Audi A3 Liftback Could Be Instead Of Rumored Four-Door TT?

Forget a TT four-door. An A3 liftback is far more likely.

Twenty years ago we were limited to the usual sedans and convertibles from German automakers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Fast-forward to today and they have introduced a bewildering permutation of body styles that we can now pick from. The latest news from Autocar claims Audi is planning a five-door liftback model for its next-generation A3 range, which is due in 2020.

The rumored plans to introduce a four-door TT meanwhile have been dropped and while some have suggested that this new model may be a replacement for the slow-selling two-seater sports car, this is not going to be the case.

Instead, it will form part of the next generation A3 range and take on the upcoming BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA. This variant may be called the 3 Sportback to link it with the larger A5 Sportback, although this may cause a bit of head-scratching. Remember, this name is already used for the five-door A3 hatchback sold in Europe.

Either way, the added practicality of the new liftback five-door model will quite likely endear it to those looking for something compact and sporty but not wanting to go the predictable crossover route.

As you might expect, the roadmap for the next A3 has already been laid out, and aside from the base 1.4-liter gasoline and 2.0-liter diesel derivatives (models we are unlikely to get in the US) there will also be a 2.0-liter turbocharged S3 liftback which should offer around 300 horsepower.

The characterful 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo motor will also be fitted to RS3 models, including the liftback, and will make at least 400 hp. Of course, the hatchback, convertible, and sedan will also be on offer (only the latter will likely be sold here) and a 48V electric system will be fitted to certain derivatives to provide some mild hybrid capabilities. There will also be an updated e-tron model with the company’s latest plug-in hybrid tech as well as an all-electric version a few years down the line.

Audi A3 Liftback Could Be Instead Of Rumored Four-Door TT?

Forget a TT four-door. An A3 liftback is far more likely.

Twenty years ago we were limited to the usual sedans and convertibles from German automakers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Fast-forward to today and they have introduced a bewildering permutation of body styles that we can now pick from. The latest news from Autocar claims Audi is planning a five-door liftback model for its next-generation A3 range, which is due in 2020.

The rumored plans to introduce a four-door TT meanwhile have been dropped and while some have suggested that this new model may be a replacement for the slow-selling two-seater sports car, this is not going to be the case.

Instead, it will form part of the next generation A3 range and take on the upcoming BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLA. This variant may be called the 3 Sportback to link it with the larger A5 Sportback, although this may cause a bit of head-scratching. Remember, this name is already used for the five-door A3 hatchback sold in Europe.

Either way, the added practicality of the new liftback five-door model will quite likely endear it to those looking for something compact and sporty but not wanting to go the predictable crossover route.

As you might expect, the roadmap for the next A3 has already been laid out, and aside from the base 1.4-liter gasoline and 2.0-liter diesel derivatives (models we are unlikely to get in the US) there will also be a 2.0-liter turbocharged S3 liftback which should offer around 300 horsepower.

The characterful 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo motor will also be fitted to RS3 models, including the liftback, and will make at least 400 hp. Of course, the hatchback, convertible, and sedan will also be on offer (only the latter will likely be sold here) and a 48V electric system will be fitted to certain derivatives to provide some mild hybrid capabilities. There will also be an updated e-tron model with the company’s latest plug-in hybrid tech as well as an all-electric version a few years down the line.

Audi e-tron Will Have Side Cameras Instead Of Regular Door Mirrors

They help the electric SUV achieve an impressive drag coefficient of 0.28.

As the much-anticipated Audi e-tron edges closer to production to take on the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X, the German automaker has shared new details about its forthcoming electric crossover. We already know it will have an electric range of over 248 miles, but to achieve this Audi’s engineers have had to meticulously optimize the car’s aerodynamics. After spending over 1,000 hours in the world’s quietest wind tunnel, an e-tron prototype achieved drag coefficient of only 0.28, which is impressively low for a large SUV.

