Daily Archives: April 2, 2016
MINI Starts Offering Scissor Doors As An Option
As if the MINI isn’t so functional and cute enough to fit in tight spaces, the brand made owning it even more practical. We all know how infuriating it can to not fit in tight parking spaces where we can’t even open the doors to get in our out.
MINI models are going forward by offering scissor doors as optional equipment. It will initially be offered as an option for the Mini 3 door, Mini Paceman and Mini Convertible. But next year, the option will also be offered to the Mini 5 door, six-door Clubman and Mini Countryman.
According to a press release from BMW Group’s MINI, the scissor doors are based on the body concept where the doors will open vertically. This is the perfect solution to increase parking space problems, especially in multi-storey car parks.
The doors of the MINI are electrohydraulically activated, and will reduce parking space needs by as much as 30 percent from 2,681 down to 1,930 millimeters. The Mini 3, for example, has a width of 1,727 millimeters, so it should fit into even tight parking spaces. But with the scissor doors, the entry and exit to and from the car will be made more convenient.
The feature is quite standard with the ability to use a remote control to open and close the doors. It can also come with “Comfort Access” for additional premium. This will allow the door to be operated by a button on the door handle. Future plans include allowing the scissor doors to be controlled by a smartphone application.
The doors will also come packed with a technology called Pyrotechnic Emergency Exit (PEE), which will blast the doors off the car in case of an emergency or accident. This will ensure rescuers to access the passengers immediately.
The optional scissor doors will be available for an additional $2,230.
Ford Focus 1.0L Ecoboost Now Available In Automatic Transmission
The Ford Focus 1.0L Ecoboost was previously just available in manual gearbox. Although this would be the best for the car, that’s not exactly a good strategy in the US. Therefore, Ford decided to come up with the automatic transmission variant of the car.
This means the Ecoboost engine is now equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission both for the Focus 1.0L sedan and hatchback models.
According to a report, the automatic transmission version has a turbocharged three cylinder as compared to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder found on the six-speed dual-clutch on manual Ford Focus models. Having an automatic transmission means the Focus Ecoboost would lose some of the fuel economy of the smaller engine on the manual gearbox.
The automatic transmission version gets 28/40/32 mpg (city/highway/combined) compared to the manual’s 30/42/35 mpg. That’s a bit higher than 2.0-liter automatic, which is rated at 27/40/31 mpg (city/highway/combined).
It doesn’t matter what the transmission is, but the 1.0 liter engine powers up 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. The manual Focus 1.0L sedan originally introduced had a 0-to-60 mph time of 9.4 seconds, two seconds slower than the 2.0L Focus.
The 1.0L engine, which is available for the SE trim level, costs $495 extra on its own, but the automatic transmission would add more on top of that. The automatic transmission adds $1,095 to the cost, but also requires $895 for the SE Ecoboost Appearance Package.
The package includes 16-inch wheels, rear disc brakes, and some LED lighting accents.
In total, the Focus 1.0L Ecoboost will be priced at $21,380 for the sedan or $21,880 for the hatchback.
The initial preference of Focus fans would be the manual transmission still because of its fuel economy, of course. But if you can’t stomach a manual transmission because of having to use the clutch, then you’ll appreciate the new powertrain option of an automatic gearbox.
Bugatti Chiron In NYC For Private Show
The Bugatti Chiron made its debut last month at the Geneva Auto Show, but it was absent during the 2016 New York Motor Show in late March. Bugatti’s new 1,480-horsepower hypercar will replace the Veyron.
Although the Chiron was not present during the NY Auto Show, it wasn’t really far from the action as the same blue example shown in Geneva was spotted parked at the curb in the Big Apple according to Motor Authority.
The photo shown was posted on Facebook by a Bugatti Chiron fan. The hypercar’s front trunk was even unlatched.
It wasn’t clear why the Chiron was in New York when it didn’t attend the motor show to begin with, but it was more likely there to be privately presented to prospective buyers who flocked in Manhattan for the NYIAS.
Chiron has been enjoying massive demand and orders. During the car’s launch in Geneva last month, it claimed a third of the planned 500-unit production. The starting price is at 2.4 million Euros, in case you’re interested. That’s roughly $2.73 million.
With the price tag, Bugatti said the car is actually making a profit compared with the Veyron, which was rumored to have been selling at a loss.
The Chiron has an 8.0-liter W-16 engine with a two-stage turbocharging system. There are four turbos, with two designed to be always on while the two other are electrically actuated when the driver wants more acceleration.
That engine churns out 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. It’s more powerful than the Veyron, but the acceleration is just 2.5 seconds to 62 mph. the top speed is 260 mph, but Chiron is aiming for more with a “top speed more” that can be activated by a special key.
The company calls the headlights up front an “eight-eye face” with an active wing on the rear for the air brake. It also has 20-inch wheels on front and 21-inche wheels at the rear, as well as eight titanium brake pistons at the front and six at the rear.