BMW M3 pick-up

Would you believe it! BMW has revealed this pick-up truck version of the V8-powered M3.

It uses the same 4.0-litre engine as the standard machine, sending 414bhp and 400Nm of torque straight to the rear-wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Final performance stats haven’t yet been released, but BMW claims that despite the new bodystyle the newcomer has reached 186mph in testing.

There are performance advantages too, as the M3 pick-up has shed 50kg from its kerbweight – particularly over the rear axle, making for a more lively handling experience. The large loading bay doesn’t increase aerodynamic drag either.

Despite its utilitarian appearance, the cabin is similarly well appointed to that of the standard M3, featuring M-badged leather bucket seats, steering wheel and gearlever. It also comes with a removable targa roof that cuts an extra 20kg and lowers the centre of gravity when it is removed.

It’s more practical than the standard saloon too, and although the low suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels mean it won’t quite be at home on the farm, the M3 pick-up’s load capacity has been raised to 450kg and a trailer tow hitch – for caravans, boats, or other trailers – is an M3 first. It’s lined with lightweight aluminium, and BMW claim there’s enough space for 20 full-sized golf bags.

BMW has gone through all the necessary requirements to make the pick-up road legal, but there’s still no word yet of when a full production version will join the rest of the M3 range, although it’s unlikely to be before April 1st 2012 to move upmarket.

2011 BMW 6-Series Coupe

When the Coupe arrives, buyers will have the choice of two engines. The 640i is powered by a straight-six petrol engine that develops 316bhp, and sprints the car from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.

The range-topping 650i gets a 401bhp 4.4-litre V8 which completes the benchmark sprint in 4.9 seconds. Both models have a limited top speed of 155mph and come with BMW’s slick eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

The smaller engine features stop-start to save fuel, allowing it to return 36.7mpg and 179g/km, while the larger car manages 27.2mpg and 243g/km.

Spec highlights include adaptive LED highlights, the latest generation of BMW’s head-up display, a rear-view camera and night vision. Options will include active seats, Nappa leather and a newly-developed Bang&Olufsen stereo.

The 6-Series Coupe is 75mm longer in the wheelbase than its predecessor, for extra cabin space, while the new car is now 39mm wider but five mm lower, to make it look sportier. 

The new Coupe will make its debut in April, and the 640i and 650i arrive in late summer. A higher performance model comes in 2012, powered by an uprated version of the 4.4-litre V8 that will also be used. 

McLaren P1

Behold, the much teased McLaren P1 supercar. The replacement for the venerable McLaren F1 and the dream of drivers everywhere.

McLaren promises nothing less than "the best driver's car in the world on road and track." For once, we're not at all skeptical.

What you're seeing is not a production car exactly. This is a "design study" that'll debut in person at the Paris Motor Show but one that is supposed to preview the next generation car — set to go on sale within 12 months.

Here's what McLaren's chairman Ron Dennis has to say about it "P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage. Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with P1 is to redefine it once again."

Otherwise, McLaren is fairly mum on details. It'll be faster and more expensive than the 12C, but otherwise they haven't said much. There are plenty of rumored specs that say the vehicle will have a 3.8-liter V8 producing 803 horsepower matched to a 160 horsepower KERS system giving it 963 combined horsepower.

McLaren X-1

It might seem like something from the set of Thunderbirds, but this wild-looking supercar is a McLaren 12C underneath.

Called the X-1, it’s the first one-off from McLaren’s Special Operations (MSO) – a newly formed division responsible for bespoke cars.

The X-1 has been created for an “anonymous car enthusiast”, and debuted today at The Quail - an event during the Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey, California - after two-and-a-half years of development.

The design is the work of McLaren’s Royal College of Art graduate Hong Yeo, and took 18 months alone.

Every part of the carbon-fibre bodywork was built especially for the X-1; the only thing that’s carried over from the 12C is the glass. As a result, the X-1 is 109mm longer and 188mm wider, but the same height as a standard 12C. Yet it weighs the same, at around 1,400kg.

McLaren says the customer demanded a timeless design. Inspiration came from classic models such as the 1961 Facel Vega, 1939 Mercedes 540K and 1971 Citroen SM, while art deco clocks, Airstream trailers and even aubergines influenced the styling. The most striking feature is the rear wheelarch, which hinges upwards if you need access to the tyre underneath.

