BMW has peeled the last pieces of camouflage sheeting from their F20 1-series and announced details of the upcoming entry-level car.
BMW 1-series: the evolutionary new look
As revealed in CAR's spy images last month, the 1-series is a clear evolution of its predecessor, featuring smoother lines but a more aggressively-angled front-end. The new headlight design dominates the nose, providing the 1-series with a pronounced squint compared with its predecessor.
F20 has grown in most dimensions over the first 1-series: it is 85mm longer overall, and sits on a 30mm longer. Front and rear tracks grow by 51mm and 72mm respectively. BMW has kept the height identical but found 17mm extra width and delivers 21mm more rear legroom. Luggage grows 30 litres to 360 litres with the seats up, and 1200 litres with the seats down.
BMW have also created two new trim lines for the 1-series, BMW Sport Line (the red car pictured) and BMW Urban Line (the blue car).
BMW 1-series: the new powerplants
Under the bonnet, the big news is that the new 1-series has an all-turbocharged engine lineup. BMW's initial announcement relates to the four-cylinder engines, with the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine (116i, 118i) and 2.0-litre turbodiesel (116d, 118d, 120d) to be available from launch. The performance leader in the initial lineup will be the 120d, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 7.2 seconds from the 181bhp/280 lb ft engine. On the green side of the performance stats, the 120d will offer 119-122g/km of CO2 emissions, and a claimed fuel economy of 65.7mpg. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional eight-speed automatic transmission.
Eco-car fans will be most interested in the 116d EfficientDynamics model, offering 114bhp and a road tax-beating 99g/km CO2.
Thứ Tư, 29 tháng 2, 2012
Renaultsport Megane (2011) Nurburgring teaser video
Renaultsport have released a teaser video, showing its development team preparing a new Renaultsport Megane for track-testing at the Nurburgring. Under the title 'Save the date: June 17', the video shows a previous-generation Renaultsport Megane R26.R in addition to the track-focused, luridly-painted current Megane.
Renaultsport is believed to be preparing a harder-edged, more powerful RS Megane, to sit above the current RS250 Cup model. The current car is no slouch, winning general acclaim from CAR when it was included in our PCOTY 2011 convoy through France. But it looks like the fast Renault wizards from Dieppe have decided to send their latest car to the Nurburgring in order to attract the attention of the trackday brigade.
>> Does the thought of a leaner, meaner Renaultsport Megane have your carbonfibre-look wallet twitching in anticipation, or are you tired of Nurburgring fast-lap proclaimations? Let us know in the comments section
Renaultsport is believed to be preparing a harder-edged, more powerful RS Megane, to sit above the current RS250 Cup model. The current car is no slouch, winning general acclaim from CAR when it was included in our PCOTY 2011 convoy through France. But it looks like the fast Renault wizards from Dieppe have decided to send their latest car to the Nurburgring in order to attract the attention of the trackday brigade.
>> Does the thought of a leaner, meaner Renaultsport Megane have your carbonfibre-look wallet twitching in anticipation, or are you tired of Nurburgring fast-lap proclaimations? Let us know in the comments section
Mini Coupe (2011) specifications announced
Mini has announced the basic specifications for the upcoming Mini Coupe, due to launch later in summer 2011.
Mini Coupe: the spec levels
The car will be available in four specification levels, starting with Mini Cooper Coupe's naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engine. From there it's on to the 1.6 turbocharged petrol Mini Cooper S Coupe, 2.0 turbodiesel Cooper SD Coupe, and the range-topping 208bhp Mini John Cooper Works Coupe.
Sadly there's no additional power and torque to go with the snug-fit roofline on the Coupes - each powerplant produces identical power and torque figures to the equivalent Mini hatchback. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic optional on the Cooper Coupe, Cooper SD Coupe and Cooper S Coupe.
Mini Coupe: packaging and design
The most obvious differentiating feature of the new Mini Coupe is the new 'helmet roof' (BMW's words, not ours). The coupe's roof sits 29mm lower than in the Mini hatchback, and incorporates a wrap-around roof spoiler at the rear. Apart from the lower height, the coupe retains body and chassis dimensions with the three-door hatch. New to the Mini coupe since its 2009 Frankfurt motor show debut as a concept car is the retractable bootlid spoiler, which deploys automatically above 50mph.
Inside, it's strictly a two-seater, with the rear seat space transformed into an extended luggage area, accessed through the the liftback tailgate. Mini hasn't released the final capacity, but we expect it to comfortably exceed the 160 litres seats-up capacity of the current hatchback, and be closer to the 680-litre seats-down luggage volume provided by the standard car games
When is the Mini Coupe being released?
