Nissan Leaf Nismo headed for production, spec-race series canned?

     

Remember the Nismo Leaf Nismo Concept show at the Tokyo Motor Show more than a year ago? To refresh your memory, it was a Nissan Leaf gussied up with an aerodynamic body kit, new wheels and a few cosmetic enhancements inside the cabin – the motor and powertrain remain unchanged. In any case, it appears that the green vehicle has received the green light for limited production.

Nismo chief Shoichi Miyatani has reportedly confirmed to Autocar that the zippier-looking electric Nissan will head down the assembly line in Japan this summer. But instead of a world-wide launch, the five-door will be sold only in the automaker's domestic market until consumer reaction is gauged. Even then, such low volumes will hardly justify expanding to other markets, Miyatani added.

In other news, it appears that the Leaf RC race car program – hinted as a one-make race series – is probably not going to happen.

Subaru's first hybrid drawing close

    

In 2011 Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries confirmed that a hybrid Subaru would debut this year. Ever since, there's been speculation about what kind of technology the gasoline-electric hybrid would use – Subaru's own or some version of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive, which car would debut the new system – Forester, Legacy, or Outback – and whether it would come to America or be a Japan-only model.

A report in The Detroit Bureau says that whatever that first model is, it could be shown as soon as the New York Auto Show, and while the company feels it's a must-have offering for the Japanese market it will also come to the US. It will have a Subaru-developed mild hybrid system that could have been previewed by the Hybrid Tourer concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and is not expected to be able to drive on electric power alone. The Hybrid Tourer used a direct-injected, 2.0-liter boxer engine connected to a CVT and assisted by an electric motor rated at 13 horsepower. Subaru has yet to give anything away about the details of its hybrid plans, so we'll look to New York for the long-awaited unveil.

Mini Clubman Bond Street inspired by London shopping

    

 

Mini again plucks a London landmark as the appellation for a special edition, the Mini Clubman Bond Street joining the Mayfair and Camden, and Bayswater and Baker Street editions of the recent past. You'll recognize the formula of primary color and polished contrasting color, in this case its Midnight Black Metallic for the main event and Cool Champagne for the highlights like the roof, mirror caps and trim rings on the 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside it's Carbon Black leather set off by surfaces in Deep Champagne and the Chrome Line package.

It will premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March before going into production for a limited run that same month. Four engines will be offered, with on-the-road prices ranging from 20,275 pounds ($31,961 US) in the UK for the 122-horsepower gas engine to 24,045 pounds ($37,918 US) for the 143-horsepower SD diesel version

Subaru readies BRZ RA Racing for Japanese trackdays

    

As if we needed any more reasons to take a Subaru BRZ to the track, Subaru has just announced that it will be producing a racing-spec version of the car straight from the assembly line. The only problem is that the BRZ RA Racing is being offered for the Japanese domestic market only, and won't be visiting any road courses in the US any time soon.

To get the BRZ ready for some serious track time, Subaru added brake ducts beneath the front fascia, removable tow hooks and an oil cooler behind the grille. Inside, the car gets a factory six-point roll cage (including custom-fit floor mats) and a four-point race harness for the driver. Now we get to pricing where US enthusiasts will get even more miffed. The entire suite of racing add-ons increases the BRZ's price by 31,500 yen, which converts to less than $350 US; the total price of the car converts to right around $31,500 US.

Carlsson turns Mercedes-Benz SLK into 610-HP hill-climb clawer

  

     
Carlsson's race-tuned versions of the Mercedes-Benz SLK have been taking checkered flags for years, and we won't be surprised if its SLK 340 hill climber fares any different. Developed by multiple German and Swiss hill climb champion Reto Meisel, the carbon-bodied SLK 340 with lightweight brakes and a closed underbody weighs 1,716 pounds. Propelling that tiny bit of weight is a 3.4-liter V8 from Judd with 610 horsepower, and it rolls on 18-inch wheels shod in Avon tires.

It will debut at the Geneva Motor Show before beginning its racing campaigns in the summer. This one won't just tear up roads in Europe, though – Meisel says he plans on bringing it to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

2014 Chevrolet Silverado tows in new configurator, microsite

      

Judging by your continued enthusiastic response to configurator notices, dear reader, you enjoy speccing out new cars as much as we do. Better still, there tends to be even more ways to personalize, configure and bloat theoretical MSRPs on full-size trucks as there are with more ordinary passenger cars. In addition to trim level, engine and transmission choices, truck buyers usually have to specify items like cab configuration, bed length, number of driven axles, tow packages, gear ratios and all sorts of bits and bobs.

That's why we're pleased to see the DIY specification utility for the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado come alive so soon after this week's Detroit Auto Show debut. While the configurator lacks pricing (General Motors hasn't announced numbers yet) and full options, you can still spec out your half-ton rig, and even print it out or email it to your friends. Beyond the configurator, the new model-specific site is pretty cool, too, with various videos and closer looks at the truck's new features.

The new Chevrolet pickup range won't be on dealer lots until sometime this summer, so whether you're a building contractor, an avid sportsman or just a guy or gal that loves full-size trucks,

Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised

The Detroit Auto Show had plenty of major debuts for North American car buyers, but the Montreal Auto Show is being used for the North American debut of a new subcompact hatchback from Mitsubishi. Although this car is unnamed, it is almost identical to the redesigned Mirage we saw back at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show (and has been on sale in Asian markets such as Thailand since last year), but it is unclear if the car will carry this name when it goes on sale for our neighbors to the north starting this fall.

Aside from a slightly less annoying shade the of green we saw the car painted in at the Tokyo show, there are a few changes made for the car's Canadian debut. The biggest difference is that it is almost three inches longer, which is likely a result of the new rear fascia that is also visually different with some altered lines and small, circular reflectors. Other changes include a bigger three-cylinder engine (with a 1.2-liter displacement instead of the Tokyo car's 1.0-liter engine) and headlights that have new amber lenses for side reflectors.

There is still no word as to whether or not we'll see this new car in Mitsubishi's US lineup anytime soon, but it does seem like a good competitor against cars like that Mazda2, Chevrolet Spark and Hyundai Accent.

Mitsubishi has provided a press release for this Canadian hatchback

Toyota exec sees future where all cars sold in US are built here

    

 

A growing number of foreign automakers have been shifting more vehicle production to the US – including recent announcement by Nissan and Honda – but Toyota could be on the verge of taking an unprecedented step by producing all of the cars it sells in the US right here in North America. According to the Detroit Free Press, Bill Fay, VP and GM of Toyota US, hinted at such a possibility, but the wording in the report makes it sound like this is far from a done deal and would not apply to Scion or Lexus models.

Currently, the automaker already builds 70 percent of its US-sold cars in North America including some of its more popular models like the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Tacoma and RAV4. While most of the Japanese-made Toyotas that are sold in the US are slower-selling models (like Land Cruiser, FJ Cruiser and Yaris), the Prius lineup is the glaring exception, and last we heard, Toyota still has plans to ship Prius production to the US by 2015. This is all a part of Toyota's plan to add 3,500 jobs in North America to go with recent investments totaling $1.6 billion.

Chip Foose custom 1953 Ford F-100 sells for $170k at Barrett-Jackson

      

There may not be a more recognizable name in the world of custom cars than Chip Foose, and those star-struck (and well-healed) fans of Foose just had the opportunity to purchase one of the designer's custom creations for their very own garage. This 1953 Ford F-100 pickup was created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the one item just about everybody has in their toolbox: WD-40.

Way back when, WD-40 was sold by the Rocket Chemical Company, and the vintage artwork on the door highlights that little bit of trivia. Under the truck's massive flowing hood sits an original 239-cubic-inch flathead V8 engine, with appropriately modern updates, naturally. A set of one-off Foose wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero tires completes the aesthetic.

All proceeds from the vehicle sale will benefit two charities: Childhelp and Victory Junction.

GM CEO Dan Akerson's 1958 Chevrolet Corvette sells at Barrett-Jackson for $270,000

     

 

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has said his final goodbye to his own personal 1958 Chevrolet Corvette. The car just sold here at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, with a final gavel price of $270,000 – since 100 percent of the sale price is slated to benefit Habitat for Humanity Detroit, there are no extra charges from the auction house on top of the sale price.

For those interested, the base price for a '58 'Vette Convertible was $3,591, complete with a 245-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine. Of the 9,168 Corvettes sold in 1958, just 510 of them were painted in this particularly attractive shade of blue, known as Regal Turquoise.

First US-built BAC Mono headed to Cars & Coffee

Sector111 has announced it will unveil the first US-built BAC Mono at the upcoming Cars and Coffee in Irvine, California. The car was built from a knock-down kit, and Sectior111 says the company's allocation of 2012 Mono units has completely sold out. It's currently taking orders for 2013 models. As you may recall, the single-seat, street-legal racer tips the scales at a mere 1,190 pounds, and gets around your favorite track thanks to thrust from a 280-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine worked up by the minds at Cosworth. If that sounds like a party to you, best head to Irvine tomorrow for a look.

A little over a year ago, BAC announced it was partnering with Sector111 to bring its heathen machine to our shores, albeit in very low numbers.

2014 Subaru Forester priced from $21,995*

Subaru has officially announced that its all-new 2014 Forester will carry a base MSRP of $21,995 when it hits dealerships early this year, (*not including $895 in destination fees). This represents an increase of $700 over the outgoing 2013 model.

That new price will net buyers the base 2.5i model equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Subaru will also sell the 2.5i engine in Premium, Limited and Touring trims, though the automaker has not released specific price points for those models. These models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Subaru says that with its standard all-wheel drive, the Forester 2.5i will be good for fuel economy numbers of 24/32 miles per gallon (city/highway) when equipped with the company's continuously variable transmission. Manual models see those numbers drop to 22/29 mpg.

The more powerful Forester 2.0XT will only be offered in Premium and Touring trims, starting at $27,995 (not including destination). These models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four, sending 250 hp and 258 lb-ft to all four wheels. Fuel economy doesn't suffer terribly with this more powerful engine, as only the CVT is offered. Subaru quotes figures of 23/28 mpg here.

Upmarket Forester models are available with the company's new Eyesight driver assistance system and Starlink infotainment technology. Other new features available for the 2014 Forester include Hill Descent Control on CVT-equipped models, a rearview camera, power liftgate, navigation with smartphone integration and a 440-watt Harmon/Kardon premium audio system.

McLaren shows P1 at private event in Beverly Hills,

     

 

McLaren invited us to private showing of its near production-ready P1 supercar in Beverly Hills last night, offering its affluent customers a sneak peek at what promises to be one of the finest - if not the best - sports car in the world when it arrives later this year. While the development team continues to hold many of the coupe's cards close to its chest, a trickle of details emerged that only served to further whet our appetite for the upcoming exotic.

• The Volcano Orange prototype (the same one shown at the Paris Motor Show) is fully functional, with a complete operating powertrain. Before each public display, a dark tint is applied to the windows to hide the interior from view.
• The chassis utilizes a carbon-fiber passenger tub shared with the MP4-12C, with aluminum structures front and rear for crash protection (carbon fiber is lighter, but it doesn't crush and absorb energy as well). All body panels are carbon-fiber and nearly all exposed metal (including the mesh vents) is made of titanium alloy. The target curb weight is 1,300 kilograms, or less than 2,900 pounds.
• Based on a recorded engine soundtrack played at the event, and noting a pair of intakes each likely feeding a turbocharger (we spotted genuine gold foil in the engine bay to help to ward off heat), it is assumed that the P1 will be fitted with a high-output version of the MP4-12C's twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 making about 800 horsepower. A KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), similar to what is used in Formula One, will provide a strong boost of even more horsepower for short periods. While McLaren has avoided all-wheel drive, don't rule out some sort of electric propulsion on the front axle.
• McLaren doesn't have the Porsche 918 Spyder in its crosshairs – it's too heavy and slow. Instead, it is aiming its sights directly at the upcoming Ferrari F150 (the successor to the Enzo). That said, the British automaker expects its P1 to be the world's quickest production vehicle around Nürburgring.
• Assembly should start within the next several months. Only 500 copies will be made, with each costing about $1.2 million.

Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show

     

 

Our friends at Autoblog Canada have just come away with a closer look at Honda's surprise Gear Concept at the Montreal Auto Show. The little three-door hatchback is arguably the automaker's first real shot at the North American city car market (the Gear is much smaller than the Fit) and may be an indication that Honda is getting serious about going after Scion on this side of the world after the CR-Z hybrid failed to deliver. Honda says the Gear Concept takes its inspiration from the fixed-gear bicycle scene, and should allow buyers an unprecedented level of customization. Designers also wanted to show that a car can be both fun and practical.

We're all for a compact stylish three door with functional room inside, but given Honda's propensity for draining the personality from its concepts on the way to production (at least the ones that don't look showroom ready), we don't hold much hope for the Gear.

Honda recalling 748k Odyssey and Pilot models over airbag concern

     

American Honda today announced a recall of approximately 748,000 Odyssey and Pilot models due to faulty airbag concerns. The vehicles in question are Odyssey minivans from the 2011 to 2013 model years and Pilot crossovers from the 2009 to 2013 model years.

According to a statement from Honda, driver's side airbags in the affected vehicles were potentially assembled without some of the rivets that secure the bag's plastic cover. Because of this, the airbag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, leading to further occupant injury. As of this writing, no injuries have been reported in conjunction with this issue.

Honda will begin officially notifying owners via mail in mid-February. The automaker urges customers to take their vehicles to an authorized dealership, where vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, repaired. In lieu of waiting for the snail mail approach, owners may also visit www.recalls.honda.com or can contact the automaker directly at 1.800.999.1009 and select option four.

2014 Chrysler 200 to set design tone for brand

     

Speaking with Wards Auto at this year's Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler design chief Ralph Gilles said that the next-generation Chrysler 200 will launch a whole new styling direction for the brand when it arrives for the 2014 model year. Gilles did not reveal any specific design cues or elements that will be found on the next 200, only saying that the new car "shares no surface language with any previous Chrysler we've ever seen."

Indeed, the current 200 isn't exactly setting the world on fire with any sort of clever, emotive design, but Gilles knows that. "The current Chryslers on the road today certainly don't reflect where we're headed," he told Wards Auto. Instead, Gilles said that "we are deviating from where we are today, completely. It's a very different feeling (and) look."

The launch of the new Chrysler 200 will officially mean the death of its Dodge Avenger counterpart, though Gilles says that the company is working on an all-new product to replace that vehicle down the road. Still, Chrysler will need a successful player in the popular midsize segment, and Gilles fully expects the new 200 to be up to the task. "I think it's going to be a beautiful and relevant vehicle."

1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept dances with the devil for $1.375 million at Barrett-Jackson

     

It's always special when a classic concept car goes up for auction, and that was surely the case as this 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept crossed the auction block at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson event with a top bid of $1,375,000.

Designed by the famed Virgil Exner Sr. in collaboration with Italian styling house Ghia, this show car is said to have been designed in a wind tunnel after being drawn by Exner himself. Underneath the beautiful bodywork lies the chassis of a 1956 Chrysler 300, fitted with a 392-cubic-inch V8 engine with dual four-barrel carbs

1968 Shelby EXP 500 fails to sell at Barrett-Jackson despite $1.8 million bid

     

EXP, in the case of the 1968 Ford Mustang you see above, stands for Experimental. You see, this is one of the cars used by the Shelby American team in the development of a long list of classic Shelby Mustang models.

The car, powered by a 390-cubic-inch V8 engine and known internally as The Green Hornet, underwent a huge number of upgrade sessions that saw it receive experimental fuel injection, independent rear suspension and unique disc brakes. That's right, a Ford Mustang with IRS!

In a somewhat baffling turn of events, despite a top bid of $1.8 million, The Green Hornet's reserve price wasn't met, meaning it stays with its current owner for at least one more auction cycle. Have a good look at our image gallery above, and be sure to watch the video below that shows all the fast and furious bidding action.

1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona is viceless in Miami Scottsdale at Barrett-Jackson

     

We love the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. It's most definitely a classic, made famous in part by its appearance as Don Johnson's favored ride in the classic '80s television series Miami Vice... but we won't hold that against it.

The specific example you see above just crossed the block at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson extravaganza in Scottsdale, and it cleared a cool $495,000 after the buyer's commission was factored in. The 1972 Daytona features a sweet-sounding V12 engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Plus, it's brown, with a tan interior.

1986 Porsche 959 Prototype at Barrett-Jackson sees gavel fall at $440,000

     
Fans of Porsche in America have longed for the chance to buy a 959 ever since the German automaker produced and sold it (well, sold it everywhere but the United States...) in the 1980s. Well, they just had their chance. The car you see above is a Porsche 959 prototype built in 1986, and only one other running prototype still exists.

The 959 prototype can't be driven on public roads, as it carries no such certification. Somehow, we doubt that matters all that much to the new buyer – this one is probably going to be sitting in a collection. When the gavel finally fell, bidding had reached $400,000, plus a 10-percent buyer's fee.

Clark Gable's 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing doesn't sell, then does sell for $1.85 million

 

   

How much extra value does previous celebrity ownership add to of a car? Really, there's no way to know until the car in question hits the auction block and bidders start raising their hands. In the case of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing you see above, the celebrity owner is none other than Clark Gable, who purchased it new. After Gable's death in 1960, the car changed hands a few times before settling with Charles Wood in 1975.

A high-dollar restoration was performed in 1989, and period accessories added by Gable himself were kept in place, including the Rudge knock-off wheels and Nardi steering wheel. Any Mercedes-Benz 300SL is worth a big chunk of money. In the case of Clark Gable's old Gullwing, the bidding stalled at $1.9 million here at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale. As one of the 5000-series cars, this 300SL carried a reserve, and a bit of after-the-fact dealmaking saw the car change hands for $1.85 million.

Chevrolet Camaro COPO Convertible jumps from SEMA to Barrett-Jackson, pockets $400k for charity

 

   

Back at the 2012 SEMA event in Las Vegas, Chevrolet unveiled the car you see above, a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Convertible. Actually, that's not quite accurate – this car is THE 2012 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Convertible. As in, the only one ever sold. There was one more produced, but it's not leaving the GM Heritage Center any time soon. This one was just sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale for $400,000 exactly.

That sum will be donated to the American Heart Association, and the winner will take home this Inferno Orange Metallic COPO, complete with a 327-cubic-inch V8 topped by a 4.0-liter supercharger. The engine sends 550 horsepower to the rear drag slicks through a three-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Perfect for a run down the quarter mile, top-down style.

Check out our high-res image gallery from the block at Barrett-Jackson above, and don't forget to watch a video of the COPO being auctioned below, along with the car's official auction description. And don't forget to play along with the crowd at the Hagerty Fantasy Bid game online for a chance to win a custom 2013 Shelby GT500

One-off 2013 Shelby GT500 Cobra raises $200k for charity at Barrett-Jackson

   

 

You can count on the fact that there will be plenty of tributes to the late Carroll Shelby over the next several months and years – most of them taking the vehicular shape of the Ford Mustang, we'd wager. The one you see above was created by a group called Friends of Carroll and was unveiled by Edsel Ford II, Ford marketing VP Jim Farley and Shelby American President John Luft at the 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

The 2013 GT500's stock 662-horsepower 5.8-liter V8 engine has seen its power bumped to an even 850 horses with upgrades provided by Ford Racing. A widebody kit from Shelby covers up the 13-inch-wide rear wheels and 345-series tires. The car is painted in Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes – a classic color combination seen on many Cobra roadsters from the 1960s.

All proceeds from this sale at Barrett-Jackson will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Check out our live image gallery above and peruse a video of the car's time on the auction block as well as the official auction description below. If you want to have some fun while watching the auction action, click here to take part in the Hagerty Fantasy Bid online game... after all, you could win a new GT500 of your own.

Barrett-Jackson 2013: Odds and Ends from Friday's Festivities

     

While the big-ticket items sold at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale usually hit the block on Saturday, Friday often brings with it a few interesting finds. This year was no different. With an assortment of vehicles ranging from an original 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO with a 427-cubic-inch V8 and four-speed manual transmission to a 1929 Ford AA Custom Popcorn truck, you never can tell what's going to show up at Barrett-Jackson.

It's impossible to miss a bright tangerine Willy's Roadster, and we could hardly pass up the opportunity to watch one of the infamous Unique Performance Eleanor replica cars cross the auction block. Really, we just pointed our lenses at whatever happened to catch our eye.

Check out the fruits of our labors in the high-res image gallery of live photos above. Each of the cars you'll see is captioned with the its appropriate make and model, plus the amount it finally sold for. Enjoy!

McLaren confirms 12C GT3 competition model details

McLaren has given the 12C GT3 the once over for the 2013 competition season. Those who already own one of the race-spec cars can order the tweaks as a stand-alone package, effectively updating their vehicles to 2013 spec. McLaren says the updates are designed to improve drivability, reliability and efficiency while simultaneously simplifying the machine's mechanicals. A new aerodynamic package, refreshed ECU, electrical system and revised suspension dampers are all part of the kit. Buyers can look forward to improved cooling thanks to a new hood and extensive duct work.

Engineers claim the changes should allow the new 12C GT3 to compete at higher temperatures for longer periods of time, and the new aero work will reduce tire wear over the course of a race.

Last year, the 12C GT3 competed in a total of 98 race events, and brought home 19 outright wins and an additional 19 podium finishes. Moving forward, the car will be available to GT teams around the world as well as private collectors. You can check out the full press release below for more information on the revised 2013 McLaren 12C GT3.

Ford Focus ST-powered Mastretta MXT cometh

Mastretta is reportedly on the verge of pulling back the covers on its latest creation, the MXT-R, at the Autosport International Racing Car Show. According to Autocar, the Mexican sports car will make use of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine lifted from the Ford Focus ST. Tuned to around 285 horsepower, the engine should have no trouble hustling the lightweight MXT-R around a track. Judging from the available photos, the MXT-R will also use the aerodynamic package employed by Mastretta's race car.

Technically, the MXT-R will be used as a development vehicle, though Autocar says customers interested in laying down their hard-earned cash for the car can register at the show booth for more information. Details on performance figures are still missing at the moment, and Mastretta hasn't given the world any notion of how much the MXT-R will cost if it gets built. Of course, that isn't stopping us from wanting to get behind the wheel for a spell...

BMW 1 Series with B38 three-cylinder engine

The red five-door BMW 1 Series seen in this photo gallery has little to do with what is actually of importance here. What we've just tested at an airfield not far from Munich, Germany, is a new 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo inline three-cylinder gas engine that we'll be hearing an awful lot about in the coming few years.

This engine, codenamed B38, made its public debut in the well-received Concept Active Tourer at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, alongside other BMW innovations that were tucked into the CAT. Besides this new Efficient Dynamics engine clan of three-, four-, and six-cylinder units thus launched, the CAT uses a front-wheel-drive chassis, and is a plug-in hybrid electric. That's a lot of fresh tech in a small space. And, oh yes, the CAT is an MPV.

But let's focus on driving this B38 amongst the well-laid-out cones. There will no doubt be a few three-cylinder capacities eventually created – a 1.2-liter is in the works as well – but it is this 1.5-liter that will be most involved in the BMW Group's small capacity revolution. On this roughly 3,000-pound 1 Series prototype, the initial output of this single twin-scroll turbo-fed triple is quoted at 175 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, plus 200 pound-feet of torque starting at 1,500 rpm. The BMW experts on hand say the prototype can hit 62 miles per hour (100 kmh) in 7.0 seconds.

These engines will be able to deal with all of the less pure blends of unleaded.

The tech approach here is reliant on a couple of issues. First, for this B38 and the almost identical B37 diesel version, the magic capacity is 500cc per cylinder. The other issue regards abandoning the stratified part of stratified direct fuel injection.

A cylinder capacity of 500cc, according to BMW engineers' detailed matrices and explanations, is the happy medium if we want the maximum in both sound and low vibrations together with greater efficiency, reduced mechanical friction and fewer parts with lower mass. And BMW's messaging with this new engine philosophy clearly shows a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder simply being sliced into two halves to create this three-cylinder.

Getting rid of the technical bell-and-whistle of stratifying your direct-injected fuel means that these engines will be able to deal with all of the less pure blends of unleaded that pour from the pumps in countries like Russia, China and the United States. So the business case clearly calls for these various three-cylinder powerplants to eventually replace a few of BMW's existing four-cylinders on a global basis.

All we can say is that the sound is uniquely pleasing.

We took a few laps of the setup course in this rear-wheel drive hatchback, trying various calibrations of the throttle, gearshifts, and so on. The first thing that became apparent is that BMW has been working hard on making this three-cylinder still sound like a Bimmer that BMW fans would happily buy instead of a cracking four-pot. Engineers on hand wouldn't go into exactly what has been done with the manifold or pipes, but the prototype sounded really fine to us. And two- and three-cylinder engines definitely have their own alto/baritone note. Add the twin-scroll turbo cranking up to 14.5 PSI of boost pressure, and all we can say is that the sound is uniquely pleasing.

Another issue, especially with three-cylinders, is vibration mainly from fore-aft jiggling along the axis of the cylinder bank and crankshaft. This can also sometimes create an almost pleasing massage for the feet and butt, but you really don't want this going on. The engineers in this case have designed a counter-spinning balance shaft that passes through the crankcase beneath the crankshaft. It works and the engine proved smooth and responsive throughout all the types of driving we experienced.



Our transmission was the ultra-efficient eight-speed automatic, whose many shorter gears succeed in mating well with the potentially uppity little three-cylinder. Whether set in Comfort mode or Sport+ of Driving Dynamics Control, all went well, even when we hammered it to the 7,000-rpm redline and yawed our way around the mighty plastic cones. But then in normal loping mode, everything was pretty unremarkably fine as well – and that's not a criticism.

Regarding BMW's three-cylinder strategy (transverse or longitudinal, by the by) with Valvetronic versus, say, the VW Group's current commitment to cylinder deactivation, the Munich boffins told us that having a smooth and constant variation of input/output via Valvetronic versus the on/off quality of cylinder deactivation actually produces greater overall efficiencies, fewer mechanical complications and compensation, and more consistent thermal benefits throughout the engine.

Between the three-cylinder B38 gas and B37 diesel, the main stamped parts are identical, with the commonality overall reaching up to 40 percent whether with this three-cylinder or the future four- and six-cylinder motors that will follow this new direction. Across three-, four- (B48 and B47), and six-cylinder (B68 and B67) gas or diesel lineups, the commonality reaches over 60 percent. So there are obvious economies of scale and sharing that will come into play as well.



As for this 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, look for it to replace all of the current 1.6-liter treatments in the Mini lineup in addition to replacing all of the lesser capacity fours in the BMW lineup. That is to say, no more collaboration on such motors with PSA Peugeot Citroën. This all starts in the middle of 2013 in Europe and then migrates worldwide. And the upcoming i range of alternative premium vehicles will depend heavily on this exact three-cylinder 1.5-liter, to be seen most significantly in the rakish i8 green supercar.

Can we embrace this three-cylinder turbo in a BMW? Yes.

Most crucially, this entire strategy gives BMW a significant leg up on rivals like Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and others who will need to differentiate into smaller segments and engines to survive the stormy sales climate out there. Or they could just buy it all from BMW...

Can we embrace this three-cylinder turbo in a BMW? Yes. Does it feel cheap and are we just pandering to a BMW bias? No. This is a legitimate and significant move that's long been in the planning stages, not a fluke. It'll be put to use in every model below the 5 Series, we are told.

But what about the proliferation of front-wheel drive into BMWs and not just Mini? We'll have to wait and see, since that wasn't tested here. We suppose that depends on how far across the lineup they choose to spread out the technology...