Latest news from Park Lane
All-new Subaru XV on sale next month
The all-new Subaru XV goes on sale next month. Customers can choose between three boxer engines; two petrols and a diesel, which are mated to either a five or six-speed manual gearbox or CVT ‘box for petrol models only.
The entry-level 1.6-litre four cylinder unit produces 112bhp, while the 2.0-litre delivers 148bhp. Both petrol engines come with a stop-start system as standard. The 2.0-litre oil-burner produces 145bhp and 258lb ft of torque, which gives the diesel XV a 0-62mph sprint of 9.3sec. A claimed 50.4mpg on the combined cycle is achievable, while emitting 146g/km Co2.
Trim levels for the Nissan Qashqai-rival consist of S, SE and SE Lux Premium, with the entry-level XV S equipped with 17-inch alloys, LED running lights, climate control and Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control. SE trim adds cruise control, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity and a rear view camera, while the range-topping XV Lux Premium gets keyless entry, a sunroof, leather interior and sat-nav.
Mighty diesel for BMW M-cars
BMW will introduce a new range of performance-orientated M division-developed diesel models later this year. The new oil-burners will get an initial public airing at the Geneva motor show in March and are set to reach the UK later this year.
The four-wheel-drive X5 M50d and X6 M50d will arrive first, in June. Rear-wheel-drive M550d saloon and M550d Touring models engineered specifically for right-hand drive markets are tipped to go on sale in October. The rear-drive pair will come to the UK in place of the four-wheel-drive M550d xDrive saloon and Touring variants that will be offered elsewhere in left-hand drive only.
The four cars represent an M division first, with all running a newly developed version of BMW’s 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine.
The new powerplant is fitted with a triple-turbo induction system that BMW sources suggest is set to revolutionise the efficiency and performance credentials of traditional combustion engines, in both diesel and petrol formats.
Most powerful BMW M6 on its way
The all-new BMW M6 will be the most powerful super-coupé in BMW’s history when it goes on sale this summer. The M6 gets the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 from the M5, which is good for 552bhp and 502lb ft.
The M6’s rear-drive chassis has been tuned extensively at the Nürburgring and BMW insiders claim that it has the dynamic proficiency to cope with prodigious power outputs.
Although the previous M6, with its cutting-edge construction and V10 engine, was radical when it was launched in 2005, the new model will take things even further. It will again feature a carbonfibre roof and other carbonfibre body panels but will also get carbon-ceramic brake discs and lightweight alloy wheels to boost stopping power and reduce unsprung mass.
Special edition Minis unveiled
BMW is making full use of its London 2012 Olympics sponsorship by launching two new London-inspired versions of the Mini. The two models, the Mini Baker Street and Mini Bayswater, will go on sale in the spring.
The Mini Baker Street can be ordered in either One, One D, Cooper or Cooper D trim. Named after the street made famous by Sherlock Holmes, the Baker Street gets special bonnet stripes, gloss black 16in alloys and gloss black mirror housings.
The Mini Bayswater, named after the London district between Knightsbridge and Notting Hill, is available to order in Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD models.
Prices for the Baker Street will start at £16,365, with the Bayswater range beginning at £18,565. The arrival of the Baker Street and Bayswater means two other ‘London’ special editions, the Pimlico and Soho, will be discontinued.
Volkswagen up! five door revealed
Although official details and prices have yet to be released, the current indications are that five-door models will cost around £400 more than equivalent three-door cars. That should mean prices starting from around £9400.
See pictures of the new VW Up five-door
As with the three-door, three engine variants are expected to be available – two 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol units as well as a frugal BlueMotion Technology version of the lower-powered petrol – with three trim levels to choose from.
The five-door's key dimensions will be the same as the three-door, which means it will offer a 251-litre boot, plus 920mm of rear headroom and a maximum of 820mm of rear legroom.
UK sales are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
All-new Porsche Boxster revealed
This is an official image of the third-generation Porsche Boxster, ahead of its first public airing at the Geneva motor show in March.
Porsche says the Boxster will go on sale in the UK on April 28, flaunting a lightweight aluminium body and a roomier 911-style interior. It will have the choice of two upgraded versions of Porsche’s classic horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine, both boasting direct injection, slight power gains and impressive reductions in fuel consumption.
The new Boxster – codenamed 981 – comes with a fully automatic cloth hood, no longer requiring manual assistance. It stows behind the cabin in a fully exposed position, with no need for a tonneau cover.
