BMW Recalls 5 Series And 5 Series GT

Do you drive a 2010 or 2011 BMW 5 Series or 5 Series GT? If so, you’ll be hearing from BMW in the very near future, as all models of 5 Series cars are being recalled. At issue is a fuel level sensor which can get stuck on the inside of the fuel tank, indicating a higher level of fuel than the car actually has. Drivers can unintentionally run their vehicle out of fuel, increasing the risk of accident, especially in traffic. No accidents have been reported to date.

Motor Authority reports that approximately 6,100 vehicles, having build dates between January 12, 2010 and July 1, 2010, are affected by this recall. BMW has yet to announce recall dates or a specific fix, which will likely involve replacing the fuel tank level sensor.

2011 Audi A7 Sportback Continues 4-Door Coupe Craze

Not to be outdone by the likes of Aston Martin, BMW or Porsche, Audi has jumped into the sportback segment of the automotive market with the new A7. The concept of the sportback is simple. Take a four door sedan but streamline it so it gives off the impression that it is in fact a two door coupe. Then combine in the versatility of a hatchback and POOF… instant sportback. Porsche has the butt ugly Panamera, BMW has the 5 Series Gran Turismo and Aston Martin now has the stunning Rapide.

Design wise it’s difficult to make a car in this configuration and have it look good. In fact up until now Aston Martin was the only manufacturer to nail it. Audi however is coming in hard and fast with the A7 and truth be told, it’s a good looking automobile. The new A7 has design elements that give its body line a low-slung, aerodynamic look and feel. Combine that with the long sloping hood and chopped rear deck lid and you have one aggressive looking gran touring sedan.

From a visual standpoint the A7 is light years ahead of BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo and Porsche’s turtle shaped Panamera. The real question though is how is this going to affect the sales of Audi’s other big beauty, the A8. Side by side both cars exude power, elegance and sophistication, as a buyer though I’d think I’d be torn on which one to buy.

From a technical standpoint the new 2011 Audi A7 features fun toys like touchscreen navigation, a Bang & Olufsen stereo system with 1,300 watts of power (that may be overkill), full bluetooth capabilities and just about every current automotive safety feature known to man. Right now there is not too much information for those of us here in the States, but stay tuned because as soon as we learn more, you’ll learn more.

ICONIC Motors announces production of AC Roadster to start in 2011

Most small American supercar companies don't seem to have the best of luck, which is why we were somewhat skeptical when we first heard of ICONIC Motors. The concept was impressive if not somewhat unbelievable – a lightweight roadster with an aluminum 6.9-liter V8 putting out 800 horsepower with design cues inspired by the legendary Shelby Cobra. The GTR, as it was then named, made its debut at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours, and we got our first look at the car at the New York Auto Show shortly thereafter.

We haven't heard much from ICONIC since then, but apparently the company has been quite busy finalizing the production version that includes a few design changes from the original concept. In the last two years, ICONIC has also formed a partnership with AC Cars, and the car has officially been renamed the AC Roadster. ICONIC has scheduled a 2011 release date for customer cars and states that they currently taking orders.

[Source: ICONIC Motors]

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Details Released

There’s good news for fans of VW’s perennial favorite sedan: the 2011 Jetta gives you more style for less money. The 2011 model boasts distinctive new exterior styling and has grown nearly four inches in length compared to the 2010 model. The interior hasn’t changed much since 2010, but that’s not a bad thing since VW routinely receives praise for interior comfort and quality. The best news? The starting price for a base 2.0 liter Jetta will be a miserly $15,995.00.

Buyers in the U.S. will have a choice of four motors, starting with the base 2.0 liter four, which produces 113 horsepower and yields a zero to sixty time of 10.3 seconds with a manual transmission (11.3 seconds with the automatic). Fuel economy for the 2.0 liter motor is rated at 34 mpg for the manual and 32 mpg for the automatic. Top speed, which most Jettas equipped with this motor will never see, is 120 miles per hour.

Next up is the 2.5 liter five cylinder, derived from the V10 used in the Lamborghini Gallardo: it makes 168 horsepower and will hit sixty in 8.0 seconds with the manual gearbox and 8.5 seconds with the automatic. Fuel economy is still reasonable at 33 mpg highway (manual transmission) and 31 mpg highway (automatic). Top speed for the five cylinder is listed as 125 mph.

The motor favored by those who like driving will be the 2.0 liter, four cylinder turbo. Rated at 197 horsepower, the forced induction four will see sixty in 6.7 seconds with the manual transmission or 6.8 seconds with VW’s outstanding DSG gearbox. Fuel economy is surprisingly good (assuming you don’t hit max boost on every shift), and comes in at 33 mpg with the manual and 32 mpg with the DSG transmission. Top speed is rated at 130 mph.

Finally, there’s the TDI motor that diesel fans know and love. The 2.0 liter turbodiesel makes 138 horsepower, good enough to get your Jetta to sixty in just under nine seconds with the manual tranny, or just over nine seconds with the DSG. Fuel economy , as you’d expect from a TDI, is impressive: the DSG version gets 42 mpg highway and the manual gearbox TDI sees 41 mpg. Top speed is 125 miles per hour.

First Drive: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

By most accounts, something went awry while Subaru was baking the last generation Impreza WRX STI. Maybe someone slipped in an extra cup of civility or forgot to add enough dashes of hardcore, but what was once little more than a thinly-disguised rally stage escapee had come out of the oven a little weaker than its predecessor. Subaru itself diplomatically admits that the priorities for the last generation STI were somewhat different from the 2011 model. The company stripped the line down to just the five-door hatchback in 2008, stressing functionality over style, and the whole recipe simply felt less focused than what we had come to expect from Japan's all-wheel drive hero.

But that was then, and this is now. The company assures us that for 2011, we can expect a return to the fundamentals that helped establish the STI as a force to be reckoned with. Though the drivetrain remains unchanged, a slew of suspension adjustments and a lower stance have given the STI the ability to hoover up tarmac and gravel stages indiscriminately once again. It isn't a completely new generation – more like a much needed do-over – but the changes are enough to make the 2011 model instantly recognizable from behind the wheel.

If that's not enough to convince you, allow us to direct your attention to the rear of the resurrected four-door body style, dominated once again by the kind of spoiler that could double as a civil engineering exercise. Yeah, baby. The STI is back, and on more than just a wing and a prayer.

In five-door guise, the WRX STI looks much as it did last year. There are a few subtle changes to the fascias front and rear, but otherwise, the body is nearly identical to its ancestor. Buyers and fans alike will be hard-pressed to miss the newest addition to the option sheet, though: the return of the four-door. Subaru hasn't offered the meanest variant of its sedan since 2007, largely because the rally set kept clamoring for a car with a shorter rear overhang. Unfortunately, most American buyers still can't seem to wrap their heads around the concept of a hatch that can get up and go.

Though the base WRX now comes straight from the factory with the same widebody treatment as the STI, you should have no problem picking the more sinister variant out from a crowd. The four-door comes straight off of the boat with an iconic STI rear wing and a smattering of delicious red badges snugged over the grille, fender heat escapes and rear trunk lid. Those with an eye for detail may also pick up on slightly larger 18x8.5-inch wheels and a stance that has been dropped by a marginal four mm. Look closely, and you'll also notice the STI-only Dunlop SP Sport 600 Summer tires, with their gooey Pangaea-sized tread blocks.



Complete with its rear wing, the sedan version of the 2011 STI looks downright menacing. The widebody treatment is easier to spot compared to the five-door version, thanks in part to the bulging rear quarters, and the overall effect is a squat, muscular stance. While the look is a little showy for the less potent WRX, it's right at home on the mighty STI.

Inside, Subaru has included a few tricks to help distinguish its performance trim from the rest of the pack, including leather bucket seats in Limited trim. Just like last year, a few of those sexy STI badges have migrated indoors, situating themselves on the headrests, steering wheel and center console. The designers have removed the majority of the faux-metal trim on the dash in favor of black plastic accents, though the easily-scratched material remains around the shifter. In our experience, the silver-effect trim looks sharp while brand-new, but doesn't stand up to the wear and tear of normal use very well. We would just as soon see it all deleted from the cabin.

As we said earlier, the drivetrain is a direct carryover from 2010, though you won't hear us complain. At 305 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder has no problem mustering up jackhammer levels of commotion. Bolted to an excellent six-speed manual transmission and one very adjustable interpretation of the Subaru all-wheel drive system, the go bits can launch all 3,384 pounds of four-door to 60 mph in a scant 4.9 seconds. Driver's unfamiliar with the turbo Subaru philosophy will likely notice a hefty touch of turbo lag, but it wasn't enough to concern us, especially considering how often we kept the tach pointed due north. Surprisingly enough, the sedan's aerodynamics allow it to carry a top speed of 158 mph – three mph faster than the hatch.

