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BMW Previews The New Z4 @ Pebble Beach, Set For 2019 Debut [+Videos]

Hot from Auto Express, the new BMW Z4 – which was developed in tandem with the new Toyota Supra – is set to go on sale next spring. Following leaks, teasers and even an early prototype drive, the all-new BMW Z4 has been officially revealed. It debuts at the Pebble Beach Concours event in the United States ahead of sales starting in spring 2019. Here’s its maiden debut at Pebble Beach recently…

Codenamed G29, the new roadster has been developed in a joint project with Toyota, although the two models to emerge from the shared process – the Z4 and the Japanese firm’s Supra – will be substantially different. BMW’s offering will be a convertible only; the Toyota will be sold as a coupe.

The car’s looks and proportions stick pretty closely to those previewed on a concept that was revealed at the same American event last year. There’s a particularly short overhang at the front end, and a visible decrease in wheelbase compared with the outgoing Z4. Here’s another video of its premiere…

The images also confirm that this Z4 has a folding fabric roof (it opens in around 10 seconds), eschewing the aluminium hard-top of the outgoing generation on grounds of complexity, cost and weight. The new car’s total kerb weight is said to be around 50kg lighter than its predecessor’s.

The model unveiled in Pebble Beach is the Z4 M40i First Edition, described by BMW as “a taster of the forthcoming on-road debut of the new roadster”. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, producing 340bhp – enough to take the new drop-top from 0-100kmh in 4.6 seconds.

BMW is being coy on releasing many technical details – they’re being held back until late September – but the firm has confirmed that M40i edition has electronically controlled dampers, upgraded M Sport brakes and an M Sport differential. It also says the Z4 will have a 50:50 weight distribution.

The line-up of powertrains is likely to include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, possibly in a couple of states of tune, along with at least one more version of the straight six. We’d expected a plug-in hybrid version to follow later in the car’s life, too – and there could even be a fully focused M version of the car, because BMW hopes a more involving dynamic experience will allow the Z4 to grab some sales from the Porsche 718 Boxster.

The cabin shows a further evolution of BMW’s cockpit layout, with a newly designed fully digital instrument panel, and a ‘fared-in’ infotainment system that’s clearly angled towards the driver. The usual iDrive rotary controller is mounted on the centre tunnel beside the controller for what is likely to be an eight-speed automatic transmission. A manual gearbox is likely to be offered too, Auto Express understands, but only with selected engines.

The Z4 is due on sale in the UK next spring. There’s no word on pricing or specs, but we’d expect the range to start with 2.0-litre models at around £30,000, rising to around £48,000 for the M40i seen here.

Ed’s note: Nice one BMW, however, I think it looks a little too much like something Fiat came up with in 2015, the 124 Spider… anyway, please revive the Z8 next! – Chris Wee.

BMW Z4 Photo Gallery (all images courtesy of AutoExpressUK)

Ferrari 488 Pista Spider – A Special Series From Ferrari Premieres At Pebble Beach

The Prancing Horse’s new Special Series model, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, has been unveiled during the world-famous Concours d’Elegance® at Pebble Beach in California. The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is the 50^th drop-top model from the Prancing Horse and a premiere in the US was a natural choice given that, ever since the 1950s, North American clients have always been keen connoisseurs of high-performance convertibles.

The new car sets a new benchmark for Ferrari for spider performance with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv. A result made possible by the adoption of the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever, which was recently named Best Engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards. The 3902cc twin-turbo V8 unleashes 720cv and combines that power with increasing torque at all engine speeds for continuous and unending acceleration all the way to the red line. The unique engine sound is now even more riveting thanks to the open-top configuration.

The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider represents the natural development of the defining design of the coupé version. The Ferrari designers’ primary objective was to maintain unaltered the perfect marriage of aerodynamic efficiency, purity of form and racing spirit. This concept is underlined by the characteristic central livery which runs the whole length of the car, expanding towards the rear where it finishes at the end of the rear wing next to the spoiler. This continual expansion of the stripe recalls the movement of the airflow and exalts the lines of the car.

The philosophy that imposed an uncompromising choice of materials for the bodywork is also revisited in the interior solutions, with weight being saved by the use of lightweight, pared-back components. As well as the generous use of carbon-fibre and Alcantara® throughout, the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium foot plates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a simple strap.

In terms of engineering, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE. As a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the track to a road-legal drop-top car. The vehicle dynamics honed for this Special Series 8-cylinder convertible deliver a seamless combination of razor-sharp acceleration, braking efficiency, lightning-fast gear shifting, precision steering, grip, stability and superb handling. The result? A completely captivating and unprecedented driving experience. This was achieved thanks partly to the new lateral dynamics control system, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), which makes on-the-limit driving more intuitive, controllable and predictable.

