Top Gear BMW to go under the hammer at the Classic Car Auction in Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

For car fans that are missing the Top Gear team, Classic Car Auctions (CCA) is offering the perfect opportunity to own a piece of the TV show’s history. A 1996 BMW E36 M3 Evo that starred in Series 15 of the world famous car show will go under the hammer at CCA’s June Sale, taking place on Saturday 6^th June at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre. 

This is a rare opportunity too; seeing as most cars that appear on the show are either converted into boats, electric people carriers, or destroyed in one of the show’s challenges, yet this one is ready to be driven away and enjoyed.

Driven by Richard Hammond and everyone’s favourite driver, The Stig, the car was featured as part of the sports saloon challenge which was filmed in Germany in 2010. 

During the episode, the car took part in activities including a high speed test on an autobahn and a drive around the country’s capital, Berlin. It also did a hot lap of the EuroSpeedway, Lausitz, completing a lap in just two minutes and six seconds!

With an interior and exterior in excellent condition, and having covered 79,100 miles, as well as no faults with the engine or electrics, the car is estimated at between £7,500 and £10,500. 

The powerful, speedy classic will be joining an impressive lot list, with a further 10 special classics by the BMW marque already submitted into the sale. Other highlights from the lot list include a 1971 TVR Vixen, a 1962 Triumph TR4, and a 1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo.

Guy Lees-Milne, general manager of CCA, said: “It is really exciting to be selling a car that has appeared on such a world renowned TV show. At CCA we are all Top Gear fans, and we are sure it will appeal to many of our buyers, too.”

USA RECALL #2 - MITSUBISHI - Drive Belt may Detach due to Worn Engine Pulley.

Report Receipt Date: SEP 12, 2014 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V562000 

Component(s): 

Potential Number of Units Affected: 165,923  

Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

SUMMARY:

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.

CONSEQUENCE:

If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Mitsubishi to Stop Lancer Evolution Production

Perhaps another setback for U.S. Mitsubishi dealers, the automaker announced that it will stop production on the Lancer Evolution performance sedan when the current generation comes to an end. This marks the death of the last sporty vehicle in the company's U.S. lineup, and as of yet, there are no plans to introduce a successor.

Spokeswoman Namie Koketsu told Automotive News that "Mitsubishi Motors does not have any plans to design a successor with the current concept, as a high-performance four-wheel drive gasoline-powered sedan. Mitsubishi Motors will explore the possibilities of high-performance models that incorporate electric vehicle technology." The automaker is shifting its focus from performance sedans to crossovers and SUVs along with electric vehicles.

There will definitely be a hole left in the Mitsubishi lineup when the Lancer Evo leaves, but the company believes it will be able to increase global sales 29 percent by March 31, 2017. Between now and then, the automaker plans to introduce many new or refreshed SUVs, vans, and crossovers globally, along with narrowing its nine-platform lineup down to two, and reducing its portfolio from 18 models to just 13. Looking to sedans, Mitsubishi will explore sourcing them through the Renault-Nissan Alliance, focusing the majority of its budget on utilities and electric drivetrains.

By 2020, Mitsubishi hopes to have 20 percent of its lineup all-electric or plug-in hybrids, keeping with the upcoming emission regulations. While a Renault-based midsized sedan is in the works for the U.S., we're curious to see how the automaker will do without a high performance vehicle in its lineup.

REPORT HERE