October 2011, with full official pictures and UK pricing to follow later this summer.
Mini Coupe: the spec levels
The car will be available in four specification levels, starting with Mini Cooper Coupe's naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engine. From there it's on to the 1.6 turbocharged petrol Mini Cooper S Coupe, 2.0 turbodiesel Cooper SD Coupe, and the range-topping 208bhp Mini John Cooper Works Coupe.
Sadly there's no additional power and torque to go with the snug-fit roofline on the Coupes - each powerplant produces identical power and torque figures to the equivalent Mini hatchback. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic optional on the Cooper Coupe, Cooper SD Coupe and Cooper S Coupe.
Mini Coupe: packaging and design
The most obvious differentiating feature of the new Mini Coupe is the new 'helmet roof' (BMW's words, not ours). The coupe's roof sits 29mm lower than in the Mini hatchback, and incorporates a wrap-around roof spoiler at the rear. Apart from the lower height, the coupe retains body and chassis dimensions with the three-door hatch. New to the Mini coupe since its 2009 Frankfurt motor show debut as a concept car is the retractable bootlid spoiler, which deploys automatically above 50mph.
Inside, it's strictly a two-seater, with the rear seat space transformed into an extended luggage area, accessed through the the liftback tailgate. Mini hasn't released the final capacity, but we expect it to comfortably exceed the 160 litres seats-up capacity of the current hatchback, and be closer to the 680-litre seats-down luggage volume provided by the standard car games
When is the Mini Coupe being released?
October 2011, with full official pictures and UK pricing to follow later this summer.
Vauxhall Astra GTC (2011) more official pictures
This is the Vauxhall Astra GTC, Luton's new three-door rival for the Renault Megane and VW Scirocco. It's an important car for GM, expected to take up to 20% of all Astra orders, and the UK is traditionally the biggest market in Europe for the three-door Astra.
Vauxhall Astra GTC: design and packaging
The Astra GTC may be related to the existing Vauxhall Astra five-door hatchback, but the GTC is a substantially different design. The only exterior features shared with the five-door are the door handles and aerial on the roof. The GTC's body panels are completely different, and the GTC's platform dimensions differ too. It's 10mm longer in the wheelbase, 40mm wider in front track, and 30mm wider in rear track compared with the Astra five-door hatch.
Vauxhall design chief Mark Adams and his team have maintained the style from the GTC Paris concept. The GTC differs from the Astra hatch and Sports Tourer estate in its interpretation of current Vauxhall design cues: the 'blade' upward-curving feature line on the bodyside is now oriented towards the front wing of the car (in the other Astras it curves up at the rear) and the GTC has a different grille, headlight and tail-light treatment along with the coupe roofline. Adams is proud of the design, and its balance between style and utility: 'we didn’t want emotion to get in the way of functionality. The Astra GTC still needed to be clever, affordable and practical.'
Inside the Astra GTC
Vauxhall is keen to point out the practicality of the GTC, claiming room for four adults and a spacious boot. Indeed, the 370-litre bootspace with the rear seats up eclipses the Megane Coupe (344l) and the Scirocco (312l). But as Vauxhall's interior pic shows, the GTC is far more closely related to its workaday Astra relatives than it appears on the outside. Astra GTC owners get unique interior fabrics, and can spice-up the interior of their cars with Morello Red leather trim. But the fascia and controls are Astra family fare: not bad by any means, but not unique either.
Astra GTC suspension and engines
The Astra GTC gets the benefit of the Insignia VXR's HiPer Strut (High Performance Strut) front suspension. HiPer Strut is a development of standard MacPherson strut front suspension along similar lines to the Ford Focus RS RevoKnuckle system. As with RevoKnuckle, HiPer Strut aims to improve steering precision, reduce torque steer effect and give superior suspension geometry over the MacPherson strut, while using the same mounting points as the standard chassis.
At the rear, Vauxhall retains its 'compound crank' torsion beam rear axle with an additional Watts linkage, claiming benefits in space efficiency, weight and noise insulation over independent rear suspension. That puts the Astra GTC behind the Golf and Focus in suspension tech, but the Renaultsport Megane shows that a twist-beam rear axle need not be an impediment to excellent handling.
The engine range mirrors the existing Astra hatchback line of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Base powerplant is a 118bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, followed by 138bhp 1.4 turbo, a 163bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel and the range-topping 178bhp 1.6-litre turbo. The smaller petrol engines and the diesel get an engine stop/start system as standard to help with fuel economy.
