Volkswagen has confirmed that a new van and a production version of the Golf R400 are being seriously considered for the US market.
Unveiled last year in Beijing, the R400 concept centers around an Audi-sourced 2.0-liter TSI engine with 400-415 horsepower. It promise to hit 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds — significantly quicker than the current Golf R.

Previous rumors have pointed to production plans for the R400, with an initial launch in Germany for the equivalent of $58,000. The latest comments point to a likely US introduction if the performance hatchback gets a final green-light.

peaking at the Detroit auto show, VW development head Hans-Jakob Neusser voiced support for production plans. He suggested the company is “just in front of the decision,” according to quotes published by Automotive News.

At the other end of the model lineup, the German automaker is said to be mulling a new van to sell in the US alongside an expanded SUV and crossover lineup.

Potential candidates are said to include the Crafter, which is currently based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and built by Daimler; or the smaller Caddy, built upon the same platform that underpins the VW Golf and Audi A3.

“We’re studying this, and personally I believe we should do something based on the technology which we already have in this market,” said Volkswagen of America chief Michael Horn.

Tesla’s range-topping Model S P85D has reportedly set a quarter-mile record for electric production cars.
A YouTube video posted by StreetCarDrags shows the record run of 11.6 seconds at 114.6 mph. Notably, the Model S was up against a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat that appeared to encounter trouble making a clean run.

Notably, Chrysler claims the 707-horsepower pony car is capable of running the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds at 125 mph in all-stock configuration — presumably with an experienced pilot behind the wheel. Swapping for a set of drag radials is said to drop the time down to 10.8 seconds at 126 mph.

The Model S P85D pairs two electric motors with a combined output of 691 ponies and 687 lb-ft of torque. It boasts a quicker estimated 0-60 mph time than the Hellcat, but not quite as fast in the quarter mile.

Ford has sent its first shipment of Mustangs to Asia, kicking off the pony car’s global expansion.
The company is celebrating the export launch, which will eventually see the Mustang arriving in more than 100 markets around the globe. The move comes after 50 years of availability in North America.

The company has worked to make the sixth-generation Mustang compliant with vehicle standards in destination countries, requiring a right-hand-drive build for the UK, Australia, South Africa and dozens of other markets.

“We want our customers globally to know that their Ford vehicles will meet emissions, safety and road-worthiness requirements,” said Ford Trading Company director Gerald Schoenle.

The Mustang is built at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, which employs approximately 3,000 workers in two shifts at full capacity. The company also highlights the addition of 100 jobs at the Port of Portland to help handle export operation to the Asia Pacific and other regions.

Hyundai’s long-rumored Toyota Prius fighter has finally broken cover. Our spy photographers spotted Hyundai’s first-ever dedicated hybrid vehicle as it was being transported to the Arctic Circle for cold weather testing.
Though still covered in camouflage, it’s clear that Hyundai’s hybrid-only model will mimic the Prius’ wedge-like shape. Like the Prius, the Hyundai hybrid is expected to be offered as a five-door hatchback, although more body styles could be offered in the future.

Up front we can see horizontal grille slats, blue-tinted headlights and LED running lights. The rear of the hybrid is a little more covered up, but we can see that the car’s tail lamps will be mounted high for greater visibility.

Thanks to the car’s positioning on the transport truck we can clearly see a chassis sticker that reads “AE HEV.” AE refers to the project code while HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

It is believed that Hyundai’s Prius-fighter will use a 1.6L four-cylinder gas engine mated to an electric motor. A lithium-ion battery will provide the car’s electric power. A plug-in variant of the hatchback is also being designed, but that model won’t likely bow until 2017 or 2018.

The hybrid will ride on the same platform that will underpin the next-generation Elantra. Production of the Hyundai hybrid will begin next year in Korea, with sale scheduled to kickoff soon after.

McLaren has built a special-edition 650S to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the company’s F1 GTR victory at the 24 Hour of Le Mans.
Five McLaren F1 GTRs finished the 1995 race, notably accounting for four of the top five positions. The company previously honored the achievement with a series of five cars badged the McLaren F1 LM.

The tradition has now been carried on to the current model lineup, with a limited run of 650S Le Mans Edition builds. The package pays homage to the F1 GTR, complete with an iconic roof-mounted ‘snorkel’ air intake and unique wheels that mimic the motorsport rims on the 1995 racers.

“The design of the McLaren F1 rewrote the rulebook. It was intended to offer the ultimate, no compromise road driving experience,” says McLaren F1 designer Peter Stevens. “The fact that it was transformed into a racer, and a race winner, was true testament to the strength and integrity of the original design, which is something I am very proud of.”

