Bentley Continental GTC Speed

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Bentley has released the details of Bentley Continental GTC Speed - the latest model that become one of the most powerful convertible ever. Powered by the 6-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that has been tuned, Bentley Continental GTC Speed is able to outputs a massive 600bhp (610PS) and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and to 100 mph in 10.6 seconds.

Bentley Continental GTC Speed may reach its top speed at 200 mph (322 km/h) with the roof up. While with the roof down, the top speed of Bentley Continental GTC Speed will be at 195 mph (312 km/h).

With the price starts at 146,100.00 pounds including VAT, Bentley Continental GTC Speed comes equipped with a six-speed transmission that has two fully automatic modes (Drive and Sport) and a clutchless manual mode.

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2009 Mazda3 Axela

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Mazda Axela revision details had been released by Mazda. Mazda Axela is known as Mazda3 in non-Japanese markets. All models of 2009 Mazda3 Axela including the four-door 2009 Mazda3 Axela, five-door 2009 Mazda3 Axela and Mazdaspeed Axela featuring fresh improvements. Starting at 1,510,750 yen, the new 2009 Mazda3 Axela goes on sale in Japan today.

Press Release
Refined Mazda Axela Goes on Sale in Japan

Mazda Motor Corporation has released updated versions of the Mazda Axela sports compact in Japan. Known as the Mazda3 in overseas markets, the Mazda Axela has earned high praise both in Japan and abroad. All models in the range – including the four-door 2009 Mazda3 Axela, five-door 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport and Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela – feature fresh improvements and are available from today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships nationwide. Two new special edition versions of the 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport, the 23HS and 20HS, which come outfitted with equipment to enhance their sporty pedigree, also go on sale from today.

Exterior design modifications such as chrome door handles and expanded use of black molding on the rear bumper enlivens the 2009 Mazda3 Axela’s appearance.*1 Interior quality has also been enhanced with the addition of piano black parts*2 on the center panel, power window switch bezels and other areas, and chrome parts for some levers and buttons. Reduced cabin noise and higher comfort levels have been achieved through the increased use of sound absorbent materials.

The 2009 Mazda3 Axela 20E model grade is a new addition to the range. It offers enhanced quality and comfort thanks to exclusive sand-beige combination Alcantara®*3 seat covers with genuine leather trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, blackout meters and other sporty, well-crafted extras as standard equipment.

The special editions 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23HS and 20HS come with a full complement of sports equipment including 17-inch reflective aluminum wheels, exclusive aluminum pedals, a floating rear roof spoiler and a BOSE® sound system.*4 These models also come with black Alcantara® and genuine leather combination seat covers and Alcantara® door trim.

Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices vary from 1,510,750 to 2,070,000 yen for the 2009 Mazda3 Axela and from 1,510,750 to 2,410,000 for the 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport (each price includes consumption tax).

1. Standard equipment on the 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S and 20S grades.
2. Standard equipment on the 2009 Mazda3 Axela 20S and 20E, 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S and 20S, and Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela.
3. ALCANTARA® is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A.
4. Standard equipment on the 23HS. Available as a factory-installed option on the 20HS.

Main features of the refined Mazda Axela

Exterior
- Expanded use of black molding on the rear bumper which creates a stronger sense of sportiness [2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S & 20S]
- Chrome outer door handles (previously colored to match the vehicle exterior) [2009 Mazda3 Axela 20S, 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S & 20S]
- Newly-added roof spoiler [standard on 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 20C, optional on 15C]
- Dark tinted glass (rear door, rear quarter and liftgate windows) [2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 20S & 20C]
- 17-inch reflective aluminum wheels and 205/50R17 89V tires [2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S]

Interior
The following equipment now comes as standard:

- Piano black panels (center panel, instrument panel side garnish, steering wheel switch bezels and power window switch bezels) [2009 Mazda3 Axela 20S & 20E, 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S & 20S, Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela]
- Chrome inner door handles and parking brake lever button [all grades except 15F]
- Driver and passenger seat vanity mirrors (with light) [2009 Mazda3 Axela 20S & 20E, 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S, 20S & 20C, Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela]
- Advanced keyless entry and engine starter system

Body and Chassis
To complement the high grade features, a bonnet insulator to reduce engine noise, as well as sound absorbent material in the doors and floor have been newly added for a quieter cabin. Additionally, the 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S features an enlarged floor tunnel member and retuned dampers for improved stability.

Body colors
Two new body colors, Metropolitan Grey Mica and Copper Red Mica, have been added to the body color lineup for the Mazda 2009 Mazda3 Axela, making a total of nine available colors. As well as the existing True Red, the Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela now also offers Crystal White Pearl Mica, Metropolitan Grey Mica and Stormy Blue Mica for a total range of four colors.

Main features of the new 2009 Mazda3 Axela 20E model grade

In addition to the equipment listed above, the following items are standard:
- Sand-beige combination Alcantara® seat covers with genuine leather side trim and matching door trim enhance the high quality feel of the interior
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Blackout meters. (The dials and center console have blue indirect lighting.)
- Advanced keyless entry and engine starter system

Main features of the special edition Mazda Axela 23HS and 20HS

Base models
2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport 23S (FWD model with five-speed automatic transmission and 2.3-liter DOHC engine) and 20S (FWD model with five-speed automatic transmission and 2.0-liter DOHC engine)

Special equipment
Exterior
- 17-inch reflective aluminum wheels with 205/50R17 89V tires
- Floating rear roof spoiler (as featured on the Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela)
- Discharge headlights and water repellent coating (windshield, front door windows and door mirrors)

Interior
- Black Alcantara® and genuine leather combination seat covers and Alcantara® door trim
- Custom aluminum pedals
- Stainless steel scuff plates (front)
- Advanced keyless entry and engine starter system
- BOSE® sound system [special equipment on the 23HS, available as a factory-installed option on the 20HS]
Includes an MP3 player and a seven-speaker system, including a 5.25-inch subwoofer, for dynamic sound.

Body colors
Both models are available in Velocity Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica.

4EC-AT and 5EC-AT are electronically controlled automatic transmissions (all grades except for the 20F have Activematic versions).
- A separate recycling fee is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above. The fee is 11,730 yen for Mazda 2009 Mazda3 Axela grades (12,300 yen if the curtain and front side SRS air bag system is selected as a factory-installed option), and 11,860 yen for 2009 Mazda3 Axela Sport grades and the Mazdaspeed 2009 Mazda3 Axela (12,430 yen if the curtain and front side SRS airbags system is selected as a factory-installed option).
- If the special body color, Crystal White Pearl Mica is selected, the price increases by 31,500 yen (including tax).

A separate recycling fee of 11,860 yen is necessary in addition to the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices listed above.
- If the BOSE® sound system is selected as a factory-installed option for the 20HS, the price increases by 68,250 yen (tax included).

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BMW 1, 3, 5 Series and Z4 Edition Models Upgrades

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BMW announced that the models listed below will get upgrades of up to 3,000 pounds:
The BMW 1 Series Edition ES models, BMW 3 Series Edition SE, Edition ES, and Edition M Sport models, BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i Edition Exclusive and Edition Sport, and BMW 520d.

Press Release
Edition models and specification enhancements strengthen BMW 1, 3 and 5 Series and Z4 line up

Up to £3,000 of added value on four-cylinder cars
Hot on the heels of a record sales year in the UK, BMW has launched a new specification tier on BMW 1, 3, 5 Series and Z4 models, offering even greater value for money and personalisation. Edition models feature a range of specific colour choices and interior options as well as specification enhancements on four-cylinder cars.

BMW 1 Series Edition ES models
The line up of BMW 1 Series 3- and 5-door Sports Hatch derivatives has been extended to offer even more customer choice. BMW 1 Series Edition ES models are available in 116i and 118d guises and, for a nominal price increase of £250 over the current ES model, offer substantial added value.

