First sighting of Mercedes M-Class
THIS IS the first sign that Mercedes is preparing the next generation of its M-Class SUV range, with the test car spotted close to the firm's German headquarters. While the new model will not be making forays onto forecourts until 2011 at the earliest, work seems to have started on the next generation.
In terms of looks, the car is not going to be radically different – at least this early iteration is not. However, sources suggest the focus of development is on making the car more environmentally friendly, and that will mean a significant reduction in weight and use of the latest cleaner engines. Alongside these, we can expect a plug-in hybrid version available from launch.
Twists in tales for both Porsche and Opel deals
EFFORTS TO protect Opel and Porsche took a twist that could change the ownership of both this week.
As Opel’s parent company General Motors began a bankruptcy hearing, GM Europe said it was talking to other potential buyers for Opel as it worked through problems with preferred bidder, Magna International.
Potential buyers include Belgium-based holding company RHJ International and Beijing Auto, said a spokesman. The Financial Times reported yesterday that RHJ was close to a deal to buy a stake in Opel.
Porsche said it will seek alternative ways to finance its debt after state-controlled bank KFW rejected a €1.75 billion loan application.
Porsche has struggled to get loans to refinance €9 billion in debt run up over the course of a takeover attempt of Volkswagen.
Porsche said this week that Qatar had made a written offer to the Porsche and Piech families that control the company. Qatar’s offer could help the company cut its debt and clear the way for a merger with VW.
Porsche and Volkswagen have been in talks to create an “integrated” automotive group.
BMW unveils most frugal 3-Series yet
BMW HAS revealed its most fuel-efficient 3-Series. The 316d uses the same 116bhp 2-litre diesel as the 116d – reviewed in Motors last week – a four-cylinder engine that uses just 4.5l/100km of fuel and, according to BMW, is capable of a range of over 1,280km. There are also savings to be made in tax; the car has CO2 emissions of 118g/km and will cost just €104 per year to tax.
The car uses Stop/Start technology and revised gearing to achieve these figures, but it is not totally at the expense of performance, with 260Nm of torque helping the car to a 0-100km/h time of 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 200km/h. This CO2 figure makes the 316d the most fuel-efficient car in its class and also has emissions lower than its key rivals.
The new BMW 316d Saloon goes on sale in September priced at €37,315 and will include air conditioning, multi-function leather steering wheel, front and rear Isofix child seat attachments and front fog lights as standard on the ES specification model.