City cars are absolutely crucial to European manufacturers. Since 1997, Ford has been a significant player with its very small Ka model. And I don't mean that Ford has been using the Ka nameplate since 1997. I mean the car has been, in large part, the same since 1997. Warmed, rewarmed, dried out, reheated… It was, at times, extremely popular thanks to an insanely low price and being one of the first very small cars (thanks to Richard Parry Jones) to actually handle well– really well in models like the SportKa. But after 11 years of the same old same old, Ford is finally bringing out a new version. It was co-developed with small-car expert Fiat, alongside their new 500; both of cars are based on Fiat's Panda platform. This raises a few eyebrows. While the Panda is exceptionally packaged and the 500 is painfully cute, neither are reported to be astonishing to drive. And considering driving fun and feel is Ford's European trump card, this is reason to be at least a little concerned. Interior and exterior are absolutely fine, but can't hold a candle to the new 500's retro sex appeal or adorable interior. There will no doubt be a range of engines, including small diesel and gas versions, and a hot ST model with some 150 horses. It makes its debut in Paris in the fall and its US debut never.

After Farago's good news yesterday from Ford corporate, we can bounce to even more good Blue Oval news today and I'm pretty much about to stroke with excitement. Ford has confirmed that the US will get its Fiesta compact car as a hatchback, not just the American-friendly and eye-unfriendly sedan. Since importing anything from Europe (cars, wine, cheese, deodorant) is currently cost-prohibitive, Ford will build the Fiesta in Mexico at – get this – a factory that previously built Ford F-Series for the Mexican market. Since pickup truck sales there are in the toilet as much as they are in the US, the factory is being converted to build the Fiesta and new Ford I-4 engines. That's right, they stopped overproducing a truck because sales weren't too hot and instead will be using it to make fuel-efficient cars and engines. Ford hasn't confirmed whether the hatchback Fiesta will be the three- or five-door version, but I'd bet dollars to donuts (really what does that mean) that it'll be the three-door. The biggest downside? It's coming in the proverbial "year 2010" as a 2011 model. That's two years away; Honda and Toyota will continue to chow down on Fit and Yaris sales (up 1.2 gazillion percent this year). This Fiesta is a car Ford needed in America yesterday last year two years ago and whether the ever-facelifted Focus can keep them afloat for that long, I don't know. But hey, if we make it to 2010, a Ford showroom with a Fiesta hatch and European-style Focus (also to be built in Mexico), and 350 horsepower Taurus will be hotter than Tricia Helfer. In Vegas. Meanwhile, hero of the day award to Alan Mulally. (source: Ford)

MINI's forthcoming Crossman cute ute is set to debut later this year at the Paris Auto Show. Spy images and details are already making the rounds on the autoblogosphere. Channel Four tells us that the Crossman is based on the next-generation generation of MINI platforms, which will accommodate larger variants like the Crossman. As a result, the MINI Ute is larger, rides about 80mm higher than a standard MINI and stretches over 12 feet long. The Crossman will offer BMW X-Drive AWD, although front wheel drive will most likely be the base configuration. An optional Efficient Dynamics start-stop system should help keep fuel efficiency reasonable. The Crossman will be closely related to BMW's forthcoming X1 baby ute (cannibalism much?). Both vehicles will be built in Austria by Magna Steyr. With a planned annual production of 80k units, there should be plenty of Crossmen available for those urban sophisticates who are willing to pay considerably more for a MINI that looks like it could handle a forest service road. The Crossman will be available stateside some time in… 2010.

As Katie Puckrik has pointed out, GM is not the only automaker working on HCCI technology. But, as Auto Express reports, GM could be the first company to outfit a production model with the sparkless technology. GM lent Auto Express a Vauxhall Vectra fitted with a 2.2 HCCI four-banger for a first drive, and in the process let slip that the engine would eventually find its way to the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. There is no indication as to exactly when the engine will debut, but the engine needs refinement and Auto Express guestimates that it's a good two years awawy from production. This news jives with what we've been hearing about GM taking Opel upmarket, and "democratizing technology" in the process. If GM takes the time to iron out the engines reported awkward transitions between normal and HCCI modes, the 43mpg promised by this 2.2 engine could make it a popular choice. Of course, we'll have to see if it is even offered in the US-market Saturn Aura. And check the pricing. And the reliability. And the real-world mileage. And, and, and.

