New and facelifted models
The All-New BMW 3 Series
This is the sixth-generation of this most important model, important not just to BMW but to the industry at large. The new model keeps its trademark rear-wheel-drive and 50:50 weight distribution, although it has a 50mm longer chassis and a 37mm wider front than the current model.
BMW has made the new body 50kg lighter and stiffened up the body. Inside, the new 3 Series gets 15mm more knee room and 8mm more headroom in the rear, whilst boot space on the saloon increases by 20 litres to 480 litres.
Power comes from a wide range of turbocharged engine variants. Firsly, the 316d and 318d diesels will produce 116bhp and 143bhp respectively, while the 320d will come with a 184bhp version, and a 163bhp Efficient Dynamics model. This latter engine is said to achieve 68.9mpg whilst returning 109g/km of CO2. It will now be available with both an eight-speed auto and a six-speed manual.
The 320i, powered by a new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, will produce 184bhp and just under 200lb ft of torque, while the 328i gets a 245bhp/258lb ft version of this engine.
The new BMW 3 Series will make its public debut at the Detroit motor show in January 2012, and will go on sale in the UK on 11 February 2012. Prices start at £24,880 for the 316d ES.
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November 2011
The New Volkswagen CC
The four-door coupe version of the VW Passat has now dropped the Passat name, been given a new look and with even more safety equipment, it looks more of a budget Mercedes CLS rival than ever.
The sides have been wore heavily scalloped and at rear the lights have been swapped for new LEDs. At the front, the new model gets bi-xenon headlights complete with LED daytime running lights, while there is also a classier chrome grille and a smarter lower bumper.
New safety features include fatigue detection, warning the driver if he or she is nodding off at the wheel, active head restraints, a blind spot warning system and a system that keeps the VW CC in its lane on the motorway.
The engine line-up is unchanged and so includes a 1.8-litre four-pot developing 158bhp, a 2.0-litre turbo developing 207bhp, and the range-topping 3.6-litre V6 with 297bhp and 258lb ft of torque. There is also a 2.0-litre TDI engine putting out both 138bhp and 168bhp. Both these variants will come with a stop/start system and battery regeneration mode as standard, that together with a six-speed manual, help the 138bhp diesel achieve 125g/km of CO2.
Sales will start in the UK in January 2012. Prices are expected to start from around £24,000.
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November 2011
The Brand New Mini Roadster
Aimed at the Mazda MX-5, the new Mini Roadster is the sixth model to join the line-up and is the first ever drop-top two-seater in the brand''s history. It is 20mm lower to the ground than the Mini convertible and gets a a semi-automatic fabric hood in the UK, unlike European versions, which get a manual fabric roof.
There are four derivatives, the 122bhp Cooper Roadster, the 184bhp Cooper S, the 143bhp Cooper SD 2.0-litre diesel, and a stunning 211bhp petrol John Cooper Works, complete with a 147mph top speed and a 0-62mph time of 6.5 seconds.
The Roadster has a higher front axle load compared with the hatch, giving the front wheels extra traction. Extra stiffening bits help provide agility and precise handling.
Of course, at 240 litres, it also has a bigger boot than the hatch. On sale in Spring, 2012, prices will start from £18,015, rising to £24,850 for the John Cooper Works.
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November 2011
Ninth Generation Honda Civic Revealed
Honda gives its new model a bolder, sleek look and promises the car is better to drive than ever. This new Civic is slightly longer, wider and lower than the model it replaces, with the same space inside.
Changes include a prominent nose with a rear LED light bar which doubles as a spoiler. This has been moved down 20mm to improve visibility out of the split back screen, while there’s a wiper for the first time.
The new Civic is the most aerodynamic car in its class, with a drag coefficient of only 0.27 – around 10 per cent better than before. As well as reducing wind noise, it gives efficiency benefits.
The engines have stop-start, and are much cleaner and cheaper to run. There is an updated 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel putting out an increased 148 bhp. Yet, the CO2 is only110g/km so road tax is free for the first year and £20 annually thereafter.
The 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol unit jumps from 138bhp to 140bhp, while emissions have fallen from 157g/km to 138g/km. An entry-level 1.4 petrol will also be available, although there is no plan to offer a hybrid. All engines get six-speed manual boxes, with the option of a five-ratio auto for the 1.8 petrol.
The first of the new models are expected to arrive in January.
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November 2011
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