Maserati UK Introduces New Sport Pack

A new sport package has been added to the available options for buyers of Maserati's GranTurismo S Automatic in Britain.

This Sport pack is said to enhance the GranTurismo S Automatic's performance by adding the MC Auto Shift software that allows for faster gear changes and a revised exhaust system, which keeps its bypass valves fully open in Sport mode to provide what the company describes as "an even richer sound".
The package also adds a variety of styling features including include body colored side skirts and front winglets, a black grille featuring the Maserati Trident logo with red accents, black mesh side grilles, smoked out headlights, an integrated rear boot lid spoiler and oval exhaust pipes.
The coupe's sportier looks are rounded off with Grigio Mercury Neptune-design alloy wheels.
Maserati says the 4.7-litre V8 continues to develop 440HP at 7000 rpm and a peak torque of 490Nm (361.4 lb-ft) at 4750 rpm offering the automatic coupe a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 5 seconds flat and a top speed of 183 mph (295 km/h).
The package is priced at £3,840, lifting the total price of the GranTurismo S Automatic to £92,480 on the road.

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2012 Ford Focus UK Priced Under £14k

Ford is widening the options for UK buyers of the all-new 2012 Focus by confirming the availability of a new entry-level model called Studio which will be priced at £13,995 when it arrives in September.
The company said the new Studio will replace the Focus Sport, a final special edition of the previous model that has been on sale since October 2010 reacting sales of 15,000 units.
The base model of the new Focus series will be offered as a five-door hatchback powered by a 1.6-liter Ti-VCT gasoline engine delivering a rather feeble 85PS and a combined fuel economy of 47.9mpg UK.
Buyers can choose only from three colors - Panther Black, Moondust Silver and Frozen White.
Standard equipment on the Focus Studio includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a body-coloured rear spoiler, radio/CD player (note that Ford of Europe recently announced that it will phase out CD players in its cars), USB connectivity, air-conditioning, electrically-operated door mirrors and front windows, Ford Easy Fuel 'capless' refuelling, and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system.

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MINI UK Launches New Soho Editions

Following the release of the MINI Clubman Soho edition last year, the British automaker decided to name all of its special edition models after London boroughs, districts, streets and landmarks.

As a result, the Soho nameplate has now been applied to the three-door hatchback and soft-top convertible model, both of which will be available in the United Kingdom in Cooper and Cooper D models from now until March 2012.
The Soho editions sport an exclusive ‘White Silver’ metallic paint, which is not available on any other current MINI Hatch or Convertible model, as well as 17-inch Black Star Bullet alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with black interior reflectors and white indicators.
As for the interior, the two MINI Soho models gain Anthracite headlining, a 3-Spoke sport leather steering wheel and ‘Piano Black’ interior surfaces.

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All-New BMW 1-Series Hatch Prices

The bosses over at BMW's British division have released pricing on the second-generation 1-series hatchback before it goes on sale in the UK on September 17, 2011.

The redesigned five-door hatchback will launch with a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines, with on-the-road prices starting from £19,375 for a 116i ES rising to £24,720 for a 120d Urban or a 120d Sport.
The new 1er is 83mm longer, 14mm wider and 30mm longer in the wheelbase than its predecessor, with BMW saying it offers increased cabin dimensions and greater interior comfort.
In addition, 2012 1-Series has 30 litres more luggage space compared to its forerunner, for a total capacity of 360 litres, which can be increased to a maximum of 1,200-litres by lowering the rear seats.
There are five available engines at launch, all turbocharged. The petrol lineup includes a 1.6-liter unit delivering 136HP in the 116i for a 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint time of 8.5 seconds and a combined fuel consumption of 49.6mpg UK, and 170HP in the 118i (0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, 47.9mpg UK).
The diesel range comprises of a 2.0-liter turbo diesel available in three flavors with 116HP in the 116d, 143HP in the 118d, and 184HP in the 120d.
All models are rear-wheel drive and available transmissions include a six-speed manual or a new eight-speed automatic.
BMW UK said it expects to sell approximately 20,000 1 Series five-door models in its first full year on sale.

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New Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Chevrolet found the perfect opportunity at the Donington race of the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) to launch the hatchback version of the Cruze in Britain. While Yvan Muller was winning both rounds of the race in the Cruze WTCC, further advancing his lead on the championship, journalists were able to use the country roads around Donington to get their first taste of Chevy’s new hatchback.

