This isn't the Audi A3 Cabrio. This is the new Cross Cabrio which will premiere at the LA motorshow this week. Unlike most concept cars, this one seems almost drivable with huge 380mm discs hiding behind a set of gorgeous multi spoke rims. The Cross Coupe Quattro shown in Shanghai earlier this year – previews the even smaller Q3 which will go head on against the BMW X1 that should go on sale in 2010.

While the three previous Audi Concept cars would probably make it to production relatively intact, it's unlike that the Cabrio would be able to remain unchanged before it goes on sale. The trademark massive grill will probably remain the same as would the hyper cool pilot lights situated below the front grill, but the fact that most of the pillars - bar the A pillar - are not in place leaves a lot of major question marks. Even BMW's previewed X3 concept had the decency to leave the B, C and D pillars in place; something which this Audi clearly disregards.
  Apparently the folding roof goes away in just 17 seconds. That's not all though, as in cabin refinement is set to take a new precedence with a bespoke intercom system with four individual microphones which will allow the passengers to communicate easily. Whether that is a good thing, depends on the kind of company you choose to ferry. Despite the fact that this is set to be a crossover vehicle, it makes little sense for the production ready version to sport the massive 21 inch wheels. Regardless, Audi claims that the concept shows the car in the lowest setting on the variable suspension option. At a touch of a button it'll raise itself a further 40mm in just four seconds. 

On the mention of size, the concept is expected to be in the same league as the BMW X3. It’s 4.62m long, 1.91m wide, 1.63m high, while the wheelbase is 2.81m in length: the X3 is 4569mm, 1853mm, 1674mm, and 2795mm respectively. Do we like the design? Well, it's hard to say, unless we're given a sneak peek of the car in the metal, these computer enhanced images isn't a fair guide to how it would fare against other similarly sized cars. There are some clear influnces of the Pikes Peak concept at the front and just a smidge of the new A4 at the back. All in all a solid interpretation of a modern crossover vehicle.

Photos courtesy of CAR Magazine

If it's an SUV? Why is it still being called a MINI? 

Just when we were recovering from the sick joke that Ferrari pulled on us with the SUV, MINI has decided to do one too. Recent spy photos show that development is underway, with mules spotted all around Germany last week. Although the mule was wearing a Clubman S body, there was clear indication that the higher ride height points to an entirely new range of models. The two strips attached to the top of the roof is a possibility that it's trying to simulate the added weight of an SUV. Is it ugly? Hell yeah, despite the styling still remaining undeniably MINI, the fact that so many iterations of the MINI are being churned out over the next few months isn't helping the iconic car's cause much.

Illustration courtesy of Leftlanenews.com

Bugatti Bentley

Bentley sources have confirmed that the company has built a prototype Arnage fitted with the Bugatti Veyron’s 987bhp quad-turbo W16 engine.
Bentley boss Franz-Josef Paefgen — who is also president of Bugatti — is thought to be the driving force behind the project. It’s unclear whether this experiment will ever find its way into the showrooms, or how such a huge amount of power can be contained in a rear-drive car.

But a detuned version of the unit could make sense in a production Arnage, and would create one of the most sought-after special edition British cars ever made.

The current Arnage’s 6.75-litre V8 pumps out up to 500bhp, while the Flying Spur’s W12 packs even more: 552bhp. It seems likely, then that Bentley will want the new Arnage to pull ahead of its stablemate and offer even more power. It also means that the new Arnage might well be able to top the Flying Spur's 200mph-plus top speed.

No, it's not the Fiat 500 with a bling face.

Ahead of the car's official debut at the Tokyo motorshow, Audi has unveiled the A1 - their take on BMW's highly successful MINI. Officially dubbed as the Audi Metroproject Quattro, the A1 is powered by the 1.4 TFSi engine seen in the Golf GT. As expected, the car also carries over the magnificent DSG gearbox - dubbed the S-Tronic - delivering 150bhp through the front wheels. Best of all is the electric motor; as the A1 is capable of running almost entirely on batteries. Estimated range is expected to be around the 100km mark - pretty good distance considering the lithium-ion (as found in your mobile phones) batteries can be charged from almost any home socket.