Ford is bringing the Fiesta back to the US of A (AP via Yahoo!). Lke the Fusion, this American car will be Hecho en Mexico. Looks like UAW President Big Ron Gettlefinger didn't get far with his argument that Ford's U.S. plants are "competitive enough that the automaker could make money building its smallest cars in the U.S." Somehow I don't think the recent "independent" strike actions at multiple UAW factories bolstered his argument much. The last time Ford sold Fiestas in the homeland they were made in Germany, imported from 1978 through 1980. Almost nobody bought them, in part because Ford dealers didn't have a clue about selling the silly little things. Although a flop at home, worldwide the Fiesta has been a perennial best selling sub-compact. This latest version will go on sale in Europe, China and other markets before making it's way back home. Assuming gas prices stay high, the new Fiesta should find a strong welcome at your local Blue Oval dealer. The question is, what is taking so long? Why is China in on the initial roll out while the world's largest car market (yes that's still us) has to wait another two years?

Auto Motor und Sport's spy photographers spotted this near-production crew-cab version of Wolfsburg's global pickup undergoing street testing. Although VW has stayed true to its legacy of unnecessarily creative nomenclature, the "Robust" is a new day. First, it's a "real" VW, not a rebadged Toyota HiLux (i.e. the Taro which the Robust replaces). Second, VW won't be sending the Robust to America. VW's manufacturing the pickup in Germany, South Africa and Argentina aimed at the bounciest of developing-world roads. The engine offerings wouldn't have played well in Peoria anyway; the Robust will harbor four cylinders (gas and diesel) powerplants, with a V6 for "select markets." Volkswagen has threatened to take pickups seriously for some time. Aside from the infamous "Golfamino" of the 70's, the rebadged Toyota and a few over-the-top studies like the V10 diesel AAC concept, it's been all talk. The Robust's no-frills, (presumably) fuel efficient utilitarianism is a good place to start from scratch.

You read that right. Ford's 350hp turbocharged 3.5-liter Ford V6 (a.k.a. "EcoBoost") will appear under the hood of the 2010 Taurus. Scoop snapper Chris Doane (formerly of Brenda Priddy now of LeftLaneNews) provides the inside dope on the dope Taurus. The new model will put the power to the ground with all wheel-drive with appropriately upgraded suspension and wheels. Ford reckons that this special "SHO" or "ST" trim level will account for 12 to 15 percent of Taurii sales. So call it five percent. The heavy performance-oriented Mondeo will go head-to-head with such jewels as the Chevy Impala SS and maybe the Chrysler 300. While a blown Mondeo might be an exciting sounding car for domestic-leaning pistonheads who like affordable stealth speed, G8. Meanwhile, most civilians shopping for big family cars want good mileage and just enough power not to have to think about it. You can bet your mortgage money that the turbocharged six will appear in an upcoming Lincoln or three, where it belongs. Yes, even the D472 (Lincoln Flex). 

Exclusivity is as integral to Ferrari's branding strategy as blistering performance. Since the 1950's Ferrari has turned its cars over to a number of coachbuilders who have wrapped the Scuderia's finest in unique, emotive designs. Over the years, the relationship between Ferrari and its coachbuilders has evolved, and the design of recent factory Ferraris has been handled by traditional partner firms like Pininfarina. Recently limited-edition coachbuilt Ferraris have been making a comeback, as evidenced by such offerings as Pininfarina's $4m Enzo-based 612 P4/5 and 612K, and the Vandenbrink Design 599 GTO Mugello. But Motor Authority reports that Ferrari doesn't want to be left out of the tiny market of folks with the commitment to one-upmanship exquisite taste to pay millions extra for a wholly unique version of their favorite Ferrari model. Accordingly, the Scuderia will collaborate with its three favored design houses, Fioraventi, Pininfarina and Zagato to create a range of factory-approved one-off custom designs. Initially only the F430, 612 Scaglietti and Enzo will be eligible for the Italian design treatment, although if the program meets with sufficient approval, the newer 599 Fiorano and California may become eligible as well. Expect the well-dressed supercars to begin appearing in the second half of this year, led by a Fioraventi-designed offering.

