2017 Hyundai i30 spied in new detail, inside and out

The all-new 2017 Hyundai i30 has been spied in a new state of undress this week, offering a clearer look at its outside and the best look yet at its cabin.

These new shots reveal the upcoming 2017 i30 with a dramatically reduced covering, swapping most of its heavy camouflage panels for a light vinyl wrap.

The subtle new camouflage offers a new look at the new model’s curving door panels tapered D-panel, above softly flared wheel arches.

The model spied here is largely identical to the vehicle caught in tow-testing last month, although the larger wheels in low-profile tyres, matched to dual exhaust tips at the rear, suggests it could be a high-spec SR model.

It is unlikely to be the hero i30 N model, however, with an earlier spied prototype shown with dual chrome-finished tips sitting a little further inboard, beneath a notably larger rear wing atop the hatch.

This latest batch of images also brings a clear look at the new i30’s dashboard, revealing a distinctly different design to that featured in the cabin of the hatch’s traditional sibling, the new Elantra sedan.

A large tablet-style dash dominates the top of the two-tone dashboard, flanked on either side by switches and dials. Air-conditioning controls sit further down, below a pair of horizontal vents.

Hyundai’s new-look steering wheel is also featured, ahead of conventional instrument dials that likely also flank a multi-information display screen.

The absence of any of the requisite hot-hatch accents and highlights add to the argument that this is not the hi-po N model, although the lightly bolstered seats and thick steering grips do point to an SR variant.

The new i30 is expected to make its global debut at October’s Paris motor show, ahead of an Australian launch likely to occur early in 2017.

For more details on the new-generation i30, see our links below.

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Mitsubishi Lancer gets full-body ‘Dynamic Shield’ makeover – UPDATE

Update – An earlier version of this article said a spokesperson from Mitsubishi Australia confirmed this facelifted model is reserved for the Chinese market, however no official announcement has been made. See bottom of article for details.

The Mitsubishi Lancer has been given a significant facelift for the Chinese market, sporting a new chrome-heavy face inspired by the latest offerings in the company’s wider range.

With a new face, rump and side scallops, the updated Lancer adopts the ‘Dynamic Shield’ design language seen on the Outlander and Pajero Sport SUVs, along with the Triton ute.

The heavy restyle is believed to be the work of Mitsubishi’s Chinese partners for their domestic market – so don’t expect to see these on Aussie roads anytime soon.

Inside, the Chinese-market Lancer also gets some minor changes such as the centre fascia, though the interior remains largely unchanged from the current car.

Australia’s Lancer recently received a mild facelift, which brought minor styling changes including the addition of LED daytime-running lights (DRLs), additional equipment, along with the axing of the hotter Ralliart variant.

Shortly before the updated Lancer hit Australian showrooms, Osamu Masuko, Mitsubishi’s CEO, told industry journal Automotive News the company has no plans to produce a successor to the popular small car, nor the Pajero 4×4.

Instead, the Japanese car maker will focus on SUVs as its core models, including the ASX, Outlander and Pajero Sport.

The range will be joined by a coupe-styled crossover vehicle inspired by the XR-PHEV and eX concepts, which will slot between the ASX and Outlander in 2017.

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2007-08 Bentley Continental Flying Spur recalled for sunroof fix

Bentley has issued a recall for 12 of its Continental Flying Spur sedans over concerns the optional solar sunroof could come loose.

The company reports the solar glass panel is insufficiently bonded to the sliding sunroof frame on affected vehicles. Should the solar glass panel come loose when the vehicle is in motion, this could pose a safety hazard for other road users.

Affected Continental Flying Spur sedans were sold from 25 April 2007 to 31 December 2008. The affected VINs are as follows:

SCBBE53W17C049999

SCBBE53W17C050005

SCBBE53W28C053254

SCBBE53W68C053547

SCBBE53WX8C053776

SCBBE53W58C053779

SCBBE53W38C054283

SCBBE53W28C054310

SCBBE53W98C054840

SCBBE53W68C055217

SCBBE53W58C055371

SCBBF53W79C061087

Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified immediately by Bentley via mail.

This notice follows a similar one from Audi earlier this month, with seven A8 limousines recalled for the same issue. Both Audi and Bentley are part of the Volkswagen Group.

