USA - The BMW M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible will have a special competition package available to buy.

The BMW M3 Sedan, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible are already regarded as the perfect combination of high-performance sports car engineering with unrestricted everyday utility. From spring 2016, all three body styles will be available with a special Competition Package from BMW M GmbH that combines added sporty personality with enhanced dynamics. 

As well as extensive handling upgrades, the Competition Package also comes with additional equipment features and a hike in power that takes output to 444 hp.

The extra power means improved performance. 

The BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe with optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT) sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds (without Competition Package: 3.9 sec.), while the BMW M4 Convertible reaches the same speed in 4.1 seconds (without Competition Package: 4.2 sec). 

The sprint time for models with the standard 6-speed manual transmission is likewise 0.1 seconds faster in all cases than without the package.

The Competition Package includes Adaptive M Suspension, which has been extensively tuned to the enhanced performance and handling, and which features new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, along with reconfigured driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+). 

The standard Active M Differential on the rear axle and DSC Dynamic Stability Control have likewise been configured to match the upgraded dynamics. Forged, machine-polished, weight-and rigidity-optimized, multi-spoke 20-inch M alloy wheels (front 9J ×20; rear10 J ×20) with mixed tires sizes (front: 265/30 R20, rear: 285/30 R20) complete the list of chassis upgrades.

For the BMW M3 and BMW M4 Coupe, the Competition Package includes special lightweight M sports seats that combine additional support on the track with exceptional comfort on the street. Seatbelts with woven-in BMW M stripes cap off an extremely sporty interior ambience.

Eye-catching exterior highlights of the Competition Package include the M sports exhaust system with black chrome tailpipes. 

Even more than its good looks, the most distinctive feature of the M sports exhaust system is its potent sound, which brings added emotional resonance to the driving experience. The starting rumble and the distinctive burble on over run never fail to get under the skin of dedicated drivers time and again.

The Competition Package for the BMW M3 and M4 is topped off by extended BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line exterior trim. In additional to the already standard high-gloss Black finish on the the side window trim, window recess finishers and exterior mirror frames and bases, the Competition Package also includes high-gloss Black finish on the BMW kidney grille, the side gills and the model badge on the tail.

The Competition Package will be offered for a retail price of $5,500 on the M3 Sedan and Coupe and the $5,000 on the M4 Convertible.

New UK Built Avatar Lightweight Sports car to be debuted at The Performance car Show at the NEC.

• Deliveries from spring 2016 for 360bhp/tonne road and track lightweight sportscar debuting at The Performance Car Show 2016

Enthusiasts seeking a balance of pure performance and affordability from every driving experience now have a fresh alternative from British manufacturer Avatar. 

The Devon-based track and race division of long-standing specialist car producer Marlin Sports Cars has developed the 250bhp 2.0 Ecoboost-engined Roadster to offer road and track day fans a responsive, involving, lightweight car that offers plenty of scope to adjust and upgrade during ownership. 

The first car will make its public debut at The Performance Car Show on 14-17 January 2016 (Hall 19, Stand 19215), held at the Birmingham NEC alongside sister show Autosport International.

Eschewing the handling and styling compromises of transversally mounting the Ford 2.0 engine behind the driver, Avatar’s engineers mandated the race-substantiated longitudinal installation, driving the rear wheels through a proven Porsche Boxster five-speed gearbox. 

Underlining an emphasis on performance and commitment to offer the most effective features at this price point, engineers specified in-board adjustable suspension at the rear with Nitron dampers, Quaife LSD, Tilton pedal box and Hi-Spec brakes on the 700kg car. 

The Avatar Roadster will also be available in a 350bhp version that uses the 2.3l Ecoboost engine from the forthcoming Ford Focus RS and Mustang. Starting with a clean sheet of paper, Avatar’s design team was able to create a custom laser-cut, tubular spaceframe chassis that sits the driver closer to the centreline of the car. 

“This arrangement not only offers better weight distribution and, we think, purer driving experience but also provides storage space alongside the driver for the optional ‘get me home’ roof,” says Dylan Popovic, Avatar designer and company racing driver.

The chassis, manufactured in-house by Marlin Sports Cars, a producer of chassis for its own cars as well as other niche manufacturers for over 35 years, is clothed in a sleek composite four-piece bodyshell; front and back sections can be removed in less than 30 seconds. 

The pleasing aesthetics of the Avatar Roadster have been honed by aero specialist Simon McBeath and confirmed by a string of class wins for the development mule running in the Castle Combe Sports & GT Championship. 

“We have completed over 1,200 laps at the demanding Castle Combe circuit to finesse and prove the quality of the Avatar,” adds Dylan. “Consumers expect to drive to a track day, thrash around all day and come home again without wielding the spanners. The Avatar was conceived with high quality components to do just that.”

Avatar’s back up and technical support is as just as comprehensive as the Avatar Roadster’s specification. A pre-delivery ‘Tailored’ session means each car leaves the factory corner-weighted and setup specific to the buyer’s weight, driving preferences and planned use. “We want to know each of our customers and their cars personally,” adds Terry Matthews, Avatar founder. 

“Owners can pick up the phone to us any time and get one-to-one support that is often lacking from larger car makers. We also want that ‘community’ element that might see Avatar owners plan a trip together through The Lakes, a coffee and doughnut meet every three months or perhaps a track day on the Continent.”

An unlimited mileage, three-year warranty, provides further peace of mind whilst the engine can be serviced at any Ford garage.

Aware that track day drivers are always keen to find a little more performance, customers can choose from a range of options to tailor the car for more serious track work or even competition. 

The Avatar’s modular design means it is possible to specify at time of build or simply upgrade later to the 350bhp 2.3l Ecoboost engine, a six-speed gearbox, three-way dampers and stiffer springs, six pot brakes, race pads, semi slick/slick tyre options. 

For racers or hard core track day drivers, a full roll cage, six-point harnesses, extinguisher, uprated cooling pack, DL1 data logger and camera, HANS custom seat and race-only aero package are offered from the factory.

“We want Avatar owners to enjoy a spirited drive on a crisp Sunday morning or turn up to a track day, surprise a few owners of more exotic machines and drive home with a big smile on their face, confident they have a reliable, safe and enjoyable car,” adds Terry.

With four orders already placed, Avatar will deliver the first customer cars in May 2016 and hopes to build a run of up to 25 by 2017. “Ultimately we could produce four to six Avatars a month,” concludes Terry Matthews. “We plan to have a demonstrator available within two months.”

Avatar Roadster overview

Weight: 700kg

Engine: 2.0 Ford Ecoboost

Power: 252bhp

Torque: 400NM

Max speed: 150mph

0-60mph: 3.9s

Overall length: 3,660mm

Overall width: 1,800mm

Wheel base: 2,286mm

Acura to produce the new NSX Super-car in the USA at the Marysville Ohio plant.

 The next-generation Acura NSX is produced at the new, dedicated Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio, using domestic and globally sourced parts. With trial production already underway and production start-up scheduled for spring 2016. 

This world-class manufacturing facility employs groundbreaking techniques in weld, body construction, body painting, final assembly and quality confirmation to ensure the highest levels of precision and craftsmanship.

More details on the unique and innovative manufacturing processes at the PMC will be rolled out over the months leading up to the start of production, but the following highlights of the new facility were shared during the 2015  Monterey Automotive Week:

• Innovative blend of people and technology: throughout the PMC, NSX production is centered around the skills of approximately 100 experienced engineers and technicians building the NSX to precise levels of quality and craftsmanship.
• All-glass quality confirmation center: A total quality approach to production is evident not only in the mindset of every PMC technician, but in the very design of the facility, with an all-glass quality confirmation center located in the middle of the manufacturing floor.  This allows for technicians from every department to monitor all aspects of a vehicle as it moves through the entire production process.
• World's first weld technology: the world's first use of all robotic MIG welding employs eight robots to apply approximately 900 MIG welds. This surgical welding process results in a space frame that is incredibly precise, in addition to being ultra rigid and lightweight.
• Craftsmanship: hand craftsmanship complements high tech robotic processes throughout the assembly of the NSX:
  • Every bolt on the NSX is hand started by a PMC technician
  • Exterior body panels are installed manually at the end of assembly and from the inside out to ensure 100 percent symmetrical side-to-side fitment
  • Lasers are used to find door hem edges, fenders and door gaps in order to install all exterior panels without requiring adjustments
• Master engine builders: the NSX's 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with dry sump is hand assembled by master builders at the nearby Anna, Ohio engine plant. Each engine takes over six hours to complete and is machine balanced
  • Each NSX power unit — engine, 9-speed dual clutch transmission with direct-drive electric motor, and front Twin Motor Unit – is bench-tested and broken-in (the engine to the equivalent of 150 driving miles) to ensure that every NSX is track-ready upon customer delivery
  • The engine build process was benchmarked against some of the company's race engine programs to ensure the highest possible quality and performance standards were achieved.