Monthly Archives: June 2016
The Next BMW 3-Series Will Be Made In Mexico
Four years ago, there was a rumor that BMW plans to make its 3-Series sedans in Mexico. Not much has been heard in the next years, until BMW finally confirmed it today.
On Thursday, BMW started constructing a factory in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, which will be the home of the BMW 3-Series sedans in the next years. Based on a report, it will begin rolling off cars by 2019, reports added.
The 3-Series sedans to be manufactured in the plant will be next-generation models, which were spotted testing its prototypes. These are also due to be revealed sometime next year. The cars built in the San Luis Potosi plant will be exported to the United States.
But why Mexico?
Mexico is an ideal location for car manufacturers because of its low wages and free trade agreements with the United States and Canada. Some Asian and South American countries also enjoy FTA with Mexico.
Moving its production and manufacturing plant in Mexico will help BMW answer to the demand, speed up delivery, and hedge against currency fluctuations. In the long run, BMW will be saving up in production costs, as well as in export fees and taxes. Whether this would reflect on the cars’ prices remains to be seen.
In fact, such is the attraction of Mexico that some of BMW’s competitors are also planning to use Mexico as a manufacturing hub. Audi will build its next-generation Q5 in Mexico later this year and Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz both confirmed plans to build some compact cars there as well.
Initially, BMW plans to have its Mexico plant produce some 150,000 units. It will be employing about 1,500 staff for the factory. The new Mexico plant will join BMW’s growing presence in the Americas, including the plants in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which specializes in SUVs. There are also two smaller facilities in Brazil.
A Vision For The Future: MINI Concept Vision 100
In an ideal world, all cars would be personalized and will reflect our personality. MINI wants exactly that, so it made known its vision of the future—a car that can become yours instantly.
Imagine driving your own car to the airport. Boarding a plane to be halfway across the world. Rent a MINI wherever you might be. Ride the car and it’s instantly the same car you left back home.
How would that come to be?
The MINI Concept Vision 100 is one in the series of cars for BMW Group’s centenary. Chief designer Anders Warming said MINI owners are connected emotionally to their cars. In the future, they want their clients to be digitally connected to their MINIs as well.
According to a report, it works just like how your smartphones works when you change phones. There’s a backup system in the cloud that stores your preferences—apps, travel history, etc. The car can even reflect a color hue to reflect your favorite artist. Can you imagine how more personal your car can get?
Personalization is the heart of this MINI concept. The system knows who you are, what you like and where you’re going. The MINI will also have a “digital skin,” so it can change the graphics on the exterior of the car, reflecting your own unique personality.
MINI said the car will be able to recognize you because of the enhanced sensor systems that it will be equipped with. This by simply having an app on your phone that can connect to the MINI’s system.
The idea behind this is that in the future, car sharing will be a norm and you don’t have to even own a MINI. Such a concept will boost one’s loyalty to a brand since you’ll be sharing a car but feeling like it’s your own too.
2017 Subaru BRZ Series.Yellow Is Bright As The Sun
There weren’t particular outward changes we can pick on when Subaru revealed its updated 2017 Subaru BRZ. The adjustments are rather comprehensive, and it would take a really good car expert to notice what were modified from its predecessor.
So, it only makes sense that Subaru chose to give the new Subaru BRZ a complete appearance makeover in terms of color scheme. Yes, the 2017 BRZ is now an eye-catching sunny yellow. Nothing can get brighter than this on the road.
And to keep up with Subaru’s tradition of naming its cars based on its color, the 2017 Subaru BRZ is named Series.Yellow. Remember Series.Blue? It has a less-blue predecessor aptly called the Series.Hyperblue.
This sunny yellow BRZ Series.Yellow is more than just Series.Hyperblue in name. It borrows most of the elements we see on the previous car—blue-colored accents inside and out were replaced with the color yellow. There’s the overall paint, of course, plus the yellow contrast stitching and bits of yellow cloth throughout the all-black cabin and black-painted 17-inch wheels.
