BMW launches three new BMW 1 Series models

BMW has just announced the launch of three new BMW 1 Series models. This includes the much anticipated BMW 1 Series M Coupé which will be arriving in the UK in May 2011. It will cost £39,990 on the road including delivery, number plates, first registration fee and BMW Emergency Service.

The new BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible will be released on 26 March 2011.

Updates to the design includes a new front end and lighting giving them an even more athletic appearance.

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible

The new BMW 6 Series Convertible will be arriving in the UK on 26 March 2011.

BMW apparently considers the Mercedes SL350 as the competitor for the 640i SE and has put up a side-by-side comparison of the two cars. While the 650i is compared with the Jaguar XK
Convertible and the Mercedes SL500.

The 640i SE has a power output of 320hp and goes from 0-62mph in 5.7 secs while the 650i SE has a power output of 407 hp and goes from 0 to 62mph in just 5 seconds.

Prices (on the road) for the 640i SE is £65,680 while for the 650i SE is £73,430.

The new Lotus Elite

Lotus is set to unveil the brand new "Elite" at the Paris Motor Show. Reviving the old name, the company says that the car will redefine “modern classic”.

The car is powered by a front-mid positioned 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine with the optional use of hybrid technology with KERS. According to their press release, the car can go from 0-100 km/h in approximately 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.

There are plans for a retractable hard top version as well.

The car is set for release in spring 2014 and will be priced around £115,000.

The picture here is a Production Intent Prototype, it represents a concept vehicle being designed and developed by Lotus Cars.

The Mitsubishi ASX Challenge

Mitsubishi’s all-new crossover – the ASX (known as the Mitsubishi RVR in Japan) goes on sale in the UK from the 1st of July this year.

The RVR

To promote the launch, an online game, the Mitsubishi ASX Challenge has been launched as well. Go over to the site and play the game for a chance to win a brand new Mitsubishi ASX crossover.

Official photos of the new Honda Accord Crosstour

These are the first official photos of the new Honda Accord Crosstour. The car is based on the award-winning Honda Accord.

The car features a bold front grille, a longer, wider stance and a versatile, spacious cargo area.



The Crosstour will be going on sale later this fall.

Nissan Leaf unveiled

Nissan unveiled their much awaited electric car called the Leaf yesterday. In their words, it is the "World's THE WORLD'S first electric car designed for affordability and real-world requirements".

The hatchback will be launched in late 2010. It comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles).


In case you are wondering about the name,

The "LEAF" name is a significant statement about the car itself. Just as leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking emissions out of the driving experience.

The car is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 80kW/280Nm.

or more information about the car, check out their press release.

However, they failed to actually say how much the car will actually cost.

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari has officially unveiled their latest car - the Ferrari 458 Italia. With styling byPininfarina, this mid-engined V8 car replaces the Ferrari F430.

According to their press release, the two-seater458 has lower fuel consumption than the F430 but with a higher overall displacement and power. The car has a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. It has a top speed of 202 mph. For now all I have got are some pics and the press release. The car will be unveiled to the public at the next Frankfurt Motor Show.


For more information go to the Ferrari site.

The Riversimple Urban car launced in London

The Riversimple Urban car was launched in London yesterday.

The two-seater car is powered by hydrogen fuel cells and was developed with Oxford University and Cranfield University. It features gull wing doors as well.

The car is expected to go into production by 2013.

The Proton Exora

Malaysian car maker, Proton has launched their MPV - the Exora. It is Malaysia’s first locally produced MPV.

It was launched on Wednesday by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The 7-seater is powered by Proton's own 1.6 Campro CPS engine linked to a 4 speed automatic transmission.

The MPV has a top speed of 165 km/h (103 mph) and is available in six colours - pyrite brown, gaia blue, genetic silver, tranquillity black, blue haze and solid white.

Prices start at RM69998 going up to RM75998 for the higher end models. Proton had accepted bookings since Feb 21 and it was reported that more than 2500 orders have been received.

GM and Segway's Project PUMA

Recently unveiled at the 2009 New York auto show, PUMA stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility and is the result of the collaboration between GM and Segway.

The PUMA has a maximum speed of 35 mph and can go up to 35 miles on a full charge.

Leko - the Ikea car

Is Ikea planning to branch into automobile manufacture?

A microsite for the mysterious Leko suddenly appeared linked from the Ikea France site. It features a rotating car covered with cloth and a designer called Christophe Grazs talking about it in French. I have no idea what he's talking about but I can probably get my brother-in-law to tell what he is going on about.

It has generated a fair amount of interest but seems a lot of people are not taking it seriously.

I hope they are not going to ask their customers to assemble it using an Allen key.

