Filed under: Coupe, Budget, UK, Design/Style

After hinting at doing so for a couple of years, Gordon Murray has finally revealing his new T.25 city car at an event at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford, England. The 1,212-pound car is just over four feet wide, less than eight feet long and seats three adults in a 1+2 layout. Like Murray’s McLaren F1, the driver sits front and center and the passengers sit behind on either side.

The whole front section of the body is hinged at the front and flips forward for access in a manner not dissimilar to BMW’s Isetta microcar of the mid-Fifties. Power comes from a 51 horsepower, in-line three-cylinder engine mounted in the back to propel the T.25 to 62 mph in 16.2 seconds while achieving 61.9 miles per gallon. The diminutive size allows it to turn in just 19.7 feet and park perpendicular to the curb and the design’s hinged cockpit and narrow width allow three T.25s to be parked in a single parallel parking space.

[Source: Gordon Murray Design]

Continue reading Officially Official: Gordon Murray’s T.25 city car revealed

Officially Official: Gordon Murray’s T.25 city car revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Auctions, Hatchback, Audi, UK, Celebrities

Elton John puts on auctions throughout the year for his AIDS foundation. The latest auction fete, held at Elton’s manor, included an Audi A1 “spin painted” by British contemporary artist Damien Hirst. The A1 is still so far off that it hasn’t even been priced yet, but one hopes the MSRP will be a scant fraction of the £350,000.00 ($527,205 U.S.) that the Hirst-hued model took home. Art may be dead, but apparently it is more expensive than ever…

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction… and it’s pink

2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction… and it’s pink originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Plants/Manufacturing, UK, Design/Style

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. has done a stand-up job evangelizing the MG brand with the MG6 and the Zero Concept (the latter slated for production as the MG3). Now, the automaker has added an $8.2 million design center to its Longbridge site.

Antony Williams-Kenny, MG’s design director, says the studio “gives us superb tools and facilities to go further forward on projects such as the MG Zero concept and beyond.” An MG spokesperson adds, “The designing of new cars and the engineering and technical aspects of the cars is all happening here in the UK.”

Along with MG6 production moving back to Longbridge later this year, the forthcoming Zero/MG3 is expected to offer 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter engines when it’s finalized for retail. That kind of news gives folks in the Midlands (and sporty-car folks everywhere) something to look forward to from The Octagon. Finally.

[Source: BBC, Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

SAIC opens design center at MG’s Longbridge site originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru, UK

This is the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400, the car Cosworth said would “humble” supercars. With a 0-to-62 sprint happening in just 3.7 seconds it’ll be quicker than a whole bunch of exotics, and at £49,995 ($71,368 U.S.), it’ll be a whole lot cheaper as well. If that sounds like a boatload of cash for a warmed-over WRX, well, it is. But bear in mind that thanks to factors like the 17.5 percent Value Added Tax, UK pricing is rather different than what pricing in the States would likely look like were Cosworth to sell the CS400 here.

The 395-horsepower, 398-pound-foot Cossie Scooby benefits from a thorough rework of its boxer-engined details, boasting new pistons, con-rods, turbocharger, exhaust and ECU mapping among its many modifications. Aiding the Impreza‘s all-wheel drive get power to the ground is a lowered suspension with components from Bilstein and Eibach.

Looks-wise, a different front bumper fitted with mesh inserts, a rear spoiler, a track widened by 12 millimeters, and 18-inch alloys over bigger AP brakes will make sure Subaru cognescenti don’t confuse you with anything else. Identification will also be made easier by the fact that there will only be 75 made for the UK market only, and available it’ll be available in red, silver, and dark gray. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: Cosworth via Autocar]

Cosworth puts the spurs to Subaru’s Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, UK, Celebrities

It’s time to do your homework, kids. The blokes at Top Gear have built a virtual representation of the Stig’s personal playground. If you’ve got some time to kill, head on over to the site for a turn-by-turn breakdown of the UK show’s test track, including the elusive history of each corner’s name. The virtual track will even let you in on which gear you should be in for each section should you ever find yourself as a star in a reasonably priced car.

Even if you don’t see your acting career thrusting you the public consciousness anytime soon, there’s still a chance you’ll be able to have your way with the track. A rumor dusted up last month that claimed Polyphony Digital now holds the rights to test ground’s in-game representation, which means that should Gran Turismo 5 ever decide to drop into stores, the PlayStation universe will be breathing down the Stig’s neck.