Can you tell we're a little excited about the planned Toyota-Subaru joint RWD sports coupe? Well, the more we learn, the more we want to know, and luckily Edmunds Inside Line has some new info on the project. The coupe's RWD platform will be developed from Subaru's existing AWD architecture, and will be powered by "a revised version of (Subaru's) naturally aspirated boxer 2.0-liter unit generating around 220hp." We're guessing that Subies 2.0 won't make that many ponies without a turbo, so maybe Edmunds got the "naturally aspirated" part wrong. Since the Integra Type R is identified the project's performance benchmark, expect a 0-60 time of about 6 seconds. With 220hp pushing only 2,866 lbs. using an STI-sourced six-speed manual, it sounds like the Toyobaru is going to be up to task. And maybe it's time to stop calling it a Toyobaru. The coupe will be based on Subaru kit and built at Subaru's Gunma factory, while Toyota's main contributions will be in the areas of planning and quality control. In fact, the Toyota version (little more than revised exterior styling) won't even be offered outside of Japan. Then again, if you could buy a sub-3k pound, 220 hp RWD coupe from Subaru with ToMoCo quality control, why on earth would you be tempted by the same thing with a Toyota badge?

Just yesterday I was talking with a petrolhead buddy of mine. I mentioned the only new car on the horizon that I'm personally excited about: the new Fiat 500. And the Ford Flex, but that's another story. Then our conversation bogged down into the usual "Do you like oil on your driveway," "I don't have a driveway," "Hope you have a good mechanic," "What could possibly go wrong?" Italian car conversation. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is putting my mind at ease. Or not. That's right friends, he could make a decision on when and whether to re-launch Alfa Romeo in the States within the next six months. Part of the confusion is due to our incredible shrinking dollar; to make Alfa work in the US, some of the cars must be built here. And Fiat is in negotiations with various North American companies. The really wonderful news is that Marchionne thinks the 500 will be a "smash hit" here in America. And they'll either build it here, or at one of the existing Fiat plants in South America. Eventually.

The Detroit Free Press reports that a little-known loophole in California's greenhouse gas emissions standards will allow some foreign manufacturers to avoid meeting the tough standards. Under the 2004 rules set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), automakers averaging fewer than 60k annual unit sales in the Golden State would be exempt from the 2016 emissions standards. The Big 2.8 and Toyondissan would have to meet the 35mpg by 2016 standards; Volkswagen, Hyundai and (possibly) BMW would not. The loophole was revealed in discussion of a Senate bill designed to overturn the EPA's decision not to allow California to set its own emissions standards. GM spokesmouth Mark Kammer was unimpressed. "There's a lot of cherry-picking opportunities for a [foreign] manufacturer." The United Auto Workers' Legislative Director Alan Reuther also spoke on behalf of the his members' employers and… the planet. The loophole "undercuts the effort to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy. And it gives a major competitive advance to newer entrants into the auto market." CARB rules indicate that the exemption sales limit could drop to 4k units per year after 2016, but the proviso is not legally binding. At least not yet. 

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Alfa-Romeo boss Luca De Meo revealed plans to relaunch as a global brand, an effort which involves offering a new SUV in 2010 and eventually, hybrid options. With potential customers in China, Japan, Australia and the U.S.A. in mind, de Meo wants to increase volume with the Mi.To, earn respect with the 8C Competizione, go green with stop-start technology, and pander to American tastes with an SUV. The SUV, currently in development under the name CX-over, will be "compact" says de Meo, with a production goal of 40k units per year and a price of about $40k. De Meo seems unfazed by the dismal American market (particularly for SUVs), which Alfa will likely enter in 2010, saying he is "convinced that no brand can afford to not be represented there." De Meo admits that decisions about a dealer network haven't been made yet, and that the firm still needs a large sedan, an automatic transmission and a six-cylinder engine to achieve its strategic goals. Interestingly, Alfa will  forgo a major marketing campaign. "Alfa Romeo is not a brand that requires huge marketing budgets," says de Meo, "the brand is known worldwide." Yeah, for frequent breakdowns, insufficient dealer networks and head-spinning depreciation.  Saying Alfa will never be an "Eco-brand," de Meo nonetheless sees stop-start technology as an unobtrusive way to improve efficiency, and will offer it in 2009 or 2010. Hybrid options are much further off, and will come from Fiat's developments of the technology.

Just because you (and by "you" I mean us lucky auto journo types) won't be able to see the new prancing horse GT California until October at the Paris Auto Show, doesn't mean a fetish photographer can't. Employing the strange, up-the-skirt "teaser" tactics that Lutz and friends deployed with the new CTS, Ferrari has even produced a come-hither video complete with a Skinemax after hours soundtrack. But I'm not here to criticize Ferrari's advertising tactics. Oh wait, I am here to criticize Ferrari's advertising tactics. Still, it's Friday, the birds are chirping and this guy I know just picked-up a new M3. Point being: Ferrari's not talking to you anyhow. But just so we're clear, the GT California is only available as a hard top convertible and will be powered by a new-ish version of the 4.3-liter V8 that's already shared with nearly ever hot two-door in Italy (F430, Maser GranTurismo, Alfa 8C Competizione). I say new-ish because the relatively small eight-banger has a flat-crank and direct-injection, both of which combine to kick out 460 horses at a lofty 7,500 rpm and bring up 60 mph in four seconds flat, according to Motor Authority. The brakes are ceramic and the F1-style traction control system is the same as the 599. The big tech news: a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which of course sends power to the rear wheels, as God intended.

Autobild [print edition] reports that Ford of Europe is planning an upmarket four-door coupe. Ford's "CD" platform– upon which the Mondeo is based– is both highly flexible and expensive. So FoMoCo's using it for two generations of Mondeo (spanning 15 years) and spread it over numerous model variants. The new generation of Mondeo family members will be introduced in 2012 (what… not in 2010?), including the S-Max minivan, a station wagon, possibly a two-door convertible-coupe and an expanded seven- seater version of the successful Kuga CUV. The coupe version is a showcase for a new design motif featuring a segmented grille, new-shape headlights and geometric air intakes. (It looks ungainly on paper, but one can assume that Ford– or at least Andrei Avarvarii– will get it right.) The move upmarket will have technical elements as well: steering-based tracking control, radar-supported cruise control, automatic parking, micro-hybrid trickery and (relatively) clean Urea-supported AdBlu Diesel machines. Ford, we hardly know ye… Only one question: is there a market for yet another four-door pseudo-coupe, following the Mercedes CLS and the Passat CC?

The Aston Vantage is, for many junkies of the petrol, just pure car porn. Or car strip club, if you go to the dealer. Or car hooker, if you hit up an exotic car rental company for a day. It's just so sexy it hurts (I blame the jeans). In any case, Aston has set to update the engine in the V8 Vantage which was, in a commentary on our horsepower times, underpowered compared to competition. The former 4.3 liter engine (which some real goons claimed ran out of puff at times) is enlarged to 4.7 liters. Horsepower jumps from 380 to 420, and torque goes from 302 lb ft to 347 lb ft. Aston also claims there will be modest efficiency gains, since the war on cars is firing on all cylinders. The interior, which Jonny Lieberman told me is unsatisfactory considering the car's price, is also significantly upgraded (we'll bring you pictures the moment they surface). But if the power still isn't enough for you, you'll just have to wait for the V12 Vantage with the honking 12 pot from the DB9. Probably will sound great, but no need to cut into the car's balance like that.