What differs it from the Series.Hyperblue is the upgrade on the brakes. The Series.Yellow has Brembo rotors and four-piston calipers up front. The suspension was also changed to Sachs dampers, which would also come standard on updated units of the 2017 BRZ.
Overall, the change is rather compelling and might put experts and fans alike on tenterhooks. But then again, the Series.Yellow would hold no problem if you’re okay with the bright and sunny exterior, especially if it fits your personality.
Remember, you not only have to deal with the color on the outside. The cabin is somehow yellow-ized too because of the contrast with the all-black interior.
There will only be 500 units produced of the Series.Yellow. There are no pricing details yet, but expect it to come somewhere near the price range of $30,000.
Source: Car And Driver
New Tesla Model S60 Replaces Model S70
Let’s get this out of the way: the new Tesla Model S60 is replacing the Model S70, which is, yes, the same model replaced by the older Model S60 last year. Tesla is reintroducing the Model S60, a different version from the earlier one that packed 60kWh battery pack and was replaced by the Model S70 and 70D, according to a source.
The reintroduction came just after Tesla revealed to 70 owners that the 70kWh battery capacity their cars are based on can actually unlock an extra 5kWh via an over-the-air update and a few thousand bucks. But forget all that, the new Model S60 is here, and it is offering something interesting.
Truth be told, there’s nothing special about the Model S60. In fact, it even has less driving range than the S70 and 70D. The rear-drive 60 can go up to 210 miles of range while the all-wheel-drive 60D can go 218 miles per charge. Those figures are 24 miles and 22 miles lower than what the 70 models are offering.
The upside? The Model S60 base model will only cost $67,200 ($5,000 plus for the 60D), significantly lower than the base price for the old S60 and the 70 it will be replacing.
Another thing that would convert you into the new S60 fan? The 70 model has surprisingly the 75kWh battery capacity. The new Model S60 will have it too. Buyers can tap that extra battery capacity when they order their 2016 S60 or 60D for an additional $8,500 on top of the current prices.
If you’ll order it as over-the-air update from the car’s internet connection, it will cost $9,000 instead of $8,500. The price upgrade is three times more than the cost for the Model S70 and 70D, but the 2017 S60 and 60D are also gaining three times more in terms of capacity.
That extra battery capacity will enable the Model S60 to go 249 miles and the 60D 259 miles.
Mazzanti Millecavalli Is Italy’s Fastest And Most Powerful Supercar
Italy may be best known as the land of amazing pasta, pizza and architecture for us mere mortals. But for the ultra-rich, Italy is home to the world’s most powerful supercars—the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and the Pagani. Majority of the best cars out there carry the Italian flag in the top right corner.
And as if Italy has not outdone itself again and again in the matter of producing the greatest cars ever, a company called Mazzanti (very much Italian, right?) just produced the Millecavalli—a 1,000bhp hypercar that will apparently compete with the great LaFerrari in terms of horsepower offering, according to Top Gear.
The Millecavalli is packing a 7.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which can produce 1,000bhp and 885 lb. ft. of torque. That’s certainly a lot more than Ferrari’s offering of 950bhp and 664 lb. ft. of torque through its V12-engined hybrid hypercar.
The Mazzanti Millecavalli weighs at only 1,300 kg, which would certainly boost its road performance using a six-speed sequential gearbox. That said, Mazzanti’s supercar should go 0-60mph in just 2.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 250mph.
Surely, supercar enthusiasts are scrutinizing the company’s every move. Mazzanti was a creation of Luca Mazzanti and classic car restorer Walter Faralli.
The Millecavalli has a lot going on—ripples and creases that affect the car’s aerodynamics. There’s also a two-tier spoiler, a roof snorkel, and suicide swan doors.
There are no details yet for the interior, although we’re expecting to see some elegant and sporty details on the seats, steering wheel, and even the pedals. If you’re curious, you can take a look at it since it’s currently on display at the Turin Auto Show.
Mazzanti said there will only be 25 units of the Millecavalli. As for the price? We don’t know that yet, but expect really astonishing, fall-off-your-seat price tag for this supercar.
