MINI has revealed the latest new models in its range expansion – a new two-berth caravan called Cowley and a two-man tent called Swindon.
The new MINI Cowley is a two-bed caravan that has been ‘sumptuously’ trimmed. It’s finished in the John Cooper Works colourscheme and has been launched, says MINI, to capitalise on the latest trend for ‘staycations’.
The styling mimics the interior door trim of a MINI – and, in a brilliant design touch, features sliding side windows just like the original classic 1959 Mini. It is just 120mm longer than a MINI Clubman and weighs less than 300kg.
Inside, the Cowley features a twin-burner gas stove, a water tank with pump and sink, an onboard battery charged by a solar module plus a 230-volt power connection that powers the refrigerator, TV and stereo.
MINI’s new Cowley caravan is another surprise new direction for the brand, following the launch of the business-orientated MINI Clubvan Concept at the Geneva Motor Show 2012.
“’Maximum touring pleasure on a minimal footprint’ is the formula for this exclusive pied-a-terre on wheels,” says MINI, “very much in the spirit of the creative use of space for which MINI is renowned.”
MINI has also launched a solution for John Cooper Works models that cannot be fitted with a towbar: a new MINI Swindon roof-top tent can be fitted to the top of MINI Hatch, Clubman or Countryman models, offering two-man space on top of a MINI.
It’s been designed to blend in with the design of the car when not in use and boasts a two-colour design: the lower shell is Midnight Black and the top section is Chili Red.
This combination is one previously reserved for John Cooper Works models, adding further exclusivity of the new MINI Swindon option.
BMW has revealed a new open-top Spyder version of its 260kW plug-in hybrid i8 Concept sportscar, prior to its full reveal at the Beijing Motor Show on 23 April.
The new model is said to hint at a production sister car to the futuristic new BMW i8 Coupe that’s due to go on sale in 2014.
The BMW i8 Concept Spyder has a distinctive open cockpit design that features upward-swiveling windowless doors. These pivot around the A-pillar and are even more dramatic than the similar doors seen on the i8 Concept Coupe.
Powering the BMW i8 Concept Spyder is a 96kW electric motor, a battery pack and a 164kW three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. These all work in a plug-in hybrid setup: the batteries can be plugged into the mains and carry enough charge for a 30km range on electric power alone.
UK insurance firm Admiral insurance has released its top 12 most unusual animal-related car insurance claims from the last two years. And one message is clear: if you see a peacock, turn around and run.
Amazing to look at they may be, but peacocks are a motoring menace. No less than four of the entries – that’s a third of the total list, maths fans – involve these feathered fiends. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t watch out for other animal dangers.
Dogs, for example. From a man who crashed because he was stroking his four-legged friend to the passenger that pull the handbrake when they thought they were reaching for a puppy, dogs are another perpetual hazard, it seems.
We do feel sorry for the person who had their Lancia Delta Integrale eaten by mice while it was in dry storage, though – and who wouldn’t be distracted by the sight of an elephant and a camel tethered at the side of the road?
The full list of 12 is reproduced below.
The 12 most unusual animal car insurance claims Admiral has handled are:
1 – The front seat passenger had a puppy on their lap that jumped down from the seat. The passenger reached down to pick up the puppy but accidently pulled up the handbrake causing the car to skid into another vehicle.
2 – A car was damaged at a village fete when a miniature pony broke loose and climbed over the bonnet.
3 – A car was damaged by a peacock, which on seeing its reflection, clawed the car.
4 – A driver was distracted by a camel and an elephant tethered at the side of the road and collided with a bollard.
5 – A driver drove into a telephone pole while trying to swat a fly inside the vehicle.
6 – A Lancia Delta Integrale was destroyed while in storage by a nest of mice which chewed through the leather and foam of the two front seats, partially devoured the rear seats and completely stripped the leather from all four door cards.
7 – A car was damaged by a group of peacocks that escaped from the owner’s neighbour’s garden.
8 – While driving, a man leaned over to stroke his dog, got distracted and crashed his car.
9 – A driver caused a multi-car shunt after being startled by a spider dangling from the rear view mirror.
