Just when you thought all the announcements were made at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, BMW throws everyone a surprise and refreshes the 3-Series Coupe and Convertible.
New, standard Xenon headlights with eyebrow LED Angel Eyes New LED taillights Refined and widened kidney grille New, N55 single-turbo motor -- still produces 300-horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque Redesigned front/rear bumpers Redesigned side mirrors New colors: Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Vermillion Red Metallic, Mineral White Metallic Modified paddle shifters are now "pull" operated -- "+" on right, "-" on left
It has some great new features and additions but the most important opinion is yours.
Exclusive Interview with the Head of BMWNA Product Planning and Strategy/BMW Motorsport Manager, Martin Birkmann – A Look into the Future World of ///M Cars, Racing, and Current Engine Tech. At the recent 2010 NAIAS, we got a chance to speak with Martin Birkmann who is the Head of Product Planning and Strategy with BMW NA, as well as BMW Motorsport Manager in the U.S. If you haven’t already, we advise you get some coffee brewing or pop-corn popping – what follows is extremely interesting information about current and future BMW products.
With BMW’s new engines, the revamped N54 and now the N55, what have you upgraded on the N54?
Martin Birkmann: With the N54 we’ve basically changed the mapping of the engine, pressure of the engine, given it a more sporty, more torque, and peak oriented performance curve.
What are the differences between the N54 and N55?
Martin Birkmann: At first glance we’ve changed something in the architecture, we made the engine more compact, but in terms of costumer benefit the biggest change is the application of VALVETRONIC. With variable valve lift we eliminate the throttle and so we’ve made the engine again more efficient than the N54. The N55 is maintaining the N54’s base performance level, but gives you a lot of enhancement on the efficiency side
Will we see the N55 engine across the range?
Martin Birkmann: We started announcing the N55 for the 5 series GT so you can expect to find it in the regular 5 series sedan, one series, and we’ll roll it out for more and more applications.
With the new 5 series, what kind of changes can we expect to see on the new M5?
Martin Birkmann: I think it’s been widely speculated and confirmed that we’ve somewhat seen the dawn of the end of the NA engine. M is no exception, we’ve launched our first turbo M engines and I think that will be the biggest difference if you look at the tech spec sheet – that we will go with turbo charging for the M5. There is speculation that I don’t want to comment about; we will clearly see a change in the transmission strategy, we are still examining the need for a second transmission variant. We’ll know more about that as we go forward, as you know, every one should know that BMW NA in persona is a big proponent of manual transmissions and three pedal vehicle operation, but it’s not a trend that you see in the market gaining a lot of momentum right now. Our customers want more semi-automatic transmissions, so that’s a must, and everything else is a can. We’ll see as we approach the launch of the car.
World exclusive: If you thought 2009 was an eventful time for British manufacturers, just wait until you see what they have in store for 2010! Auto Express is kicking off the New Year by gathering together a home-grown crop of the coolest coupés and supercars around. And at the very top of this list is the sleekest big cat to emerge since the legendary XJS…
Jaguar XJ - See it: 2010 The dust has barely settled on the unveiling of Jaguar’s flagship XJ saloon. However, design director Ian Callum has already let slip that a two-door XJ Coupé has been drawn up by his team. Our exclusive renderings show for the first time how such a car might look.
Enthusiasts will recall the ultra-rare XJC, made from 1975 to 1978. This came with a 4.2-litre straight-six or a 5.3 V12, and was based on the Series II Jaguar XJ – and only 8,378 were built. The new car will revive the XJC’s badge and a selection of its distinctive design cues.
More steeply raked front and rear windscreens give a classic coupé profile, while a full-length sunroof adds to the flowing lines. Body-coloured B-pillars help to visually elongate the XJ’s already substantial footprint on the road.
The car is likely to be offered with supercharged and naturally aspirated versions of Jaguar’s 5.0-litre V8, as well as the 3.0 V6 diesel producing 600Nm of torque. It will go head-to-head with Mercedes’ two-door CL-Class replacement – to be renamed the S-Class Coupé – when it goes on sale in 2011.
Lotus Esprit - See it: 2010 even though the firm’s new Evora has won plaudits for its laser-like handling and refined nature, bosses aren’t resting on their laurels. Lotus is developing a successor to the mighty Esprit – the mid-engined flagship sold between 1976 and 2004. And with a choice of six, eight and 10-cylinder engines, the model has the Ferrari 458 and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 firmly in its sights.
The wedge-like styling is clearly inspired by the shovel-nosed original, but the similarities end there. Lotus plans to exploit its close links with Toyota and make use of three of the firm’s most powerful engines. Entry-level cars will have a 300bhp version of the Evora’s 3.5-litre V6. Meanwhile, V8 fans can opt for the 414bhp 5.0-litre from the Lexus IS F. The range-topper will use the 550bhp 4.8-litre V10 from Lexus’ LFA.
A longer and wider version of the Evora’s platform should preserve Lotus’ trademark agility and driveability. But with the V10 version scorching from 0-60mph in less than four seconds and on to more than 200mph, the new Esprit promises to be like nothing seen before from the brand when sales start in 2011.
MINI Coupé JCW - See it: 2010 The MINI plant in Oxford is already one of the success stories of the UK auto industry, churning out more than 1.4 million new cars since 2001. And with the introduction of a new Coupé in 2011, its workforce is preparing to be busier than ever.
The MINI Coupé Concept wowed visitors to last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show with its dramatic floating roof, and the maker soon confirmed production of the two-seater will begin this October.
Its most potent format will be the John Cooper Works variant shown in our image above. Yet while the bonnet stripes and ground-hugging bodykit could have been predicted, there’s a surprise package under the bonnet.
Our sources say MINI might rekindle its engine supply partnership with Peugeot. And as the British firm jointly developed the new range of EcoBoost units with Ford, these powerplants could find their way into the MINI Coupé, too.
Expect a 1.6-litre turbo with around 250bhp to make the Coupé JCW the fastest MINI to date – but with lower emissions than any JCW before it. For fans of the Coupé, there’s even more good news on the horizon.
A Roadster is also on the way, with a production-ready version slated to appear in 2011. And let’s not forget the firm’s first 4x4, the Crossman, is due in showrooms in September, too.
Fenix - On sale: 2011 Like a ‘Fenix’ from the ashes, Lee Noble has left the company bearing his name to rise again at the helm of Fenix Automotive – and this is the first official picture of the firm’s new model.
The as-yet-unnamed supercar features a basic design that is, ironically, reminiscent of the Noble M600. However, where that styling is relatively simple, the Fenix gets aggressive and angular lines, similar to those of the fighter jet-inspired Lamborghini Reventón.
Under the bonnet is a choice of two Corvette engines, giving 480bhp and 638bhp. The latter is lifted from the supercharged ZR1, and is said to propel the Fenix from 0-100mph in just under seven seconds.
Noble M600 - On sale: 2010 although founder Lee Noble has moved on to an exciting new project (see above), the Brit maker’s latest model is aiming for the supercar elite.
Featuring a Volvo-sourced 4.4-litre V8 boosted by two turbos, the M600 produces a huge 650bhp. That’s enough for 0-60mph in three seconds and 225mph – leaving the Ferrari 458 trailing. Yet a £200,000 price could make stealing loyal customers from the Italian legend trickier than Noble thinks.
Jaguar C-type - On sale: 2012 It’s the big cat’s small car! In the new C-Type, Jaguar is looking to reinvent an old name to take the fight to German rivals such as the Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and Porsche Cayman. As with the XK, the new C-Type’s chassis will be a lightweight yet incredibly strong and stiff aluminium monocoque, which should make the model as nimble as its competitors. Power will come from the latest 380bhp 5.0-litre V8. A supercharged 500bhp R model is also likely to be built.
McLaren MP4-12C - On sale: 2011 While its F1 predecessor was the ultimate supercar, McLaren’s latest model is described as “the most efficient, driveable, high-performance sports car in the world”. With a 600bhp twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 and carbon fibre monocoque, the MP4-12C should prove itself a worthy competitor to Ferrari’s upcoming 458 Italia. At £150,000, it’s £10,000 cheaper, too. Log on to www.autoexpress.co.uk to see US chat show host Jay Leno taking a ride.
Climax sport racer - On sale: 2010 Coventry-based Climax Cars has confirmed its stunning two-seater Ariel Atom rival, the Sports Racer, for 2010. It will have a 345bhp 4.6-litre V8, plus a hand-crafted aluminium body. There’s even a 450bhp supercharged version. Prices start from £92,000 – and with only 200 set to be built, exclusivity is guaranteed.