Don't think that Subaru has simply dropped a hotter drivetrain and a reworked suspension into the WRX and called it a day, though. The engineers claim that both the sedan and hatch STI platforms are vastly stiffer than their WRX counterparts, thanks largely to a number of high-tensile steel reinforcements sprinkled through the structure to help it handle the extra horsepower. That means that even if you managed to swap all of the necessary STI hardware into a WRX after the two had left the factory, the latter still wouldn't be as quick as the former around your favorite road course.



In order to help the 2011 STI recoup some of its lost menace, Subaru's engineers fitted the car with front springs that are 16 percent stiffer than the bits found on last year's car. Impressive, sure, but not nearly so eye-widening as the 53 percent stiffer rear coils. As a compliment, the car also wears slightly larger sway bars, too – up one mm front and rear to 21 and 19 mm, respectively. Combined with the slightly reduced ride-height, the whole package is designed to help the 2011 STI retake its throne as a first-class tarmac terror, but the icing on the cake has to be the car's new pillow ball bushings where the front wishbones meet the body structure.

Instead of a traditional rubber bushing, Subaru has decided to go with a steel ball nestled in a metal sleeve. While the sleeve is surrounded by thin strips of rubber to help isolate that cabin from some of the noise and vibrations of the suspension, the ball-in-socket design yields significantly lower amounts of lateral flex, helping to keep the STI's camber and toe in check under extreme driving conditions – the kind of stuff we tend to put a vehicle through on the way to the grocery store.



All told, Subaru says the changes have resulted in a .93 g pull on the skid pad. Not a bad improvement over the .90 g of last year's model. Since we can already hear the rancorous cacophony of fan boy keyboards in full assault over the fact that the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition managed a heady .92 g, allow us to point out that the new version borrows nothing suspension-wise from that model. Furthermore, don't expect to see the same stripped-down, less expensive SE in 2011 guise. The car won't make a return for the next model year.

Spring rates and skid pad numbers are interesting and all, but in the end, we only really care about how well the car scoots around a track. Subaru lined us up with both a 2010 and 2011 model and allowed us to clip off three laps on a small road course with each. The differences were night and day. While muscling the 2010 around the course, we were met with a fair bit of understeer and substantially more body roll than expected in a performance machine of STI caliber, especially given the car's otherwise firm ride. That meant that certain turns required a slower entry speed and our overall lap times were not up to par.



Jumping straight into the 2011, we were immediately met with more settled, planted suspension. The STI relied less on its sticky Dunlops to get around the course than its predecessor, and made us feel like we had more skill behind the tiller than we actually possess. For the first time in two years, the STI felt closer to what we remember from the first-generation bruiser – hard hitting acceleration blended with a sophisticated suspension and brake system.

Given the more aggressive spring rates, you'd expect the 2011 WRX STI to handle like hay cart on speed, but as we spent the better part of an hour slithering up and down the tarmac that clings to the mountains around Aspen, Colorado, we honestly couldn't discern a difference in ride quality between the new model and the old. We're assuming there's some fancy damper work going on here, but no one is saying for sure. The brakes remain colossal units from Brembo, complete with four-pot clamps and 13-inch rotors up front and two-piston calipers squeezing 12.6-inch discs out back. The system is fully capable of yanking your fillings out of your teeth if you get too liberal with the middle pedal. Yes, we love it.



We have to congratulate Subaru for rearming the STI. In a world of ever eroding performance in favor of poseur looks and not much else, the company has done an intelligent job of refocusing the car toward what made it a success to begin with. The big question, of course, is how much is all of that aggressive engineering going to cost you? That all depends on what you want out of life. Subaru will be happy to put you in the four-door WRX STI for a mere $33,995 – a mere $1,000 more than the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition went for in 2010 and a full grand less than the standard model.

Things get a little more pricey when you move to five-door trim, though. If you want the functionality of the hatch, get ready to pony up $35,995. Why the extra coin? Subaru is throwing in those sexy BBS wheels as standard equipment on the long-roof version of the car, a $2,000 option otherwise. The real tragedy of this scheme is that no matter how much you pay, you still can't get them the rollers dipped in the gold paint of the old rally warriors. That is, unless you bust out your own can of Krylon. Maybe next year.

