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2010 Abarth 500C

Published: 20th Jun, 2010

Abarth 500C

Abarth have unveiled the convertible 500C at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the Fiat 500C the Abarth features considerable power and performance enhancements as well as a sporty styling package.

Alongside the classic body colour scheme, Abarth is offering two-tone paintwork for the first time on a 500. This is topped off with a spoiler and 17” diamond pattern alloy wheels.

The Abarth 500C is powered by a turbo charged four cylinder inline engine with a total output of 140 HP at 5000 rpm and a peak torque of 206 Nm at 2000 rpm in Sport mode. The engine is mated to a “Abarth Competizione” 5-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, while top speed reaches 127 mph /205 km/h. This performance is partly achieved by the overboost function, activated by the Sport button that modulates control unit mapping and turbo pressure in addition to load on the steering wheel. Yet this typically Abarth performance comes with very frugal fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle.

The Abarth 500C will go on sale in the next few months.

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Mazda MX-5 Miata rated ‘Best Sports Car’ in JD Power survey

Published: 6th Jun, 2010

Mazda MX5 Miata Roadster

The world’s best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5, has added another accolade to its many awards by earning the title of ‘Best Sports car’ in the highly-regarded 2010 JD Power vehicle ownership satisfaction survey, published yesterday.

In total more than 17,000 car owners across the UK took part in the annual survey. Owners of Mazda’s iconic two-seater sportscar gave their cars top-scores for appearance, exterior and interior quality and mechanical reliability, performance, running costs and also for dealer service.

Ultimately, the Mazda MX-5 notched up a satisfaction rating of 82.3 percent – beating the Mercedes-Benz SLK, VW Eos and Audi TT rivals to claim the ‘Best-in-Class’ honours.

It is not the first time that the Mazda MX-5 has won a JD Power award it has a trophy cabinet full of JD Power awards and now adds this year’s title, too.” The latest survey confirmed that MX-5 owners are particularly happy with the soft-top’s quality and reliability. The exterior design got top marks and the car was highly rated for how it drove.

Continuing to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its globally successful sportscar, Mazda currently offers the MX-5 as a soft-top or hardtop roadster coupe (with the world’s fastest folding powered roof, up or down in 12 seconds), with prices ranging from £17,245 to £22,730 (GBP).

“Today, the Mazda MX-5 remains unrivalled as a rewarding sportscar that can also be used for everyday motoring all year round. The MX-5 soft-top continues to offer the purest, fun-to-drive thrills, while the Roadster Coupe adds to those thrills with an even more premium experience, together with that same exhilarating drive. With its low running costs and legendary reliability, the MX-5 remains an extremely competitive proposition as hundreds of satisfied owners confirm,” comments Mark Cameron, Sales Director, Mazda UK.

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Alpina B3 S

Published: 21st May, 2010

Alpina B3S ConvertibleThe new B3 S reflects the ALPINA ethos of ultra high performance combined with environmental consciousness. The 3 litre straight six now yields an extraordinary 400hp at 6000 rpm and massive torque – 540 Nm at 4500 rpm. In Coupe form this delivers 0-62 in 4.7 seconds and 186 mph, yet economy is improved (29.1 mpg combined) and CO2 emissions lowered to 224 g/km.

The B3S is readily identified by a redesigned front spoiler and a new rear diffuser which encloses the tailpipes, reducing lift and ensuring optimum engine cooling. The ALPINA Classic alloy wheels get the new design treatment seen on the latest B7. 

With switchable six-speed automatic transmission in Saloon, Touring, Coupe and Convertible forms, the B3 S stays faithful to another ALPINA manufacturing edict – that the sporting nature of its cars should not compromise luxury, comfort and everyday usability.

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BMW Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia

Published: 11th May, 2010

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of its historic victory in the famed Mille Miglia automobile race in Brescia, when the classic BMW 328 not only finished in first place but also in third, fifth and sixth places, thereby ensuring overall team victory as well, the German automaker has announced that it will build just 99 examples of the limited edition Z4 sDrive35is Mille Miglia.

Setting this convertible apart from other Z4s, each Mille Miglia edition will be finished in a coat of matte Polaris Metallic with a black front grill, an M aero kit and 19-inch wheels finished in Dark Chrome. Inside, the seats and steering wheel feature red stitching. And of course, the car gets its own unique limited edition badging inside and out. Sadly one area that lets this stunning car down is the long winded and almost meaning name. We’d prefer it with the Mille Miglia badges alone.

Despite the 35 in the name the power comes from a 340-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, mated up to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox as with the standard BMW Z4 sDrive35is. It seems for now this will be the only Z4 with an M in its name but it will be more than enough for the vast majority of drivers.

>> More on the BMW Z4 Roadster here

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Used convertible prices could rise up to 20% this summer

Published: 7th May, 2010

With the arrival of spring typically marking the start of the convertible buying season, prices of popular ‘drop-top’ models could increase by as much as 20% in value over the next six months, according to used car retailer Carsite.co.uk.

After an extended winter, the return of warmer weather will be persuading many UK car buyers to look to a convertible or coupe cabriolet for their next purchase, with the increased seasonal demand pushing up prices in the sector.

Between 2009 and 2010, Carsite found the trade price of a Mazda MX5 1.8i increased from £10,450 in April 2009 to £12,350 in September 2009 – a rise of £1,900 or 18% – before falling £1,355 to £10,995 by April 2010.

A similar trend was also seen on a Volvo C70 2.4i Coupe Cabriolet which appreciated £1,600 in value from April (£14,395) to September 2009 (£15,995) before decreasing £1600 to April 2010 (£14,395). A Renault Megane 1.6 Coupe Cabriolet’s value also fluctuated more £1600 over the same period.

Seemingly less affected by the seasonal demand, a 2006 Porsche Boxster 2.7 increased only £500 from April to September, before falling just £345 to April.

Alistair Jeff of Carsite said, ‘In the peak months for convertible buying, prices can rise steadily all the way into September, adding between £1500 and £2,000 to the value of some models. Combine this with the appreciating nature of the used market at the moment, and we could be seeing greater seasonal variation than in previous years. Drivers looking to get an ‘al-fresco’ motoring experience this summer should be shopping around now.’

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1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet sells for $3.8m

Published: 7th May, 2010

Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet

RM Auctions’ inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event held at the Grimaldi Forum on 1st May was a resounding success, achieving €33,235,917* ($45,101,139) in total sales and matching the highest dollar single-day collector car auction in history.

The event’s top seller was a rare 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina SWB, s/n 3309 SA, setting a new world record for a Superamerica when it sold for €2,800,000 ($3,799,600) and well exceeding its high estimate of €2,450,000. Also of note was also a beautiful 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder fetching €2,072,000 ($2,811,704), a stunning 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Competition Cabriolet selling for €1,792,000 ($2,431,744) and a 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Zagato Spider, fetching €879,200 ($1,193,074).

The impressive results of RM’s Sporting Classics of Monaco event were generated by the registered bidders from 33 different countries on the telephone, over the Internet and assembled in the standing-room-only venue. RM welcomed a number of first-time clients to its Monaco debut with new bidders representing 28 per cent of all registrations. In addition, approximately 3,300 people watched the live streaming video coverage of the sale over the Internet.

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