BMW wins awards for the M2 and X1 from Car and Driver's 10Best awards.

• The BMW M2 and the BMW M240i win 10Best in the compact-sport sedan genre

The BMW X1 receives Car and Driver’s first-ever 10Best Truck and SUV for 2017 in the Subcompact Luxury SUV category. The BMW M2 and the BMW M240i make the annual Car and Driver’s 10Best list of the best automobiles for sale in the U.S. BMW will accept the awards at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 2017.

Although the 10Best award has been issued for over three decades, the 10Best Trucks and SUVs is a new addition to the yearly Car and Driver evaluation and BMW is pioneering in this first-ever category with the new BMW X1.

 

The 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine from BMW’s new family of modular engines with maximum output of 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, makes the new BMW X1 the most powerful entry model in the segment. 

An efficiency-optimized version of the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and newly developed chassis technology all help to enhance driving dynamics and ride comfort compared to the outgoing model. 

The all-new BMW X1 also showcases its exceptional versatility with increased cargo area and greater interior room with more headroom than before.

The interior offers harmonious balance between driver focus and elegance befitting the classic style of a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle. 

The iDrive operating system’s Control Display comes in the form of a high resolution 6.5-inch or, optionally, 8.8-inch freestanding display screen. The interior trim and accent strip extend through the door panel trim, with the effect that occupants in all seats are surrounded by premium surfaces with a uniform material and color structure. 

Standard interior features include: Power front seats with driver-side memory, standard power tailgate, Anthracite headliner, storage package and multifunction sport leather steering wheel.

The optional 360-watt Harman Kardon HiFi system, complete with 12 loudspeakers, provide an outstanding audio experience. 

Innovative connectivity featuring a standard 6.5 inch infotainment system with optional enhanced USB and Bluetooth plus Smartphone integration, Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Driving Assistant including forward collision warning with automatic braking capability.

The BMW X1 is available at US dealers starting at $33,100 plus D&H.

The BMW M GmbH latest member of its product family, the first ever BMW M2, joins the M235i (2015; 2016) and M240i as Car and Driver 10Best winner, which makes the BMW 2 Series a 3 times consecutive victor. 

The vehicle combines top sporting prowess and classic rear-wheel drive with the precision and agility of a modern M automobile. Characteristic front and rear aprons optimize air flow and aerodynamics. 

With an output of 365 hp at 6,500 rpm and maximum revs of 7,000 rpm this all-new BMW M2 is more powerful than its predecessor: the iconic BMW 1 Series M Coupe. 

The 3.0-liter 6-cylinder inline engine’s peak torque also leads the way; a full 343 lb-ft is on tap between 1,400 and 5,560 rpm, with the overboost function raising this figure to 369 lb-ft, the M2 sends the torque to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 7-speed Dual Clutch transmission. 

The M developed chassis and suspension paired to the powerful M TwinPower Turbo technology engine ensure breathtaking performance.

The BMW M2 is available at selected US dealers starting at $51,700 plus D&H.

The M240i is a returning winner of Car and Driver 10Best with a totally new modular engine resulting in a 15 hp increase, honoring the 2 Series M Performance Automobile model 3 years in a row. 

The new 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine generates a maximum output of 335 hp and has an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque, 39 lb-ft more than before yielding a 0-60 mph time in as little as 4.2 seconds. 

A key element in the new engine’s ability to serve up thrillingly dynamic acceleration is the pulling power that comes on tap early and is maintained over a wide rev range.

USA - VOLVO to introduce 265 S60 & V60 Polestar models for MY 2016, with a host of modifications.

Volvo Cars of North America will be importing only 265 S60 and V60 Polestar vehicles for model year 2016. Cars will start to arrive on U.S. shores this summer, with 60% of the allocation expected to be V60s and 40% to be S60s. Polestar engineers made over 70 modifications and upgrades to the original S60 and V60, resulting in an impressive performance vehicle that gives the driver optimal control in all roads and conditions.

The Polestar production range has been popular among performance enthusiasts, with the 2015 model year selling out quickly. Previously only available in Rebel Blue and Black Sapphire, model year 2016 will now add Ice White and Bright Silver to the color options. The appeal of a classic Volvo look with enhanced driving dynamics has made the Polestar editions truly unique on American roads.