Ford to limit 2011 Shelby GT500 production to 5,500 units

We've just gotten off the horn with Ford's SVT performance division, and we've learned that the Blue Oval's hot-rod arm is going to limit production of the 2011 Shelby GT500 to 5,500 units for this model year. According to Ford spokesman Henry Platts, the move is not the result of slow sales, but rather a desire to maintain exclusivity. In fact, sales of Ford's king of the Mustang range have "exceeded expectations," with in excess of 3,300 orders already placed.

The 550-horsepower GT500 has not only been performing surprisingly well in a down economy, it's been going out the door loaded-to-the sills with options. According to Platts, there have been three times as many GT500 coupes ordered with the $1995 glass roof option as compared to the regular Mustang. In the "News That Makes Us Happy" category comes word that a full 68 percent have been spec'd out with the $3,495 performance package (includes 19- and 20-inch painted forged alloys, 3.73 limited-slip, tuned suspension, Gurney flap rear spoiler, etc.), and additionally, 70 percent of all GT500s have been ordered with the $2,340 electronics package (navi, dual-zone HVAC and Sirius/HD radio). With the GT500 starting at an out-the-door price of $49,495 before options, we're guessing that the GT500 is more than carrying its weight for Dearborn's bottom line.

While Ford is limiting total output of the GT500 to 5,500 units for 2011, Platts says the automaker has no plans to dictate how that shakes out in the coupe/convertible bodystyle mix. That said, if you've been fence-sitting on whether to pick up a GT500 of your very own this year, might we suggest that you make up your mind... quickly.


[Source: Ford]

267.81 mph production class record set by Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport!

You’ve got to hand it to the guys at Bugatti as they build one fast automobile. When it came out in 2004 everyone was a bit taken back by the fact that it had two major talking points. First off was the $1.2 million price tag and second was the 253.5 mph top speed. Pinned as the ultimate GT car the Bugatti Veyron in stock trim made an amazing 1,001 hp and 922 lb-ft tq. from its quad-turbocharged W16 engine and rocketed its passengers from 0-60 in 2.2 seconds. Since that time though another car, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT has eclipsed the Bugatti’s record with an amazing Guinness Book of World Records run of 256.12 mph.

Not one to be satisfied with a mere 253.5 mph and second place, Bugatti decided to go out and once again shatter the production car land speed record with a verified run of 267.81 mph. To accomplish this amazing feet power output was raised from 1,001 hp to 1,200 hp and 1,106 lb-ft tq. up from 922. A new aerodynamic kit was also added. The top speed was also “limited” to 257.9 mph to keep the tires in one piece. If you want to view this masterpiece of speed you’ll actually be able to do so, but not until the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance in August. This record does make you wonder though what the guys over at SSC Ultimate Aero TT are doing now because you know damn well they’re not going to let Bugatti keep this title for long.

Kicherer foil-wraps Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, gives it 620 HP

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is an attractive and classy high-performance aspirational vehicle. Naturally, the tuner parade will seek to make improvements, regardless of necessity. In lieu of a works AMG Black Series, Kicherer has elected to create its own "Black Edition."

The neo-Gullwing is wrapped in matte black foil and gets blacked-out badging and grillework, a lip spoiler, and tweaked rear bumper details. Oh, and let's not forget the black wheels that look as if they came off the rack at your local tire store. Awful. Still, we're sure the valets at the Mall of the Emirates will be ecstatic.

Under the skin, Kircherer re-flashes the Benz's ECU, then adds a new exhaust system and adjustable suspension. Power output is supposedly elevated to a brawny 620 horses. We'll take that extra muscle and leave the tediously predictable appearance mods to others. Kicherer's website doesn't have any pricing info posted yet (as if you care, anyway). It does have techno music, though. Fist pumps all around.


[Source: WCF via Carscoop]

First Drive: 2011 Mazda2 puts fun before frugality

Mazda says there's a little bit of Miata in everything it does. While it's easy to chalk that up as marketing frippery, when the automaker launched the Little Roadster That Could back in 1989, it proved that great things can come from a machine developed to be simple, reliable and driver-focused. Even now, none of Mazda's wares offer class-leading fuel economy or practicality, but they've proven to be some of the best drivers in their segments. And as enthusiasts, it's easy to exchange a bit of functionality for a larger helping of fun.

Now, Mazda hopes to achieve this same sort of positioning within the B-car segment – a class that's grown substantially in America and is projected to double in size within the next few years. The 2011 Mazda2 comes to town right on the heels of its sister car, the Ford Fiesta, but as we found out after a lengthy drive through the city of Montréal and the countryside of Canada's Québec province, it's a wholly different machine. And while the Fiesta is sure to provide some serious competition for the 2, there are plenty of other well-to-do B cars in the U.S. that are ready to be sized up against the minuscule Mazda.

If you only look at the stats, you wouldn't think Mazda has positioned the 2 to be anything overly special. Not only is it the least powerful car in its segment, but it doesn't offer some of the clever technology or unique packaging to make it stand out from its kin. But Mazda is immensely proud of the new 2, and though we looked on with skeptical faces, the people in charge simply told us that the little hatch's story is best told on the road. So let's get to it.

Like the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda2 isn't a new car – it's just new to us (or U.S., as it were). The 2011 model is the mid-cycle refresh of a car that's been immensely popular overseas, so much so that it won the World Car of the Year award in 2008. In reshaping the 2's design, Mazda wanted to break away from what it calls the "mini-minivans" of the world – cars like the Honda Fit that have tall greenhouses and expansive windshields. Instead, the automaker opted for a more coupe-like design (its description, not ours) with muscular front fender arches and a pronounced shoulder at the rear. Mazda's corporate face is nicely integrated on the 2, and we're glad it's not as overdone as the maw on the larger 3. The 2's face is extremely similar to that on the current MX-5 (ahem), but it still reminds us of shoving orange wedges into our mouth during our elementary school lunchtime.

Simple design cues like the swooping beltline, raked rear hatch and short overhangs drive home the point that its main purpose is to provide driver enjoyment before anything else. The 2 shares the Fiesta's 98.0-inch wheelbase, but the overall length is only 155.5 inches – 4.6 inches shorter than the five-door from Ford, and while this reduction in length hurts the 2's overall cargo capacity, it makes for a crisp, chic design.



While we're on the topic, we asked Dave Coleman, Mazda's product development engineer, exactly how much of the 2 is shared with the Fiesta. Obviously, the platform is the same, and while there are many interchangeable parts found on both cars, Coleman tells us that only three parts are exactly identical, although he wouldn't share exactly what they are. Truth be told, we were expecting the 2 to be more closely tied to its Ford brethren, and if we're honest, it only improves Mazda's business case for the car. This simply isn't another rebadge job.

Mazda's offering its diminutive hatch in two flavors – Sport and Touring – and in total, there are only four different configurations: one engine, two trims, two transmissions, no individual options (though there will be a raft of dealer-installed accessories for those who want to stand out). Starting at a base price of $13,980 (including $750 for destination and delivery), Sport models ride on 15-inch steel wheels wrapped in 185/55 Yokohama Avid tires, while the Touring model swaps the steelies for a handsome set of eight-spoke alloys, still measuring 15 inches in diameter. The Touring rings in at $15,435, and a fully decked-out 2 will set you back a cool $16,985 when all is said and done. That isn't too bad, and positions the 2 nicely below the larger Mazda3 sedan and hatch, a car which has an average transaction price of $19,364, according to Mazda's number crunchers.



Inside, the 2's cabin is a toast to simplicity and intuitiveness. Granted, the design is a bit bland, and we can easily see how a smattering of aluminum accents here and there would spruce things up. Still, the interior is a big step away from what you'll find in the Fiesta, and though the Ford's cockpit is more comfortable and comes packing more tech-rich amenities, that extra kit comes at a price. Notice the (cough, cough) MX-5-spec steering wheel, the console-mounted shifter (with a very Miata-like stubby shift knob on manual models), and easy-to-read gauge cluster – things you'd expect in a car that isn't trying to impress you with bells and whistles.

Mazda's focus on keeping cost down does leave us with some quaffs about overall refinement, however. Some of the dash plastics feel cheap and clunky, and those front seats are severely lacking not only support, but overall comfort. The driver's seat is adjustable in six different ways, which allows for a relatively good seating position, but Mazda's omission of a telescopic steering wheel deserves a demerit, especially for short-legged drivers.



Where the 2's squat dimensions really take their toll, however, is cargo capacity. Even with the rear seats folded flat (well, almost flat), there's only 27.8 cubic feet of space. A Honda Fit can schlep 29.5 more cubic feet of haulables (here's to you, Magic Seats), and even the Nissan Versa and Suzuki SX4 are capable of carrying more goods. Could you fit a bike or a full load of groceries in the back of the 2? Of course. But if capaciousness is your thing, best to look elsewhere.

