Green Car Journal has named the Audi A3 TDI the 2010 Green Car of the Year. The magazine and web site gave the A3 TDI the award over the Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and Volkswagen Golf TDI.

"This compact luxury car features an impressive EPA estimated 42 mpg on the highway - a 50 percent highway fuel efficiency improvement over the standard gasoline engine A3," says Green Car Journal head Ron Cogan. "Plus, this Audi's quiet, clean diesel engine delivers loads of low-end torque and a fun-to-drive experience, all with the functionality of a 5-passenger hatchback."

The award is decided by a six-member jury, which includes International Council on Clean Transportation president Dr. Alan Lloyd, Global Green USA president Matt Peterson, and Sierra Club excutive director Carl Pope. Also on the panel is automotive enthusiast and talk show host Jay Leno, car designer Carroll Shelby, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, the founder of the Ocean Futures Society and son of oceanic explorer Jacques Cousteau.

Its an honor that also pleases top brass at Audi. "In winning the 2010 Green Car of the Year Award, the Audi A3 TDI demonstrates the bright future that clean diesel technology provides through reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions," said Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen in a press release.

The Audi A3 TDI uses a 2.0-liter engine, mated to the S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. US retail price is $29,950.

Via Worldcarfans

Just as the dust settled from the 2009 SEMA show, long-time Ford tuning specialist Steeda Autosports, went ahead and unveiled another member of its Q Series Mustang family at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Q550 Streetfighter Edition. Designed as a high-performance pony car that can be used as a daily driver (at least in theory) as well as a weekend warrior on the racetrack or drag strip, the Q550 packs a supercharged V8 engine.

Along with a series of other upgrades, the supercharged powerplant delivers an output of 550-horsepower with Steeda claiming a 0 to 60 sprint time of under 4,0 seconds and quarter-mile time of around 11 seconds.

These kind of figures require suspension and brake modifications, which is why Steeda has outfitted the 2010 Mustang with numerous performance parts including a Watt's Link Suspension system, new shocks and struts, an adjustable 3rd-link trailing arm kit, new front and rear swaybars, plus a 6-piston brake package with 15-in. crossed drilled and slotted rotors.

Over the top of the discs are some pretty sexy 20-inch HRE Monoblock P40 alloy wheels that are wrapped in Nitto NT05 High Performance tires (275/35 at the front, 315/35 at the back).

Steeda also did a wonderful job with the Q550 Streetfighter's exterior which shares the same aerodynamic body kit with the Q350. Additional upgrades include a rear spoiler, a new vented hood and a rear diffuser.

As for the interior, there's a pair of leather covered bucket seats with a carbon fiber back and a 6-Point safety harness, a thick steering wheel wrapped in alcantara, a steel roll bar with cross bracing that's dressed in leather and a Safecraft fire extinguisher system.

The Steeda Q550 Streetfighter Edition will be available in the 1st quarter of 2010 from select Steeda Autosports authorized dealers. Look for additional updates in the near future regarding pricing and availability of this limited edition performance vehicle.

Prices are expected to be announced closer to the car's launch sometime during the first quarter of 2010.

Along with the 2011 Sonata mid-size sedan, Hyundai also introduced the North American-spec 2010 Tucson SUV at this week's Los Angeles International Auto Show. Like the latest Sonata, the new Tucson boasts a funky exterior design that's far more exciting than its dull predecessor and a significantly upgraded with a much more modern and premium look.

With an overall length of 173.2 inches, a width of 71.7 inches and a height of 66.3 inches (with roof rails), the 2010 Tucson is 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider than its predecessor. However, according to Hyundai, it's 61 pounds lighter than the outgoing model.

The new Tucson uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems while for the first time, Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) systems will be standard.

When the 2010 Tucson arrives at Hyundai's U.S. dealerships later this month, it will be offered with a Theta II 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine connected to either a either a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic. This unit replaces the current model's 2.7-liter V6.

Unlike the new Sonata's 198HP Theta II 2.4L engine, the Tucson's Theta II does not feature direct injection. Hyundai rates the Tucson's unit at 176 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque, meaning it's slightly more powerful but less torque than the current model's 2.7-liter V6 that makes 173HP and 178 lb-ft.

However, the new four-cylinder unit is significantly more fuel efficient as Hyundai claims that with the available six-speed automatic transmission and front wheel drive, the new Tucson returns an estimated 23 mpg city / 31 mpg highway compared to the current Tucson FWD Auto's 18mpg / 24mpg respectively.

In fact, Hyundai says that the new Tucson is more fuel-efficient than the four-cylinder versions of the Honda CRV, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

With AWD (All-Wheel Drive), the new Tucson delivers an estimated 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

In addition to the 2.4-liter engine, Hyundai will introduce an even more fuel efficient Blue model for the 2011 model year. It will be powered by a Theta II 2.0-liter engine that's said to deliver better power and fuel economy than the 2009 Tucson Beta four-cylinder engine.

Sales of the 2010 Tucson will begin before the end of December with pricing expected to start under $20,000.

Towards the end of 2010, Dodge will cease production of its Viper sports car that was first introduced in 1992. To celebrate the final production of the current generation Viper SRT10, Dodge is adding new colors, improving performance and introducing a series of special edition models. All in all, the Detroit automaker plans to build around 500 Vipers for the last model year.

Changes for the 'base' 2010 Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe models are limited to the introduction of two new exterior colors –Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, and a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds.

Power continues to come from a 8.4-liter V10 engine with 600HP and 560 lb.-ft. (760 Nm) of torque, with Dodge claiming a 0-60 mph (96 km/h)in under 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat, and a top speed of 202 mph or 325 km/h.

Body style offerings remain unchanged with the availability of Roadster and Coupe models along with the ACR (American Club Racer) package

The hardcore Viper SRT10 ACR which recently set a new lap record at the Laguna Seca raceway, gets a new short-throw shifter and a redesigned rear wing profile and end plates in 2010. Dodge said that these changes combined with the new fifth gear ratio result in an increased top speed of 4 mph, to 184 mph (296km/h) for the ACR model.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Dodge introduced the first two of a series of special edition models of the Viper that are to come in 2010.

First up is the Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, which pays tribute to the new production car lap record set on Nov. 24 at Laguna Seca raceway. It features a unique two-tone Black Clear Coat / Red Clear Coat exterior color scheme which is the exact opposite of the original ACR model. Interior highlights include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights complemented with red accent stitching in the seats. Production will be limited to 33 cars.

The second special model is the Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR that gets an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite Driver's Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 examples of this model will be built.

More details and pricing on all 2010 Dodge Vipers will be announced at a later date.

After 11 years in production, the New Beetle will soon find a place in the books of automotive history. To mark the forthcoming end of the current generation New Beetle, Volkswagen announced the launch of a special Final Edition version at the Los Angeles motor show. Available in coupe and convertible forms, the Final Edition models will arrive in U.S. showrooms in the Spring of 2010 with production limited to 1,500 units each.

Both models receive a small number of upgrades and touches that include a special Aquarius Blue paint with a painted black roof on the coupe, and a two-tone Aquarius Blue and Campanella White paint scheme with a white top on the convertible.

The Final Editions also get individually numbered badges, fog lights, a sport suspension and unique 17-inch alloy wheels.

Interior upgrades concern the individually numbered Final Edition steering wheel and in the case of the convertible, a white interior that matches the top.

There are no changes under the hood with both models powered by VW's 150 horsepower 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder gasoline engine matted to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.

Prices for the coupe model start at $20,240, while the convertible model begins at $27,170.

The new 2010 Impreza WRX STI Special Edition that premiered at the LA Auto Show this week will be priced $2,000 lower than the base STI model at $33,690 (including destination and handling fees), Subaru announced today. Available from early spring, the first batch of 125 cars will be painted in an exclusive Aspen White. After that, the Special Edition will join the lineup as a regular model and will be offered in Obsidian Black Pearl, WR Blue Mica and Dark Gray Metallic colors.

Subaru says that the Special Edition is aimed at the enthusiast who doesn't mind trading a few amenities to gain an extra measure of handling performance over the standard STI.

While the model retains the STI's 305HP turbocharged boxer engine, it adopts the sportier suspension from the JDM market WRX STI spec C model, which adds a 1-millimeter thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer rear sub-frame bushings plus upgraded springs. The front springs are 16-percent stiffer, while the rear springs have been stiffened by 29-percent.

