Mazda MX-5 Miyako

Mazda must be very keen to commemorate the 20th birthday of its MX-5. Not satisfied with having just the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition that’s already on sale in the UK, the range is now being joined by the Miyako special edition which, according to Mazda, ‘continues’ to celebrate the occasion.



So what are the differences? Well, the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is available only as a soft top, powered by the 124 bhp (92 kW / 126 PS) 1.8 litre engine. Costing £17,300 on the road, its specification includes unique finish 17" alloy wheels, front fog lights, a strut brace, individually numbered Limited Edition scuff plates, special floor mats, body-coloured dashboard decoration panel, aluminium pedals, manual air con, leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever. Paint choices are Aurora Blue, True Red and Crystal White Pearlescent.



Similarly, the Miyako special edition also features 17" alloy wheels, front fog lights, a strut brace, and special floor mats. Additionally, though, it gets unique Medici premium perforated black leather trim with a red underlay and stitching, climate control air con and the obligatory special badging.

Unsurprisingly, the extra equipment makes it a bit more expensive than the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition. Mazda is charging £18,385 for the 1.8i Miyako soft top, which comes in either Aluminium Silver Metallic or Velocity Red Mica.



For the first time, a special edition of the MX-5 is also available as a roadster coupe (the one with the folding powered roof). However, that version of the Miyako can only be had with the 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS) 2.0 litre engine, and it costs £20,885. Colour choice is restricted to just Aluminium Silver Metallic.



To put those prices into context, a standard 1.8i SE soft top with air con is £17,795, while the 2.0i SE roadster coupe would set you back £20,295. Given that leather trim and metallic paint alone come to £1,115 on the Mazda options list, the £590 premium being charged for the Miyako looks like good value.



The MX-5 Miyako special edition is on sale from the beginning of July, with 500 examples of each version being produced for the UK market. And, in case you were wondering, they are named after the Japanese holiday island of Miyako-jima.

2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept - Lamborghini Sports Car

This here is the Lamborghini Cnossus. The Lamborghini Cnossus Concept was designed by Russian student Victor Filipchenko with the help of his Portuguese colleague Nelson Simoes as part of their final thesis project at Italy’s Scuola Politecnica di Design.

2010 Lamborghini Supercar Cnossus Concept

Every Lambo needs a bull theme, and this supercar design study for a supercar concept named after the ancient Greek city of Cnossus (Knossus) on the island of Crete. The designers claim to have been inspired by the Lamborghini Countach, though it is evident that the edgy styling of the limited production Reventon special also played a role in the design of the Cnossus Concept.

 

Presenting a bold vision of what the firm’s future flagship could look like, the concept takes inspiration from Lamborghini models past and present, including the Countach and Reventón.

 

It boasts many classic cues such as telephone-dial wheels lifted from the Countach, scissor doors and gaping air intakes in front of the rear wheelarch. At the rear, the thin strip of LED lights with inverted arrows at the end is a clear nod towards the Reventón’s jet-fighter theme, while the diffuser looks more like something you’d find on a Le Mans prototype racer than a road car.

Mini gets mini revamp

Details of the 2011 Mini range have been announced. Visually, the changes aren’t that radical, the main alterations being revised bumpers, LED lights at the rear, five new colours and five new alloy wheel designs.

On the inside the centre console, steering wheel and air conditioning and audio controls have all been modified to improve the quality feel and work better ergonomically. Other changes include new upholstery and fascia trim choices. DAB radio is now standard on all models across the range, except for the entry-level Mini First.



The big news though is under the bonnet. Following the introduction of new petrol engines back in March, it’s now the turn of the diesels. Available as either a Cooper D with 110 bhp (82 kW / 112 PS) or One D with 88 bhp (66 kW / 90 PS), the new diesel engines feature light weight aluminium construction, common rail direct injection and turbochargers with variable turbine geometry.



Amazingly, both the Cooper D Hatch and One D Hatch both achieve 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while producing just 99 g/km of CO2. That means they’ll be eligible for the 100% Greener Vehicle Discount, if proposed changes to the London Congestion Charge are approved. Adding to their green credentials is the standard fitment of a diesel particulate filter and oxidation catalyst.



The 110 bhp unit will also feature in the Cooper D Convertible, the first time ever that a Mini soft top has been available with diesel power. Meanwhile, the Clubman line-up will include the One D and Cooper D. However, it’s worth noting that only the Hatch achieves sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions:

Mini	0-62 mph	Top Speed mph	Combined mpg	CO2 g/km
One D Hatch	11.4	115	74.3	99
Cooper D Hatch	9.7	123	74.3	99
One D Clubman	11.8	114	72.4	103
Cooper D Clubman	10.2	123	72.4	103
Cooper D Convertible	10.3	121	70.6	105

The 2011 Mini range will be go on sale this September, which also sees the launch of the new Mini Countryman. Prices have yet to be confirmed.

