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 BMW 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE
BMW adds a convertible to its 4 Series line of two-door coupes,
which debuted over the summer. The 4 Series replaced the 3 Series
coupe; BMW is now reserving the 3 Series name for four-door sedans.
The convertible, which goes on sale in the U.S. early next year, has
a three-piece retractable hardtop that can be automatically lowered
in 20 seconds at low speeds. To keep away the chill, the car has
optional neck warmers in the driver and passenger seats. As in the 4
Series coupe, there are two engine choices: a turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder with 240 horsepower in the 428i and a 3.0-liter
turbocharged inline six-cylinder with 300 horsepower in the 435i.
Both have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 428i is offered
as a rear-wheel-drive or an all-wheel-drive, while the 435i is only
offered as a rear-wheel-drive. The 428i starts at $49,675, around
$8,000 more than the starting price of the coupe. The 435i starts at
$55,825.
PORSCHE MACAN
Porsche is entering the fast-growing small SUV market with the Macan.
The Macan — the name comes from the Indonesian word for "tiger" — is
six inches shorter than its sibling, the Cayenne SUV, but features
the same muscular look. It also uses some tricks to look more
substantial, like a broad, wraparound hood that encompasses the
headlights. Porsche designed two versions: The Macan S, with a new,
3.0-liter V6 engine that gets 340 horsepower and the Macan Turbo,
with a new 3.6-liter V6 that gets 400 horsepower. Standard features
include an off-road mode, which adjusts the torque, shifter and
other functions for off-roading at the touch of a button. There's an
optional air suspension chassis, which can set the vehicle's ground
clearance at three different levels. Porsche says the feature is
unique to the Macan among small SUVs. The Macan goes on sale this
spring at a starting price of $50,895 for the Macan S and $73,295
for the Macan Turbo. Sales of small luxury SUVs are up 25 percent so
far this year, making them the fastest-growing segment in the luxury
market.
FORD EDGE CONCEPT
Ford says its Edge concept vehicle previews the design direction and
technology of the company's future SUVs. The lines on the concept
are sharper and more angled than the current Edge, and it adopts the
trapezoidal grille shape and narrow headlights of Ford's newer
products. Advanced safety features include an automated parking
system that can find and park in a perpendicular space. The system
can even be activated remotely, pulling the car out of a tight spot
before the driver gets in. The Edge concept also will automatically
steer away from obstacles and brake to avoid a collision. The Edge
mid-size SUV has recently been overshadowed by Ford's newer SUVs,
including the small Escape and larger Explorer. This will be the
Edge's first full redesign since it was introduced in 2007. The new
Edge will also target a global audience — it will be sold in Europe,
China and South America for the first time. Ford isn't yet saying
when the new Edge will go on sale, but it's likely to arrive
sometime next year.
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JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE
The F-Type convertible, which went on sale in the spring, was
Jaguar's first two-seat sports car in 50 years. Now the company's
adding a hardtop version. The 2015 F-Type coupe, which goes on sale
this spring, starts at $65,000, or $4,000 less than the convertible.
The base model of the all-aluminum coupe — made, in part, from
recycled metal — has a 340-horsepower V6 engine and a top speed of
161 mph. For $77,000, buyers can upgrade to a V6 with 380 horsepower
and a top speed of 171 mph. At the top of the lineup is the $99,000
F-Type R, which has a 550-horsepower V8 engine and goes from zero to
60 mph in four seconds. It has a top speed of 186 mph. All versions
have an eight-speed transmission and a hidden rear spoiler that
automatically rises at 70 mph and tucks back in at 50 mph or less.
Jaguar's U.S. sales are up 36 percent so far this year, thanks to
the F-Type convertible and the recently redesigned XF sedan.
MERCEDES VISION GRAN TURISMO/GLA45 AMG CONCEPTS
The Vision Gran Turismo super sports car, with its wild and fluid
lines and extreme proportions, will draw viewers to Mercedes' stand
at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Gran Turismo is pure fantasy,
designed for the PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo 6. The virtual
model (a scale model of the show car, complete with Mercedes'
signature gull-wing doors) will be available for download next
month. While a car like this won't ever be produced, look for some
of the design elements — like the LED lights that replace louvers on
the grille — on future super sports cars. The GLA45 AMG concept, a
small SUV from Mercedes' AMG performance division, is closer to
reality. Like Porsche and Lincoln, Mercedes is entering the
fast-growing, compact luxury SUV market with its upcoming GLA
series. The GLA45 concept has a 2.0-liter, turbocharged
four-cylinder engine with 355 horsepower. No word on when it will
hit the market
[Associated
Press]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
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