Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls
Mini’s model line is expanding at an exponential rate, and according to BMW’s smallest division, the Paceman Concept will form the basis of its eighth production vehicle. Even if that’s the case, nothing resembling the Paceman is going to beat either the Mini Coupe or Roadster to market, which are expected to hit dealers in late 2011 and 2012, respectively.
What we have in the Paceman is basically a Countryman that’s been relieved of its two rear doors and granted a gradually sloping roofline. Yes, that will indeed limit the machine’s versatility, but it also adds a sporty vibe to the somewhat high-riding crossover.
Categories: Coupe, Crossover, Crossovers/CUVs, Detroit Auto Show, Mini Tags: Detroit Auto Show
Quick Spin: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe
There’s a well-worn automotive axiom that plays out many different ways: The amount of money you spend is proportional to how fast you go. You want more speed? You spend more money.
If you’ve priced a BMW M3 these days, you see the principle at work. Back in the old days (1987), a U.S.-spec M3 boasted a 195-horsepower four-cylinder engine and did 0-60 miles per hour in about 6.7 seconds on its leisurely way to a 143-mph top speed – all for just over $30,000. Today, the least expensive 414-horsepower V8 M3 will set you back $58,400. As it should, the new M3 trounces the old in every conceivable performance metric with its 4.6-second 0-60 mph run, supercar mid-range and electronically-limited 155-mph top end.
This reality left enthusiasts wishing BMW would offer something a little less speedy for a commensurate drop in MSRP. Seeing the opportunity with its 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe, BMW will soon show us how much speed around $45,000 will buy at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. But to tide you over until then, come with us for a ride in a BMW 1 Series M Coupe prototype.
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First Drive: 2011 Bentley Continental GT
When tasked with creating the 2011 Continental GT, Bentley officials sought the assistance of those who knew the outgoing car best – its owners. Upon querying current and past Continental GT buyers about what they’d like to see in the new model, a surprisingly unified voice came back loud and clear: “Don’t screw up my car, but fix the sat-nav.” As far as owner surveys go, this type of response speaks volumes. Most apparent is that it speaks to the universal inadequacy of the outgoing car’s wayfinding electronics, but more importantly, it serves to underscore just how much of a bull’s-eye Bentley hit with the original model back in 2003. After all, who among us couldn’t think of a laundry list of improvements for our daily driver? This also goes some way toward explaining how the GT has been on the market for eight years, yet it has still sold in respectable numbers.
Of course, given ever-toughening emissions and crash standards to contend with, Bentley couldn’t simply shove a new infotainment system in the Conti’s dashboard and amble off to the pub job-done, so they set about improving the car in a million little ways so that it’s at once clearly new and fresh to the faithful, yet endearingly familiar. Surprisingly, much the same can be said for the Sultanate of Oman where Bentley hosted our first drive…
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Categories: Auto Review, Bentley, Car Review, Coupe Tags: Be, Bentley
BMW Frozen Gray M3 paint a pain, owners must sign agreement about its care
If you were one of the 30 Bimmerphiles to snag a 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe last month, expect to fill out another round of paperwork before you take delivery of your new matte gray baby.
BMW is apparently requiring all owners to sign a “maintenance agreement” that insists the M3 is never polished or waxed, ran through an automatic car wash or even strongly rubbed. Additionally, BMW politely asks that you immediately remove bugs, bird droppings, tree sap and fuel spills with a soft sponge, and naturally, dealers are more than willing to sell you appropriate products for maintaining the matte finish.
First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is angular, unhinged glory
We’ve already discussed the complete, audacious beauty that is the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. Not only is it one of the most attractive designs to come out of General Motors in decades, but it’s arguably one of the best-looking vehicles on the road today, proving that Cadillac (and GM, for that matter) is once again capable of delivering world-class designs.
Sexy? Yes. But can she cook?
We don’t have many complaints about the 304-horsepower, direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 found under the hood of the standard Coupe. It certainly means well and does a good enough job of keeping the CTS experience entertaining, but we’d be liars if we didn’t say we’d rather have a powerplant with a few more stones – 252 more, to be exact.
