AC Schnitzer 99d is a $205,500 BMW Z4

BMW's decision to create the new 'i' sub-brand for the growing number of eco-conscious buyers has apparently rubbed off its partners like AC Schnitzer, as the German tuning firm will be launching a production ready concept based on the Z4 hardtop-roadster at next week's Geneva motor show.
Developed as an eco-friendly sports car that adapts to AC Schnitzer's new motto "Efficient Performance", the 99d gets its name from its CO2 emission levels and the diesel powerplant housed under its hood.
More specifically, the tuning house fitted the Z4 with the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamic's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. After some performance upgrades, the four-pot's output was lifted from 163HP and 380Nm, to 190HP and 420Nm.

AC Schnitzer says the 99d can go from naught to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 235km/h (146mph), while returning an impressive fuel consumption of 3.8lt/100km (61.9 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of just 99.18 g/km.
To achieve these striking numbers, the German tuner also reduced the roadster's weight by 230kg (507 pounds).
"With the AC Schnitzer 99d, we've succeeded in building the previously inconceivable: an up-rated performance vehicle whose CO2 emissions have been reduced to 99 g/km and which, despite its sustainability, offers pure driving pleasure. That's Efficient Performance by AC Schnitzer," the company said in a brief statement.
According to the tuner, the price of the 99d is €149,000 or about US$205,500 at today’s exchange rates, but that's about all the details AC Schnitzer is willing to release before unveiling the car at the Geneva Salon.


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New Aston Martin Virage Coup

Aston Martin has decided to further complicate its range with the presentation of yet another pair of cars that are virtually indistinguishable from the brand's other models (insert Cygnet joke here) - at least for the untrained eye. This time, Aston Martin has resurrected the Virage name for a new coupe and cabriolet that sit between the DBS and DB9. According to the company, the Virage "capitalises on the technology from the DBS and unites it with the comfort and refinement found in the DB9 and Rapide".



The Virage Coupe and the soft-top Volante are both powered by the company's familiar 6.0-liter V12 engine. Given that the same poweplant produces 477HP and 443 lb-ft in the DB9 and 517HP and 420 lb-ft in the DBS, it's only natural that the Virage's V12 would fit in between in terms of output delivering 497HP and 420 lb-ft of peak torque.
The V12 is matched to a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission mounted on the transaxle.
Aston Martin says the 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint comes in 4.6 seconds while the Virage can continue up to a top speed of 299 km/h (188 mph). In comparison, the numbers for the 477HP DB9 are 4.8" and 306 km/h (190 mph), and for the 510HP DBS, 4.3" and 307 km/h (191mph), respectively.
The Virage features a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with a specific tune, as well as a Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system with bespoke settings, and standard Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes.
On the outside, the Virage sports a new aluminium metal front grille with five horizontal vanes that's inspired by the One-77, along with a redesigned front bumper, a fresh interpretation of Aston's side strake with six LEDs on the front wings, different side sills and a re-profiled rear bumper.
Inside, the two Virage models come with a full leather interior complete with colored piping and several standard features such as cruise control, satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephone preparation and a 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby Pro Logic II and full iPod integration
In coupe form, the Virage will be available as a 2+2 or a strictly two seater as an option, the latter providing a rear parcel shelf, while also reducing weight.
The Virage will receive its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show next week and go on sale shortly after.
 
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Bentley Celebrates Ice Speed Record

To celebrate the 205.5mph (330.7km/h) world ice-speed record that was set two weeks ago by Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Continental Supersports convertible, Bentley has unveiled a new special edition version of its drop-top model that will be built in a limited run of 100 units.

To be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, the new Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ will be available in a choice of three bespoke paint colours - Beluga, Quartzite and Arctica White. Whatever color you choose, the soft-top is finished in a dark grey 'metallic look'. The special edition also gets new 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels with a dark tint finish that are wrapped in Pirelli 275/35ZR20 ultra high performance tires.

Inside, unique features to the ‘Ice Speed Record’ model include the high-gloss carbon fibre in a red weave finish on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel. The same theme continues with the red piping on the seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

Furthermore, the front seats and floor mats feature embroidered ‘Supersports’ legends while the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent.

The new Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ special comes fitted with Bentley's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged bio-fuel W12 engine that runs on both petrol (gasoline) or E85 bio-ethanol or any combination of the two. It produces 640-horses and 800Nm (590lb ft) of torque. Paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, it launches the all-wheel drive convertible from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.0s) and reaches 100mph from a standing start in only 9.5 seconds (0-160 km/h in 9.4s).

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BMW 1 Series Active E

The ActiveE is the production version of BMW's 2010 Detroit Motor Show EV concept of the same name and it will share the limelight with the Vision CD Roadster study at the Bavarian firm's Geneva Salon stand. BMW plans to build a test fleet of more than 1,000 units of the fully electric version of the 1-Series Coupe, and lease them to select customers in the USA, Europe and China. 

The ActiveE will serve as a test bed for technologies that will be incorporated into the into BMW's future electric models such as the Megacity EV, due in 2013.

Power comes from an electric synchronous motor that produces 168HP (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque, good enough to propel the 1 Series Coupe from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h). The electric motor draws power from three lithium-ion batteries, which replace the engine, transmission and fuel tank.

To increase the driving range, the electric motor also acts as a generator every time the driver takes his foot off the accelerator pedal. The recuperated kinetic energy is fed back into the batteries and the system also creates torque to slow down the car. BMW estimates that this way the autonomy can be extended by up to 20%.

Additionally, the ActiveE also has a “gliding mode”, in which the car is moved just by its own kinetic energy, and an Eco Pro mode that lowers the energy consumption of the heating and air conditioning system, while the accelerator uses less power with the same travel.

The EV can be charged in five hours using a 32-ampere wall box or overnight from a conventional household socket.

From a design standpoint, the ActiveE is set apart from its conventional counterparts by the electric circuit-inspired livery, a bonnet scoop and lack of tail pipes. Inside, the seats are covered in grey leather with contrasting blue stitching, accompanied by a revised instrument cluster.

According to the manufacturer, the four-seater ActiveE offers the same cabin space as a standard 1-Series Coupe, but has a reduced luggage space of 200-liters.

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