Hot Hip and Trendy Cars for Campus Students and Youngsters

HONDA JAZZ

The new version combines the ergonomic interior space, versatility and economy of operation, together with increased dynamism. Last updated suspension ensures the quality and emphasizes fresh exterior and interior design. Designed by the European Research Center Honda and manufactured in the UK, Jazz Si expand the range of Jazz, helping to attract a new generation of consumers. also help to modify the car a stylish 16-inch alloy wheels in sporty style with a special,, low-profile tires, fog lights, dark tinted windows and direct the exhaust pipe. Inside Jazz Si is equipped with seats with improved lateral support, chipped black and silver fabric, which complement the sports steering wheel with leather sheath and shift lever with silver inserts. To prove that the essence of Jazz Si corresponds to its appearance, were revised suspension settings. Now, new shock absorbers combined with a broader anti-roll bar to improve straight-line motion and vibration control of the body. electric power steering system is changed to increase the sensitivity and responsiveness, which will assess drivers who prefer a more aggressive driving style. It is remarkable that all this was achieved without sacrificing one of the strengths of the Jazz – his impeccable and comfortable handling.  

Standard equipment includes Jazz Si: • automatic climate control; • cruise control; • front fog lights; • Rear LED flashlight combined type ; 

• remote control of radio on the steering wheel; 

• audio on 1CD with 6 speakers;• USB-input; 

• trip computer; 

• folding exterior mirrors, electrically; 

• height-adjustable seat; 

• Glass doors with electric hoist and function  for the driver; 

• Seat Magic Seats, which give the car a high ergonomics. 

CITROEN DS3

Inside the car there is plenty of standard equipment offered to keep drivers and passengers entertained. Power steering, central locking, stability control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and an advanced stereo with MP3 connectivity are all fitted as standard and buyers can choose to enhance their vehicle with a few additional extras. Rear parking sensors and climate control are standard features, as is climate control.

Unfortunately, Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in sat nav are no longer options on this model meaning buyers will need to make sacrifices when choosing their preferred model. Leather seats are also unavailable and a metallic paint finish still costs an extra £440 on top of the higher purchase price.

With an overall rating of five stars in the NCAP safety tests, the Citroen DS3 e-HDi 90hp Airdream DStyle Plus offers a great range of safety features to keep families content. Driver, passenger and front side airbags are all offered as standard features and this model also comes fitted with an immobiliser to deter thieves.

Practicality is fairly standard for a family car with a boot capacity of 285 litres expandable to 980 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The vehicle also comes with a three year warranty at 60,000 miles and a service is recommended every 12,500 miles meaning costs should remain fairly low.

KIA SOUL 

There are a lot of adjectives we could use to describe the 2012 Kia Soul, but "boring" isn't one of them. In fact, this quirky-looking compact hatchback gets even more interesting this year, with a number of upgrades that start with refreshed exterior styling. The general look remains, but there are new details like flashy LED running lights on the ! model. Yes, the whimsical "!" and "+" trim levels live on.

The interior gets similarly subtle updates, most of which bolster the Soul's already impressive lineup of available features. The steering wheel now telescopes, the materials are a bit nicer, the optional seat heaters get an additional setting and a navigation system is offered for the first time. As always, these items benefit from Kia's user-friendly controls.

More noteworthy are the Soul's mechanical upgrades, including a direct-injection 1.6-liter engine that's both more powerful and more fuel-efficient. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder has also been given a 22-horsepower shot in the arm, and both engines benefit from new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

The result is significantly better fuel economy, though it still falls short of some other compact hatchbacks. Still, a new Eco package available on automatic-equipped models should help in the fuel-saving endeavor, featuring stop-start technology that automatically shuts down the engine when you come to a stoplight and restarts it as soon as you lift your foot off the (now firmer and more reassuring) brake pedal. Another change concerns the steering, which is now electrically assisted.

Just because the 2012 Kia Soul is long on style doesn't mean it's short on practicality. With its modern look and pronounced center stack, the passenger cabin offers a nice balance between form and function. Upgraded materials and additional sound deadening for 2012 give the interior a higher-quality feel, while details like the available two-tone houndstooth upholstery give the Soul more flair than similarly priced competitors.

 Gauges and controls are well-placed and intuitive to use, even when fitted with new high-tech options like the voice-controlled Uvo infotainment system that allows you to control your cell phone, iPod and more with voice commands. The optional Infinity audio system's lighted speaker trim rings that flash to the beat of the music are admittedly a gimmick, but they're still kind of fun.

One of the side benefits of the Soul's boxy design is the abundant head- and legroom, even in the backseat. Behind those rear seatbacks are 19 cubic feet of cargo room, which grows to 53 cubic feet with both sections of the 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded down. While these numbers are on par with many competitors, folks who need maximum schlepping capacity should compare them to the Scion xB's cavernous 70-cubic-foot cargo hold.

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 

With its lower roof and more aggressive styling, the 2012 Beetle seems like a more natural candidate for the sport treatment than its bubbly predecessor. German tuner Abt saw this potential, an took the opportunity to come up with a suite of accessories to enhance the new model’s appeal. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the exterior graphics package might not be to everyone’s liking. But some of the available hardware should appeal to anyone that enjoys enthusiastic driving.

On the outside, the Abt Beetle features headlight “eyelids,” taillight covers and a rear license plate surround (apparently for the long, skinny Euro-style plates. To add additional styling flair, Abt offers a graphics package that includes carbon-look vinyl, and a red surround around the the side windows. Abt also offers an optional rear decklid spoiler.

For those more interested in performance than appearance, Abt offers an ECU upgrade that nets 40 more horsepower for the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, bringing the total to 240 hp. In addition to the engine software tuning, Abt offers a dual-outlet sport exhaust, and a suspension package designed to improve handling. Buyers can choose wheel sizes between 18 and 20 inches. To complement the new rolling stock, as well as improve braking performance, the Abt braking package includes new black-painted calipers with the company’s logo. 

AUDI A1 SPORTBACK 

 Sporty and efficient, youthful and communicative, emotional and individual. A new member of the successful A1 family is scheduled to launch in early 2012 - the five-door Audi A1 Sportback.

The Audi A1 Sportback, which will be rolling into showrooms in early 2012, is the five-door compact Audi for a young, urban public. The close relationship with its three-door sister model is evident in the design, the structure of the lightweight body and the dimensions of the new model, which measures 3.95 meters (12.96 ft) in length. It is several millimeters taller and thus offers more space in the rear seats. The Audi A1 Sportback comes standard with four seats. A fifth seat is available on request at no extra charge.

Buyers can choose between three TFSI gasoline and three TDI diesel engines producing between 63 kW (86 hp) and 136 kW (185 hp). Audi pairs some engines with the lightning-fast, seven-speed S tronic transmission.

The Audi A1 Sportback also features many high-end solutions in terms of controls and infotainment, including Audi connect. If the high-end media center MMI navigation plus is combined with the Bluetooth online car phone, the car can be connected to the Internet. 

The Audi A1 Sportback features a light and youthful interior that can be customized with fresh colors and many attractive design details to reflect the customer's own personal style. The base price for the five-door model is €16,950.

Charismatic: the exterior design

The Audi A1 Sportback takes up the design of the three-door A1. The engine hood and the rear hatch wrap around the body, the shoulder line encircles the entire car and the elegantly flowing roof with its integrated spoiler transitions to a steeply sloped C-pillar.

The front end is dominated by the large single-frame grille with its beveled upper corners. The headlights are also available with xenon plus lamps, and LEDs give the daytime running lights a homogenous appearance. The sculpted tail lights are also equipped with light-emitting diodes - in this case SuperRed LEDs.

Upon request, Audi will paint the roof line - the roof arch, the roof and the roof spoiler - in one of three contrasting colors. A choice of 12 paint finishes are available, including the new color Samoa Orange, which is exclusive to the Audi A1 Sportback. Another option is the S line exterior package with its smart, sporty details. The accessories program for the Audi A1 Sportback will later include kits with aerodynamic add-on parts and colorful decal sets.