Only 50 examples of the 650S Le Mans will be built, each with a price tag around $371,500 USD.

Toyota has issued a recall for new Prius V hybrids from the 2014 and 2015 model years.
The company has discovered a problem with the occupant classification system (OCS) that is responsible for activating or disabling the front passenger airbag, depending on the weight of the occupant.

“There is a possibility that some OCS’s [sic] may not have been calibrated properly during the vehicle manufacturing process,” the recall announcement notes. “Under some conditions, this could result in no deployment of an airbag, increasing the risk of an injury to a front seat passenger in the event of a crash.”

The company claims to be unaware of any injuries or fatalities blamed on the defect.

The campaign affects approximately 5,000 vehicles, with a remedy implemented via system recalibration.

More rounded than the iconic four-seater that inspired it from the 1950s up to 1999, MINI’s 2015 Cooper S Hardtop continues to refine and refresh the legacy with each passing year. Essentially one of the progenitors of the so-called “city car,” it had its place and the enthusiasts who loved it. Their love for it then has helped to make it a classic today.
And did we mention it’s cute? But don’t let that adorable face fool you into thinking this car is kid’s stuff. Underneath its skin lies a serious contender in the “most fun to drive” category.

Read on to find out why we still think it provides some of the best times you can have on four wheels.

What is it?
Now into its third generation, the MINI Cooper S Hatch, or Hardtop, as it is known at the factory in Oxford, UK, continues after a redo in 2014. The hotter version of the hardtop, it is equipped with an upgraded version of the 2.0-liter twin-power turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine that produces 189 horsepower between 4,700-6,000 rpm, and 207 lb-ft of torque at a barely-alive 1,250 rpm.

Available with a standard six-speed manual transmission, our model featured a quite-stout six-speed automatic transmission that is extremely sure of itself. Able to be shifted by lever or steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the EPA says to expect 26 city/ 33 highway with an average of 29 mpg. It was also equipped with ECO start/stop functionality to eke out every drop of fuel mileage.

Our Cooper S rode on a suspension comprised of MacPherson struts in front with a multi-link kit in the rear. An electrically-assisted power rack and pinion steering system helped to point the way. Other functional (and standard) driving or safety-based features included Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Cruise Control, Electronic Brakeforce distribution, ABS and Corner Brake Control, which is MINI-speak for brake-based torque vectoring.

Buyers of the MINI Cooper S Hardtop can also choose the less-potent MINI Cooper with its base 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine or, at the other end of the spectrum, jump up to the John Cooper Works version with its 208 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque four-cylinder.

A variety of other versions are available that include the MINI Clubman, Coupe, Countryman, four-door Hardtop and Convertibles.

What’s it up against?
Others in this most competitive sub-compact set include Hyundai’s Turbo-Veloster, as well as Fiat’s 500 and V-dub’s Golf, all of which can also be had in higher forms of tune then their entry-level versions.

How does it look?
The look of the MINI Cooper S is iconic, even if it does look like one half of a pair of children’s roller skates. Just oozing fun, it’s one of those looks that will bring a smile to even the most hardcore curmudgeon. Part of the fun in a MINI is customizing it to truly be your own. Starting with the basic Cooper S Hardtop, ours was dressed up with the chrome line exterior, which outlines the greenhouse with a strip of brightwork to set it off. Graphics ranged from side stripes to Lemans-type hood striping that framed the functional Cooper S hood scoop. Accessories are available and run the gamut from roof graphics, to rally lights to mirror caps and other such celebrations. Using John Cooper Works Pro accessories, our charge was equipped with red, black and grey mirror caps, accent badging on the sides and other JCW trim pieces. But the fun doesn’t end there.

And on the inside?
In the first generation MINIs, the center console housed a large round face that included the car’s speedometer. It now features a more common speedo-over-the-steering-column arrangement, as well as an available head up display, literally with a twist. This HUD is equipped with a device that allows the projection lens to rotate, so the blacking out that occurs with polarized sunglasses at opposing axes are now a thing of the past. When setting up the system with sunglasses on, simply turn the control and stop when the screen numbers are brightest.

The center console is now home to our “Fully Loaded” Cooper S’s MINI Navigation XL and Bluetooth package that is centered on an 8.8-inch display that works in conjunction with the 10-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system. It also featured LED mood lighting, which changed color according to its, um, mood.

We liked the coddled feeling we received from our MINI sport seats, which kept us firmly in place while tossing the car about. The Cooper’s rear seats are a different story, however, with the tight confines best suited for short trips.