Audi says this is 0.07 less than a comparable, conventionally powered vehicle. This was achieved by tweaking the design to boost the EV’s aerodynamics. One key innovation that enhances the e-tron’s aerodynamics is what Audi is calling “virtual exterior mirrors.” While we’ve seen countless futuristic concept cars fitted with cameras instead of conventional door mirrors, the Audi e-tron features the world’s first production-ready virtual door mirrors. They will only be allowed in countries where they are legal, however. According to Audi, they are much narrower than standard mirrors and reduce the e-tron’s width by 5.9 inches.

Due to their shape, they not only reduce drag, but also eliminate wind noise. Images captured by the small cameras appear on high resolution OLED displays located between the instrument panel and door. Audi says the small cameras will incorporate three view modes for different driving situations: highway, turning and parking. Another factor that improves the e-tron’s aerodynamics is standard air suspension with adjustable damping that lowers the SUV's body by up to 1.0 inches at speeds above 74.6 mph, thus reducing drag. The electric SUV’s underbody is also fully enclosed, while both the front and rear areas are fully paneled.

Elsewhere, a controllable cool-air inlet also helps lower drag by using two electrically operated louvers located behind the singleframe Audi grille. The side air inlets at the front of the Audi e-tron also incorporate additional ducts to optimize airflow, and even the 19-inch wheels are aerodynamically optimized with a flatter design than regular alloys. Those wheels are wrapped in ultra-low rolling resistance tires measuring 255/55, and feature special tire sidewalls with negative lettering instead of raised, once again reducing drag. We’ll get to see how all of these aero-enhancing features stack up in the production version when the Audi e-tron makes its world debut in Brussels on August 30.

Don't Pay A Markup For The Civic Type R: Buy One Of These Instead

We can't believe that all of these awesome cars are cheaper than a Civic.

We really like the Honda Civic Type R. It's cheaper than the competition with a semi-affordable base price of $33,900 for the 2018 model, which is even less than the previous year. Unfortunately, most Honda dealerships are charging a markup on the Type R, which means that people are paying well over $50,000 for them in some cases. We knew that we could find plenty of cheaper alternatives to the Type R on the used market. Our only requirements were that the cars had to cost less than the Type R's MRSP and have some kind of hatch.

Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

When we came up with our cheap alternatives for the Kia Stinger, we were surprised that a used AMG Mercedes was actually significantly less expensive. Likewise, you can also get an AMG Mercedes for less than a Civic Type R. Unfortunately, Mercedes doesn't sell a hot hatchback in the US, but is does sell the slightly raised up GLA 45 AMG. This mini-SUV packs 355 hp from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo. This is around 50 hp more than the Civic and you are getting a Mercedes with a hand-built AMG engine. We found 2015 models for less than the Civic's roughly $34,000 price, with low mileage of around 20,000 miles.

Audi TT RS (Mk 1)

The Audi TT isn't technically a hatchback, but it does have a rear hatch, so we wanted to include it on this list. We knew that we could probably find a TTS, which shares a drivetrain with the Volkswagen Golf R, for less than the price of a new Type R. However, we discovered that it is actually possible to buy a first generation TT RS for less than $34,000. The first generation TT RS was only sold in the US in 2012 and 2013. The car produced 360 hp from a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo and only came with a six-speed manual transmission. Like the Type R, the TT RS was a limited edition model that is extremely rare to see on the road.

John Cooper Works Mini

People who buy a Civic Type R want to know that they are purchasing the most exclusive and most powerful version of a fun-to-drive economy car. That is why we have recommended the John Cooper Works Mini. The JCW is the most powerful and exclusive version of any car the automaker offers. JCW models come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 228 hp. This may not be as powerful as the Type R, but these cars are mostly lighter and can be more fun than the Civic. Buyers can even choose which body style they'd like, because Mini sells JCW versions of the Cooper, Clubman and Countryman SUV.

