New Volvo S60 pictures revealed

Here are the first official pictures of the new Volvo S60 sportier and more dynamic than any previous Volvo model.

Dynamic styling for new Volvo S60

The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the cars technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel, says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The new Volvo S60 can be equipped with Pedestrian Detection a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

The new Volvo S60 is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March next year. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around, says Stephen Odell.

Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI named 2010 Automobile of the Year

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that the all-new Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI has been named the 2010 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year. This marks the second time in its history that the GTI has won this prestigious award. In AUTOMOBILE Magazines twenty year history of awarding their top honor, the Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI is the only make and model to ever win it twice.

Top results for Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI

At a time when the worlds economy is in shambles and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are on everyones minds, there remains only one car that ticks all the enthusiast boxes without setting off a single wretched-excess alarm. Thats the Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI, and thats why it is, once again, Automobile Magazines Automobile of the Year, said Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor, Automobile Magazine.

Having our GTI named AUTOMOBILE Magazines Automobile of the Year once again is a tremendous honor for our brand, said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. Were thrilled that the staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine acknowledged that todays sports car consumers are looking beyond horsepower and going fast, rather they are looking for vehicles that are practical, fuel efficient, and fast. The Volkswagen Golf 6 GTI truly embodies what the Volkswagen brand is all aboutaffordable, efficient, and fun-to-drive German Engineering, Barnes added.

Nissan optimistic about increased volumes

Nissan South Africa (Nissan SA) is looking to ramp up vehicle production at its Rosslyn manufacturing plant to 45, 000 units this financial year, after falling short of meeting this target in 2008 because of the global economic crisis which had a serious impact on total industry volume (TIV). This optimistic outlook is on the strength of new opportunities that have opened up in the export market and demand for the NP200 as well as demand for the Renault Sandero which is built at the Nissan factory under the Renault Nissan Alliance.

Nissan looks froward to the future

If you look at this financial year, I think we are one of the few manufacturers in the South African market that is actually forecasting a higher volume than we did last year because of these opportunities, says Neil Craddock, Nissan SAs manufacturing plant general manager, who points out that even with lower volumes of around 33, 000 last year, the company still maintained its 8% market share.

A key challenge is materials management both of overseas and local suppliers. Now that the company is sourcing from a variety of countries, and not just Japan as previously, production is often hampered by long lead times and packing configurations which are at odds with the production lines requirements. Operational challenges closer to home also spill over into the manufacturing arena. When it comes to local suppliers, one of the things we are really battling with is some of the suppliers inability to meet the delivery expectations, explains Craddock. Ensuring the optimum cost per unit is an ever-present challenge. NSA is, therefore, always mindful of these cost elements and continues to strive to contain cost through cross functional activity and ongoing benchmarking.

Challenges aside, Craddock is confident that Nissan is on track to maintaining, if not exceeding, the companys forecasted volumes for 2009 and beyond

Springboks bounce into Ford to discuss strategy

PRETORIA, South Africa As a world-class rugby team, the South African Springboks work together as one unit to win. This approach is not unique to the pitch, and in fact happens everyday across our organisation, driven by the ONE Ford strategy.

Ford and Springboks have lots in common

To learn more about Fords approach to business and to share the teams vision of success, Springboks Assistant Coach Gary Gold, along with players JP Pietersen, Bismarck Du Plessis, Bakkies Botha and Tendai Mtawarira, visited Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) on November 4. Impressed by how FMCSA was driving its operations forward despite trying industry conditions, Gold noted similarities between Fords business approach and his own vision of teamwork. He pointed out that our ONE Ford strategy which is based on the three pillars of One Team, One Plan, One Goal closely resembles the tactics the Springboks use to win games, time and time again.

As a proud South African pastime, rugby provides inspiration for many and instills a sense of national pride. During their visit to Fords Silverton Assembly Plant, Gold and the Springboks signed autographs and memorabilia for Ford employees who gathered to meet them.

Golds passion for the Springboks is remarkably similar to our companys passion for the Ford brand, said Feder. “Shared vision certainly leads to shared success.

Ford is an associate sponsor of the South African Rugby League, and has supplied 34 Ford Bantams to rugby development officers throughout South Africa.

