Mini Coupé revealed

Mini has released the first details of its new Coupé, including some technical specs and images of a still half-camouflaged car.

Mini Coupé Prototype. Scroll down for more images.

A two-seater, the Mini Coupé has roughly the same wheelbase, width and overall length as the existing Mini Hatch, but its distinctive three-box body sits 29 millimetres lower for a suitably sporty stance.



Of course, being a Mini, one of its strengths is going to have to be handling. To ensure it measures up, extra body stiffening has been added to give a more stable platform for the suspension to work with. Unsurprisingly, DSC stability control comes as standard across the range.



Four variants will be available, all of which carry the Cooper name. Every one comes with a range of fuel-saving technologies including automatic stop / start, brake energy regeneration, electric power steering, gear shift indicator and intelligent ancillaries.



There’s no entry-level ‘One’ specification for the Mini Coupé, at least not for now.

Mini Cooper Coupé
Engine	Four-cylinder petrol with Valvetronic variable valve management
Displacement	1,598 cc
Power	120 bhp (90 kW / 122 PS) at 6,000 rpm
Torque	160 Nm (118 lb/ft) at 4,250 rpm
Transmission	Six-speed manual (six-speed automatic with Steptronic optional)
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	9.0 seconds
Top speed	127 mph (204 km/h)
Average fuel consumption	52.3 mpg (5.4 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	127 g/km
Dimensions	Wheelbase 2,467 mm; length 3,728 mm; width 1,683 mm; height 1,378 mm
Wheels	15” alloy
Brakes	Front 280 mm vented discs / rear 259 mm discs

Mini Cooper S Coupé
Engine	Four-cylinder petrol with twin-scroll turbocharger and Valvetronic variable valve management
Displacement	1,598 cc
Power	181 bhp (135 kW / 184 PS) at 5,500 rpm
Torque	240 Nm (177 lb/ft) at 1,600 - 5,000 rpm (260 Nm / 192 lb/ft with Overboost at 1,700 - 4,500 rpm)
Transmission	Six-speed manual (six-speed automatic with Steptronic optional)
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	6.9 seconds
Top speed	143 mph (230 km/h)
Average fuel consumption	48.7 mpg (5.8 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	136 g/km
Dimensions	Wheelbase 2,467 mm; length 3,734 mm; width 1,683 mm; height 1,384 mm
Wheels	16” alloy
Brakes	Front 294 mm vented discs / rear 259 mm discs

Mini Cooper SD Coupé
Engine	Four-cylinder common-rail injection turbodiesel with variable turbine technology
Displacement	1,995 cc
Power	141 bhp (105 kW / 143 PS) at 4,000 rpm
Torque	305 Nm (225 lb/ft) at 1,750 - 2,700 rpm
Transmission	Six-speed manual (six-speed automatic with Steptronic optional)
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	7.9 seconds
Top speed	134 mph (216 km/h)
Average fuel consumption	65.7 mpg (4.3 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	114 g/km
Dimensions	Wheelbase 2,467 mm; length 3,728 mm; width 1,683 mm; height 1,378 mm
Wheels	16” alloy
Brakes	Front 294 mm vented discs / rear 259 mm discs

Mini John Cooper Works Coupé
Engine	Four-cylinder petrol with twin-scroll turbocharger and Valvetronic variable valve management
Displacement	1,598 cc
Power	208 bhp (155 kW / 211 PS) at 6,000 rpm
Torque	260 Nm (192 lb/ft) at 1,850 - 5,600 rpm (280 Nm / 207 lb/ft with Overboost at 1,700 - 4,500 rpm)
Transmission	Six-speed manual
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	6.4 seconds
Top speed	149 mph (240 km/h)
Average fuel consumption	39.8 mpg (7.1 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	165 g/km
Dimensions	Wheelbase 2,467 mm; length 3,734 mm; width 1,683 mm; height 1,384 mm
Wheels	17” ‘Challenge’ alloy with run-flat tyres
Brakes	Front 316 mm vented discs / rear 280 mm discs

The big question is whether buyers will go for a model that is less practical (and possibly more expensive) than the Hatch, or is the Mini Coupé a niche too far? Only time will tell, but it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to bet against queues of customers forming at Mini dealers.



Prices and market launch dates have yet to be confirmed.

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Škoda Superb Estate L&K

Škoda has unveiled the Superb Estate Laurin & Klement at the Autosalon Brno, which runs from the 4th to the 9th of June.

Named after the founders of the company that eventually became Škoda Auto, the Laurin & Klement brings some added luxury to the Superb range. Distinguishing it externally are 18” Sirius alloy wheels, a chrome grille and some subtle badges.