Each vehicle will feature a 345 horsepower, 6 cylinder engine sprinting from 0-60 MPH in just 4.7 seconds (4.8 seconds for the V60) thanks to a new twin-scroll turbo, intercooler, full flow active exhaust and completely recalibrated engine management system. The transmission was modified to give the driver more control with faster gear shifts partnered with a Haldex all-wheel drive system. 

This power is coupled with a chassis that provides impressive road feedback and control. Custom shock absorbers were developed with long-time partner Öhlins producing a suspension usually reserved for supercars. Stopping power was optimized through a completely upgraded brake system, including 6-piston Brembo brake calipers and ventilated brake discs.

To achieve the perfect balance of performance and control in almost any scenario, each S60 and V60 Polestar vehicle features recalibrated exterior aerodynamics and bespoke Polestar rims with an airy, unique design that supports airflow around the brakes to increase breaking endurance. Custom features continue into the cabin with a Nubuck clad steering wheel and seats to increase grip.

“This is a performance vehicle that combines Polestar’s racing experience with Volvo Cars’ exceptional ability to build everyday cars” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, “it is a rare combination that is hard for others to duplicate successfully.”

Each vehicle boasts a long list of standard equipment, such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Harman Kardon Premium Sound and several features typically optional on competitor models.

Volvo Cars’ partnership with Polestar was further enhanced earlier this week when the Swedish automaker announced the 100% purchase of Polestar Performance AB. Further development of Polestar enhanced vehicles are anticipated as the company transitions all vehicles to the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) by the end of 2018.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Mercedes S-Class takes Luxury Car Of The Year Award.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been named Luxury Car of the Year at the What Car? Awards.

Announced first as the winner of the ‘under £70,000’ category, the S-Class went on to win the outright Luxury Car of the Year Award against strong – and more expensive – competition. It marks the ninth time the S-Class has won the category. 

Jim Holder, Editor of What Car? Magazine, said: “Even in a class full of serious heavyweights, the Mercedes S-Class manages to stand out as a proper puncher. The S 350 offers an astounding level of quality, terrific refinement from its diesel engine and even appealing running costs; none of its rivals can match the comfort and technology available here. Even cars like these can appeal on value, and at less than £70,000, the S-Class looks astonishing against its peers. It’s more than worthy, again, of the Luxury Car of the Year title.”

Accepting the Award was Adam Chamberlain, Sales Director, Mercedes-Benz UK: “The current S-Class arrived a little over a year ago and has already had a terrific start – it’s now been What Car? Luxury Car of the Year twice and remains the UK’s Number One luxury car. It doesn’t stop there, as 2015 promises to be an exciting year for the S-Class with the most luxurious and the most efficient versions yet, set to debut.”

Since its launch, the S-Class has set new benchmarks in safety, comfort and refinement – and in its choice of powertrains. Four-, six-, eight- or 12-cylinder engines make up the line-up, three of which are Hybrids as well as two mighty AMG models that combine immense performance with the ability to cover huge distances in complete comfort.

The line-up is soon to expand further. This year the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid, emitting just 65 g/km of CO₂ on the combined cycle, and the luxurious and even more spacious Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will debut in the UK – promising to be the quietest production saloon car in the world.

Porsche 911 GT3 wins WORLD performance car of the year, fire extinguishers were at hand !

At a ceremony at the New York Auto Show this morning, the Porsche 911 GT3 was named the 2014 World Performance Car.

The World Car Awards (WCA) are presented annually in four categories – Car Design, Green Car, Performance Car and Car of the Year. Winners are determined by an international panel of 69 automotive journalists from 22 countries. Jurors are appointed by the World Car Awards’ Steering Committee based on automotive expertise, experience, credibility and influence.

“To be chosen as the winner of the World Performance Car by this global jury is extremely rewarding,” said Detlev von Platen, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “Each generation of the 911 GT3 epitomizes our vision of the ultimate pure bred, track ready sports car. And our newest iteration is no exception. To be elected against such formidable competitors by a large number of auto experts pays a huge compliment to our designers and engineers.”

Since the inception of the World Car of the Year Awards, Porsche has won World Performance Car three time; for the Boxster and Cayman 2013, 911 in 2012 and for the Cayman, again, in 2006. The fifth-generation 911 GT3 is the latest top performing naturally aspirated 911 from Porsche.  Completely redesigned, it is lighter, more powerful and more fuel efficient than its predecessor. A wider front track and advanced technology like active rear wheel steering enhance the driving experience.

