Honda Vamos 2015 Right Side Step [3413700] on 2040-parts.com

Off the line: Fun cars and social responsibility Autoweek op-ed stands the test of time

It's been almost 21 years to the day that Autoweek printed Matt DeLorenzo's column “Off the Line: There's room for fast, fun cars in diet of social responsibility.” And in those two decades plus, not much has changed except the vehicles themselves. For example, sports cars like the Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Huayra have astronomically high performance and safety levels; similarly, sport-utility vehicles that haul entire families (and most of their earthly possessions) achieve fuel economy similar to that of 1970s midsize sedans. To read all of DeLorenzo's thoughts and his case for automobiles, click the links to download the article.

VW Beetle to get bigger seat

TThe successor to the New Beetle will arrive in 2012 with more space in the back seat and better packaging, said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. Speaking at a press event in Germany, he also said the next generation of the Beetle will be "more of a halo car" for the Volkswagen brand. And Jacoby said he expects the next Beetle to achieve higher sales.

Fiat 500 to spawn the 500X SUV / Crossover

The Fiat 500L (pictured) will turn in to the butch Fiat 500X SUV With the Fiat 500, 500C and 500L aiming to take on MINI, Fiat has decided the next step is a Countryman SUV 500 – the Fiat 500X. The two most successful reincarnations of iconic cars to hit the market have been the MINI and the Fiat 500. Both have managed to evoke the spirit of the original in a cohesive and appealing modern iteration.