BMW 3 Series hybrid prices – BMW 3 Series hybrid prices BMW reveals that the ActiveHybrid 3 Series will cost from £40,255 and return almost 50mpg
BMW has revealed full details for the new ActiveHybrid 3 Series, with prices starting from £40,255. 

This price is for the entry-level SE model, which comes with air-con, all round electric windows, Bluetooth and a USB socket. Sportier M Sport models cost £43,235, while Modern and Luxury cars are also available costing £41,235 and £42,735 respectively.

The hybrid BMW 3 Series is powered by a 302bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine from the 335i and a 54bhp electric motor. Together they propel the Active Hybrid 3 from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. 

It can return average fuel economy of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km, thanks to the electric motor and the fact the hybrid 3 Series can travel for up to 2.5 miles on battery power alone.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is available to order now.

For an alternative review of the latest BMW 3-Series visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

BMW 3 Series hybrid prices BMW reveals that Active Hybrid 3 Series will cost from £40,255 and manages almost 50mpg
BMW has revealed full details for the new ActiveHybrid 3 Series, with prices starting from £40,255. 

This price is for the entry-level SE model, which comes with air-con, all round electric windows, Bluetooth and a USB socket. Sportier M Sport models cost £43,235, while Modern and Luxury cars are also available costing £41,235 and £42,735 respectively.

The hybrid BMW 3 Series is powered by a 302bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine from the 335i and a 54bhp electric motor. Together they propel the Active Hybrid 3 from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. 

It can return average fuel economy of 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km, thanks to the electric motor and the fact the hybrid 3 Series can travel for up to 2.5 miles on battery power alone.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is available to order now.

For an alternative review of the latest BMW 3-Series visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

SEAT unveils racing models SEAT reveals race-ready variants of the Ibiza and Leon at the Worthersee show in Austria
SEAT has unveiled two racing cars based on its Ibiza and Leon models at the Worthersee show in Austria. 

The Ibiza SC Trophy uses the two-door version of the hatch as its base and is fitted with a 177bhp 1.4-litre TSI engine and a seven-speed DSG transmission. 

To help improve handling and performance the SC Trophy also receives a locking differential and racing suspension. The brakes have been upgraded too. Modifications have also been made to the oil sump to compensate for the high lateral forces this car will have to contend with during racing conditions. 

The exterior modifications include a central exhaust, large rear wing and aggressively flared wheel arches, while the cabin has been stripped out and reinforced with a roll cage to improve safety and handling.

The Leon Super Copa has received similar treatment with details including large front and rear splitters and the being the more senior league racer, it receives an up rated 2.0-litre TSI unit which now produces around 296bhp and 340Nm of torque through a six-speed DSG transmission.

Both models are available with the Ibiza variant costing around €31,500 (£25,155) before tax and the Leon costing €63,000 (£50,311) before tax. 

Honda UNI-CUB Move over Segway, Honda has revealed a unique mobility device for scooting about indoors

Tired of walking around the office? Honda thinks it has the answer. The new UNI-CUB follows on from the U3-X mobility concept, which was announced in 2009 and features revolutionary derived from Honda’s world famous humanoid robot Asimo. 


Riders simply shift their weight to make the device alter its speed or direction and thanks to the new wheel system and the UNI-CUB can even move diagonally or side to side making it easy to manoeuvre

around obstacles. 


Honda says the UNI-CUB “promotes harmony between the riders and others”, as the high seating position allows them to maintain eye-level height with other pedestrians. The hands free controls also allow more freedom compared to the earlier U3-X where riders held the seat to balance.

The device follows on from Honda’s continuing development of next-generation motability devices. It will continue testing at Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation from June 2012 through to March 2013. Staff will be performing demonstrations and annual pass holders will be offered test rides.

 

New Mercedes A-Class details – New Mercedes A-Class details The engine line-up for the new Mercedes A-Class has been revealed, with an A180 CDI capable of a tax-free 98g/km
The new Mercedes A-Class will offer class-leading performance, economy and emissions thanks to a range of specially developed turbo petrol and diesel engines, all with the latest stop-start tech.

Leading the charge will be the Renault-derived 1.5-litre diesel in the A180 CDI. It emits 98g/km of CO2 – the lowest of any Mercedes – and means exemption from road tax. It claims 62mpg fuel economy, too, while 108bhp and 260Nm of torque should mean decent pace.

Next in the diesel line-up is the A200 CDI. It uses Mercedes’ tried and tested 1.8-litre, but is revised to meet Euro VI emissions rules: it offers 111g/km of CO2 and 55mpg.