  

Delivering 475 hp, the 3.8-liter horizontally opposed rear mounted 6-cylinder engine is mated to a seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplingsgetriebe (PDK) transmission which drives the rear wheels. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph is just 3.3 seconds and top track speed is 195 mph. The 911 GT3 MSRP in the U.S. is $130,400, not including a $995 destination charge.

Jaguar counts on XE, first crossover to reach ambitious sales goal

Jaguar is counting on the new XE compact sedan and a forthcoming crossover to help boost Jaguar Land Rover’s global vehicle sales to 750,000 by the end of the decade, up from an all-time high of 425,000 last year.

Jaguar showed an image of the XE during the Geneva auto show last month.

The production version of the Audi A4 rival will debut in October at the Paris auto show and will go on sale globally next year. The XE is Jaguar’s first mid-sized premium sedan since it discontinued the Ford Mondeo-based X-Type in 2009 (THE MONDEO WAS BASED OFF A JAGUAR FLOORPAN, THE DEVELOPMENT WAS JAGUAR AND FORD "BORROWED" IT FOR THE MONDEO, THE XT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LAUNCHED BEFORE THE MONDEO, WITH THE TAG LINE, MONDEO, WITH JAGUAR ENGINEERING). The XE will be the first model underpinned by JLR's aluminum spaceframe. The architecture also will be used for the crossover, which will take styling hints from the C-X17 concept Jaguar unveiled last autumn. 

Andy Goss, JLR group sales operations director, declined to share the volume targets for the XE and crossover. He did, however, tell Automotive News Europe that JLR’s recently announced plant expansions hint at a total installed capacity of about 600,000 units for the automaker by later this decade. That is in line with a previously announced sales goal from Jaguar Land Rover Canada President Lindsay Duffield, who said last June that the automaker is targeting global sales of 750,000 units by the end of the decade, with an eventual target of 1 million units.

Next year, JLR plans to start production at its new China plant, which has a capacity of 130,000 units. JLR will invest 10.9 billion yuan (1.3 billion euros) to add the factory. It is part of a joint venture with China’s Chery Automobile that includes an r&d center and an engine plant in the eastern city of Changshu. Within two years JLR will also begin making vehicles in Itatiaia, Brazil, for South America. The 240 million pound (287 million euro) plant’s initial capacity will be 24,000 units a year growing quickly to 40,000 units. Plant construction is scheduled to start in a few months with the first cars rolling off the line in 2016.

“Our plants in the UK are working flat out, on three shifts five days a week,” Goss said. “The new plants overseas will free capacity in the UK for global supply of our new products.”

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USA - AUDI introduces the new A7, S7 and RS7 cars.

• • Audi A7 model line expands with new TDI® clean diesel variant – the first clean diesel five-door coupe
• • Audi RS 7 – the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S – launches from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds
• • A7 model line defined by striking design and advanced technologies

The Audi A7 model line – representing the perfect blend of progressive design, advanced technology and versatility– is enhanced for the 2014 model year with two new models: the Audi A7 TDI® clean diesel model and the all-new Audi RS 7.

Performance

New for 2014, the highly-anticipated Audi RS 7– which debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit – is the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S. The epitome of aesthetic design, innovative technology and track-tested performance, the five-door coupe is fitted with the twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, producing an astounding 560 hp that launches the RS 7 from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. At low to medium loads and engine speeds – with its innovative cylinder on demand technology – the RS 7 deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 by closing their valves via electromechanical actuators. The 4.0 TFSI runs in four-cylinder mode, providing up to 15% better fuel efficiency, while the active engine mounts remove any changes in vibration between eight and four-cyclinder modes. The active noise cancellation system is not needed on the RS 7 because of the low exhaust frequencies of the sport exhaust.

Also new for the 2014 Model Year, the Audi A7 TDI is the first five-door clean diesel coupe. The A7 TDI achieves an impressive EPA estimated fuel economy of 24 city/ 38 highway/ 29 combined MPG. At the same time, the 6-cylinder clean diesel engine with quattro® all-wheel drive and 8-speed Tiptronic ® transmission produces 240 hp and 428 lb-ft torque, completing the 0-60 MPH sprint in 5.5 seconds.

The 2014 A7 is powered by the 3.0 liter TFSI® direct-injection V6 supercharged engine that delivers an incredible 310 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Mated to the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, the A7 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Audi quattro® all-wheel drive is standard, providing exceptional grip and superior handling.

