When you’re young, fun takes priority over function. Once age sets in, function gets the nod.

That’s the finding of a nationwide survey by TRU, a Northbrook, Ill.-based subsidiary of Research International USA, which specializes in the buying behavior and trends of two of the nation’s most sought-after age groups by those with products to sell: teens and 20-somethings.

In its latest survey, TRU asked youth what new vehicle they most want to buy — with one stipulation: To keep the kids from simply inking “Lamborghini” on the dotted line and returning to their iPods, their desired car had to be one they could buy if they’d socked away enough money on their own or if their parents opened the checkbook.

Teens picked the sporty Ford Mustang first, while the 20-somethings went with the practical Honda Civic.

“Mustang pops up as No. 1 among teens because it’s a lot of fun and the parents usually pay the insurance and hand the kids their gasoline credit card,” said TRU spokesman Rob Callender. “Civic pops up among the older 20-somethings because they pay for their own insurance and gas, so function takes priority.”

Among teens, the most desired cars in order of preference were the Mustang, Civic (to customize), Honda Accord, Volkswagen Beetle, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Chevy Impala, Ford Focus, Ford F-150 pickup, Jeep Wrangler, Chevy Silverado pickup, VW Jetta and Nissan Maxima.

Among 20-somethings, the Beetle, Wrangler and Focus were missing.

“Beetle is only popular among teen girls, not teen guys or any 20-something, regardless of gender,” Callender said.

Also noticeable in their absence were any full-size SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade, which only two years ago was the most sought-after SUV by youth who wanted to make a statement.

“Escalade lost its cachet when gas prices rose,” Callender said, noting that only one SUV was listed be either age group, and that was the compact Wrangler.

Though teens aspire to own a Mustang, that doesn’t mean one will end up in their driveway.

“Teens may aspire to the Mustang, but the parents often buy the Civic,” Callender said. “With 20-somethings, the budget holds the veto power over what they buy, but with teens, parents hold the veto power.”

After Audi unveiled the almighty R8 V12 TDI at the Detroit Auto Show, I asked the obvious question and they made it clear that they had no plans to build a production version. Now that the disappointment has subsided somewhat, Audi is offering up a consolation prize, although it’s not known yet if the US market will get a crack at it. For the first time since the original TT debuted ten years ago, Audi will be offering a version with a diesel engine. A 170 hp, 258 lb-ft 2.0L TDI will be available in both the TT Coupe and Roadster. Putting the torque down through all four wheels by way of a six-speed manual gearbox, the coupe will run 0-62 mph in 7.5 sec, with the ragtop accomplishing the feat in 7.7sec. While by no means blistering speeds, the nature of diesel engine torque will mean that the TTs will feel quick everywhere. The real upside to all of this is the fuel economy of this claimed world’s first diesel sports car. The lighter, more aerodynamic coupe will be capable of 44.3 mpg while the convertible is just behind again at 42.7. Pretty impressive when gas prices as likely to go ever higher.

You’ll find Pioneer sound systems in vehicles of all shapes and sizes, but this is something entirely different. To garner some attention and demonstrate its latest multimedia equipment, Pioneer has created a one-of-a-kind MINI pick-up in pure Cooper-mino style.

The vehicle, as you can see, is all decked out in chocolate brown and white. Pioneer started with a MINI Cabrio and fitted a unique, miniscule, covered cargo bed to house all the electronics and blend in with the custom white roof – because what would a custom MINI be without a white roof – with a surfboard mounted atop. 18″ powder-coated white wheels complement the accents, held on with a Spax sport suspension that drops the ride height by 60mm. MS Design helped round out the look with an aero kit, and there’s a Remus center-exit exhaust out back. Inside, Pioneer has fitted all its latest equipment, including two optical drives, 3 subwoofers, four amplifiers and a whole mess of speakers we couldn’t even count. Of course it’s iPod-compatible, and the show car has a Nano mounted front and center atop the white center stack. Brown and white Recaro racing buckets and steering wheel round out the interior of this very unique MINI with an assuredly mega sound, which Pioneer will be demonstrating in a few days at the Paris Tuning Show.