Tata Nano launch today

Tata Nano the World's cheapest car will be commercially launched today.



Watch the 10 things you should know about the Tata Nano slideshow on the Time site.

Go to the Tata Nano microsite for more information about the car.

Mitsubishi Motors debuts two models in Geneva

i MiEV (white) and the i MiEV SPORT AIR (blue) concepts

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation launched two concepts at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex on the 3rd of this month.

The two new cars are the i MiEV and the i MiEV SPORT AIR concept models. MiEV stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle.

The i MiEV prototype is the precursor to a model that will be introduced to the European market in 2010.

The i MiEV SPORT AIR does bear a close resemblance to the VW Beetle.

3 new Minis

Mini fans rejoice. Mini will present three new models at the Geneva Motor Show(March 5th - 15th).
The three models are the MINI John Cooper Works Cabrio, a new MINI One and the MINI One Clubman. For more info, visit the special Mini site.

Check out the exclusive video:

New Renault Mégane Coupé.

The economy is really bad and car sales have fallen drastically in the UK. However, some companies are still launching new cars and some of them are really hot - like this new Renault Mégane Coupé.



Prices start from £14,485 OTR for the Expression.

Very fast yet green Bentley

Just found out about the new Bentley which runs on biofuel. You would not normally associate "green" credentials with powerful cars but this will be their fastest, most powerful production car ever. It will be unveiled on March 3rd at the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show.

New Jaguar cars revealed

Jaguar showed off their new generation XK and XF ranges at the North American International Autoshow, Detroit.

The new Jaguar XK has new 3.0 Litre V6 Diesel engine, new exterior and a redesigned interior.

The range comprises three models: the XK, XK Portfolio and supercharged XKR, and each are available in Coupe or Convertible body style.

The new 510 PS 5.0 Litre AJ-V8 GEN III R supercharged engine is said to be Jaguar's most powerful and efficient ever.

The new XF range are available with the naturally aspirated version of the new 5.0-litre petrol V8 and the new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines (in two versions -500 and 600Nm).

Extras include a 7-inch Touch-screen, Portable Audio Interface, Driver Information Centre and the industry-leading JaguarDrive Selector used to control the all-new ZF 6HP28 six speed automatic transmission.



According to their press release, the new XF Diesel S model has a powerful 275PS engine and goes from 0-60mph speed in just 5.9 seconds. Available as Premium Luxury and Portfolio models. It was interesting to note that the maximum speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

If you are worried about the green credential (if you really are, why don't you drive a Prius) the average fuel consumption in both models is 42.0mpg and has a CO2 emissions rating of only 179g/km.

The new XFR - XF's new sporting flagship model, has two new generation 5.0 litre V8 petrol engines that goes from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds. The AJ-V6D Gen III engine - available in either 240PS/500Nm form or 275PS/600Nm 'S' features parallel sequential turbochargers to help deliver the high levels of power and torque. The engine is coupled with a six-speed ZF 6HP28 automatic transmission.

Of course you don't buy a Jaguar just to drive fast. There's the comfort and craftsmanship. The new Jaguar cars offer a wider choice of veneers and trim colours. For audiophiles, a Bowers and Wilkins 440W surround sound system with portable audio interface and DAB radio is also included.

The new XK and XF range will be on sale from March 2009.

The Nissan Z tour

The Nissan Z has developed quite a following and as a warm up to the upcoming launch of the all new 370Z, Nissan is having a rally across the US. You can Follow the Z North American Rally which is currently in Washington D.C.. This will be followed by a stop in Gaithersburg, Maryland on December 11th.

Check out the new Z promo video clip:

First batch of MGTF LE500S leave Longbridge

A batch of MG Rover cars left the Longbridge plant in Birmingham today - the first time since April 2005 when MG Rover was taken over by Nanjing Automobile Corporation for £53 million. The first batch of 47 MGTF LE500S was sent to dealers all over the country. The will be launched to the public on 20 September 2008.

Only the first 500 cars to leave the world famous Longbridge factory will receive the LE500 designation. I guess LE stands for Limited Edition.

They say that the car will be available in 6 body colour choices but so far I have only seen the orange coloured cars.

The car is powered by a 1.8 16v 135bhp 4 cylinder dohc engine with 5 speed manual gearbox.

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, the latest fuel efficient car from Ford is set to hit European roads soon. Recently unveiled at the British International Motor Show, the car does 65 miles to the gallon (some say 63.5 miles to the gallon). It has been hailed as UK's greenest car.

However, it won't be sold in the US. The reason: it has a diesel engine and apparently the fuel is still not popular with Americans due to a negative image plus the fact that it costlier than gasoline.