Chevrolet Cruze 1,8 LT Auto (2009) Driving Impression

You may take General Motors announcement that Chevrolet is its world brand with a pinch of salt. You may even ignore the alarming rumours that Opel is to be sold off, if you want to. But heres a fact you cant deny. Right now, right here, theres no C-segment Opel sedan in sight for South Africans. The Chevrolet Cruze is it. The fact that its essentially an Astra underneath rubs further salt into the wounds of Opel fans but in the long-term that doesnt really seem to concern General Motors too much. Far more important is the fact that the Chevrolet Cruze will have to be a lot better than its previous effort, the Optra, to stand up against current market leaders from Toyota, Ford and Honda. Can it cut it?

Masculine looks for Chevrolet Cruze

It helps that the Chevrolet Cruze doesnt look anything like its Optra forebear. Boasting the longer and wider platform of the latest Astra, the Cruze is an attractive machine in a segment that isnt really known for styling excellence. Up front theres the trademark dual-port Chevrolet grille, which works better on a compact sedan than you may think. The headlamps are particularly interesting because they flow directly into the fender creases. In profile the Chevrolet Cruze is masculine, with large 17-inch alloy wheels filling the wheelarches nicely, and the sloping rear pillars lending it a sense of sportiness. At the rear it is decidedly more conservative, but nevertheless attractive.

The interior represents a major step forward for Chevrolet. Gone are the acres of dull grey plastic, replaced by a neat twin-cockpit design with a flowing centre section, contrasting trim pieces of good quality and particularly sporty instrumentation. One senses that Chevrolets interior designers have worked hard to give the Chevrolet Cruze an upmarket cabin through its detailing, and in general the efforts have paid off. The instrumentation is crisply backlit in blue and chrome ringed. Soft-touch sections of the facia are nice to touch. And a neat V-shaped, silver-faced centre section groups the controls for the audio and ventilation systems. The latter controls are, however, possibly set slightly too low.

With the same range of seating and steering wheel adjustment on offer than what youd usually find in an upmarket German car (no surprises, its an Opel remember), the Chevrolet Cruze boasts an excellent driving position. The seats, too, are very good, offering good under-thigh and later support. At the rear things are not quite as rosy. Legroom is acceptable for this type of car, but no more. This may come as a surprise, given the relatively long (2 685 mm) wheelbase, but remember the slope of that rear window. Undoubtedly this has forced Chevys designers to push the back seats slightly forward, compromising space to some extent. The positive spin-off is a very large boot.

Lethargic performance

So far, so good. Unfortunately, the drivetrain of this model undoes much of the positive impression created thus far. Its not that the 1,8-litre four-cylinder engine doesnt have enough power. Rather, the problem appears to be the six-speed automatic transmissions inability to harness the power there is. Throttle response is slow, but eventually the message reaches the transmission which results in a frenzy of activity as it attempts to locate the most suitable gear ratio. By the time it has engaged this ratio and the engine screams to the red line, the moment of need will have gone. So, not a great car to drive if youre in a hurry, then.

Thankfully it is considerably better as a cruiser. Once up to speed, gentle but decisive throttle pressure is all thats needed for the Chevrolet Cruze to shift down and gain pace for overtaking. In this kind of environment, it is vastly more impressive.

Fuel economy? Well, around town the Chevrolet Cruze 1,8 LT can be quite thirsty, because youll be flooring it in frustration rather often. Here you can expect to average around 10,5 L/100 km. Expect this figure to drop significantly on the open road, though.

Loaded with features

When equipped with Chevrolets top-line LT specification, the Cruzes standard features list is long. Included in the mix are; climate control, auto lights and wipers, electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, rear park-distance control, leather upholstery, cruise control, an audio/CD system and four airbags. Interestingly, traction control is fitted but a full electronic stability system (ESP) is not.

Although the Chevrolet Cruze doesnt feature a multi-link rear suspension set-up, which theoretically wouldve endowed it with superior ride/handling characteristics, the fitted torsion bar arrangement does a good enough job. The damping is good, with the Chevrolet Cruze treading a fine line between suppleness and firmness, the latter part of the equation lending the Chevy admirable stability in faster corners. We did, however, notice some thumping noises from the suspension, and road noise levels are quite high and speed. Some extra NVH refinement, or under-body noise damping, seems to be required.