The Audi A1 Sportback is 3.95 meters (12.96 ft) long and has a wheelbase of 2.47 meters (8.10 ft), just like the three-door model. It is six millimeters (0.24 in) wider and taller than the three-door model, however, at 1.75 meters (5.74 ft) and 1.42 meters (4.66 ft), respectively. Its aerodynamics have been fine-tuned so that the base version boasts a coefficient of drag of just 0.32.

Communicative: infotainment and Audi connect

A modular range of infotainment systems with components taken directly from the luxury class is available for the Audi A1 Sportback.

The first component is the optional concert radio with its SD card reader. It serves as the foundation for the connectivity package, which includes the Audi music interface, a Bluetooth telephone preparation kit and a navigation preparation kit. The customer can activate the latter at a later time. Audi also supplies the connectivity package as part of the media package. The next step up is the navigation package, in which the navigation feature is already enabled.

At the top of the line is MMI navigation plus, which sets new standards in the small compact segment. It includes a large hard disk, the MMI operating principle, a DVD drive and powerful voice control. The 6.5-inch monitor, which folds out from the instrument panel, displays three-dimensional graphics in high resolution.

Examples of the additional high-end complementary features available include a digital audio tuner and the 465-watt Bose surround sound system with 14 speakers. The front woofers are illuminated with LEDs. Bluetooth and wired interfaces are available for cellular phones and external players.

Another novelty in the segment is the Bluetooth online car phone that brings Audi connect, the new online services from Audi, to the A1 Sportback. These include navigation with images from Google Earth and Google Street View, specially prepared news, weather and travel information, web radio and voice-controlled POI search. A WLAN hotspot connects mobile devices on board to the Internet. Audi traffic information online provides a precise and up-to-the-minute picture of traffic on the chosen route.

TOYOTA YARIS 

 The 2012 Toyota Yaris is a subcompact economy car available as either a two- or four-door hatchback. The L and LE trims are offered in both these configurations, while the sporty SE trim is offered only as a four-door.

Standard features on the L include 15-inch steel wheels, an intermittent front mono-arm windshield wiper, a rear windshield wiper, power door locks, air-conditioning, four-way-adjustable front seats, a tilt steering wheel, a trip computer, a fold-down rear bench seat, a cargo cover and a four-speaker CD player with an auxiliary audio jack, a USB audio interface and satellite radio.

With the LE, you also get power windows, remote keyless entry, a six-way-adjustable driver seat, auxiliary steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, upgraded interior trim, a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat, Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, and an upgraded six-speaker sound system with HD radio. Those who opt for the SE trim get a sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, four-wheel disc brakes, a unique grille, foglamps, cruise control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and upgraded cloth upholstery.

Cruise control is the only option offered on the Yaris, and it's available solely on the LE trim.

Powertrains and Performance

The front-wheel-drive 2012 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with an output of 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a four-speed automatic available as an option. In an Edmunds test, a Yaris SE with the manual transmission took 9.3 seconds to reach 60 mph, a slightly quicker time than average for this class. An automatic-equipped car will likely be decidedly slower.

EPA estimates for the manual-equipped Yaris are 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined; with the automatic, these numbers dip to 30/35/32 mpg. As such, while not quite as frugal as the class-leading Accent (30/40/33), the Yaris sips less gas than most of the competition.

Safety

Standard safety features include antilock brakes (rear drums for all models except the SE, which gets four-wheel discs), traction and stability control, active front head restraints front seat side airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. In Edmunds brake testing, the Yaris stopped from 60 mph in 121 feet: an average distance for this segment.

Interior Design and Special Features

Front seats in the 2012 Toyota Yaris are well-padded and supportive, and perched high to afford clear views of the road ahead. Backseat accommodations are generous, with ample leg- and toe room. Though materials quality isn't particularly ambitious, there are some nicely grained plastics in evidence. And while the cabin design is simple and its control layout is familiar, it's all executed with a modern flair that catches the eye.

A four-speaker stereo is now standard equipment, and its crisp, sharp sound quality is better than average for this segment. A factory-installed navigation system isn't available; however, given that there are many portable and handheld models on the market that do the job for thousands less, we imagine that this omission won't be an issue for many shoppers.

Luggage capacity behind the rear seats in the four-door Yaris is 15.6 cubic feet, or about the same as a Fiesta. While this is a huge improvement over the previous generation, it's still less room than you'll find in the Fit (20.6 cubic feet), Accent (21.2 cubic feet) and Versa (17.8 cubic feet).

SUSZUKI SWIFT

Interior

The dashboard, door cards and headliner are shared with the Swift GLX, but the Sport gets its own unique instrument cluster, alloy pedals, red-stitched leather steering wheel and heavily-bolstered front sports seats.

For a slim gentleman like myself, the thick side bolsters are perfect. The seats hug the torso and provide excellent lateral support, which is ideal for a chuckable little hatchback like the Swift Sport.

Finding a comfortable driving position is easy thanks to the tilting and telescoping steering column, but the ratchet recliner would be better replaced by a conventional wheel to give a finer range of backrest adjustment.

Like all Swift variants, the back seats are a little on the small side, with limited knee and headroom for adult passengers.

Features

The Swift Sport is specced quite well, and comes standard with a proximity key, push-button starter, HID headlamps, foglamps, cruise control, Bluetooth, climate control, a six-speaker audio system with a USB input and iPod integration, and a trip computer.

In order to save weight, the space saver spare wheel of the regular Swift has been swapped for an inflator kit.

The Drive

The new M16A engine might be small, but it’s got a rev-happy personality and a reasonably strong mid range.

It features variable valve-timing and a variable-length inlet manifold, and the function of both is to fatten the torque curve without compromising top-end power.

They definitely work; the Sport picks up cleanly from low rpm and sings all the way to a 7000rpm redline. You can feel the effect of the variable-length manifold between 4000 and 4500rpm, but aside from that little ‘step’ the power delivery is very linear.

The six-speed gearbox has closely-spaced ratios to help make the most of the engine’s 100kW and 160Nm, and the clutch is light and the shifter-throw not too long.

The gate into fourth can be a bit notchy sometimes, but it’s a minor complaint.

A CVT automatic will be available within the next month; it will be the first time Suzuki has offered a self-shifting transmission in its flagship ‘hot hatch’. (None available at launch though, due to a supply delay for Australia-bound cars).

The launch route started in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and wound its way along a variety of sinuous mountain roads to Broadford.

Twisty rural backroads are the Swift Sport’s natural environment, and the new Sport absolutely eats them up.

On the road, the combination of a close-ratio gearbox and revvy engine is a delight. The Swift Sport loves to be driven hard, and provided you keep the revs above 4500rpm, hills are no problem.

The suspension is similar to that of the regular Swift, but with front and rear spring-rates 15 and and 30 percent higher respectively. The Monroe shock absorbers feature unique valving for the Sport model.

The rear torsion-beam axle is also slightly changed, with a stronger design and stiffer bushings providing minimal alignment changes when under load. Larger wheel bearings also offer improved durability .

It must be said that the suspension is firm, but not to the extent that it’ll rattle your fillings loose. On the lumpy country roads of the launch route the Sport had a well-damped ride, and traction was never an issue.

We also like the standard 17inch Bridgestone RE50s; they contribute a lot to the Sport’s sticky roadholding, yet aren’t too noisy on coarse tarmac.

Power steering is electrically-assisted; although accurate and responsive, the wheel is light and doesn’t transmit quite as much feedback to the driver as some might prefer.

We didn’t have an opportunity to drive the Sport in an urban setting at the launch, so around-town ride comfort has yet to be assessed.

GOLF 5 GTI

To power the Golf GTI, Volkswagen is using a newly developed 2.0 litre FSI Turbo engine. The 200 PS direct injection petrol unit with a high-compression ratio of 10.5:1 makes an ideal GTI engine thanks to its dynamic torque curve (280 Nm between 1 800 und 5 000 rpm). With a standard six-speed gearbox, the four cylinders accelerate the Golf GTI to 100 km/h in just 7.2 seconds. The GTI goes from 60 km/h to 100 km/h in 5th gear in only 7.5 seconds and reaches its maximum at 235 km/h. The Euro 4 engine has an average fuel consumption of a frugal 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The extremely quick dual clutch gearbox (DSG) for uninterrupted power in gear changes is available as an option. It enables the Golf GTI to charge to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds.

The Golf GTI has a powerful presence with an exterior design which is typical GTI: black radiator grille with red frame, striking front and roof edges and rear spoiler with twin tail pipes, distinctive 17 inch alloy wheels and red calipers on the four large disc brakes. The GTI look continues with a distinctive bumper, black widened sill panels, high-gloss B pillar trim, blue heat-reflective windows and darkened headlight housings. The Golf GTI exterior, and especially the front end, is also more distinct from the rest of the model series that ever before. Looking at the body lines in detail, the arrow-shaped contours of the bonnet flow unbroken into the newly designed, shield-shaped black radiator grille. The bumper below has three large air scoops supplying intake air to the GTI Turbo engine. Like the radiator grille, these are also covered by diamond mesh.

If there ever was such a thing as a classic interior, then the first Golf GTI of 1976 deserves that description. The interior of the new Golf GTI achieves a similar distinctiveness with present day technologies and styles. The seats, for instance, are newly designed for the GTI and offer maximum comfort with the best possible side support and sporty looks.The high seatbacks with integrated, but adjustable headrests underscore the interior's feel of functionality combined with sporting intent. The GTI logo stitched into the headrests is one of the perfect details rounding off the interior. Like the first Golf GTI, the new model has a three-spoke steering wheel with aluminium trim. Today it is even fitted as standard and is covered with perforated leather for a perfect grip. Aluminium is also a major feature of the gearstick knob, the trim inserts and the pedal cluster. Another hallmark of the GTI: the black headliner.

 The present Scion xB was introduced for 2008, featuring larger dimensions and more power than the first generation. It hasn't changed much since, though Scion added upgraded audio systems for 2010. The following year Scion added a telescoping feature for the steering wheel (previously it was tilt-only) that allows taller drivers to get more comfortable behind the wheel.

 SCION XB

The first-generation Scion xB was sold from 2004-'07. Initially it was sold only in California, and Scion gradually rolled it out to other big markets like Florida, New York and Texas. Nationwide sales began for the 2005 model year.

Standard equipment was better than average for a low-priced economy car, as every xB came with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, air-conditioning, an MP3-compatible CD player and power windows, mirrors and locks. Fifteen-inch steel wheels with your choice of plastic wheel covers were also standard, but you could get alloy wheels as a low-cost accessory. Side and head curtain airbags were optional.

The power source in every first-generation Scion xB was a 1.5-liter, inline-4-cylinder engine. In 2004 and '05, it was rated for 108 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque; however, for the 2006 model year, new SAE certification procedures dropped the rating to 103 hp and 101 lb-ft. The xB's engine and acceleration were unchanged, though. We recommend sticking with the five-speed manual transmission if you can, as it gives this xB respectable point-and-shoot capability in freeway traffic. Acceleration however, could be sluggish with the four-speed automatic.

For the 2006 model year, the xB's stereo head unit was redesigned to incorporate an MP3 player jack. Additionally, dedicated iPod owners have the option of purchasing a specialized unit that allows for player control and recharging through the xB's stereo controls. Other accessories to consider include a subwoofer, satellite radio, sport pedals and shift knob, and for the truly bored, backlit footwells and cupholders (in a variety of colors). A limited-edition Release Series 3.0 package for 2006 even provided a rear entertainment system with dual 7-inch LCD screens mounted in the front headrests.