Audi Considering New A1 Mini for USA, Says no Plans for Quattro, Roadster or Convertible Models

Even though Audi will hold a press conference at the unveiling of the new A1 premium hatchback in Geneva next week, the Germans gave journalists the opportunity to ask a bevy of questions ahead of the car's presentation, answering the most popular ones through a voting process.

And while questions about the possible introduction of S1 and RS1 sporty variants didn't make the cut (for the record, we voted, but go figure...), a few interesting questions did.

First of all, Audi said that there are no plans to offer the A1 with the firm's all-wheel drive quattro system while the first generation of the car will be offered only as a three- and five door hatchback body styles.

Despite various reports supporting the opposite (chiefly from UK magazines), Audi made it clear that neither a Cabriolet nor a Roadster is currently being considered.

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New Abarth 500C: Performance Version of the Fiat 500 Convertible Heading to Geneva

Fiat's official tuning brand, Abarth, has dropped the lid on its latest creation based on the 500C ahead of the convertible's world premiere at next week's Geneva Motor Show. Like its tin-topped counterpart, the Abarth 500C benefits from a more powerful turbocharged engine as well as chassis upgrades and a full suite of aero tweaks to reduce drag and improve high-speed stability over the standard Fiat 500C.

Motivation comes from a 1.4-liter turbocharged T-Jet engine delivering 140 horsepower and 206Nm of peak torque at 2,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters.

The Abarth-ized 500C can sprint from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 205km/h or 127mph, while returning an average fuel consumption in the combined cycle of 6.5lt/100km, or the U.S. equal of 36.2mpg.

The Italian company said that it is also working on a more powerful "Esseesse" model that will be available later this year.

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First Official Photos of 2011 Porsche Cayenne?

Adding to the suspense surrounding the reveal of the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne, the folks from "Lemagauto" sent us these two photos of the SUV model supposedly scanned from Thursday's edition of French car magazine, "L'Auto Journal". We can't validate their authenticity, but the Cayennes featured appear to be in line with the prototype models we've seen in numerous scoop photographs over the past few months.

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Honda 3R-C Three-Wheeled Concept to Premiere at Geneva Motor Show

A futuristic single-seater three-wheeled concept called "3R-C" will take a central role at Honda's stand at this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show. Created by European designers working at Honda's Research and Design facility in Milan, the 3R-C concept vehicle is motivated by a battery electric drivetrain which is mounted low in the three wheeled chassis.

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G-Power Storm: A 725HP and 215MPH BMW 760i

In the tune-tastic world of G-Power, all stock BMWs are underpowered and sluggish and in need of some serious cosmetic makeup. Having already taken on the M5 sedan, M3 Coupe, M6 Coupe, Z4 Roadster and the X5M and X6M SAVs, just to mention a few, G-Power has now turned its tuning affection on Munich's flagship limo, the 760i and its long-wheelbase sibling, the 760iL.

Simply called the Storm, G-Power's latest achievement will be produced in a limited run of just 10 units worldwide and it promises to bring the rain on other tuning proposals like the 500HP Alpina B7.

Starting with the engine, G-Power's technicians fiddled around with the 6.0-liter V12 bi-turbochargers increasing maximum boost pressure from 0.5 bar to 0.9 bar. They also recalibrated the ECU, added larger injection valves and created an entirely new exhaust system.

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