2012 New MINI 'Mini'

It’s the car that fans of the original Mini have been waiting for – and it could be the biggest-selling new MINI yet. With stringent emissions regulations and spiralling petrol prices, the demand for compact cars is going through the roof.

And the new baby MINI is set to head a new breed of penny-pinching small cars that prove you don’t have to sacrifice style and driving fun for low running costs. Based on the Rocketman concept, the ‘mini’ MINI will expand the burgeoning brand even further.

It will create a new entry point and mark the beginning of a new era, too, with a range of three-cylinder engines on offer, lightweight materials throughout and an all-electric version in the pipeline.

The images show how the pint-sized production car is likely to look – and all those who have been waiting patiently for a true successor to the Sixties model will be pleased to see this car’s tiny footprint on the road. The ‘mini’ MINI is only 40cm longer and 50cm wider than the original, and engineers are intent on making the production car no bigger than the concept.

It will make the most of every inch available to it, though, with a space-saving 3+1 seating layout similar to the Toyota iQ’s. While there will be seats for four, the chair behind the driver will only be suitable for short trips. However, the instrument cluster moves backwards and forwards with the steering wheel to boost room when necessary.

Carried over from the concept will be the dual-function boot, which features a conventional compartment accessed via a hatch with a drawer-like storage area underneath. The centrally mounted ‘Coke can’ exhaust is also slated for production. Predictably, however, the concept’s Union Jack glass roof will make way for a more conventional metal top. Plus, the concept’s three-dimensional ‘handlebar’ rear lights will be replaced by simpler clusters fitted flush into the bodywork.

  

The next MINIs to go on sale will be the Coupé and Roadster in 2012. Expect the ‘mini’ MINI to arrive in 2014 – the same time that the next-generation hatch is due.

BMW roadster concept revealed

It's open season for concept cars! This is BMW's Geneva show car - a two-seater roadster called the Vision ConnectedDrive. Its purpose is to present the latest evolution of design director Adrian van Hooydonk's layered styling language, and showcase a raft of cutting-edge technology that could debut on the forthcoming EfficientDynamics supercar and MegaCity electric city car.

The overall dimensions are typical for a BMW Roadster with a stretched bonnet, long wheelbase and seats set well back towards the rear axle, but the front and rear treatment and body surfacing is entirely new. The round headlights sit more upright than usual, while the L-shaped rear lights preview a more sculptured look that will appear on production model in the near future.

The surface treatment will be recogniseable from the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, which used a similar 'layering' principle. According to BMW: "The term “layering” describes a new approach to the BMW Group’s design language, redefining the way surfaces, interfaces and materials have been treated in the past."

In a nod to the past, the ConnectedDrive uses electric sliding doors inspired by those seen on the Z1 roadster built between 1989 and 1991. The double-layer doors open by the outer shell sliding forward into the bodywork and the rear shell retracting backwards, allowing the passengers to enter over a wide sill.

But it's technology that's key with this car. Numerous sensors, mounted in the front and rear light clusters, monitor the environment in front, behind and on both sides of the vehicle. These are capable of recognising people and other vehicles and pass relevant information to the driver.

Multi-coloured fibre-optic strands running around the cabin represnt the flow of information, and are activated when a certain funtion is switched on - one of the reasons why a roadster bodyshape was chosen, to best show off the cabin.

A new head-up display aims to represent information in an entirely new way. It projects a 3-D picture onto the windscreen with layers on information, one behind the other - offering the most amount of data to the driver in the most efficient way possible. For example the most important function will sit in the foreground, with other less-relevant stats ghosted into the background.

Mercedes 2012 Four New Cars

Four new models touchdown for Mercedes! The German manufacturer debuted a slew of new models in a £62,000-a-second advert during the 2011 Superbowl.

Among the newcomers were two new cars not yet officially unveiled, including the SLS AMG Roadster and C-Class Coupé. Also shown was the CLS 63 AMG and new SLK.

Taking the gullwing SLS supercar as a base, the new SLS Roadster is fitted with a storming 6.2-litre V8 and twin-clutch gearbox but ditches the famous doors in favour of more traditional units.

Instead of using a heavy and complex folding metal arrangement for the roof, as seen on the SL, Mercedes has elected to fit a revised version of the canvas top which used on the previous SLR roadster.

