Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Automotive Addicts

Automotive Addicts

Chrysler Sells Out Of The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 12:30 PM PDT


The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth. Image: Chrysler Group LLC

In a little over a month since the Fiat 500 Abarth's launch, the entire 2012 production run allocated for the United States has been sold out. Earlier this week, Chrysler notified Fiat dealers that it would no longer accept wholesale orders for 2012 Abarth models, and 2013 models aren't due in dealer showrooms until this fall.

While it may be possible to locate a 500 Abarth in existing dealer inventory, those cars not already spoken for are likely to command a premium price. Customers placing orders today will be delivered 2013 models cars, but not for another three or four months.

As the Detroit News reports, this doesn't sit well with some buyers. One noted that he'd put down a deposit in March, only to find out this week that he'd been bumped to a 2013 model and wouldn't get delivery until September. Six months is a long time to wait, especially when immediate hot-hatch gratification can be had at a MINI, Mazda, Volkswagen or Subaru dealership.

Chrysler had originally planned on building just 1,000 Abarth models for the United States, but quickly amassed that number in pre-orders backed by cash deposits. It upped production to 3,000 units, maxing capacity at its Toluca, Mexico plant, but even that wasn't enough to meet market demand.

There are worse problems for a brand re-establishing itself in the U.S. market to have, we suppose.

Volvo’s Luxury Sport Car (S60R Polestar) Speculatively Rendered To Life

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 10:56 AM PDT


As a follow up to yesterday's report on Volvo pondering a new luxury sport coupe, some enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to speculatively render a new luxury-performance oriented Volvo S60R Polestar to life.

What you see here is a speculative rendering on what the new Polestar performance-tuned Volvo sports sedan could look like. This high-performance coupe or sedan could be placed in a position to rival with the Benz C63 AMG and the BMW M3.

Reportedly, the S60R will be powered by the Yamaha-sourced V8 found in the Noble M600 and other European Volvo vehicles. Power output is expected to be just over 400 horsepower and deliver it through a sequential gearbox and Haldex AWD system to all four wheels.

Hyundai (Sort Of) Prices The Veloster Turbo

Posted: 05 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT


The 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Image: Hyundai

Hyundai is expected to release full pricing on the 2013 Veloster Turbo tomorrow, but it’s already let slip on Twitter that the high-output hatch will begin at $1,600 more than a comparably-equipped, normally-aspirated Veloster. Since the Turbo model will start with more standard features than a base Veloster, the only thing we can say with certainty is that the 2013 Veloster Turbo will start at under $24,900 (the price of a loaded Veloster, with the turbo up-charge).

That money will buy you a Veloster with a 201 horsepower, turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, mated to the buyer's choice of six speed manual or automatic transmissions. To ensure that the Veloster Turbo can carry speed into corners, too, the steering is re-calibrated and stickier Kumho Solus tires are added. Aside from these changes, the Veloster Turbo uses the same suspension and brake components as the rest of the Veloster family.

Inside, expect to see a significant amount of content for your money, ranging from leather seats to a standard infotainment system and a "Supervision Cluster" driver information display. There's Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system, too, ensuring that information or assistance is just a press of a button away.

We'll be driving the Veloster Turbo next month, so we promise a full report upon our return.
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