Meet the Lamborghini Urus ST-X – the one-make rallycross-esque racer that’ll hit tracks in its own series in 2020. We presume ST stands for Super Trofeo and the X refers to the Urus’s off-road all-wheel-drive capability.
The new racing series was announced, along with the reveal of the ST-X Concept, at the Lamborghini World Final in Vallelunga. The cars will compete throughout Europe, the Middle East and beyond on FIA-approved circuits.
Yes, those circuits will involve both on and off-road elements to test all ends of the Urus’s very broad envelope of talents. The series will offer an ‘arrive and drive’ formula, giving driving customers the complete car and support package.
How do you turn a full-size ‘Super SUV’ into a race and rally-prepped racer? You start by lopping out some weight – in this case, 25 percent of it. That’s a hefty 550 kilograms, or the mass of an Ariel Atom V8? How? A lot of that luxurious cabin will have been ripped out, along with sound deadening and much more, we imagine.
FIA-approved race bits include a roll cage, a fire suppression system and homologation-spec fuel tank. There are bigger air intakes, a subtly different rear spoiler and a vented bonnet to better feed and cool that 4-litre twin-turbo V8. New centre-lock alloy wheels, Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and a very Super Trofeo-style livery complete the Urus to racer transformation.
There’s no calendar for the series yet but the race-ready version of the ST-X should make its dynamic debut during next year’s Lamborghini World Final.
Much as the Urus has divided opinion, we quite like the idea of a grid full of these door-to-door racing on all surfaces. We wonder whether it’ll spawn a Performante version of the road car, too…
Launched in 1975, the BMW 3 Series changed the shape of the compact executive sector. Since then, some 14 million units have been built, making it one of the best selling cars of all time.
To mark the launch of the all-new seventh generation G20 3 Series at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, we take a look back at 43 years of the world’s best selling premium executive saloon.
The BMW 3 Series: this is your life.
BMW 2002
No history of the BMW 3 Series would be complete without first mentioning the BMW 2002. Introduced in the late 1960s, the 2002 laid the foundations for the 3 Series by forging a reputation for reliability and sharp dynamics. The BMW 3 Series couldn’t have asked for better parentage.
BMW 5 Series (E12)
The first 3 Series was designed to look like a smaller version of the BMW 5 Series, which had been launched three years earlier in 1972. Codenamed the E21, the first 5 Series would remain in production until 1984, by which time nearly 700,000 cars had been built.
1975: BMW 3 Series (E21)
Developed over a five-year period and at a cost of 35 million Deutschmarks, the BMW 3 Series – codenamed E21 – was unveiled in July 1975. It featured four different four-cylinder engines and was launched in the UK in October 1975. It was the smallest BMW ever developed and, at the time, the most comprehensively engineered.
Mercedes-Benz 190
The BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class would go on to become fierce rivals, but in launching the E21, BMW drew first blood. In fact, the Bavarians could afford not to offer a four-door version until 1983, by which time the Mercedes-Benz 190 (forerunner to the C-Class) was only just being unveiled.
1977: BMW 3 Series convertible
In 1977, the first left-hand-drive BMW 3 Series convertible was launched in the form of the E21 Baur convertible. It harked back to the effortlessly pretty 2002 Baur convertible (as shown here).
BMW 323i of 1977
In the early days, prospective BMW owners could choose from the entry-level 316, the 318, the 320 and the range-topping 320i, with the ‘i’ denoting fuel injection. But in 1977, BMW unveiled a new range of six-cylinder engines for the 3 Series, the ultimate of which was the 323i, complete with a fuel-injected 2.3-litre engine.
Motorsport debut 1977 – BMW Junior Team
The 3 Series made its motorsport debut in 1977 when BMW Motorsport entered a BMW Junior Team in the 1977 German Championship. Although early days, BMW – and in particular the 3 Series – would go on to develop a strong relationship with the track.
1982: BMW 3 Series (E30)
BMW sold 1.36 million E21s, making it a phenomenally successful car. But that’s nothing compared to the E30 3 Series of 1982. If ever a car put a company on the map, the E30 did for BMW. A stalwart of the 1980s, the E30 would shift 2.22 million units, helped in part by its Swiss Army Knife levels of versatility.
BMW 3 Series: optional extras
As it developed, the E30 would offer a bewildering array of options and accessories. Who else could offer a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive compact saloon powered by anything from a lowly diesel engine to a high-powered M3 version? The E30 would also cement BMW’s relationship for being – how should we put it – a tad miserly with the spec sheet. A competitive screen price may have lured the punters in to the showroom, but they soon found that many extras would need to be paid for.
BMW 3 Series: four-door arrives
In 1983, BMW launched the first four-door version of the 3 Series, a version that would be critical to the model’s long-term success. The B-pillar was pushed eight inches forward to make room for the extra door.
BMW 325i
The 3 Series gained a new flagship in September 1985 with the launch of the new 325i. Thanks to its 2.5-litre engine, the 325i offered performance levels comparable to the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco, Toyota Supra and Porsche 944, but in a more conservative and practical body.
BMW 324d
At the opposite end of the spectrum was the 324d, the first diesel-powered BMW 3 Series. A turbocharged version – the 324td – would arrive two years later.
BMW E30 Touring
The original 3 Series Touring – or estate – wasn’t developed by BMW at all. Well, not as such. It was the work of Max Reisbock, a BMW engineer, who found the saloon version wasn’t practical enough for his growing family. So he bought a wrecked 323i and converted the car himself. BMW liked the design so much, a factory version was built with only minimal changes to Max’s original design.
BMW E30 M3
The E30 M3 is quite simply one of the greatest performance cars of all time. Launched at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, the first M3s would be unleashed in a cloud of tyre smoke a year later. An output of 200hp may not seem like a great deal in an age when a hot hatch won’t get out of bed for less, but the M3 had rear-wheel drive and 50:50 weight distribution on its side.
BMW E30 M3 Touring Car
Of course, the E30 M3 road car was developed for homologation purposes, allowing BMW Motorsport to go racing. And go racing it did, competing with great success in the British, French, Italian and German Touring Car Championships, as well as at the Nürburgring 24-Hour. BMW needed to build 5,000 road cars. It actually built nearly 18,000. Enough said.
BMW 3 Series and the rise of the yuppies
Yuppies: young, upwardly mobile professionals. In the 1980s, no aspirational and wealthy Londoner would be seen without a mobile telephone, big hair and an appropriate set of wheels. For many, the BMW 3 Series was the vehicle of choice. Sales rocketed, but the 3 Series would develop an unfortunate image that would take years to shake off.
BMW Z1
The E30 3 Series also spawned one of the most striking sports cars of the era: the delightful BMW Z1. It used the E30’s platform and the 2.5-litre engine from the 325i, plus it and featured a pair of trick doors, which ‘disappeared’ into the door sills. It was the first BMW Z car.
1990: BMW E36 3 Series
As the 1980s gave way to the 1990s, BMW launched the third generation 3 Series, otherwise known as the E36. It was a case of out with the old and in with the new as the E36 shared virtually nothing with its predecessor. Noticeably bigger than before, the new 3 Series also featured a pair of double headlights, now sat behind glass covers.
BMW Z3
Like the E30 before it, the E36 spawned a sports car of its own, this time in the form of the BMW Z3. This was the first BMW to be built in the United States and it was propelled into the public eye by its appearance in the 1995 film, Goldeneye.
BMW 318tds
Although far less glamorous than James Bond or a two-seat roadster, the BMW 318tds of 1994 represents another milestone in the model’s history. It was the first four-cylinder diesel engine to be fitted to a BMW 3 Series.
BMW E36 M3
But we don’t want to give you a four-cylinder diesel. Not when you can have a firecracker of a BMW M3. The E36 is rarely ranked alongside the best of the M3s, but the M3 Coupe remains a thing of beauty. And the 3.0-litre straight-six engine represented a new era for the badge. Saloon and convertible versions would follow and BMW would shift over 71,000 units, making it hugely successful.
1993: BMW 3 Series Compact
The purists weren’t impressed with the BMW 3 Series Compact of 1993, but there’s no doubting the business case for it. Essentially it was a smaller, hatchback version of the E36 and it helped BMW reach an entirely new audience. Think of it as a forerunner to the current 1 Series.
1998: BMW E46 3 Series
Fast forward to 1998 and the launch of the fourth generation (E46) BMW 3 Series. From a sales perspective, the new 3 Series picked up where the old car left off, breaking the three million units mark for the first time. In total, 3.27 million E46s were built.
BMW E46 M3
If the E36 M3 was a little soft for some people, the E46 M3 was a welcome return to form. Its 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine would propel the M3 to a top speed of 150mph, sprinting past 62mph in just 5.2 seconds. It was good. Like, really good. But it will forever live in the shadow of the ultimate E46 M3…
BMW E46 M3 CSL
The legendary E46 M3 CSL. By shedding 110kg of weight and upping the power, BMW created a performance icon. The 0-62mph time now slipped under the five-second mark. The M3 CSL was quite simply one of the most driver-focused cars of its day. If you get the chance, you must drive one.
BMW 320Cd Convertible
For those who prefer boulevard cruising to kissing the apex, this is perhaps more suitable. The BMW 320Cd Convertible of 2004 was the first open-top BMW to feature a diesel engine. Yes, we know, we’d prefer a CSL, too.
2005: BMW E90 3 Series
We’re getting rather close to the modern era now with the E90 3 Series of 2005. Barely 13 years old, the E90 is still a familiar sight on Britain’s roads, especially on motorways and in office car parks. The World Car of the Year judges clearly liked it, as it won the award in 2006. To confuse matters, the E90 was a saloon, E91 a Touring, E92 a coupe and E93 a convertible. Remember the days when BMW codenames and models were simple?
BMW E90 / E92 M3
Breaking with tradition, the M3 now featured a V8 engine. Talk about the end of an era. Sadly, despite the 4.0-litre V8 engine, the new M3 weighed in at 1,655kg, so it was hardly the featherlight CSL of yesteryear. Still, it did spawn some tasty special editions, including the last-of-the-line M3 Coupe. It’s rather orange.
2012: BMW F30 3 Series
And so to the current era and the outgoing sixth generation BMW 3 Series. Codenamed the F30, the 3 Series was unveiled in 2011 and launched in 2012. You’ll probably remember it from the 2012 London Olympics, where it was the most widely used support vehicle.
BMW F30 M3
Right, bear with us on this, because you can no longer buy an M3 Coupe. But you can still buy an M3. Just only in four-door guise. If you want an M4 Coupe, you’ll need to buy the M4. Got that? In both cases, the V8 has been ditched, with BMW now favouring the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder unit. It’s a welcome return to form for the iconic badge.
BMW F32 4 Series
The four-door 3 Series is no more. If you want one, you’ll have to buy a new BMW 4 Series instead…
BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo
Or, if you fancy something slightly different, you can opt for the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. It’s more practical than a 3 Series Touring and offers more rear legroom than a 5 Series. And yes, despite us telling you otherwise, it is a BMW 3 Series with four doors…
BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3
The BMW 3 Series ActiveHybrid 3 was a thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic 3 Series recipe, featuring as it did, a hybrid powertrain. That said, at £42,000 it was very expensive and you’d probably be far better off with a cheaper, diesel-engined 3 Series. The more recent BMW 3 Series iPerformance is no longer available to order.
BMW X3
Alternatively you could opt for the incredibly popular BMW X3. These things offer rock-solid residual values and further proof that the 3 Series platform remains as versatile as ever.
BMW 3 Series: British Touring Car Championship
A change in focus here, because racing cars will always be more exciting than SUVs and crossovers. The BMW 3 Series has enjoyed great success in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), especially in the 1980s and 1990s. Frank Sytner, Will Hoy, Tim Harvey, Joachim Winkelhock and Colin Turkington all drove to the Championship at the wheel of a 3 Series. And Steve Soper (seen here) was a track legend.
BMW 3 Series: German and World Touring Car Championship
The BMW 3 Series was also successful in both the German and World Touring Car Championships. Indeed, the Briton, Andy Priaulx, performed heroics at the wheel of a BMW 320, winning the World Touring Car Championship in 2005, 2006 and 2007. He also won the European Touring Car Championship in 2004.
BMW 3 Series: European Car of the Year?
Strangely, for all its success, the BMW 3 Series has never won the European Car of the Year trophy. The closest it came was a second place in 1976, when it was sandwiched between the Simca 1307-1308 and Renault 30 TS.
BMW 3 Series: production figures
But neither of those cars have had quite the same level of success. In fact, the BMW 3 Series is the most successful premium car of all time, shifting 14 million units in 43 years. That’s more than the Vauxhall Corsa. BMW deserves credit for managing to balance exclusivity and popularity. Must be all that practice with the acclaimed 50:50 weight distribution…
2019: BMW 3 Series (G20)
The new 2019 BMW 3 Series was unveiled at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, before going on sale early next year in Europe. The new car is 10mm lower than its predecessor, as much as 55kg lighter and features the most powerful 4-cylinder engine ever fitted in a BMW production model. The automotive world is holding its breath to get behind the wheel…
Read more:
New 2019 BMW 3 Series breaks cover at the Nürburgring
The Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar is going through a difficult gestation, as engineers struggle to mould its F1-derived powertrain into a smooth-running and emissions-compliant road car engine.
Breaking news: a Formula 1 engine is neither environmentally friendly nor any good at low revs. Joking aside, even all the automotive brains at Mercedes-AMG are having a job reworking the Project One’s petrol-electric V6 for road use – more so than even they anticipated.
Given this is much more the racetrack refugee than many cars in the past that have claimed to ‘bring F1 to the road’, the challenges in this transition are very real.
It’s mostly to do with revs and holding a steady. low idle. F1 cars idle at 5,000rpm and rev out to 15,000rpm. This road-going supercar needs to idle consistently and cleanly at 1,200rpm – and be able to do so for extended periods of time.
The challenges have set the AMG team back around nine months. It’s worth remembering that it’s highly likely these cars will see more action on Park Lane and Sloane Street than at Spa or Silverstone.
The Project One is currently testing at various power levels, running through 40 percent of potential, 60 percent and 80 percent. What the production car will produce will not be known for some time, while they crack it as a viable road car powerplant.
At present, buyers can expect to start receiving their cars in 2020.
Price for the new 2019 Honda CR-V Hybrid have been confirmed: it will start from £29,105 and Honda dealers will take their first deliveries from February 2019.
The ‘electrified’ CR-V follows the petrol-powered CR-Vs launched back in the summer, and is the fuel-saving option from the range. Honda will not be offering a diesel version of the new CR-V.
Because the hybrid battery gear takes up a bit of space in the back, Honda’s only offering it in five-seat guise. Buyers will, however, be able to choose between two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. They’ll all come with an eCVT automatic gearbox.
Honda proudly tells us the Honda Sensing suite of safety tech comes as standard on all models. This means every CR-V Hybrid will feature auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and even a system that helps stop drivers running off the road.
SE models will build upon base S grade with parking sensors and a rear-view camera. SR and EX add blind spot warning, with SR offering leather interior, active cornering lights and keyless go.
EX is the range-topper and has a head-up display, panoramic glass roof, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and a hands-free electric tailgate.
The 2WD range comprises S, SE and SR, with 4WD stretching from SE, SR and EX. Prices are, on average, around £3,100 higher than the 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo base model, although not only is the 2.0-litre a high-tech hybrid, it also has the automatic gearbox as standard.
“The CR-V Hybrid is the first step in achieving our objective of electrified powertrains accounting for two-thirds of our European sales by 2025,” said Phil Webb, head of car at Honda UK.
“In a marketplace that is going to become increasingly competitive as time goes on, the CR-V is well placed to achieve strong sales results and we have high expectations for this car.”
The Lamborghini SC18 is a one-off creation for a secret customer that takes the Aventador supercar and turns the dial up yet further. As if that was even possible.
The first road-going car created by the Squadra Corse racing division, the SC18 (‘Squadra Corse 18’, we’re presuming) is primarily optimised for the track and features an array of motorsport-spec upgrades to make it mesmerizingly fast against the clock.
Lamborghini Squadra Corse worked with the Centro Stile Lamborghini styling department to design the car – and the collaboration has been so successful, the firm says it “paves the way to further personalised development projects for motorsport customers under the Squadra Corse brand”.
Visually, it’s all about aerodynamics. At the front, Lamborghini’s added on air intakes that mimic the Huracan GT3 Evo racing car. Further back, the extreme scoops and fins are drawn from the Huracan Super Trofeo Evo.
The rear wing is made from carbon fibre and can be adjusted three ways, to hone downforce no matter what the circuit.
Wheels feature a motorsport-style central nut, with 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Rather amazingly, it rides just 109mm off the ground. It’s road-legal, but you’re probably best avoiding speed humps.
The bodywork is made entirely from carbon fibre, cutting weight, and Lamborghini has painted it in a special Grigio Daytona paint colour but left the carbon weave exposed in certain areas. Sections of red-screen printing “enhance its sportiness”.
The V12 engine (sourced from the Aventador SVJ) produces 770hp. There is a bespoke exhaust system “with a unique design and sound”. 12 red-accented air intakes on the rear engine cover help hot air escape better, improving the cooling during hard-driven track day sessions.
Just look at it. Pretty wild, huh? And it’s just the first of many such ‘one-offs’ we can look forward to in the future, by the sounds of it. If you like your Lambos even more extreme than they already are, Squadra Corse is now here to deliver.
Rising fuel prices are causing unrest across the channel, with an estimated 290,000 people taking part in road-blocking protests and marches over the weekend by people wearing yellow vests.
The plan was for traffic to be either slowed down or stopped entirely during the protests, which were planned for Saturday 17 November.
Action took place at more than 2,000 locations across France and was largely peaceful, say reports. However, the scale of the protests saw around 400 injured as demonstrations continued throughout the night and into Sunday.
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A female protestor was killed, reports the BBC, after a driver was surrounded by protestors. They reportedly panicked and accelerated into the crowd.
The action is due to cover almost the entirety of the country, as demonstrated by the interactive map of yellow vests. If that sounds extreme, consider that within a year, fuel prices have increased 14 percent and 23 percent for petrol and diesel respectively.
The price of diesel at the pumps in France is now £1.32.
What’s more, further taxes are due to be added at the beginning of 2019 A further rise of 2.9 cents and 6.5 cents for petrol and diesel is projected for Jan 1 2019. The markedly higher cost of diesel suggests the French government is penalising diesel drivers.
In a poll conducted by French motoring title Auto Plus, 82 percent of respondents (that’s more than 3,000 people) said they would be ready to demonstrate against “soaring prices at the pumps”.
BBC News said that over the weekend, the protests were still approved of by three quarters of the population.
Five years after hitting the three-million miles mark in his Volvo P1800 S, Irvin ‘Irv’ Gordon has died. The news was posted on a fansite quoting his daughter, who said: “I am posting today to let everyone know that my father Irv Gordon passed away today.”
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Gordon covered an estimated 85,000 to 100,000 miles per year, driving the 1966 Volvo on a daily basis and taking part in many events. Once, he drove from New York to Vancouver, a distance of approximately 3,000 miles.
His fanatical dedication to vehicle maintenance and a passion for driving made the retired science teacher a celebrity within car circles and a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest vehicle mileage.
Couldn’t stop driving the car
He bought his Volvo on a Friday in June 1966 for $4,150 (the equivalent of a whole year’s salary) at the age of 25. He couldn’t stop driving the car, and by the following Monday, it was already time for the car’s 1,500-mile service.
A 125-mile round-trip daily commute contributed to the car clocking 500,000 miles in just 10 years, and by 1987 he had already celebrated one million miles behind the wheel. In 2002, he drove the car’s two-millionth mile down Times Square in his native New York.
For the three-millionth mile record, the Volvo was transported to Alaska, with Gordon following by plane. He chose the Kenai Peninsula as the location for the amazing milestone, setting a record for the longest mileage achieved by one man and one car.
‘An outstanding gentleman’
In a statement in 2013, Volvo said: ‘Volvo Cars and Volvo Cars Heritage proudly express their congratulations to an outstanding achievement, done by an outstanding gentleman and his outstanding car!
‘This is by far the best proof of Volvo quality, longevity and reliability one could possibly ask for. And Irv Gordon is the man who has done it.’
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Volvo rewarded his achievement with a new XC60, with Gordon saying he planned to “spend a great deal of time in it” to give his 1800 “a bit of a break”.
He had “no intention of trying for four million [miles]” as he would be “on the road in air-conditioned comfort for a change”. Four years on, the P1800 S has outlived even Gordon himself.
The P1800 S certainly enjoyed a form of semi-retirement, but by May of this year, it had hit 3,250,257 miles. In a rather poignant interview in the summer, Gordon said: “I expect that I’ll still be driving the car until there’s nothing left of me.”
Mirror Indicate, the company behind the cycling accessory of the same name, claims that this is the world’s first combined mirror and indicator with intelligent firmware to improve your safety on the road.
The Cheshire-based business is convinced that it has ‘made a major breakthrough’ in road safety for cyclists, designing wearable technology that combines a shatterproof mirror and an indicator that fits on the right hand.
Once the device has been strapped in place, the cyclist can check the view behind simply by holding their hand at 45-degrees, like a salute. Touching the lens onto a magnet secured to the bike frame or handlebar turns the indicator on or off, alerting upcoming and ongoing traffic of your intention to turn.
According to Mirror Indicate, this new tech is designed to address the dangers of road junctions, where 75 percent of pedal cyclists are injured. Failing to look properly is the primary cause of the accidents leading to these injuries.
‘Makes traffic accidents less likely’
The inventor and managing director of Mirror Indicate, Paul Tolley explained the history behind the company and product, “I’ve been cycling for ten years and always struggled turning right on busy roads.
Turning round to check traffic, then worrying if you can be seen was a problem and the only way to solve it was to develop Mirror Indicate.”
“With handlebar-mounted mirrors mean you get blind spots and usually have to set them before each journey. Using a mirror on the hand you indicate with just feels right and coupled with the brightest flashing indicator we could find, this makes a huge difference to the way you ride and your confidence on the road.
“Cycling helmets make accidents safer – Mirror Indicate makes traffic accidents less likely.”
The product, which has been developed over the past ten years, is available online for £44.95 plus postage.
The latest research claims the average car owner manages to enjoy just nine hours of motoring every week.
According to the survey – conducted by Turo, a kind of Airbnb for cars – a car will spend 159 hours a week either idling on the driveway, parked in the garage, or outside a home or place of work.
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Turo also says that a car that cost £14,217 new would lose 60 per cent of its value over the first three years, at a rate of £2,843.33 a year. This means that its value will drop by around £50.88 a week – or 32p for every minute it is motionless.
Xavier Collins, a spokesperson for Turo, said: “Many of us are happy to spend a small fortune on our cars, it’s often one of the biggest investments we make. Yet, despite all this, we never truly release their full potential.
“I think we’re starting to see a trend in consumer behaviour as they look to the sharing economy to provide them access to the resources they require but don’t own. For the vast majority of adults, their car sits unused for most of its life.”
In an effort to build awareness of its peer-to-peer car-sharing service, Turo’s data also found that four in 10 Brits have gone two weeks or longer without using their car, usually when they’re on holiday.
One in three admitted feeling as if their car is wasting their money when it’s not being driven. But how many owners would feel comfortable sharing their beloved car with complete strangers?
Your car could earn you £500 a month
Xavier Collins said: “Cars have, for too long, been our most depreciating investment, but that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. We are motoring enthusiasts and love our cars too, so we understand owners concerns about sharing out their prized motors.
”We set up comprehensive insurance cover that gives each host the security and peace of mind to put their car on Turo. The average host on Turo can earn more than £500 a month. We are used to earning back from our houses when they are not occupied, so why not do the same with our cars?”
Speaking at the UK launch of the 2019 model year Levante, Mike Biscoe, Maserati GB General Manager, confirmed that demand for the diesel-powered version of the SUV was still strong. There are also no immediate plans to add hybrid power to the premium 4×4 model.
With 275hp from a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, the diesel Levante has marked the least costly route into ownership of the Italian-built SUV.
However, the new 2019 Levante sees the addition of a new turbocharged V6 petrol engine, offering a more affordable option for buyers wanting to eschew diesel power. Built by Ferrari in Maranello, the new 350hp version of the 3.0-litre V6 engine bridges the gap in the Levante range between the diesel model and higher-powered 430hp petrol Levante S.
With a list price of £61,425, the new 350hp petrol Levante undercuts the Levante S by more than £11,000. The diesel Levante is still the cheapest model at £58,315.
The Levante is of key importance to Maserati brand, accounting for 50% of total sales for the brand. Sales in China and North America have also proven to be significant, with the Levante GTS recently being crowned as the ‘SUV of Texas’ for 2018.
Adding a luxury SUV to the range has also proved significant in attracting new customers to the brand. Some 90 percent of Levante buyers are new to Maserati, with 70 percent attracted from key competitor brands.
Along with the addition of the new petrol engine, the changes to the 2019 model year Levante aim to ensure it remains competitive against rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q8.
Revised exterior styling for the GranSport trim level, a wider range of exterior and interior trim choices, and updates to the infotainment system are part of the revisions.
Launched in 1975, the BMW 3 Series changed the shape of the compact executive sector. Since then, some 14 million units have been built, making it one of the best selling cars of all time.
The Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar is going through a difficult gestation, as engineers struggle to mould its F1-derived powertrain into a smooth-running and emissions-compliant road car engine.
Price for the new 
The Lamborghini SC18 is a one-off creation for a secret customer that takes the 
