It was inevitable that a drop-top version of the latest Mini hatch would emerge and now we’ve
the first official images of the new R-56 Mini Cabrio.
Australian’s love affair with the Mini has continued unabated with the latest model selling strongly and more than 1500 finding homes here so far this year, although
the Cabrio has been soldiering on with the previous R-52 version.
With the release of these official images of the new Mini Cabrio the company say
s the driving pleasure and individual style so typic
al of Mini are combined once again with all the flair and refreshment of driving in the open air.With its design improved in an evolutionary process and with an even wider range of practical functions, the new Mini Cabrio is unmistakably Mini.
Equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated suspension technology, even more powerful and efficient engines, and with optimised safety technology, the new version of the open-air four-seater Mini consistently raises its strengths and qualities to an even higher level, all while maintaining the superior agility and go-kart handling, typic
al of Mini.
There are 12 colour variants as well as new equipment features that add an additional touch of style and class. Automatic air-conditioning with Cabrio mode is available for the first time that serves to provide a consistent set temperature under the influence of wind when the roof is opened.
Also available is the seamless integration of external music players, a USB port and Bluetooth hands-free telephone system, suitably compatible with the Apple iPhone.
The occupants are safely protected from wind and weather in the new MINI Cabrio by the high-quality soft top with its integrated sliding roof function.
Even while driving at a speed of up to 30km/h, the soft top folds back fully automatically in a complete process within just 15 seconds.
There’s
even a timer in the rev counter to show the driver and passengers the time they’ve
spent driving with the roof down – motivating the driver to really enjoy the thrill of open-air motoring as frequently as possible.
The new Mini Cabrio offers outstanding each day
driving qualities through the Easy-Load Function, the rear-seat backrest folding down individually on either side, as well as the uncommon
ly huge
through-loading between the luggage and passenger compartment. Luggage compartment capacity has increased to 125 litres (+5 litres) with the roof open, 170 litres (+5 litres) with the roof closed, and 660 litres (+55 litres) with the rear-seat backrest folded down.
This variability
, quite unique in the Cabrio segment, is made possible by the innovative design and construction of the rollbar: The new Mini Cabrio comes with a single-piece rollbar behind the rear seats extending across the entire interior width of the car
, not obstructing the driver’s line of visibility in any way when looking to the rear, and moving up automatically in just 150 milliseconds, in the event this safety feature is required.
The new Mini Cabrio will enter the market during the second quarter of 2009 with two engine variants. The Mini Cooper Cabrio offers sporting qualities right from the start
with its 1.6-litre, four-cylinder power unit featuring fully variable valve management for maximum output of 88kW at 6000rpm.
The Mini Cooper S Cabrio is even more dynamic and performance-oriented, its 1.6-litre, four-cylinder with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection delivering 128kW at an engine speed of 5500rpm and thus providing a particularly refreshing feeling of power and dynamic performance.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on the new Mini Cabrio are reduced by up to 19 per cent compared with the car
s’ respective predecessors.
From the start
the Mini Cooper S Cabrio and the Mini Cooper Cabrio are available with a six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard or optional six-speed automatic transmission.
At the same time the new Mini Cabrio owes its fascinating handling to suspension technology significantly enhanced and upgraded over the former model. Indeed, thanks to sophisticated wheel suspension, extremely precise electromechanical power steering, the powerful brake system and DSC Dynamic Stability
Control featured as standard, the open-air Mini combines supreme agility with equally exemplary safety all round.
Specification:
Mini Cooper S Cabrio:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and
direct fuel injection.
Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 128 kW/175 hp at 5,500 rpm.
Max torque: 240 Nm from 1,600–5,000 rpm (260 Nm with Overboost).
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 7.4 sec, Top speed: 222 km/h.
Average fuel consumption: 7.2 litres/100 km,
CO2 rating: 171 g/km.
Mini Cooper Cabrio:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on
the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology.
Capacity: 1,598 cc, max output: 88 kW/120 hp at 6,000 rpm.
Max torque: 160 Nm at 4,250 rpm.
Acceleration (0–100 km/h): 9.8 sec, Top speed: 198 km/h.
Average fuel consumption: 6.1 litres/100 km,
CO2 rating: 145 g/km.
As the influx of diesel powerplants, particularly from European manufacturers, continues into Australia BMW has said
that it will bring its acclaimed new generation 3.0-litre diesel engine here in 2009.
Deliveries of the new BMW 330d sedan are anticipate
ed to commence in the second quarter of next year.
The 330d uses a new generation all-aluminium, high-output, turbocharged, six-cylinder engine that develops 180kW and a substantial 520Nm of torque.
Peak power is delivered at 4000rpm and peak torque is available between 1750 and 3000rpm, while the 330d will be available only with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Despite having significantly more torque than any other BMW 3 Series sedan, the 330d returns a very frugal fuel consumption at 6.8-litres per 100 km on the combined fuel cycle.
As a result, the BMW 330d qualifies for the higher Luxury Car Tax threshold of $75,000, meaning 330d customers will pay less LCT than those purchasing thirstier car
s.
The 3.0-litre, straight-six engine accelerates the 330d from 0-100km/h in just 6.2 seconds and the top speed is limited electronically to 250km/h. Carbon dioxide emissions are just 180g/km.
The new BMW 330d joins the just revealed new look BMW 3 Series sedan line-up which went on sale in Australia on November 22. This range start
s with the 320i Executive at $54,500.
Like the BMW 330d Sedan, the four-cylinder 320d Executive, priced from $57,500, benefits from the LCT concession, as its combined fuel economy performance is well below the 7.0-l/100km limit at 6.0-l/100 km.
Pricing for the BMW 330d will be announced closer to launch.
“BMW continues to roll out the fruits of its industry-leading EfficientDynamics engine programme in Australia, which brings the triple benefits of high-performance, low consumption and low emissions,” said
Tom Noble, general manager, marketing at BMW Group Australia.
“The new BMW 330d Sedan gives our customers the opportunity to mix V8 engine performance with four-cylinder fuel economy, but at the same time delivering the tangible delights of our highly-acclaimed straight-six cylinder engines.
“BMW in Australia has been selling increasing volumes of diesel-engined car
s each year. Our customers really appreciate the benefits of these high torque, low consumption engines.
“Now we can offer a truly muscular diesel performance option in our most popular body style. It’s a mix we’re
certain will be extremely popular in this segment of the market,” he said
.
After 14 years of absence from the US soil, Alfa Romero once again has returned to US shores wth a fleet of 85 Alfa Romero 8C Competizione landed in the country. The first of the 4.7-liter V8 engine-powered 8C was delivered to James Glickenhaus in Connecticut. The stunning and aerodynamically sleek 8C comes with a 6 speed paddle-shifted gearbox, 20-inch tires, and a car
bon-fiber body. The dazzling 8C will be available in limited number as only 500 units of these will be manufactured apart from the 85 that have already been pre-ordered. Alfa Romero will produce 500 units of 8C Spider also and if you wish to own one of the two car
s, then you better hurry to book your beauty! -via WCF
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If you own a BMW M3, then you’re
already moving around in one of the ideal
street-legal sports car
in the world. But if you do feel let down by its ‘not too classy’ interiors and wish to add that extra bit of oomph to your speedster, then Zwickenpflug have got the perfect tuning kit for your BMW M3. The special M3 Leather edition tuned up by the German firm, sports stylish all-leather interiors and custom Alcantra inserts on the door panels, steering wheel, dashboard and unique sport seats. They also tweaked the BMW engine under the hood with by adding an extra 25 hp for a total of 445 hp and removing the speed limiter. The revamped M3 hits a top speed of 202 mph and races around on the custom 19-inch BBS alloy wheels. – via 4wheelsnews
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The Farbio GTS 400 is all about taking the original Farbio GTS available in its 384 hp and revving it up by a couple of notches to super-charged 410hp car
thanks to its new engine structure. This allow
s the GTS 400 to race from naught to 100 km/hr in just 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 180 mph. The V6 engine under its hood along with luxurious interiors and brilliant aerodynamic design, make it one of the supercar
s in the market today
. The Farbio GTS 400 is anticipate
ed to have a price tag of £94,000 and while that’s
high-end, it still makes the GTS 400 one of the ideal
purchase
s in the market today
. Little known Farbio seems to making massive
impact indeed. – via Caradisiac
Tags: Farbio, Farbio S400, S400
We managed to got some pic
s
with the new Mazda 3 Hatchback that the company is going to release next week during the Bologna Motor Show. The five-door hatch is going to pack a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine (Euro 5 diesel engine) under the hood, which comes in several tuned variations that’ll
sport up to 182 hp. That’s not much news except for the pic
s
, but at least is a good thing that we’ll get to see it live next week. So what do you think? Is Mazda 3 Hatchback what you anticipate
ed or what would you’ve
changed? – via WCF
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Carlsson just announced their RS-design kit for the Mercedes S-Class that’ll
feature on the front part, four new fog lights, an integrated front apron and some front spoiler lips, a Carlsson grille that makes it look very sporty and specially made side skirt with stainless steel insertions onto the grille. In the back there’s a RS apron with a diffuser and a car
bon fiber rear spoiler. The RS-design kit also features some beautiful light 21-inch alloys and four heat-insulated stainless steel double-walled tailpipes. Good for the entire S class range, we’re anticipating
a price to see how much we’ve
to pay for these looks.
Unlike previous encounters with the next-generation Porsche range, the new 911 has been spied boasting some rather extensive and elaborate camouflage.
Porsche’s
obviously keen to keep the design of the new 911 under wraps for as long as possible, having added several red herrings into the mix.
Initial impressions would most likely discern this was the 911 Turbo, however closer inspection reveals the side vents to be nothing more than stickers.
The rear wing – despite its high-mount tail lamp – is just a prop, disguising the true form of the new 911’s rear end.
The new-generation 911 will almost
certainly feature the same range of naturally-aspirated and boosted flat-six engines, with the addition of Porsche’s new PDK dual-clutch transmission.
Internally referred to as the 998, the new 911 is anticipate
ed to replace the current model in 2011.
After numerous concept images, and news about the production of the car
, Aston Martin has finally revealed the first official image of its forthcoming four-door GT, the Rapide.
CAR Magazine reports that this is the genuine article, and that despite a few detail differences, this image reveals that the production version remains mostly faithful to the original concept car
.
It loses a few intake vents on the front bumper, and there’s a new crease-line from the front guards back, however even the seats remain the same (if you look very closely!). A glass roof also features.
With a 373kW and 570Nm 6.0-litre V12 at the front (essentially the engine from the DBS), the Rapide’s estimated two tonnes shouldn’t be a problem. ZF’s creamy six-speed auto should also promote smooth travelling.
More images will be coming in the next few months, so stay tuned to see the battle between the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera.
After blitzing the field at the 2008 Beijing Olympic
s, Usain Bolt has fulfilled a life-long dream by driving a F430 Spider at Monte Carlo, on a section of the Formula One city circuit.
The fastest man alive was treated to the ride while in Monaco for the World Athletics Gala, promoted by the International Association of Athletics Federations.
The gold-medal winning sprinter is set to receive an award for “Athlete of the Year” after his memorable performances in the 100m and 200m events.