Have Abarth
Hot, hot, hot! The sting in the 500’s tail is pretty potent now, after Abarth have been at it. The 500 Abarth gets a 135 bhp turbocharged four cylinder, which is massive power for a car the size of the 500. And to think that the crazy Italians are going to be punting this thing all over their boot-shaped country. Smile and shudder, both. And it seems that isn’t enough, so a 160 bhp version, probably badged SS, will come in later.
TT Show
If the R8 can boast a diesel, why not the TT, right? But unlike the R8, which is a concept, the TT is go for take off. Audi will offer one of the TT’s with a 170 bhp, 35 kgm 1968cc turbo diesel, in both Coupe and Roadster forms. A six speed manual will interpret for the wheels and the Quattro equipped Audi will boast a 7.5 second run to 100 kph. In the process, you get superb economy as well. First diesel supercar is a concept? So what? This might just be the first diesel sportscar.
Social Drinker
Volkswagen showed the Golf in diesel hybrid hatch form. The focus is on great economy and to that end, the car offers a 75 bhp three-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a 27 bhp electric motor to create motion. The power is handled by a seven-speed DSG and promises almost 33 kpl in the European driving cycle. Also, notice the wheels; those grey inserts evidently help the slipperiness for more economy too. Just like on the Ferrari F1 car, then.
Hatch Is
Here it is, finally, the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco, in full production glory. The IROC's outrageous lines have only dimmed slightly, and the Scirocco now looks smoking hot. And Volkswagen are billing it as a sports car, so it should be good to drive too. 34 years since the first Scirocco, the resurrection is in the form of a four-seater the size of the Golf, but lower and almost as wide as a Passat. Four turbocharged engines will be on offer. The three TSI petrols will make 120, 158 and 145 bhp, while the sole diesel will make 140 bhp. All will get a seven-speed DSG, 17-inch wheels and a good complement of goodies. Did you know that the Scirocco will be (only) the second car to wear the VW badge on the bonnet. With the exception of the Beetle, they all wear it on the grille.
Atomic Bomb
The Ariel Atom could never be accused of being subtle. And still, the news of the thing getting a 500 bhp V8 engine has totally rocked our world. Yes, a V8. The mad Brits have crammed a 40 valve 2400cc V8 into the thing. And they didn’t stop there either, they just had to bolt a supercharger on as well. So you get a car that has almost twice the power to weight ration of a Bugatti Veyron. To spot the big one, look for carbon wings and two air intakes that feed the intercoolers. This is truly scary to contemplate... where’s that safe little Golf Hybrid again? Oh, and the Honda-sourced 300 bhp motor already powers the Atom to a sub-3 second 100 kph time...
Foreigner
The Suzuki Kizashi 3 was not at Geneva, but is important enough to warrant a gate crash. Suzuki will unveil the third of the Kizashis at New York shortly, backed by the other two siblings. This one will be a sporty sedan and will probably form the basis for a sporty four-door Suzuki that is to come.
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