Hot Cars

2006 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si

The Coupe corresponds mostly to the Z4, with its newly refined front end and hood lines; long-hood, cabin-back proportions; and double beltline in profile view. In particular, the lower, stylistically primary beltline begins above the outer headlight, curves upward over the wheels and then downward into the door, and “hikes“ sharply upward again, finally heading downward to conclude at the rear edge. Because the Coupe’s upper beltline has a visually longer continuity as it extends on past the new rear-quarter window with its characteristic BMW “reverse kink,“ the lower one even more boldly evokes the fender line of classic Grand Touring coupes, almost proclaiming for the Z4.

Even stronger in its aesthetic impact is the fastback roofline. For one thing, in cross-section its center depression or “trough“ is reminiscent of certain GT coupes of the Italian coachbuilder Zagato in the Fifties and later. In profile view, it flows in a line parallel to the side windows‘ top edge, then continues on down to meet a crisp, stand-out cutoff point that forms a rear spoiler. Then it concludes at the bumper as the bottom edge of a rear hatch.

This hatch, including the entire roof from the rear window’s top edge to the bumper, opens wide and high to provide excellent access to a relatively roomy cargo area that can accommodate two golf bags.

In its interior design, the Coupe adopts the primary design themes and materials of the Roadster 3.0si. BMW’s “High Performance“ leather upholstery is standard; the seats, upper door-panel inserts, console-side kneepads and center armpad are in this leather and it is available in three color schemes: Black, Dream Red/Black and Beige. Brushed-aluminum trim highlights the dash and console; Poplar Grain wood trim is available at no extra cost in Light or Dark tone. New to the Coupe, naturally, are its cloth headliner, in Gray or Beige according to interior color scheme, and the A-pillar trim is also distinct from that of its Roadster counterpart.

As in the Roadster, sport seats, with prominent cushion and backrest side bolsters to support occupants during energetic driving, are standard. Their standard adjustment is 6-way manual; available in the Premium Package or as a stand-alone option is 8-way power adjustment, with memory for the driver’s seat. M sport seats, also described under Options, are available in combination with the Sport Package.

The steering wheel has manual tilt/telescopic adjustment. A contemporary instrument cluster, with white-on-gray analog speedometer and tachometer, includes LED indicators in the dial faces and between the dials; fuel and temperature gauges are set into the tachometer face.

Most vehicle manufacturers’ 6-cylinder engines are in the V-6 format, whose compactness is advantageous for small or midsize cars with front-wheel drive. By contrast, BMW’s inline 6-cylinder engines are brilliant for their smoothness and sound, and BMW customers as well as professional auto critics have come to treasure them for these attributes. BMW has retained this inline format while developing it toward reduced weight, more compact dimensions – and even more brilliant performance, smoothness and sound. An increase in fuel efficiency and even tighter control of emissions were also set as goals for the new engine.

One thing’s for sure – only drivers who want the most extreme track day car will really need to spend an extra £10,000 on the flagship M Coupé. At £31,400, the 3.0-litre model is better value, and even offers a bigger boot – the range-topper has its battery in the back.

If you like your sports cars to handle the old-fashioned way, you’ll love the thrills the Z4 Coupé has to offer.

Italian Maker Alfa Romeo Returning To The U.S. In 2009

Alfa Romeo has confirmed it is preparing a high-stakes return to the North American market after more than a decade’s absence. A trio of contemporary new models will lead the charge.

Although not officially due to go on sale here until the end of 2009 (coinciding with the company’s 100th anniversary in 2010), the new Alfa Romeo lineup is well on the way to fruition, having already been launched in Europe in the past 12 months. Engineering work is now under way at home and in the U.S. to make the cars fit for North American sale, a task Alfa Romeo officials say is a mere formality given that all three models were developed with U.S. safety and emission regulations in mind.

Among the new models the Italian carmaker has earmarked for North America are facelifted versions of the one-year-old 159 sedan, as well the recently launched Brera coupe and Spider convertible. Alfa especially likes the Spider’s chances, given its link with the Duetto, which rose to prominence starring alongside Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman in the popular 1967 movie The Graduate.

Each model coming stateside is based on Alfa Romeo’s new Premium platform (a modular structure developed with General Motors’ Saab division). The chassis supports front- and four-wheel drive, and is engineered to conform to North American crash regulations.

Read Full Story In AutoWeek.com

BMW Announces 3-Series Coupe Pricing, Equipment Levels

BMW has put a few numbers on its 3-Series Coupe – 9/06, and $35,995. That’s its September on-sale date and starting MSRP, respectively.

The automaker has enhanced standard equipment across the range, and all coupes now include Xenon adaptive headlamps, rear side head curtains, run-flat tires with pressure monitoring, and enhanced stability control.

While prices have risen across the board, BMW is quick to point out that equipment levels and performance levels have risen to more than compensate for the increases. For instance, the base engine in the 328i is actually more powerful than the previous generation’s 330Ci Coupe (230 horsepower versus 225) with better performance and safety, for $2,500 less.