Vauxhall Astra GTC UK prices
Vauxhall has two spec levels for the Astra GTC: basic Sport, and SRI. You can choose from all four powerplants in either trim level. An Astra GTC Sport comes with standard 18-inch wheels, DAB radio and USB media connection for the stereo, whilst SRI gets standard tinted windows, driving lights, multifunction trip computer and leather-trimmed steering wheel. Big-ticket tech items like FlexRide three-stage adaptive damping and Xenon lighting are optional across the range.
Looking for the Astra GTC VXR? It will be along in 2012, with further details to be announced later in the year, but expect 300bhp, 330lb ft and a limited slip differential.
Engine CO2 (g/km) Trim level UK price (on the road)
1.4 T 16V 118bhp 139 Sport £18,495
SRI £19,945
1.4 T 16V 138bh 139 Sport £19,180
SRI £20,345
1.6 T 16V 178bhp 164 Sport £20,115
SRI £21,380
2.0 CDTI 16V 163bhp 129 Sport £21,165
SRI £22,430
The Vauxhall Astra GTC makes its UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 1-3 July 2011. You can order the Astra GTC at Vauxhall dealers from today, for deliveries towards the end of 2011.
Vauxhall Astra GTC: design and packaging
The Astra GTC may be related to the existing Vauxhall Astra five-door hatchback, but the GTC is a substantially different design. The only exterior features shared with the five-door are the door handles and aerial on the roof. The GTC's body panels are completely different, and the GTC's platform dimensions differ too. It's 10mm longer in the wheelbase, 40mm wider in front track, and 30mm wider in rear track compared with the Astra five-door hatch.
Vauxhall design chief Mark Adams and his team have maintained the style from the GTC Paris concept. The GTC differs from the Astra hatch and Sports Tourer estate in its interpretation of current Vauxhall design cues: the 'blade' upward-curving feature line on the bodyside is now oriented towards the front wing of the car (in the other Astras it curves up at the rear) and the GTC has a different grille, headlight and tail-light treatment along with the coupe roofline. Adams is proud of the design, and its balance between style and utility: 'we didn’t want emotion to get in the way of functionality. The Astra GTC still needed to be clever, affordable and practical.'
Inside the Astra GTC
Vauxhall is keen to point out the practicality of the GTC, claiming room for four adults and a spacious boot. Indeed, the 370-litre bootspace with the rear seats up eclipses the Megane Coupe (344l) and the Scirocco (312l). But as Vauxhall's interior pic shows, the GTC is far more closely related to its workaday Astra relatives than it appears on the outside. Astra GTC owners get unique interior fabrics, and can spice-up the interior of their cars with Morello Red leather trim. But the fascia and controls are Astra family fare: not bad by any means, but not unique either.
Astra GTC suspension and engines
The Astra GTC gets the benefit of the Insignia VXR's HiPer Strut (High Performance Strut) front suspension. HiPer Strut is a development of standard MacPherson strut front suspension along similar lines to the Ford Focus RS RevoKnuckle system. As with RevoKnuckle, HiPer Strut aims to improve steering precision, reduce torque steer effect and give superior suspension geometry over the MacPherson strut, while using the same mounting points as the standard chassis.
At the rear, Vauxhall retains its 'compound crank' torsion beam rear axle with an additional Watts linkage, claiming benefits in space efficiency, weight and noise insulation over independent rear suspension. That puts the Astra GTC behind the Golf and Focus in suspension tech, but the Renaultsport Megane shows that a twist-beam rear axle need not be an impediment to excellent handling.
The engine range mirrors the existing Astra hatchback line of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Base powerplant is a 118bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, followed by 138bhp 1.4 turbo, a 163bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel and the range-topping 178bhp 1.6-litre turbo. The smaller petrol engines and the diesel get an engine stop/start system as standard to help with fuel economy.
Vauxhall Astra GTC UK prices
Vauxhall has two spec levels for the Astra GTC: basic Sport, and SRI. You can choose from all four powerplants in either trim level. An Astra GTC Sport comes with standard 18-inch wheels, DAB radio and USB media connection for the stereo, whilst SRI gets standard tinted windows, driving lights, multifunction trip computer and leather-trimmed steering wheel. Big-ticket tech items like FlexRide three-stage adaptive damping and Xenon lighting are optional across the range.
Looking for the Astra GTC VXR? It will be along in 2012, with further details to be announced later in the year, but expect 300bhp, 330lb ft and a limited slip differential.