Chevrolet Cruze – Verdict

Wow, what a big step forward from Optra! The Chevrolet Cruze is a properly up-to-date C-segment sedan offering considerable charm. In 1,8 LT Automatic guise, however, there are some misgivings, mostly around the easily confused transmission, but it is clear that in essence the Chevrolet Cruze is a good car. To further sweeten the deal, Chevrolet has also added a long warranty and service plan, making the Cruze a very strong candidate from an ownership point of view.

We like:

Handsome design
Build quality
Standard features
Ride/handling

We dont like:

Poor engine/transmission combo
Performance
Fuel economy

Fast facts

Engine: 1,8-litre, four-cylinder, petrol

Power: 104 kW @ 6 200 rpm

Torque: 176 Nm @ 3 800 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Wheels: 17-inch alloy

Top speed: n/a km/h (200 km/h est)

0-100 km/h: 10 seconds

Fuel economy: n/a litres/100 km (8 L/100 km est.)

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

Honda Civic 1,8 i-VTEC VXi Auto: A fair bit more expensive, but also significantly more impressive to be honest. Though the Hondas styling and interior designs are acquired tastes theres no argument to be made about its quality, spaciousness and refinement.
Toyota Corolla 1,8 Exclusive Auto: Better than you may think… The large-capacity Corolla is often overlooked but if youre in the marked for a spacious sedan with good power and quality back-up, you cant really go wrong here. But its only a four-speeder
Ford Focus Sedan 2,0 Si Auto: Looks more upmarket since the facelift, but the changes havent really moved the interior forward. Still, the pricing is good, and the Focus is a spacious, comfortable cruiser that just lacks that final bit of polish and features where it matters most inside.

Volkswagen passenger car sales dominate in October 2009

Despite difficult economic circumstances, Volkswagen passenger car sales dominated in October. During October 2009 a total of 24 592 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa. Total new passenger car sales in October, including sales not reported in detail to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, increased by 3.3 percent when compared to September 2009 and were only -3.7 percent down on October 2008. The January to October 2009 new passenger car market therefore recorded sales -24.5 percent below the same period for 2008.

Volkswagen passenger car sales to improve

The October result clearly enjoyed the support of seasonally strong sales to rental car companies. However, the overall performance of the new passenger car market in October once again proved encouraging and supportive of the view that the decline in the new car sales cycle that began in June 2006 has probably bottomed out, said Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing, VW of SA.

The month of October yielded the highest number of monthly new passenger cars sold since October 2008, but the selling rate of new cars per day declined by 4.3 percent when compared to September. Prior to that it was the highest since March of this year and before that, October 2008, said Glendinning.

The VW Passenger car Brand has continued its domination of this segment through 2009. In October the Citi Golf sold 989 units proving that this iconic South African Brand will remain a favourite of the South African consumer right to the end of its illustrious 25 year innings. Both the Polo range with sales of 1 396 units and the new generation Golf VI with sales of 590 units, helped secure our leadership position, continued Glendinning.

New Porsche Panamera awarded the Golden Steering Wheel

Stuttgart. The new Porsche Panamera has been awarded the Golden Steering Wheel as the Best New Car of the Year in the Luxury Performance Class. With its combination of supreme comfort and outstanding sportiness, and through its unique design, Porsches Gran Turismo convinced the 50-man jury made up of racing drivers, engineers, celebrities and the senior editors of the Auto Bild Magazine Group trying out the candidates on thorough test drives.

New Porsche Panamera comes out shining

Before receiving this outstanding award, the new Porsche Panamera had already been chosen by readers as one of the five best models in the luxury performance class with experts putting the car through its paces in the final contest on a test track in Italy for two enduring days.

This year this special prize presented for the first time by publisher Axel Springer in 1976 was awarded not just by the German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag, but rather by a group of publications including the Auto Bild Motoring Journal and its European sister publications, making this coveted award even more significant than ever.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3,2 Di-D GLS Auto (2009) Driving Impression

Following the smash-hit success of Toyotas Fortuner, it was always only going to be a matter of time before some serious rivals arrived on the scene. Now, in a matter of months, two important competitors have made their appearance, Fords Everest, and the subject of this test, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Ignore the confusing Pajero badging as this vehicle is clearly based on the brands curvy (for a bakkie) Triton pick-up. Currently only available as a four-wheel drive automatic, and at a relatively high price, is it good enough to worry the Toyota dealers?

