I drive a station wagon and I'm proud. Still, there's two too many doors for my liking. I want the tailgate for loading and unloading precious cargo, but I really don't care about those getting in and out of the back. Casue I'm a jerk. I would of course just go and buy a shooting brake, but parts for Reliant Scimitars, BMW Z3 Coupes and Alfa Romeo Breras are getting harder and harder to come by. Last week we heard reports of a Mercedes-Benz CLK shooting brake and earlier today Little Eddie Niedermeyer shared with us the joy that will (one day) be the BMW 3-Series Shooting Brake . But, as Yoda would say, there is another. Yup, Motor Authority is also showing off pictures of Audi's A3 Sportback. In the pictures, the A3 Sportback looks like a squared off Golf Rabbit. However I did catch a prototype running around Los Angeles not too long ago and am happy to report it looks much better in the flesh. More muscular, chunkier, sportier — looks-wise, everything one would want in a 3-door wagon. Plus, with an available 265 hp motor, DSG and AWD, you know it's going to go like stink, too.

Rendered speculation at Motor Authority by the usually on-point Schulte Design shows us a new Bimmer that is neither fish nor fowl. Let's savor this latest X-6-esque, "what the Hell is this supposed to be?" moment. This is not (nor will it ever be) the 3-series coupe. It's not a 1-series hatch. It's not a two-door X3 coupe. It's a shooting brake! It's not clear if the, uh, hatch will earn this model a premium over the regular 3-series coupe, or if it's some kind of weird ass budget model. This indecision is reflected perfectly in the car's incoherent rear-quarter, with Banglian lines and surfaces evoking bad memories of the Z3 coupe. The X6 shows that BMW is trying to infill its product lines with new packaging, and this study continues that trend. As nice as it is to get a gander at the face of the new 3-series (if that's what this is), I'd rather BMW leave this one in Munich and send over a 1-series hatch instead.

One of the fastest rising stars in the auto-journo biz, Matt Hardigree, got a chance to pilot the not-quite-yet-on-our-shores Suzuki Swift around Jake and Elwood's old stomping ground, Joliet, Illinois. His take? This is not your junior high science teacher's crap-box Geo Metro. As you are well aware, and as Hardigree points out, American streets will soon be filled with Ford Fiestas and Mazda2s (and hopefully Fiat 500s!). Therefore Suzuki would be wise to bring their competitive world car over here and cash in on our rapidly rising gas prices. Mr. Hardigree got his grubby mitts on the slushbox Swift, which coupled with a 100 (or so) horsepower 1.5-liter mill, wasn't exactly noteworthy on the straights. But he did like it "batting around corners." Seeing as how the Swift weighs in at just 2,400 pounds, I'll go ahead and predict that the manny-tranny version would be quite a sweet little package. Especially if they ditch the rear drums for disks when it finally comes our way.

If you know me, you know I like Suzuki's SX4. A lot. In fact I'm making my girlfriend cross shop the SX4 for when her dying Focus finally gives up the ghost. But what about me? No, I wouldn't buy an SX4 because I'm a leadfoot. But what if Suzuki and Road Race Motorsports got together and slapped a turbo kit on the SX4, boosting power from 143 hp to 221 hp and torque from 136 lb-ft to 208 lb-ft? Where do I sign up? We're talking about the new SX4t Concept (the "t" stands for Turbo) and along with much more grunt they're throwing in sport springs, 17" Rota wheels, a carbon fiber hood and a decidedly oddball-looking paint job. They also yanked off the roof rack. Inside you get drilled pedals, sports seats and a proper wheel. For anyone tsk-tsking the fact that a WRX wagon has more power than this amped-up tuner, please remember that the WRX tips the scales at 3,252 lbs, whereas the SX4 is just 2,800 lbs. Expect the kit to add $5,400 to the SX4's price, bringing the total to $21,000. That's still less than a MazdaSpeed3 and you get standard AWD. Once again, where do I sign up?

At the Geneva Auto Show, VW showed off its 70mpg diesel-hybrid Golf Concept. The German automaker promised that "the model wouldn't just stay a show car". According to the in-depth preview of the Golf VI in the March 27 issue of Auto, Motor und Sport (print edition only), the "forward-looking diesel-hybrid is already a thing of the past." The culprit (once again): it's too expensive. "Eventually" there will be a hybrid Golf, but it will be a gasser, using the 1.4 TSI engine. In the shorter term, VW will rely on further engine downsizing and an optional start-stop system to meet efficiency targets. The Golf VI, which hits European streets this fall, will never see the USA anyway (except in GTI form, perhaps). In a contrast to the platform-globalization programs of the most other big manufacturers, VW is developing lower-cost replacements for the Rabbit and Passat to be produced in their future US plant. The current Passat costs $4k more than the (Camcord) competition, according to VW. Look to a return of twist-beam rear axles.

