The prototype sports typical RS-styling traits such as the prominent front bumper air vents, a large rear wing and a rear diffuser with space for two bulbous tail pipes. The production version may also feature carved wheel arches along with the usual interior goods like bucket sport seats, a different steering wheel and RS-specific trim. And now for the big question: what's going on under the sheetmetal? Well, first of all, Audi has been working on a Quattro all-wheel drive system for the A1 that is similar to the one found in A3 and TT models. The Ingolstadt-based company even showed a prototype A1 Quattro earlier this year. Now this brings us to the engine bay. It is believed that Audi will opt for a four-cylinder turbocharged unit (though there have been rumors about the turbocharged five-pot). It should be substantially more powerful than the most potent standard A1, which features a 185HP 1.4-liter TSI, producing somewhere around 250-ponies. We'd look for the RS1 making its debut at an international motorshow in 2012 or 2013 the latest.
For the Polo, Volkswagen has introduced two R-Line styling packages. The first is the R-Line Exterior package that is available as an option for the Polo Comfortline (€1,450) and the Polo Highline (€1,010).
It includes 16- or optionally 17-inch alloy wheels shod in beefy 215 tires, black gloss finish for the front grille, model-specific front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, chrome tail pipes, a roof spoiler, side skirts, fog lamps and LED license plate illumination. The second option for the Polo is the R-Line Plus that styles up the interior. Priced at €855 for the Polo Comfortline and €450 for the Polo Highline, it brings a pair of sport seats up front (optionally available in Alcantara and leather), black roof lining, a sport leather steering wheel, glossy black dashboard trim, and aluminum pedals and door sills.
The owner of this modified Bug tried to keep the looks of the car as close to stock as possible, but underneath, it's a completely different story. This DIY project is said to combine the body shell of a 1978 Beetle with a 1993 Chevrolet S-10 front frame and a 1989 Ford Mustang rear end, while power is provided by a Chevrolet small block 350 (5.7-liters) V8 engine. Not the kind of vehicle you'd like to take a trip in but nevertheless, an impressive ride for a quick run around the block.
The Czech automaker's smallest vehicle will go on sale in its home market before the end of this year, with the UK and other European countries following at the beginning of summer 2012. Unlike its Wolfsburg sibling that will launch in a three-door body style, the Citigo will be offered in both three-door and five-door versions.
Even though lately the Volkswagen Group has tried to cover up the common platform and mechanical hardware shared amongst its brands with unique body shells, that's not the case with the Citigo.
The main styling differences with the VW Up! are limited to the Skoda's front end including the bumper, headlamps and grille designs, the alloy wheels plus the tail lamp graphics (not the shape) and the bumper.
The two cars share more or less the same dimensions, with the Citigo measuring just 3,563mm long, 1,641mm wide and 1,478mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,420mm.
The Czech automaker says the Citigo can accommodate four-passengers in comfort. Boot space is a respectable (for the car's size) 251 liters, which can be extended to 951 liters by folding down the rear seats.
There are no photos of the interior yet, but we suspect that there won’t any be significant / noteworthy styling changes over the VW Up!. Like its German sibling, the Citigo will be offered with an available portable navigation system featuring a 5-inch screen, which will also provide hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth and onboard infotainment.
The Skoda model will launch with two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines delivering 60HP (44kW) and 75HP (55kW) in both standard and Green Tec flavors.
The standard versions return 62.8mpg UK (52.3mpg US or 4.5lt/100km) and 105g CO2/km for the 60HP engine, and 60.1mpg UK (50.0mpg US or 4.7lt/100km) and 108g CO2/km with the 75PS unit. The Green Tec derivatives are rated at 67.3mpg UK (56.0mpg US or 4.2lt/100km) and 65.7mpg UK (54.7mpg US or 4.3lt/100km) respectively with emissions of 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively.
The new crossover is 4.34 m long, 1.80 m wide and 1.63 m tall, and has a luggage compartment space of 442-liter.
Like its Peugeotcounterpart, the C4 Aircross’ engine range consists of four engines. The 110HP 1.6-liter petrol unit will only be available with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission, while buyers of the 150HP 2.0-liter petrol (which won’t be sold in Europe) and the 1.6- and 1.8-liter diesels, with an output of 110 and 150HP respectively, will have the option of four-wheel drive as well.
Peugeot new crossover model measures 4,340mm long (295mm shorter than the 4,635 mm 4007), 1.800mm wide and 1.630mm tall, and has a 2,670mm long wheelbase.
The new Peugeot will be available with four engines, including two gasoline and two diesel units. The petrol range is comprised of a 1.6-liter unit delivering 116HP and 152 Nm (112 lb-ft), and a 2.0-liter with 150HP and 198Nm (146 lb-ft). Both engines are offered with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a CVT auto being an option on the 2.0-liter unit.
The HDi turbodiesels are a 1.6-liter unit with 112HP and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque and a 1.8-liter with 150HP and 300Nm (221.2 lb-ft) of torque, both exclusively available with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The 4008 comes in both front- and all-wheel drive derivatives. The AWD system has three modes: 2WD, in which power is directed only to the front wheels, 4WD and LOCK. In the last two, torque is directed to all four wheels and its distribution is controlled electronically according to the road conditions.
Peugeot said the new compact crossover will be sold in Europe only with the diesel engines and four-wheel drive, while other markets around the world will have access to front-wheel drive and gasoline editions as well.
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