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is big and rugged

Standing tall and mighty on its 16-inch alloy wheels and plump 265/70 tyres, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is an imposing machine that also manages to look a fair bit more sophisticated and upmarket than its arch enemy from Toyota. Overall, the Tritons smooth lines appear to have assisted in an easy morphing into a fully fledged SUV. In fact, one senses that an SUV version was part of the plan right from the start.

What is also clear from its design is that off-roading was pretty high on the agenda. The ground clearance is a quoted 215 mm, but looks even higher. The approach and departure angles are both impressive, at 36,7% and 34,8% respectively, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport boasts a 700 mm wading depth, too.

The cabin continues with the excellent first impressions, being noticeably more upmarket in appearance than the Fortuners. The cool backlighting and light grey finishes combine well to lend the cabin a sophisticated ambience that belies the vehicles utilitarian underpinnings. And although the fittings are obviously of the hard-to-the-touch variety, the fit and finish is as excellent as we have come to expect from Mitsubishi.

You sit high in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and even though the seat and steering wheel are adjustable, it is not possible to escape the reality of the vehicles high floor, which does impact the seating position to some extent, even for those passengers in the rear. Speaking of which, the middle row of seats offers very good legroom, but those in the third row will have to be of small stature to be comfortable at least they have their own ventilation outlets. The latter criticism is shared with many other seven-seat vehicles, the Fortuner included. Where the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport comprehensively trounces its rival is in the folding arrangement of the third row. Whereas the Toyotas seats flip up and are latched onto the sides of the cabin walls, where they impinge on packing space and can end up rattling, the Pajero Sports rear seats fold flat into the floor, as does the middle row, which results in a long, wide and very useful load area. In the likely primary configuration of a five-seater with massive boot, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is certainly an appealing family vehicle from a packaging point of view.

Given the relatively high price a comprehensive standard specification is a prerequisite, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport largely complies. Included in the package are; park-distance control, climate control, a comprehensive radio/CD system, leather upholstery, cruise control and no fewer than six airbags.

Bakkie-like drive

It would be unfair to expect anything but a bakkie-like driving experience from the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, as that is what lies underneath. Based on the ladder-frame chassis of the Triton, tipping the scales at over two tonnes, and having been developed with some serious off-road use in mind, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is no urban sophisticate. The steering is vague and the turning circle large (more than 12 m), while the ride is quite firm at low speeds. Not the best car for city use, then

But show it the open road, or even some gravel, and matters improve markedly. Once up to speed, the suspension feels significantly suppler, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport feels reassuringly stable and solid on the road, as long as you dont attempt to corner too fast. The drivetrain, too, appears to be happier outside of the confines of the city. The big four-cylinder engine delivers the same power as the Fortuners 3,0 D-4D unit (120 kW/343 Nm), and is mated with a four-speed automatic transmission. It sounds very agricultural at idle, and sends its vibrations through the gearlever (as well as the low-range lever that is positioned close to the drivers knee), but as is often the case smoothes out considerably at higher engine speeds and when warmed up. The performance is certainly acceptable for such a heavy SUV with a four-speed box, but the transmission is possibly a little over-sensitive to throttle inputs, often shifting at unexpected times with seemingly no provocation. Still, this is a powerful, potentially even economical long-distance tourer.

Off-road the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport also puts in an impressive performance, as it should given Mitsubishis Dakar pedigree. Low-range is activated via a secondary lever, and theres a rear diff-lock, too. As mentioned before the ground clearance is excellent, and the combination of a torquey diesel and automatic transmission takes much of the thinking out of off-roading. It really feels unstoppable when the going gets tough. And thats where much of these types of vehicles appeal rests yes, soft-roaders at the same price are more comfortable on the road, but they simply cant compete if you really want to be adventurous

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – Verdict

Although the price initially appears high, keep in mind that Toyota does not currently offer a 4×4 automatic version of its Fortuner. Were it available, it would probably be similarly priced to this Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. We like the ruggedness of this vehicle and the ease with which it deals with pretty nasty off-road obstacles. The cabin, too, seems better packaged than the Toyotas, and the engine provides similar power and good economy. Downsides? Its not particularly easy to drive around town, but that would be missing the point in the first place. This is a more competitive product than expected