The car features new diamond-finish 20” alloy wheels with a novel 10-spoke star-effect interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear engine berlinetta-style rims. Also available are the optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels which offer a 20% weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.

Porsche Classic Builds A Classic 911/993 Turbo Using Genuine Parts [+Video]

Porsche Classic has built a highly desirable collector’s item: the last 911 Turbo with an air-cooled engine – 20 years after the end of series production. The design of the 993-generation 911 Turbo is based on an original body-shell, and the vehicle’s appearance is just as unique as its history: Painted in Golden Yellow Metallic, it references the 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. The black wheels are highlighted by Golden Yellow design accents, while the seats and interior trim are finished in black with Golden Yellow details. Check out the video below!

The bodyshell features the characteristic side air intakes of the 993 Turbo S that were also available as an option for the regular 911 Turbo in 1998. Developing 450 horsepower, the classic sports car will celebrate its world premiere at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion in Laguna Seca (USA) on September 27, 2018. The collector’s item, which is limited to use on private tracks, will then be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta on October 27, 2018. The proceeds will be donated to the Ferry Porsche Foundation, a non-profit organization established this year to mark the “70 years of Porsche sports cars” celebrations.

“Project Gold” showcases the comprehensive skill of Porsche Classic in fascinating fashion”, says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “This project clearly demonstrates our strategic approach. Although we are starting a new chapter in our sports car history with the Porsche Taycan, the story of how the company evolved is no less significant. On the contrary, this Golden Yellow 993 demonstrates how incredibly passionate we are about the tradition of our brand.”

“Project Gold” represents Porsche Classic’s spectacular contribution to the “70 years of Porsche sports cars” celebrations: With this anniversary in mind as well as the forthcoming market launch of the Taycan as the first purely electric Porsche sports car, the experts at Porsche Classic came up with the idea of constructing a completely new vehicle based on an existing genuine type 993 body-shell, showcasing both tradition and innovation. The experts were able to rely on a selection of over 6,500 genuine parts that Porsche Classic offers exclusively for 993 generation models. Overall, the Classic division currently stocks some 52,000 parts, which can be sourced via Porsche Classic Partners and Porsche Centers around the globe to repair and restore classic Porsche cars.

Construction of the unique vehicle took approximately one and a half years. The bodyshell was first put through the corrosion protection and painting process applied to today’s series-production vehicles. The collector’s item was then assembled and tuned by Porsche Classic specialists at the Porsche restoration workshop in Stuttgart. A brand new 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine developing 450 hp was installed, delivering the performance the vehicle originally had when it was in production. The manual transmission and all-wheel drive were also sourced from the Porsche Classic range of genuine parts. The hand-stamped chassis number follows the last series-production model of the 993 Turbo which rolled off the production line in 1998.

The exterior and interior elements were coordinated with the workshop’s dedicated Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur experts who were responsible for creating the 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive series, which was limited to 500 units worldwide. To complement these elements, the designers at Style Porsche worked on the color gradients and positioning of badges as well as other interior details.

The 993 remains a sought-after collector’s item to this day, and is considered a particularly sophisticated and reliable vehicle. It was the first 911 to feature a redesigned aluminium chassis, giving it exceptional agility at the time. The 911 Turbo version of the 993 was also the first to have a twin-turbo engine, making it the lowest-emission standard automotive powertrain in the world in 1995.

The front section is lower-slung than on the earlier 911 models, thanks to a switch from round to poly ellipsoidal headlights. Hollow-spoke aluminum wheels, a first for any car with aluminum wheels, were another innovation of the all-wheel drive 911 Turbo version. Only 345 units of the 911 Turbo S with its 450 hp performance-enhanced engine were built.

Pusat 3S Weststar Maxus baharu dilancarkan di Pulau Pinang

Weststar Maxus telah melancarkan pusat 3S terbaharu mereka di Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang.
Pusat 3S terbaharu ini akan memberi perkhidmatan jualan, servis dan alat ganti kepada pelanggan di kawasan Utara.
Weststar Maxus juga melancarkan van komersial terbaharu mereka iaitu Maxus V80 2018.

Weststar Maxus baru sahaja melancarkan pusat 3S terbaharu mereka yang terletak di Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. Pusat Jualan, servis dan alat ganti akan memberi khidmat sokongan yang penting terutamanya kepada pelanggan-pelanggan mereka di kawasan Utara. (more…)

Risk An Affair – Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Unleashes The 2019 “DreamCars” Collection

The Dream Cars collection of Mercedes-Benz are the embodiment of the brand’s design philosophy of sensual purity, passion and alluring desire. These cars were crafted to fulfil the dreams of our most passionate fans – offering pure performance, breathtaking style, state-of-the-art engineering and absolute luxury.

“From the seductive design of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, which was the original four-door coupe, to the AMG GT C which adds yet another thrilling facet to the AMG GT family and the E-Class Cabriolet, a masterpiece of intelligence now with the liberation of topless motoring, the Dream Cars offer the utmost indulgence for every kind of driver. In other words, we invite you to Risk an Affair,” said Mark Raine, Vice President Sales & Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (below).