2010 European GP

Is it time to ditch Valencia from the Formula 1 calendar? The only interesting incidents during this weekend’s race were Mark Webber’s frightening crash (which thankfully he emerged unscathed from), Lewis Hamilton’s passing of the Safety Car (after which Fernando Alonso spent the rest of the afternoon on the radio whinging to his team), Kamui Kobayashi’s performance in his Sauber, and a stray bottle on the track.



Indeed, the excitement levels only mounted after the race, as everyone waited to see whether the race stewards would impose penalties on Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Nico Hulkenberg, Robert Kubica, Vitaly Petrov, Adrian Sutil, Sebastien Buemi, Pedro de la Rosa and Vitantonio Liuzzi for going too quickly behind the Safety Car.



In the end, they were all each given a five second penalty, which hardly affected the standings: the moaning Alonso got promoted one place to eighth, while Nico Rosberg was awarded tenth place and a single point.



Yet again, the problem lies with the circuit layout, because it appears almost impossible to overtake. This was visibly demonstrated after the Safety Car returned to the pits. An out of place Kobayashi, who was running third (after he hadn’t bothered to stop for new tyres), headed a convoy of cars for lap after lap that made no real attempt to pass one another. That makes for a dull spectacle.



Ironically, two of the few passing manoeuvres during the race were later performed by Kobayashi after he eventually pitted. Exploiting the advantage of comparatively fresh tyres, he got by Alonso on the penultimate lap, and then overtook Buemi on the very last corner of the race.



Certainly Ferrari’s complaining isn’t doing them any favours. Yes, it was bad luck that Alonso ended up in ninth on the track after the Safety Car deployment, and the situation was even worse for Felipe Massa. But to claim that the result was in some way manipulated by the FIA against Ferrari is ridiculous, especially when many would argue that Ferrari has benefited from FIA decisions on several occasions in the past.

Green Car Awards 2010

The Environmental Transport Association (ETA), a UK-based ethical motoring organisation and sustainable travel lobby group, has announced its 2010 Green Car Awards winners.



BMW took the honours in three of the nine categories. Toyota meanwhile won in two, plus its iQ was given the accolade of overall Green Car of the Year 2010. In deciding how the titles would be awarded, over 5,000 cars were assessed on their power, emissions, fuel efficiency and amount of noise produced.

The worst cars in each category were also named, with the Lamborghini Murcielago being declared the least-green car overall. Perhaps the LP 640’s 495 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions and combined cycle fuel consumption of 13.3 mpg (21.3 l/100 km) had something to do with it?



Some of the results seem a bit odd, though. For example, the winning Toyota iQ (presumably the entry level 1.0 VVT-i Manual) seems to be bettered in a number of key criteria by the car that (possibly) inspired it - the Smart fortwo.



According to the ETA’s own data, this is how the iQ compares to the diesel-engined fortwo:

Measure	iQ 1.0 VVT-i	fortwo cdi turbodiesel coupé
Combined cycle consumption	4.3 l/100km / 65.7 mpg	3.3 l/100km / 85.6 mpg
Fuel cost over 12,000 miles	£930	£720
CO2 g/km	99	88*
Carbon monoxide g/km	0.15	0.174
Hydrocarbons g/km	0.03	0.246**
Oxides of nitrogen g/km	0.02	0.224
Particulates g/km	N/A	0.021

* Smart actually quotes 86 g/km.

** Figure is combined hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen.



On the basis of those figures, the Smart would appear to be the much ‘greener’ car, unless the extra hydrocarbons and particulates its diesel engine produces are considered really harmful? However, there were plenty of other diesel cars that won their categories, so it would seem that argument doesn’t really stand up.

Apart from that, there are some models mentioned that are no longer produced (for instance the V6-powered Volkswagen Golf and the AMG version of Mercedes-Benz’s R-Class). And it seems that the greenest off-roader prize has gone to the whole of the BMW X1 range, rather than an individual model. Notwithstanding the issue that anyone contemplating taking an X1 off-road would need to be very adventurous (and have a proper off-roader on standby to rescue them shortly afterwards), there’s quite a difference in fuel consumption and emissions between the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.



