desirable than the previous Quattroporte with an updated V8 and prices will start at £85,000.

December 2012

Alfa Romeo 4C

There’s a couple of great coupes joining the BRZ & GT-86 this December. The first is the 4C which has a beautiful Italian body and a carbon fibre chassis courtesy of KTM underneath. Power comes from a new 1.8 Turbo petrol producing nearly 300bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 5 seconds. The car’s target market is America which means it will come with Alfa’s twin-clutch automatic but an option of a manual would make it even better. Prices are expected to start from £40,000.

Jaguar C-X16

The second of the coupes is the C-X16 which is nicknamed “the new E-Type” all because it’s pretty much a new version of the old girl. Unlike the E-type, there’s a 375bhp 3.0 V6 mated to a 97bhp electric motor underneath which should keep the bank manager and your environmentally conscious friends happy but it’s not clear if the production version will get the electric motor.  0-60mph is around 4 seconds and the top speed is limited to 186mph with prices predicted to start at £50,000.

Volkswagen Beetle R

The Beetle returns at the beginning of the year and it’s aimed to appeal to us men. To make it appeal to men even more is this R version coming in December which has the same 2.0 TSI as the Golf GTI as well as more aggressive looks and bucket seats. Prices are expected to be around the same as the GTI which means it’s a good alternative if you find the Golf’s looks a bit boring.

So there you have it, 33 of quite a damn few new cars coming in 2012. We hope to test drive most of them plus more for you and with a growing team and site you’ll want to stay online with us.

Which car are you most excited about seeing this year? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks to the new ‘Renaultsport Dynamic Management’ system, the new 265′s 2.0L Turbo will produce 261bhp and 265lb ft of torque meaning a 0-60mph time of around six seconds and a top speed of 160mph. All that is available once you’ve pushed the ‘Sport’ button, with the car acting calm and civilised, “ish”, in normal mode. Renault have also made sure it produces the best noise too with a new open exhaust design and a reinforced sound pipe providing the perfect sound track at all times.

The change that everyone will notice is the 265′s magnificent new looks. At the front there is a new F1 style blade housing two rows of LED daytime running lights and there is a sporty black surround on the headlights. Down the side red stripes greet the eye along the side skirts continuing from the front blade, and you can choose between 18″ and 19″ RS wheels in a satin finish or in matte black. There are also nice RS badges on the front grille and on the centre of your chosen wheels.

Inside, the new 265 gets red stitching almost everywhere as standard with the option of charcol leather seats or Recaro seats in fabric or leather. Fans of the colour yellow can still choose an interior with a yellow ambiance if they want and you can even get carbon fibre-esque trims on the dashboard and doors.

If this standard car isn’t quite good enough for you then there’s the option of specifying the car with the Cup chassis for a small fee and the ‘Average Joe’ 265 is predicted to be around £25,000 which is cheaper than the Volkswagen Scirocco R and it’s probably going to cost less than the forthcoming Vauxhall Astra VXR.

Renault, where do I sign?

…oh, sorry, got caught up in Auto Show mode there.  I’m just glad we don’t have to deal with teaser images of a small SUV any more.  Look, I love auto show season.  Even after years of this, it still gets my blood going – who doesn’t like seeing new stuff for the first time?  But not everything that comes out at the auto shows are worth an entire article.  Thus, Car Throttle News Bites: Detroit Auto Show Edition.  If you missed the earlier coverage, you can find it under the Detroit 2012 Category.

Speaking of that Buick Encore, did you hear?  The Buick Encore is here!  Let’s get an Encore!  Buick’s small crossover debuted yesterday to the thunderous applause of… Alright, I’m stretching this.  The Encore is a tiny SUV, riding atop a stretched version of GM’s Gamma II architecture, so think Chevy Sonic or Opel Corsa.  Tiny?  Quite tiny.  A Sonic has a 99.4″ wheelbase and a 159″ overall length – the Encore is 100.6″ and 168.5.”  It’s pitched against other small luxury SUV’s like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.  Thanks to the transverse front-drive layout, it’s got more interior space than both.  Power comes from the same 1.4L Turbo EcoTec four-cylinder that powers the Cruze and Sonic, with 140 horsepower and 148lb-ft, hitched to a 6-speed auto.  It will come standard with front-drive, but AWD will be an option.  That’s great, but can we have an Insignia VXR shipped over here as a Grand National for Buick’s real “product renaissance” please?