Aston Martin One-77 - On sale: 2010 The One-77 really is the Best of British; it’s the fastest, most desirable Aston ever, and with a limited run of only 77, it looks set to take a place in the supercar hall of fame. The intricately detailed body – which has already won an Auto Express design award – hides a 7.3-litre V12 that produces 690bhp. Weighing only 1,500kg, the One-77 will sprint from 0-62mph in around 3.5 seconds, and in a recent high-speed run it was clocked at more than 220mph. Owning Britain’s best comes at a price, though: the newest Aston sells for £1.2million.
Arash AF-10 - On sale: 2010 Britain’s answer to the Ferrari Enzo gives a choice of power outputs. A 550bhp version of the AF-10, costing £320,000, will be joined in 2011 by an 800bhp supercharged variant, at £450,000. Arash is also said to be considering a £1.6m Bugatti beater with 1,200bhp.
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
Marketing does funny things. Recently the word "coupe" has been rendered null and void of meaning by crafty marketing types behind cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW X6 and Volkswagen CC, while the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has sucked every last ounce of truth, honesty and passion from the term "Gran Turismo." It's now just advertising flim-flam. The BMW 8 Series was a grand tourer. The 535i Gran Turismo? We hear it's very practical...
We mention co-opting of the terms "coupe" and "Gran Turismo" because marketers pulled a similar stunt back in the early '70s with the phrase "Personal Luxury Car." Some cars did fit the definition well (roughly, a luxury coupe exists where practicality and efficiency are traded in favor of style, plush and image), others did not. For example, in the U.S. where we like our luxury by the yard, a 1971 Buick Riviera is a perfect example of a personal luxury car. An AMC Matador Brougham complete with Oleg Cassini interior isn't. Regardless of reality, by 1973 every car with two doors and faux-vinyl seats got tagged with the PLC label. As such, the phrase "personal luxury car" became meaningless.
Apropos of all that, Mercedes-Benz was kind enough to let us test its two-door version of its new W212 E-Class, the 2010 E350 Coupe. The new model marks the first time in three generations that Mercedes has offered a coupe version of what's generally considered to be its sauerbraten und spätzle. You'd have to go back to Bill Clinton's first term (that's pre-Lewinsky) to find the two-door W124 E-Class. Obviously, the B-pillarless two-door qualifies as a coupe, but a personal luxury car? Or, dare we say it, a GT?
Along with the road-going version of 2011 Mustang, Ford unveiled the new Boss racing model featuring the same 5.0 liter V8 engine. The Mustang BOSS 302R comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and a series of race equipments including a roll cage, race seats, safety harness, data acquisition and race dampers/springs, and a Brembo brake and tire package.
The 302R model which which carries the legacy of original BOSS Mustangs is available to order for $79,000.
Ford will also make 5 specially prepared versions of this car for the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series (formerly known as KONI Challenge) which come with Grand-Am Homologation Package and (M-FR500-BOSS R1). These cars will be equipped with a sealed high-output race engine with an upgraded cooling system, a close-ratio six-speed transmission with integral shifter, a seam-welded body, race suspension/KONI dampers and ABS brake tuning, race performance exhaust and a high-speed balance one-piece driveshaft. The price of each Grand-AmMustang BOSS 302R1 is $129,000.
Press Release:
Forty years after its namesake became a road racing legend, the BOSS is back on track for 2010 with a new 5.0-liter V-8 engine.In honor of the 40th anniversary of Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Trans-Am championship in aMustang BOSS 302 prepared by Bud Moore Engineering, Ford Racing is introducing the BOSS 302R, a factory-built race car ready for track days and road racing in a number of Grand-Am, SCCA and NASA classes.
“To keep pace with consumer demand, the Ford team has built modern versions of the most iconic performance Mustangs over the years,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports. “From Shelbys to Bullitt, Mach and Cobra Jet, it is now time for BOSS to join the list of America’s most covetedMustangs. The original BOSS 302 was a championship-winning legend and the new Mustang BOSS 302R will carry on the tradition. The Mustang was born to race from the start, and this new Mustang is bred to win.”
The BOSS 302R follows in the very successful footsteps of its most recent road racing predecessor – the Mustang FR500C from Ford Racing. In 2005, when the Mustang FR500C debuted at Daytona, the first car was delivered on Wednesday of that week and won the KONI Challenge race on Friday.
In five years of competition since then, the Mustang FR500C has won three Triple Crown championships of driver, team and manufacturer’s titles in KONI competition including back-to-back (2008 and 2009). The FR500C has also seen success in FIA GT4 competition winning the 2007 and 2008 driver’s championships.
“We expect the BOSS 302R to continue the successful tradition of winning with factory-built production-based race cars from Ford Racing,” said Allison. “The FR500C and FR500S road racingMustangs, and the Mustang FR500CJ (Cobra Jet) for drag racing have proven to be great cars for our customers, helping teams win races and championships. We believe that the BOSS 302R will provide that same sort of competitive product for our customers with the tradition you can only get from Ford Racing.”
Each Ford Racing factory-built production-based turnkey race car has won its competition debut.
“Racing has long served as a technical proving grounds for production engines,” said Allison. “What’s good enough for the streets is now good enough for the racetrack. The 5.0-liter block and architecture in theMustang BOSS 302R is the same as the 2011 Mustang GT.”
“We have a great team on the BOSS 302R project,” said Andy Slankard, Ford Racing engineering supervisor and the lead engineer on the BOSS 302R project. “Between our partners at AutoAlliance International, wherethe Mustang is built, Team Mustang, Multimatic and the entire Ford Racing team, we have once again proven to be a leader in turnkey production-based race cars.”
Available through Ford dealers, a total of 50 BOSS 302R Mustangs will be built by Ford Racing. Delivery is anticipated in the third quarter of 2010.
Skeptics will say, “Here we go, again,” as General Motors Co. taps its German subsidiary Adam Opel GmbH for product to rebuild one of its brand’s showrooms in the U.S.
Clearly, it didn’t work for Saturn or Cadillac a decade earlier. But with the new-for-’11 Buick Regal, GM finally may have found the right home and, more importantly, the right strategy for injecting some Germanic soul into its American cars.
The new sports sedan arrives stateside in second-quarter 2010 after highly successful launches late last year in China and in Germany as the Opel Insignia.
The Insignia is drawing rave reviews on its home turf, where it ranks as the best-selling sedan in its class and since last November has racked up more than 30 awards, including European Car of the Year.
In China, the locally built Regal launched in December and has sold some 64,000 units. Young Chinese particularly are captivated by the Regal, keeping the average age of its buyers around 35 years – astonishingly low for Buick.
GM shows the U.S.-bound Regal to the public at the Los Angeles auto show this week after unwrapping the car earlier to journalists in Detroit and to Buick enthusiasts in L.A.
But before the Regal hits the full show circuit and ahead of formal testing next year, GM offered a handful of media several hours behind the wheel and, for comparison, its sister the Insignia. The Regal’s principle target in the U.S. is the Acura TSX.
Waterfall grille one of few Buick cues on new Regal.
Photo Gallery
Driving pre-production Regals along rural roadways outside of Detroit here makes it easier to understand why GM backed out of a deal to sell a majority stake in Opel to Canadian parts maker and contract vehicle-assembler Magna International Inc. In short, Opel makes a fine car.
The U.S.-spec Regal leverages the same Epsilon II platform, which also underpins the new-for-’11 Buick LaCrosse that launched in North America in September, but with subtle mechanical and design differences between its Chinese and German iterations.
For example, the engine is federalized to meet U.S. regulations, as are items such as the mirror glass and the guts of the headlights. But little differs in styling between the Insignia and Regal. Aside from the Buick grille and 3-shield badges, sheet metal is exactly the same.
In fact, Buick’s signature port holes will not get stamped into the Regal’s hood until production begins in North America in 2011. GM also installs an insert to the front bumper to fill the elongated European license plate basin until U.S. production begins.
The Regal’s design proves more striking out on the roadway with some morning rain splattered along its haunches than in GM’s advanced design studio, where Ward’s first glimpsed the car a few weeks ago.
Standard motivation comes via GM’s new 2.4L 4 cyl. engine with gasoline direct-injection technology, making 182 hp and 172 lb.-ft. (233 Nm) of torque. GM pegs its fuel economy at 20-30 mpg (11.8-7.8 L/100 km) city/highway on regular gasoline.
’11 Buick Regal
Vehicle type
front-engine, 2WD 5-passenger sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged 4 cyl. w/gasoline direct injection
Power (SAE net)
(SAE net) 220 hp @ 5,300 rpm
Torque
258 lb. ft. (349 Nm) @ 2,000 rpm
Compression ratio
9.2:1
Transmission
6-speed automatic w/manual mode
Wheelbase
107.8 ins. (273.8 cm)
Overall length
190.2 ins. (483.1 cm)
Overall width
73.1 ins. (185.7 cm)
Overall height
54.4 ins. (138.2 cm)
Curb weight
3,314 lbs. (1,503 kg)
Base price
N/A
Fuel economy
18-29 mpg (13-8 L/100 km)
Competition
Acura TSX
Pros
Cons
Lively 4-cyl. turbo
Best motor a late arrival
European styling
Short on Buick styling
Yes! A U.S.-spec Opel
Uh-oh! A U.S.-spec Opel
However, we test drove models with the optional 2.0L turbocharged GDI 4-cyl., which does not arrive until the third quarter of next year.
Our verdict is overwhelmingly positive. Making 220 hp and 258 lb.-ft. (349 Nm) of torque, the 2.0L mill is the kind of engine that will turn Buick skeptics into believers faster than three shots of Jagermeister.
Responsive and well-behaved, the car slings its 3,600-lb. (1,633-kg) weight through the corners and over pitches in the roadway with enthusiasm.
Yes, the suspension in the Buick is dialed down from the drum-tight setup of the Insignia. But this is not your granddad’s floaty-boaty Buick; the well-sprung suspension works together with a quick, precise steering system like no other vehicle to wear the three shields.
And one test model even included a 6-speed manual transmission. GM declines to offer a timetable for the Regal’s manual transmission. But if the gearbox makes it to the U.S., it will be the first since a 5-speed manual on the ’89 Buick Skyhawk.
Another first: no volume V-6 engine for this Buick.
Both transmissions match up well. The 6-speed automatic seems content to sit in the logical gear and not hunt for something higher, while the manual shifts quickly with a hint of the “click-click” ease of its European competitors.
GM estimates fuel economy with the 2.0L at 18-29 mpg (13-8 L/100 km) city/highway. Premium fuel is recommended but not required.
Base pricing is expected to slot just below the new LaCrosse that starts at roughly $28,000, which makes the Regal slightly less expensive than its Acura TSX rival.
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Regal Called Next Step in Buick’s Revival
GM also provides drive time here in an Insignia OPC model to demonstrate the possibilities for the Regal. The vehicle is outfitted with a 325-hp 2.8L V-6 engine, high-performance tires blacked out in NASCAR fashion, racing seats and a super-tight suspension.
It’s hardly surprising the Regal is such an impressive car, given that it is an exact duplicate of the smash-hit Insignia. In fact, not watering down the Buick to fit U.S. tastes easily ranks as its greatest attribute.
But it will take more products of the Regal’s ilk to erase Buick’s longstanding reputation for pillowy-riding large sedans with sloppy steering.
So it should hardly be surprising GM will go back to Germany for another small Buick sedan, this one based on the redesigned Delta compact car architecture shouldering the recently launched Opel Astra.
Have we seen this approach before? Sure, but this time it’s hard to argue with the results.
Car sales in Western Europe grew by 29.2% year-on-year in November according to data released by JD Power Automotive Forecasting, but the firm cautioned on the market outlook for 2010.
JD Power warned that the strong-looking November result needs to be seen in the context of weak sales last year and the continuing distortions to the market caused by government scrappage incentives.
JD Power analyst Pete Kelly told just-auto that the the seasonally adjusted annualised rate of sales (SAAR) for November 2009 stood at 14.8m units - a more 'normal' market level - but that he viewed it as 'brief reprieve' rather than marking an end to depressed market levels.
Car sales in Germany were up by 19.7% year-on-year in the month of November and a whopping 25.4% in the year to date.
"The scrapping incentive in Germany is no longer on offer and so we expect German sales to drop off relatively sharply over coming months," Kelly said.
JD Power said that the end to government support schemes will result in the West European car market declining by around 10% in 2010 to 12.15m units.
JD Power also noted that the French car market was 'decidedly strong' in November, with the selling rate climbing to 2.8m units with French car buyers thinking they had to register their cars by year-end to take advantage of a scrappage scheme there. However, the scheme has been amended so that, as long as an order comes in by the end of 2009, it will benefit. JD Power says this will mean that the French market will start off 2010 relatively strongly as related registrations spill over into 2010.
The Spanish car market also posted a strong month in November (SAAR over 1.1m units) while the UK car market gain of 57.6% reflected a scrappage effect (plus some buyers avoiding a January VAT increase) and exceptionally weak sales last year.