The C-Class Coupé features the same front-end styling as the facelifted C-Class range, including LED daytime running lights and a curvier bumper. From the front wings back, it’s all new with the two-door layout, swooping roof and creased shoulderline all adding a little extra flair to the C-Class’s profile. A new bumper and LED taillights mark out the rear.

Peugeot New Pride 2012

Coupé

After the conventional

three-door and five-door 208 hatches are launched, the

firm will introduce a dramatic coupé that will slot into the range as a baby brother to

the Audi TT-rivalling RCZ.

The new car continues

the trend set by the 508 and 208 in establishing Peugeot’s

latest design language. It’s the work of styling chief Gilles Vidal and PSA Peugeot-Citroen design boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who have sought to bring back simple, elegant lines

to the brand’s cars.

The idea is to replace the swollen metalwork and gaping grilles of current Peugeots, and re-establish the firm as

a design leader. The Coupé will feature the rakish, feline design cues of the SR1

concept seen at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. Swept-back headlights, sculpted flanks and an elegant tail will be incorporated into the shape.

To match the striking looks, the car will be sharp to drive. The Coupé uses the 208’s front-wheel-drive platform, but gets bespoke settings for the steering and suspension. What’s more, as with the RCZ and 508, the top-spec model will feature a more advanced front suspension set-up that tames torque steer and gives greater steering sharpness.

Power will come from a

line-up of small turbocharged engines, including the 1.6-litre petrol unit found in the RCZ. The Coupé is currently slated to arrive in summer 2013.

Roadster

Following the Coupé, Peugeot is evaluating a 208 Roadster that would take the fight to MINI’s imminent two-seater cabrio. This fabric-roofed model wouldn’t replace the folding hard-top CC – that model has been part of Peugeot’s range since the 206, and will be offered in a 208.

Instead, the Roadster will be aimed at those wanting a mix of wind-in-the-hair thrills and a purer driving experience. That will allow the 208 CC to be sold as a luxurious junior tourer, with high-spec interior, sophisticated multimedia set-up and the option of a twin-clutch gearbox.

Powering the roadster will be the 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine, allowing Peugeot to market it as a spiritual successor to the legendary 205 GTi convertible. Low weight will be central to the car’s appeal: it will get a canvas top and a more spartan interior to shave kilos and help achieve a sparkling driving experience.

The Roadster is expected to match the MINI for pace – the two will share an engine, after all – but should undercut it on price when it arrives in 2014.

SUV

Also breaking new ground for Peugeot is a junior SUV that takes its inspiration from the HR1 unveiled at last year’s Paris Motor Show.

The newcomer is set to be a rival to Nissan’s Juke, and Peugeot may co-develop the car with Mitsubishi. The 4007 was spun from the Japanese firm’s Outlander, while a new, smaller Peugeot model is currently being developed from Mitsubishi’s ASX.

As with the HR1, a hybrid drivetrain is possible, as is a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine.

VW’s hot new roadster

The familiar VW face is carried over from the Golf and Scirocco, so sleek headlights and a narrow, horizontal grille will appear. A set of LED daytime running lamps is the only notable addition.

Compact dimensions mean the BlueSport is shorter and lower than the Golf, but nearly as wide, so it has a squat, muscular stance.

Inside, the bespoke-style interior of the concept will make way for a more understated and sporty design, similar to that seen on other performance VWs, including the Scirocco. Thanks to the mid-engined layout, storage spaces in the front and rear should boost practicality.

Weight is kept to a minimum by the use of an ultra-light aluminium chassis, plus a manually operated canvas folding roof. The car will tip the scales as low as 1,200kg – similar to rivals such as Mazda’s MX-5.

Power will come from the show car’s 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel, as well as a choice of the turbo and supercharged 1.4 TFSI engine from the Polo GTI, and the Golf GTI’s 2.0-litre turbo unit. A six-speed manual gearbox is to be offered as standard, but VW’s dual-clutch DSG set-up will be available as an option.

Performance from the diesel version is expected to be rapid, with 0-60mph in around six seconds. But it won’t come at the expense of efficiency; thanks to regenerative braking and stop-start, the newcomer promises fuel economy of 45mpg and sub-120g/km CO2 emissions.

Mercedes SLS Roadster

Mercedes' SLS supercar has blown its top! These are the best pictures yet of the SLS Roadster, which will be hoping to continue the success of its hard-top brother.

The open topped two-seater goes on sale in early 2011, and will be officially unveiled later this year.

As you can see from these pictures, the convertible version keeps the coupe’s long bonnet and short tail. Unfortunately, the gullwing doors will have to make way for more traditional units.

