New Porsche Boxster Roadster from £37,589 in Britain

The third generation of Porsche's roadster model has landed in UK showrooms with on-the-road prices starting from £37,589 for the 262bhp Boxster and from £45,384 for the 311bhp Boxster S.

Among other highlights, the new Boxster is up to 35kg (77 pounds) lighter and sports a 60mm (2.4 inches) longer wheelbase, widened track on the front and rear axles, and larger wheels than model it replaces.

The base Boxster is powered a mid-mounted, 2.7-liter flat-six delivering 262bhp (265PS). When fitted with the PDK dual-clutch transmission and Sport Chrono Package option, it completes the 0-62mph sprint in 5.5 seconds, while returning a combined fuel economy of 36.7mpg UK, and emissions of 180g/km CO2.

Standard features include an Alcantara interior, 18-inch alloy wheels, Auto stop/start and Sports mode, remote control hood operation, audio CD with 7-inch colour touch-screen control, and MP3 connectivity.

The sportier Boxster S features a 3.4-liter flat-six that delivers 311bhp (315PS), with the PDK version going from zero to 60mph in 4.8 seconds, and returning 35.3mpg UK combined with CO2 emissions of 188g/km.

According to Porsche, the new Boxster S with PDK laps the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:58 minutes, or 12 seconds faster than its predecessor.

The Boxster S' equipment builds on the standard model adding 19-inch alloy wheels, partial leather interior and Bi-Xenon headlights.

Fiat Revitalizes Linea Sedan with a Light Cosmetic Makeover

Created by Fiat as a world car for developing economies including Turkey, India and Brazil, the Linea is based on a stretched version of the Grande Punto's platform and has been in production since 2007.

To stimulate interest in the car, the Italian automaker introduced a refreshed version of the small sedan, which at least in Turkey, will be offered alongside the older model. The facelifted version is called Yeni (for New) Linea, while the original model bears the name Classic Linea.

Cosmetically, Fiat revamped the Linea's front end with new grille and bumper designs. At the rear end, there is a re-sculptured bumper with larger chrome trims and a black lower section, while Fiat also relocated the license plate holder from the bumper to the boot and added a decorative chrome strip on top.

Inside, the New Linea benefits from a newly designed dashboard sporting a pair of deeply set instrument gauges and a different center console with new controls for the audio and air-conditioning systems.

At least in Turkey, the New Linea is offered with three engines, a 1.4-liter petrol with 77hp, a 1.3-liter turbo diesel delivering 95hp and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel rated at 105hp.

Story References: Fiat via Worldcarfans

Peugeot Hatches a Competition Version out of its New 208 Sup

Aiming at those looking to race in the lower formulas of rally, Peugeot has introduced the first competition version of its new 208 supermini.

The new 208 R2 was developed for the popular R2 rally category and features a raft of upgrades over the regular model.

These include the driveline that combines a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine tuned to deliver 185hp at 7,800rpm, linked to a five-speed, manual, sequential gearbox with the lever mounted on the steering column.

Peugeot's engineers also made changes to the suspension, the brakes and switched the standard car’s electric power steering to a hydraulic unit, while the car rides on specially developed racing tires from Michelin.

“With the 208, Peugeot has given itself the means to create a new motoring icon,” noted Peugeot’s Range Director Laurent Blanchet during the R2 model’s launch.

“The 208 carries over the spirit of the 205 and the 206, plus the functionality of the 207 in a thoroughly modern package,” added Xavier Peugeot, the brand’s Product Director.

The 208 R2 will make its first public appearance in full racing livery when it serves as ‘zero’ car for next week’s Tour de Corse (May 10-12), the fourth round of the 2012 Intercontinental Rallye Challenge.

Peugeot said that the gravel and asphalt versions of the 208 R2 will both be available in kit form including the engine with prices starting at €37,500 (US$49,500) as well as in fully built form for €57,500 (US$76,000).

Japan's Subaru BRZ Declares War on the 2013 Ford Mustang V6

After we learned how much Subaru's all-new BRZ costs in the States, someone was bound to put the Japanese sports coupe up against the quintessential American pony car, the 2013 Ford Mustang in V6 trim. And that someone was Angus MacKenzie from MotorTrend magazine.

The similarities between the two sports coupes begin with their price and end with their front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

The 2013 Ford Mustang is a modernized version of an old formula that combines a solid rear axle with a contemporary 3.7-liter V6 that churns out 305hp at 6,500rpm and 280 lb-ft (380Nm). Ford's pony car tips the scales at 3,511 pounds (1,593kg).

In the U.S., the Mustang V6 starts at $22,995 (€17,400), with the model tested by MT in this comparo priced at $30,830 (€29,400).

The BRZ was designed by Toyota and Subaru from a clean sheet of paper with the goal of creating a modern and reasonably priced, nimble sports car for the masses. It sports a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter flat-four with direct-injection that generates 200hp at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 151 lb.-ft. (205Nm) at 6,400 rpm. It has a curb weight of 2,747 lbs (1,246kg).

Pricing for the BRZ begins at $25,495 (€19,300), with MT's tester listed at $28,245 (€21,400).