Both the interior and the mechanicals are identical to the 12C coupe’s, so the X-1 gets the latest 616bhp version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, making it capable of more than 200mph.

After its debut in Pebble Beach, the X-1 will return to the MSO headquarters in Woking, Surrey, to be checked over before it’s delivered to the lucky buyer for an undisclosed fee.

Mercedes SLC

These are the pictures that prove Mercedes is working on a baby brother to the SLS AMG supercar. Thought to be called the SLC, this early protoype uses an SLS body with experimental running gear underneath. 

It’s given away by the shorter wheelbase and heavy cladding at the front and rear, which is likely to hide some of the production model's altered styling. Earlier this year Mercedes Head of Design, Gordon Wagener, told us to expect a dynamic design inspired by the SLS.

The SLC will be front-engined but the SLS's 6.2-litre V8 will most likely be replaced by an all-new turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. Mercedes may offer a V6 model, too, using the 3.5-litre unit from the SLK.

Expect to see a power output of around 500bhp in the flagship variant, which will allow the SLC to accelerate from 0-62mph in just over four seconds.  

While the SLS is going after models like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Aston Martin DBS, the SLC will be far cheaper with a price-tag closer to nearly RM500,000 (£80,000).

We should get our first glimpse of the production-ready Mercedes SLC in 2014, before the car goes on sale early in 2015.

New Mercedes SL

Believe it or not, the current generation Mercedes SL has been around since 2002 but revisions and facelifts have kept the grand tourer feeling fresh. As these spy shots reveal though, there’s a new one on the way and it’s set to be more comfortable, more efficient and better handling than ever thanks to a host of hi-tech gadgets. 

Chief among them will be the Magic Ride Control system that’s also set to feature on the new Mercedes S-Class. Cameras scan the road ahead to analyse the surface and set up the suspension accordingly. An Active Curve system is also likely to feature, which uses active anti-roll bars to stop the car leaning in the bends and helps to improve handling. 

Mercedes will stick with the folding hard-top roof but it will now be available with the option of a Magic Sky Control panel which can be turned from transparent to almost opaque at the touch of a button. Alternatively, buyers can opt for a standard sun-roof. 

Visually the new SL gets a look that borrows cues from the new SLK, CLS and SLS AMG. As you can see from these pictures the front end is more upright, the grille is narrower and the headlights are now swept back onto the wings. Meanwhile, at the rear there’s a set of large wraparound tail-lights.

Kicking off the new SL range will be the 3.5-litre V6 that produces 304bhp and will sprint from 0-62mph in just over six seconds. Next up will be a twin-turbocharged 4.7-litre V8 in the SL500 which will produce around 404bhp and accelerate to 62mph in around five seconds. The SL63 AMG model will be powered by a 520bhp 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8.

Expect to see official pictures and details of the all-new Mercedes SL by the end of this year.

Ford Mustang "Boss 302"

Ford is taking on the BMW M3, and it’s pulled out the big guns to do so. This is a reborn version of the famous 1969 Boss Mustang 302 – and the American firm claims the car can lap California’s Laguna Seca race track a second quicker than BMW’s supersaloon.

It’s based on the 5.0-litre V8 Mustang GT, but gets an extra 32bhp – for a total of 438bhp – as well as new quad exhausts, adjustable suspension and larger anti-roll bars. There are also upgraded Brembo brakes.

The 0-60mph sprint takes 4.6 seconds and the Mustang pulls hard all the way to the 7,500rpm red line. It makes an incredible noise, with a bassy roar under heavy throttle and a burbling exhaust.

Things get even better when you insert the separate TracKey into the ignition. This changes 200-plus engine parameters, transforming the Boss into a hardcore racer. The throttle becomes extra-sensitive, the noise moves up a level and the car shakes even at idle.

The Boss handles well, too. Independent rear suspension isn’t among the upgrades over the standard GT, meaning the car can feel unsettled through bumpy corners thanks to its live rear axle layout.

But it resists understeer well and with all that power on tap, you can easily slide the tail with a hard press of the throttle. The steering can feel vague at times, but it’s still a lot of fun. For Americana fans, this is one of the finest Mustangs in years.