The package also includes the spec C's charcoal-colored 18-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels.

The trade-off is that the WRX STI Special Edition gets halogen instead of HID headlights, a single-disc CD player / 4-speaker audio system instead of the 6-CD / 10-speaker system, manual air conditioning in place of automatic climate control, and side mirrors without integrated signals.

Via Scoop

The much anticipated and talked about 2011 Hyundai Sonata made its North American premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-new mid-size sedan (although EPA classifies it as a large sedan) represents a dramatic departure from the previous generation Sonata models both in terms of design and technology.

Despite the fact that the sixth-generation Sonata is aimed price-wise at the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevy Malibu, its so-called 'four-door coupe' styling with the sleek roofline and sculptured body surfaces brings it closer to the likes of the VW Passat CC.

And even if the design is not to everyone's taste, few will disagree that it offers the Sonata what the previous models lacked: personality.

The same can be said about the interior that's distinguished by the swoopy lines of the dashboard and the deeply set gauges of the instrument panel.

At 189.8 in (4,820mm) long, 72.2 in. (1,835mm) wide and 57.9 in. (1,470mm) tall with a wheelbase of 110 in. (2,795mm), the new Sonata is slightly longer and wider but a tad lower than the current model.

Surprisingly, 2011 Sonata is 130 pounds lighter than the existing model thanks to several weight saving measures such as the increased use of aluminum in the four-wheel independent suspension system and the ultra-high-strength steel in the body.

Furthermore, according to Hyundai, the new Sonata is 25 percent stiffer in torsion and 19 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than its predecessor.

When the 2011 Sonata goes on sale in the States in January 2010, it will be offered with Hyundai's newly developed Theta II GDI 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection that makes 198 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. In the SE trim, which includes a standard dual exhaust, the engine delivers 200 horsepower.

Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.

Hyundai estimates that the automatic version will get 23mpg in the city and 35mpg on the highway, beating all of its four-cylinder competitors in the U.S.the debut of the 2.4-liter version in the States

While there are no current plans for a V6 model in the States, in the second half of 2010, Hyundai will add a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine and a 2.4-liter Hybrid Blue Drive model featuring the firm's lithium polymer battery pack. The Korean automaker said that more details about these powertrains will be released at the 2010 New York Auto Show in April.

Depending on the model trim, the new Sonata will be offered with various goodies including a high-end Infinity audio system with a 400-watt amplifier and a touch screen navigation system.

Mazda has officially unveiled the US-spec Mazda2 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Described as an "eco-friendly, fun-to-drive five-door hatchback", the Mazda2 is a small B-segment car with sleek styling and a sporty design. According to Mazda, "The basic form of the new Mazda2 is characterized by a combination of dynamic performance, sportiness and simplicity that leaves a strong visual impression."

While the company declined to release any performance data, Mazda said the car will have "...two key attributes: 1) a sense of linear acceleration and deceleration that responds crisply to how far the accelerator pedal is depressed, allowing the driver to control car speed as desired; and 2) a sense of liveliness through immediate response to the accelerator for quick off-the-line acceleration and overtaking." Ah ha, so that's how it works....

Since it was launched in 2007, the Mazda2 has won 48 awards including the prestigious World Car of the Year award (in 2008).

Look for more information to be released when the Mazda2 goes on sale in the summer of 2010.

This... Imperial Stormtrooper-faced concept car is the Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport, or P-NUT for short, and it made its world debut today at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Measuring in at just 3,400 mm in length, 1,750 mm in width and 1,439 mm in height, the P-NUT is a futuristic-looking proposal for a micro coupe that's larger than a Smart Fortwo but more compact than the Fiat 500.

"The objective of the exterior and interior designers was to explore the potential for a new type of small-segment-category vehicle that overcomes many of the objections for existing micro-car designs," said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas. "While the Honda P-NUT concept introduces function-oriented concepts, it also shows that small cars don't have to compromise on style or amenities."

The P-NUT can accommodate three passengers with the center driving position flanked by two rear seats that Honda says provide the same legroom as a mid-sized sedan.

According to the Japanese automaker, the concept car has been designed to be fitted with a variety of rear-mounted powerplants including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.