The 230-horsepower 328i Coupe starts at $35,995, and the uplevel 335i Coupe (with its 300 horsepower twin-turbo six) retails for $41,295. The xDrive-equipped 328xi Coupe splits the difference at $37,795 (all prices include destination and handling charges).

Lexus GS 300 Limited Edition Revealed

Since its launch in spring 2005, the all-new third-generation GS has been a successful standard bearer for Lexus’s advances in individual style, refined performance, innovative safety and advanced technology. The British International Motor Show provides the platform for the introduction of a new version that develops the model’s appeal even further, the GS Limited Edition (LE).

Customers will have to move quickly to take advantage of its great style, specification and value, as availability is restricted to just 250 units, making it one of the most exclusive Lexus models yet sold in the UK.

Taking the current GS 300 SE as its starting point, it features a series of additional, distinctive exterior and interior style enhancements. On the outside, the new LE is distinguished by body styling elements that emphasise the car’s strong dynamic look. They include 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, an aerodynamic boot lip spoiler, extended side skirts and a front spoiler.

Luxury is the keynote for the interior, with soft grey perforated leather upholstery, dark wood inserts for the doors and centre console and custom-designed floor mats, exclusive to the LE grade.

These items are in addition to a superior equipment specification that includes DVD-based satellite navigation with touch-screen operation; Smart Entry and Start; Bluetooth connectivity; electrically adjustable front seats with memory settings and integrated heating and ventilation functions; digital climate control air conditioning; High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) for improved illumination through bends; 10-speaker sound system with in-dash six-disc CD autochanger; Park Assist Monitor and rear parking sensors; cruise control; automatic windscreen wipers; and a full suite of occupant airbags, including rear side airbags.

Power is provided by Lexus’s 245bhp (249 DIN hp) 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, which gives nought to 62mph acceleration in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 148mph. In combined cycle driving this unit returns 28.8mpg, while the official carbon dioxide emissions rating is 232g/km. A close-ratio six-speed eletronically controlled automatic transmission is fitted as standard.

The GS 300 LE is available exclusively in Aleutian Grey metallic for the exterior, with the interior finished in toning light Grampian Grey. It is on sale from 18 July, priced £37,350 on the road.

2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4/4S

Porsche has side-stepped tradition with the 2007 911 Targa, providing the new model with standard all-wheel drive for the first time since its 1966 debut.

Planned for a world debut at September’s Paris motor show, the 997-based Targa goes on sale in the U.S. in November. Targa 4 will carry a starting sticker of $86,495, while the higher-powered Targa 4S will start at $96,695 (both prices include a $795 destination charge).

Based on the same underpinnings and basic body structure as the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, Targa once again features a fixed aluminum roof that incorporates a full-length sliding glass sunroof to provide open air compatibility in a car boasting a typical coupe-like silhouette. The latest Targa roof features a laminated twin layered glass panel that weighs 4.2 pounds less than the previous model. An electrically operated blind provides sun protection.

Forgoing the traditional rear-wheel drive layout of earlier 911 Targas, the sixth-generation model runs all-wheel-drive on all models. Targa 4 is powered by a 3.6-liter 325-hp, 273-lb-ft flat six-cylinder engine; Targa 4S gets the 3.8-liter, 355-hp, 295-lb-ft flat six. Porsche says Targa 4 hits 0-60 mph in 5.1-seconds, Targa 4S in 4.7 seconds. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, with a five-speed Tiptronic automatic optional. A double-clutch manual-automatic gearbox will be a likely addition to the options list in the not-too-distant-future.

AMG Styling Package For the New Mercedes-Benz CL

For the new CL-Class, the ultimate luxury coupe the brand has to offer, Mercedes-AMG has now developed two AMG optional extras: a powerful AMG bodystyling package and expressive 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. These distinctive AMG components are available for both engine versions.

The AMG bodystyling for the new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class comprises a front and rear apron and side skirts. The redesigned front bumper with enlarged air intakes and chrome-ringed circular fog lamps is lithe and athletic in appearance. Typical AMG styling, with two slanted struts and a smooth transition to the prominent wheel arches, gives a strong air of confidence and emphasizes the sense of width.

The AMG side skirts carry the muscular lines seamlessly through to the AMG rear apron. The rear bumper with its black insert and chrome trim strip flanked by tailpipes on either side creates a dynamic and exclusive impression.

Also available for the new CL-Class, as an optimal complement to the AMG bodystyling, are 19-inch five-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels with embossed AMG lettering. The high-sheen rim flange and spokes are always eye-catching, whether the vehicle is standing still or on the move. The 8.5/9.5-inch-wide wheels carry 255/40 (front) and 275/40 (rear) tires. The wide AMG wheels fill out the prominent wheel arches perfectly, giving the side view a sporty appearance.

Pre-orders are already being taken for the AMG bodystyling and AMG light-alloy wheels. The market launch date will be September 2006. The AMG components are available for both the eight-cylinder CL 500 and the V12 top-of-the-line CL 600 model. The ex-factory European prices are $6,700 for the AMG bodystyling package and $4,000 (CL 500)/EUR $2,400 (CL 600) for the AMG light-alloy wheels.