2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Coming Next Spring
The wraps have only just come off the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle but so far only the hard-top model has been revealed. However, as we saw with the previous generation ‘New Beetle’, sales of the convertible are just as important as those of the coupe and in some years were actually the higher of the two.
In fact, from 2003 to 2005, the New Beetle Convertible was the more popular choice, with sales managing to peak at 24,255 units in 2003, its first full year of sales.
Understandably, Volkswagen will be keen to launch the convertible version of its latest Beetle and thanks to information revealed at a first drive event of the hard-top, we can now reveal that it will come onto the market next spring as a 2013 model.
The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible will once again feature an automated folding soft-top and should be priced only slightly higher than the hard-top, which lists from $19,765.
It turns out Volkswagen is also waiting until next spring to launch the diesel version of the latest Beetle, the Beetle TDI. This fuel friendly model will be offered in either coupe or convertible bodystyles and will come with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine rated at 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is a claimed 29/40 mpg city/highway.
Look out for the debut of the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show this September, but in the meantime, click here for our first drive report of the coupe, which goes on sale in October.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
First Drive: 2011 Ford Mustang GT
Let's cut to the chase: The new 2011 Mustang GT is about as badass as you can get in a normal production car.
In this case, one with a bargain bottom-line price tag as low as $30,495.
The first time you see—or hear—a new Mustang GT open up the throttle, you'll understand why we call it badass. Floor it, and the V-8 develops a deep authoritative bellow that turns heads and sounds way better—especially from the outside—than the more resonated sound from the bigger V-8 in the Camaro SS. And it has the capability to pin you back in your seat with almost supercar thrust, no matter what the gear. Or commit seemingly unlimited acts involving smoky burnouts
We've told you about this new V-8 in detail, but what counts is that Ford didn't just make the old engine a little larger to bring back the '5.0' badge. It's an all-new engine, with Ford's latest TI-VCT variable valve timing for deep breathing throughout the rev range for good performance and fuel economy, and a completely redesigned deep-sump oil system that's designed for hard use (or a 10,000-mile oil-change interval). Yet with rather tall gearing, it achieves EPA ratings of 17 mpg city, 25 highway.
The new engine starts up with the low rumble of an old big-block muscle car, yet it settles almost immediately into a smooth purr of an idle that's completely different than the lopey, rough idle we've come to expect in some higher-horsepower Mustangs of the past.
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe: 2010 Detroit Auto Show Preview
By mid-2010 Cadillac will have a high-performance coupe in its arsenal to take on the likes of the BMW M3 and upcoming Audi RS5. The new two-door is the upcoming 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, which has been confirmed today for an unveiling at next month’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Based on the 2011 CTS Coupe (pictured), revealed at this month’s 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the new CTS-V Coupe will likely be fitted with the same 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 as found in the regular CTS-V Sedan.
Production is scheduled to start in the summer of 2010, with sales to follow shortly after.
Also on show in Detroit will be a brand new Cadillac concept car, which has been partially revealed in this latest teaser. There are two trains of thought on what the new concept could be: one, a replacement for the STS and DTS lines, and the second, a new entry-level model rumored to be called the ATS. Not much detail can be seen on the concept in the teaser but its strong lines and oversized grille suggests the former.
We’ll have all the details and live images of both cars following their debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January 12.
[Cadillac]
---------------
High Gear Media has partnered with Tesla Motors on a new writing contest where YOU can win a tour and road test of the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport. You can submit as many articles as you like and enter multiple times. Enter now!
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2010 Nissan Titan: ‘Sports Car Of Trucks’ Gets A Safety Boost
Safety features have been boosted across the 2010 Nissan Titan range of pickups, yet prices have only been raised modestly from 2009.
That's the most important news for 2010 on Nissan's full-size, V-8-powered Titan. Standard safety equipment has been expanded to include side airbags, side curtain bags, stability control, and an Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) system now standard across the entire model line. Previously the side and side-curtain bags had been available as a $685 option.
At a substantial savings versus standalone options, a new SE Value Truck Package adds more features—including captain's chairs, an eight-way power driver's seat, a tow hitch, fog lights, and Bluetooth—to the popular, affordable SE trim, which is a step up from the basic XE.
Otherwise the 2010 Titan carries over with virtually no changes. Two new colors—Blue Steel and Navy Blue—freshen the lineup. It's still offered in four models (XE, SE, PRO-4X, and LE) and two body styles (King Cab and Crew Cab) in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, with four bed sizes (5'5", 6'5", 7', and 8').
Since its original introduction, the Titan has emphasized utility with some very useful features such as a factory spray-on bedliner, Utili-track tie-down system, and locking bedside storage.
Unfortunately, there's still no V-6 or more fuel-efficient alternative to the 5.6-liter V-8, which is rated at 12 mpg city, 17 highway. In repeat drives of the Titan, it's proven one of the thirstiest of the full-size trucks, and TheCarConnection.com's editors have also noted more road and engine noise in the Titan than in rival models such as the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Chevrolet Silverado, or Toyota Tundra. However the tremendously torquey (385 lb-ft), 317-horsepower engine performs as well as the top V-8s in some full-sizers, at a substantially lower price; the Titan handles well for such a big truck, too. We've gone so far as to say that the Titan "could be considered a sports car of trucks."
While a previous deal to replace the current Titan with a version based on the Dodge Ram is now off, Nissan has stated repeatedly that it will stay in the full-size pickup market—perhaps now a more substantial remake of the Titan is in the works.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Citroen Revolte/2CV Concept To Show At Frankfurt
Citroen may have bombed with its updated DS model, but the French automaker could have much better luck with its reimagined 2CV. The 2CV (aka, the "deux chevaux vapeur", referring to its taxable horsepower) remains ubiquitous in France, even though production ended in 1990. Citroen's update will debut at next week's Frankfurt Auto Show, and it has all the hallmarks of the original -- including a rollback top and suicide doors -- but the lines are refreshed and sleek. Seriously, check out that back seat: it looks like a banquette at a French bistro. What better place to take a date? [TheMotorReport]
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