The spacious interior of the Superb is already a very nice place to sit, with Volkswagen-rivalling levels of fit and finish. For the Laurin & Klement, it’s enhanced further by stainless steel door sills and leather upholstery in a shade called Magnetic Brown. That colour looks much better than perhaps it sounds, and at least Škoda is trying something other than the usual blacks or beiges.

As befits a range-topping model, engines are restricted to the more powerful selections from the Superb line-up. For petrol fans, there’s either the four-cylinder 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS) 2.0 TSI or the six-cylinder 256 bhp (191 kW / 260 PS) 3.6 FSI with all-wheel drive, both of which feature the DSG automatic transmission as standard.



Alternatively, the one diesel on offer is the 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS) 2.0 TDI CR. It’s available with a choice of six-speed manual or DSG automatic transmissions, and will doubtless be the big seller in Europe.

Also on show in Brno are the Škoda Vision D concept and Fabia Monte Carlo special edition.



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Audi R8 GT Spyder

Audi has introduced the lighter, more powerful R8 GT Spyder. Like last year’s R8 GT Coupé, production will be limited to just 333 examples worldwide.

Tipping the scales at 1,640 kg (3,615 lbs), the GT weighs 85 kg (187 lbs) less than the stock R8 Spyder V10 thanks to an all-round diet. Lots of the bodywork has been remodelled in carbon fibre reinforced polymer, including the soft top cover, rear side panels, rear bumper and both front and rear spoilers. The seats are based on the same material, and 19” lightweight wheels and carbon fibre ceramic brakes help to shed a few pounds too.



Tweaks to the direct injection, 5.2 litre V10 engine are limited to a revised management system. It increases power from 517 bhp (386 kW / 525 PS) to 552 bhp (412 kW / 560 PS), but torque rises only slightly from the usual 530 Nm (390 lb/ft) to 540 Nm (398 lb/ft).



As a result, the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time falls by 0.3 of a second to a very rapid 3.8 seconds. Conversely the move in top speed from 194 mph (312 km/h) to 196 mph (317 km/h), although academic for most situations, is barely perceptible.



Nevertheless, it’s interesting to note that those GT Spyder performance figures are exactly the same as the just-unveiled Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster manages. Coincidence, or had Audi realised its flagship convertible was about to be eclipsed unless it received a timely upgrade?



Visual changes to the R8 are subtle, and are restricted to red ‘GT’ badges, a larger rear diffuser, a dual-lip front splitter, different exhaust pipes, dark LED tail lights and titanium grey trim pieces.



On the inside, it’s all very black, although buyers can opt for grey or crimson stitching to contrast with the dark Alcantara upholstery. Leather trim is only on the options list, which is rather mean.



A UK price has yet to be announced, but in Germany the R8 GT Spyder will cost €207,800. That’s over €12,000 more than the SLS AMG Roadster…



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2012 SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster.

Featuring an automatic, three-layer fabric roof that can be raised or lowered in eleven seconds, it’s claimed that the Roadster will weigh just 40 kg (88 lbs) more than the existing coupé version. That’s despite the extra chassis strengthening that has been needed to compensate for the lack of a solid roof.



Such a small increase in bulk means that performance remains pretty much the same as the coupé manages. The Roadster will accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) from rest in 3.8 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 196 mph (317 km/h), thanks to its 6,208 cc V8 which produces 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb/ft) of torque.

Visually, the transition from coupé has worked well (just avoid the brown paint), although of course the Roadster misses out on the theatre of those gullwing doors.



The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster will be launched during autumn 2011, with UK sales due to begin in November. Prices for the UK and US have yet to be confirmed, but in Germany it will cost €195,160 (including 19% VAT).



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Volvo Flywheel KERS

Volvo is to test a kinetic energy recovery system for its cars that could reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.



Known as Flywheel KERS, the set-up is designed to be both lightweight and cheap. Fitted to the rear axle, braking energy causes a 20 centimetre carbon fibre flywheel to spin at 60,000 rpm. The resultant stored energy can then be transferred to the rear wheels via a dedicated transmission.

As the internal combustion engine is switched off during the braking phase, and Flywheel KERS will be able to get the car moving again for a short distance, dramatic reductions in fuel burn are expected. Indeed, it’s reckoned that the internal combustion engine would be idle for around half the time under New European Driving Cycle conditions.



Alternatively, the system could give an acceleration boost in the same way that Formula 1 cars employ their KERS. Used in this way, Volvo estimates it could be worth an extra 80 horsepower.



The testing programme is due to begin during the second half of 2011. If the predicted figures can be realised, Flywheel KERS should be a viable alternative to full hybrid powertrains.



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Diesel Suzuki Swift DDiS

Suzuki has added a diesel to its Swift range. The DDiS, which is only available as a five-door with SZ3 trim, features a 1.3 litre engine that produces 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) and 190 Nm (140 lb/ft) of torque.



