The New BMW 4-Coupe

The New BMW 4-Coupe  - With the new 4-series BMW once again proves its innovative spirit. This time, not necessarily under the sheet metal, but in terms of marketing strategy. How does it work? On the basis of the sedan in decades to develop a convertible and a coupe version. The trick now is to this (elegant) variants visually and technically aufzuhübschen equipment and simply as an additional (obviously more upscale) to position range. Significantly higher price because of course included. 

Compared to the previous and the current 3 Series Sedan, the new BMW 4-Coupe comes with a longer wheelbase, wider track and lowered suspension, which lowers the center of gravity to less than 500 millimeters, marking the deepest center of gravity of the current program model of BMW. In this respect, the BMW 4-Coupe, according to BMW specifications "in driving dynamics, setting benchmarks in the segment" set.

 Not irrelevant to this objective: the engines. For the launch of the BMW 4-series coupe, six-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 435i Coupe, a four-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 428i coupe and a four-cylinder diesel in the BMW 420d Coupé are available. All engines with the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and cover a power range from 135 kW / 184 PS to 225 kW / 306 hp.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission. As an option BMW is also offering all engine variants, the eight-speed sports automatic to, the can also manually change gears using paddles on the steering wheel. For the model Start is for the two petrol optional all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive available.

Visually, the BMW 4-Coupe is very close to the 3 Series. As new elements, the 4-Coupe has behind the front wheel arches so-called Air Breather, reduce the air resistance in the wheel arches.
Besides the basic features three additional facilities and an M Sports package combinations are available. With the Sportline trim levels, Luxury Line and Modern Line can change the appearance of the vehicle exterior and interior customize.

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Chevrolet Spark EV : From mid-June to have for only 15,500 Euros

 Chevrolet Spark EV - More favorable than previously thought, the Chevrolet Spark EV in the U.S. from mid-June will be offered. Thanks to state funding of the price for the electric runabout for the urban jungle with the equivalent of just 15,500 euros is (20,000 U.S. dollars). However, the vehicle will initially be offered only in the U.S. states of Oregon and California. And who does not want to buy the U.S. electricity, which can also lease the cheapest electric car currently on the market, however. 2014, the car comes to Germany.

Chevrolet has now announced a real fight price for Electric Vehicle Spark EV. The equivalent of approximately 15,500 euros, it beats the competition à la Renault Zoe (20,000 euros excluding battery), Nissan Leaf (due to price reduction of $ 6000 for only 28,800 U.S. dollars), or smart fortwo electric drive for about 23,700 euros by a mile. Made possible by a government purchase premium, depending on the state for up to 7,500 dollars (5,800 euros) can be. In addition, you can lease the car of the GM subsidiary also. For 775 euros you can deposit the small Ami then move three years for around 150 euros per month (U.S. $ 199) eco-friendly around the corners of the city.

For a small car the Spark EV brings quite impressive performance figures. From the 20-kWh lithium-ion battery, the electric motor then sucks 136 hp. For a constant torque of 542 Nm is generated, whereby the Spark EV in 8.5 s speeds from 0 to 100 km / hr. A fully charged battery should last for a distance of 130 km. For city driving or commuting to the nearest big city so perfectly adequate. Who infects the electricity to the DC socket, which should have already charged 80% of capacity after just 20 minutes of charging. On normal 230 V AC connection then the whole thing should take between six and eight hours. The Ladekabelset required is supplied from the factory. In Germany you can then probably the electric Chevrolet folders 2014.

Images: © GM Group

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Nissan Micra facelift : Flat Ironed for Europe

Nissan Micra facelift: Flat Ironed for Europe - Actually, cars are often extremely visually smoothed out to match the tastes of as many customers. The facelift of the Nissan Micra now before you went unusually thorough and gave the car manufactured in Thailand, a new front design and a revised interior. Prices for the five-door apparently start at around 11,000 euros. From September there will be to buy the new Micra.

The revamped Micra comes with a confident, almost aggressively designed front. The true frog eyes flash forth on the two-part grille. Rear spoiler looks a little cheeky over the roof and gives the small city car a touch of sportiness. New tail lights and a revised bumper round off the stern.

The interior has been upgraded with many new small decorative parts and also with piano lacquer trim. New fabrics and materials should provide for seats and door panels for a certain value. The instruments should be better in the future to read. Nissan has also reworked infotainment system. The motors are nothing new.

The base engine is still the 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine with 80 hp. The next larger unit is the compressor-charged version with 98 hp. This engine will consume only 4.1 liters per 100 km. You can switch to a manual five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission. Even if you are still holding back a little with accurate pricing, the base version of the model 2014 is probably also not be much more expensive than the previously demanded 10,840 euros.

Photos: © Nissan

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