Sure, I love my car, and I haven’t even owned it for a year yet, but that won’t stop me from pondering my next auto purchase.  Just about everyone loves to imagine themselves in a newer, or simply, a different car now and then.  I haven’t even cracked 50k miles on my 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg yet (although I’m getting close), so we’ve still got a lot of time to spend together.  This means, practically speaking, my next car purchase is years away.  And that’s ok, because the object of my affection has just been introduced as a concept.

Audi unveiled its new A3 Sedan Concept to the world at the Geneva Auto Show this week, and it’s an absolute beauty.  I already liked the A3 in its current form and, in fact, considered buying one while I was car shopping last year.  I’m a huge fan of Audi’s styling over the past decade, and this new little sedan seems to have all their best attributes combined in just the right ways.  As I browsed through photos, wishing I could have seen it in person, it occurred to me that it looks great from every angle.

I’ve become quite used to the compact-ness of my Jetta, but certainly wouldn’t mind cramming a heap of luxury into it.  The A3 sedan appears to be a nice balance of sportiness and style, but with all the comfort and features you would expect from the German brand.  All I’m saying is, at the end of my (hopefully long and fulfilling) relationship with my Wolfsburg, I’ll be hoping Audi decided to produce this striking concept.

[images - autoblog]

[Autoblog]

[Autocar]

Here’s the perfect valentine’s day gift for the living room that has everything.  A Lamborghini couch.  I know what you’re thinking –  ”I MUST have one!”  Well, you’re in luck, because it’s for sale now on Jameslist.  That’s right, this isn’t just your everyday el-cheapo craigslist Toyota couch.  It’s got extremely low miles and a manual gearbox, which, you know is going make movie watching much more thrilling.  I had a Ford couch back in college with an automatic… not nearly as fun, but decent in the snow.  $5,500 will get you this 2010 model in bright yellow, with what appears to be black leather.  If that’s out of your league, you may still be in luck.  There have been rumors that Lamborghini will introduce a love seat in the 2011 model year.  The price tag is expected to come in just below $4,500.  I think I will be worth the wait.

In addition to recalling millions of vehicles for floor mat / gas pedal interference and sticky throttles, Toyota announced today that it has halted sales of 8 members of its lineup.  Dealerships have been ordered to stop selling the following models:

2009–2010 RAV4
2009–2010 Corolla
2009–2010 Matrix
2005–2010 Avalon
2007–2010 Camrys (certain variations)
2010 Highlander
2007–2010 Tundra
2008–2010 Sequoia

Toyota has not developed a final solution for the problems, and has decided not to sell recalled vehicles.  Additionally, Toyota will suspend production of additional vehicles with the same problem, until they reach a decision on how to solve this.  A total of 2.3 million Toyotas have been recalled for sticky accelerators, and another 3.8 million have been recalled for interference between the floor mat and gas pedal.  Car and Driver notes that about 1.7 million vehicles fall into both categories.

I’m not sure how this can be anything but devastating for Toyota.  Their image of quality and reliability is forever tainted.  The fact that they have stopped sales of 8 different vehicles is going to scare lots of people away for a long time.  General Motors is already trying to attract such people to the showrooms of their own dealerships.  It seems that many of the auto makers infamous for bad quality have made great improvements in the last decade or so, but this is a huge step backwards for Toyota.

[Car and Driver]
[Image: Toyota]

According to sources of autoblog, the Golf R will become available in the U.S. later this year.  Its 2.0-L, turbocharged engine cranks out a respectable 265 hp, propelling the little Golf to a top speed of 155 mph.  The manual gearbox will get you from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, and the dual-clutch version will shave off another 0.2 seconds.  Not bad, considering the R tips the scales at about 3400 lbs.  Bi-xenon headlights and up to 19″ wheels complete a very attractive exterior look.  With a car like this on the market, Chevy’s Aveo RS better be pretty freakin’ sweet.  Just sayin…  See for yourself in the gallery below.

[autoblog]

Autoblog’s photographers have spied a Porsche 911 test car with a few subtle styling updates.  Not much appears to be changing, aside from the mirrors and indicator lights, which will apparently use LEDs.  I was just discussing the beauty of the Porsche 911 with my friend earlier today.  In my opinion, they’re tough to beat in terms of looks.  He doesn’t completely agree, and that’s ok.  He won’t mind a little drool in my keyboard anyway.  Check out the gallery after the jump.

[autoblog]

As if you haven’t already heard enough about the GM – Saab negotiations, they’ve made the news again today.  GM and Spyker confirmed an agreement between the two on the sale of the Saab brand.  This deal will result in the creation of a new company – Saab Spyker Automobiles.  The two parties have combined their efforts to ensure a future for the Saab legacy, and it’s looking like that will happen.

Spyker, with the help of a European Bank, has managed to come up with the funds to convince GM that the brand should live on.  There are still plenty of details to be worked out, so stay tuned for more updates on Saab’s re-birth.  I’m looking forward to seeing the new 9-5 become a reality.

[General Motors]

[Image: Saab]

[AUTOCAR]