Although down on power compared to the existing 1.2 litre petrol Swift, the DDiS version has very similar performance. It’ll accelerate from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a fairly respectable 12.7 seconds, before going on to achieve a top speed of 103 mph (165 km/h).

But of course efficiency is where diesel outscores petrol. Combined cycle fuel consumption for the DDiS is 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km), and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km mean annual Vehicle Excise Duty of £20 in the UK. Not bad figures at all, and on a par for the class.



The only way to get significantly better economy from a diesel supermini is to go for a special ‘eco’ model, such as the Skoda Fabia 1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II or the closely related Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI 75PS BlueMotion.



Both emit just 89 g/km of CO2 and manage an impressive 83.1 mpg (3.4 l/100km), although buyers have to pay for the privilege.



While the Suzuki Swift SZ3 DDiS has a UK on the road price of £12,890, the Skoda costs £13,685 and the Volkswagen is a whopping £15,480.

Endora SC-1 previewed

Little-known Endora Cars has released the first details of its SC-1, a coupé that the Munich firm claims ‘might be the best synergy of dynamic, elegance, individualism and lifestyle yet.’

Or perhaps not, because although some elements of the SC-1’s styling work, the overall effect is neither pretty nor cohesive. There’s a slim chance it’ll look better in the metal, but that’s more in hope than expectation.



What makes the situation worse is that the coachbuilt Endora fails to be more desirable than the car it’s based on, the Chevrolet Corvette.



But at least that means a decent engine line-up, including the supercharged 6.2 litre (378.3 cu.in.) V8 from the ZR1, with its 638 bhp (475 kW / 646 PS) and 818 Nm (604 lb/ft) of torque.



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Fiat 500 by Gucci

Fashion label fans are probably going to be very excited about the 500 by Gucci, which is yet another special edition based on Fiat’s still-trendy city car.



Initially available only via a dedicated Fiat website, buyers will have a choice of either black or white paintwork that’s complemented by trademark green and red Gucci stripes, contrasting 16” wheels with diamanté embellishments and the obligatory Gucci badges.

The interior gets two-tone Frau leather trimmed seats, a velvet effect paint treatment for the dashboard and seatbelts that repeat the Gucci stripe theme.



In the UK, the 500 by Gucci will cost either £14,565 with a 1.2 litre petrol engine, or £15,765 with the faster and more economical 0.9 litre TwinAir.



That means both versions are more expensive than the desirable £14,155 Abarth 500, but the Gucci is undoubtedly aimed at a very different market.



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Nissan 370Z GT Edition

Nissan has unveiled the GT Edition, a special version of its 370Z especially for UK buyers.



The obvious visual changes from the standard car are the grey side stripes, which may be a bit Halfords for some tastes, and attractive 19” Rays forged alloy wheels that have a dark anthracite finish. Paintwork choice is restricted to Pearl White, Kuro Black or Black Rose.

Under the skin, the only difference is that the chassis set-up has been fine-tuned, with the dampers being revised to give a better balance between ride comfort and high-speed handling.



Available from the beginning of June, the Nissan 370Z GT Edition will cost from £35,000.



By comparison, the standard 370Z starts at £29,150 (and even with the optional GT Pack the price is £32,450), so perhaps the GT Edition doesn’t look like particularly brilliant value.

Electric Delta E-4 Coupé

Developments in electric vehicle technologies continue apace, and the new Delta E-4 Coupé demonstrates that increased range and performance need not be mutually exclusive.

Indeed, while the E-4 will manage 200 miles (321 kilometres) on a single charge, it’s also capable of doing the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in less than five seconds.



In part, that’s down to light weight and careful attention to the aerodynamics. The body shell is made from carbon fibre and tips the scales just 85 kg (187 lbs), yet Delta claims it has been engineered to pass strict EU crash tests. To ensure that featherweight chassis is exploited to the full, power comes from direct-drive electric motors which produce over 118 bhp (88 kW / 120 PS) and 600 Nm (442 lb/ft) of torque each.

Simon Dowson, co-founder of Delta Motorsport, said: "We became involved with the design of hybrid and electric vehicles because they share many of the engineering challenges associated with motorsport - light weight parts, aerodynamic efficiency and innovative packaging solutions. We've had to re-think road cars from the beginning, looking at low cost composite structures, system efficiencies and novel occupant packaging."



So far, five examples have been produced for the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Program, which has the aim of highlighting British electric vehicle engineering prowess.



There’s no word on whether the E-4 Coupé will enter series production, but it will be participating in the RAC Future Car Challenge. That test follows a 60 mile (96 kilometre) route from Brighton to London and takes place on 5th November 2011.

Hyundai unveils i40 saloon

Hyundai has taken the wraps off its i40 mid-size saloon. The new model’s debut, at the Barcelona Motor Show, follows the unveiling of the i40 estate at Geneva back in March.

Hyundai i40. Scroll down for more images.

Styled and engineered by Hyundai at its facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the i40 develops the ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language first seen on the ix-onic concept car. This is meant to endow the car with ‘flowing lines inspired by nature which combine to create a dynamic exterior’, although the result has ended up bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Ford Mondeo.



There’ll be a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, with the latter unsurprisingly expected to account for around two-thirds of sales in Europe. As per normal nowadays, they come with various devices designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions such as stop-start, an intelligent alternator and low rolling resistance tyres.

Hyundai i40 saloon engine specifications
1.6 litre 135 PS Petrol
Type	Gamma GDI, four-cylinder, 16-valve with MLA
Capacity	1,591 cc
Power	133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) @ 6,300 rpm
Torque	164 Nm (120 lb/ft) @ 4,850 rpm
Emissions	149 g/km (140 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	47.0 mpg (6.0 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	11.6 secs
Top speed	121 mph (195 km/h)
2.0 litre 177 PS Petrol
Type	Nu GDI, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA & Swing ARM
Capacity	1,999 cc
Power	174 bhp (130 kW / 177 PS) @ 6,500 rpm
Torque	208 Nm (153 lb/ft) @ 4,700 rpm
Emissions	156 g/km
Fuel consumption	41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	9.7 secs
Top speed	130 mph (210 km/h)
1.7 litre 115 PS Diesel
Type	U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA
Capacity	1,685 cc
Power	113 bhp (85 kW / 115 PS) @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	260 Nm (191 lb/ft) @ 1,250-2,750 rpm
Emissions	122 g/km (113 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	65.6 mpg (4.3 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	12.9 secs
Top speed	118 mph (190 km/h)
1.7 litre 136 PS Diesel
Type	U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA
Capacity	1,685 cc
Power	134 bhp (100 kW / 136 PS) @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	325 Nm (239 lb/ft) @ 2,000-2,500 rpm
Emissions	124 g/km (119 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	62.7 mpg (4.5 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	10.6 secs
Top speed	123 mph (198 km/h)
All figures are manufacturer’s estimates; final figures to be confirmed at launch.

With sales not due to begin until the fourth quarter of 2011, exact specifications and prices have yet to be confirmed. However, Hyundai is promising that plenty of kit will be available including Bluetooth, parking assistance, a rear view camera, full-screen navigation and a lane departure warning system.



One inescapable issue for the UK market is that the i40 is a saloon, rather than a hatchback. Whether Hyundai’s decision to opt for that body style hurts sales remains to be seen.

Renault taking Twizy orders

Sales of the electric Twizy are due to begin early next year, but anyone keen to be among the first to own one can reserve theirs now with a £20 deposit via Renault’s website.



It’ll be available in two versions, the £6,690 Urban and the £7,400 Technic. However, owners are also going to have to budget for the £40 (including VAT) per month battery lease cost, which is based on a three-year / 4,800 miles per annum agreement.

Both the Urban and Technic use the same 19 bhp (15 kW / 20 PS) electric motor, which delivers a range of around 60 miles (100 kilometres) on a single charge and a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Recharging takes three hours and thirty minutes to full battery capacity, or three hours for an 80% recharge.



Legally the Twizy is deemed to be a quadricycle, so as such it won’t be eligible for the UK Government’s Plug-in Electric Car Grant.  It’ll be competing directly against similar vehicles such as the Reva G-Wiz, although Renault reckons it could attract scooter riders and ‘proper’ car drivers too.



Of course, the counterargument is that for city use, a quadricycle has the vulnerability of a two-wheeler but without the benefit of being able to filter through traffic. Weather protection on the Twizy doesn’t look too great, either.



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Golf GTI Edition 35

Volkswagen has unveiled a special edition Golf to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the GTI. No prizes for guessing the name: it’s called the Golf GTI Edition 35.

While there are some cosmetic tweaks - notably a redesigned front bumper, 18” alloy wheels, a golf ball gear knob and plenty of ‘35’ logos - the Edition 35 also gets a 231 bhp (172 kW / 235 PS) version of the GTI’s 2.0 TSI petrol engine. That’s a handy 24 bhp (18 kW / 25 PS) over the standard car, although no performance figures have been released to gauge what effect the extra power might have.



A debut is scheduled for the annual GTI event at Wörthersee in Austria, which takes place at the beginning of June.



Pricing and final specs for the UK have yet to be confirmed, but in Germany the Golf GTI Edition 35 will cost €30,425.