Chevrolet's Craig Cheetham said: "The timing and location was perfect for us to launch the new Cruze hatchback. With our WTCC team in attendance providing hospitality for press, we were able to make use of the great facilities at Donington before allowing press the opportunity to test the new car on the local roads.”
The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is offered with a diesel and two petrol engines. The petrol units are a 1.6 with 124HP and a 1.8 with 141HP, while the diesel is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder which, with 163HP, is the most powerful model in the lineup. In early 2012, a 1.7-liter diesel will be added to the range. All engines are available with either a manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new Cruze hatchback is available in three trim levels named LS, LT and LTZ. Even the entry-level Cruze features six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control and ABS with EBD, with prices starting at £13,995.

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New Mazda MX-5 and Mazda2 Sport Black Editions

The 275-horsepower Mazda MX-5 GT racecar, which competes in the 2011 Britcar Production GTN Championship, has inspired the Japanese firm's UK division to develop a pair of limited edition models based on the MX-5 and the Mazda2 for the local market.

The word "inspired" should be taken very loosely as the Sport Black Editions of the two Mazda models do not feature any performance upgrades and are all about bespoke color choices and additional standard features.
Starting with the MX-5 Sport Black, the special edition model is distinguished on the outside by a Brilliant Black powered retractable hard-top and dark ‘gun metal’ 17-inch alloy wheels, while buyers can choose from three contrasting bodywork hues - Spirited Green metallic, Crystal White Pearlescent and Velocity Red mica.
Inside, the roadster model features a black leather interior with contrasting ‘sand’ color stitching, Piano Black steering wheel and deco panel, a uniquely numbered interior plaque and Limited Edition floor mats.
The MX-5 Sport Black is based on the Sport Tech model with the 160HP 2.0-litre engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission.
Mazda said it plans to produce only 500 examples of the limited edition MX-5, each priced at £22,995 (OTR), or £360 more than the Sport Tech model on which it is based.
Moving on to the limited edition Mazda2 Black, the five-door hatchback is available with the same two-tone color choices as the roadster (a black vinyl roof and Spirited Green metallic, Crystal White Pearlescent or True Red for the body), and also features matt black 16-inch alloy wheels.
Other highlights include the standard front fog lights, privacy glass and a rear bumper in sports trim, plus unique ‘Black Edition’ exterior badging, uniquely numbered interior plaque and Limited Edition floor mats.
Power comes from a 1.3-liter engine with 84-horses.
Production of the Mazda2 Black is limited to 618 units, with prices starting at £12,395 (OTR) for the True Red version and £12,815 for the other metallic and pearlescent colors.

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Fiat Panda

Last February Fiat recorded Europe’s lowest average CO2 emissions for the fourth year in a row. And now it reinforces its eco-friendly character by introducing an all-Euro 5 engine line-up across the Panda range in Britain.
The base 1.1-liter engine is replaced by a 1.2-liter Euro 5 engine. It has an output of 69 bhp, accelerating the car from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 13.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 101 mph (162 km/h), while its average consumption is 57.6 mpg UK (4.9 lt/100 km) and its CO2 emissions 113 g/km.
The 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel has a 0-62 mph (0-100 km) time of 13.1 seconds, a top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h), an average consumption of only 67.3 mpg (4.2 lt/100 km) and emits 109 g CO2 per km.
The entry-level Fiat Panda Active offers power steering, electric front windows, body coloured bumpers and driver and passenger airbags as standard.
The MyLife editions also gain alloy wheels, remote central locking and 12V power socket, while the Dynamic trim adds body coloured door mirrors and handles, roof bars, air conditioning, pearlescent paint, split folding rear seat, MP3 player and fog lights.

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Renault UK Launches Gordini Versions of Wind Roadster

The UK market is welcoming the launch of the third Gordini-badged model after the respective versions of the Twingo RS and Clio RS, this time in Wind roadster guise, with buyers having a choice of two engines, the 1.2-liter TCE 100HP and the 1.6-liter 133HP.

In addition to the Wind Gordini models, the French firm also slashed the list price of the Dynamique and GT Line trim levels by up to £2,215, with prices now starting at £12,995, instead of £15,205.

The new Wind Gordini is available in the firm’s trademark Malta Blue metallic paint with twin white Gordini stripes, while Pearl Black and Glacier White are no cost options.

Other special exterior touches include white door mirrors, grille trim and cowls, and 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and gloss black inserts. Inside, there are Gordini blue and dark grey leather seats with embossed Gordini logo, numbered Gordini plaque (1-200), satin chrome effect gearknob with blue Gordini badge and blue gearstick surround.

Standard equipment features include Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, multi-functional TunePoint for USB connections and Thatcham category 1 alarm.

Renault also offers three key options such as the Renaultsport exhaust for £450 (1.6 only), 17-inch Gordini alloy wheels with polished face and blue inserts, plus a wind deflector for £200.

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