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World Car Of The Year down to its final four

Judges for the World Car of the Year Award have narrowed down the finalists to just four vehicles. Out of a total of 42 entries, only the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT-86 and Volkswagen Golf remain standing. For Volkswagen, this marks the second consecutive year the company has had an entry among the finalists, and the fourth time since 2009. In order to qualify, a vehicle must be on sale on two continents during the span of time between January 1, 2013 and May 30, 2013. A panel of 66 journalists from 23 countries then vote on the finalists.
Three vehicles have made the cut for the last round of voting on the 2013 World Performance Car as well, with the Cayman/Boxster and FR-S/BRZ/GT-86 running against the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. Meanwhile, the Renault Zoe, Tesla Model S and Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid are duking it out for the World Green Car Award. Finally, the World Car Design of the Year Award is up for grabs between the Aston Martin Vanquish, Jaguar F-Type, and the Mazda6. Check out the full press release below. Overall winners will be presented at the 2013 New York Auto Show.

2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR is black and yellow, black and yellow

Way back in 1973, Volkswagen decided it was high time to take the loveable air-cooled Bug racing. No, it wasn't painted in Herbie colors - Volkswagen called its sport-tuned machine the Beetle GSR, "Gelb Schwarzer Renner" or "Yellow Black Racer." Hence, the somewhat shocking paint scheme.
VW is bringing its sporty black and yellow Beetle back for 2014, and you can see live photos of it above. It's got a 210-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood (that'd be the hood up front, unlike the car's forebear), and a six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmission sends those ponies to the front wheels. Note that this car's output is up 10 horses on other turbo VWs, and the Jetta GLI and Beetle Turbo for 2013. The 0-60 run takes 6.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 130 miles per hour.
Besides the in-your-face black and yellow paint, the GSR is outfitted with a large rear spoiler and 19-inch wheels shod with 235/40 tires. The bee-like hue carries over inside, with yellow stitching on black leather. Only 3,500 will be produced, each with its own unique plaque. Pricing has not yet been announced, but you're free to read through the press release below all the same.

2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition brings exclusivity to the granddaddy of hot hatches

The Volkswagen booth at this year's Chicago Auto Show was filled with various special edition models of the Beetle and GTI. In addition to the GTI Wolfsburg Edition, the Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition helps to wrap up the 2013 model year as VW readies the all-new MkVII Golf next year.
Only 3,000 of the GTI Driver's Edition models will be produced in four-door body style only, and the available color palette will be limited to just Candy White, Carbon Steel Gray and Deep Black. The package will come standard with the GTI's Sunroof and Navigation package, and it will add unique features such as the 18-inch "Laguna" wheels, a golf-ball shift knob, partial leather seats and red-stitching on the carpeted floor mats. Buyers of this package will also get a certificate of authenticity and some GTI swag such as a hat, keychain and parking sign.
Starting price for the 2013 Volkswagen GTI Driver's Edition is $29,695 with the six-speed manual and $30,795 if you choose the DSG - both prices exclude destination charges.