10 – A car was parked in a woodland car park and was damaged by a male peacock that took a dislike to the vehicle.
11 – A car was damaged by rats, which entered the engine compartment and chewed through internal parts.
12 – A car was damaged while parked in a hotel car park after it was attacked by a peacock owned by the hotel.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the upcoming and all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS, a month out from its its Paris Auto Show debut in September.The online unveiling of the new CLS follows July’s retirement of the first-generation model, this new generation revealing a continuation of the styling language previewed in April’s Shooting Break (sic) concept and the SLS AMG.As with the new CL-Class, the new CLS features Mercedes’ prominent new upright grille, flanked by the most overt rendition yet of its new flowing headlight design style.Our own rendering, published early last month (see gallery below), offered an accurate look at how the new CLS might appear.Mercedes-Benz is keeping much of the new CLS’ technology close to its chest, although powertrains are expected to include the company’s new 225kW/368Nm 3.5 litre direct-injected V6, along with a twin-turbo 4.6 litre V8 producing 320kW and 700Nm.An AMG variant will likely follow, powered by the same 400kW 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8 currently appearing in new and updated AMG models.The headlights of the new CLS are made up entirely of LED lights, with a total of 71 ‘bulbs’ featuring across both units.In the cabin, the 2011 CLS retains the four-seat layout, its centre-console extending from the dash right through to the rear backrest. A new three-spoke sports steering wheel is featured, moving away from the four-spoke tiller featured in most Mercedes models.The 2012 CLS is expected to make its Australian debut in the first half of 2011.
Two in three European motorists are driving with underinflated tires — which is costing them the equivalent of more than $6 billion AUD in unnecessary fuel spending.
A Bridgestone survey of 46,000 cars across Europe has discovered that a staggering 63 per cent are running on tires with low pressures.
The extra drag this causes is leading to needless extra expenditure on extra fuel, something that is also causing an extra 7.4 million tonnes of CO2 to be emitted across Europe.
This is the equivalent of an extra 6.9 grams per kilometre for every single car on the road in Europe — and represents a massive 3.1 billion tonnes of fuel wasted each year.
Given current high fuel prices, this is something drivers will be very keen to avoid, which is why Bridgestone is announcing the results of its huge 11-country investigation.
The Bridgestone survey checked 180,000 tires. It found that 17.5 per cent of motorists were found to be running on seriously underinflated tires – that’s at least 7psi below recommended pressure.
A worrying 4.3 per cent had tires seriously underinflated by 10psi or more: an average family hatchback tire runs at around 30psi, showing the eye-opening extent of underinflation.
67 per cent of cars across Europe had at least one underinflated tire.
The Bridgestone survey also checked tire tread wear rates — and found that almost 20 per cent of tires on the road were also worn down below the EU legal minimum of 1.6 mm tread depth.
Drivers of these vehicles, explained Bridgestone, are likely to experience hydroplaning at speeds of up to 40 per cent lower than normal and face a high safety risk due to loss of road grip.
“There are several different, but equally worrying, conclusions from this research,” said Andy Dingley, Northern European Communications Manager, Bridgestone.
“Aside from motorists, who are already feeling the pinch through higher insurance, tax and petrol prices, wasting their money through unnecessary fuel consumption and replacing tires more frequently, driving on low pressure tires also increases the potential hazards — as pressure reduces, the driver experiences a loss of handling control and a sharp rise in tire wear.
“We’d urge all motorists to check their tire pressures at least once a month, it can save them not only a lot of money but also could avoid road accidents.”
Ford has announced a series of upgrades to the frugal Fiesta Econetic, resulting in CO2 emissions reduced to 87g/km and a claimed 2.7L/100km – a 12 per cent improvement overall.
To achieve these gains Ford has overhauled the Fiesta Econetic’s 70kW 1.6-litre TDCi turbodiesel engine, reducing friction, improving the combustion process and tweaking the engine management.
At the same time it’s also fitted stop-start and a “smart” regenerative charging system, as well as a new “EcoMode”. Improvements to the air conditioning system, the cooling fan and the alternator bring further gains.
This is in addition to an existing eco kit list that includes special aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres, variable flow oil pump and gearshift indicator.
