April

From Channel4.com

This is Mazda's 3 MPS (Mazda Performance Series), a hot version of its Focus-sized (and, indeed, Focus-based) family hatchback that's set to take on the VW Golf GTI and Vauxhall Astra VXR.
It's reputedly going to debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, which means it'll probably become available in the UK early in 2006.


<img src="http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/M/mazda/3-mps/03-large/Mazda-3-MPS-001.jpg">

<img src="http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/M/mazda/3-mps/03-large/Mazda-3-MPS-002.jpg">

<img src="http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/spyshots/M/mazda/3-mps/03-large/Mazda-3-MPS-003.jpg">

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Lotus to compete with the next TT?

<a href="http://www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=213390">"A Lotus with mass appeal?"</a>

<img src="http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/sixcms/media.php/76/LOTUS-Coupe-final_450.jpg">

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A number of websites are showing this rear end of the replacement of Alfa's 147 - to be called the 148/149

<a href="http://www.italiaspeed.com/2004/cars/alfa_romeo/11/148/rear_end.html">"expect a similarly chiseled front end"</a>

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Audi said they were done with the A2, or are they?

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3127/a2.jpg">

From Autocar

"Next Audi A2 here (UK) in two years

Audi is planning a renewed attack on the premium small car ranks with a replacement for its slow-selling A2. The new car, tentatively codenamed Au250, is set to ditch the costly aluminium space frame of the current A2 for Polo-based steel unitary body construction. Ingolstadt top brass indicate that this will allow it to forge ahead with a number of body styles, including hatchback, coupé and convertible variants.

?^~The successor to the A2 is not yet completely finalised, but it will almost certainly adopt conventional construction,?^TM a high ranking Audi official told Autocar, adding, ?^~our current method provides a suitable hi-tech image but it is extremely costly to produce.?^TM

Until now Audi has been non-committal on a follow-up to the A2 since announcing that production of the first-generation model was to end this August. But with sales of premium small cars ?" such as BMW?^TMs Mini ?" on the rise across Europe it appears plans for a replacement have now been accelerated. The best indications are for the launch of the new model in late 2007.

The basis for the new small Audi is a platform being developed by parent company, Volkswagen. Known internally as PQ25, it is planned to underpin a bevy of different cars, including future VW Polos, Skoda Fabias and Seat Ibizas. Set to support both front- and four-wheel drive, Audi?^TMs plan is to modify the new structure with lightweight suspension components, as it has done with the A3?^TMs PQ35 platform, which is also found underneath the VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon.

Among the engines Audi is considering for the new A2 are improved versions of the existing 1.6-litre four-cylinder FSI petrol and 1.4-litre three-cylinder TDi units mated to a new six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.

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Watering down the M badge at BMW?

From automotive news:

M-BADGED SUVS? BMW CONSIDERING EXPANSION OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE UNIT?^TMS MODEL LINEUP

BMW could expand its M range of high-performance cars into SUVs and other models.

The X5 and X3 premium SUV models are possible contenders for new M variants, as are the 5 Series station wagon and the Z4 roadster.

Extending the M range would spell the end of the purist approach that the M division has followed since it launched its first car, the 1978 M1. This was a supercar co-developed with Lamborghini and styled by Italdesign Giugiaro.

Currently, BMW sells the M3, M5 and M6.

?oeWe have great potential to go into new segments with M models,” said M division CEO Ulrich Bruhnke.

Bruhnke said the success of the X3 and X5 SUVs shows that BMW can break out of its traditional segments.

No M badge for 1 Series

?oeIf we were asked to do such a model [an M-badged SUV], I am convinced we could do it,” he said.

Bruhnke feels there is room at the top of the X5 range for an M model. The current high-performance model would not be considered for an M-badge, he said.

An M-version of the 1 Series is unlikely, because it is not offered in the U.S., where half of BMW?^TMs M models are sold, Bruhnke said.

Even with an expansion of the lineup, an M model will never be just a higher-powered BMW, said Bruhnke.

?oeWe don?^TMt do labeling. M models cannot be just a variation. Handling and dynamic behavior are as important as linear acceleration,” he said.

BMW?^TMs M division employs 500 people. Between 1978 and 2004, BMW built 228,454 M models. More than 70 percent were M3 cars.

The company does not disclose the M division?^TMs profitability. But making a profit is not the only reason for the unit?^TMs existence.

It gives BMW cars that highlight the automaker?^TMs core value, which is to build cars that deliver performance and agile handling.

M models also serve as a test platform for new technologies, such as carbon-fiber applications:

?oeWe are a small experimental field for BMW,” said Bruhnke.

Bruhnke, 50, took over BMW?^TMs M unit in December 2003 after previous head Adolf Prommesberger retired. Earlier, Bruhnke ran Mercedes-Benz?^TMs AMG high-performance division, where he raised AMG?^TMs sales to 24,000 units from 10,500.

BMW has not yet decided how to expand the M range. Said Bruhnke: ?oeIt?^TMs very comfortable to have more ideas than capacity.”

A broadening of the M range could also eventually lead to a future mid-engined supercar in the tradition of the M1, Bruhnke said.

BMW displayed a 700hp V-12 concept X5 at the Geneva auto show in 2000. Said Bruhnke: ?oeThis showed what an M car based on the X5 could look like.”

lanemeyer

M5 wagon would be the shizzy.