Our tester was equipped with accessories including a red, black and grey competition motif on sill plates, special carpets and rear window screens that carried on the theme, while at the same time doing their part to avert prying eyes. Cargo space is 8.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and expands to 38 cubic feet with the rear seats folded forward.

But does it go?
The MINI Cooper S Hardtop is a two-door Pocket Rocket in the truest sense of the phrase. Feeling every bit like a jet-propelled go-kart, it is one of the most exhilarating rides most people will ever experience on four wheels.

Getting situated in the sport seats is an easy job that allows for a good driving position for most occupants. Flip the pulsing red center console-mounted toggle switch and the turbo two-liter roars to life with an aggressive braaaap from the twin-mounted tail pipes. Our 189 horsepower mill supplies 207 lb-ft of torque, with blinding acceleration, since most of that torque is available so low in the power band. As a result, the car just rips from a standing start. Zero to 60 mph comes in 6.4-seconds and top speed is reached at 146 mph.

Although not equipped with a JCW-tweaked engine, our Cooper S had lots of ‘Works accoutrements inside. With steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to control the six-speed automatic gearbox, we kept both hands gripping the wheel and just blipped the gearbox at will. In other cars it can seem a bit contrived. Here, it seems outright fun.

With three drive modes, including ECO, and “Middle,” we found ourselves settling into the more aggressive Sport mode. Acceleration at this point was effortless as equipped. When cornering, the car hurtles itself around the turn, almost asking a driver “is that all you’ve got?” Cornering comes in an exceedingly flat manner but still screams at you to pedal it hard through the turn. We answered the call by a harder pressing of the throttle.

Leftlane’s bottom line
The MINI, in almost any of its configurations, is a blast to drive. When stepping on the accelerator, you’ll have a car that really enjoys getting out of its own way, fast. Able to leap off the line, corner flat through a hard turn, and stop on a dime, not to mention be able to find a parking space virtually anywhere, it is truly a special ride. Unfortunately its small size may not be enough for everyone.

2015 MINI Cooper S base price, $24,100. As tested, $36,950.
Thunder Grey Metallic, $500; Cloth leatherette, $750; Cold Weather Package, $600; Fully Loaded Package, $4,500; Headlights with ringlights, $250; MINI Your Interior, $350; Park Assistant Package, $1,000; Sport Automatic transmission, $1,500; JCW Steering Wheel, $250; Comfort Access keyless entry, $250; Chrome Line Exterior, $250; Rear View Camera, $500; Storage Package, $250; Headliner in Anthracite, $250; Satellite Radio, $300; Head Up Display, $500, Destination charges, $850.

Photos by Mark Elias.

Confirming persistent rumors, a Porsche executive has outlined a turbocharged future for the 911 lineup.
Development boss Wolfgang Hatz has denied speculation that the upcoming GT3 RS will be the first turbocharged GT3 911. To the contrary, the model will be the only naturally aspirated 911 in the future lineup.

The executive has told Autocar the new GT3 RS will be “far more extreme” than its predecessor, likely lapping the Nurburgring in well under seven minutes and 20 seconds — at least five seconds faster than the current model.

The GT3 RS will introduce a new generation of flat six engine, which will be adapted and turbocharged for the rest of the 911 family.

A new turbocharged flat-four mill will make its debut in the entry-level Boxster early next year, ahead of the Cayman. At the other end of the spectrum, the Cayman GT4 is on track to arrive in late summer or early fall with close to 400 horsepower, while a faster Boxster is also in the works.

The executive also confirmed development of a new supercar that will slot between the 911 and the 918 Spyder, with an expected market arrival within the next five years.

Hyundai has introduced an updated version of the Veloster three-door coupe in its home country of South Korea
Visually, the Veloster gains minor updates such as a strip of silver trim around the radiator grille, redrawn headlights, new-look fog lights as well as the expected assortment of new alloy wheel designs and paint colors. The interior upgrades are equally minor and largely limited to new available bucket seats for the front passengers and a redesigned speedometer.

Bigger changes are found under the hood, where the Veloster can be ordered with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for the first time. Exclusively available on the 204-horsepower Veloster Turbo, the dual-clutch can be controlled using shift paddles mounted on the steering column.

The facelifted Veloster also inaugurates an Engine Sound Equalizer that lets the driver adjust the loudness and the tone of the exhaust using the screen that runs the infotainment system. Interestingly, the Engine Sound Equalizer function also lets the driver create a custom exhaust note by mixing and matching six different sounds.

The updated Hyundai Veloster is on sale now in South Korea with a base price of 19.95 million won, a sum that converts to approximately $18,500. Hyundai has not revealed if the U.S.-spec model will undergo similar updates.