The Audi S7 is fitted with the 4.0 liter TFSI® with 420 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The twin-turbo V8 accelerates the five-door coupe from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Power is delivered via the seamless seven-speed S tronic® transmission and quattro® permanent all-wheel drive with a self-locking center differential and torque vectoring. The grip of the quattro system is enhanced dynamically through the sport differential, which actively distributes the power between the rear wheels and enables superior cornering and acceleration as the driver exits a turn.

Exterior

The Audi A7 and performance-oriented S7 deliver striking visual statements with bold features, dramatic design, and an athletic, sculpted silhouette. For 2014, the A7 3.0T and 3.0 TDI models are now five-passenger vehicles, while the S7 and RS 7 are offered exclusively in a four-passenger configuration.

An available Black Optic package for the A7 and S7 features a black optic grille with high-gloss Singleframe® surround, gloss-black window surround. The A7/S7 offers the unmistakable appearance of full LED lighting technology, which is more efficient, and produces light which is close to sunlight, reducing strain on the driver’s eyes.

A series of design details give the RS 7 a dynamic edge to its flowing coupe design. Available in standard, matte aluminum or carbon styling, the RS 7 features distinctive bumpers, a Singleframe® grille in aluminum matte or high-gloss black, honeycomb grille inserts and heated, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors (also standard on A7 Prestige and S7 models). The adaptive rear spoiler, lower rear diffuser and two large elliptical tailpipes of the exhaust system signify the performance that the RS 7 has to offer.

Interior

The 2014 A7 3.0T and TDI models both start with a Premium Plus trim level – which is equipped standard with Audi connect® – and are infused with innovative technologies and functional amenities. With a sophisticated design of the dashboard and controls, twelve-way adjustable front seats including four-way lumbar support, available three-stage ventilation and heating, and beautiful trim and inlays, the A7 makes a modern design statement inside and out.

All models feature an interior electric trunk release on the driver’s side, and Prestige models feature power door closers. The 2014 S7 and RS 7 feature standard leather door armrests, Valcona® leather seats, illuminated door sills and ambient lighting.

The RS 7 features a three-spoke perforated multifunction sport steering wheel with contrast stitching and RS 7 emblem; RS-specific shift knob and interior door handles; RS-specific Carbon fiber inlays, optional Layered Aluminum/Black wood decorative inlays; black-faced instrument gauges, white scales and red needles; aluminum pedals and footrest; and a Black Alcantara ® headliner (optional).

Technology and driver assistance

The A7 model line features some of Audi’s most advanced technology and driver assistance features. The groundbreaking Audi MMI® touch with handwriting recognition features hard and soft keys, dedicated buttons for commonly-used controls and a revolutionary touchpad that interprets hand-written inputs. You can perform a number of functions, like write the digits of telephone number and the letters of the navigation destination with a finger, or scroll over maps, all without taking your eyes off the road.

Audi side assist – which monitors the blind spot areas, as well as fast-approaching vehicles, at a range of approximately 150 ft. to the rear of the car – is now standard on A7 Prestige, S7 and RS 7 models. The optional Night Vision Assistant can detect pedestrians approximately 300 ft. ahead of the vehicle; once a pedestrian is registered, the system highlights them in yellow. If the pedestrian moves into the anticipated path of the A7/S7, they are highlighted in red and accompanied by an acoustic warning.

A cornerview camera is now part of the Driver Assistance plus package for all models, and the available adaptive cruise control and Audi pre sense plus enhances safety for drivers and their passengers.

Audi connect®

For 2014, A7, S7 and RS 7 models are equipped standard with the award-winning infotainment system Audi connect®. Audi was the first global auto manufacturer to offer factory-fitted in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for passenger use, enabling the Audi connect system to deliver connectivity to up to eight wireless devices. With Audi connect – offered complementary for six months and available for as little as $15 per month thereafter – the onboard Audi MMI Navigation system is enhanced with Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of the route. Audi connect also features real-time localized weather, news and live fuel prices; Google Voice™ Local Search for detailed information about travel destinations, such as restaurant or hotel hours, pricing and customer reviews; and the myAudi Destination feature, which allows users to log on to Google Earth from virtually any location in the U.S. and download up to 50 destinations to the vehicle. Audi also offers real-time Sirius XM® Traffic information via enhancements to the Audi MMI Navigation plus system (active Sirius XM® Traffic subscription required).