Acura is another brand that’s trying to desperately re-invent themselves.  I’d say the sexy, high-tech NSX Concept is a great start, but they brought two other new products with them.  The new RDX (pictured above) is the second generation of the CR-V based luxury ute, and while the styling is familiar, under the hood is new.  Two things that have never really mixed: Hondas and turbos.  The old RDX was the only factory-turbo Honda in production, and despite decent power density (240bhp and 260lb-ft from 2.3L) it was a reliability concern – and a gas hog, at 19/24 for EPA numbers.  The turbo K-series is dropped in favor of a more conventional 3.5L J-series SOHC V6, which pulls off a triple crown of more power (273bhp), more cylinders (6), and better fuel economy (20/28).  It also gets a sixth gear in the box.  Although the looks are familiar, the new RDX is based on the fourth-generation CR-V now.  I guess my dream of a 2.3 Turbo Acura TSX isn’t going to happen.

Speaking of the TSX, this is it’s likely replacement.  It’s the ILX concept (can Acura go back to actual names now?  I know Integra is taken, but damn!), and it’s a preview of a new entry-level Acura.  Based on the current-generation Civic, this will leave a wider gap between the bottom Acura (TSX) and middle (TL) than before, when there was some overlap.  The ILX thankfully doesn’t look much like either the current Civic or the overstyled Acura TL; it’s actually an attractive design.  Word is the ILX will come with 3 powertrains.  First is a direct-injection 2.0L I4 with an automatic for base models.  The performance model (probably Type-S) will get the 2.4L VTEC 4-cylinder from the Civic Si/TSX, with a 6-speed manual.  And the ILX will be Acura’s first hybrid offering – with the 1.5L/IMA/CVT combo from the Civic Hybrid.  Can you believe Honda – the pioneer of Hybrid tech – has never made a hybrid Acura?

Honda presented the 2013 Accord Coupe Concept, which is an accurate preview of what the all-new 2013 Accord will look like.  Answer: somewhat disappointing, especially next to the new Fusion.  Still, crazy styling has never been the Accord’s forte, and that won’t change.  Like the current Civic, it looks more like an evolution of the outgoing model than something entirely new.  No weird rocket turbines under the hood either.  The base engine is a revised version of the 2.4L K-series, now with direct injection and a CVT (sigh), rated at 181bhp and 177lb-ft.  The 3.5L V6 remains, with 6 speed manual or autos.  Honda says the V6 makes more power (not how much), the auto gearbox gets another ratio, and V6/Autos will get cylinder shutdown.  At least you can still get a torque-steering V6/6spd coupe.  Bigger news is the Accord Plug-In Hybrid.  It uses a 2.0L Atkinson I4 combined with a 6 KwH lithium ion battery and a 120 Kw electric motor, putting power through a CVT.  This is Honda’s first parallel hybrid: that is, it can move on electric, gas, or combined power.  (Previous Honda hybrids just had the electric motor assisting the gas, basically).  They claim 10-15 miles on all electric power up to 62mph, and some quick recharge times: 4 hours on 120 volts, or 1.5 hours on 240 volts.  It’s no new S2000, but Honda’s gotta keep up with the Joneses.

With the new Fusion comes a new Lincoln version, called the MKZ.  Lincoln showed the next-generation MKZ concept today at Detroit, as an attempt to revive any kind of interest in the moribund Lincoln brand.  Compared to the Cadillac ATS (the MKZ’s likely competitor), it’s a bit of a weak showing – but at least the styling is noticeable now.  As to whether it’s in a good way, I’ll leave that up to you – but I think they should be doing something besides “make the baleen grille bigger” if they want to attract buyers.  Good stuff?  the Genesis-esque swell of the front end, stretched green house (terminating nearly at the end of the decklid), the panoramic glass roof, those pronounced “shoulders”, and the clean rear end.  The MKZ concept is an inch wider and 5″ shorter in wheelbase than the current version – giving it a squat stance that would look really nice without all that chrome.  The interior has the latest high-tech Ford stuff: a 10.1″ TFT display in the cluster, an 8″ touch screen in the dash, a push-button transmission(!), and poplar wood and satin metal trim with two-tone leather.  No word on powertrain – it’s “based on a new midsized sedan platform,” so it’s a Fusion, and FWD or AWD will be available.

In their continued attempts to scare off the enthusiasts that continually shout the brand’s merits to anyone who will (or won’t) listen, Volkswagen is introducing a Jetta Hybrid.  If you’re wondering “Why would they do that, they have a Jetta diesel?” then you’re not alone.  The gas-electric version of the milquetoast new Jetta is powered by a 150bhp 1.4 TSI engine, combined with a 20 Kw electric motor fed by a 1.1 KwH battery.  It uses a 7-speed twin clutch ‘box with decoupling, which allows the Hybrid to run on gas, electric, or both.  By the numbers: 170 combined horsepower, 1.3 miles on pure electric power up to 44mph, 220lbs heavier than a normal Jetta, 0-60 in around 9 seconds, and 45mpg (US) average fuel economy.  Sounds like a more complicated Prius; I’ll pass.  Why wouldn’t you just get the diesel?

Slightly goofier (and a lot cuter) is the E-Bugster concept.  Just the name is adorable.  The E-Bugster is a new Beetle with a chopped roof, A-pillars, blanked out rear windows, and an electric drivetrain.  Called E-Blue Motion, it’s a 114bhp (85kW) electric motor up front, and a lithium-ion battery in the back.  It’ll take 120 or 240v charges, can do 100 miles on a full charge, and if they make it, will be filling up parking lots at a Whole Foods near you soon.

Audi brought a concept and some news to Detroit. The concept is called the Q3 Vail.  The Vail is named after the ski resort by the same name in Colorado – so this Q3 is a winter-sports themed concept version of the production Q3 compact SUV.  The biggest difference between it and the normal Q3 is under the hood:  the 2.5L turbo I5 from the RS3 takes the place of the normal 4 cylinders, putting out 314bhp and 295lb-ft through a 7-speed twin clutch and AWD.  There are some other neat add-ons: what looks like an Audi-designed coffee mug in the cupholder, some flashlights mounted in a charging station in the back, and roof racks with wide-angle lighting up top.  I could dig an RS3-powered SUV; it would be pretty great for bombing around a ski town!

News?  Well, Audi will be bringing the A4 Allroad (pictured) to America next year.  The Allroad is an off-roady version of Audi’s regular wagons; the last one they sold here was the A6 Allroad in 2005.  The Allroad will be replacing the Avant in the US lineup, which brings light to an alarming trend:  manufacturers are slowly replacing their wagons with pseudo-off-roaders, even wagon stalwarts.  Audi won’t sell the Avant here, Subaru replaced the Legacy Wagon with the Outback, and we aren’t getting Volvo wagons much longer- the V60 doesn’t come here (though the dealer would be happy to sell you an XC60) and the regular V70 and V50 won’t be around soon.  Still, the Allroad is a pretty cool wagon – it will come standard with Quattro, a 2.0T, and an 8-speed automatic.

The other Audi news?  The brand will sell a version of the A8 large sedan in the US next year with the oddly-named 3.0T V6, which is most definitely supercharged.  This same engine is already under the hood of other cars in the US (S4, A6, Porsche Cayenne/Panamera Hybrid), and it will be sold in high-output form in the A8: 333bhp and 325lb-ft.  The A8 3.0T is the first six-cylinder A8 Audi will sell in the US, but with Mercedes and BMW both selling six cylinder versions of their largest sedans again (740i, S400) it makes some sense.

Hyundai’s stand featured two performance cars: the new turbo version of the Veloster (above) and the updated Genesis Coupe.  The nifty Veloster hatchback/coupe/thing has been met with a pretty resounding “meh” by the press, mainly for being about 25% as fun to drive as it is to look at.  Hyundai is looking to rectify that with the Veloster Turbo, aiming directly at fun-to-drive stuff like the Golf GTI and Mini Cooper S.  On paper, there’s a lot of promise – but the same was said about the regular Veloster.  Hardware?  The Turbo retains a 1.6L engine, which is boosted to high hell.  Direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, and a free flowing exhaust add up to 201bhp@6,000rpm, and 195lb-ft from 1,750-4,500rpm.  The Turbo will be available with a 6-speed manual or automatic, and Hyundai says the 3-pedal will do 27/38 for fuel economy numbers – handily beating the Si, GTI, and Cooper S.  There’s a more aggressive front bumper and foglights, turn signals in the mirror, and special wheels to differentiate it from the normal Veloster.