Categories: Auto Review, Cadillac, Car Review, Coupe, GM Tags:
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class makes live debut in England
Mercedes-Benz released the initial photos and information on the 2011 CL-Class earlier today, showing off its updated luxury coupe. We were at the unveiling at the Mercedes-Benz World across from the historic Brooklands racetrack, and now have some live photos to bring you.
The big news for the 2011 CL is the updated engine offerings, which include the new twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 producing 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet torque in the CL550 model that also offers improved fuel efficiency. The 0-60 mph time has also been cut by half a second. The CL600 (pictured) is also still available, powered by a 510 horsepower, 612 lb-ft torque twin-turbo V12.
Categories: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz Tags: Mercedes-Benz
Beijing 2010: BMW surprises with Concept Gran Coupé
Four-door coupes are nothing new these days, what with vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volkswagen CC proving that these stylish sedans do, in fact, have a place in the automotive world. What’s more, Audi’s swoopy A7 is nearing its final stages of development, and higher-end coupe-sedans like the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera have indeed caught our attention in recent months. BMW is now jumping on that train, and the automaker has officially debuted its Concept Gran Coupé at this year’s Beijing Motor Show.
Strip away the rear doors, and the design of the Gran Coupé is awfully close to what we’ll see on the next-generation 6 Series. The sporty, flat design of the concept is really stunning, and BMW points out that the Gran Coupé is actually 100 millimeters (four inches) flatter than both the 5 and 7 Series sedans. Combine that with frameless doors and LED lighting all around and what we have here is a rather stunning design.
Categories: Auto Show, Beijing Motor Show, BMW, Concept Cars, Coupe Tags:
New York 2010: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 to spawn Black Series
The gossipmongers at Autocar are reporting that the race-bred Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 that’s getting its American debut at the New York Auto Show this week may be the foundation for a street-legal SLS AMG Black Series. We’ve heard rumors of a racier SLS for some time, but this is the first time we’ve heard heard the BS *ahem* designation attached to the project, and we expect a production roadster debut before we see a harder-core version of the coupe, so it’ll probably be a bit of a wait.
Naturally, we’re always down with hotter versions of our favorite supercars, and if the reports turn out to be true, the wicked gullwing shouldn’t disappoint. Supposedly the boffins at AMG will find a way to squeeze even more power from the standard 6.2-liter V8 and will do their best to pare down the coupe’s weight at the same time.
Categories: Auto Show, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, New York Auto Show Tags:
New York 2010 Live: Five Axis mods the 2011 Scion tC
Yesterday, Scion revealed their brand spankin’ new 2011 tC to the world’s automotive press here at the New York Auto Show. We happen to think the car looks just fine, but will admit that for a youth oriented brand such as Scion, a little bit more aggression might have been nice. Meet the Five Axis tuned Scion tC, a car that couldn’t get much more aggressive unless it was holding a gun. A really big one. If you don’t know, Five Axis is mostly known for their show car offerings.
The “Blood Shot Red” paint is slathered over a four-inch wide body kit. The lower grill is just plain nuts. Sadly the doors of this concept were locked, but we could see (but not really photograph) that the interior’s stuffed with all sorts of customized good stuff, with lots of what appears to be leather and suede. The suspension is made up of Tein adjustable coil-overs. The brakes are ginormous (especially for a 180-horsepower tC), measuring 14-inches in front and 13-inches in the rear. But the brakes aren’t the crazy part.
Categories: Auto Show, Coupe, New York Auto Show, Scion Tags:
New York 2010 Live: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG priced at $183,000 for the U.S
Mercedes-Benz trotted out the SLS AMG GT3 and E350 4Matic Wagon here in New York, and along with the racy supercoupe and bangin’ wagon, it’s announced pricing for its all-new, homegrown gullwing.
We don’t have an official MSRP breakdown yet, but our man on the floor tells us that the 2011 SLS AMG will start at $183,000 in the U.S. when it begins to go on sale this summer. That entry-level price is noticeably lower than expected, but we’re sure once you tack on the options (custom color, carbon ceramic stoppers, etc.), it’s sure to head quickly north of $200k. Ready to place an order? Read our First Drive before you tap into the kiddie’s college fund.
Categories: Auto Show, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, New York Auto Show Tags:
