The Zetec S is back, baby!
At least some of us are happy about it while the rest of the population can only kick the sand in envy.
The 2012 Ford Focus Zetec ST is the sportiest version of the Focus short of the ST model. Fans of the Focus in the UK will once again get the treat of dibs as the hot hatchback is being primed for a UK release.
The Focus Zetec S will come with numerous styling cues, including a new sports styling kit, a new sports suspension set-up, LED taillights, and a new set of 17" alloy wheels. Inside, the added goodies for the Focus Zetec S include aluminium-style sports pedals and a starter button.
Under the hood, the Focus Zetec S will feature a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbo-charged engine that produces an output of 180 horsepower with a 0-62 mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 138 mph. Despite its numbers, the Focus Zetec S is capable of only emitting just 139 grams of CO2 per Km.
Other than the 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine, the Focus Zetec S will also have a 1.6-liter Ti-VCT engine that produces 125 horsepower and a 2.0-liter TDCi that has an output of 163 horsepower.
Then there are the optional items that are being offered for the Focus Zetec S, which reads like a list of things you’d want to have on your car. There’s the Driver Assistance Pack, cruise control with Active Speed Limiter, heated front seats, a power driver seat and power rear windows, to name a few.
So, are you interested in the Focus Zetec S? If you are, you should know that it costs £18,745, which is around $29,300 based on current exchange rates.
Joining the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 as new models in Subaru’s line-up is a new option for the WRX STI A-Line called the Type S.
Though it draws a lot of similarities to its A-Line predecessor - including the use of a 2.5-liter turbo engine with 300 horsepower - the new A-Line Type S will still carry some new trims. Among the new features added to the four-door and five-door versions of the car are a new rear spoiler, a pair of Recaro bucket seats, and a new set of specially designed 18" wheels.
Considering that the WRX STI A-Line Type S is treated as the more conservative model of the whole line, the car will retail for 3.28 million Yen, which is around $42,240 based on current exchange rates.
We all know that Subaru has already made it known that they’re going to separate the WRX and STI lines with the Impreza from here on out. So if you’re one that appreciates posterity, the Impreza WRX STI A-Line Type S could very well be one of the last specially packaged models to carry both names on its badge.
What would the 2011 Essen Motor Show be without the participation of some of Germany’s homegrown tuning companies?
Fortunately, we won’t have to answer that question because at least one of those tuning companies will on-hand to present their new tuning programs. BMW tuner extraordinaire, AC Schnitzer, has prepared a couple of cars for Essen, with one being a modified 1-Series F20 hatchback. Coming to the party packed with styling and performance upgrades, AC Schnitzer’s "ACS1" program certainly belongs on the big stages of Essen.
The exterior and interior of the car were both given some fancy dress-ups. For the former, the changes include the addition of a new front apron and a new roof spoiler to go along with some special graphics on the sides of the car and a choice of either 18" or 19" alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the interior of the 1-Series F20 received a bespoke gear knob that comes with or without a digital gear display, aluminum pedals, a new handbrake handle, custom floor mats, and an aluminum cover for the i-Drive system, among other things.
The ACS1’s performance package didn’t disappoint either. Before we dive into the power kits for the 118d and 120d models, it’s important to share that AC Schnitzer added a lowered sports suspension kit and a new exhaust system with chromed tail pipes to the performance program. As for the aforementioned power kits, which included an ECU remap, the German tuner managed to bump the output of the 118d from 143 horsepower to 171 horsepower while the 120d gets an equally impressive spike, from 184 horsepower all the way up to 210 horsepower.
BMW recently announced plans to bring the M550d - an M5 with tri-turbo six-cylinder diesel unit and all-wheel-drive system - and now they are bringing some more good news to the table. According to Driving Fun, BMW is also preparing an M version for their new generation 1-Series.
Until now, the most powerful 1-Series was the 306 HP 135i, but the new model - called M135i - will get a 3.0 liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with an increased power of 320 HP. Next to the extra power, the upcoming M135i will also get a full M division tuning treatment.
The announcement was made during a BMW dealership presentation that took place in the Netherlands. It seems that the new BMW M135i is set to arrive in Summer 2012. This will be followed by a four-wheel drive version in December 2012.
Note: picture here is of the BMW 1 Series Performance Study.
It’s been a while since we’ve been able to grab any photos of the new BMW i3, but after months and months of waiting, our spy photographers have been able to snag a few pictures of BMW’s newest i3 prototype. This newest prototype was recently spotted on the back of a truck in the south of Germany, revealing more details on the development of the future electric car.
This i3 prototype has its headlights in the correct position and reveals that the placement and angle of the roof line and C-Pillar mirror that of the i3 concept. Another interesting observation can be made of the electric car’s doors. The doors, like the doors of the Mini Clubman, are suicide doors, meaning that the front door needs to be opened in order to let the back seat passenger out.
The 2013 BMW i3 will be powered by a powerful 170 HP electric motor that will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 8 seconds and up to a top speed of 93 mph. The car will have an autonomy between 80 and 100 miles in mixed driving, making it the perfect vehicle for those everyday short trips.
