BMW Z1 Coupé : 1991

1991 BMW Z1 Coupe prototype.

While the BMW Z1 is labeled a Coupe, it is really a hatchback and is the seed for the beautiful (in my view) MCoupe.

This was the base for a platform concept to research fundamental research in the areas of bodywork construction, materials and development processes, but it’s a good thing that BMW did not go down this design path. It looks like something AMC would have done if they had survived and explored an effort to stay current. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

1991 BMW Z1 Coupe prototype.

BMW logo with "The Ultimate Driving Machine" tagline.

Published on March 30, 2010 8:53 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Abarth 500 R3T : 2009

2009 Abarth 500 R3T.

Abarth introduced its latest racing gem at the 51st Sanremo Rally. The new Abarth 500 R3T will lend its name to a promotional rally trophy in 2010, due to join the two track events (European and Italian) planned for the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse.

For Abarth, this marks a return to promotional trophy events, a niche it has made its own for more than thirty years. Since 1977, to be precise, when the first ever Autobianchi A112 Abarth Championship was held, followed by trophies for the Fiat Uno, Uno Turbo, Cinquecento, Seicento, Punto Kit and Super 1600, Stilo, Panda Kit. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2009 Abarth 500 R3T.

Abarth logo.

Published on March 13, 2010 10:51 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: , ,

Ford Figo : 2010

2010 Ford Figo.

India’s role as an important player in the future of Ford Motor Company’s international strategy was underscored today when the company’s President and CEO, Alan Mulally, unveiled an all-new car targeting the heart of the Indian car market – the new Ford Figo.

The Ford Figo, a new nameplate and a fresh face on the Indian market, signals Ford’s intention to compete in India’s largest and most important small car market segment. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2010 Ford Figo.

Ford logo.

Published on March 13, 2010 10:43 am.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Volvo 343

1976 Volvo 343.

When the Volvo 343 was presented in the winter of 1976, it was the first totally new car from the Dutch company Volvo Car BV. The Volvo 343 entered a very important segment for the European markets – the compact segment.

The Volvo 343 was a 3-door hatchback and the large tailgate at the rear ended in a small spoiler. The car was relatively roomy and also had a good, flexible luggage compartment.

From the beginning, the car was only available with a 1.4-litre engine and continuously variable automatic transmission. It was rear-wheel-driven and had its gearbox at the rear next to the differential to guarantee good weight distribution. The rear-wheel suspension was a De Dion system.

During its lifetime, the Volvo 343 underwent a number of changes in terms of appearance, engine and gearbox. The largest change in its appearance took place in the autumn of 1981 and included a new front and a new interior. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

1976 Volvo 343.

Volvo logo.

Published on March 12, 2010 4:01 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags:

Saab 9-1

Saab 9-1 Hatchback concept by Larson.

Spyker chief Victor Muller (the new Saab owner) wants to start his new work with an entry level Saab hatchback. The Project 92 should be a kind of Mini, Audi A1 Mito fighter. the car`s name will probably be the 9-1.

The car will have some elements of the original “ursaab”, the 92, but it will be more modern.

Larson‘s view of this rumored vehicle is illustrated below. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

Saab 9-1 Hatchback concept by Larson.

Saab logo.

Published on March 9, 2010 6:59 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags:

Mazda 2 : 2011

2011 Mazda 2.

For the first time in North America, Mazda is introducing its own affordable, fun-sized creation – the 2011 MAZDA2. A stylish, eco-friendly, fun-to-drive five-door hatchback, the MAZDA2 is Zoom-Zoom in its most concentrated form – compact and efficient, yet packed with style and substance. It will launch into the North American market in late summer, 2010.

MAZDA2 is the latest in a line of stylish, insightful and hugely fun-to-drive small cars from Mazda, and will bring an all-new level of refinement to the segment, as MAZDA3 did for the compact C-Car market. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2011 Mazda 2.

Mazda logo.

Published on March 8, 2010 9:40 pm.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Ford Focus 5-door Hatchback : 2010

The next-generation Ford Focus makes its worldwide debut providing customers with more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, as well as detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

Sleek, stylish and sporty, both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011.

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

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Ford logo.

2010 Ford Focus 5-door Hatchback.

 

Published on March 5, 2010 9:51 pm.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: , ,

Volvo C30 R-Design : 2010

2010 Volvo C30 R-Design.

The Volvo C30 R-Design is the nearest thing to a dedicated sports car in the Volvo model range. The new chassis is considerably sharper, with stiffer, more distinct properties. And the exclusive extra equipment gives the C30 R-Design just the right attitude.

