The News for January 13th, 2012
Welcome to the Hooniverse News! This is a weekly roundup of everything that’s important in the automotive industry without the fluff from a hyper salesman or the dullness from a guy in a suit. We also throw in some opinion, just because we can. Since the North American International Auto Show was covered already by everyone cool enough to afford a plane ticket, this focuses on the stuff that wasn’t at Detroit, including:
Porsche updates the Boxster, dares you to spot the difference
Chevrolet builds a super Corvette convertible, celebrates 60 years
BMW launches M Performance Automobiles, dilutes M brand again
FIAT prices the super awesome, super small 500 Abarth
BMW prices the ActiveHybrid 5, makes Prius owners jealous
2013 Porsche Boxster/Boxster S
While other silly automakers were busy showing off their stuff at Detroit, Porsche chose to reveal early details on the next-generation Boxter outside of Detroit. The 2013 Porsche Boxster will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but everything you need to know about it is right here.
As with most Porsches, the newest model only receives a minor styling update but enough powertrain and chassis tweaks to make the difference. Most of the exterior updates you see here are similar to what was done for the new 911 lineup, including revised head and tail lamps and that little lip you see running across the back. An entirely new body made from lightweight materials means the 2013 Boxter weighs less than the previous generation, and more power from a smaller base engine means it’s faster in pretty much every way. The standard Boxster comes with a new 2.7-liter flat-6 with 265 horsepower while the Boxter S comes equipped with a 3.4-liter flat-6 with 315 horsepower. Each engine promises up to 15% more efficiency without losing an edge on performance. Each Boxster can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetrieb (known as PDK for those who don’t want an aneurism) transmission. All that is good for a 0-60mph time of 5.7 seconds for the standard Boxter and 4.7 seconds for the Boxter S.
The 2013 Boxster gets major updates to it chassis in the form of a wider track and longer wheelbase for improved driving dynamics. The old hydraulic power steering pump has been axed in favor of an electromechanical power steering system. They say it doesn’t affect steering feel at all, but I’ll believe it when I try it for myself (pretty please, Porsche?). Other notable updates include a redesigned electric convertible top, the Carrera GT-inspired interior layout with more space, and the automatic start/stop function for improved city fuel economy.
Porsche has priced the much-improved 2013 Boxter at $49,500 and the 315 horsepower Boxter S at $60,900. The first models should hit showroom floors early this summer, so start your begging now.
60 Years of the Corvette and the 427 Convertible
The current “C6” generation of the Corvette only has one year of production left before it gets replaced by the “C7”. Like most automakers, they intend to milk the hell out of the thing before they have to come out with a new model. Also, they love to remind us how old the Corvette is, which is why they’ve revealed the 60th Anniversary Package as well as the 427 Convertible Collector Edition to mark 60 years of building one of the most iconic cars in history.
The 427 Convertible Collector Edition, which will be shown at the Barrett-Jackson Overpay for a Camaro Extravaganza Collector Car Auction, makes good use of the 7.0-liter (427 cubic inch) LS7 engine and the 6-speed manual transmission (only one available) from the Z06. The 505 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque on tap makes this the fastest and most capable Corvette convertible in company history. Other mechanical goodies include the driveline and rear axle from the Z06, the sticky Michelin tires from the ZR-1 and standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control. To help reduce weight (as if the Corvette really needs it), many carbon fiber body components have been lifted off other high-end Corvettes. So mechanically-wise, this is the closest we’re going to get to seeing a drop-top Z06. The 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and the 190mph top speed are certainly on par with a would-be Z06 convertible.
The 60th Anniversary Package, which will be available on all 2013 Corvettes, adds a classic touch of Arctic White exterior paint over a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede accents. Even the convertible top is blue. Sadly, the interior still screams “RENT ME!” despite the classy color combo. A ZR-1 style rear spoiler, “60th” badging on everything, and full-body racing stripes in Pearl Silver Blue.
The 427 Convertible Collector Edition and the 60th Anniversary Package will hit American showrooms this summer. No pricing info yet.
M Performance Automobiles announced
BMW has big plans for its legendary M Division in 2012, starting with yet another way to dilute the M Division. Spring 2012 will mark the beginning of M Performance Automobiles, which is set to be a toned-down line of M cars that offer improved agility and power compared to standard BMWs without sacrificing comfort, practicality or ease of use you tend to get with a full-blown M car (so basically a hyped-up sport package BMW with a fancier name). Expect M Performance Automobiles to work their magic on pretty much every car in the BMW lineup and be amazed if they leave one out. M Performance Automobiles will even go where M Division we know and love wouldn’t go before by working with diesel engines (in addition to regular petrol engines) and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Hopefully that also means drivers can get the M performance they crave without having to drain their life savings.