Keep in mind, however, functionality isn't the Mazda2's forte. Where the deal really gets sweet is from behind the wheel. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter inline-four, and while output is only rated at 100 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque, don't let the meager numbers lead you to believe the four-pot isn't a total workhorse. When we drove the Fiesta earlier this year, we noted that the hatch could definitely benefit from an additional 10 or 15 horsepower, especially in the low end of each gear. But the Mazda, which is down by 20 ponies compared to the Ford, feels quicker and is more willing to – please forgive us – Zoom-Zoom when mated to either transmission. Chalk one up for Mazda's engineering team.

Speaking of transmissions, you may be a bit curious about Mazda's choice to offer a four-speed automatic rather than the five- or six-cogged auto-boxes becoming standard practice across the automotive landscape. Mazda knows that not offering a six-speed automatic will hurt the 2 in terms of fuel economy (not to mention marketing), but the engineers are confident that using a four-speed with taller ratios and fewer instances of gear hunting will keep the car feeling spirited and more enthusiastic on the road.



We drove both transmissions, and while we definitely prefer the manual with its nicely executed shifter and easy to modulate if somewhat vague clutch, the four-speed slushbox isn't as ancient-feeling or out of place as you might think. After all, when you're only dealing with 100 horsepower, its best to keep the engine revving in the heart of the powerband, and having fewer gears allows this to happen with ease. As we mentioned, fuel economy takes the biggest loss here, as auto-equipped 2s only muster up 27 miles per gallon in the city and a modest – more the class – 33 mpg on the highway. The five-speed manual models don't improve those figures by much, offering 29/35 mpg. In a time when 40 mpg is becoming the new standard for small cars, this is sure to hurt the 2's appeal to consumers shopping across the segment. But as Mazda told us, the real attractiveness shows itself during the test drive.

Like the majority of B-segment cars, the Mazda2's suspension employs MacPherson struts up front and a torsion-beam axle out back. Our drive route through the Québec countryside offered up a smattering of both smooth and broken pavement stretches, and the 2 never felt crashy, nor delivered high levels of harshness over the rough stuff. You'll bounce around more in a Honda Fit Sport, and even the Fiesta's suspension feels somewhat stiffer in terms of damping. While engineering the new 2, Mazda was committed to saving as much weight as possible, and managed to cut out a total of 220 pounds versus the previous model sold overseas. Sport models with the manual 'box only tip the scales at 2,309 pounds, which is seriously waif-like in this day and age. This weight reduction not only makes the 100-hp mill feel more powerful when blasting down highways and back roads, but it gives the car a feeling of nimbleness and agility through the bends. A fair amount of body roll is present, but it's better than what you'll get in a Yaris or Versa. A lot better, in fact. Most small cars in this segment are designed to be on their best behavior at lower, city-cruising speeds, but the 2 begs to be driven enthusiastically.



What impressed the most was how the electric power steering matched the feeling of lightness, and Mazda dialed in a lot of driver feedback – a good thing, since a lot of electric racks can feel overboosted, especially at initial turn-in. This isn't Mazda's first crack at EPAS, though – the RX-8 uses a similar system, and we have very little in the way of complaints when it comes time to steer that rotary rocket.

In terms of everyday drivability, the 2 is a charming little whip. The powertrain isn't nearly as buzzy as some of the four-bangers under the hoods of its competition, and even though Mazda's main focus was reducing overall weight, this doesn't mean sound deadening was put on the backburner. The cabin is seriously quiet at speed with minimal wind, engine or tire noise flooding the cabin. It's easily up to the task of long-distance trips, but we might still err on the side of the Fiesta for long hauls, if only for its more supportive seats.



Naturally, we couldn't help but ask about the possibility of a Mazdaspeed2 making its way into production, and while Mazda has teased the idea in concept form, don't hold your breath for the real thing. Sure, the engineers would love to build one, but they're worried that the consumer base just wouldn't be large enough to support it and Mazda thinks there's a possibility that 'Speed3 sales could take a hit. Doubtful, but disappointing nonetheless.

