Mercury/mariner Powertrim/tilt on 2040-parts.com

Audi denies high price hits sales of new A1

Audi denied suggestions that its new A1 entry-premium car is losing sales because it is priced too high. Audi dealers and industry observers believe the A1 is failing to attract an expected rush of customers because it costs too much for its target group of young people, according to Automobilwoche. The A1's starting price is 15,800 euros ($20,873) in Germany.

Hyundai i30 R Turbo at Geneva 2013

The anticipated ’hot’ Hyundai i30 looks like it’s arriving at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with the turbo engine from the Veloster. It’s nearly a year since we reported that Hyundai were planning to make a performance version of the i30, with the 1.6 litre turbo from the Velsoter Turbo promising decent performance and up to 200bhp. Now Autoblog in Spain are reporting that a Hyundai i30 RS (or i30 R or i30 GT or i30…) will arrive at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as a prelude to a 2014 launch.

Volkswagen XL Sport Concept gets Ducati power: Paris 2014

The Volkswagen XL Sport Concept (pictured) gets Ducati power The Volkswagen XL 1 may well be an impressive ‘Supercar’ (that’s super-economical, rather than plain ‘super’), but it’s a daft amount of money and, unless you’re trying to make a ‘Green’ statement, not for everyone. But this Volkswagen XL Sport Concept is a more appealing car – both visually and mechanically – as VW take the XL 1 and rework it in to a sports car with a little help from Ducati. Because under the skin of the XL Sport lies a 197bhp V2 that’s come from Ducati (just as we reported a year ago) and delivers 197bhp through a seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box, with a reduction gear between engine and gearbox to boost torque, revs to 1,000 rpm and can get to 62mph in 5.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 157mph.