TG‘s virtual track also features a couple of other neat tricks, including a “Stig’s Eye View” that allows you see what the perfect line should look like. You can even pick whether you want to view the track through the windshield of an econobox or a genuine supercar.

[Source: Top Gear]

Stig gives a lesson on the Top Gear test track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Bentley, UK, Reviews, Luxury

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is modern luxury with a strong sense of history

First Drive: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is modern luxury with a strong sense of history originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, UK, Luxury

The twin-turbo, 400-horsepower Alpina B3S has been let loose on the UK market. With just about 400 pound-feet to get you off the line you’ll get from 0-to-60 in 4.7 seconds. That might not sound too impressive for an Alpina, but you’ll be able to hang with Porsche Carrera S’s, and that’s not bad for a 3 Series. Staying away from hard going will get you another impressive number, though: 24.2 combined miles per gallon (29.1 Imperial).

The Alpina B3S is offered in Saloon, Touring, Coupe and Convertible, with deliveries beginning in July. Follow the jump for the full press release and have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below.

[Source: Alpina]

Continue reading 186 mph Alpina-fettled BMW 3 Series goes on sale in UK

186 mph Alpina-fettled BMW 3 Series goes on sale in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Auctions, Bentley, UK

We’ve seen our fair share of auto auctions over the years. At this point, it takes something truly rare and truly unique to catch our eye. The car in question has to be more than four wheels and a beautifully engineered engine, which explains why we’re all riled over word that a 1935 Bentley 3 ½ Liter Saloon will be auctioned off by Historics at Brooklands. Yes, the car itself is something special. It wears a unique Flying B hood ornament – one of only three ever created – and has extensive documentation following nearly every mile on the odometer, but that’s not what makes this particular lot so interesting.

You see, the car is being sold along with complete ownership of Freestone & Webb – the company that originally built the Bentley’s special body way back when. The company is being auctioned off with neither assets nor debt, so the winning buyer will essentially have rights to the name alone. The coachbuilder hasn’t built anything since closing its doors for good in 1958.

The Bentley and Freestone & Webb will be sold alongside a total of 65 other classics on June 2. Make the jump for the press release.

[Source: Historics at Brooklands]

Continue reading Buy a classic Bentley, get a dormant coachbuilder for free!

Buy a classic Bentley, get a dormant coachbuilder for free! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2010 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Truck, Europe, Videos, Work, UK

Northern Ireland’s Wrightbus has officially won the contract to build London’s next double-decker bus – the new Routemaster – and this is what it will look like. This rendering of the final version comes from the winning entry in the design contest, drawn up by Capoco Design. That drawing was given to Wrightbus and made ready for actual use on the streets of The City.

Although it’s roughly ten feet longer than the old Routemaster, it seats two fewer people, but those 62 folks will have a better time of it getting in and out with three points of entry. Also improved are means of accessing all areas of the bus with two staircases inside, and extensive use of glass aims to keep the behemoth from appearing so behemoth-y.

Having been blessed by London Mayor Boris Johnson himself, the new Routemaster will be showing up on London roads in 2012. Follow the jump to look around it for now.

[Source: BBC]

Continue reading London unveils design for next-gen double-decker bus [w/video]

London unveils design for next-gen double-decker bus [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 May 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, UK

Here in their homeland, the Dodge Caliber and Nitro can’t get much lovin’ from critics, but parent Chrysler has gone and kicked the two models right out of the UK altogether. Hitting up Dodge.co.uk shows but a single vehicle, the Journey, for sale in Blighty. Even the seven-passenger MPV, seemingly well suited to the UK market, has been struggling to find buyers, and the model has had its lineup rejiggered with more standard equipment added to entice addtional prospects.

Try as it might, Chrysler just hasn’t been able to close enough sales of the Nitro and Caliber in the UK. Things must be slightly better on The Continent, as consumers can still find the two exiles available on Dodge’s websites for such far-flung locales as Russia, France, and our favorite, Italy’s Dodge.it. Company officials tell Autoblog that the “Caliber [is] still sold in most all continental European markets, Nitro [is] for sale in most major markets there.”

[Source: Autocar]

Dodge stops selling Nitro, Caliber in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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