New Exclusive and M Sport Editions Join BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible Range

You didn’t think BMW would leave its bread-and-butter 3-Series untouched for the new model year just because it’s actively working on a replacement, did you? Of course not. The changes to the 3-Series range are of far less importance than on the 6-Series and 5-Series lineups, and are mostly limited to the presentation of new special edition models and packages.

These include a Special Edition package for the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition Touring, M Sport and Exclusive Editions for the 3 Series Coupé and 3 Series Convertible plus an BMW Individual hardtop option for the cabrio.

The Exclusive iterations of the coupe and convertible are offered with bespoke exterior colors including a Mineral Grey shade combined with exterior mirror caps in Oxide Silver and 18-inch V-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in Space Grey. The interior is distinguished by the Dakota leather upholstery in Pearl Grey with darker grey contrast stitching, or in Black with white contrast stitching, plus Bamboo Grain Anthracite trim strips.

Moving on to the M Sport Editions, aside from the aerodynamic package with new front and rear bumpers, there’s a Silverstone paint finish familiar from the M3 and 18-inch Ferric Grey light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, black-painted exterior mirrors and in the case of the Coupe, an optionally available boot lid spoiler.

On the inside, there are sports seats with M detailing and blue contrast strips, an M Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and an M aluminium driver’s footrest plus Model-specific interior strips in Aluminium Glacier Silver dark and floor mats with blue piping.

For the 3-Series Convertible, the company offers a new BMW Individual hardtop in contrasting in contrasting Black or Titanium Silver metallic that can be combined with a total of 15 different body colors.

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New Toyota Yaris Wears a Sport Kit for its Australian Debut at the Melbourne Motor Show

After its world premiere in Japan last December as the Vitz, Toyota is gradually introducing the new generation of the Yaris in other markets around the world. Now, with the European version out of the way, it’s time for the Yaris to make its first appearance in Melbourne at this week’s 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS). Revealed in show car form, the Yaris is fitted with a TRD-like sports kit comprising of a honeycomb grille, a restyled front bumper with larger openings and a chrome trim around the lower grille, side skirts, chunky alloy wheels and a new rear bumper with a diffuser plus a roof spoiler.
In Australia, the new Yaris is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during the final quarter of 2011.

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BMW Updates New 6-Series with M Sport, Diesel and xDrive Variants

BMW is wasting no time in enhancing the range of its recently launched 6-Series Coupé and Convertible models. To sum up the changes, from this autumn (and depending on the market, of course) both body styles will be available with an M Sport package, a new diesel engine and for the first time in the 6-Series model’s history, the Bavarian firm’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Starting with the M Sport option, the package includes an M aerodynamics kit with bespoke front and rear bumpers, LED foglamps, 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, sports seats with Alcantara/leather upholstery and an M leather steering wheel.

In addition, buyers can further customize their cars through the BMW Individual range, which comprises, bespoke paint finishes, light-alloy wheels and numerous other options.

This fall will see BMW adding the 640d Coupe and Convertible models to the lineup. Both are powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six delivering 313-horses at just 4,400 rpm and a monstrous peak torque of 630Nm (464 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 2,500.

BMW says the diesel engine enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.5 seconds for the Coupé and 5.6 seconds for the Convertible. The fuel consumption and CO2 values of the two diesel models are: 5.4 – 5.5 l/100 km (51.4 – 52.3mpg UK or 42.8 -43.6mpg US) for the Coupe, and 5.6 – 5.7 l/100 km (49.6 – 50.4 mpg UK) with 147 – 149 g/km for the Convertible.

The 650i Coupe and Convertible models powered by the 407HP turbocharged V8 will be optionally available with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. According to the Bavarian automaker, the 650i xDrive Coupé powers from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, while the 650i xDrive Convertible requires 0.1 seconds longer to complete the same acceleration.

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New Renault Twingo RS 133 and Clio RS 200 Silverstone GP Limited Editions

British consumers will have one more choice when it comes to Renault’s Twingo Renaultsport 133 and the Clio Renaultsport 200 hot hatches as the French firm has added yet another trim level to their range in the form of the ‘Silverstone GP’ limited editions.

Named after the country’s most famous motor racing circuit and home of the British Grand Prix, both models were specifically created for the UK market, with only 50 of each offered for sale from July 1.

Both the Twingo RS 133 and Clio RS 200 ‘Silverstone GP’ sit on a lowered Cup Chassis and feature a silver metallic paint and contrasting ‘Deep Black’ details, including 17-inch alloy wheels (‘Speedline’ on the Clio), roof and door mirrors.

The two limited edition hot hatches also feature extra-tinted rear windows and Silverstone GP B-pillar badges inscribed with the new grand prix circuit map, while the Twingo benefits from a matching ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler, fog light surrounds and a new full stainless steel exhaust system as well.

Inside, both models gain a unique numbered interior plaque (1-50), Renaultsport Monitor onboard performance tracking system and grey and black Renaultsport carpet mats, while the Clio also features Renaultsport Recaro front seats, Bluetooth and multi-functional TunePoint for portable music players.

In addition, owners will also receive a free Renaultsport Experience at Silverstone to try out their cars.

On-the-road pricing has been set at £14,995 for the Twingo RS 133 version and £19,995 for the Clio RS 200 model.

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Chevrolet Announces UK Prices for the Camaro, Starts from £34,995 (US$56,040)

The Camaro is the centerpiece of Chevrolet’s display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begun today. And the company thought it was the perfect opportunity to announce the pricing of its UK-bound muscle car that will be available in early 2012.

The Camaro with the V8 engine starts from £34,995 (US$56,040) in coupe trim and from £39,995 (US$64,060) for the convertible, both with a manual transmission. If you want an automatic gearbox, you’ll have to add another £1,500 (US$2,400). In the U.S., the V8 model starts from US$31,070, which is equal to £19,400.

Available only in left-hand drive, the Camaro is powered by a 6.2-litre V8 which is rated in Europe at 432-horses, while Chevrolet claims that the suspension has been specifically tuned for European roads.

The UK-specification Camaro boasts a comprehensive standard equipment list that includes Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, full leather upholstery, a Boston Acoustics 9-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.

And then there’s, of course, the options list with things like a choice of premium bodywork colors, bonnet stripes, interior trim, a sunroof and polished alloy wheels.

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Revised McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Racer to Debut at Goodwood

The MP4-12C GT3, McLaren’s first race car outside of Formula 1 since the legendary F1 GTR, will make its debut in front of the public at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Based on the new MP4-12C, the GT3 will appear in a revised form after McLaren’s team further honed the supercar.

Changes include a new front radiator that increases the maximum ambient temperature at which the car can perform and a new gearbox cooler. There’s also a new aerodynamics package comprised of a new front splitter, door blade, rear wing, diffuser and louvers in the front bumpers, all made by carbon fibre.

Like the road car, the MP4-12C GT3 racer features a carbon fibre chassis and the same steering wheel as the MP4-24 Formula 1 car. The McLaren GT team will spend the 2011 season developing the GT3 before delivering 20 cars to privateer teams for the 2012 season.

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