Will The Kia GT Concept Be Called The Stinger?
Reports have it that Korean auto maker Kia is working on a sleek sports sedan with a rear-wheel drive. This was apparently first featured in 2011 in the form of the Kia GT concept. Oh, how time flies.
It now carries the codename CK, and has recently been spotted on the back of a truck. Sources said it is set to make its debut later this year at the 2016 Paris Auto Show in September.
Until recent reports that reveal it might carry the Stinger name, this particular Kia was called a GT. Is the revelation that it will be named Stinger a confirmation that the GT would be a sports car performance-wise? After all, Kia used the name Stinger for its sports car concept in 2014.
That particular sports car was ruled out for production because of a low demand, but elements of it—the design and apparently, the name—will be featured on this sedan.
This GT or Stinger is based on the platform used on the Genesis G80 and the G90 sedans. One of the available powertrains for that platform is the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 fitted in the Genesis sedans. That can produce 365 horsepower. Customers can choose between 4- or 6-cylinder engines.
Whatever it will be called, this new Kia is slated to be a part of the 2018 lineup for the Korean brand. It will fit somewhere in the middle of the Cadenza and the K900, and would compete with style-led sedans such as the Audi A7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The Kia, of course, will be way cheaper.
Cheap cars are the centerfold of Kia’s business model. Though this was a successful strategy at first, Kia and sister company Hyundai are experiencing declining profits amid increasing sales. The new strategy seems to be targeting more profitable segments, such as the one where this new Kia will fit.
LAPD To Use 100 BMW i3 EVs
What could possibly make the Los Angeles Police Department even more glamorous than it already is? You know, protecting the rich and famous of Hollywood is also a lot about having the right machinery, and by hooking up with BMW to get the i3 EVs, LAPD just purchased the perfect partner.
And what can top having a BMW for a police fleet? Having an electrically charged BMW. LAPD is even answering to the United Nations’ great call of reducing carbon dioxide emission, and using electric cars instead of gasoline-powered ones.
BMW’s i3 will be LAPD’s first electric vehicle. The German brand beat out Tesla for the opportunity to roam the streets of Los Angeles. Now, LA residents can enjoy seeing the cute little i3 on the road.
The purchase of the i3 is part of LA’s initiative to convert 80 percent of all its municipal vehicles into electrically powered ones by 2025. And since this is the police department’s first EV, the purchase also includes 100 Level 2 chargers and four DC fast chargers. This will ensure that the i3s are charged up and won’t be missing power while on the road.
The i3s won’t be used for emergency calls, though. Neither will it be used to hunt down and run after perpetrators. The BMW i3 EVs will essentially be used for non-emergency calls for now. Although, who knows in the future how BMW will plan to upgrade the vehicle?
LAPD’s primary problem with the i3s’ capacity to respond to 911 calls is their need to be plugged in overnight to recharge. Emergency calls, of course, can happen even in the middle of the night.
So for now, emergency calls and running after suspects in LAPD would remain to be a job for the Ford Crown Victoria that may or may not be equipped with the Ford Police Interceptor utilities. There are also a couple of other sedans and Chargers from Dodge.
Source: Car And Driver
2017 Citroën C3 Spotted On The Streets
It has been three years since we saw the second-generation Citroën C3 get a minor facelift; and that was six three years after the vehicle entered the auto industry.
Finally, we’re seeing the new-generation C3 up and about on the road. Based on the heavily camouflaged new C3, it would have a small, aerodynamic lip as caused by the front fascia being recessed under the hood. The spy shots also show larger upper air inlet, reshaped rear quarter windows, all new exterior light units, and a revised rear fascia.
There are no photos yet of what the inside would look like, although it might just carry over the pretty impressive interior of the outgoing model. What we’re expecting is to see a similar steering wheel with accenting on the lower spoke plus a simplified center console.
Overall, the interior would most likely be changed for refinement rather than for replacement.
