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Mini, Saab and reborn AC reveal latest ideas and models
publication date: Feb 24, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
A
new sub-Mini is being customer tested at next week's Geneva show.
The
MINI Rocketman Concept harks back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior
dimensions, while its technology points to the future of automotive design. A
3+1-seater with 3 doors and a length of just over 3 metres or approx. 10 ft,
The capacity of the luggage compartment can be adapted to passenger
requirements just as flexibly. |  | | The
two-part tailgate consists of one section which is attached to the roof and
opens extremely high, and a lower section which extends out of the body in the
form of a drawer. | | | |  | The new Saab 9-3
MY12 range, announced yesterday, features refreshed exterior and interior styling,
backed by a more powerful, fuel-efficient engine range.
Replacing the
current Saloon, SportWagon, Convertible and 9-3X specifications, the 9-3
MY12 range is distinguished by new front bumpers and signature Saab ‘ice block'
headlamps. Inside, the instrument panel, cabin décor and seat upholstery are refreshed.
| Two specifications are offered in the UK, SE and Aero. Under the bonnet,
new 2.0-litre petrol engines give 163hp and 220 hp and include direct
injection, variable valve timing and twin scroll turbocharging. Combined cycle
fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced on average by 4%
across the range.
These new engines
join the current 130/160/180 hp 1.9-litre TTiD twin turbo diesel line-up which
offers very competitive CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km in both the
Saloon and SportWagon - class-leading efficiency in terms of CO2
per unit of horsepower for the 180 hp variant. Further fine tuning has now also
delivered a remarkable 119 g/km for the SportWagon, together with equally
impressive 62.8mpg combined cycle fuel consumption. | | | | AC Cars, one of the
oldest and most prestigious world heritage automotive brands, which celebrates
its 110th birthday next month during the Geneva Show, is returning
to world's most important Show with its latest model, the 2011 AC MkVI.
The AC MkVI is a
high performance muscle car in the worthy traditions of the Cobra family which
couples the power of a classic 430 bhp American V8 engine as used in the Corvette and German build quality. |  | The design
incorporates a host of up to the minute features while sustaining all the dynamism
of a shape which has inspired motoring enthusiasts for more than five decades.
The car is on sale at a starting price of €109,000 plus taxes.
AC Cars is
establishing a dedicated AC Heritage Centre, located at the top of the historic
Brooklands test hill in Surrey and just feet from the famous banked race
circuit. The Brooklands AC Heritage Centre is the brainchild of Steve Gray, the
man behind the renowned car restorations company, Brooklands Motor Company, and
will be formally opened later in the year. |
 
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