We like:

Attractive design
Standard features list
Vast cabin
Build quality
Off-road ability

We dont like:

Driving experience too agricultural
Pricey

Fast facts

Engine: 3,2-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel

Power: 120 kW @ 3 500 rpm

Torque: 343 Nm @ 2 000 rpm

Transmission: Four-speed automatic

Wheels: 16-inch alloy

Top speed: 178 km/h

0-100 km/h: n/a seconds

Fuel economy: 10,1 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

Toyota Fortuner 3,0 D-4D 4×2 Auto : There is no four-wheel drive, automatic-transmission Fortuner (yet), but if extreme off-roading is not on the cards, the Toyota represents a significant saving and similarly rugged appeal. The rear-seat arrangement is not as clever as the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, however.
Ford Everest 3,0 TDCI LTD 4×4 Auto: Recently launched, the Ford cant match the Mitsubishis power, luxury features and is even more agricultural in its on-road demeanour. Good off-road, but so is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Hyundai Santa Fe 2,2 CRDi 4×4 7-Seater Auto: Keep in mind that the Santa Fe is more car-like and therefore not for serious off-roading, and it may represent a very good alternative. It offers a good standard specification level, impressive refinement and is vastly less cumbersome to drive.

Volkswagen Golf GTI (2009) Driving Impression

After years in the hot hatch doldrums, VW finally rediscovered the recipe for a cracking hot hatch when it launched the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Whereas the third and fourth generation GTIs were reasonably swift, somewhat flabby, luxo-hatches, here was a car that once again deserved the iconic GT label.

With its advanced multi-link rear suspension and beautifully balanced set-up, it offered both dynamic poise and comfort, making it such an appealing package that it was, believe it or not, the top selling Golf in the local line-up! And now the Volkswagen Golf GTI successor has arrived. Can it continue in its footsteps, or has Volkswagen strayed off the hot hatch path once more?

Squat and aggressive stance for Volkswagen Golf GTI

Whereas Golf 5 GTI counted on its big wheels and subtly different front airdam as well as its trademark red pin-striping to stand apart, theres no mistaking the newcomer for anything other than a hot Golf. Once again, it rides on striking 18-inch alloy wheels, and once again, theres a thin red line to be found in the grille, but this time round the aerodynamic addenda are much more hardcore.

The front airdam is particularly menacing, lending the Volkswagen Golf GTI plenty of overtaking presence. With its lowered suspension, big wheels and muscular add-ons, the GTI appears squat and aggressive far more so than before, and yet it stops short of going over the top. You can still park a Volkswagen Golf GTI at the office and be taken seriously by senior management Inside, the Golf makes you feel as if youre already in senior management, because it drips with class and sophistication.

Like all Golf 6s, the build quality is similar to what youd usually find in an Audi, which is to say excellent. But the upmarket ambience is successfully punctuated with sporty details, such as a flat-bottom steering wheel with a thick rim, deep-set instrumentation, red stitching and very generously bolstered sports seats. Volkswagen Golfs arent known for being overloaded with standard features, and the GTI is no different. You pay extra for auto lights/wipers and the Xenon lights, but you do get cruise control, climate control, radio/CD sound, hill-hold assist and no fewer than seven airbags.

Refined performance

The promise of great things to come starts with the excellent driving position. The drivers seat boasts a wide range of adjustment (including lumbar support), and the steering wheel is adjustable for both rake and reach. It is clear that Volkswagen has paid a lot of attention to the cars ergonomics, because it would be really difficult to improve on the positioning of the gearlever and pedals.

Some recent hot hatch arrivals to the Volkswagen Golf GTI have boasted heady power figures that make the Golfs 155 kW and 280 Nm appear insufficient, but Volkswagen stresses that this approach is deliberate, claiming that balance in delivery is far more important than putting out power that could overpower a cars dynamic ability. Judging by the unruly handling of some of these newcomers (heres looking to you, Mazda3 MPS), Volkswagen may indeed have a point.