Everyone has one: The old beater you’ve had since high school, the first car you could never get rid of, the project stuck on cinderblocks in your backyard. Well, keeping that tired old jalopy is no longer just a sign of mercy — it’s the popular thing to do.

According to the Associated Press, people these days are keeping their cars longer than ever. If 10 years seems like a long time to own a car, well, it is, but it’s also just above the median age of the average car on U.S. roads: 9.2 years. Trucks have an average road life of 7.1 years.

Causes for the beater invasion? A bad economy, longer warranties and the increasing durability of quality-made vehicles are among the reasons, not to mention the comparatively relaxed long-term loans more car buyers are choosing. So, not to fear: If your car’s 10 years old, that’s OK. Everyone else’s is, too.

The 2009 Nissan Murano was the best performer in new crash tests of midsize sport-utility vehicles, while the Hummer H3 posted one of the poorest showings, results released Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicated.

The institute, which is funded by the insurance industry, said the redesigned Murano was the only vehicle among the nine tested to receive the highest rating in front, side and rear crash tests. It praised Nissan for making electronic stability control standard on the 2009 Murano. The system helps prevent swerving.

General Motors’ (GM) H3 was the only vehicle in the group that didn’t receive the top rating for frontal-crash protection. It earned the second-highest rating of “acceptable” because the test indicated a high likelihood of injury to the driver’s right leg. The H3 also received an “acceptable” rating in the side crash test and the worst rating of “poor” in the rear crash test.

A message seeking comment was left Monday with GM.

The institute said it downgraded side crash results for the H3, Kia’s Sorento and Chrysler’s Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro — which are built on the same platform — because they lacked air bags that protected the torso. All three had curtain air bags that protected the head. But the tests indicated a likelihood of injuries to the driver’s rib cage.

The Jeep Wrangler also received a low rating for side protection because its side air bags are optional. It was the only vehicle in the group without standard side air bags.

Besides the H3, worst performers in the rear crash test were the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro. The Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki XL7, Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9 got the second-lowest rating of “marginal” on that test.

The redesigned 2009 Nissan Murano has earned a Top Safety Pick rating among 10 midsize SUVs crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Murano was the only SUV to get a Top Safety Pick honor by scoring Good in all three crash tests. (Results in front, side and rear crash tests by IIHS are rated as Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor.) The 2008 Mazda CX-7 and Mazda CX-9, as well as the 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor, fell short of the Top Safety Pick rating, IIHS says, because head-rest protection in rear crash tests was rated Marginal in the Mazdas and Poor in the Mitsubishi.

Though many would classify the Murano, CX-7 and CX-9 as crossovers, IIHS classifies them as SUVs.

The Kia Sorento was the only vehicle to get the lowest rating, Poor, in side-impact tests, even with its standard side airbags. The Jeep Liberty, Dodge Nitro and four-door Jeep Wrangler were rated Marginal in side crash tests; the Wrangler was rated Marginal in its rear crash test. The Hummer H3 was rated Acceptable in both front and side crashes, but Poor in rear crashes, as were the Endeavor, Liberty and Nitro.

The good news, IIHS says, is that in those same tests in 2001, half of the models failed to get a Good rating in front crash tests, but this year only one, the H3, missed getting a Good rating. It rated Acceptable.

The other good news is that all the models offer standard electronic stability control. IIHS won’t award any vehicle a Top Safety Pick rating without having that system, which prevents under- or oversteer and reduces the chance of slip-sliding or skidding.

While IIHS ratings provide another tidbit of safety information, they are also self-serving for the insurance industry. The higher the safety rating, the lower the cost to repair a vehicle (or care for an occupant) after an accident, and IIHS comprises insurance companies that pay motorists for their vehicles. Naturally, the safer cars are, the less insurers pay.

Hitting the bull’s-eye for enthusiasts, BMW’s MINI brand is launching two hot new models next month at the Geneva Auto Show. Loaded with performance upgrades and new interior appointments, each race-bred model serves as the basis for the MINI CHALLENGE 2008 race car.

Based on the three-door MINI and the five-door MINI Clubman, the heart of each model is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder massaged to 207 hp. Pedal to the floor, it should be good for a sprint to 60 mph in just under 6.5 seconds (the MINI Clubman, a bit heavier than the three-door, is a few tenths slower). Unique light alloy wheels, a new performance exhaust system, upgraded suspension, and a modified 6-speed manual transmission are just some of the mechanical upgrades. Aesthetically, the John Cooper Works models will be differentiated by their distinctive body kits and unique interiors. With a base price of under $30,000, get ready to storm your dealers when they’re released in late summer.

Alfa fans have been a bit disappointed that the Italian automaker reportedly decided to push back the debut of the highly anticipated upcoming Junior model past the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, and Bertone’s unveiling of the BAT 11 concept remains up in the air, but just the same, Alfa Romeo will have plenty to show us next week. In addition to debuting the production – and we use that term loosely, considering only 500 will be made – version of the 8C Spider, Alfa will be unveiling updated versions of its unspeakably gorgeous Brera and Spider models.

Thankfully, the Italians know better than to attempt improving on a masterpiece, so Alfa hasn’t messed with the award-winning design to any great extent. The wheels, brake calipers and suspension components have been replaced with lighter-weight aluminum versions, which should help address the cars’ lamentably underwhelming performance relative to its design by taking a chunk out of its unsprung weight. The subtle changes continue inside, where redesigned seats offer a sportier and more ergonomic driving position, another drawback often reported on the first-generation model. The dashboard has been updated as well to integrate a new dual-zone climate control system and a new sat-nav unit. Meanwhile, underhood, a new 185hp 2.2-liter four joins the 260hp 3.2-liter six and 210hp 2.4-liter JTDM turbodiesel, mater to a variety of six-speed transmissions in various degrees of automation. All in all, Alfa seems to be addressing some of the shortcomings of its most head-turning standard-production models, and has hopefully found a new sweet spot.

German pub Autobild has spilled the beans on the Geneva-bound Mitsubishi Prototype S. The “S” is for Sportback, and this show car forecasts a future production vehicle that will probably carry that moniker. The Sportback is crucial for the European market, where hatches account for the majority of car sales. Up front, you essentially have the Lancer Ralliart’s nose, which is dressed up with more ornate, concept-style headlamps and foglights. Head around to the car’s rump, and you can almost see Mitsu’s people drawing a line in the sand, daring the 5-door WRX to come over and “play.” The sloping rear hatch is topped by a large, body-colored roof spoiler, and restyled rear lighting wraps from the lid onto the quarter panels. Dual exhaust tips poke through a diffuser insert on the rear bumper, and stylish split-spoke wheels in a gunmetal finish occupy the lightly-flared fender cutouts. Mechanically, it seems that the Prototype S is outfitted with the same running gear as the Lancer Ralliart. The 2.0L turbo four delivers 240 PS (236 hp) and 343 Nm (253 lb-ft) of torque through a dual-clutch setup to a full-time AWD system with an active center differential. It’s cool, we want it, and most importantly, it’d fit — after all, Subaru markets the WRX here as both a sedan and a hatchback. Come on, Mits. Go tit for tat with them and bring this one across the pond after you give it to Europe.

Wagonistas, your chariot has arrived. After showing off the new-for-2009 A4 in Frankfurt, Audi has finally released the details about for its A4 Avant prior to its debut in Geneva next month.

The estate version of the A4 is nearly identical to the sedan from the B-pillar forward, but now features 50-cubic feet of cargo capacity out back. An optional power liftgate is available and the load floor is reversible if you happen to be toting a set of used wheels in the trunk and the mat is coated in brake dust. Overall, the Avant gains about five inches in length, but is almost ten-percent lighter than the outgoing model.

Although powerplant details are scarce, those of us in the States will be stuck with the 2.0-liter TFSI mill, while sedan buyers get a choice of either the four-cylinder or the 3.2-liter V6.