So, perhaps the results need to be viewed with a degree of circumspection but, for what it’s worth, here is the list of the ETA Green Car Awards 2010 winners and losers:

Category	Best	Worst
Green Car of the Year 2010	Toyota iQ	Lamborghini Murcielago
Greenest small family car	Honda Insight 1.3	Volkswagen Golf 3.2 V6
Greenest large family car	BMW 320d Touring	Vauxhall Insignia VXR V6 Turbo
Greenest supermini	Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D	Renault Clio Sport 200
Greenest city car	Toyota iQ	Fiat Panda 1.4 100HP
Greenest sports car	Vauxhall Tigra	Lamborghini Murcielago
Greenest MPV	Peugeot Bipper Tepee	Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG
Greenest small MPV	Renault Modus 1.5dci	Vauxhall Zafira VXR 2.0i Turbo
Greenest off-road car	BMW X1 E84	Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
Greenest luxury car	BMW 740d	Bentley Brooklands

ABT Treats New Audi A8 with 385-Diesel

A choice of 20- or 21-inch ABT CR alloy wheels wrapped in sport tires and an available matte black foil complete the upgrades to the AS8.



The new ABT AS8 – data and facts

ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 4.2 TDI, 4134 ccm capacity
Performance tuning: ABT Power
Performance: 385 HP/283 kW (standard: 350 HP/257 kW)

ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front wing
ABT side skirts
ABT rear wing (three-part)
ABT rear skirt with exhaust covers

ABT WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
ABT CR wheel in 20 and 21 inches
Available also as complete set of wheels with sports tires

Alfa Romeo with Disco Volante Sculpture

Designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo with the accord of artisan Agostino Bonalumi, the carve is aggressive by the acclaimed Alfa Romeo 1900 Disco Volante (Flying Saucer).

As a badge of appreciation, Alfa Romeo had the names of all those who contributed in the conception accounting in a appropriate applique beneath the art piece. In addition, anybody will accept a 1/43 calibration archetypal of the sculpture.

Mercedes SLS AMG Kicherer Blacks Out

This actuality is the Mercedes SLS AMG Atramentous Edition by German affability close Kicherer. The adapted Gullwing archetypal gets a abounding anatomy matte atramentous antithesis blanket accumulated with some bright capacity such as the center-section of the awning and the new advanced and rear aprons. The German tuner additionally puts on a set of 20-inch blacked-out rims with a able lip.


Performance modifications accommodate a recalibrated ECU and a custom action bankrupt arrangement that advice access the front/mid army 6.3-liter V8's achievement from 571HP to 620HP, as able-bodied as an adjustable sports suspension.

2010 Toyota MR2 Gumpert Apollo

Gumpert Apollo replica that's based on a additional bearing Toyota MR2 (1990-1999) on eBay. While the aboriginal mid-engined Apollo supercar gets an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter, twin-turbo V8 with 650HP or an batty 800HP in Sport form, the Toyota-based replica makes do with a adapted adaptation of the Japanese sports car's four-cylinder turbo engine, with the agent claiming it yields "255 WHP at 15psi and 303 WHP at about 19psi" on the dyno. Hit the 'read more' button beneath for the abounding angel gallery.

2012 New VW Beetle Retro Design

This actuality architecture abstraction for a New Beetle MkII was bound by our Brazilian acquaintance Eduardo Oliveira, who you may bethink from antecedent concepts like the 2012 Jetta, Hyundai i30 Sedan and Ford Thunderbird CC. Unlike David Cordoso's futuristic-looking angle (see here) that we showed you aback in May, Oliveira's architecture for the New/New Beetle is far added retro.2012 New VW Beetle Retro Design

Follow the jump to analysis the abounding angel arcade and acquaint us what you anticipate about it in the comments area below.

2011 Ford Mondeo Facelift with 240HP 2.0 -liter EcoBoost and 200HP Diesel

New autogenous appearance accommodate the addition of LED address lights, a new accessory aeronautics arrangement and a Premium Sound Arrangement advantage which incorporates a 265-watt, eight-channel amplifier unit.



Under the bonnet, the afresh launched 203HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo petrol will be abutting by the aboriginal appliance of a college achievement 240-horsepower adaptation and a assiduously revised 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi agent engine.

Ford said that the 240HP adaptation of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbo petrol will acknowledgment the aforementioned C02 emissions (179g/km) as the 203HP unit, behindhand of bodystyle.

For the 2011MY, the revised 2.2-liter turbo agent assemblage boasts a 12 per cent ability access to 200-horsepower, authoritative it the best able Duratorq agent agent to date.

The Mondeo additionally allowances from a newer adaptation of Ford's six-speed PowerShift bifold wet-clutch manual arrangement that comes as accepted for all EcoBoost petrol engines, and will be accessible as an advantage for the 140PS and 163PS versions of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesels.