Actually, with the dollar being where it is, and the RS4 being priced what it is, this is a surprisingly low price. Even if BMW charges you extra for things like a steering wheel and seats.

You could fill an entire blog just making fun of Popular Mechanics, but it really is like making fun of a retarded kid.

Anyone know how much the 6.1 weighs, fully dressed? I'm wondering how much of a weight penalty you'd pay for dropping the upcoming Diesel V8 Cummins which supposedly weighs 788lbs with hoses, chains, accessories etc.

And remember, there's a Polo GTI with the 1.8t too.

Sounds like a good idea. With all the upsizing and up-marketing of all the previous "small" cars, there's room for a truly small car down there at the bottom, just ask Honda and Toyota.

here's some engine porn of the ALMS version:

@AndyDuncan: Unfortunately, of course.

Pretty amazing, but since this is basically an awesome body slapped onto an existing ALMS platform, I doubt we'll see anything like it ever produced.

eww

@Bumblebee: I'm sure that mechanically it's just fine, but someone shoot the designers. It's hideous.

An "active" center diff is a big improvement from the stock WRX's viscous center diff, if the price is competitive, I smell a winner.

I'm guessing that was the AWD taurus?

With all that CNCed aluminum, they should be able to sell this thing at a profit for under, say $15k! I hear that stuff is cheap to make.

@Grifter: "that only 5'5" people can drive"

@Mrb00st: Seriously. Produce a high-quality luxury car with acceptably numb driving dynamics at a price point below your established competitors? *cough* lexus in the 90s *cough*. Toyota needs to watch out.

@jnostalgics: Yup, or at least a rear-biased AWD system and a turbo v6.

@ash78: Yeah it would accelerate slower for sure though a lot of the "tow rating" has to do with the strength of the frame, tranny, size of brakes etc, not just the overall gearing ratio. I wonder if you can still order the 3.73 as an option (I bet you can).

Good thing it's fast, people on the street won't get a decent look at it to tell how unbelievably ugly it is.

I never understood the "I have an automatic gearbox because I sit in traffic a lot".

Well, you know, because the Ridgeline sold so well...