This engine also delivers 134bhp and 300Nm of torque. Topping the diesel range is the A220 CDI, featuring a 168bhp 2.1-litre with 350Nm of torque, for 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds.

But economy and emissions figures for this car have yet to be released. All diesels get new hydraulic engine mounts to help reduce vibration and noise.

Petrol A-Class buyers can pick from three new turbos. The A180 has a 1.6 with 120bhp and 200Nm of torque, claims 43mpg and emits 128g/km. A higher-performance version of this engine is used in the A200; power and torque are increased to 154bhp and 250Nm.

Finally, there’s the flagship A250, which gets a 2.0-litre petrol turbo with 208bhp and 350Nm, does 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and hits 149mph. This engine still offers 39mpg and 143g/km, but is only available with Mercedes’ all-new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic box.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

New Mercedes A-Class details The engine line-up for the new Mercedes A-Class has been revealed, with an A180 CDI capable of a tax-free 98g/km
The new Mercedes A-Class will offer class-leading performance, economy and emissions thanks to a range of specially developed turbo petrol and diesel engines, all with the latest stop-start tech.

Leading the charge will be the Renault-derived 1.5-litre diesel in the A180 CDI. It emits 98g/km of CO2 – the lowest of any Mercedes – and means exemption from road tax. It claims 62mpg fuel economy, too, while 108bhp and 260Nm of torque should mean decent pace.

Next in the diesel line-up is the A200 CDI. It uses Mercedes’ tried and tested 1.8-litre, but is revised to meet Euro VI emissions rules: it offers 111g/km of CO2 and 55mpg.

This engine also delivers 134bhp and 300Nm of torque. Topping the diesel range is the A220 CDI, featuring a 168bhp 2.1-litre with 350Nm of torque, for 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds.

But economy and emissions figures for this car have yet to be released. All diesels get new hydraulic engine mounts to help reduce vibration and noise.

Petrol A-Class buyers can pick from three new turbos. The A180 has a 1.6 with 120bhp and 200Nm of torque, claims 43mpg and emits 128g/km. A higher-performance version of this engine is used in the A200; power and torque are increased to 154bhp and 250Nm.

Finally, there’s the flagship A250, which gets a 2.0-litre petrol turbo with 208bhp and 350Nm, does 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and hits 149mph. This engine still offers 39mpg and 143g/km, but is only available with Mercedes’ all-new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic box.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

SEAT Mii FR revealed Sportier version of SEAT’s city car unveiled at the Worthersee tuning event in Austria
SEAT has given its baby Mii a dose of attitude. Pictures and details of a sporty FR version have been released ahead of the car’s public debut at this week’s Worthersee tuning event in Austria.

This FR-badged version is mechanically identical to the standard Mii, but adds an array of styling tweaks inside and out. And this concept car could pave the way for a production car.

Finished in Tornado red with black trim on the wheel arches, boot and side sills, the show car also gets red accents on the 16-inch wheels. Inside the red and black theme continues with sports seats and a prominant FR logo on the dash. 

Producting marketing boss Ulf Eberhardt explained the concept: “The Mii is a [VW] group product so it does not have 100 per cent SEAT DNA. This is one way of giving it that DNA.

“We will do FR, but not Cupra. It will be sporty, not all-out powerful. We have the technology and the power at our disposal within the group to do more – but that would mean adding a 3,000 Euro package on to a 10,000 Euro car.

Eberhardt is also keen to sustain interest in the Mii by regularly creating new editions, with one a year planned. The first is pencilled in for mid-2013.

Eberhardt also has very clear ideas about how the rest of the line-up should take shape. “SEATs look good, but they need to look more like each other. If they all look different, you get lost in the market, which is a problem for a smaller brand like ours,” he added.

Next Nissan Qashqai The second-generation Nissan Qashqai will target the Audi Q3, and our exclusive images show how it could look
After the runaway success of the current car, it’s time for the Nissan Qashqai’s ‘difficult’ second album. In 2007, the British designed and built model invented the compact crossover class. Since then, over 160,000 have been sold (including the Qashqai+2) in the UK – but an all-new version is now on the way and we’ve got the full story.

Nissan’s focus this time will be on more style and better quality in a bid to outgun rivals such as the Kia Sportage, Skoda Yeti and Peugeot 3008, and also more premium competition such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

Nissan’s executive vice-president, Andy Palmer, told us: “The dimensions are pretty much fixed, so we’ll have to differentiate the new car in the details.”

That means the current car’s length of 4,330mm will remain virtually unchanged, as will interior room and the maximum boot space of 860 litres with the rear seats folded.

Inspiration for the styling will come from the Hi-Cross concept car – seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year – but distilled into a smaller package. You can see elements of the Hi-Cross in the angular shoulder line that runs along the side of the new Qashqai over the front wheelarch and into the bonnet.

Narrow headlights that blend into the full-width grille create a more contemporary look at the front, while a more prominent roof spoiler and chrome surrounds for the exhaust give the car a sportier rear.

It’s on the inside, though, where the new Qashqai will take the biggest strides. Palmer said: “Nissan has a scale for measuring overall quality and fit and finish of its cars. The new Qashqai is the first model to score a six.”

Another source went into more detail, adding: “Everybody loves the Qashqai’s exterior, but perceived quality on the inside lets it down. Rather than bring the new car up to German quality levels, we want to surpass them.”

A new 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine will replace the 1.6-litre, offering 113bhp and 190Nm of torque. It will return over 50mpg and emit less than 120g/km of CO2. A 128bhp 1.6 dCi diesel promises 60mpg-plus and less than 105g/km of CO2.

The new Qashqai goes on sale in 2014, although a concept will preview the production car at next year’s Geneva show.

For an alternative review of the latest Nissan Qashqai visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Porsche 918 Spyder revealed – Porsche 918 Spyder revealed Official pictures and details have been released of the sensational new Porsche 918 Spyder, as a prototype enters the testing phase
Porsche has released official pictures of its hybrid Carrera GT successor, the Porsche 918 Spyder. These images show a pre-production 918, with similar styling to the 2010 918 concept – and Porsche has confirmed production will begin in September 2013.


Look past the race-inspired livery and this car shows the final design, which will boast adaptive aerodynamics. The pictures also show how the exhaust system – which has two pipes exiting in separate bulkheads behind each seat -is integrated into the body work. Porsche says this set-up diverts heat away from the lithium-ion battery pack.

Also visible at the rear are tailights that appear to be lifted directly from the all-new Porsche 911. These could be changed nearer production to fit more snugly in the recess surrounding them.


Porsche has also confirmed that the 918 will offer adaptive rear-wheel steering, for greater agility in the corners, and that its plug-in hybrid drivetrain will deliver a total of 760bhp and return around 94mpg and just 70g/km of CO2. An EV mode will allow the 918 to cover small distances on electric power alone.


Power comes from a mid-mounted dry-sump 4.6-litre V8 that’s derived from the Porsche RS Spyder race car’s 3.4-litre unit, and is expected to rev at up to 9,000rpm. Mated to this is a pair of electric motors, one powering the front axle and another positioned between the engine and the seven-speed PDK transmission. Peak torque is expected to be around 880Nm.

A carbon-fibre reinforced plastic monocoque will make the 918 incredible stiff and light, so performance should be sensational. Expect a 0-62mph time of around three seconds, a top speed of 200mph and a lap of the Nurburgring is claimed to take a mere seven minutes 22 seconds.

First deliveries of the Porsche 918 Spyder will take place in early 2014, with prices starting at £678,000.

BMW 4 Series Convertible spied – BMW 4 Series Convertible spied The BMW 4 Series Convertible has been spotted testing with its roof down for the first time
The BMW 4 Series Convertible has been spotted testing with its roof down for the first time. The 4 Series name will be used on coupe and covertible versions of the 3 Series, and is due to go on sale in 2013.


The 4 Series Convertible gets the same nose, wheel designs and interior trim as the new 3 Series, but the soft-top model’s wheelbase is 50mm longer than the car it replaces, for more space in the back seats. There should be more luggage space too, even with the top down.


It’s also likely to weigh around 40kg less than the outgoing 3 Series Convertible, and it’s expected that the roof will be able to open and close much faster than the current car’s time of 23 seconds.


Economy will also be improved, thanks to the addition of an EfficientDynamics model with regenerative braking, gear-shift indicator and a stop-start system.

The model line-up is likely tol follow the 3 Series saloon, with a 420d using the 161bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine with fuel economy of around 65mpg. Petrol choices will include a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol in the 428i, and a 315bhp 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder in the 435i.

The flagship M4 convertible is set to joing the line-up in 2014, with a turbocharged six-cylinder producing around 450bhp. Expect a 0-62mph time of around 4.7 seconds.