I've just realized something: I know more about the black-clad, heavily disguised Ferrari mule than I do about GM's Lambda platform. Motor Authority is reporting a bunch of new, presumptive info about what the test-mule may or may not actually be. So I'm thinking we should just get every rumor on the table front and center. Right? Right. Rumor 1: It's the new Dino. Yes friends, Ferrari is reviving their budget brand and you're looking at it. Except they're not and therefore it's not. Rumor 2: It will slot in below the F430. Ah yes, a Dino in everything but name. And the name would be Ferrari and it would go head to head with the Porsche GT3s and Aston Martin V8s of the world. Plus, how can you beat the Ferrari badge? Looks like this rumor's false, too. Rumor 3: It's a new 2+2, similar in zeitgeist to the old Mondial, featuring a folding hard top, a 500+ hp direct injected 4.7-liter V8 and (of course) a dual-clutch gearbox. Ferrari will call it the California GT. We have no idea if Rumor 3 is more accurate than the others, but currently there exists less evidence to refute it. And just for fun, I'd like to float another one. Rumor 4: The black-clad mule is actually a revival of the Ferrari Breadvan. First of all, who wouldn't want to pay homage to what's possibly the greatest Ferrari of them all? Remember, the Breadvan was built by none other than Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini after he and the 250 GTO team were booted out by Enzo's wife during the famed Palace Revolt. Starting with a 250 GT SWB, Bizzarrini brought the Breadvan up to GTO specs (who better?) but then lightened it. The Breadvan was leading all Ferrari GTOs at the 1962 LeMans when it was forced out by mechanical failure. Second, just look at the shape. This mule is totally a shooting brake. Isn't it?

Yet another major manufacturer is jumping into the entry-level segment defined by Tata Motors' Nano subcompact. Reuters reports that Mitsubishi is developing a low-cost car for the Chinese and Thai markets, based on its Kei-class city car platform. Mitsu Prez Osamu Masuko announced the project at the Beijing Auto Show. "The mini vehicle business in a sense is a weakness because they are only sold in Japan," Masuko said. "But we can turn this into a strength by building a global car using the platform." The Japanese government-mandated 660cc engine will be replaced by a one-liter unit for export, with the resulting ride priced at just shy of $10k. With North American sales plummeting, Mitsubishi is joining the industry trend of looking to developing markets for sales, both from entry-level models and as a partner to suppliers of engines for Chinese manufacturers. Mitsubishi's Chinese engine factory partners will be increasing capacity to some 900k units per year, up from 470k, as Chinese demand booms.

For those attending the 36th ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race 2008 in May, Toyota has a treat for you. Motor Authority is reporting that a prototype racing version of the as yet to finalized LF-A uber-Lexus will be running round the 'Ring. This impresses us because any 24 Hour race is murder on a vehicle. But one at the Nurburgring? That borders on suicidal. Which we like. The final production specs haven't been released/announced yet, but just to jog your memory we're talking about a 4.8-liter V10 kicking out more than 500 horsepower that powers the hot Lexus to more than 200 mph. This prototype racer raises the bar with bigger wheels and brakes, a Superbird-inspired rear wing, tenny-tiny racing style side mirrors; and at least a dozen new inlets, scallops and scoops. Plus, the inside is stuffed with carbon fiber and a roll cage. With the soon-to-be on sale Spec-V version of the Nissan GT-R already lapping the Nurburgring in an insane 7:25 and most likely embarrassing the hell out of Chevy ZR-1 Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter's claim that the Blue Devil will, "beat any production car's track record anywhere in the world," what on earth will this Lexus test mule kick up? (Who cares that the video voiceover is Japanese– just listen to that engine!)

Rather than let the Fusion expire on the proverbial vine, Ford is rolling-out updates to the midsize, Gillette-faced sedan that racked-up 149,552 sales last year (up 4.9 percent from '06). The Fusion's 2.3-liter four-cylinder workhorse is headed for a condo in Florida. The new four-pot: a 2.5-liter I4 mated to a six-speed automatic (booya!). No word if a manual will still be available, but the magic 8 ball says "don't get your hopes up." Meanwhile, Ford was raising dealers' expectations, promising best-in-class fuel economy for Ye Olde Fusion. That'd be north of 32 mpg highway. Power also rises from 160 to 170 horsepower (the unrevealed torque curve will really tell the story of the bump in displacement). Ford also announced they're preparing a more powerful V6 mill for the Mariner and Escape SUVs, most likely a version of the corporate 3.5-liter V6. If true, the Fusion and Milan would also probably upgrade to the new V6 (although this was not announced at the dealer event).