Engine CO2 (g/km) Trim level UK price (on the road)
1.4 T 16V 118bhp 139 Sport £18,495
SRI £19,945
1.4 T 16V 138bh 139 Sport £19,180
SRI £20,345
1.6 T 16V 178bhp 164 Sport £20,115
SRI £21,380
2.0 CDTI 16V 163bhp 129 Sport £21,165
SRI £22,430
The Vauxhall Astra GTC makes its UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, 1-3 July 2011. You can order the Astra GTC at Vauxhall dealers from today, for deliveries towards the end of 2011.
Mercedes M-Class (2011) first official pictures
This is the new Mercedes M-class. Evolutionary styling hides a range of new engines, including a four-cylinder diesel as Mercedes tries to give its American-made SUV a dose of increased efficiency.
Mercedes M-class: design and interior
Mercedes wasn't tempted to radically reshape the M-class for 2011. The new car retains the traditional two-box SUV design with wrap-around rear window which has been a feature of the M-class since it first appeared in 1997. Up front you'll notice LED daytime running lights, a bolder interpretation of the M-class grille, sharper headlights and a chrome-effect undertray in the front bumper. LEDs find their way into the tail-lights too, and the overall result is a slightly sharper, somewhat sleeker M-class.
Inside there's more interior width (35mm in front, 24mm in the rear) and a new dashboard with a more prominent location for the COMAND multimedia system screen. But only seating for five. Compared with the current M-class, the new interior gains a much larger decorative trim element stretching across the front of the dashboard and wrapping into the doors. Owners can specify four different wood veneer finishes, or aluminium. MB-Tex fans may be consoled by the fact that the M-class can be ordered with 'Artico Man-made Leather' in addition to a variety of leather and cloth trim combinations.
Mercedes M-class: engines and technology
Mainstay engine of the new Mercedes M-class in the UK will be the 350CDI BlueTec, a twin-turbodiesel V6 offering 254bhp and 457 lb ft of torque. Mercedes claims 0-62 in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 139mph for the ML350. The UK will also get that friend of the petrol pump, the ML63 AMG, which receives the downsized 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8.
But the headline powertrain at launch is fitted to the ML250, which hosts a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel under the bonnet. 201bhp and 369 lb ft of torque provide a 9.0 second cruise to 62mph, but compensate with a claimed 47mpg and 158g/km of CO2. All models come with four wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
On the options list are adaptive dampers, active rollbars, a dedicated off-road driving package, 93 litre long-range fuel tank and Mercedes' range of driver aids including radar cruise control, night vision and brake assist.
The new Mercedes M-class will go on sale in the UK in spring 2012.
Mercedes M-class: design and interior
Mercedes wasn't tempted to radically reshape the M-class for 2011. The new car retains the traditional two-box SUV design with wrap-around rear window which has been a feature of the M-class since it first appeared in 1997. Up front you'll notice LED daytime running lights, a bolder interpretation of the M-class grille, sharper headlights and a chrome-effect undertray in the front bumper. LEDs find their way into the tail-lights too, and the overall result is a slightly sharper, somewhat sleeker M-class.
Inside there's more interior width (35mm in front, 24mm in the rear) and a new dashboard with a more prominent location for the COMAND multimedia system screen. But only seating for five. Compared with the current M-class, the new interior gains a much larger decorative trim element stretching across the front of the dashboard and wrapping into the doors. Owners can specify four different wood veneer finishes, or aluminium. MB-Tex fans may be consoled by the fact that the M-class can be ordered with 'Artico Man-made Leather' in addition to a variety of leather and cloth trim combinations.
Mercedes M-class: engines and technology
Mainstay engine of the new Mercedes M-class in the UK will be the 350CDI BlueTec, a twin-turbodiesel V6 offering 254bhp and 457 lb ft of torque. Mercedes claims 0-62 in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 139mph for the ML350. The UK will also get that friend of the petrol pump, the ML63 AMG, which receives the downsized 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8.
But the headline powertrain at launch is fitted to the ML250, which hosts a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel under the bonnet. 201bhp and 369 lb ft of torque provide a 9.0 second cruise to 62mph, but compensate with a claimed 47mpg and 158g/km of CO2. All models come with four wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
On the options list are adaptive dampers, active rollbars, a dedicated off-road driving package, 93 litre long-range fuel tank and Mercedes' range of driver aids including radar cruise control, night vision and brake assist.
The new Mercedes M-class will go on sale in the UK in spring 2012.
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