A full taste of what is to come will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Hopefully it’s more than a factory sport package with some stickers.
FIAT 500 Abarth reasonably priced at $22,000
FIAT’s awesome little 500 Abarth was in the news just a few months ago after FIAT decided to finally grace America with its presence. This week, the last bit of information we all wanted – its price – has been revealed, and it’s not as bad as you might have thought.
The FIAT 500 Abarth will start at a cool $22,000, which is just below the MSRP for the MINI Cooper S and Volkswagen GTI. The 500 Abarth comes with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 with 160 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, so it’s not quite as quick as its competitors in a straight line. That being said, it will certainly be a blast to drive with its sport-tuned suspension (which is probably what Abarth does best), big brakes, and its 5-speed manual transmission.
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 priced at $61,845, still way cooler than a Prius
BMW took some time off from adding “M” and hybrid badges to every car they make to release pricing info on the 2013 ActiveHybrid 5, the first hybrid 5 Series ever. For $61,845, you can own typical BMW luxury and TwinPower Turbo inline-6 performance in one fuel-saving package.
The improved efficiency comes from a glacier-saving 55 horsepower electric motor that works with a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-6 lifted from 535i to make a combined 335 horsepower, or about as much as the polar bear-killing 1 Series M Coupe. The car can run exclusively off electric power at speeds up to 37 mph for up to 2.5 miles, which makes super quick runs to the store emissions-free. Despite all the eco-friendliness, the ActiveHybrid 5 can still hit 60mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds, which makes me hate hybrids a little less.
The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 will arrive in US dealerships in late Spring of this year.
Related posts:
Damn, 60 gees for a Boxster. It will probably be $90k out the door when you add options such as a CD player, power windows and door locks, paint, and a center console,
You forgot wheels, connected brake lines and drive train bolts.
BOXer + roadSTER = Boxster.
Boxter sounds like a Web2.0 shipping company, though that would probably be Boxtr.
Damn it. See, this is what happens when I run of time to edit stuff. I'll smack Greg upside the head.
Thanks for pointing that out.
So I pronounce it "box-ter" when I should be saying "boxes. terr." Silly me.
I've loved the 914 for as long as I can remember, and loved the Boxster as it's modern descendent. Porsche as a company has kinda bugged me with their silly devotion to the rear engine and their less than stellar (style-wise) forays into the lands of SUV and FourDoor.
But at least the Cayman's cool. And I shall always love the Boxster. This update, on paper at least, sounds fantastic.
My don't-sell-current-car-so-you-can-afford-it car has been money for 914 and Subaru or LS swap. It's been keeping me strong for quite a while now.
I vote for the Subie. The 2.5 turbo if you can find one. Handling characteristics wouldn't change much and oh, the power! The sound!
I don't think the weight difference between a 390 lbs ls1 and a 300 something lbs EJ257 would throw it off too much. These guys do some awesome work: http://www.renegadehybrids.com/
On a side note, if I go Subie I go with turbo twists and not be a liar…
<img src="http://www.renegadehybrids.com/914/Customers/KeithWilson/Pic01.jpg" width=500>
Mmmmm…. too bad this is probably at least a half decade away.
Aaaah, so danged pretty.
Link looks cool. Will browse it more deeply this weekend.
Overall weight difference is going to be negligible between the two, as adding the extra equipment associated with turbocharging will end up equalizing them. However the center of gravity will be lower for the EJ25T, making it more similar to the original's handling.
I can really dig on the new Boxster. It has finally parted with the 'mini 911' look it had from the beginning.
A little Carrera GT and 918 in there.
The whole engine-in-the-right-place thing helps too. If Porsche put as much engineering time into the Boxster as they do into 911 variants, it'd kick the 911's ass.
But then the dudes who buy a new 911 every two years would be pissed at them.
They do put as much time into the lower tier models, probably even more time as they have to engineer them for a specific performance level with both lower and upper bounds. If they put as much resources into the Boxster as they do into the 911, it may be faster, but it would also cost more, and then you would have two cars that do the same thing for the same amount of money. They already learned from that mistake when they had 944 turbo vs 911 vs 928.
Tack on to this my usual diatribe about the engine not being in the wrong place.
Hmm. While I'd considered the issue before in terms of business and repeat-customer expectation, I hadn't thought about upper limits on lower-tier cars and the fact that those limits might be met through effort. Lots of info in my head suddenly has new meaning.
/gears grinding twist ears
$22k for that Abarth is totally reasonable, given the prices of the lesser models. I just wonder if that little scorpion badge, and all that comes with it, will be enough to make people forget about the 300hp Mustang you can buy for the same money.
Probably not the same shoppers, though.
I'm thinking MiniCooper S, GTI, Miata and maybe tC or FRS86 would be cross-shopped.
It will be interesting to see where it gets slotted in the comparos.
Personally, I like the Abarth over a Mini or GTI.
I drove the 500C and absolutely hated it. Shitty ride, uncomfortable, with questionable built quality.
The regular 500s are the "it" car in Austin. Posers going for style over comfort, apparently.
When you throw that list in there, I start to pine for a redundant GTI-ified Beetle, especially with the redesign. Maybe TT-RS with Beetle metal on top. I can dream.
Yeah, I'm interested in an Abarth or Veloster Turbo because I have a 50-60 mile commute each day and an extra 10 mpg while still being enjoyable would be a bonus. Plus, even with 300 horse, I couldn't bring myself to buy a V6 Mustang. The 86 is on my potential list though.
I'll probably just keep my Sonata until it blows up though.
Ironically, were I in the market, I'd buy the Abarth or V-Turbo simply because I know that even in the lowly V6 Mustang, I'd still get my license taken away. It may not do 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, but it's still very quick, and wanted to keep pulling long after I chickened out. I couldn't even think of owning a Mustang GT at my current state of maturity.
I can keep myself in double digits well enough. My brother is possibly trading in his rx8 on an 06 GTO with 8k miles this weekend. I know with my lead shod feet 400 horse would mean very large tickets. The last time I drove a GTO (it was a 5.7) I ended up looking at the speedometer which was approaching 140. I blame it on the car being auto. Yeah, that's why.
Look at the new Boxster gauges. They're using a 993-esque typeface (at least on the tach, can't see the speedo) instead of that silly italicized font they used to have.
And the tach almost looks like a circle again. Do want.
The Boxster in brown is fucking hot. I approve of the upgrade.
To Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" (Which I will have stuck in my head for the rest of the day…)
Hello Boxster with some difference,
I've come to feel more on the fence,
Because performance somewhat enhanced,
Now lighter weight and wider stance,
And the engine that plants head to seat,
Still remains
Within the sound of boxer.
Last year C6 but not the end,
Topless beast, collector edition,
'Neath the hood four twenty seven,
More carbon fiber lighter even,
When the pedal is stabbed at the flash of green light
That split the night
Destroys the sound of silence
M Division dilutes its name,
Ten thousand versions, all the same,
Empty package without the speed,
People will buy them without heed,
Posers only care about the name,
Blasphemy met
With the sound of silence.
Fiat Abarth now has a price,
Seems a bit like factory rice,
Suspension, power upgrades too,
Competition still outruns you,
But a fun car it should be anyway,
And echo
In the tunnels of silence.
ActiveHybrid is all one word,
But the idea is not absurd,
Prompt' by scare of global warming
Hybrid cars are slowly forming
And BMW said, "we can make luxury cars efficient,
And more fun"
Still expensive, but silent.
you've been on quite a roll the last 24 hours, keep it up!!
Thank you! Good to know it's appreciated and enjoyed.
Meth is a hell of a drug.
Equally haunting.
I love that song. On a good set of speakers, it gives me goosebumps every time.
Related note:
I just recently noticed that their song "Scarborough Fair" and Dylan's "Girl From The North Country" are different takes on the same traditional song. I've loved both for 20 years and how I failed to notice that the lyrics walk the same path is beyond me.
Oh wow, that's a trip. I'll definitely have to listen to those again with that in mind.
On a semi related note: I really do enjoy having an eclectic taste in music.
[cowbell solo]
I hope you can see this, because I'm thumb upping it as hard as I can.
Likewise my friend. Likewise.
No judgement intended. I do sorta judge Porsche for using a portmanteau as a model name, but that's probably the least bad thing they've done over the past 10 years.
Boxster? Gadzooks, from the rear 3/4 view I thought it was a tarted-up Lexus SC.
On a related note, BMW has announced the hiring of a few hundred more workers for production in Spartanburg of the new BMW X4.
Oh joy, oh bliss, oh crepes Suzette…
Really like the new Boxster. Can't say exactly what they've changed, but it works.
Also is the Abarth 500 sold with the esseesse kit standard? Normal Abarth 500 has 135hp, i looked at the specs of the US-market model and it looks like it just gets the power bump from 135 to 160hp but is otherwise a stock Abarth 500.
Prices for the Abarth models should be released next wednesday here, but the Cooper S is about 29500EUR and the GTI starts at about 39000. The Abarth should be noticeably cheaper than the MINI.