CAR TALK
NEW SERIES M COUPE
This is the new 340hp BMW 1 Series M Coupé that will debut at January’s Detroit motor show. The twin-turbocharged car will have a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds which, amazingly, is just a fraction slower than the existing M3, despite the fact that the car will be a lot cheaper at £39,990 when it goes on sale in May 2011. Other tweaks include 19-inch alloy wheels and quad exhaust pipes.
FERRARI’S FAST CAR OF THE YEAR
The TV show Fifth Gear has nominated Ferrari’s stunning-looking 458 Italia as its “Fast Car of the Year”. The 4.5 litre, 560bhp, mid-engined V8 sports car can reach 62mph from standstill in just 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of more than 202 mph. The award follows a raft of other international awards including BBC Top Gear Magazine’s “Supercar of the Year” and “Car of the Year”, and GQ Magazine’s “Supercar of the Year”.
NISSAN LEAF TO BE CHEAPER TO RUN THAN THOUGHT
There’s been a lot of negative press about how expensive electric cars will be when they get here next year. But Nissan says its new electric LEAF car can be had for just under £400 per month, which should mean more people will be able to afford to “go electric” than previously thought. Running costs will be cheap; a full battery charge should cost just £2 and there’ll be no road tax and no congestion charge to pay.