The convertible version of the new generation BMW 3-Series is out in the wintry climate again to finish up some of its testing and our spy photographers were able to grab up a few more images. Technically, the future model will be wearing the 4-Series nomenclature, just like its coupe variant.
Despite the heavy camouflage, these images show that the upcoming 4-Series Convertible will feature a front end that differs slightly from the 3-Series sedan. Similarities between the models will more than likely be seen under the hood, where the 4-Series will get a range of four- and six-cylinder engines The most powerful engine will be the 3.0 liter version that will deliver about 306 HP.
Expect the new BMW 4-Series to be revealed sometime in 2013, with sales to begin in 2014. Considering that the new M3 will be shown as a sedan first, we expect to see an M version for both the 4-Series Coupe and Convertible shortly after the debut of the standard version.
The words "BMW M3" and "Special Editions" have really become synonymous with each other. So much so, in fact, that a new special edition M3 is being released in another part of the world a week before a similar special ed model was released in Singapore.
Taking the reins from the M3 Competition Edition is the M3 Limited Edition 500, a UK-exclusive release of the M3 Coupe and Convertible models that comes in three different color finishes: Imola Red, Mineral White, and Santorini Blue.
The Union Jack-inspired colors are complemented by the characteristic M-car signature details, including the kidney grille surround, side gills and twin double exhaust pipes that have been finished in dark chrome. On top of that, the models will also come with a high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim that’s further given some extra shine courtesy of a new set of 19" high-gloss black light-alloy wheels.
Inside, the M3 Limited Edition 500 comes packed with plenty of fancy trimmings, highlighted by an extended Novillo leather and contrast stitching on the sports seats and door panels. Each of the aforementioned colors will come with complementing interior stitching with the Imola Red models having Black leather and Mugello Red stitching, whereas the Mineral White models come with Fox Red leather with Black Stitching while the Santorini Blue model features Black leather with Tobago Blue stitching. Finally, each of the 500 available models will comes with a laser-cut edition designation that reads "One of 500" into the left-hand side of the inlay on the dashboard.
As for power, there aren’t any changes to the car’s 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower. Prices vary between the coupe and convertible models with the former fetching a price of £55,690 ($88,784) and the latter carrying a sticker of £59,785 ($95,317).
Austrian automaker, Magna Steyr, rarely makes a splash these days, but when they do, you can be sure that people are bound to notice. That shouldn’t be no more evident than in what Magna Steyr has in store for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show: They’re bringing a 3-in-1 vehicle concept called the MILA Coupic.
If the thought of a vehicle taking three guises is confusing enough, then you can be sure of the MILA Coupic’s status as a novelty.
In the simplest of terms, the MILA Coupic is a crossover coupe that comes with an innovative and retractable soft top roof with two sections that can be opened independently from each other. Both of these soft folding roofs have been fitted with a variety of transparent glass elements embedded in the textile material. The front roof system above the front seats can be opened from the front to the rear while the rear roof system above the rear seats and the loading area allows for two opening directions and provides added versatility to the vehicle’s loading area.
The concept’s two-tone paint finish - Clash Green combined with Crystal White - complements the aluminum highlights, thus providing a vehicle that looks about as unconventional as any concept we’ve seen in recent time.
Looking at the overall design of the car, the MILA Coupic offers a fresh take on how exceptional engineering can blend with state-of-the-art technology. The construction of the MILA Coupic was designed in different layers, with the lowest level paying attention to providing overall stability to the concept. The middle layer stands for safety and comfort, whereas the top level invests the vehicle with the typical sportiness and elegance of a coupé. Inside, the concept has a five-seat configuration with the rear seat capable of being folded forward, thus turning the vehicle into a glorified pick-up, further enhancing the concept’s overall quirkiness.
Maserati announced the launch of the new Granturismo Sport as a replacement for the current GranTurismo S and while no official confirmation has been made, we are pretty sure a convertible will follow shortly. The GranCabrio version will most likely arrive a year after the Granturismo Sport and will feature the same design language and engine as the coupe version.
This means we will see the same new front bumper that optimizes the front air flow for both the engine and brake cooling, DRL Led headlights, and smoked tail lights. This aggressive appearance will be further enhanced by the new 4.7 liter V8 engine that has been tricked to deliver a total of 460 HP. The 0 to 60 mph sprint time will remain in the 4.8 seconds area, but the car will be a bit heavier because of its soft-top roof mechanism.
We will keep you posted with new details on the Maserati GranCabrio Sport as soon as they become available.
Land Rover was the first to unveil a coupe SUV and it turned out to be a smart move. However, they are not the first to offer a convertible SUV - that move was already made by Nissan with their Murano Convertible - but since the Evoque is enjoying such great success, Landrover figured they’d capitalize on it with a little model expansion. When the British company hits the Geneva showroom floor, they will be ready with the Evoque Convertible Concept, a preview of the company’s future model.
Based on the three-door Evoque, the convertible version comes equipped with a fully retractable roof system with a roll-over protection system. Land Rover said that minimal changes were made to the car’s weight and torsional rigidity, but they are far from being done if they plan on developing a production version.
The interior offers the coolest technologies out there, including leather seats, a Meridian audio system, surround cameras, Park Assist, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch display.
Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern said: "The Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible. This study is not a traditional convertible design execution – instead we have worked with the balance of the Evoque’s lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable."
Is this Evoque suicide or the next logical step? We figure it depends on how conventional the market is and what the weather is like.
Updated 03/08/2012: We have added a series of new images from the car’s official debut in Geneva. Find them in the picture gallery!
UPDATE 03/14/12: In addition to the new photos of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept, Land Rover has also released the first driving footage of the top-less SUV. Check it out by clicking on the photo above.
