Paris 2010: 2011 Audi A1 TFSI

Audi surprised us all when it took the wraps off its top-of-the-line A1 TFSI hatchback packing everything but the kitchen sink...and the S1 nameplate. The reason, according to reports, was that every S model in the company's history has featured Quattro all-wheel drive, but the PQ25 platform on which the A1 is based can't accommodate it. At least, not yet.

The UK's Autocar now suggests, however, that a business case is being made inside the Volkswagen Group to engineer the platform to accept the extra driveshaft. Doing so would allow for proper Quattro-driven S1, but that's not all. In order to justify the cost, the Volkswagen Polo could get a couple of models driven on all fours, including a Polo R hot hatch to slot in above the Polo GTI and a CrossPolo soft-roader with actual traction to back up its butch styling.

Lotus shows its new Grand Tourer, the Elite

Lotus continues its domination on global sports car in the 2010 Paris Motor Show unveiling the Lotus Elite. The Elite represents that "lighter is better" because it is a hefty, four-passenger grand tourer weighing 3,600 pounds. The reason for its heaviness is its retractable, folding hardtop. Though its heavy it has a good looking, aggressively styled powerhouse. Under the hood you can find a modified version of the 5.0-liter V8 out of a Lexus IS-F. The unit is then massaged to produce 611 horsepower which propels the car to a sub-four-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 195 miles per hour. The Elite will also be fitted with KERS for a quick boost of recovered energy.

The front mid-engine layout should help balance the Lotus Elite and make for an exciting driving experience. We expect this car to represent a slightly softer side for the automaker, but that's like saying we expect a bomb to hurt less than a missile. The entire Lotus lineup is poised in attack position, the Elite just happens to wear clothes from the Big and Tall store.

For information related to car shipping, visit aaat.com.

GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for Europe

General Motors will be expanding Chevrolet's lineup by adding a five-door Cruze. GM has provided a few pictures on the web. This model will definitely be one of the major attraction at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks, the liftback ought to compete nicely with the 2012 Ford Focus five-door, but don't expect GM to offer the more functional Cruze in the United States. "Americans don't like hatchbacks," remember?

GM calls the Cruze hatchback model a "show car," but in this case, it's somewhere between the stages of concept and prototype. Don't expect the body to change, but we can easily see the front LED light bar and larger wheels being scrapped for the sake of cost-cutting.

Chevrolet will begin selling the Cruze hatchback across Europe in mid-2011 and pricing will be announced closer to the model's on-sale date. Follow the jump for the full details in GM's press release.

Source:http://www.autoblog.com/