vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Hatchback”

• MINI x KRINK

  Banovsky on October 28, 2009

  Haven't heard of KRINK…or why they got to drop ink all over a brand-new MINI? Well, KRINK is a homebrew ink and marker maker, started by Craig Costello, aka "KR." KRINK = "KR" + "ink." Get it?

  

  KRINK x MINI Cooper

  Anyhow, this now global company has done numerous collaborations, and their MINI one is the latest. It'll be presented at the rest liebe bar for an exhibition tied to street art and graffiti-based Vicious Gallery in Germany, on Halloween.

  Click through for more photos. More exhibition details here.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, MINI, custom, custom, Art Car, MINI, Cooper, MINI, KRINK

• 2010 Volkswagen GTI pricing announced

  Banovsky on October 6, 2009

  Packing the same horsepower (200) and torque (207 lb.-ft) as the 2009 model, the better-looking 2010 GTI rings in at $23,990.

  

  2010 Volkswagen GTI

  That's for the two-door. If you want the top-line four-door with the DSG, prepare to save up $25,690 — barely changed from the current model.

  A GTI equipped with the dual-clutch DSG gearbox will return 32 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg in the city — not too shabby for a high-performance hatchback.

  Two packages stand out: the "Dynaudio Advanced Sound" package for $476, and the "Autobahn" package for $2,795 — that includes partial leather seats, sunroof, and front sport seats.

  Click through to our search engine to find a good deal on one of the last 2009 GTI models!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Pricing, Hatchback, News, Volkswagen, Turbo, Turbo, 2010, GTI

• Europe still gets all the fun: Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

  Banovsky on September 21, 2009

  "OK," you ask, "why is this car cool while the Aston Martin Cygnet concept isn't?"

  

  The 2010 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

  Well, this performance-orientated Abarth 695 'Tributo Ferrari' will go on sale, and FIAT has made some substantial modifications to ensure it lives up to the prancing horse badge.

  First, the special edition model is fitted with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine tuned to develop "over 180 horsepower". The four-cylinder unit is coupled to an electromechanical gearbox with race-inspired paddle gearshift that drives the front-wheels.

  Add in some performance tires, 17-inch alloy wheels, a more powerful braking system with Brembo callipers, and a sportier suspension set up with new shock absorbers. Oh, and for annoying the neighbours it comes with a "Record Monza" dual mode exhaust that is designed to improve engine performance "and deliver a more sonorous note over 3,000 rpm." Finishing touches include Xenon headlights, Scuderia Red paint, carbon fibre accents, lighter sport seats, leather-clad interior, and various aluminum trim pieces.

  We want. How much are Italian villas going for these days?

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Europe, Sports car, Ferrari, Fiat, Performance, 2010

• Video: MINI Cooper S vs shopping carts

  Banovsky on August 30, 2009

  We love the Mini Cooper, and this one-minute short pretty much sums everything up regarding the car. Place one scratch-adverse stunt driver behind the wheel of a Cooper, throw in some possessed shopping carts, and you have one minute of pure fun.

  

  Time to click through!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Video, Misc, Advertising, Humor, MINI, 2009, LOL, MINI, Cooper, MINI

• vLane compares: Kia Soul, Honda Civic, Nissan cube

  Banovsky on August 24, 2009

  On the surface, these three models don't have much in common. Sure, the Soul and the cube look like competitors, but the Soul is much more conventional under the skin — and in design, it must be said — than the totally out-there Japanese-built cube. But if it's a conventional car you're after, the Honda Civic will likely fit the bill nicely…and put you to sleep.

  The cars

  

  The Soul: "Gimmicks aside, this $13,300 hatchback might just be the coolest thing to come out of Korea since the barbecue." (review)

  

  The Civic: "I wish the Civic traded a slice of performance for a bit more refinement. I’m also annoyed that for all its swoopy good looks and futuristic interior, the Civic remains a pretty conventional car." (review)

  

  The cube: "The cube’s engine makes it move, and that’s fine. It’s not the point — this square is more than the sum of its parts." (review)

  
  

  Powered by vLane.com See more | Create your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Sedan, Crossover, Advice , Kia, Nissan, Kia, 2010, 2009, vLane, Poll, Opinion, Civic, Soul, cube

• Best bumper sticker ever

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  MINI has always been a little different, a little out there, and even (occasionally) brutally honest.

  

  What a laugh…

  So check out this bumper sticker, which is part of a Cash for Clunkers marketing package for dealers to use. We think it's brilliant.

  [Source: Autoblog.com]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Government, Misc, Coupe, Humor, MINI, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System, CARS, LOL, MINI, Cooper, Clubman

• Erm…Vauxhall Corsa-shaped roller skates

  Banovsky on July 6, 2009

  So this is what they do for fun in the UK.

  

  Ms Legs is after the jump, too

  British car manufacturer Vauxhall is obviously trying to figure out how to market their second-smallest car, the Corsa, to young buyers.

  What do do? Well why not host a super-secret roller skating event for 16-24 year olds in North London, UK, on July 29?

  Obviously this won't appeal to many vLane readers, but if you're young and in the UK, Vauxhall promises the event will be "'70s disco meets Knight Rider on roller skates."

  And that sounds cool.

  Hopefully they'll be giving everyone an awesome pair of car-shaped roller skates — otherwise I'd be the nerdy kid showing up with boxy Volvo skates.

  Want more? There's a 30-second video promo after the jump, featuring these puppies in action.

  [Source: Carscoop.blogspot.com]
  

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Event, Hatchback, News, WTF, Misc, Advertising, Humor, Vauxhall

• The Future of GM Part 3: 2011 Chevrolet Spark

  Banovsky on July 2, 2009

  In this five-part series (including the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze), we'll take a look at some of the most exciting products that GM has in the pipeline. It's not a commercial, either: with 60.8 per cent of the company now owned by the US taxpayers — and 11.7 per cent by Canadian taxpayers — it's a good time to look at how well our investments are holding up.

  

  The Spark is one of the first truly global GM cars. The company has developed this Aveo replacement, based on a seriously upgraded platform to compete with small cars the world over.

  Click through for more info, photos, and a video with GM designer Dave Lyon!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Hatchback, Future, Green, Mileage, Feature, Chevrolet, Detroit, 2011, Spark

• 2010 Seat Bocanegra: Zorro's car has arrived!

  Banovsky on July 1, 2009

  I used to watch Zorro on Sunday mornings, and absolutely loved the two Zorro movies. But what if his horse, Tornado, died and the masked hero needed a faster way to get around?

  

  En garde! (Ok, we know that's a French saying…)

  I think Zorro would love the Seat Ibiza Bocanegra, which is not sold in the US. (Yes, Europeans get cool cars. Get over it.) The Ibiza is based off the small Volkswagen Polo hatchback, which is about the same size as our Honda Fit.

  Powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged — and — supercharged motor with either 150 or 180 horsepower, Zorro may be in for a fun ride. Named after an old Seat model from the 70s, the modern update features a Zorro-like front "mask" painted black, with partially-black roof and black mirrors to complete the look.

  More photos and info after the fold.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Hatchback, Future, News, Europe, Volkswagen, 2010, Seat

• Review: 2010 Mazda 3

  Banovsky on June 30, 2009

  I hate the term, “sporty.” It’s like saying something or someone is “sexy,” without any promise of the “sex” part. Sporty doesn’t mean sport, racing-ready, or track-honed. It just means the car looks like it’ll give you a good time.

  

  The 2010 Mazda 3 cuts a mean grin

  In Mazdaland, the 5-door Mazda 3 compact car is being pitched as the sportiest in its class…but does it deliver?

  I’ve driven both a pretty basic 2.0-litre Mazda 3 “i Touring” sedan equipped with a manual transmission, and a loaded-to-the-gills automatic-equipped 2.5-litre Mazda 3 “s Grand Touring” 5-door hatchback.

  Read more…

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under Hatchback, Mazda, Sedan, Review, 2010