Test Drive: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6

By Kevin Harrison

What is the first thing you notice when you look at Volvo’s latest offering? The large signature LED tail lights?  The strong character lines in the side profile? The 18 inch multi-spoked wheels? There are lots of things that definitely catch your eye with this CUV, but would you believe that the first thing I noticed right away when I saw it in person was actually the emblem on the front grille?

It’s huge, at least in comparison to other Volvos.  A lot of manufacturers are growing the size of their symbols (most notably Mercedes-Benz). But I had to wonder, this vehicle is stunning to look at, why would Volvo want to distract me with a larger emblem?

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2012 Saab 9-3 to Have BMW Underpinnings?

Spyker is serious about turning its newly acquired brand, Saab, into a serious world contender that can take on zee German heavyweights such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

It looks like the tides are turning away from terminal GM influence on the Swedish brand. The newly designed 9-5 is now out, the 9-4 crossover is next on the docket, Spyker is making an 1-series, A1 and Mini fighter called the 9-2 (meant to be a throw back to the tear drop design) and now they’re promising an all-new redesigned 9-3 sedan for 2012.

Spyker is going to revive the hatchback design of the old 900 series and make a convertible version. If they’re smart, they’ll also revive the Viggen models as well. After personally driving a 2000 9-3 Viggen, I can say that, despite the notorious turbo lag, it was one spicy Swedish meatball. I definitely have a soft spot for it.

Reports are swirling around the interwebs that Spyker has been in talks with BMW to help out with the chasis of the new 9-3 as well as the engines. The powerplant in the Mini Countryman is supposedly being considered. BMW has reportedly agreed to supply these underpinnings and if that’ true, the new 9-3 will definitely be a big contender.

Armed with BMW blood, the new 9-3′s goal is to take on the Audi A3 specifically. Should be interesting!

[Autocar]

The Race Will Go On

Just a few posts down I wondered aloud if Mini would just bring their own Porsche 911 Carrera S to the big race. If you don’t know what the big race is, then you really need to start reading this blog more (or any other automotive blogs for that matter). Therefore I’m not going to get into it.

But even though Mini has the Porsche they’d like to race, they’re still in need of someone to drive it. Clearly Mini does not follow this blog either because if they did, they would know that I would likely skip out my own wedding to take an opportunity behind the wheel of a 911 Carrera S (okay not really, but I would definitely ask about postponing the wedding an extra day so that I could – yup, I have a problem).

The race is scheduled for today, so I’m likely too late, but they only put this ad up yesterday so who knows. Porsche should just suck it up and do it themselves, already. If they win at least it will shut Mini up and if they don’t, I’m sure they could cry trickery from the skies since Mini clearly designed the course to their advantage.

Or just let someone who actually wants to race, race you, Mini (*cough* Hyundai). Or do you not want to associate yourselves with a brand beneath you? Isn’t that what Porsche is doing to you? Okay, I’m going to stop talking to you as if you are a person Mini, but think about it! A Genesis coupe vs. Cooper S would be sweet! And I honestly think the Cooper S would win.

There is no news yet from Road Atlanta, but you can be sure that I will report on any further updates.

[Mini USA via Top Speed]

FAIL: Yaris Batmobile

Either batman has been hit hard by the recession, or some douchebag thinks he actually is batman. Either way it’s a fail, but it’s likely the latter.

I’m not sure what possesses people to take perfectly fine cars and then transform them into their nerdy wet dreams, but it’s starting to get out of control. As proof, some fool did this to a brand new 2010 Toyota Yaris – one of the last car’s to ever be associated with the batmobile.

I sincerely hope one of this guy’s friends punched him in the nose for doing this to his car.

Oh wait, he probably has no friends.

[VW Vortex]

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

That’s right, the best car show ever made is indeed making another go at it for season 15! The awesomeness starts next week, June 27th. Make sure to set your VCR’s Tivo’s. Do people still use Tivo? Last I heard sales were tanking. Whatever, just catch Top Gear online, that’s what I do.

The first episode is reportedly going to feature Jezza exploring what happened to three wheeled cars, Captain Slow tries to not be killed by a volcano and Hamster gets in the driver’s seat of a Chevrolet Lacetti. Top Gear just isn’t Top gear without the Stig, so expect him to be testing the Bentley Continental Supersports as it tries to take the podium around Top Gear’s test track.

I broke news that the blokes were out on one of their challenges (which, by the way, went viral for a few days – thanks Autoblog!) in what looked to be homemade unusual vehicles. Expect to see that episode this season as well.

Can’t wait!

[BBC]

Happy Father’s Day From Car Driven!

Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there, many of whom I’m sure were instrumental in helping us getting our driver’s licenses through driving lessons. And if you’re dad was like mine, you need to take special time to thank him on this day for making you learn how to drive a manual transmission. Thanks, dad!

Mini Reveals “Track” For Porsche Duel

Despite being shut down by Porsche, Mini still intends on having a race of some sort on June 21st (aka tomorrow). They have just revealed the track and, well, it isn’t so much a track as it is a autocross event. This is a bit disappointing.

Firstly, Mini said the race would be at Road Atlanta, but this isn’t Road Atlanta at all. Mini designed this course themselves and frankly that’s not exactly fair is it. Would you want to race someone who laid out the course themselves? There’s probably tons of little factors that gives the edge to Mini.

Secondly, Mini promised a race, not an autocross event. While the 911 is undoubtedly a fantastic handler, the fact of the matter is Mini can do just as well on an autocross course thanks to its small size.

Even though Mini promises “No tricks. No gimmicks. No jokes”, after seeing the track, I’m positive Porsche won’t show up. That begs the question, who will Mini be racing tomorrow then? Will they bring a 911 themselves?