If you believe that the Ford's 105-horsepower advantage over the BRZ (despite the weight handicap) matters when it comes to straight-line acceleration and track times, you are right, but does that make it a better sports car?

You probably already know the answer to that question, but if you want to hear it for yourself in detail, hop over the break to watch MT's video test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD3hgleEOXA&feature=player_embedded

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New BMW X1 Compact Crossover Priced from £24,660 in the UK,

The facelifted BMW X1 will go on sale in Britain this July priced from £24,660 for the X1 sDrive18d. The Bavarian company's Audi Q3 rival features minor exterior styling tweaks combined with a subtlety-refined cabin, a new flagship diesel model and two new trims, Sport and xLine.

Proving the popularity of oil-burners in the UK, the X1 will be offered exclusively with diesel engines topped by the new X1 xDrive25d, which is only available in four-wheel drive.

The 25d is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel producing 215hp (218PS) at 4,000rpm and 450Nm (331 lb-ft) at 1,500rpm for a zero to 62mph (100km/h) time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 142mph (229km/h). The xDrive25ds returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 51.4mpg UK (42.8mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.

The other diesel engine options for the X1 are a 141hp (143PS) 2.0-liter unit for the 18d models, plus a 181hp (184PS) version of the same four-cylinder for the 20d version.

The most fuel efficient model in the range is the sDrive20d EfficientDynamics available only in rear-wheel drive form with a manual gearbox. Its 2.0-liter unit delivers 161hp (163PS) and 380Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque, while returning a combined fuel economy of 62.8mpg UK (52.8mpg US) and CO2 emission of 119g/km.

Aside from the existing SE and M Sport trim lines, the 2012 X1 gains two more grades.

The new Sport specification sits above the SE models adding 17-inch wheels, a dark chrome exhaust pipe finish, while the kidney grille slats, bumper trims and side sills, along with the roof rails are all finished in a high gloss black. Inside, it gets sport seats in Anthracite with Coral Red highlights, high gloss black decorative trim accents along with sports leather steering wheel, gearshift gaiter with red stitching and floor mats with red piping.

The second new trim level is the more premium xLine specification, which brings 18-inch wheels, a chrome finish for the exhaust tail pipe and kidney grille slats, and a silver finish for the all exterior trim sections, side sills and roof rails. The xLine's interior features Nevada leather seats, Dark Copper trim, switchable ambient lighting and floor mats with matching piping.

Video Shows the Styling Evolution of the Audi A3 Hatchback O

We will not blame you if you think that each new Audi A3 is a facelift of the previous model, as truth to be said, with a few exceptions over the years such as the late 1990s C5 series A6 and the 1998 TT Mk1, Ingolstadt's designers generally prefer change through evolution rather than by revolution.

The three generations of the A3 compact hatchback are a typical example of this design philosophy, something that you can see for yourself in the short clip that Audi prepared in order to highlight the changes through the years.

The first A3 was presented in 1996 and remained in production until 2003 when it was replaced by the Mk2 model based on the VW Group's newer PQ35 platform shared with the Golf.

The current, third generation of the A3 made its world premiere just this March at the Geneva Motor Show. While it looks a lot like the refreshed Mk2 model, it's actually brand new sporting the VW Group's modular MQB platform that will be used on dozens of new models including the next Golf hatch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUpsQMSXScQ&feature=player_embedded

Toyota FT-Bh concept at 2012 Geneva motor show

Toyota's news at the 2012 Geneva motor show was the world premiere of the FT-Bh small car – a Yaris-sized supermini that's 25% lighter than the existing supermini. The FT-Bh weighs in at 786 kilograms.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
And if you're wondering about those smoothed-off looks, it's all down to aero. This small car has an admirable 0.235 drag coefficient.

The FT-Bh is basically the epitome of everything Toyota knows about small cars. While it has no immediate production intent, its thinking will help shape the superminis of tomorrow. We'd certainly look twice at a Yaris shaped like this, we reckon.
Toyota FT-Bh: the lowdown
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
This is another hybrid Toyota – naturally – and its 1.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine is paired to a full hybrid powertrain like on the Yaris hybrid for an average consumption of 135mpg and just 49g/km of CO2.

Considering this car is close in size to a Yaris (3985mm long, 1695mm wide, 1400mm tall), its emissions are roughly half that of a trad supermini, says Toyota.

Mated to a CNG engine, this powertrain would cut CO2 to just 38g/km, says Toyota. Add a plug-in element to the battery charging, and that tumbles to 19g/km. That's some claim.
How come the FT-Bh is so lightweight?
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
Thankfully, it's not down to exotic materials lurking on the pricey end of the periodic table. Toyota has cleverly stuck to existing materials to achieve that flyweight 786kg mass.

Thin pillars abound, to aid visibility and cut flab, and many of the learnings of the iQ are applied to this model. The engineers ended up in a virtuous circle where everything from climate controls to engines and suspension components could become lighter.
http://variousfriends.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1387
Helping achieve that low drag figure – and that tip-toe stance – are slender 145/55 R18 low rolling resistance tyres.