Audi Brings 2010 A3 Sportback TDI diesel to the States, Priced from $29,950

Audi Brings 2010 A3 Sportback TDI diesel to the States, Priced from $29,950

The second diesel offering from Audi to be launched in the US this year after the Q7 TDI is the 2010 A3 Sportback TDI and it will begin arriving at the company's dealers in late November 2009. The base price for the front-wheel drive model with Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission is $29,950, but you'll have to add another $825 to that for destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel that makes 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque offering the five-door hatch a top speed of 130mph.

According to Audi the A3 TDI returns an EPA-estimated of 30mpg in the city and 42mpg on the highway. For some reason, Audi thought it would be a good idea to compare the diesel-powered A3 hatchback to the Lexus HS 250h four-door sedan in its press release saying that the Japanese model "offers similar combined fuel economy with hybrid technology, but not superlative highway mileage range."

For what it matters, the 187HP HS 250h, which starts from $34,200 in the States, received EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg.

First Lotus Evora Coupe Delivered to Customer, Full Production to Start in November

First Lotus Evora Coupe Delivered to Customer, Full Production to Start in November

Matthew Melling of Twickenham, UK, is the first customer to take delivery of the all-new Lotus Evora. He received the keys to the mid-engined 2+2 coupe from Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars Limited, at the British firm's Hethel headquarters in Norfolk where the sportscar is hand built.

"I was determined to be the first in the world to get my hands on an Evora so with Stratton Motor Company's help, I laid down my deposit within seconds of the order books being opened last year," said Meling. "I have read all the press reviews of the Evora and am so excited about getting behind the wheel – what a great start to September!"

Lotus said that many dealers around the world have already received their demonstrator Evoras and that so far, the company has taken enough orders to cover production for the next five months.

Limited Run Ford Focus X Road Compact SW Goes on Sale

Limited Run Ford Focus X Road Compact SW Goes on Sale

Ford's European arm has announced the Dutch market launch of the Focus X Road special edition model that was first seen this past April at the AutoRAI motorshow in Amsterdam. Built in a limited run of only 300 unit all of which are destined for The Netherlands, the 'tough' looking Focus Station Wagon is priced from €25,175 or at today's exchange rates, $35,800.

Based on the Focus Station Wagon and available exclusively with a 125-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that can run on either regular unleaded gasoline or bioethanol (E85), the X Road features a special off-road bodykit with unique front and rear bumpers, protective trim on the fender arches and sides plus aluminum underbody skid trays. The car's looks are rounded off by a set of unique 17-inch alloy wheels.

Audi Announces U.S. Prices for V10-Powered R8 5.2 FSI Quattro

Audi Announces U.S. Prices for V10-Powered R8 5.2 FSI Quattro

Attention U.S. buyers interested in the most powerful variant yet of the Audi R8; the Ingolstadt automaker has announced that the R8 5.2 FSI quattro goes on sale in the States this week with prices starting from $146,000 for the manual gearbox model and from $155,100 for the R tronic variant, with both models subject to a $1,200 destination, taxes, title, options and dealer fees.

The range-topping R8 is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine that makes 525 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque launching the German supercar from rest to 60mph (96km/h) in just 3.7 seconds.

As for the 2010 R8 4.2 FSI quattro, Audi said that prices remain unchanged from the 2009MY cars with the manual gearbox model starting from $114,200 and the R tronic version from $123,300, again excluding $1,200 destination, taxes, title, options and dealer charges.

Maserati Sells 1,000th Quattroporte Sports Sedan in Britain

Maserati Sells 1,000th Quattroporte Sports Sedan in Britain

Five years after its market debut in 2004 and Maserati has announced that it has just registered the 1,000th Quattroporte in the United Kingdom. Do the math and that comes to an average of 250 cars a year which is insignificant by usual standards but for Maser to issue a press release on the matter, we're guessing it must be good enough for the company. The 1000th car, a Quattroporte Sport GTS in Blu Oceano with Sabbia leather interior, was delivered yesterday by Maserati GB's Head of Sales Peter Denton, to its proud new owner John Burton.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Confirmed for Australia, Sales Start in July

Alfa Romeo MiTo Confirmed for Australia, Sales Start in July

Alfa's new sporty hatchback, the MiTo, will be arriving on Australian shores this July, the Italian automaker announced today. In order to maintain a certain sporty pedigree, Alfa has decided to offer the MiTo in Australia only with the 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine, that will be available in two guises with 120HP (88kW) and 155HP (114kW), both matched to six-speed manual gearboxes. While the Italian carmaker has yet to announce pricing, the firm states that Aussie buyers will be 'pleasantly surprised".

"We cannot release the prices and specifications yet," said Edward Butler, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia Edward Butler. "But Alfa Romeo has a real value for money reputation across its range, so not only do I think people will pleasantly surprised when we announce prices and specifications in July. I think anyone looking for a car that offers the blend of style, performance and luxury that sets all Italian cars apart from the rivals should wait until to July for MiTo."

In Europe, the MiTo is offered with a broader range of engines that include two entry level - yet asthmatic- 1.4-liter gasoline units with 78HP and 95HP as well as 1.3- and 1.6-liter turbodiesels producing 90 and 120HP respectively. Alfa's future plans include the introduction of a GTA model with a 240HP 1.8-liter turbo engine that was previewed in concept form earlier this year.

Tesla Accepts More Than 700 Pre-Orders for Model-S in Two Weeks

Tesla Accepts More Than 700 Pre-Orders for Model-S in Two Weeks

In spite of the fact that the first examples of the Model S won't roll off the company's production line in California before late 2011, Tesla Motors has received 711 orders for its all-electric sports sedan in the two weeks that followed the unveiling of the car. The estimated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a US federal tax credit of $7,500, with customers required to pay a $2,000 refundable deposit. There's also a Signature Edition that will be produced in 2,000 units which requires a hefty $40,000 reserve fee which is also refundable.

The Model S that can accommodate up to seven passengers -five adults and two children at the rear cargo area- features an electric drivetrain launching the sports sedan from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.6 seconds and on to a an electronically limited top speed of 120 mph (209 km/h).

The sports sedan come with three available battery pack choices that offer a range of 160, 230, or 300 miles (257, 370 or 482 kilometers) per charge. The lithium-ion batteries can be recharged from any 120V, 208V or 240V outlet or quick-charged from an external direct current supply in 45 minutes.