New BMW 316d with 116HP and 62.8mpg UK Released for Europe

BMW is extending its 3-Series' lineup in Europe with a new entry-level diesel model that will go on sale in September alongside the 2010MY 1-Series Coupe and hatchback models. Dubbed by the Bavarian automaker as the most fuel efficient and cleanest 3 Series ever, the 316d is powered by a de-tuned version of BMW's 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel producing a maximum output of 116 horsepower and peak torque of 260Nm or 192-lb/ft from 1,750rpm.

Power is transmitted to the road via a six-speed manual gearbox with BMW claiming that the 316d delivers a zero to 62mph (100km/h) time of 10.9 seconds while returning 62.8mpg UK (52.3mpg US or 4.5lt/100km) on the combined cycle with a CO2 emission rating of 118g/km. According to the Bavarian firm, the 316d has an impressive theoretical range in excess of 800 miles or 1290 kilometers.

In the UK, the new 316d Saloon will arrive at dealerships in September priced at £23,330 OTR.

'Car of the Year 2010' Candidates Announced - Toyota has Five Entries

The list with the initial nominees for the 2009 European Car of the Year has been released. Currently there are thirty candidates but the organizing committee noted that more cars could be added by September. The contenders must be new models available in at least five European countries at the time of voting, with projected sales of at least 5,000 units per year. Toyota has five entries this year including the Avensis, the iQ, the Prius, the Urban Cruiser and the Verso people carrier.


Other notable candidates include the Chevy Cruze, Honda Insight, Porshe Panamera and the new generation Opel - Vauxhall Astra which has yet to go on sale. Check out the complete shortlist below.

• BMW Z4
• Chevrolet Cruze
• Citroen C3 Picasso
• Ford Ka
• Honda Insight
• Hyundai i20
• Hyundai ix55
• Kia Sorento
• Kia Soul
• Land Rover Discovery4
• Lexus RX450h
• Mazda 3
• Mercedes-Benz E-class
• Mitsubishi Colt
• Nissan 370Z
• Nissan Cube
• Opel / Vauxhall Astra
• Peugeot 3008
• Porsche Panamera
• Renault Scenic / Grand Scenic
• Seat Exeo
• Skoda Yeti
• Subaru Legacy
• Suzuki Alto / Nissan Pixo
• Toyota Avenis
• Toyota iQ
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Urban Cruiser
• Toyota Verso
• Volkswagen Polo

2010 Alfa Romeo Milano - 149 Hatchback Spied Testing on the Nurburgring

Our spies have captured a masked prototype of the Alfa Romeo Milano, previously known as the 149, running tests at the Nurburgring race track in Germany. The Golf-sized premium hatchback will replace the aging 147 that has been around since 2000 having received a mid-life facelift in 2004. Rivaling the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series hatch, the Milano uses the Fiat Group's new C-Evo medium car platform that is said to underpin an array of future Chrysler Group models.


The extensive cladding on the prototype cannot hide the familiar styling traits from Alfa Romeo's latest generation models and especially the curvalicious front end with the circular headlamps inspired from the MiTo and the 8C Competizione.

The spy photos suggest that the Milano will get a steeply raked roofline and a more unique treatment for the rear-end, though expect to see circular LED tail-lamps similar in design to the ones found on the MiTo.

When the Milano begins to arrive at Alfa Romeo's European dealerships sometime in the second half of 2010, the five-door hatchback will most likely be offered with the Fiat Group's 1.4-liter and 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines producing between 120HP and 200HP+. The range will also include a variety of turbo diesels.

Expect to see Alfa releasing sportier Ti variants with cosmetic and suspension upgrades while rumor has it that the Italians are also considering a range-topping GTA model, though we must point out that the same was said about the 159 and Alfa has yet to reveal its S4 challenger.

The official presentation of the Milano could take place as early as the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but chances are that Alfa will probably wait for the Geneva Show in March 2010. It remains to be seen if the Alfa Romeo Milano makes its way to the States after the Fiat Group's tie up with Chrysler.

BMW 7-Series M Sport Model: First Official Photos

Unless someone had plenty of time to fool around with photoshop, these are the first official photos of the BMW 7-Series M Sport Edition. The Bavarian manufacturer has not released anything on the car yet, but we're willing to bet that what you see pictured here is not an M7 but rather a 7-Series with the M Sport package consisting of cosmetic exterior and interior tweaks, and quite possibly, a tuned suspension and uprated brakes plus a beefier set of tires.


Oddly enough, BMW's designers opted to decorate the M-Style bumpers with two large chunks of chrome on either side - what's with that? The 7-Series M Sport model also gets a dark chrome trim for the window surrounds and newly designed alloy wheels.

As with the M Sport packs offered on other BMWs, the 7-series' interior gains a set of sport seats up front along with a three-spoke M Sport steering wheel and polished aluminum decorative trim on the dashboard and the center console.

We'll get back on the 7-Series M Sport Edition as soon as BMW issues an official release.

Via: 7post

Audi A5 Sportback Caught Unmsaked at Photo Shoot in California!

While 'das' Germans at Audi are playing hide and seek with the new A5 Sportback releasing only one cryptic teaser shot of the five-door coupe, a member of the Audi enthusiast forum at Fourtitude captured the sleek-looking sports sedan during a photo shoot on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. The pictures aren't of the best quality but they clearly outline the shape of the A5 Sportback that is set to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.


Even though the front-end of the car is masked in the photos, it is evident that the styling will be similar if not identical, to the A5 Coupe. From the B-pillar and back, the Sportback gets its own unique styling highlighted by the swoopy roofline.

When the A5 Sportback goes on sale thorough Europe this September, it will be available with two gasoline and three diesel engines with prices in Germany set to start from €36,050. For the full Monty on Audi's sport sedan click here to read our detailed report.

Photos via: Fourtitude

Audi A5 Sportback: Tailgate Upskirt - Don't get too Excited

Audi took advantage of its TechDay Quality event where the company informed us on the methods it uses to achieve quality standards in series production vehicles, to reveal at least one photo of the 2010 A5 Sportback, that of the five-door coupe's tailgate. Using the process of elimination, we also found a few more photos shot during the event that may be of the A5 Sportback but we aren't entirely sure - they could be depicting the A5 Coupe. In any case, hit the jump to check out the pics and a new promo video or click here for details on the Sportback that is set to go on sale in Europe this fall.

Ferrari to Perform Three British Debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Italian supercar maker Ferrari will be showcasing three new models for the first time in the UK at next month's Goodwood Festival of Speed: the California coupe-convertible, the limited edition Scuderia Spider 16M and the beefed-up 599 GTB Fiorano with the HGTE package. All three supercars will participate at the Sunday Times Supercar Run.


Ferrari will also be represented at Goodwood by the Scuderia Ferrari team that will show off the 2008 Championship-winning F1 car driven by Marc Gene throughout the weekend while privately-owned cars entered in this year's event include a 1956 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta, a 1961 Ferrari 196 SP Dino and a 1980 Ferrari 512 BBLM.