Wednesday, September 8, 2010

MR Car Design wrings out another 100 Ponies from BMW 335i


Even though the 335i has been on the market for a while now, there seems to be no shortage of new tuning proposals for the BMW model. Today's faster 335i Coupe comes via German tuning firm MR Car Design. Thanks to a custom made sport exhaust system with sport catalysts, a larger intercooler and an optimized ECU for the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six, output is bumped from 306HP and 400Nm to 406HP and 530Nm.

MR Car Design's 335i comes fitted with deep dish 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber size 235/30 20 at the front axle and 285/25 20 at the rear. A sports suspension package from KW and an original M3 hood are also available from the German tuner.




MR Car Design wrings out another 100 Ponies from BMW 335i


Even though the 335i has been on the market for a while now, there seems to be no shortage of new tuning proposals for the BMW model. Today's faster 335i Coupe comes via German tuning firm MR Car Design. Thanks to a custom made sport exhaust system with sport catalysts, a larger intercooler and an optimized ECU for the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six, output is bumped from 306HP and 400Nm to 406HP and 530Nm.

MR Car Design's 335i comes fitted with deep dish 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber size 235/30 20 at the front axle and 285/25 20 at the rear. A sports suspension package from KW and an original M3 hood are also available from the German tuner.




Mitsubishi's Future in America Uncertain, New Small Models Coming as Larger Models Fade


While Mitsubishi works on making a new global small car, any development on the future of its "larger" cars has been put on hold. What does that mean for Mitsubishi Stateside? Well, it doesn't look good.

The small car would possibly be offered here in 2012 (it's said to have sub-1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine), but it's hard to believe a small efficient car (and the Lancer family) could be enough to justify keeping the brand here. There's light on the horizon, but more on that in a bit.

First, about the larger "names" at Mitsubishi: Eclipse and Galant. According to a report from Autoweek, until a decision regarding their futures is made later this year, the PS platform-based Eclipse / Eclipse Spyder, mid-size Galant sedan, and mid-size Endeavor crossover are going to keep being built as they are in Normal, Illinois.

Now, if someone were to come in and provide Mitsubishi with an investment (PSA Peugeot Citroën, I'm looking your way), the plant could be retooled and updated to build some really neat cars. If not, then Mitsubishi may be stuck with less than a decent lineup.

Thankfully, there's that upside: a few new and interesting models will be showing up in the next two years in order to impress upon consumer's Mitsubishi's new brand image. What kind of image? That of a manufacturer of compact, efficient, and electric cars. People will like that, right?

First, there's the Outlander Sport / RVR / ASX that will take on Kia's Soul and Nissan's Juke this fall with the Lancer's 2.0-liter engine, and the i-Miev electric buggy kei car should appear later next year as a 2012 model. If Mitsubishi really expects people to seriously consider a sub-$30,000 i-Miev (good luck with that), consumers would need to be offered more than "a basic stereo system, air-conditioning and heating units and power windows and locks."

Meanwhile, the Lancer lineup and the Outlander should both expect a mild (aka cheap) refresh in the next few years.

What could Mitsubishi do to survive in the States? Any ideas? By now, I'm certain Mitsubishi is listening.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoweek



Mitsubishi's Future in America Uncertain, New Small Models Coming as Larger Models Fade


While Mitsubishi works on making a new global small car, any development on the future of its "larger" cars has been put on hold. What does that mean for Mitsubishi Stateside? Well, it doesn't look good.

The small car would possibly be offered here in 2012 (it's said to have sub-1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine), but it's hard to believe a small efficient car (and the Lancer family) could be enough to justify keeping the brand here. There's light on the horizon, but more on that in a bit.

First, about the larger "names" at Mitsubishi: Eclipse and Galant. According to a report from Autoweek, until a decision regarding their futures is made later this year, the PS platform-based Eclipse / Eclipse Spyder, mid-size Galant sedan, and mid-size Endeavor crossover are going to keep being built as they are in Normal, Illinois.

Now, if someone were to come in and provide Mitsubishi with an investment (PSA Peugeot Citroën, I'm looking your way), the plant could be retooled and updated to build some really neat cars. If not, then Mitsubishi may be stuck with less than a decent lineup.

Thankfully, there's that upside: a few new and interesting models will be showing up in the next two years in order to impress upon consumer's Mitsubishi's new brand image. What kind of image? That of a manufacturer of compact, efficient, and electric cars. People will like that, right?

First, there's the Outlander Sport / RVR / ASX that will take on Kia's Soul and Nissan's Juke this fall with the Lancer's 2.0-liter engine, and the i-Miev electric buggy kei car should appear later next year as a 2012 model. If Mitsubishi really expects people to seriously consider a sub-$30,000 i-Miev (good luck with that), consumers would need to be offered more than "a basic stereo system, air-conditioning and heating units and power windows and locks."

Meanwhile, the Lancer lineup and the Outlander should both expect a mild (aka cheap) refresh in the next few years.

What could Mitsubishi do to survive in the States? Any ideas? By now, I'm certain Mitsubishi is listening.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoweek