BMW X4 COUPE CONCEPT REVEALED

BMW X4 Conceptpictures have emerged all around the web. Luckily for you, we also have a few. The X4 is essentially a “coupe SUV” in the mould of the X6, but smaller at about 4.6 metres in length. It will be based on the existing X3 but will feature a different design that’s more athleticand sportier.

X4 follows BMW’s new badge naming philosophy that says sedans can retain odd-numbers while coupes go with even ones. Hence the new 4 Series Coupefor example.

So in terms of engines, we’ll be seeing the same sort of thing as you find in the X3, meaning 2.0-litre turbo pulling out 135kW and 180kW, the 3.0-litre turbo worth 225kW or a bit more and some diesels in the mix. Word is also rife of an X4 M, which will topple 300kW.

The car will be unveiled later this month at the 2013 Auto China in Shanghai. We’ll probably see the real thing deal at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) in October as well.

Post Title → BMW X4 COUPE CONCEPT REVEALED

Charterhouse Auction is a Classic Sale

With over 70 classic and vintage cars & motorcycles, the Charterhouse sale of motoring history will be a date not to be missed for vehicle buffs and enthusiasts, when they all go under the hammer at Shepton Mallet, on Sunday 21st April. 
“We have had a huge entry for this auction being held at The Royal Bath & West Showground at Shepton mallet.” Commented Charterhouse classic car specialist Matthew Whitney. “It just proves the confidence our vendors have in us and in the classic car & motorcycle market. This is the level of lots which we had entered into these specialist sales before the recession started, confirms our position as a market leader and means we cannot wait to get up on the rostrum!”
Top marques including Rolls Royce and Bentley feature heavily in the line up of cars, alongside road or racing motorcycles with Harley Davidson, Triumph and MV Augusta to name but a few. For buyers looking for a restoration project for just a few hundred pounds there is variety such as a Rover P4 105S and a Gilera enduro trials moped. For those looking for a larger project, a very rare 1956 Ford Thunderbird could be tempting and rewarding at £5,000-6,000, or a Triumph TR6, needing final completion, could be a bargain as it is offered for auction without reserve.
In the mid market there is a great selection of on the button and ready to enjoy vehicles including several Mercedes sports convertibles from the 1970/80’s, a pre-war Rover 14 drop head coupe at £12,000-15,000 or a 1957 MGA roadster for the same money. Similarly, for bidders who prefer two wheels, there are rare survivors such as a beautifully Yamaha FS1-E moped at £3,700-3,900, a concours winning 1961 Triumph Speed Twin for £5,000-6,000 and an MV Augusta £12,000-15,000.
However, moving up through the more valuable and sought after vehicles, you can bid on a 1985 Porsche 911 Turbo in totally original condition and with just 15,500 recorded miles, it is one for the serious collector at £40,000-50,000, or the same money, the unique Rover P5 Panelcraft drop head convertible could be yours. However, topping the auction is a 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II with an auction estimate of £100,000-120,000.
For full details of this important classic car and motorcycle auction, either contact Matthew Whitney at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277, or you can browse through all the lots on www.charterhouse-auction.com
Charterhouse is still accepting late entries for this auction, and for their May auction of silver, jewellery, watches and wine. To arrange a free home visit, contact Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, Dorset 01935 812277 or via email on info@charterhouse-auctions.co.uk

Star Cars being sold by Charterhouse on Sunday 21st April
1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II £100,000-120,000
1956 Ford Thunderbird restoration project £5,000-6,000
1961 Triumph Speed Twin £5,000-6,000
Pre-war Rover drop head coupe £12,000-15,000
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For further information regarding this article, please contact Richard Bromell, Partner

Post Title → Charterhouse Auction is a Classic Sale

PEUGEOT 208 LEADS PACK IN EUROPE

In February 2013, the Peugeot 208 confirmed its position as leader for the 3rd consecutive month in the European B segment (hatchback).
 

A few weeks before the much anticipated launch of its distinctive 208 GTi and 208 XY versions, in February the Peugeot 208 confirmed its position as leader in the hotly contested European (29 countries) B segment hatchback category, which it had conquered in December 2012.

With 20 700 registrations, it was ahead of the VW Polo and the Renault Clio IV on the podium.

The growing strength of the 208, linked partly to the now complete availability of the 3-cylinder 1.0 litre and 1.2 litre petrol engines, is set to continue. In February, the heir to the Peugeot 2-series saga recorded a new monthly high for orders in Europe (26 000).

The growing sales of the 208 are accompanied by a particularly high end model mix: cumulatively since launch, and even before sales of the 208 GTi and 208 XY start, nearly 40 % of customers has chosen the upper versions (level 3 and 4).

“Our teams of engineers have created an outstanding car. The level of satisfaction of our numerous customers is testimony to this. Despite these difficult times, the results are there, on track with our objectives and we are on the offensive more than ever” declared Maxime Picat, Peugeot Brand CEO.

STORY BY PEUGEOT

Post Title → PEUGEOT 208 LEADS PACK IN EUROPE

TOYOTA STILL TOP CAR BRAND

Toyota remains on top of the international automotive world in terms of total brand value, with the company coming in at US$26* billion. New research by leading brand valuation and marketing consultancy Brand Finance says Toyota's brand value rose six per cent last year from US$24.5 billion.

Brand Finance founder and CEO David Haigh said factors behind the improvement included the introduction of stylish new designs (models such as the 86 and Auris have elevated Toyota’s aesthetic appeal). A 23-per-cent increase in sales to a record of 9.8 million vehicles and higher than expected net profits contributed to the increase.

Toyota is followed by three German automakers - Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz - with American carmaker Ford rounding out the top five. Toyota's market capitalisation was calculated at US$209.6 billion - more than twice as much as any other carmaker.

The Brand Finance research aligns with another study that has rated Toyota as the world's most valuable automotive brand for the past nine years. The 2012 Best Global Brands Report, compiled by international consultancy Interbrand, said Toyota is reinventing its brand with more stylish and better-looking vehicles.

Interbrand said hybrid cars were a "clear differentiator" for Toyota, with the Prius line-up creating an influx of new customers to the Toyota brand. Toyota also emerged as the Best Global Green Brand in 2012 for the second year running. In addition, the influential Forbes group named four Toyota vehicles - Camry, Corolla, Prius and RAV4 - among the most successful cars of 2012.

The cars were chosen for their sales, consumer satisfaction and performance, reliability, safety and value. Brand Finance benchmarks the strength, risk and potential of a brand, relative to its competitors. It is conceptually similar to a credit rating.

The data used to calculate the ratings comes from various sources including Bloomberg annual reports and Brand Finance research.

Interbrand uses a methodology that takes into account a multitude of factors that affect how a brand connects with the consumer and adds value to the organisation.

In South Africa, Toyota has been the top-selling automotive brand for the past 33 years. 

STORY BY TOYOTA

Post Title → TOYOTA STILL TOP CAR BRAND