The AMG GT C…

Originally crafted as a roadster, the Mercedes-AMG GT C finds new focus conceived in the form of a coupe. Powerful and poised to perform, AMG motorsport and racing technology features prominently in the GT C, with influence from the AMG GT R in the form of sculpted aerodynamic bodywork and AMG sport seats. With the AMG GT C, Mercedes-AMG is introducing a further output rating of the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine, thereby underlining the exclusive character of the new model. At 410 kW (557 hp), the peak output is 35 kW (47 hp) above that of the AMG GT S and 20 kW (28 hp) below the Mercedes‑AMG GT R. The maximum torque of 680 Nm is available from 1900 to 5750 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is absolved in 3.7 seconds, and this incredible acceleration continues until the top speed of 316 km/h is reached.

“The brutal Mercedes AMG GT C is an exciting addition to the AMG GT collection and, of course, to the World’s Fastest Family. Incredibly powerful and dynamically superior, the AMG GT C is also the complete aesthetic package with the intimidating Panamericana grille, wide stance and low, purposeful silhouette. With the new GT C, the AMG GT family has options for all passionate AMG aficionados, but all carrying the same superior motorsport DNA and coming from the same high performance bloodline for the ultimate in AMG performance,” added Mark.

The Mercedes-AMG GT C at a glance

	Mercedes-AMG GT C
Displacement	3982 cc
Output	410 kW (557 hp) at 5,750 – 6,750 rpm
Peak torque	680 Nm at 2,100 – 5,500 rpm
Fuel consumption NEDC combined	12.5 l/100 km
CO₂ emissions	284 g/km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	3.7 s
Top speed	316 km/h
Price (OTR without Insurance) *Price is with 0% GST, subject to change upon implementation of SST.	RM1,461,605.60

FULL details on the AMG GT C, click to download this: Press Information – The new Mercedes-AMG GT C

The E-Class Cabriolet…

Comfort and luxury meet open-air pleasure in the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet. With expressive proportions and a puristic, surface-accentuated design, the E-Class Cabriolet offers a distinctive character along with a classic fabric soft top. The E-Class cabriolet is for the driver who wishes to savour every journey. The fabric soft top is available in the colours dark brown, dark blue, red or black. A fully automatic acoustic soft top comes as standard. Its multi-layered structure with sophisticated insulation reduces wind and driving noise, which makes it easy for the occupants to hear each other talk, even when driving at high speed. The soft-top structure has an equally positive effect when it comes to climate comfort and makes the Cabriolet suitable for use all year round.

Derived from the S-Class Cabriolet, the soft top also meets high quality standards in terms of durability and operation. It can be completely opened and closed in 20 seconds, and at speeds up to 50 km/h. After opening, it folds down quietly and precisely and is stored in the soft-top compartment in the boot. A retractable cover separates the soft top from the remaining boot space. Thanks to the fully electrical control included in the optional Cabriolet Comfort package, the driver does not have to stop to operate the boot separator manually. The boot capacity of 385 litres (310 litres when the roof is open) offers all the right ingredients for a high level of everyday practicality. The all-new 50:50 folding rear seat backrests create a through-loading feature in the interior – another plus point when it comes to everyday practicality.

The Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet AMG Line at a glance:

Displacement 1991 cc
Output 180 kW (245 hp) at 5,500 rpm
Peak Torque 370 Nm at 1,300 – 4,000 rpm
Fuel consumption NEDC combined 7.9 l/100 km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 6.5 s
Top speed 250 km/h
Price (OTR without Insurance) RM588,888
*Price is with 0% GST, subject to change upon
implementation of SST.

FULL details on the E-Class Cabriolet AMG, click to download this: Press Information – The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

The CLS…

The original is reborn in the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLS. As the creator of the four-door coupe, the CLS brings new generation powertrain technology in the form of electrified 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder and 3.0-litre in-line six cylinder twin-turbo along with latest generation assistance systems such as and the cutting-edge Widescreen Cockpit with COMAND online infotainment. With superior luxury and breathtaking style, the CLS offers a premium experience similar to that of an S-Class but for the owner who prefers to be behind the wheel.

“The Mercedes-Benz CLS has been an icon since its introduction, a supremely crafted four-door coupe. With an unmistakably unique aesthetic, which has now set the tone for the contemporary Mercedes-Benz design language, it is a legendary automobile and has completely earned its place among our Dream Cars. In addition, the CLS features a new generation electrified powertrain for the perfect combination of luxury, comfort, progressivity and performance in a bold statement. Without a doubt, the CLS is Designed to Seduce,” concluded Mark.

FULL details on the CLS click to download this: Press Information – The new Mercedes-Benz CLS