If I were Toyota, I'd be shaking in my boots right about now. Sure, Scion seemed like a good idea few years back when ToMoCo realized its buyers' median age was seeping into Buick territory. Being charitable, one could call Toyota's youth brand an interesting experiment. Being honest, Scion is schizophrenic. And the kids ain't buying. And now they have some soon-to-be serious competition. Autoweek is reporting that Honda is launching a new "sub-brand" called Li Nian, which apparently means "subject" in Chinese. You're looking at an unnamed concept built off the global City/Fit platform in conjunction with Honda's Chinese partner Guangzhou Honda. The new brand will launch first in emerging markets (China, India) before eventually showing-up here in the States. Getting back to Toyota being frightened — kids might actually enjoy driving a sporty, inexpensive Fit-derivative– as opposed to a de-contented, lousy to drive Corolla hand-me-down. Li Nians should start rolling into dealerships near the guy that took your job in 2010. [There's that date again…]

An internet website called Autoblog is reporting (through the hilarious power of Google translate) that Chinese battery firm BYD will unveil a plug-in EV minivan next week. The e6 strikes the Autoblog crew as reminiscent of a J-Market Honda Odyssey. On the whole, you have to admit the comparison reflects pretty well on a company that was building cell phone batteries not so long ago. But enough of my gushing, on to the stats: 186 mile range on full charge (220V), 0-62 in 10 seconds, and a top speed of 99 mph. Details on the recharging process are "dodgy," as Autoblog calls the translated hilarity. "The battery slowly filling civilian 220 V power supply; fast charge for the three C rechargeable battery, about 15 minutes can be a battery 80%," is the official word. But don't worry, the safety is fine. "The car carrying iron batteries at high temperatures, high pressure, impact tests testing, safety performance is very good, will not be explosions." Autoblog gives BYD the benefit of the considerable doubt, by assuming these "iron batteries" which "will not be explosions" are, in fact, lithium ion batteries. Why don't we all just wait until it gets an official launch in Beijing next week? After all, "e6 will be one or two years before the formal launch…" 

Autocar reports that Acura is finalizing the redesign of their new, front-engined NSX. The latter-day version of the Ayrton Senna-fettled "everyday supercar" will lead the luxury brand's charge into the Eurozone come 2010. Pistonheads may recall that the new NSX was supposed to debut at last year's Tokyo Auto Show. Honda's bosses were unimpressed with the final design; they've pushed the release back a year. The nose of the 550hp V10-powered monster has received special attention. Sources inside Honda tell Autocar that "it now has Chevrolet Corvette overtones." The NSX will be followed by a range of rear wheel-drive (RWD) sedans. First out of the box: a 7-series-fighter set to debut in 2015. And then, perhaps, they'll release an S2000-based sportscar aimed at Mercede's SLK. Acura faces an uphill battle in establishing a foothold in Europe's brand-loyal luxury market. But a revamped lineup of capable, RWD performance machines can only help.

Wired Magazine's Autopia blog reports on Ford's use of nanotechnology to lighten cars and improve fuel efficiency. Ford announced its efforts to harness the manipulation of materials properties at the atomic level at the 2008 SAE Conference, estimating 70 percent of its automotive materials will be modified or redefined by nanotechnology by 2015. Fords says its nano-scientists (speciality, not size) are working to reduce vehicle weight by 250 to 750 pounds across the board. Ford will also be exploringnanotechnology to create brighter, non-chipping, heat-dissipating paint and improved alloys for engine castings. A German Ford lab has already developed a nano-coating spray which could replace cast-iron cylinder liners. Bringing the cost down on such bleeding-edge developments will be a major issue. But Ford's goal of significantly lightening its entire fleet is laudable. Lighter cars are more efficient, handle better and accelerate faster… Who doesn't want more of that?

Auto Express has new details and a rendering "produced using exclusive insider information" of VW's new city car, the up! Shown in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt IAS, the up! is a rear-engined city car, powered by a 600cc turbocharged two-pot engine in both diesel and gas form. Eco-friendly is the name of the game for the up!, which is targeting 100g of C02 per km driven and an eye-popping 94mpg. The rear-engine design is not in aid of tail-happy hoon potential, but rather improving crumple zones. A five-door MPV version is also planned, although it will likely have the same height and wheelbase as the tiny three-door. The up! will go on sale first in emerging markets like China and India, where stripped-out versions will retail for about $8k. More luxurious versions will head to Europe later, including rebadged SEAT and Skoda models that will run consumers nearly $15k. With the success of Fiat's 500, BMW's MINI, Daimler's SMART and (presumably) Toyota's iQ, the subcompact city car market is finally approaching maturity. [Ed: We resisted saying the only way is up! Because it isn't. Obviously.]