All 1 Series Edition ES models feature a 17-inch star-spoke alloy wheel, sport seats covered in upgraded cloth upholstery, three-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel and front fog lights. This package of additional equipment would normally add up to £1,340 to the cost of a standard ES model. The £250 upgrade benefits residual values too. CAP and Glass’s have indicated that Edition ES models are set to boost the BMW 1 Series’ already strong residual values.

BMW 3 Series Edition ES, Edition SE and Edition M Sport models

BMW 3 Series Edition models offer an even broader range of models and customer choice, with 24 new models available. All four-cylinder petrol- and diesel-powered 3 Series Saloon and Touring models are available in Edition ES, Edition SE or Edition M Sport models. These models will add further driver appeal and offer even higher levels of standard equipment to the compact executive car of choice for retail and corporate buyers alike.

Edition ES and SE models come as standard in a choice of Carbon Black, Titanium Silver or Sparkling Graphite colours. To complement the exterior colour, these models also feature Dakota leather upholstery and Brushed Aluminium interior trims. In addition, they are all equipped with a 17-inch V-spoke alloy wheel (currently standard on 335i/d Coupé and Convertible models) and a three-spoke M multi-function leather steering wheel.

Both the Edition ES and Edition SE models add £750 to the price of the existing car but, at retail prices, add around £3,000 of equipment value to the car.

For those drivers who appreciate the sporting credentials of the 3 Series, Edition M Sport Saloon and Touring models are available. Building on the sporting pedigree of the 3 Series, the Edition M Sport models come as standard in Carbon Black, Titanium Silver or Sparkling Graphite. Like the Edition ES and SE models, Dakota leather seat coverings are standard.

The Edition M Sport also recognises BMW’s continued success in the World Touring Car Championship. It features the same 18-inch WTCC-style alloy wheel as is fitted to the triple championship-winning BMW 320si.

In addition, the Edition M Sport models feature Business Navigation system, complete with map guidance, Bluetooth mobile telephone connectivity and BMW’s new ConnectedDrive Online and Assist telematics package as standard.

With a nominal cost of £1,000 on top of the cost of the ‘standard’ M Sport models, the Edition M Sport derivatives add up to £3,100 of additional customer value to the car.

BMW 520d Business Navigation offer

2007 was a record sales year for 5 Series Saloon and Touring models in the UK with nearly 20,000 cars sold and 520d models being the most popular derivative. BMW is now adding even more value to the class-leading executive car. For a nominal £350 contribution, buyers of 520d Saloon and Touring models will receive BMW’s Business navigation system, complete with map and arrow view, normally valued at £1,365. In addition, a six-CD changer, usually costing £295, is added to the package, representing a total customer saving of £1,310.

BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i Edition Exclusive and Edition Sport models

Four-cylinder open-topped Z4 customers also benefit from the same added value and financial benefits of an Edition model. Buyers are able to choose between the Z4 2.0i Edition Exclusive and Edition Sport models. Uniquely, Z4 Edition models will be produced in limited numbers, with less than 300 planned in 2008.

Z4 Edition Exclusive models are offered in a range of metallic colour choices; Sapphire Black, Stratus Grey, Space Grey, Titan Silver or Montego Blue. This is complemented by BMW’s Individual upholstery in full Soft Nappa leather. BMW Individual interior trim in high-gloss Piano Black and an upgraded 17-inch Star-spoke alloy wheel round off the offering. The Z4 Edition Exclusive model costs an additional £1,045 representing a customer saving of £1,835.

Customers who enjoy more sports-oriented roof-down driving will select the Z4 2.0i Edition Sport. The Edition Sport is available in a choice of metallic colours; Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Space Grey, Titanium Silver and Montego Blue. And the sporting exterior design of the Z4 matches the interior with the Edition Sport models featuring BMW Individual Bi-colour New England leather covering the sports seats as well as Individual Bi-colour interior trim. The model is rounded off by visually-dynamic 18-inch Composite Star-spoke light-alloy wheels. The Z4 2.0i Edition Sport model costs just £775 more than the ‘standard’ Sport model but adds nearly £2,500 of options to the car.

All Edition models will start production in March 2008.

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