General Motors' Opel subsidiary will tease the next-generation Astra three-door hatchback this week with a sporty concept dubbed the GTC Paris. The concept joins the redesigned Astra Sports Tourer on Opel's stand at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

The three-door, five-passenger GTC Paris concept is powered by a turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 286 horsepower and is equipped with stop/start technology to enhance fuel economy. The engine drives the front wheels through a six-speed Read the rest of this entry »

Audi keeps on growing its e-tron family. The automaker pulled a fast one by unveiling yet another electrified monster at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, only this time, the low-slung hybrid came sans-top. The concept is powered by two electric motors and a 300-horsepower twin-turbo TDI V6 that comes to the fight with 479 pound-feet of torque. Audi says that despite the hefty 9.1 kilowatt-hour battery mounted up front, it managed to keep the weight low and distribute the pounds evenly across the chassis. As a result, this e-tron should be plenty flingable if it ever makes it off of the stage and onto a public road.

The Audi E-tron Spyder Concept is a further development of the E-tron coupe shown at Read the rest of this entry »

After weeks of thumbnail-photo teases, the covers come off the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, a new concept car on display tonight with other new vehicles from the Volkswagen Group as a part of the 2010 Paris auto show.

The name derives from Italian for "sixth element" on the periodic table, carbon--and the Sesto Elemento is described as "a technology demonstrator" constructed for the show to give an idea how the future of Lamborghini will include carbon-fiber construction techniques.

Thanks to its ultra-light construction, the Sesto Elemento weighs in at just 999kg. Power is Read the rest of this entry »

The Volkswagen Passat is a large family car built by Volkswagen Passenger Cars through six design generations since 1973. The front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Passat is available in sedan and wagon body styles. The powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automated dual-clutch manual known as DSG.

The single Komfort trim level is well-equipped, including alloy wheels, a sunroof, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, leatherette vinyl upholstery, power heated front seats, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker Read the rest of this entry »

The Honda Jazz nameplate has been used by Honda of Japan to denote several different motorized vehicles since 1982.

The new Honda Jazz exterior betrays subtle changes from the original supermini.

The bottom of the windscreen has been pushed forwards and lines on the bonnet, around the headlights and on the rear window have been sharpened (bringing it more into line with the groundbreaking Honda Civic).

For now, the Jazz has a choice of just two engines, both petrol units. The 1.2 and 1.4 are Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrari has shown us the 599 roadster--called the SA Aperta--that it will present at the Paris auto show. This is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA Apteras in celebration of Pininfarina's 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello.

The SA Aptera is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has Read the rest of this entry »