Mazda is hoping to move 20,000 2s annually in the United States, marketing it with the tagline "Zoom-Zoom. Concentrated." The biggest trick will be driving home the fact that the 2 is a driver's car first, and a good all-rounder second. If any brand is going to do it, Mazda has the best chance. After all, unlike the Fiesta, the 2 doesn't need to prove to the world that its parent is capable of making great small cars (take a bow, Mazda3). No, you can't get navigation, ambient lighting, satellite radio or many of the features becoming more important to shoppers, but if you really, truly need these extras, there's a whole world of aftermarket equipment out there. We'd love to own a Fit when it comes time for an Ikea run, but for everyday driving, Mazda's offering is just a bit sweeter. Functionality is nice, but enthusiasts want something better poised to handle the main task at hand – driving.

Ford reveals refreshed 2011 Mondeo with 237-hp 2.0L Ecoboost

Ford of Europe has dropped the first official photos of the refreshed 2011 Mondeo, along with some details on the mechanical updates. The only substantive visual change is a reshaped front fascia with a larger trapezoidal lower grille similar to the Fiesta and the upcoming 2012 Focus, as well as reworked driving lights.

Behind that new grille Ford has added the same type of active shutters the Focus is getting to restrict air-flow at higher speeds or colder temperatures, reducing turbulence and aerodynamic drag.

The rest of the engine compartment is occupied by two new powertrain options, including a more powerful 237 horsepower version of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost inline-four that debuted earlier this year. At 179 grams per kilometer of CO2 emissions, the new Ecoboost will have the same fuel consumption as the lower power unit and 20 percent less than a V6 of similar power. This more powerful unit is likely the one that we will get in the Edge and Explorer for 2011. All of the Ecoboost engines are mated up a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift gearbox similar to the unit that just debuted in the Fiesta in North America.

The second new engine is a reworked 2.2-liter diesel inline-four that now puts out 197 hp, a 12 percent bump from the previous edition. The new Mondeos will will be shown publicly at the Moscow Motor Show in August and go on sale in the fall.

Review: 2010 BMW 335i Sedan is what we've been missing

We like to think of ourselves as a voice of the people – a place for the proletariat of the interwebs who clamor for an honest take on the latest automotive hardware. To that end, we've always viewed the constant stream of fawning over BMW with something of a jaundice eye. We get it. The company builds good products, but does it really deserve wave after wave of gushing prose in every car magazine? Even more troubling, does the 3 Series deserve its honored position as the benchmark against which all other mid-sized sports sedans must be measured?

In a word, yes. We say that almost against our plebeian nature, but if you've come searching for a scathing tear-down of the bread-and-butter 3, best point your clickers elsewhere. After a full week with the 2010 BMW 335i sedan, we've come to understand why the bastions of auto-journodom have spent the last 10 years drinking the BMW Kool-Aid. It's just that good. Read on to find out why the latest 3 Series continues the tradition.

BMW has had 35 years to get the 3 Series recipe just right, and stylistically, the car has never exactly shattered the mold with wild bodywork. While Bimmer fanboys continue to debate whether or not Chris Bangle was the brand's savior or Satan, no one will debate the fact that his work on the 3 Series was a much needed change of pace. To this day, Bangle's influence still lingers over the sheet metal of our sedan. While the "Bangle Bustle" never quite made it to the four-door's rear, the subtle creases and slight flares that came into the BMW bloodline under the designer's reign remain to this day. The look isn't something that we'd call outrageous, but it is quietly gorgeous.

Up front, the 2010 335i couldn't be mistaken for anything other than what it is. The nose wears the same flared nostril grille and round headlights as the rest of the Bavarian flock and the slight contour of the hood line gives the face something of a furrowed brow. As a result, you can't help but think that if this car could speak, it would do so in a series of guttural grunts and growls. Whatever the tongue, traffic seems to understand just fine – cars make room for the 2010 335i like a bad habit.



Our tester came dipped in Le Mans blue – a dark metallic paint that makes every crease and curve pop no matter the lighting. The sedan also wore a set of 18-inch, 15-spoke dancing shoes that are part of the $3,750 M Sport package. For that kind of change, BMW will be kind enough to equip your four-door with a slightly tweaked suspension and reworked aerodynamic cues, along with a speed limiter that allows a higher top end. We'll – ahem – have to take their word on that last part. Out back, the 335i can be differentiated from its less potent kin by the prominent dual exhaust and a reworked rear diffuser. When viewed from the rear, the car loses some of its menace, but the design is still plenty attractive.