The canvas roof follows a similar profile as the coupe – though is expected to be a little shorter overall. The all electric roof arrangement will include a glass rear screen, and fold neatly under the rear deck.

Performance, meanwhile, will be identical to the hard top. Developing around 570bhp at 6800rpm, Mercedes claims the 6.3-litre V8 SLS will sprint from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 196mph. Drivers will get a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard.

Sales start next summer with models costing from £150,000.

Mini Coupé Roadster

2011 MINIs to go with show

Leaked patent office pictures show final cars will closely resemble Frankfurt stand stars, two-door could revive legendary Broadspeed name.

From concept to reality – it turns out the coupé and roadster versions of the MINI will look virtually the same as the cars revealed at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show!

Bosses have confirmed that unearthed patent drawings show the production cars – so the two-door retains the concept’s dramatic cutaway roof and Le Mans stripes.

But we has discovered that BMW is in secret negotiations with the owners of the Broadspeed trademark with a view to using the famous race team’s name – inextricably linked to Mini – on the 200bhp-plus coupé.

The patent drawings reveal subtle differences between the two concepts and production cars. Most noticeable is that the retro chrome petrol cap has been ditched in favour of a more conventional cap and flush-fit flap. And where the radiator grille was barred, it now uses the same honeycomb design as the Cooper S.

Also, differences between the coupé and roadster – which could be called the Speedster – show both will be offered in Cooper S and John Cooper Works specs. The two-door is pictured with the hot Works’ black foglight surrounds; the soft-top is dressed from the grille down in Cooper S spec.

Works cars will feature an uprated version of the hatch’s 211bhp 1.6-litre turbo, while the Cooper S won’t trail by much, with the three-door’s 175bhp unit being tweaked. Prices are likely to start from close to £20,000 at launch in the second half of 2011.

The Broadspeed name would link the coupé to a Mini fastback produced by Ralph Broad in 1965. The Birmingham-based touring car engineer raced Minis in the Sixties, regularly beating the works Cooper cars.

BMW Zagato Coupe

BMW and Italian design house Zagato have teamed up to produce a one-off show car - the BMW Zagato Coupe.

Revealed at the Villa d'Este Concours on the banks of Lake Como, Italy, the Z4 Roadster-based model is the latest in a series of high-profile projects from Zagato, which include the £400,000 Aston Martin V12 Zagato revealed earlier this year.

The swooping bodywork is handrolled from aluminium sheet and cleverly blends the two company's design philosophies. The interior is largely carried over from the Z4, while the twin kidney grille at the front (which uses hundreds of small 'Zs' locked together to create a mesh effect) is unmistakeably BMW. The double-bubble roof, powerful haunches and aerodynamic Kamm-tail rear-end are classic Zagato cues.

Although strictly a one-off, the BMW Zagato Coupe is fully road legal and registered in Germany - it's even undergone high-speed testing. It adheres to all crash regulations and the aerodynamics have been optimed for stability at high speeds.

As for power output, BMW is staying tight-lipped about what's under bonnet, but the 335bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six from the Z4 sDrive35is seems likely.

Can-Am Spyder Roadster

(Malay translation) SEJAK diperkenalkan ke pasaran Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Februari 2007, jentera itu terus menjadi topik hangat dalam dunia motosikal di peringkat global.

Popularitinya semakin meningkat apabila terpilih menjadi pelakon tambahan dalam banyak muzik video, rancangan televisyen, selain filem-filem blockbuster seperti G.I. Joe dan Transformers II.

Sebenarnya, jentera tiga roda keluaran firma yang berpangkalan di Valcourt, Québec, Kanada itu sudah berada di pasaran tempatan sejak tahun 2009. Namun kelibatnya jarang dilihat di atas jalan raya.

Kini, Can-Am Spyder Roadster mahu lebih dikenali di Malaysia. Tugas tersebut digalas oleh USF-HICOM, anak syarikat milik penuh DRB-HICOM yang telah mengambil inisiatif untuk mendapatkan hak pemasangan dan pengedaran Can-Am Spyder Roadster di sini.

Sebagai permulaan, USF-HICOM menawarkan dua varian Can-Am Spyder iaitu Roadster Sports dan Roadster Touring. Roadster Sports sesuai untuk mereka yang mahukan gaya tunggangan sporty. Sementara bagi penunggang yang gemar mengembara dalam jarak jauh, Roadster Touring memang kena dengan jiwa anda.