The Boxster features an Alcantara interior, 18in alloys, auto stop/start and Sports mode, remote control hood operation, audio CD with 7in colour touch-screen control, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity and a three-year warranty.
The Boxster S adds 19in alloys, partial leather interior and Bi-Xenon headlights in addition to the power advantage of the larger 3.4-litre engine.
Reaction to E-Bugster launch
A positive reaction to VW's speedster-look E-Bugster will help make the case for putting it into production as the third variant of the new Beetle.
Officially, VW is remaining tight-lipped about the chance of putting the handsome design into production but the car's designers believe it has a strong chance of making production.
The E-Bugster's squat proportions come from a windscreen chopped-down by 65mm and the high point of the roof being pushed back to give a wedge-like profile to the roofline.
Also a nod to the world of the west coast tuner are the E-Bugster's multi-spoke alloy wheels, which ape Porsche's iconic 1960s design. They are made of conventional cast alloy and likely to feature on the new Beetle Convertible due for launch late this year. The originals were of unusual pressed alloy construction.
Audi A6 Allroad revealed
This is the Audi A6 Allroad. The high-riding variant of the Audi A6 sits 60mm higher than the standard car, and features styling changes including different front grille and bumper designs, skid plates, roof rails and protection around the exhaust.
See pics of the Audi A6 Allroad
It also comes with air suspension as standard, which will lower the body by 15mm at speed to improve the aerodynamics, or raise it by 35mm to improve ground clearance.
Four engine variants will be offered: a 306bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 325lb ft of torque, and three 3.0-litre diesels producing 201bhp, 242bhp and 309bhp. The latter is linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the rest of the range is linked to a seven-speed unit.
New 911 is here now
As with today’s 911, the front-end structure, complete with its MacPherson strut suspension, has been designed to be shared with the Boxster. The rear end, with its reworked multi-link suspension, remains largely unique, and the steering uses an electro-mechanical set-up.
The new car is marginally longer and wider than the existing 911 but the basic silhouette remains largely unchanged, including the screen angles and length of the front and rear overhangs. The biggest change is the widened wings, which have been designed to accept wheels up to 20 inches in diameter.
Again, there are no major changes to the 911’s styling. Headlamps and tail-lights have been altered slightly and given new LED graphics, while the exterior mirror housings now sit outboard on the doors rather than in the blanked-off quarter panel at the base of the A-pillar.
Contact Park Lane Export to register your interest in the new Porsche 911
Next RS4 to be Avant only
Audi is turning back the clock for the next generation of RS-badged A4s by restricting the new RS4 to a five-door Avant bodystyle only.
The reasons are threefold: hot Avant models have historically outsold saloon versions, the S5 Sportback offers a performance four-door alternative and the market is moving away from hot four-doors.
The decision also chimes with Audi’s heritage of hot estates. In three-generations only the last model included an RS4 saloon.
Set for launch at Geneva, the new RS4 Avant uses the RS5’s 4.2-litre V8, developing 444bhp and 317lbft. The same engine powered the last-gen RS4, although it developed 28 fewer bhp. Also new to the RS4 is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, optional instead of the standard six-speed manual.
New Volkswagen CC
The revised Volkswagen CC is available to order now ahead of the car's UK launch date in April. Engine options include the 1.8-litre TSI, 2.0-litre TSI, and 2.0 TDI in either 138bhp or 168bhp power guises.
Standard features of the new car (formerly dubbed Passat CC) include a touchscreen sat-nav system, DAB digital radio, climate control and bi-xenon headlights. Brake energy recuperation and 17-inch alloys also feature across the model range.
GT trim adds heated Nappa leather seats, cruise control, parking sensors front and rear, 18-inch alloys and tinted windows. Additional options comprise adaptive cruise control, lane assist, a rear view camera and massaging seats.
Topping the model range is the 2.0-litre TDI six-speed DSG is capable of 51.4mpg and 144g/km CO2.
Lexus LF-FC sports car concept
The wraps have come off the stunning new Lexus LF-LC sports car concept.
The amazing machine is officially described as "a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design" but it could preview an upcoming large coupe to take on the Mercedes SL and BMW 6 Series.
Produced by Lexus' design studio Calty, which is based in Newport Beach, California, the 2+2 LF-LC features a dramatic long bonnet with cues from the LF-A supercar mixed with an even more aggressive front end from the LF-Gh concept, which previewed the new GS.
Details are scarce at the moment but you can expect a hybrid engine to power the new coupe, with insiders suggesting it will mate a 3.5-litre V6 engine to an electric motor.