The M Sport package brings with it a smaller, leather-wrapped steering wheel and an M-branded shift knob and door sills. Our tester also came with a snappy two-tone interior, complete with beige leather seats and a black dash with faux metal accents. The overall effect is attractive, though the M goodies seem at odds with the light-colored leather. That's okay, though, because that steering wheel and shifter feel fantastic in the palm of your hands, even if they look like the 335i is wearing a pair of running shoes with a three-piece suit.



While some buyers may find the dash a little plain, we're smitten by the fact that it isn't awash with unnecessary buttons or dials. In a world where most manufacturers have taken pains to turn their consoles into quasi functional art, BMW seems content to make everything easy to find and a cinch to operate – at least in this spec. A calm, uninterrupted line carries all the way from the instrument cluster to the passenger side door. And speaking of the instrument cluster, BMW has stuck with its standard two dials. There's a speedometer, a tachometer, and not much else.

The front thrones are supportive enough for long interstate hauls with bolsters capable of keeping your rear planted should you decide to fling the sedan through the mountains. The rear seats are also nice, but don't quite have the same derrière-gripping ability as what you'll find up front. They offer decent leg room, though, so passengers in the six-foot realm can reasonably fit back there, even for extended periods of time.

That's a good thing, considering we found ourselves hijacking our passengers for extended romps through a variety of backroads. Few things will talk you into taking the long way home quite like the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that BMW has used under the car's hood since 2007. The engine produces a dead even 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, and the muscle is enough to hustle the sedan's 3,593-pound curb weight through traffic. We noticed a considerable amount of lag below 2,000 rpm, which other 3 Series have complained about and BMW has acknowledged and attempted to fix at least once. That said, we expect this issue to be addressed with the 2011 model that features a single, larger turbo.

According to the specs, the inline-six manages to crank out its full torque from just 1,400 rpm, but the power simply isn't there until the mill begins to spin a little quicker. Fortunately, the revs build fast and it's easy to keep the engine where it needs to be thanks to the six-speed manual transmission. Shifts are quick and gear changes feel precise without being notchy. We did notice that hard shifts from first to second require a certain amount of patience, though that could have just as easily been attributed to the fact that our tester came with over 7,000 brutal miles at the hands of the cruelest of the cruel – auto journos.



Buyers familiar with typically weighty steering from BMW will find the tiller in the 2010 335i a comfort. The wheel feels a little on the heavy side while you're muscling around the parking lot of the local Target, but comes into its own should you decide to do any hustling down your favorite stretch of tarmac. Turn in is excellent and there's little doubt it could get around a track with purpose. That sensation is bolstered by the brakes on the 335i. With 13.7-inch discs up front, the sedan has no problem scrubbing speed for the corners or coming to a complete halt should you demand it. In all, it's the balance in the big bad 3 Series that kept the grin on our faces.

With a damn-near perfect 50.9/49.1-percent front/rear weight balance in manual transmission guise, the car begs to be flung around. Throw in springs that are firm without being brutal and spot-on dampening, and the turbo 3 series is – to put it lightly – magnificent to drive. Despite the button down exterior and executive interior, the 2010 335i has bones that are simply meant to be flogged and truly enjoyed – something we have a hard time saying for nearly any other car in this segment. From the bark of the dual exhaust to the bushels of grip and braking power, the 335i leaves little to complain about.



But hey, we're the motoring press. If we weren't complaining we'd be on a cold slab in the county morgue. According to the EPA, sane drivers should manage to see somewhere around 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway – decent numbers given the horsepower on hand here, but not exactly figures you'd want to bring home to your mother, either. Do some quick averaging, and you realize that combined fuel economy sits at a shave above 21 mpg. Speaking of naughty digits, BMW does make you pay for all of the engineering goodies that it's packed into the 335i. The car carries an MSRP of $40,600, and that's before you start adding on fun stuff like the M Sport package or special paint.

Set your eyeballs on that price tag, and it's easy to start nitpicking all that the 335i doesn't have as standard equipment. As a base model, you don't get navigation, satellite radio, a rear facing camera or any of the other tech goodies more economical manufacturers hand over for next to nothing these days. And at first, that really irritated us. But as the week drew to a close, we began to realize that the car's price tag wasn't wrapped up in useless electronics or bells and whistles we'd use once and then forget about. No, each and every penny in the 2010 335i is soaked into what matters most in a car to people like us – the engine, transmission, chassis and suspension. The 3 Series is a driver's car and it deserves every accolades it receives. The aforementioned 2011 model packing BMW's new N55 single-turbo engine should receive even more.