With the imminent release...
With the imminent release of the firm"s latest sports saloon, BMW test drivers have apparently let down their guard. Snapped out on the road free of a heavy disguise for the first time, this week"s mag shots shows how the new coupé looks in M sport guise.
Could this be the future...
Could this be the future of the British supercar. Under development since 2005 weò€™ve spied a working prototype of the Concept Climax out testing and it looks every bit as stunning as the original concept.
Designed by two Coventry automotive students, the supercar is a salute to the past but and a vision for the twenty-first century. The purpose of the car is also to show being green doesnò€™t have to be dull!
Powered by a flat-four-cylinder, mid-engined, turbocharged engine, the car will be able to run on E85 bioethanol to further improve performance and emissions.
The powerplant produces 296bhp, which is fed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. And a lightweight composite body and space frame chassis mean the Climax will weigh less than a Lotus Elise.
As a result, 0-60mph takes less than 4 seconds and top speed is 170mph. Considering this performance, economy is reasonable, with 27.4mpg combined and C02 emissions of 243g/km.
Neat touches to the exterior include flip up mirrors, aero screens and remote opening doors. Inside, cabin features include neoprene racing seats and a removable steering wheel. The carò€™s suspension is also fully adjustable.
A price tag of around Ò£80,000 is quoted on the website www.climaxcars.co.uk.