With the next generation Corvette around the corner, Chevrolet decided it would be appropriate to send the C6 model out with a bang, and as it turns out, they timed it perfectly. The Corvette is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary with a special 60th Anniversary Package that will be available on all 2013 Corvette models, as well as a Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition. The Collector is extra special because it is the fastest and most-capable convertible in Corvette’s history. Both models will make their world debut in late January 2012 at the Barrett Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona and will arrive at U.S. Chevrolet dealers in early Summer 2012.
The new 427 Convertible Collector Edition is powered by an LS7 engine that delivers a total of 505 HP and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and can hit a top speed of 190 mph.
"The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th Anniversary and the final year for the current ‘C6’ generation," said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet. "We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s history – the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine."
UPDATE 01/23/2012: Would you pay $600,000 for a special edition Chevrolet Corvette that’s considered the fastest of its kind in the world? No need to answer that because someone already did. The Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition was just taken home from the recent Barrett Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona for a hefty price of $600,000. All the proceeds will go to AARP’s Drive to End Hunger food relief program.
UPDATE 02/17/2012: Chevrolet has unveiled a very cool video of the new Corvette 427 Convertible Edition is action with Tommy Milner, the 2011 24-Hours of Le Mans Class Winner, behind the wheel. So, if you want to see a car that really has it all check this video!
UPDATE 03/13/2012: The best way to celebrate your birthday is having a huge cake and blowing the candles. And as the 427 Convertible Collector Edition has been built as a Corvette’s 60th anniversary it had to do the same thing. Except it did it in style. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the new Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition.
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When it comes to updating BMW models, Lumma Design is usually one of the tuning firms that can be counted on to do an amazing job. Their latest project - called the CLR 600 GT - is proof of that. It’s based on the new BMW 650i Convertible, but improved with a power boost of 90 HP.
To achieve the extra power, Lumma Design modified the engine’s electronics and added a new flow-optimized muffler with four stainless steel tail pipes, each 90 millimeters in diameter. As a result, the V8 engine now delivers a total of 490 HP and a peak torque of 531 lb-ft. Top speed has also been increased to 160 mph.
The exterior of the BMW 650i Convertible was also slightly modified, getting a new front spoiler with LED daytime driving lights, new side skirts, and a new rear diffuser, as well as the obligatory new set of 20" alloy rims in a racing spokes design and black surface finish. For the interior, Lumma has covered it in Alcantara and leather, added an ergonomically shaped sports steering wheel, a new set of aluminum pedals, new foot rests, velour floor and trunk mats with a leather trim, and interior trims in embossed carbon leather.
Rumors about a possible Audi A1 Convertible were circulating even before Audi dropped the standard A1 hatchback on the market, but now British magazine Autocar is offering the first real details on the future model. According to Audi boss, Rupert Stadler, a full-blown cabriolet version of the A1 won’t be offered because it will be too expensive. However, Audi sources have confirmed that a semi-open-air version of the compact hatchback will indeed be offered.
Audi has already provided an early design study of the three-door A1, with a retractable cloth roof panel. Of course, this step has sparked many speculations. It is believed that the new A1 Cabrio will feature a "large, electric-powered cloth panel, covering an area described as being up to 80% of the total roof area." The roof will be opened at the push of a button and it will automatically retract back and be gathered in above the rear hatch.
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We’ve seen a number of vehicles taken out for test drives during these dreary winter conditions, so it’s not in the least bit surprising that Porsche is taking advantage of the mounds of snow at its disposal to test their future 911 Turbo Convertible. The new 911 Droptop was caught playing around in the snow near the Arctic Circle, proving that Porsche takes its testing very seriously.
Just as with the standard models in the new generation 911, the new Turbo version will receive updates on the exterior, as well as in the engine department. Not much of the exterior will be changed, but Porsche has done just enough to make the car sportier and more aerodynamic than ever.
As for the engine, the new 911 Turbo Convertible will be powered by the same 3.8L turbocharged flat six engine, but tricked to deliver more than the current 500 HP for the standard Turbo and 530 HP for the Turbo S.
The new Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe and Convertible are said to be unveiled next month at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned!
With rumors of a limited run XKR-S Coupe buzzing in the air, Jaguar is giving us a brief slice of what ’special edition’ means in their parlance.
Headed to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show are a pair of special edition models of the XK and XKR that come with some pretty eye-catching exterior and interior details. The former includes an array of color options that customers can choose from: Celestial Black, Crystal Blue, Lunar Grey, Polaris White, Rhodium Silver, and Ultimate Black. In addition, Jaguar also fitted the sports car a choice of two headlining color options - Navy with Jet or Truffle with Canvas - and two new sets of 20" alloy wheels wrapped in diamond-turned Venom wheels with a dark grey finish.
As for the interior, Jaguar put in a couple of trims, highlighted by two exclusive Artisan interior color ways: Navy with Jet headlining and Truffle with Canvas headlining. As for the convertible variants, the British automaker is also providing more options for the hood, including a choice of four colors: Black, Blue, Grey, and Brown. The interior also has seats dressed in a tactile ‘scraffito’ finished leather, an instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter casings, Poltrona Frau leather headlinings, and two new veneer finishes: Shadow Walnut and Dark Figured Aluminum.
Last, but certainly not least, the XK and XKR Special Edition models will receive Jaguar’s Dynamic Pack which comes with an modified engine that bumps up the car’s top speed from 155 mph to 174mph. The Pack also includes side sill extensions with new rear diffuser, revised adaptive dynamics, spring and damper rates, and a new front steering knuckle for optimized precision.