For more information customers can contact their local Bentley dealership. Contact details for the five Australian dealers can be viewed here.

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2017 Suzuki S-Cross facelift revealed ahead of Paris debut

The updated 2017 Suzuki S-Cross has been officially revealed in press photos at the model’s Italian launch, ahead of its official public debut at the Paris motor show later this year.

After leaked images of the new crossover surfaced earlier this year, the updated S-Cross looks to be on its way to markets around the world, including Australia.

Sporting a heavily revised face, the new S-Cross also gets a handful of subtle changes to the rear and Suzuki’s latest infotainment system on the inside.

Up front, the jacked-up hatch gets new headlights with incorporated LED daytime-running lights, a six-point grille with vertical slats, a new bulging bonnet and a revised front bumper. Revised tail-lights complete the new look.

The interior remains largely unchanged, with the exception of new seat upholstery options and a new 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is already offered in the Vitara.

According to website Paul Tan’s Automotive News, the biggest changes are at the heart of the new S-Cross, with a range of new Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines now on offer.

In Italy, buyers can choose from a 82kW/170Nm (160Nm in auto guise) 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo shared with the Baleno hatch, or a 103kW/220Nm 1.4-litre four pot turbo already used in the new Vitara SUV.

The 1.0-litre unit can be had with either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, while the 1.4-litre powerplant offers either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto.

Also available is the carryover 88kW/320Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel shared with the Vitara. Front- and all-wheel drive options are offered.

Earlier this year Andrew Moore, Suzuki Australia’s general manager, said the new S-Cross was ‘tentatively set’ for a Q4 launch this year, however could not confirm the inclusion of the 1.4-litre turbo variant at the time.

Production issues with the current S-Cross involving sub-par seat stitching in some vehicles also halted sales earlier this year.

Australia

Moore has confirmed with CarAdvice that the revised S-Cross is still under review for the brand’s local arm, although timing is still to be determined.

Click the photos tab for more images of the updated 2017 Suzuki S-Cross

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2017 BMW 1 Series pricing and specifications M140i swoops in, updates across range

The incoming 2017 BMW 1 Series range has been detailed for Australia, bringing new engines with added performance and improved efficiency across the line-up.

Headlining the minor refresh are the aforementioned engine upgrades, along with a new top-spec M140i variant replacing the previous M135i.

The entry-level 118i petrol and 118d models are unchanged from the previous year, starting at $36,900 and $40,300 plus on-road costs respectively.

First in the updated range is the 120i, which is fitted with a revised 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 135kW of power and 270Nm of torque, up 20kW and 20Nm respectively.

The new powerplant helps the 120i cut 0.1 seconds off its claimed 0-100km/h sprint time to 7.1 seconds.

With the improved performance comes increased efficiency, claiming 5.5L/100km on the combined cycle, down from 5.7L/100km.

Priced from $41,900 plus on-roads, standard features in the 120i include the Sport Line package, reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation with ConnectedDrive real-time traffic updates, 17-inch alloy wheels and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual shifter is available as a no-cost option.

Stepping up to the 125i adds a $7000 premium ($48,900 plus on-roads), which brings a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre turbo four to the party.

Producing 165kW and 310Nm, the 125i is 5kW up on its predecessor, and is 0.1 seconds quicker from 0-100km/h, which is now achieved in 6.1 seconds.

A more significant update can be seen in fuel-consumption, with BMW claiming a 0.6L/100km improvement to 5.9L/100km for the new 125i.

Standard equipment on the 125i includes 18-inch M light alloy wheels, anti-dazzle folding exterior mirrors, front- and rear- parking sensors, variable steering along with cloth/Alcantara upholstery.

At the top of the 1 Series range is the new M140i, which is priced from $64,900 plus on-road costs.

The M140i features a redesigned 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, produces a meaty 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque, a 10kW/50Nm bump from the old M135i.

0-100km/h takes just 4.6 seconds (down from 4.9 seconds), while BMW claims a 7.1L/100km fuel consumption figure, down 0.4L/100km from the M135i.

Adding to the performance and efficiency improvements, the M140i also receives some added specification over its predecessor, including comfort access, 12-speaker harmon/kardon sound system, along with electrically-adjustable leather-trimmed front seats with heating and lumbar support.