Sekali pandang, rekabentuk Can-Am Spyder tidak jauh beza dengan jentera salji (snowmobile) moden. Apa tidaknya, pengeluar kenderaan terbabit iaitu Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) sememangnya syarikat peneraju dalam penghasilan jentera salji, ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), bot dan pelbagai jentera bagi tujuan rekreasi.

Memiliki kepakaran selama 70 tahun, BRP mempunyai kemudahan kilang di Kanada, AS, Mexico, Finland dan Austria dengan tenaga kerja mencecah 6,000 orang. Produknya pula dipasarkan ke lebih 100 buah negara menerusi 3,500 pengedar di seluruh dunia.

Harus tahu bahawa Can-Am Spyder Roadster bukan motosikal tiga roda konvensional. Sebaliknya ia mengaplikasikan kerangka berbentuk Y. Maksudnya, dua roda di hadapan dan satu roda bersaiz lebar di belakang. Menggabungkan teknologi motosikal dan ATV, Can-Am Spyder mengaplikasikan rekabentuk A-arm berkembar dengan penyerap hentak tunggal pada roda belakang.

Kenderaan itu menggunakan kerangka Surrounding Spar Technology binaan BRP. Kerangka tersebut menyokong rekabentuk Y dan memastikan titik graviti Can-Am Spyder Roadster kekal rendah dengan memasang enjin di bahagian belakang roda hadapan.

Tidak seperti motosikal tiga roda lain misalnya Piaggio MP3, Can-Am Spyder Roadster tidak membenarkan anda membuat corner baring. Jadi, kalau laju macam mana sekali pun di selekoh, lutut tidak akan mencecah jalan raya.

Kestabilannya juga banyak bergantung kepada Sistem Kestabilan Kenderaan (Vehicle Stability System, VSS) yang sofistikated. Dibangunkan bersama Bosch, VSS turut merangkumi teknologi-teknologi seperti brek antikunci (ABS) serta sistem kawalan cengkaman dan kestabilan. Sementara stereng kuasa pula memastikan Can-Am Spyder Roadster dapat dikendalikan dengan mudah di atas jalan raya.

Semua ciri yang dinyatakan tadi adalah demi memastikan jentera itu terus melekat di atas jalan raya, walaupun ketika mengambil selekoh pada kelajuan tinggi. Dengan segala sistem keselamatan itu, maka tidak hairanlah jika ia disifatkan sebagai antara motosikal paling selamat di dunia.

Tidak mengujakan? Enjin V-Twin bersesaran 998cc itu mungkin boleh mengubah persepsi anda. Enjin dengan sistem penyejukan cecair itu dibina oleh Rotax yang beribu pejabat di Austria, juga anak syarikat BRP.

ENJIN Rotax bersesaran 998cc membuatkan aktiviti meluncur di atas jalan raya cukup menyeronokkan.

Macam pernah dengar? Memang betul, enjin Rotax banyak digunakan pada go-kart, motosikal dan pesawat ringan. Rotax juga menghasilkan enjin untuk kegunaan jenama motosikal lain termasuklah BMW, BMW, Aprilia dan Buell.

Enjin yang dipadankan dengan kotak gear lima kelajuan itu berupaya menghasilkan kuasa sehingga 106hp @ 8,600rpm dan tork maksimum 104Nm @ 6,250rpm. Jadi, tugas menggerakkan tubuhnya yang lebar itu di atas jalan raya bukanlah satu masalah besar. Anda juga boleh memilih sama ada kotak gear manual atau semi automatik. Kedua-duanya hadir sama dengan gear mengundur.

Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) mengklasifikasikan Can-Am Spyder Roadster sebagai superbike. Cukai jalannya berdasarkan motosikal bersesaran 1,000cc dengan insurans bermula pada takat RM2,900 sehingga RM4,500 mengikut varian.

Berkaitan pembayaran tol di lebuh raya, pihak USF-HICOM menyatakan setakat ini mereka yang menunggang Can-Am Spyder Roadster tidak dikenakan tol, walaupun perlu melalui laluan kereta atau lori yang paling kiri. Namun, isu pembayaran tol mungkin berbeza di antara pengendali lebuh raya memandangkan mereka mempunyai polisi berbeza.

Harganya di Malaysia, Can-Am Spyder Roadster ditawarkan pada harga di antara RM103,860 sehingga RM159,350 seunit, bergantung kepada varian.