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Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster (2011) more pics

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

29 May 2011 00:01

AMG has released a full portfolio of images for the upcoming SLS AMG Roadster, giving us our first full view of the drop-top V8 sports car ahead of its debut in autumn 2011.

Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster: the lowdown (top-down)

Off come the SLS gullwing doors, away goes the roof structure and on goes a set of conventionally hinged doors to match the convertible soft-top. It's a power-operated three-layer cloth roof with heated glass rear window, capable of transitioning from 'English summer... ' closed to 'it's stopped raining!' open in 11 seconds. The roof folds in a z-shape to rest behind the seats and above the boot space, which at 173 litres only lsoes 3 litres to the SLS coupe, and performs its quick-change act at speeds up to 31mph. You can have your SLS AMG Roadster soft-top in either black, red or beige depending on which of the nine standard exterior and eight interior colours you choose.

Inside it's largely the same interior from the SLS, with lower sills and new armrest and door card design to match the conventional doors. Airscarf headrest climate control is optional, but fixed roll hoops, eight airbags and a slot-in plexiglass air deflector are standard with the SLS AMG Roadster. Also on the interior options list are Bang and Olufsen BeoSound AMG hi-fi, and AMG Performance Media: a timing and telemetry system which includes mobile internet access.

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Aston Martin V12 Zagato (2011) makes its racing debut

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

31 May 2011 13:30

Aston Martin only unveiled its V12 Zagato limited edition coupe one week ago, but has already put the racing version into action, at the latest round of the ADAC VLN series at the Nurburgring. It was the first chance the public have had to see the Aston Martin V12 Zagato since it was revealed at the 2011 Villa d'Este Concours.

Why choose the Nurburgring for the Aston Martin V12 Zagato's race debut?

Starting with what is generally regarded as the world's toughest circuit may seem counterproductive. But Aston Martin maintains its test centre at the Nurgurgring, and the V12 Zagato is based on the existing V12 Vantage chassis. Remember that Aston is planning to race two V12 Zagatos as part of its works team at the 2011 Nurburgring 24hr race later in June, and the tough location makes perfect sense.

How did the Aston Martin V12 Zagato fare in its first race?

Aston Martin had low expectations for the box-fresh car, planning to use the four-hour endurance race to test suspension set-up and allow the team to gather on-track data for further development work between now and the 24hr race.

Unfortunately, the V12 Zagato expired after 5 laps of the unforgiving circuit, succumbing to a variety of teething issues. But Aston Martin Racing was happy with the initial effort, given the newness of the car.

It was left to Aston Martin's existing V8 and V12 Vantage racing cars to push for victory. The team's V12 Vantage suffered crash damage in the first lap and was forced to retire, but a V8 Vantage came second in the SP8 class. Overall victory on the day went to Porsche, scoring a win for its 911 GT3 R Hybrid racer.

Skoda Fabia RS 2000 (2011)

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Skoda Fabia RS 2000 (2011): the open-air hot-hatch

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

02 June 2011 14:30

Skoda is the latest of the VW Group brands to unveil a showcar at the 30th annual Worthersee GTI festival in Reifnitz, Austria. Earlier in the week Audi unveiled their bloodshot-eyed meanie, the A1 Clubsport Quattro concept. Now the value-brand VW makers from Mlada Boleslav have unveiled the Fabia RS 2000.

Fabia RS 2000 - Skoda's rallycar speedster

The Fabia RS 2000 may look like a standard supermini inadvertantly delivered to a reality TV car-customising show. But rather than a regular edition of the Poundland Polo, Skoda started with the broad-shouldered Fabia S2000 rally car.  Then decapitated it.

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels, the Fabia RS 2000 has room for four inside and retains its rear side doors - proving that even when in ride-pimping mode the Czechs can't quite leave Skoda's sensible side behind. Inside there's enough carbonfibre to satisfy a composites fetishist, accented with Skoda's trademark green trim.

What's the point of the Skoda Fabia RS 2000?

To remind a target market of around 120,000 hot-hatch drivers and VW brand fanatics descending on Worthersee that Skoda has a successful motorsports programme, their own Polo GTI-rivalling Fabia VRS and the capacity to be more than sensible family motoring.

Mini Coupe (2011)

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Mini Coupe (2011) specifications announced

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

06 June 2011 15:30

Mini has announced the basic specifications for the upcoming Mini Coupe, due to launch later in summer 2011.

Mini Coupe: the spec levels

The car will be available in four specification levels, starting with Mini Cooper Coupe's naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre engine. From there it's on to the 1.6 turbocharged petrol Mini Cooper S Coupe, 2.0 turbodiesel Cooper SD Coupe, and the range-topping 208bhp Mini John Cooper Works Coupe.

Sadly there's no additional power and torque to go with the snug-fit roofline on the Coupes - each powerplant produces identical power and torque figures to the equivalent Mini hatchback. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic optional on the Cooper Coupe, Cooper SD Coupe and Cooper S Coupe.

Renaultsport Megane (2011) Nurburgring teaser video

Renaultsport have released a teaser video, showing its development team preparing a new Renaultsport Megane for track-testing at the Nurburgring. Under the title 'Save the date: June 17', the video shows a previous-generation Renaultsport Megane R26.R in addition to the track-focused, luridly-painted current Megane.

Renaultsport is believed to be preparing a harder-edged, more powerful RS Megane, to sit above the current RS250 Cup model. The current car is no slouch, winning general acclaim from CAR when it was included in our PCOTY 2011 convoy through France. But it looks like the fast Renault wizards from Dieppe have decided to send their latest car to the Nurburgring in order to attract the attention of the trackday brigade. 

BMW 1-series hatchback (2011)

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BMW 1-series hatchback (2011) first official pictures

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

06 June 2011 09:45

BMW has peeled the last pieces of camouflage sheeting from their F20 1-series and announced details of the upcoming entry-level car.

BMW 1-series: the evolutionary new look

As revealed in CAR's spy images last month, the 1-series is a clear evolution of its predecessor, featuring smoother lines but a more aggressively-angled front-end. The new headlight design dominates the nose, providing the 1-series with a pronounced squint compared with its predecessor. 

F20 has grown in most dimensions over the first 1-series: it is 85mm longer overall, and sits on a 30mm longer. Front and rear tracks grow by 51mm and 72mm respectively. BMW has kept the height identical but found 17mm extra width and delivers 21mm more rear legroom. Luggage grows 30 litres to 360 litres with the seats up, and 1200 litres with the seats down. 

BMW have also created two new trim lines for the 1-series, BMW Sport Line (the red car pictured) and BMW Urban Line (the blue car).