The M140i retains the adaptive M suspension, adaptive LED headlights, professional navigation and DAB+ digital radio that were already standard on the 1 Series flagship.

Like the rest of the BMW range, the 1 Series is covered by the company’s Condition Based Servicing (CBS) schedule, which relies on sensors and algorithms to determine when the vehicle requires maintenance.

The updated 2017 BMW 1 Series range will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.

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BMW M3 30 Years Edition: pricing and details for small-batch birthday special

Although a fitting number, just 30 buyers in Australia will be able to take home the new BMW M3 30 Years special-edition model, the company has confirmed today.

BMW Australia notes that this is the same number of vehicles allocated to the UK market, out of a total worldwide number of 500 units. With a population deficit of around 40 million and nearly identical pricing, Australian buyers are getting a relatively sharp deal.

Revealed in May, the new birthday special is properly known as the 30 Jahre M3, which, of course, means ’30 years’ in the original Deutsch. (No, it’s not pronounced “jarra”. Try “yah-reh”.)

Based on the $144,900 M3 Competition pack that touched down in Australia this week, the M3 30 Years demands a $9715 premium for a before-on-roads price of $154,615 – the same money you’d pay for the M4 Competition pack if two-door designs are your thing.

Power is provided by the same uprated 331kW/550Nm (a 14kW boost) 3.0-litre turbocharged six that drives the Competition, and the 30 Years Edition also shares much of its handling and styling tweaks.

Unique to the M3 30 Years is the Macao Blue finish that was available with the original E30 M3, along with leather Merino Bi-Colour trim in the cabin and Black/Silverstone ’30 Jahre M3′ embroidery on the front headrests.

As with all M3 versions, the car is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed M-DCT transmission for the same price.

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McLaren F1 supercar could be resurrected in 2018 – report

The iconic McLaren F1 could be reimagined for the 21st century very soon, according to a new report out of the UK.

After the original F1 with its three-seater layout, $1 million price tag and claim to fame as the fastest car in the world in the 1990s, rumour has it that McLaren could be working on a modern interpretation of the original hypercar by the turn of the decade.

In a new report by Autocar, the company’s Special Operations division will be in charge of the project, citing an anonymous source.

The reinvented F1 is expected to cost around 2 million pounds ($3.5 million), and should include many of the original’s standout features – such as the three-seat cockpit, roof scoop and dihedral ‘butterfly’ doors.

          Above: McLaren F1 GTR

While the original F1 was a space-age performance monster when it was released, it is believed that the contemporary version will be more of an ultra-powerful GT car, with the P1 to remain the pinnacle of the McLaren line-up.

However, Autocar believes that the F1 is being developed to be the fastest GT-car ever built, claiming McLaren workers are referring to the car as a ‘hyper-GT’.

“The result will be the most exquisitely crafted and luxurious road-going McLaren ever made,” said an unnamed source.

“It applies the F1’s three-seat configuration to a different need: rapid, cross-continental travel with supreme speed and style.”

          Above: McLaren P1

Despite the luxury focus, a new F1 would be no slouch, likely to be powered by a version of the brand’s twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 engine said to produce more than 700 horsepower (522kW) without any electric assistance, a la the P1.

A bespoke version of McLaren’s carbon-fibre tub is believed to be under development to allow for the central driving position and space for a passenger on each side of the driver – a hallmark feature of the original F1.

According to the British website, its source gave strong hints that the new F1 would be limited to just 64 units – the same number of road-legal F1s built.

Should the car be launched in 2018, it will also coincide with the 30th anniversary of the fabled conversation between McLaren boss Ron Dennis, McLaren part-owner Mansour Ojjeh, technical director Gordon Murray and marketing boss Creighton Brown, that is believed to have led to the original F1’s creation.

Adding to the rumours, the new car’s name is likely to be linked to the original F1, however, it may be something along the lines of F1 GT in accordance with its grand tourer focus – think 570GT.

The new F1 is likely to be one of the 15 new models McLaren plans to introduce by 2022, in an effort to triple its annual sales by the same year. In 2015, the company sold 1654 sports cars.

Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren, went on record to say that by 2022, more than half of the vehicles offered by the brand will be hybrids. The reimagined F1 isn’t believed to be one of these models, however.

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