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BMW 1-Series M Coupe to be used as MotoGP Safety Car
The 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car is a one-off example that is built by BMW’s M Division specifically for the MotoGP racing championship. BMW says that only the 340bhp twin-turbocharged straight-six engine and the drivetrain are the same as the standard 1-Series M Coupe road car, which will go on sale in April.
The 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car is lighter than the production car, thanks to a series of weight saving measures such as the carbon fibre-reinforced bonnet featuring additional large air vents, polycarbonate side and rear windows and the removal of the rear seat bench. BMW M also developed a bespoke lightweight titanium race exhaust system that not only saves weight but also promises to delivers a much more exciting sound.
Additional details that differentiate the1-Series M Coupe Safety Car from its production car brethren include an additional splitter integrated on the underside of the front apron, an adjustable rear wing that provides added downforce, white LED flashlights incorporated in the front grille, and blacked out 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car features a safety rollover cage bolted behind the B-pillar that has taken the place of the rear seats, an M steering wheel in Alcantara, two racing bucket seats with 6-point safety belts, and a fire extinguisher.
BMW also said that the suspension of the car has been revamped, and now has an adjustable race track set-up that includes a sports-tuned chassis in which the dampers are independently adjustable for bump and rebound. Additionally, the brakes have been enhanced, with a six-piston fixed-calliper racing brake system replacing the standard brakes of the production car.
Aside from the 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car, BMW will also provide a whole host of other vehicles for the MotoGP racing series. These include two reserve Safety Cars, which are an X6 M and an M3, a 535i Touring Medical Car, an X5 M for the Safety Officer, and an X6 ActiveHybrid for the stewards’ use, as well as two Safety Bikes, which are the BMW S 1000 RR and a HP2 Sport.
Photo gallery after the jump.
Volvo V60
Text and Photos by Julian Kho
Isn’t it ironic that the word ‘icon’ has been overworked to describe people and things that aren’t? When pop starlets to white loafers to automobiles are labelled as an ‘icon’, you know the term is in dire situation of losing its true meaning beyond the general sense of good looks. We reckon an icon brings about a number of intrinsic worth – revolutionary, triggers a series of emotions, inspirational, excellence and above all makes not just you, but many, tingle at the sight of it.
So where does the Volvo V60 stand?
We see the estate, or coupe as how Volvo would like it to be, as a contemporary vehicle. It represents the current trend that markets well amongst the young at heart. It symbolises time, truth and the occurring modernisation of automobiles. And to a near extent, Volvo has done very well. The S60 was well-received, both by the media as well as its fan base. Now, with its sibling offering extra space and flexibility without compromising on the sporty design, Volvo’s estate line-up will be a strong and competitive one.
Going up against other fellow estates such as the Saab 9-3 SportCombi and the Skoda Octavia Combi, the estate version of the S60 doesn’t see a 1.8 or a 2.0-litre engine. Instead, the 1.6-litre V60 has an in-line four-cylinder engine that connects very well with the creamy six-speed automatic Powershift transmission to produce what competitors can’t. This immediately places the V60 as a unique car that resides soundly with its sporty attitude.
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen R
by: Tom Cassady; photos by: Scott Chu
It’s a dilemma we’ve all had to face before. As car enthusiasts, we want a car that is sheer fun to drive, and it wouldn’t hurt if it looks good either. As, well, people, our lives don’t necessarily allow for such things to happen. Fast cars don’t usually go hand-in-hand with practically, something fast-paced lives usually demand.
Such was the case for Josh Stern. As a car guy, he’s always had the faster stuff, typically with a blue-and-white roundel on the hood. But as a lighting engineer for the movie industry in California, his “M”-prefixed cars wouldn’t make the best haulers for his largish equipment. And sure he has a moving van for his big rigs, but that’s a pain when the loads are small.
BMW 1-Series M Coupe
Munich Automobiles, the world’s first exclusive BMW M dealer, welcomed both customers and enthusiasts to have a private preview of the newest member of its tuned-up family last week. And it was a preview that was worth waiting.
The much desirable M badge has finally been marked to the well-received BMW 1-Series in the form of the M Coupe. Being the first country in Asia to view the car, interested customers will have the opportunity to pre-order one of only 20 limited production vehicles to be available officially in Singapore. Well, having a splendid record of selling over 50 M cars since the opening of Munich Automobiles, it came as no surprise when a customer could not resist the car’s good looks and decided to order the car, being the first in Singapore to own the BMW 1-Series M Coupe.
It was, no doubt, a good decision as pre-orders are only available in Singapore from the 22nd to 24th of January 2011.
Audi A1
The latest Audi A1 represents the Ingolstadt manufacturer’s first foray into the subcompact market. Muscling in on a segment already crowded with the Mini Cooper and Citroen DS3. Nevertheless Audi is determined to present the first premium car in this segment with the A1’s superior build quality and emotive design features.
Managing Director of Audi Singapore, Reinhold Carl said, “The A1 is truly the next big Audi. Urban living demands a compact city car like the A1 that still features the quality and high-tech features of a ‘full-size’ Audi. The A1 is also a very emotional car with its sophisticated design, stylish interior and dazzling array of customising possibilities that provide young Singaporeans with the freedom to express their personal style and have fun at the same time.
The interior of the Audi A1 is spacious, bright and airy. The instrument panel resembles an airplane wing, with its four round air vents reminiscent of jet engines. The clean and clear control layout is just as much a classic Audi strength as the high level of fit and finish quality while the attention lavished on numerous details underscores the premium character of the Audi A1. Innovative materials and modern colours emphasise the youthful character of the car. One of the main features of the new Audi A1 is the wide range of customisation options available.
Read more…
Honda Brio
Honda has launched the new Brio city car, which will be offered for sale in emerging markets such as India, Thailand and China The car is based on the Brio concept car that Honda previewed last year, and measures 3,610 mm long and 1,680 mm wide, making it 290mm shorter than theJazz super mini and only 1 centimetre narrower. The Brio is targeted at emerging car markets such as Thailand, China and India.
Under the bonnet, the Brio is powered by a 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine taken from the Jazz, which produces 90bhp and is mated to either a five-speed manual or a CVT transmission. Fuel consumption is quoted at 4 litres per 100km, while the Brio also meets the latest Euro 4 emissions standards.
The Brio models that will be sold in Thailand will come with features such as two front airbags, disc brakes, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), while cars sold in India will have slightly different specifications tailored to the market needs.
“The Brio will meet the driving and lifestyle needs of people who are looking for a stylish and compact, yet spacious and fuel-efficient car that carries a brand that they can trust for its advanced and safety technologies,” said Atsushi Fujimoto, Honda Thailand president.
Photo gallery after the jump.
Porsche Cajun to be built in Leipzig
Porsche has confirmed that its new Cajun baby crossover will be built at its factory in Leipzig, Germany, with an expected launch date of 2014
To accommodate production of the new model, Porsche will expand the factory and install a new assembly line and paint shop. Additionally, production of the new Cajun is expected to create at least one thousand more jobs for the Stuttgart carmaker.
Porsche CEO Matthias Müller said, “During the production of the Cayenne and the Panamera, our Leipzig plant has impressively proved that it can produce premium vehicles of highest quality. The decision in favor of this location is proof of our trust in the skills and qualifications of our Leipzig associates, and at the same time another contribution to the economic advancement of the region.”
BMW 6-Series officially launched
The launch of the 6-Series coupe comes after the 6-Series convertible was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, and is based on the Concept 6-Series Coupe that was showcased last year, and designed by new BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk.
The design is a mild evolution of the previous 6-Series, with its “shark nose” front-end with bi-xenon headlights and a forward-slanting grille, and the side profile showcasing frameless windows, chrome accents, and a C-pillar with the distinctive Hofmeister kink. The rear of the car features a dual exhaust system, LED taillights, and a boot lid with an integrated spoiler.
The interior of the 6-Series coupe is the same as the convertible, with equipment such as Dakota leather seats, high-gloss black trim, or brushed aluminium and wood trim, and a 7-inch iDrive display all available. Options include heated/ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, and GPS navigation with an upgraded 10.2-inch display. Technological features include a head-up display, a rear-view camera, night vision assist with pedestrian recognition, parking assist, and a lane departure/lane change warning system.
Read more…
Mini Cooper S Countryman
The Cooper S Countryman (CSC) comes nearly 10 years after BMW’s remake of the original MINI. The new model arrives at a time where the original enthusiast buyers would have grown up a little and are looking around for a more practical option beyond the Mini Cooper Coupe, Cabriolet or Clubman.
The latest CSC pays quiet homage to the original Countryman that came with only two doors and wooden panelling on the outside of its station wagon exterior.
Its descendant though has grown both in size and number of doors on its SUV-esque crossover platform.
The CSC is an all-new MINI that is developed on an all-new platform. This explains why its origins are not in Oxford but Austria at the Magna-Steyr facility.
The same folks who’ve been breathing life into some of the most emotive automotive works of art in recent times.
Their latest projects include the mind-numbingly elegant Aston Martin Rapide and the delectably gorgeous Peugeot RCZ
Photo gallery after the jump.
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