And in any event, a quick drive in a GTI will soon convince you that Volkswagen has followed the right approach. The torque figure is available from a low 1 700 rpm, all the way to 5 200. This means that the power is relentless, and that you wont have to shift down very often to extract maximum performance. A 0-100 km/h time of 6,9 seconds is also not to be sniffed at. Again it has to be mentioned that this time is easily achievable, repeatedly so, while on some newer, more powerful hot hatches it is very difficult to execute a lightning-fast start, due to excessive wheelspin, turbo-lag or a combination of both.

Great agility

Volkswagen has followed the same measured approach with the GTIs dynamic set-up. The ride is certainly on the firm side, which is to be expected, but it retains much of the standard Golfs composure, even at low speed. You certainly could drive a Volkswagen Golf GTI every day. On the other hand, the suspension resists roll enough to make cornering a fuss-free affair.

The Golf is an exceptionally stable hot hatch, allowing very fast corner entry speeds, and because it has such good brakes, you can throw out the anchors at a very late point, confident that youll still be able to make the turn-in and hit the apex. Like before, some enthusiasts will be left wanting a more communicative steering set-up, but in these days of front-wheel drive and the over-riding comfort and refinement considerations, you cant really expect a modern hot hatch to talk through the steering wheel. At least the Volkswagen Golf GTI steering is precise and nicely weighted.

Volkswagen Golf GTI – Verdict

Golf 6, as most people now, is very much an intensive facelift of Golf 5, and yet Volkswagen has refined the formula to such an extent that it feels like an all-new car. With the Volkswagen Golf GTI, theyve perhaps gone even further. Visually there is now a clearer distinction between the GTI and its mainstream siblings, and the performance and dynamic balance is really hard to beat. On paper it doesnt look like the Volkswagen Golf GTI should be a clearly superior product to its rivals, but the reality is that it sets a new benchmark. It brings real poise and class to a hot hatch game at a time where most competitors seem to be obsessed with only engine outputs. Perhaps less can, indeed, be more, after all…

We like:

Sporty looks
Refinement
Superb cabin
Excellent performance
Dynamic balance

We dont like:

Sparse standard equipment

Fast facts

Engine: 2,0-litre, four-cylinder, turbopetrol
Power: 155 kW @ 5 100 rpm
Torque: 280 Nm @ 1 800 rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Wheels: 18-inch alloy
Top speed: 240 km/h 0-100 km/h: 6,9 seconds
Fuel economy: 7,3 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

Opel Astra OPC: A rather hardcore rival the Opel is a stunning three-door quasi sportscar with huge power, a recipe that is sure to appeal to your typical hot hatch fanatic. But, once again, it fails to deliver the dynamic entertainment, the looks and power promise. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is just a more polished product.
Renault Megane 2,0 RS: Nearing the end of the line but the Renault still seems competitive. More powerful than the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and a fair bit cheaper, the Megane cant compete in terms of refinement and especially cabin finish. Also a bit unruly compared with the impeccably balanced German.
Mazda3 MPS: A real wildcard The Mazdas packs a massive punch, boasts an aggressive exterior design and is loaded with toys. It cant, however, match the Golfs refinement and balance, appearing to be over powered as a result.

New Mazda3 and MazdaSpeed3 for 2009 SEMA show

LAS VEGAS With the launch of the new MAZDA3 and MAZDASPEED3, a small team of designers and engineers at Mazda R&D in Irvine, Calif., decided to celebrate with a pair of special projects, debuting for the first time at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

Racy design for new Mazda3 at SEMA

Both cars are painted to mimic the new MAZDA3 World Challenge race car, but in a more subdued Crystal White Pearl base coat with soft gray tone graphics. The scheme is a modern twist on the famous Renown graphics used on the Mazda 787B that won Le Mans in 1991.

The sedan was sent to Tri-Point Engineering for a boost in power. Between World Challenge races, Tri-Point installed their turbo kit, utilizing a rugged cast iron turbo manifold feeding a high-efficiency Garrett GT2871R ball bearing turbo. At a mild 10 psi of boost, the 2.5-liter MZR engine is making well over 250 horsepower at the wheels (final tuning is still being finished).

To handle this extra power, the front brakes were replaced with rotors and calipers from a MAZDASPEED3, while the rear rotors and calipers were sourced from a MAZDA5. Double-adjustable coil-overs from KW Suspension, paired with a Tri-Point adjustable rear stabilizer bar bring the handling back into harmony with the engines higher output.