2012 BMW 4 series

It's an all-new name for an all-new car – meet the BMW 4-Series! That’s the fresh badge which will adorn a stunning new five-door hatch.

Based on the next-generation 3-Series, due in 2012 in saloon and Touring form, spies have already snapped the new car out testing. That’s let us produce these illustrations, which show how the production model will look. 

But instead of carrying the 3-Series GT badge as was initially thought, BMW will sit the model further apart, pitching it between the new 3-Series and the 5-Series.

While it gets a new name, it will follow the formula set down by its bigger brother, the 5-Series GT, with a more premium experience than the car on which it’s based. There will be a raised seating position for those in the rear, plus the option of two or three seats in the back. It will also get a two-stage tailgate that can be hinged either at the bootlid or opened like a hatchback. 

The model will complement the 3-Series range, which is set to include a saloon, coupé, estate and cabriolet, and take the fight directly to Audi’s A5 Sportback. 

From the front, the 4-Series will borrow heavily from the 5-Series with its wide kidney grille and slim headlights. Towards the back, the swooping roofline will provide ample headroom, but also a sporty profile – a look helped by the short overhangs.  

As with the 3-Series Touring, the 4-Series will be based on a stretched version of BMW’s new rear-wheel-drive platform to maximise interior space. MacPherson front suspension and a multi-link rear layout, as well as the latest generation electric power-steering system, will maintain the level of driver involvement BMW customers expect, but with the emphasis more on comfort than the 3-Series. 

All-wheel-drive xDrive versions will be available too, while the engine choice will feature the latest four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units, including the new 245bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol introduced on the X1. 

BMW is developing a three-cylinder petrol engine, too, capable of 75mpg and producing less than 100g/km of CO2. But the firm is still deliberating whether to fit it to the new 3 and 4-Series.

Peugeot 508

The 508 range comprises a five-model line-up – ranging from Access, through SR, Active, Allure up to top-spec GT.  Prices for the Access saloon start at £18,150, while the SW estate kicks off at £19,175. The top-spec GT models cost £28,750 and £29,975 respectively. The entry prices undercut the Passat saloon by £725 and estate by £1,000.

Six engines will be available on the 508 at launch – two petrols and four diesels. The 120bhp entry-level 1.6-litre petrol comes with Peugeot’s robotized manual gearbox, while the 156bhp version comes with a six-speed manual.

The oil burners kick off with the 112bhp 1.6-litre, available with either a five-speed manual or robotized manual gearbox. The latter car also features stop start, helping cut emissions to 109 g/km of CO2 in the saloon and 110 g/km in the SW version.

There are three 2.0-litre diesels – the 140bhp version is manual only, while the 163bhp and 200bhp versions are connected to six-speed automatics.

Completing the myriad choices are two different front suspension setups. Lesser cars get conventional McPherson struts, while the 508 GT model features a double wishbone front suspension aimed at improving road holding and steering accuracy.

2010 Most Expensive Cars In The World

Here are the 10 most expensive production/standard cars on the market for 2010/2011.

1. Bugatti Veyron
$1,700,000(~RM5,151,000).

This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today. It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. It claims to be the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+.

However, the title for the fastest car goes to the SSC Ultimate Aero which exceed 253 mph pushing this car to 2nd place for the fastest car.

2. Lamborghini Reventon
$1,600,000(~RM4,848,000).

The most powerful and the most expensive Lamborghini ever built is the second on the list. It takes 3.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and it has a top speed of 211 mph.

Its rarity (limited to 20) and slick design are the reasons why it is so expensive and costly to own.

3. McLaren F1
$970,000(~RM2,939,100).

In 1994, the McLaren F1 was the fastest and most expensive car. Even though it was built 15 years ago, it has an unbelievable top speed of 240 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.

Even as of today, the McLaren F1 is still top on the list and it outperformed many other supercars.

4. Ferrari Enzo
$670,000(~RM2,030,100).

The most known supercar ever built. The Enzo has a top speed of 217 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Only 400 units were produced and it is currently being sold for over $1,000,000 at auctions.

5. Pagani Zonda C12 F
$667,321(~RM2,021,983).

Produced by a small independent company in Italy, the Pagani Zonda C12 F is the 5th fastest car in the world.

It promises to delivery a top speed of 215 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

6. SSC Ultimate Aero
$654,400(~RM1,982,832).

Don't let the price tag fool you, the 6th most expensive car is actually the fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and reaching 0-60 in 2.7 seconds.

This baby cost nearly half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, yet has enough power to top the most expensive car in a speed race. It is estimated that only 25 of this exact model will ever be produced.

7. Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
$555,000(~RM1,681,650).

The first true American production certified supercar, this cowboy is also rank 3rd for the fastest car in the world.

It has a top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. If you are a true American patriot, you can be proud to show off this car.

8. Koenigsegg CCX
$545,568(~RM1,653,071).

Swedish made, the Koenigsegg is fighting hard to become the fastest car in the world.

Currently, it is the 4th fastest car in the world with a top speed of 245 mph+, the car manufacture Koenigsegg is not giving up and will continue to try and produce the fastest car. Good luck with that!

9. Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Roadster
$495,000(~RM1,499,850).

A GT supercar, the SLR McLaren is the fastest automatic transmission car in the world with a top speed of 206 mph+ and reaching 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

It is a luxurious convertible with a really powerful engine, which results in outstanding performances and style.

10. Porsche Carrera GT

$440,000(~RM1,333,200).

A supercar with dynamic stability control and a top speed of 205 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.

The Porsche Carrera GT applies the absolute calibers of a true racing car to offer an unprecedented driving feeling on the road.

Ford GT returns as hybrid!

Ford's new supercar features V8 hybrid drivetrain and will take on McLaren and Ferrari - but cost less than both.

The model follows on from the original Sixties GT40, as well as the GT, built between 2005 and 2006. It will take aim at Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren by using the most advanced technology available to deliver massive straight-line performance. And our exclusive images predict how the Detroit missile is shaping up.

In a bid to distance the new model from the 2005 GT, of which only 100 examples reached Europe, there will be a new design direction. While the GT used plenty of styling cues from the original GT40 racer of the Sixties, the latest interpretation is likely to forego the retro body panels and get a sharper, more modern look.

Evoking memories of the 1995 Ford GT90 concept, which had a 720bhp quad-turbocharged V12, the new GT will put an updated spin on the GT40’s design, with a huge front air intake, angular headlights and vents in the bonnet and flanks.

The overall proportions and mid-engined configuration will remain intact, though – and that will help to provide balanced handling. The biggest news comes under the skin, though. A supercharged V8 provides the power, but extra boost is available at the touch of a button from an electric motor driving the front wheels.

This is similar to the set-up on the Porsche 918 Spyder-style. Add stop-start and the ability to run solely on electricity for brief periods of time, and the new GT would showcase Ford’s green credentials. But as total power will be around 600bhp, the newcomer will still keep pace with other mid-engined supercars such as the McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari 458 Italia, as well as the successors to the Lamborghini Gallardo and Audi R8.

Keeping the weight to a minimum is an all-aluminium chassis and composite body panels. Expect the GT to tip the scales at around 1,400kg, which is nearly 200kg lighter than the car it replaces. That means a power to weight ratio in the region of 430bhp per tonne, while a three-second 0-62mph time and a top speed in excess of 200mph are targets. And while it won’t be cheap, the car is sure to undercut its rivals.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

Porsche's hybrid supercar at Geneva 2010

Carrera GT replacement previewed by German firm’s stunning 918 Spyder concept

The supercar of tomorrow is here! This is Porsche’s 918 Spyder, a hybrid performance car built to give the best of both worlds, offering a near-200mph top speed, yet managing almost 100mpg.

The Spyder joins the new Cayenne hybrid in Geneva, and previews the replacement for the Porsche Carrera GT. But while that car featured a 5.7-litre V10, the concept car uses a mid-mounted 493bhp 3.4-litre V8 derived from the firm's Spyder racing car, and it revs to 9,200rpm.

But what makes this new car special is the addition of two hybrid motors, which add a further 160kW (215bhp). One drives the front axle through a fixed transmission, and the other is sandwiched between the conventional engine and a seven-speed PDK gearbox. The motors are powered by a lithium ion battery pack located behind the passenger cell.

The hybrid system has four modes, so depending on whether speed or economy is your priority, the car is always operating at its most efficient.

Around town, E-drive mode allows the car to travel up to 16 miles on electricity alone. Next is Hybrid mode, which uses both power sources in moderation, giving claimed economy figures of 94mpg and 70g/km of CO2.

Sport Hybrid mode offers more aggressive power delivery and a torque vectoring function for improved dynamics. The most aggressive mode is Race Hybrid, which gives the most power and features a push-to-pass function.

In this mode, Porsche claims that the 918 can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, hit 198mph and can lap the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife in under 7 minutes 30 seconds, making it faster than a Carrera GT.

The performance is helped in part by the comprehensive use of lightweight materials in the car’s construction. Carbon fibre reinforced plastics, magnesium and aluminium feature throughout, meaning the 918 Spyder tips the scales at 1,490kg.

Finally Porsche has confirmed that the concept’s look is not just a technological showcase. The interior of this car is set to dictate the look of the next generation of Porsches, beginning with the next 911 in 2012.

BMW 3 Series GT

It's a more practical hatchback version, in much the same mould as the 5-series Gran Turismo.

At 4,284mm long, the Gran Turismo is 200mm longer than a 3-series Touring. It's also 81mm taller, and has a 110mm longer wheelbase.

None of the Gran Turismo's exterior panels are shared with 3-series saloon or Touring models - it has similar headlights and front grille, but there's a sloping tailgate, frameless side doors and a different interpretation of BMW's "Hoffmeister kink". An active rear spoiler - the first of its type on a BMW - raises automatically at high speed.

The rear of the car looks similar to the 5-series Gran Turismo's, and there are L-shaped vents in the front wings reminiscent of those on the recently unveiled 4-series coupe concept car.

Much of the Gran Turismo's interior is familiar from the 3-series saloon and Touring, with the same switchgear and a very similar look. Practicality is boosted, BMW says, by a 59mm higher seating position and 70mm more rear legroom. A 40/20/40 split/folding rear seat comes as standard; with a 520-litre capacity, the Gran Turismo provides 25 litres more boot space than the 3-series saloon.

The Gran Turismo will initially be offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, with power outputs of between 141 and 302bhp. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox are standard; an eight-speed automatic gearbox is an option. In autumn 2013 a four-wheel drive 320i xDrive model and range-topping diesel version - the 325d - will join the range.