As a result the new Fiesta Econetic’s claimed 3.3L/100km with 87g/km CO2 emissions represent significant improvements over the 3.6L/100km and 95g/km CO2 claims of before.
Porsche has just released the crucial details on its upcoming 918 Spyder supercar. The plug-in hybrid will signal a new era in motoring with its blistering performance and Prius-beating fuel economy.
While its lack of body panels means it doesn’t look like much at the moment, the important specs can now be revealed. A mid-mounted 4.6-litre V8 will provide the main grunt at 425kW, with an 80kW electric motor at the front and a 90kW electric motor at the back bringing total power to 575kW and 750Nm.
What this means for performance is 0-100km/h in less than 3 seconds, 0-200km/h in less than 9, and a top speed of 325km/h. Despite these remarkable figures, Porsche say the 918 Spyder will achieve fuel consumption of less than 3.0L/100km. That’s 0.9L/100km — or 25 percent — greener than a Toyota Prius. This would make the 918 Spyder the most economical car in Australia if it went on sale today.
But there’s always a catch. For Aussie Porsche enthusiasts hoping to get their hands on a 918 Spyder, they’ll need to hand over around $1.5 million, be happy to deal with left-hand-drive only, and only be allowed to take their new toy on racetracks.
If that still sounds like it’s worth the trouble, the 918 Spyder will be fully revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013 and go on sale some time in 2014.
Things have been suspiciously quiet on the Pagani Huayra front since the $1.5 million Zonda replacement was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. But now it seems the new supercar is finally ready for customers – chassis number one has just gone on sale in Switzerland.
This is no ordinary example. Though it’s being sold in “as new” condition, this two-tone red and carbon Huayra looks awfully familiar, and has already covered 1,000km.
Since many of these were reputedly at the hands of company founder Horatio Pagani himself, and the car appears in numerous press and publicity images, prospective buyers are likely to look upon this “factory test mileage” as pedigree. Collectors will be taking note.
The vendor – Pagani’s approved partner Carugati in Geneva, Switerzland – isn’t revealing the exact price. But this particular Huayra is said to have the full options package, including the premium hifi, the nose lift system (handy for speed bumps) and the luggage set.
More to the point, the Huayra is powered by a 552kW 6.0-litre twin-turbo Mercedes V12 – which given the scant 1,350kg kerb weight means 0-100km/h in just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of over 370km/h. Active aerodynamics and carbon ceramic brakes keep it all locked down.
BMW has announced a huge global recall of previous-generation 5 Series and 6 Series models, which affects 1.3 million cars built between 2003 and 2010.
The worldwide recall is to rectify an incorrectly mounted battery cable cover inside the boot.
In some cases, says BMW, this can result in malfunctioning of the electrical system, with symptoms ranging from the vehicle failing to start, to the risk of charring or even fire.
BMW says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries caused by this fault.
Every version of the previous generation E60 5 Series and E63 6 Series is affected, including around 10,000 sold in Australia: BMW is now writing to owners to advise them on the recall.
The firm says the repair will take around 30 minute at a BMW workshop – “the service, of course, being free of charge to the customer”.
The new Nissan GT-R is here, bringing with it a host of mechanical updates and a $2,000 increase in price to $170,800.
So how much more bang does $2,000 bucks get you? In the new GT-R’s case it’s an extra 14kW and 16Nm from the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6, bringing everything up to 404kW and 628Nm. The torque curve has also been widened, with peak power now arriving between 3200 and 5800rpm.
What all this means is even harder and faster cornering and straight-line speed for the already insane cut-price supercar. Local models have no top speed restrictions, so Aussies can enjoy the full 315km/h on offer. 0-100km/h now takes just 2.8 seconds, a time creeping closer and closer to the Bugatti Veyron’s 2.5 second sprint time with every year that comes. And still for less than a quarter of the price!
The new GT-R also improves on fuel economy, using just 11.7L/100km which is a 0.3L/100km drop on last year’s model.
As expected there are hardly any modifications to the GTR’s external styling, but on the inside buyers can now enjoy an 11 speaker Bose audio system and reversing camera as standard features.
