Nother CarGuy

VW has finally pulled the covers off the all-new, eighth generation Golf GTI and its siblings, the plug-in hybrid GTE and diesel GTD. As expected, the new VW Golf GTI isn’t a fan of loud styling exercises, opting instead for a more subtle approach to display its high-performance underpinnings. The front end is dominated by the one-piece honeycomb-pattern lower grille that features the striking, but optional, X-shaped foglights. The standard LED headlights are united via a thin LED strip with another colored strip runs across the width of VW’s iconic hot hatch – finished in red for the GTI, blue for the GTE and silver for the GTD. Moving on to the sides and we find a set of new 17-inch Richmond alloy wheels offered as standard to the Golf GTI. VW will also offer 18- and 19-inch wheels as an option while the brake calipers are finished in the classic red. The side skirts are also wider and finished in black. The rear end of the new VW Golf GTI gets a sporty diffuser, alo...

Designed to optimize air flow, the 5-meter (196.0-in) long coupe-SUV concept features a grille shaped to direct air to the sides and pass it to the specially-styled 23-inch wheels. Other highlights include the screen in the grille that hides away an array of sensors, LED headlights and DRLs, as well as the ‘DS Light Veil’ illuminated sheets that preview the company’s future design signature. Inside, the Aero Sport Lounge adopts a very bold approach. For starters, it has two wide strips that replace the traditional screens; the lower one, clad in satin cotton, is used to display the information projected from the one above. Each occupant has their own screen to keep them busy on long journeys, with another pair of displays relaying live footage from the digital mirrors. The instrument cluster was replaced by a head-up display that uses augmented reality to project the information onto the windscreen, and the car also has an artificial intelligence system named Iris and hapti...

As recent teasers indicated, the design changes made to the facelifted i30 Hatchback, Fastback, and Wagon are only subtle but do make the vehicle a touch more striking. At the front, the South Korean car includes a wider grille with a complex 3D mesh pattern while also sporting slimmer headlights with optional multifaceted reflector MFR LED technology. These lights are particularly eye-catching thanks to the presence of new V-shaped daytime running lights. Spin around to the rear of the refreshed i30 and you’ll be greeted with a new bumper that’s been developed to improve aerodynamic performance. The taillights also offer a V-shape to mimic the front. Hyundai has also designed diamond-cut 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels. Alterations have also been made to the i30 N Line, available in both Hatchback and Fastback guises. In addition to featuring the same headlights and taillights as lesser models, the new N line trim includes a new lower and larger front grille, a re-designed ...

Mercedes-AMG has expanded its compact car lineup with the unveiling of the new generation GLA 45, ahead of its world debut originally set for the 2020 Geneva Motor Show on March 3. Based on the second-generation GLA small crossover, the range-topper of the series is powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four as the A45 and CLA 45, with identical output and torque. The engine produces 382 HP (387 PS / 285 kW) and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm), and is paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system with AMG Torque Control that distributes the power between the front and rear wheels, as well as between the left and right rear wheel selectively. The high-performance crossover needs 4.3 seconds to go from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) and tops out at 155 mph (250 km/h). America will only get the base GLA 45, starting towards the end of the year, but in other parts of the world, it will also offer the GLA 45 S. The more powerful model will arriv...

Polestar has been teasing us with an upcoming concept for weeks now, and the wait is finally over as the fully-electric Precept grand tourer just broke cover. The Precept concept represents a vision of the brand’s future direction, boasting an advanced digital interface, sustainable interior materials and quite a lot of safety features. “Precept is a declaration, a vision of what Polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant,” said the company’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath. “The car is a response to the clear challenges our society and industry face. This is not a dream of a distant future, Polestar Precept previews future vehicles and shows how we will apply innovation to minimise our environmental impact.” Visually, the Precept looks properly futuristic, thanks to a design philosophy dubbed “Minimalistic Athleticism”. The concept’s sculpted form is said to set the tone for future Polestar vehicles, while its proportions make it quite imposing to look at. It has a 3...

Volkswagen has announced a new plug-in hybrid model, the Touareg R, which joins the likes of the Passat GTE and upcoming Golf GTE. Based on the third generation that launched in 2018, it’s powered by a 340 PS (335 HP / kW) 3.0-liter V6 TSI petrol engine and a 136 PS (134 HP / 100 kW) electric motor for a total system output of 462 PS (455 HP / 340 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. The powertrain is connected to the 4Motion all-wheel drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a center differential lock that acts as a transfer box. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph) or 140 km/h (87 mph) in electric drive mode. Providing the juice for a zero-emission range estimated at 43-48 km (27-30 miles) is the 14.1 kWh battery, mounted beneath the boot floor. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration is expected to take around 5 seconds. Drivers can switch between E-Mode for zero-emission driving and Hybrid for an optimized setting. They ca...