As for the drivetrain, the new C3’s options are well-guarded secrets. What we’re hoping to see is a wide range of engine options—3- to 4-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The gasoline engine can produce a 68-horsepower 3-cylinder, 82-horseopower 3-cylinder, or a 110-horsepower 3-cylinder.
The turbodiesel will offer a 75-horsepower and 100-horsepower engines. The standard for all engines is the manual transmission, although an automatic transmission is also being offered in other models, depending on the case.
Pricing information isn’t available yet for the C3 since this is the first time the car has been completely upgraded in six years. We can estimate based on the current models. In the UK, the current model has a price tag of $15,353 for the entry-level model, and $24,062 for the top-ranging model.
If it wants to remain competitive, the Citroën C3 cannot raise prices too much. In this segment, the Citroën C3 will go against the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Polo.
Say Hello To The New Ford Ka+
It’s time to say goodbye to Ford KA as it is about to be replaced by the new Ford KA+. Thankfully, we’re now allowed to bid farewell to the mildly disappointing car that is KA Plus’ predecessor, or even the quite good car that first wore the badge in the mid-90s.
The reason? The KA+ isn’t really a direct replacement for the KA, except maybe that it shares its name, according to a report. The outgoing KA is competing directly with the Fiat 500. They even share the same platform. The Ka+, on the other hand, will most likely go against the Vauxhall Vivas, Hyundai i10, and other cars in the segment.
The Ford KA+ is marginally shorter and taller than the ever-popular Ford Fiesta. But compared to other models, it will only have one option for now—a 1.2-liter four-cylinder that is closely related to Fiesta’s 1.25 that churns out 69 to 84bhp.
You’ll get a five-speed manual transmission gearbox with the KA+. That gives out 114g/km of CO2 and 56.5mpg. There are no details yet regarding performance, but the only thing we’re sure of right now is that the KA+ won’t be fast.
Inside, the car can fit five passengers, with plenty of cubbies and a 270-liter boot. It also gets Bluetooth connectivity, and Ford’s SYNC infotainment system for the high-end ones.
Reportedly, we’ll also see the MyFord Dock, which allows the driver and passengers to mount and charge mobile phones and portable navigation systems.
As for the exterior? Let’s just say it will take some time to get used to since it’s “unconventionally proportioned.” Ford promised, though, that it will deliver “fun-to-drive dynamics” that match the European market expectations.
The Plus, which is on sale in South America already, will be priced a little under £9K. It’s bound to enter the global market soon enough.
Is BMW Coming Up With A 4-Door M2 Gran Coupe?
Rumors have it that BMW is set to build a sedan version of the 2-Series, especially after the pronouncements made by the company’s head of development, Klaus Frohlich, to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.
With a sedan version of the 2-Series possible on the horizon, can we now dare to dream that a four-door BMW M2 Gran Coupe will also grace the company’s senses?
The UK publication Autocar believes that not only is a 2-Series Gran Coupe sedan possible, but an M version of it might also be in the works. Can you imagine what will be offered? You’ll get the M2 with a 365-horsepower engine, as well as two more doors.
It’s quite possible we’ll also see a hatchback version of the M2 Gran Coupe. That’s pretty incredible, right?
Reports also said that all versions of the 2-Series Gran Coupe will get an extended wheelbase, which would put the Gran Coupe somewhere between the regular 2-Series Coupe and the 3-Series Sedan. Both versions of the Gran Coupe are being planned for unveiling in 2019.
The expectation is that the four-door 2-Series would be sold in major markets since another model is bound to be exclusive to the Chinese market.
It can be remembered that late last year, BMW introduced the Concept Compact Sedan at China’s Guangzhou Auto Show. This has given us a preview of a Mini-based sedan with front-wheel drive. That would be the model built exclusively for the Chinese market.
The question, of course, would be the availability of the 2-Series sedan in the United States. Offering the 2-Series Gran Coupe in the US market would be wise step for BMW if it wants to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Audi A3.
However, this would pose a serious problem with the presence of the 3-Series in the market. A 2-Series Gran Coupe could potentially affect the sales of the 3-Series.