Mitsubishi has launched on the British market the ASX Black - a new special edition model with enhanced exterior styling and a bespoke interior. The model can be ordered with two different engine versions, with prices ranging from £21,099 ($28,800) for the ASX 4 1.6 2wd Manual to £25,399 ($34,700) for the ASX 4 1.8 DI-D 4WD Manual.
Although the name "Black" makes you think about a black car, the new ASX Black will actually be offered in six different exterior color: blue, white, silver, black, red and gray. The name Black comes from the introduction of satin black styling kit which includes striking black 17” alloy wheels, roof, spoiler, mirrors, grille and fog lamp bezels. The interior benefits from the addition of a special edition black leather kit featuring carbon fiber inserts.
As standard options the ASX Black will offer Kenwood satellite, Navigation system, reversing camera, iPod connection, Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC).
The 2012 Honda CR-Z Mugen is beginning to take shape with at least one special edition model already being announced. The 2012 CR-Z iCF Mugen is being prepared by Honda U.K., promising the kind of performance capabilities that are befitting of Mugen’s fine-tuning.
For now, the only details that have surfaced regarding the CR-Z iCF Mugen is that it will carry a modified 1.5-liter engine that comes with an added centrifugal forced air induction system and a remapped ECU that takes the output of the hot hatch to an impressive 173 horsepower. This improved powertrain system allows the car to hit 0-62 mph in just 6.1 seconds while boasting of a top speed of 130 mph.
There doesn’t appear to be any final declarations as to how many of these cars will be sold by Honda UK Mugen dealers in the coming future. But for those interested to know how much a piece will sell for, Honda has announced that one model will carry a price tag of £24,000, which is around $37,200 based on current exchange rates.
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.
Following up on the teaser trailers for Jeremy Clarkson’s Powered up DVD, Top Gear’s main man has released another video with a bit more action than the first two. In this video, Clarkson goes through some of his favorite cars of the year and his top pick is surprisingly not a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, even though a Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante did take third place on his preference list.
Instead, the British star has chosen one of the most amazing cars launched this year by BMW: the 1-Series M Coupe. Usually not a fan of BMW’s, Clarkson has appointed the 1M as the “Most Fun Car Of The Year.” The 1M pulled ahead of many of the classic favorites in the auto world, including the Ferrari FF and 458 Italia, the aforementioned Lamborghini Gallardo Performante, the Nissan Skyline, and the McLaren MP4-12C.
The new BMW 535d Touring M Sport also got a spot on his "favorites" list, grabbing the top spot as "2011 Car of the Year."
In a very short time, the Audi A1 has become a very successful model. So it’s not surprising that Audi is trying to keep their customers interested in every possible way. For that, Audi has launched both the A1 Contrast and A1 Black Editions on the British market. These models can be combined with a 2.0 liter TDI engine - the most powerful TDI engine offered for the A1 - for the first time in the A1 line-up.
The A1 Contrast Edition was named as such because of the color contrasts found on the car. There’s a contrasting color for the roof line and for the aerodynamic body styling elements, as well as in the new set of larger 17-inch "five-arm"’ design bi-color alloy wheels. The final elements is a double-blade roof spoiler, also in a contrasting color that can be added at extra cost.
The Black Edition includes black styling treatment for the single frame grille surround and number plate holder, dark tinted rear privacy glass, 18-inch five-arm rotor design alloy wheels in a titanium finish, and Xenon Plus headlights with LED daytime-running lights. Inside, it brings full electronic climate control as an enhancement to the S line model’s manual air conditioning and the Audi Sound System speaker upgrade giving 180 watts of output.
The new 2.0 TDI engine available with these two new special editions delivers a total of 143 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. It will sprint the cars from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 135 mph.