The biggest changes in the new Volvo C30 R-Design, which make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, are actually hidden beneath the skin. Despite the car’s extrovert body kit and design cues. Because it is the chassis and the steering that have been the main focus of attention. All with the aim of creating a sporty driving experience and a sophisticated feeling of comfort to match the very best.

“The new R-Design chassis builds further on the success of the sport chassis introduced in the Volvo S80 earlier in 2009. Although the actual properties differ between these two car categories, we’ve had plenty of good experience on which to build further in the Volvo C30,” says Stefan Sällqvist, manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Cars. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2010 Volvo C30 R-Design.

Volvo logo.

 

Published on March 4, 2010 9:28 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Volvo C30 : 2007

The new Volvo C30 will be unveiled for the public at the Paris Motor Show in September, and production will begin at the end of 2006.

Here are the first photos of one of the year’s most talked about debutants, the new Volvo C30. A sporty design, two doors, four individual seats, and a glass tailgate give the C30 a unique character that will attract new Volvo buyers. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2007 Volvo C30

Volvo logo.

 

Published on March 3, 2010 10:54 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Audi A1 e-tron : 2010

The new e-tron model series from Audi will gain another new member at the Geneva Motor Show: The Audi A1 e-tron is a Mega City Vehicle (MCV) with an innovative drive technology. It comes equipped with a powerful electric motor for zero-emission driving in the city. There is also an internal combustion engine on board that recharges the battery in exceptional circumstances. The A1 e-tron is very agile thanks to the 75 kW (102 hp) peak power of its electric motor. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2010 Audi A1 e-tron.

New 2009 Audi logo.

Published on March 2, 2010 6:30 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: , , ,

Lexus CT 200h : 2011

2011 Lexus CT 200h.

Lexus will unveil the new CT 200h at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Created for those who wish to lower their emissions but not their standards, the CT 200h will be the first, and only, full hybrid vehicle in the premium compact segment. It will bring new levels of refinement, sophistication and attention to detail to the segment, without any compromise on style or driving pleasure. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2011 Lexus CT 200h.

Lexus logo.

Published on February 27, 2010 9:51 am.
Filed under: 5-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid : 2011

2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe.

The all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, made its U.S. production debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and introduces sleek styling and sporty handling to the hybrid segment.

“The CR-Z is a personal sport hybrid coupe for people with a spirit of adventure and an elevated sense of responsibility toward the environment,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “It’s the first hybrid designed to maximize style and fun, in addition to efficiency and economy.”

Set to go on sale late summer in the U.S., the CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with Honda’s compact and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid-electric system. The two-passenger CR-Z introduces a new three-mode drive system that allows the driver to select between Sport, Econ (Economy) and Normal driving modes. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe.

Honda logo.

Published on February 27, 2010 9:39 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Citroen DS3 Racing : 2010

2010 Citroen DS3 Racing.

Citroën is unleashing a hot new DS3 at the Geneva Motor Show – the limited edition 200hp DS3 Racing. Developed by Citroën Racing – the winning team behind five WRC manufacturer’s titles and six driver’s titles for Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena – DS3 Racing is a special edition with a 100% sporting pedigree. Planned for the second half of 2010, the exclusive DS3 Racing will be limited to just 1000 production units. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

2010 Citroen DS3 Racing.

2010 Citroen DS3 Racing "DS3" logo.

Published on February 27, 2010 9:31 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: ,

Renault Fuego

1983 Renault Fuego Turbo.

The Renault Fuego is a four-seater, three-door hatchback produced by French automaker Renault from 1980 to 1992. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

1983 Renault Fuego Turbo.

1972 thru 1992 Renault logo.

Published on February 22, 2010 12:05 am.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags:

Renault R5 Turbo II

1984 Renault R5 Turbo II.

Originally homologated for FIA World Rallye, the Renault R5 Turbo was a very competitive car and much sought after in Europe. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation would not officially allow it to be distributed among the existing Renault franchise dealerships in the United States. Read the rest of this story on Cartype.

1984 Renault R5 Turbo II.

1984 Renault R5 Turbo II logo.

Published on February 21, 2010 11:35 pm.
Filed under: 3-Door Hatchbacks Tags: