Spy Shots: Production BMW 135tii

Few models in the BMW lineup have as much tuning potential as the newly released 135i, and the Bavarian boys and girls are intent to capture as much of that market as possible. The BMW 1-series tii concept proved that BMW was serious about offering performance parts to boost (and possibly lighten) its new turbo'd coupe, and a member of 1addicts posted photos of what could be the first 135 to get the in-house tuner treatment.

Most of the parts shown are carryovers from the tii concept, including the revised front fascia, side skirts, carbon fiber diffuser and matching rear wing. The C.F. hood may have been swapped out for a stock aluminum piece, but we're guessing the weave has been covered in matching white paint. The upgraded brakes are one of the most obvious additions, while inside, there's plenty of Alcantara covered kit, from the shift boot to the seats, which are also dead ringers for the thrones shown on the concept. The steering wheel is new however, sporting more grippy suede and complete with three different sections packed with LEDs. Your guess is as good as ours about the two displays mounted at 11 and 1, but the center mounted LED arrangement is likely a shift-light/rev meter.

[source: Autoblog]

Lamborghini's latest comes shroud in carbon fibre bodywork and more power than an LP640

Here’s a Lamborghini for those who think the Murcielago is just too shy and retiring! This is the Reventón, a special edition of the brand’s flagship supercar, sporting a striking new body and a ￡787,250 price tag.

As only 20 have been made available, it’s certainly exclusive. But can it really be worth nearly five times as much as the model it’s based on?
One thing is for sure: it’s absolutely stunning. The carbon fibre bodywork, which has been penned by the Lambor-ghini Style Centre in Italy, is influenced by the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter.

Add camouflage-style paintwork and matt black wheels, and it looks as though it’s escaped from an air force base. According to company sources, the design isn’t a one-off, either. All future Lamborghinis for the next decade will follow the Reventón’s cues.

Power comes from the same 6.5-litre V12 engine as in the Murcielago LP640, but with an additional 10bhp – taking the total output to a storming 641bhp. The 0-62mph sprint still takes 3.4 seconds, but the Reventón is even more responsive in-gear. It sounds incred-ible, delivering a raucous bark that can be heard from miles away.

There is great fun to be had from blipping the revs on the downchange, but the standard-fit e-gear semi-auto box – which features steering wheel paddles – is jerky at low speeds.

The Murcielago’s optional 380mm ceramic brakes are also included, and they provide outstanding stopping power. With ultra-wide Pirelli tyres and four-wheel-drive traction, there’s lots of grip – but only the very talen-ted will tame the Lambo on the limit. Inside, the Alcantara-trimmed bucket seats are unforgivingly hard, but the digital display on the dash is neat.

It can switch between analogue dials or an aero-influenced readout, complete with G-force meter! Similar to the set-up in jet fighters, it shows the pull being exerted while braking, accelerating and cornering. So the car provides a remarkable experience, but is it really worth nearly ￡800,000? Well, all 20 examples of the Reventón have been sold – one is in the UK. For those buyers, the answer is an emphatic yes.

Rival: Bugatti Veyron
The Lamborghini is no match for the ￡810,000 Veyron on the road. But both are amazing to look at and true collectors’ items. As all Reventóns have been sold, well heeled fans of the exclusive supercar experience will have to go knocking on Bugatti’s door.

Audi A3 Cabrio’s fast show

The lid has been lifted on Audi’s new drop-top. Meet the A3 Cabriolet, which gets an electric roof and looks that will turn heads wherever it goes.Arriving here in March, the newcomer will go up against BMW’s 1-Series Convertible and the new MINI Convertible, providing style-conscious sun-worshippers with a cheaper option to the A4 Cabriolet.Thanks to the hood’s super-fast set-up, it will be ideal for Britain’s unpredictable weather. And that’s because the new A3 goes from topless to top up in only nine seconds – considerably faster than its 1-Series rival’s 22-second figure.Completely automatic and requiring no catches to be released, the mechanism is controlled by a switch on the centre console, or via the key fob. It folds flush behind the rear seats, and can be raised or lowered at speeds of up to around 20mph.

Renault's flamboyant new Laguna coupe Test

it’s the super-coupé that’s got added Va Va Voom! And it proves that Ren-ault is swapping safe for sexy.

Reaching UK dealers at the end of next year, the sensational new Lag-una Coupe shows the French brand is returning to flamboyant design – building on the legacy of the Avan-time MPV and the luxury Vel Satis.

However, unlike those models, it will be no sales flop. The newcomer is set to mark the revival of the affordable coupé, and will join the reborn Volkswagen Scirocco and the forthcoming Hyundai Coupe in a market sector where style and head-turning looks don’t have to come at a huge price. Tipped to cost around ?20,000 when it arrives in the UK in Decem-ber 2008, the two-door is certain to sell like hot croissants – so we caught up with it at Renault’s test track in northern France to see what buyers can expect.

Revealed at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Coupé looks every bit as amazing on the road as it did on the stand. It’s part of Renault’s plan to challenge the likes of BMW and Audi, and bosses know that improving reliability and quality alone isn’t enough – the car needs style, too.

To this end, the Coupé is everything its hatch brother isn’t: daring, dynamic and desirable, with shades of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from the rear. You could park it next to a BMW 3-Series Coupé and plenty of people would prefer the Renault on looks. Stephane Janin, the man in charge of Renault’s concept car des-ign, is pleased with the results.

LA Auto Show 2007: Mercedes S400 Bluetec Hybrid - it's new, we think

Mercedes-Benz is confusing the blog out of us with its nomenclature. Sure, it's usually pretty straightforward: one letter for the class, three numbers for the (approximate) engine displacement. Tack on 4Matic for all-wheel-drive, chop off a zero and add AMG for the performance models. But they just about lost us on this one.

In Frankfurt Mercedes unveiled two new hybrid versions of the S-Class: the S300 Bluetec Hybrid with diesel-electric power, and the S400 Hybrid with gas-electric power. In Los Angeles, however, they took the wraps off the S400 Bluetec Hybrid. Still with us? Well, they lost us, too. This version packs a V6 diesel coupled with an electric motor to provide 265 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, resulting in what Mercedes calls V8 performance with four-cylinder economy: 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and 40.5 mpg on the highway.

While the previous S400 Hybrid unveiled in Frankfurt was gas-electric, the S300 Bluetec Hybrid unveiled with it was stated as producing 413 lb-ft of torque to this S400 Bluetec Hybrid's stated 465. Still, the press materials didn't specifically differentiate it from its Frankfurt-revealed stablemate, and nobody at the Mercedes booth here in LA could tell us if this was actually a different model. Think you can make sense of it? The press release is after the jump.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Aerodynamic Package by IMSA

Not many tuners dare to touch the Lamborghinis, but the few who do (Hamann, Edo) do so with great respect for the supercar icon. Imsa, a German high-tech engineering specialist, has developed an Autoclave moulded carbon fibre technology- and design-package for the 'devil' of the Lamborghini line-up. Autoclave moulding is normally a process reserved for F1 and other high-end motorsport racing.

The aggressive new front spoiler aligns perfectly to the, by 35 mm widened, wheel arches. On the upper side of the wheel arches imsa has added air ducts resulting in a reduction of the drag effect caused by non-aerodynamic airflow at higher (and top) speeds. The imsa side skirts garantees optimum airflow to the new rear diffuser which has been developed for a perfect interaction with the imsa rear spoiler.

There is no mention on pricing, but you know what they say, if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.

---

Press Release

The brand new imsa technical and aerodynamic-enhancement program for the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

Imsa, the world-acclaimed, German High-Tech Engineering specialist, exclusively presents, after successfully introducing the stunning imsa GTV Supercar based on all versions of the Lamborghini Gallardo, its new technology and design-enhancement program for Lamborghini's current top-of-the-range supercar, the Murcielago LP640.

Special emphasis must be laid on the technology- and design-package made from Autoklav moulded carbon fibre. Technology which is normally only being used in Formula 1 and other Top-motorsports Series.

Imsa's main target was, for all owners of the Lamborghini top-of-the-range-model, to offer an exclusive product line, transforming the Murcielago both technically and optically into a unique work of art, with the aim of significantly enhancing the exclusivity of Lamborghini's top-model.

The strinkingly aggressive and aerodynamically highly effective front apron (spoiler) perfectly aligned to the wheel arches (widened 35mm on each side), directly becomes apparent.

On the upper side of the wheel arches, imsa CFK air ducts have been integrated, resulting in a significant reduction of the drag effect caused by non-aerodynamic airflow at higher and highest velocity.

The imsa side-skirts on the underside guarantee the optimum airflow to the imsa diffuser, which has been developed for an aerodynamically perfect interaction with the imsa rear spoiler. Imsa herewith achieved to considerably lower the downforce at higher and highest speeds.

The benefits for the driver are a significant enhancement of driving stability, safety and enjoyment. All parts of the imsa-aerodynamic-enhancement program are either available in carbon-on-sight or can be painted in any colour of choice.

The imsa aerodynamic-enhancement-program is available from November 2007 on and will soon be available for the "standard" Murcielago as well.

The imsa technical enhancement program also includes - exactly as for the imsa GTV Supercar based on the Lamborghini Gallardo - exclusive imsa multi-part sports wheels with central locking system, various sports chassis with individual settings, and, last but not least, various imsa engine modifications and own engines.

At imsa, each customer is fully involved in the creation of his personal, unique imsa-Megacar handcrafted according to highest German standards of quality and precision.

Additionally, personalised tailor-made interiors inclusive of various multi-media applications are also being fitted on special request.

[source:WorldCarFans]

Mazda 2

The 2’s compact size, light, accurate controls and tight turning circle are great in town, while the quick-witted chassis is well balanced and agile. This is an everyday supermini that’s great fun to drive. The fide is firm, yet because the damping is impressive, it never becomes jittery or loses its composure. Body control is superb – it may not be as grown up as some rivals, but it’s very enjoyable. Both 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engines feel energetic too, thanks to the low kerb weight, while the gearshift and brakes have impressive feel.

Mazda’s designers chose to make the latest 2 40mm shorter than its predecessor; most rivals are longer, taller and wider, which gives the Japanese hatch a distinct weight advantage. This is great for economy and performance. It doesn’t even look like a heavy car, with athletic, dynamic styling that’s very attractive. There’s a very small range of three trims; 1.3 TS, 1.3 TS2 and 1.5 Sport, all in the single five-door bodystyle. All are very well-equipped – and the company’s straightforward pricing policy means your only option is whether to choose metallic paint. Related to the Ford Fiesta, other rivals include the Renault Clio III, Vauxhall Corsa, Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris and Peugeot 207.

Despite its compact, sporty appearance, the 2 is practical. The boot has a lift-out lining, reversible floor and 250-litre capacity. What’s more, the 2’s rear legroom is very impressive, and the high, domed roof plus a large glass area enhances the sense of space. The simple yet elegant dash is good, while ergonomics are top-drawer and the driving position faultless (despite the lack of steering wheel reach adjustment). The only drawback is the quality of the plastics; the dashboard is shiny. At slow speeds, the Mazda is quiet, thanks to the smooth and well-insulated engines. However, road noise is an issue at speed, although it’s not harsh. As for economy, it’s very impressive, while servicing costs are low and retained values predicted to be impressive.