BMW 1 Series Coupé at Melbourne Motor Show

BMW’s best 1 Series yet, the Coupé is a noticeable presence at this year’s Melbourne International Motor Show. The two-plus-two-seater is based on the rear wheel drive 1 Series Hatch but is longer by some 121mm (4360mm). A real Coupé (Astra I’m looking at you) with a proper boot, the 1 Series is also 13mm lower that its’ hatch back cousin.

Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0 litre six cylinder petrol engine (recently voted International Engine of the Year), the 135i delivers 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque to thrust the 1,560kg Coupé from standstill to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds!
Six Pot Calipers up front and twin pot rears should see equally impressive stopping times from the claimed 250km/h top speed which incidentally has a combined fuel consumption of 9.2 litres per 100km (not yet confirmed by ADR testing).

Riding on a double-pivot tie bar strut set up in the front and multilink rear suspension in the back the 135i also features an electronic management system designed to mimic a limited-slip differential for optimal traction to the 18 inch (rear) wheels.

Pricing is expected to be between $75,000 and $85,000 when 135i Coupé goes on sale next month. There has as yet been no official decision on an M varaiant though an M Sport Pack will be available.

© Source: caradvice
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Toyota FT-HS performance hybrid concept

Perhaps not the most ideal tag line to promote Toyota’s newest performance concept, think of the FT-HS - or Future Toyota Hybrid Sports - as a ‘Prius on steroids’. With rising fuel prices, the FT-HS prototype makes sense - a battery to keep the nutters happy, and a 3.5-litre V6 engine to keep a smile on your face.

The electric motor adds almost 50 percent more power to the petrol-only engine similar to the one found in the humble Aurion family car. When combined, the FT-HS has a targeted output of over 300kW - just a little more than a Prius. With its aerodynamic profile and liberal use of weight saving materials, Toyota expects a 0-100km/h dash in the four-second range.

If the hybrid-sports car doesn’t quite catch on, Toyota Australia’s corporate manager of product planning Peter Evans says alternatively it could be interpreted as a vision for the Toyota Supra of the future.

The FT-HS concept will be featured on Toyota’s stand at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

© Source: caradvice
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