VW Golf R32

If exclusivity is what you are after, look no further than the Volkswagen R32. Like the Type R is to the Civic, the R32 was the most powerful version of the Golf before it was renamed the Golf R. Only 5,000 units of this car were built in the US for 2004 and 2008, making it quite collectible. Both models were powered by VW's wonderful 3.2-liter VR6 with 240-250 hp. VW kept the options list simple for these cars in the US. If you want a manual transmission, you have to buy the 2004 model because the 2008 model was DSG only. Despite their rarity, both generations of the R32 can be had for well under $20,000.

Acura RSX Type-S

The Acura RSX may be the least powerful car here, but it is our budget option. In the last model year of the RSX, Acura built a Type-S model with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 201 hp. It may not give the same performance as a modern day Civic, but the Type-S does have the slick manual transmission that Honda is known for as well as a high-revving VTEC engine. A nice example will set you back around $10,000 to $12,000, making it our most affordable Civic Type R alternative.

Why Should You Get The 2017 Audi A7 Instead Of The A6?

One reason: it's gorgeous.

It can be very easy to get confused regarding which car is which in Audi’s current lineup. Compare, as perhaps the best examples, the Audi A6 to the A8. Looking at them side by side and, well, the latter simply looks like a stretched version of the former. It’s literally like a Russian Matryoshka doll set. But the Audi A7 is different. First launched in 2010 and updated for 2016, the A7 (and more powerful S7 and RS 7) is based on the same platform as the A6, only it’s been given a liftback design, a la the Tesla Model S.

And, voila!, you’ve got your "four-door coupe," a luxury sedan craze that began with the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. This liftback design, fortunately, takes the rather Plain Jane A6 and adds a much-needed dose of sex appeal. The A7, simply put, is gorgeous.

Our tester for our latest review came powered by Audi’s supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. Don’t let that "four-door coupe" description fool you; the A7 is a big car and it drives like one. But it’s pretty darn fast considering its size, going from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. So, if you’re in the market, should you opt for the A7 over the A6? Uh, yeah. Special thanks to Niello Audi-Sacramento for letting us film the car.

Forget SUVs: Here Are 5 Crossover Wagons You Should Buy Instead

The perfect blend of SUV and wagon.

The world’s gone SUV mad. The era of the family van is almost dead and gone, as manufacturers move to change their product lineups to focus more on high riding crossovers and SUVs. Ford is just the latest brand of many to announce a paring back on other models to focus on SUVs, but it certainly won’t be the last. While there’s much to be enjoyed about an SUV – the high ride height, copious amounts of cargo volume, and of course the domineering feeling of being taller, wider, and bigger than the next guy there are also many downsides to SUVs.

In a world where spaceis fast becoming a premium asset, SUVs are large and cumbersomepropositions. With an array of newtechnology to monitor parking distances from every angle, blind spots, theworks, we’re covering up most of the issues. But in the process we’re becomingreliant on the tech itself and not on our driving ability.The driving dynamicsof an SUV, will never match those of a regular car. The high ride height comes with more bodyroll, less body control, and ultimately lower levels of grip. We overcome this with expensive, tricksuspension and big tires, which increase maintenance costs and still can’tovercome the laws of physics.

The larger tires and overall size also negatively affect the fuel consumption and economy of vehicles that are increasingly seen to be daily drivers rather than weekend luxuries. Ultimately though, an SUV will never offer the same handling, rollover prevention, and efficiency as a sedan counterpart might. Of course, there arearguments for the SUV – chief of which is the practicality and the raised rideheight. The latter is a particularconcern in a day and age where road surfaces aren’t maintained in the way theyshould be. But what if we told you therewas a way to circumvent the SUV madness; a way to reap all the benefits an SUVhas to offer, but without compromising on the efficiency and vast handlingbenefits offered by a regular car?

There’s a not so wellkept secret among automotive enthusiasts that sedans are great, sports cars arebetter, but the best type of car you can get is a wagon. Station wagons in general offer the perfectmeans of transporting a family with room to spare for all the luggage requirementsyou might have. In almost every singleway, they’re as practical as their favored SUV brethren. But within the station wagon universe, liftedversions exist with the pure intention of providing buyers with an alternativeto the SUV – one just as practical, with just as many benefits, and fewercompromises.

Crossover wagons arefairly few and far between, but as an alternative to the SUV fad, they justcan’t be beaten. They offer comparablespace inside, a smaller footprint outside, and handling dynamics that are morecar-like than SUV-like – what’s not to like? Forget about buying an SUV, here are five crossover wagons youshould buy instead…

Audi A4 Allroad Audi has been building stylish Avants for what seems like an eternity, pioneering the crossover wagon segment with the 1999 Audi A6allroad quattro. Car-like drivingdynamics meet gorgeous proportions and ample capability in the latest allroad quattromodel: the B9 Audi A4 Avant. Featuring quattro permanent all-wheel drive, a 252-hp 2.0-liter motor, raised suspension with adaptive damping, underbody protection, and Audi’s Drive Select with tailored off-road drive modes, the A4 allroad quattro perfectly bridges the gap between station wagon and SUV. And with up to 58.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, the A4 allroad is more practical than a Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Volvo V60 Cross Country If any brand is as famous as Audi for station wagons, it must be Volvo. The Swedish brand has a penchant for making great looking wagons, and is even famed for racing them in European touring car championships in the 1990s. The V60 Cross Country may be based off an aging V60 model line-up, but it still provides superb car-like handling dynamics, high levels of specification, and great styling. All-wheel drive comes standard with the 240-hp 2.0-liter engine, and though the V60 CC might be down a little on cargo volume compared to some, its 43.8 cube maximum is still more than enough for the whole family, including the dogs.

Subaru Outback With a nameplate that you can trace back to 1994, the Subaru Outback is one of the oldest crossover station wagons in the game. Famed Japanese reliability meets Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive and boxer engine combination for one of the most well rounded crossover wagons you’ll find on sale. Though we don’t get the brilliant diesel variant in the USA, the 3.6-liter model offers 256 hp and 247 lb-ft, which pairs with a continuously variable transmission for efficient economy, and ultra smooth towing capabilities. With one of the most well sorted suspensions of any vehicle on the market – the Outback is truly the crossover wagon for any road you come across.

Buick Regal TourX Despite its young age, the Buick Regal TourX deserves to beon this list more than almost any other wagon. All-wheel drive with a torque vectoring rear differential pairs with aclever 8-speed automatic gearbox to give the TourX traction and control on anysurface. A 250-hp turbo engine gives youall the performance you need, while the extra 0.6-inches of ground clearanceand underbody cladding gives it that go anywhere appeal. The maximum cargo volume of 73.5 cubic feetis simply mammoth – offering nearly as much as a BMW X5. Also, have you looked at the TourX? It’s arguably the most stylish family cararound.

Volvo V90 Cross Country Last on our list is the latest offering from Volvo – the V90 Cross Country. Based on the V90 wagon and built on Volvo’s latest Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), the V90 Cross Country features all-wheel drive and suspension bits borrowed from the XC90 SUV. With dedicated off-road modes, hill descent control, all-terrain tires, and 8.4 inches of ground clearance, the Volvo V90 Cross Country is ready for anything. Two engine options give buyers extra choice, with the T6 offering impressive performance paired with Drive-E efficiency.

53.9 cubic feet of cargo volume is impressive – and if none of that has you sold, just stare at it and you’ll fall in love immediately. With car-like dynamics, gorgeous proportions, and SUV capability, this is one of the most complete crossover wagons ever built.

Honorable Mention: Mercedes E400 4x4 Squared So we cheated a little – here’s a bonus sixth one on the list. The Mercedes-Benz E400 4x4 Squared is the product of Mercedes engineers going rogue, taking an E400 All Terrain (not on sale in the US) and swapping out the suspension for full on portal axles like you’d find on the insane G500 4x42. With more ground clearance than an H1 Hummer, a twin turbo V6, and Mad Max styling, how could we not include it? It’s not in production, but if it were you'd definitely want one.