Nother CarGuy

This is the all-new 2022 Opel Astra and to say it is a radical departure from its predecessor would be an understatement. The new Astra, also sold as a Vauxhall in the UK, shares its EMP2 platform with other Stellantis models including the Peugeot 308. Opel / Vauxhall will sell the new Astra with a handful of different petrol, diesel, and PHEV powertrains. Sitting at the base of the range is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol available in 108 hp and 128 hp configurations. A turbocharged four-cylinder diesel with 128 hp is also offered. These petrol engines all come standard with a six-speed manual transmission but customers can spec out an eight-speed automatic. As for the plug-in hybrids (PHEV), the entry-level variant combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 148 hp with a 109 hp electric motor, creating a combined 178 hp. The flagship PHEV model pairs this same 109 hp electric motor with a 178 hp version of the 1.6-liter turbo-four, produci...

The 2022 Honda Civic lineup is expanding as the company has introduced the new hatchback variant. The model unsurprisingly follows in the footsteps of the redesigned sedan and adopts a more mature, if boring for some, design. Of course, it’s not an exact copy as the hatchback is distinguished by an angular liftgate and a unique rear end with an integrated spoiler. The five-door model also features sleeker taillights, which are connected by a thin strip that follows the contours of the spoiler. The rest of the car largely echoes the sedan and there’s a familiar interior with a modern design. Drivers sit behind a 7- or 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and will find a freestanding 7- or 9-inch infotainment system off to the side.  The latter sports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and the display resides above stylish honeycomb mesh trim. More importantly, the hatchback is more practical than the sedan as there are 60/40 split folding rear seats that allow fo...

Seat’s standalone sporty brand, Cupra, has revealed the full details of its first EV. Called Born, the electric hatchback is built on the same Volkswagen Group MEB platform found under the VW ID.3 hatch and the ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron SUVs. In fact, it’s essentially a tweaked ID.3. But playing up to Cupra’s positioning as the everyman’s Lamborghini in the Volskwagen Group’s empire, the Born piles on the visual aggression and delivers more power than its VW cousin. The recent ID.3-based ID.X concept showed that it’s possible to dial in some more street presence to the ID.3 with a few modest upgrades. But right out of the box the Born looks much more dynamic. If it looks familiar, and we don’t mean because you saw last week’s teaser, it’s probably because it’s almost identical to 2020’s El-Born concept. The basic body structure is shared with the ID.3, and unless we’re mistaken, even the doors are the same, though some clever visual trickery giving the impression of a fashionable floatin...

Skoda has taken the wraps off the brand new, 2021 Fabia. Based on the Volkswagen Polo’s MQB A0 platform, the fourth-generation subcompact hatchback gets access to up to 147 hp, a bigger infotainment screen, advanced driver aid technology, and a starting price of less than €14,000 ($16,830 USD) in most European markets “The Fabia has been an integral part of our portfolio for over 20 years and embodies the core values of our brand like no other model,” said Thomas Schäfer, Skoda’s CEO. “The latest generation has everything it takes to seamlessly build on the success of its predecessors.” Indeed, Skoda has chosen to refine, rather than revolutionize the look of the Fabia. The new design isn’t a massive departure from the third-generation car although it is 11 cm (4.3 inches) longer than the outgoing model. There are improvements to the Fabia’s design, though. The proportions, for instance, have been massaged to make it look more “dynamic and grown-up.” The door handles have also been res...

Volkswagen’s Polo is a giant among small cars. In a career spanning almost 50 years it’s shifted over 18 million units, and regularly ranks close to the top of best-seller charts, proving Europeans love competent but dull cars. To ensure it stays there, and to make it slightly less dull, Volkswagen has given it a mid-life refresh, applying a touch of the Mk8 Golf’s design and some tech features more usually seen on cars like the flagship Touareg SUV. This being a facelift rather a ground-up rebuild, the major visual changes are limited to lights and bumpers. LED head and tail lights are standard on every model, the front units connected by an illuminated strip at the base of the radiator grille. Or you can upgrade them to the adaptive Matrix LED technology from the Touareg and Passat. That’s not the only big-car tech the Polo inherits. Volkswagen has bundled various assistance system together and given them the IQ.Drive Travel Assist tag. Those extra cost systems include adaptive cruis...

The wraps are officially off Peugeot’s brand new family hatchback, the 308, that’s set to go on sale in Europe and other international markets (but not the U.S. after Stellantis decided to focus on Alfa Romeo instead) later this year. Beyond the sporty styling the other big news about the VW Golf challenger is the availability with electrified powertrains from the get-go. Underpinning the car is the third-generation of Stellantis’s EMP2 platform that has seen the 308’s wheelbase grow by 55 mm. In redesigning the car, Peugeot has also dropped its height by 20 mm to create a sleeker silhouette. Found at the front is the all-new roaring lion’s head logo of the brand. All variants of the 2021 308 come standard with LED headlights that complement vertical LED daytime running lights. These headlights feature Peugeot Matrix LED Technology on GT and GT Premium variants of the 308. Located at the rear are LED taillights with the company’s three claw rear light signature. Buyers will be able to ...

The Volkswagen Golf R has developed a cult-like following, and fans are in for a treat as the 2022 model is sportier and more powerful than its predecessor. Starting under the hood, the 2022 Golf R has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. That’s an increase of 27 hp (20 kW / 27 PS) and 30 lb-ft (41 Nm). To the joy of driving enthusiasts, in the United States and Canada, the engine will be paired to a standard six-speed manual transmission. Customers will also be able to opt for a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). Oddly, the European version will be offered exclusively with the DSG – sorry, no manual across the pond. Regardless of which transmission is selected, all models will come equipped with a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. Volkswagen says it helps to eliminate understeer and reduce the car’s cornering radius, while also making the model “noticeably more” agile...

Presented online at a streaming press conference that should have taken place at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, the fourth generation A3 retains the familiar shape from previous generations, but has embraced more characterful if not convoluted design language and lines. The front end follows the themes from Audi’s latest models sporting sharper headlights with LED DRLs, a more muscular bonnet that ends in a straight line above the new honeycomb grille, and prominent side air intakes. The front fenders have been narrowed but the rear shoulderline is bulkier, ending with the bumper that incorporates air outakes and slimmer taillights. The diffuser is now more discreet and doesn’t hold on to the tailpipes anymore, as these are hidden away. The car has similar overall proportions and the boot has a capacity of 380-1,200 liters (13.4-42.4 cu-ft), depending on the position of the rear seats. Opening the door reveals a completely new dashboard panel, with air vents on the driver’s si...

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...

Volkswagen might have played it safe with the 2020 Golf Mk8, but Seat is here to spice things up with the all-new Leon. Looking even better than its predecessor, the redesigned Leon has a bold front fascia with an upright grille that is flanked by slender LED headlights featuring distinctive daytime running lights. Further below, there are sporty air intakes and horizontal fog lights. The dynamic styling continues further back as the Leon has a sculpted hood and flowing bodywork. The latter features pronounced fenders and strong character lines. Elsewhere, the Leon has a rakish windscreen and a gently sloping roof which meets a tailgate-mounted spoiler. The model also has a dynamic greenhouse and a sporty rear end with slender taillights that are connected by a thin illuminated strip. Overall, the hatchback measures 172 inches (4,368 mm) long, 70.9 inches (1,800 mm) wide and 57.3 inches (1,456 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 105.7 inches (2,686 mm). This means the...