It’s been half a year since the DS 9 broke cover in China as somewhat of a luxed-up Peugeot 508 L, with the French brand finally unveiling the European version. It’s pretty obvious that the DS9 is based on the Peugeot 508 L, though DS tried to do all they could to separate the “9” from its sister brand’s sedan, such as having two different shoulder lines and roof lines. There’s also a lot of chrome involved, such as the thick line that graces the hood vertically. That’s a bold design choice, to say the least. Other design traits include the chrome surrounds for the taillights, the fastback-like silhouette (obviously), and diamond-shaped light graphics at the rear. One thing that did surprise us is that the 9 does not feature frameless door windows like the Peugeot 508, which is a curious choice since most people view this type of setup as classy or even luxurious when it comes to family cars. The interior of the DS 9 features Peugeot’s ergonomic automatic gear selector, two...

Set to introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, the redesigned model has a new “Sensuous Sportiness” design which looks far more upscale than its predecessor. Starting up front, there’s a prominent grille which is flanked by sweptback headlights and sportier air intakes.  The model also has a sculpted hood and dynamic bodywork with strong character lines. Other highlights include a contrasting roof, an expanded greenhouse and a tailgate-mounted spoiler.  We can also see new taillights which are connected by a thin illuminated strip. In terms of size, the 2020 i20 is 0.2 inches (5 mm) longer, 1.2 inches (30 mm) wider and 0.94 inches (24 mm) shorter than its predecessor.  The model also features a wheelbase that has been stretched an additional 0.4 inches (10 mm). Hyundai only released a sketch of the interior, but it promises to be far more advanced than the outgoing model as there will be a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8- or 10.25-inch infotai...

Czinger Vehicles has uncovered the 21C hybrid hypercar ahead of its public premiere at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. The Los Angeles-based startup claims that the electrified machine is capable of jaw-dropping performance, going from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a whopping 1.9 seconds. Power comes from an in-house developed hybrid powertrain that has yet to be detailed. However, they did say that it develops a very impressive 1,250 PS (1,233 HP / 919 kW). Named “an evolutionary leap in performance vehicle creation“, the 21C has the typical super sports car styling, with bulky fenders at the front, wide hips, strong side skirts, short overhangs and big wing at the back. It also features split headlights, thin rear light strip, arched roofline and Y-spoke wheels that don’t seem to be oversized. Czinger hasn’t released any interior images at the time of writing, but they did say that it boasts a tandem seating configuration with room for two – McLaren F1-style. It will be inte...

The first official photos of the 2021 Kia Sorento have been published prior to the vehicle’s Geneva Motor Show premiere next month. The new Sorento looks drastically different than its predecessor and has a far more striking appearance. The front of the 2021 model is particularly bold thanks to the presence of the marque’s ‘tiger nose’ grille that seamlessly flows into the headlights and LED daytime running lights. Elsewhere, Kia says it has stretched the wheelbase of the new Sorento while also shortening the front and rear overhangs. The sides of the SUV are also particularly eye-catching thanks to sharp rear side windows and a decorative piece of silver trim on the C-pillar. Found at the rear are split taillights, a spoiler stretching off the roof, and prominent ‘Sorento’ badging. Kia has also dropped images of the vehicle’s redesigned interior. Sitting in the center of the new cabin is a large 10.12-inch touchscreen infotainment system while beneath it are some physical ...

The 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster has just been presented prior to its public premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The drop-top Vantage has been a long time coming and features a fabric top that can be lowered in just 6.7 seconds when the car is stationary or in 6.8 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h). This makes it the fastest folding automatic soft-top in the industry. It’s common for convertible versions of cars to weigh more than their coupe counterparts and it’s no different with the Vantage Roadster although it does only gain 132 lbs (60 kg) over the hardtop. This is thanks to the Z-fold mechanism design and the lightweight bracing featured throughout the car. Powering the 2021 Vantage Roadster is the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine as the coupe with no less than 503 hp and 505 lb-ft (685 Nm) of torque on tap. This engine is coupled to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels, accelerating the car throu...

The all-new Toyota GR Supra was only introduced for the 2020 model year but the Japanese automaker has gone ahead and made big updates for 2021. No doubt, the big news for the 2021 Toyota GR Supra is the introduction of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, the nameplate’s first-ever four-pot. As expected, it’s also sourced from BMW and it delivers 255 HP at 5,000-6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. Bridging the gap between the Toyota 86 and the Supra 3.0, the 2021 GR Supra 2.0 base model is far from a slouch. Hooked to the same eight-speed auto as the six-cylinder model, the Supra 2.0 is projected to do 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.0 seconds and reach an electronically limited top track speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). This will make it Toyota’s second quickest vehicle in the lineup behind the Supra 3.0. Besides a lower price point, the four-cylinder Supra will also offer improved fuel economy, though no mileage figures have been released ...