I’m thinking they should take up Hyundai’s offer below.

[Mini USA via Facebook]

The Saga Continues: Hyundai Wants To Take Porsche’s Place

Well looky here. It looks like the saga between Mini and Porsche has caught the eye of some in the business. Specifically, Hyundai.

Even though Porsche won’t take on the challenge, Hyundai is happy to step in for the German giant with its Genesis coupe. I’ve driven the Genesis Coupe before, and I must say, it certainly is a credible challenger. The question is, was Hyundai thinking of running their 2.0T or their 3.8 litre GT.

In the challenge above, Hyundai almost defends Porsche by calling the 911 “legendary” and calling Mini’s challenge “bold”. They also point out that the Genesis coupe welcomes any challenge. They even point out that they had an “epic lap” at Road Atlanta, precisely where Mini wants the location of the race to be. Hyundai then relates to Mini by saying that they know all about punching well above their weight, but are so over it now that they have the Genesis coupe. Cocky, yet compassionate.

This puts the ball squarely in Mini’s court. The only exception to the challenge is the Hyundai can’t race until July (as opposed to Mini’s set date of June 21st) because their driver is “preparing to set the record at Pikes Peak”.

Do you think Mini will dignify Hyundai with a response?

[Hyundai via Youtube]

What Does the SLS Compete With Anyway?

Autocar found out. Check it.

Not Giving Up: Mini Training 80′s Style For Porsche Race

Rumour: Next Gen Mitsubishi EVO to Be A Hybrid?

AutoCar is reporting that the next generation Mitsubishi EVO is going to be a hybrid. Before all you performance afficionados and EVO enthusiasts hang yourselves with that rope in the closet, the new hybrid set up is expected to be a diesel-hybrid. That means incredible amounts of wonderful torque, so don’t think for a minute that the EVO will turn into a lazy, yet efficient, dog.

Still not satisfied? Well it’s a take it or leave it situation apparently. The EVO is supposedly very close to being killed off due to all the gas it consumes and the new CAFE standards. The new diesel hybrid will ensure frugal gas abilities yet great performance. It will also cut CO2 emissions to 200 g/km.

0-100 is estimated to be under 5 seconds, but the real challenge will be to keep all that weight down and make it so it doesn’t upset the handling – of which many consider the EVO to be the best at.

[Autocar]

Volvo C60 Revealed!

Well this is a bit of a surprise.

To my knowledge (which is vast in terms of the auto industry – just a fact, not bragging) Volvo had no plans of replacing the C70 any time soon or making any coupe/convertible variants of the new 2011 S60. Apparently Volvo was quite secretive about this one though.

The image above was snapped at a private presentation of Volvo’s future models. Cell phones and cameras were banned for obvious reasons, but that didn’t stop a brave soul from sneaking one in and taking this pic.

We can see that Volvo will be retaining the hardtop that the C70 is famously known for (it folds in three pieces!). On top of that, it keeps a very simialr S60 front end, but it is expected to have revised tail lights.

For power, I’m happy to report that the new T6 that the C60′s four door brother has under the hood will make it over. One of the main gripes with the C70 was its lack of power. That should fix that issue just fine.

The C60 joins the 60-series lineup of the S60 sedan, XC60 crossover and V60 wagon.

[World Car Fans via Top Speed]

FAIL: Reporter Showcases His Apparent Lack of Strength

Oh, journalism. There were many times when I found myself doing a stand-up and something embarrassing would happen: a bird taking a shit on my microphone, or a fire alarm going off just as I was about to sign off. Luckily, it was never live, so I just would do another take.

Luckily for this reporter, his story also wasn’t live. According to him, it only takes someone a hammer, an empty parking lot and a few seconds to break into your car and steal it….but only if that person has enough upper body strength to actually break the glass.

After several hilarious attemps, we see that the reporter needs a gym membership as a fat oldler man was able to break the glass just fine. The reporter was able to eventually break the glass about a year later, but even then he had to use two hands.

Thanks for the hilarious FAIL, fellow journalist.

[Break.com]

Would You Want Jeremy Clarkson To House Sit For You?

Apparently most people in the UK would.

According to a recent survey, the top Top Gear host was voted most wanted celebrity for house sitting duties.  The runners up included BBC presenter Christine Bleakley, singer Christina Cole, and home improvement expert Sarah Beeny.

As much as I love and admire Clarkson, I don’t think I would ever want him house sitting for me. I’d probably come back to find a Ferrari V12 bolted to my lawnmower or Ford GT memorabilia decorated throughout the house. Or judging on how much he loves to make stuff explode, I’d probably come back to my house on fire with bits of it scattered all through Dartmouth.

If I had to choose a celebrity to house sit for me, it would have to be Beyonce, for obvious reasons.

[Money Supermarket]

Volkswagen Springs A Leak: 2011 Jetta Revealed

The official reveal of the 2011 Jetta wasn’t supposed to happen until tomorrow, but Auto Express apparently got their hands on some photos and decided the appropriate thing to do would be to leak them.

We saw spy shots a while back which pretty much revealed the entire design, but it’s nice to have official photos to look at.

There are no details for North American variants, but in Europe they will reportedly get a four engine choices: three gas engines ranging from 104 horsepower to 200 horsepower and a diesel. Speaking of the TDI, us Canucks will supposedly be getting the TDI version before the Amurricans do. Sweet deal.

The styling overall looks great, typical VW with non-flashy yet eye catching styling. The rear end styling is very Audi A4 and that’s definetly no a bad thing. I have a feeling VW is going to be setting the benchmark yet again in this segment for performance and refinement.

Two more pics after the jump.

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