We’ve talked about the updated Genesis Coupe before, but Detroit saw the official debut of the facelifted, more powerful 2013 model.  The biggest outside change is the new front clip, bringing it more in line with the styling of the rest of Hyundai’s current range.  There are also LED taillights.  The bigger changes are under the hood: the 2.0L Turbo base model jumps from 210 to 275 horsepower, and 223 to 275lb-ft torque.  The 3.8L V6 now has direct injection, and is rated at 348 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque now.  Both models have standard 6-speed manual transmissions, with a new 8-speed automatic optional.  Hyundai says the new 3.8L Genesis Coupe will hit 60 in the low 5′s – right quick.  Other changes include interior refinements, recalibrated suspension, and a shorter steering rack ratio.

Photo via carscoop.blogspot.com

Chrysler brought a few other things to Detroit in addition to the new Dodge Dart.  That bizarre looking thing above is the Chrysler 700C concept, based on the underpinnings of the current Town & Country minivan.  It’s supposed to show the future of the minivan – assuming that the minivan actually has a future seems pretty bold, but it’s a pretty well-styled concept.

The Chrysler 200 might just be a rehashed Sebring with a nose job and new interior, but at least Chrysler’s trying to drum up some interest.  This is the Chrysler 200 Super S by Mopar, a concept showing off some of the factory accessories for the 300′s little brother.  It’s basically a body kit with some black satin trim, coilover suspension (on a 200?), and intake and exhaust mods.  If it’s got some Dre Beats speakers, Eminem would probably approve.

They also brought two concept Chargers to Detroit.  Pictured right is the Redline, which will be a three-stage upgrade package for the large sedan from Mopar.  (I guess since Saturn’s dead they don’t mind the stolen name?)  Stage 1 is cosmetic stuff and wheels, Stage 2 includes a strut tie bar, cat-back exhaust, and brake upgrades.  Stage 3 sounds like the most fun, with a non-street-legal Mopar 426(ci) Hemi crate motor.  This 7.0L V8 is a punched out version of the 6.4L SRT V8, with a hot cam and trick cylinder heads good for 590 horsepower.  Om nom nom.  The other is the Charger Beats, with – you guessed it – a “Beats by Dr. Dre” Stereo.  Fabulous.

And finally, by far the most exciting debut at Detroit – or at least, moreso than the Buick Encore – is this sick lawn tractor.  Called the Craftsman CTX, it’s the Sears brand “luxury” tractor, with amenities like cupholders, power steering, a push-button deck adjustment, and a blistering top speed of 8mph.  It’s appearance at NAIAS is just a publicity stunt by Craftsman, but an amusing one.  That is, except to GM bigwig Bob Lutz, who was not amused – he said “It’s an automobile show, stupid, not motorcycles or garden implements.  What’s next? Plumbing and bathroom fixtures? A Toto-toilet stand? An Art Van furniture stand?”  (Reuters).  Geez Bob, chill out.  Rumors that the CTX would have an optional LS9 V8 from the ZR-1 Corvette were apparently unfounded.  Hopefully Craftsman will realize soon the ultimate tractor luxury is burnouts.

Smart have came up with a little pick-up which claims to be the perfect car for young ‘uns. The designers at Smart reckon this is because it’s small on the outside, large on the inside, very safe and very comfortable. But what exactly is it and why will we love it?

Firstly, it’s a future proof fully electric city car which means that we need not worry about the rising petrol costs killing our wallets. The electric motor produces 74bhp, around the same as the higher powered 1.0L petrol engine in the VW Up!, and 96lb ft or torque leading to a top speed of 75mph.

What if I run out of road and can’t be bothered to walk? Fear not my friend because you can get a couple of e-bikes on the back deck which are charged with a dock in the boot. Just because the road ends doesn’t mean your journey has to and as a result, you’ll never need walk anywhere again.

Secondly, it’s a funky looking thing. The For-Us looks like a diddy version of the Land Rover DC 100 sport concept. Instead of aggression, the Smart welcomes you with a cheeky smile and the track is wider than your average ForTwo so that it’s more robust.

Lastly, it’s usable. The little Smart promises to fit two people in comfort and, if you can’t or don’t want to cycle, you can take the e-bikes out of the boot to give you a 900mm load bay.

Will it be a hit with us youngsters? It’s certainly different isn’t it? If you live in the likes of Central London and only care about getting around then this looks perfect for you. If, like me, you prefer proper cars and you live in the middle of nowhere then I’m not so sure.

Thanks to Kanishka Sonnadara for the live photos.

There have been others since from Team Germany such as the Audi A7 and the up and coming BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. They’re great if you have executive car money but what if you’re bored of your humble Passat? The people’s car manufacturer had this problem in mind when they created the Passat CC back in 2008 and now there’s a new one. This time they’ve ditched the ‘P’ word for us in the UK to give it a touch more “swag juice”.

Not only has the name changed, but so have the looks. Like the previous car, it takes the same design language as the new Passat such as the horizontal chrome lines on the grille, new bumpers and LED rear lights but packaged to look much better overall. The interior will be the same as the current European Passat with the only obvious difference being the lower roof. Unlike the previous car this one will come with three rear seats to offer better practicality.

There’s a choice of four engines with the new CC; a 1.8L TSI, a 2.0L TSI producing 162bhp and 213bhp and two 2.0L TDI BlueMotion diesels with either 142bhp or 172bhp and will all of them you can choose between a manual or DSG gearbox.

Standard equipment includes sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, iPod socket, 17″ alloys, a brake energy recuperation system and ESP. GT models add leather upholstery, heated front seats, adaptive chassis control, cruise control, parking sensors all round and 18″ alloys. Optional equipment includes a more advanced adaptive cruise control that virtually clings on to the car in front and maintains its speed as well as blind spot monitors, rear view camera and massage seats.

The best bit is the price. The standard 1.8TSI CC starts at £24,200 with the highest spec CC GT diesel priced at £30,100. Like-for-like, that’s around half the price of the CLS and Audi A7. What about the smaller Audi A5 Sportback though? That’s a four-door coupe at a similar starting price, has a better interior and a better badge. Optioned up however, the Audi will rocket up in price. Leaving a nice gap in the market for the Volkswagen CC to power through. In the words of Kanye West, this could be VW’s best “Other Other Benz” yet…

We’ve prayed, we’ve hoped and Honda have responded.

Car Throttle had the opportunity to take the CR-Z Mugen prototype for a quick test drive at the SMMT test day back in October as well other test cars (which you can check out here) and it was the most fun Adnan had that day.

This little Honda coupe is fast. It can go from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds thanks to a rebuilt 1.5L IMA engine from Mugen which pumps out 200hp and 158lb-ft of torque. This is much better than the standard car and you can check out our review of that here. Mugen also changed the suspension to improve the handling and Honda themselves took 50kg off the original weight.

All this means that if you are a Type-R nut there’s now something new to satisfy that Type-R addiction. It’s the reason why Honda put the CR-Z Mugen into production in the first place since there are no hot Hondas in their showrooms at the moment. This also means that there’s now a more solid relationship between the British tuning firm and their Japanese parents leading to a possibility of more spiced up Mugen Hondas in the future. Play with the new Civic next I say.

Any differences to the prototype we tested and the production version? Yes, the price. The one Adnan had his hands on costed £150,000 then again that was a one-off prototype at the time. You can get your hands on one from next February at around £23k, similar to the Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup and much cheaper than the Volkswagen Scirocco R (£29,745).

Originally the only diesel engine available for the A1 was a 1.6L TDI  with 103bhp and 136 lb ft of torque. Now you have a choice between this and a 2.0L TDI that produces 141bhp and 236 lb ft of torque, less horsepower yet more torque than the Cooper SD but the differences are minute. Unlike the smaller 1.6L TDI A1 the bigger 2 litre comes with a 6th gear ratio for the manual ‘box. Speed wise it’s a similar situation, stationary to 62mph takes 8.2 seconds in the A1 with a top speed of 135mph whilst the manual Cooper SD gets to 62mph 0.1 seconds faster and goes all the way up to 134mph, very similar isn’t it?

The main reason why you would buy a diesel hot hatch is to have the power but save cash on running it, right? The more powerful diesel A1′s running costs should be easy on your wallet with a claimed 68.9mpg and it will only cost £20 to put a tax disk in the window every year because Co2 emissions are 108g/km, slightly more economical than the Mini but less economical than the smaller diesel A1, that one is road tax free.

The engine isn’t the only new addition for the A1, there are also two new special edition trims to pick as well; Contrast Edition and Black Edition. The Contrast Edition, available to all A1 Sports apart from the most powerful 1.4TFSI, lets you choose a different colour for the roof line, just like in the standard car but also comes with aerodynamic styling elements in the same colour as the roof line as well as 17″ ‘five-arm’ alloys added to the standard Sport trim. You can also get a double-blade roof spoiler to make the car look even more sporty but that’s an optional extra. Black Edition is pretty much a S-Line model but with a black surround for the grille and the number plate holder as well as titanium finished 18″ alloys, tinted windows from the B-pillar back, Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, full electric climate control and a better sound system. The Black edition is only available with the most powerful 1.4TFSI petrol and that new diesel engine though.

So the classy yet slightly immature looking hot A1 diesel with great running costs sounds like a good call, what’s the catch? The asking price is the catch! Adding these special edition trims means a price hike to the Sport and S-Line trims; Contrast edition costs £1,350 extra than the Sport and Black Edition is £1,100 added to the S-Line price. The Audi A1 Black Edition with the most powerful 1.4TSI petrol is a whopping £21,810 and the powerful diesel will cost a bit more. That’s similar to a basic Scirocco with the 158bhp 1.4TSI, a lot more than the A1′s cousin, the Skoda Fabia VRS (£16,415) and a bit more than it’s main rival, the Cooper SD (£18,810).

This little VW comes with wider front grille to help more air get to the engine which promises to produce around 100bhp. Attached to each side of the wider front grille are cooling ducts which have the job of keeping the brakes chilled and also house the LED daytime running lights. Other changes to the exterior include extended sills along the flanks, gloss black wing mirros, 17-inch alloys and a black diffuser on the rear. There will also be a rear roof spoiler to help reduce lift over the rear axle.

On the inside the GT Up will come with black headlining, anthracite seats with a checkered blue and black central panel, instead of red tartan like in the Golf and Polo GTIs interestingly, and gloss black on the door panel and dashboard with blue rings around the air vents. Just like on any modern day and bigger hot hatch, the driver will have a flat-bottomed three-spoked leather steering wheel.

The GT Up’s main rivals would be the Abarth 500 and the Renaultsport Twingo which are both the same sort of size and produce around 100bhp too but your friends would be squished in the back of the 500 and the Twingo won’t be as up-market feeling inside. Mind you, if the GT Up were to go into production it would probably be a little bit more expensive than both.

If you are really liking the sound of a miniature GTI the bad news is that this Up is still a concept. You can order the normal 3 door version and deliveries for that start in Spring 2012 but if the GT Up does go into production you probably won’t see it until the second half of next year.

Volkswagen has been touting the Beetle in the United States, but it has yet to make a push in the United Kingdom. That is because the Beetle isn’t slated to go on sale in the UK until next Spring.

Today the company gets one step closer to that launch with a pricing announcement and opening of the order book. Orders, for a vehicle people have yet to drive? Yes, it does happen, surprisingly.

The car’s base price starts at £16,490, which in USD at current exchange rates comes out to around $26,000! Startling. The new Beetle will launch with two-engines at first. The base model gets a 1.2-liter TSI making 105 horsepower, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It includes standard keyless entry, air conditioning and CD player.

The more upscale Design trim adds Bluetooth with iPod connectivity, fog lights, an alarm system (that isn’t standard?!), leather-wrapped steering wheel, body color interior trim and 17-inch alloy-wheels.

For those wanting more power, there is a 1.4-liter TSI making 160 hp; it comes with asix-speed manual. The 1.4-liter is able to be paired with Design and Sport trims. Sport includes: cruise control, dual-zone electronic climate control, privacy glass, sports seats, reverse warning system and a glossy black dash board and interior door panels. The exterior is differentiated by 18-inch alloy wheels and glossy black mirrors.

Later on in the Beetle’s launch VW will extend the lineup with a 1.6-liter TDI BlueMotion diesel making 105HP, a 2.0-liter TDI diesel with 140HP and a high-end 2.0-liter TSI four. We get that engine currently in the U.S, and it pushes out 200 hp. The base model will also be able to be ordered with a six-speed manual by the end of next year.