B of new cars
From the entry-level BMW 114d to the stunning Bentley Mulsanne Convertible, here are the hottest cars coming in 2013 beginning with B
Bentley Continental Flying Spur On sale: Summer 2013Price: From £140,000 (est).
The new Flying Spur echoes the roofline of the current car, but benefits from a redesigned radiator grille, quad headlights and quad exhausts, plus a bootlid inspired by Bentley’s Mulsanne limo. It will come loaded with technology, including the new twin-turbocharged V8 engine, alongside the more traditional W12.
Bentley Continental GT Speed On sale: Late OctoberPrice: £151,000
The new Continental GT Speed has a 616bhp version of the 6.0-litre W12 engine, and is the fastest-ever production car from Bentley. It sprints from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and hits a 205mph top speed. This model will form the basis of the Continental GT3 racer, which will take Bentley back to the track at the end of next year.
Bentley Mulsanne Convertible On sale: Mid-2013Price: From £250,000 (est.)
Bentley has already given a select group of customers a sneak peek at the Mulsanne Convertible they’ll be able to buy next summer – and the word is it’s looking fantastic. The two-door, four-seater is expected to retain the saloon’s 505bhp 6.75-litre turbo V8, and the suspension will be tweaked for a more satisfying drive.
BMW 114d On sale: NovemberPrice: £20,000 (est.)
The BMW 114d is the new entry point for diesel 1 Series models. It’s powered by the 1.6-litre TwinPower diesel engine fitted to the 116d EfficientDynamics, albeit detuned to 94bhp and 235Nm. Claimed average fuel economy is 65.7mpg, with CO2 emissions of 112g/km.
BMW Concept Active Tourer On sale: Late 2014Price: From £16,000 (est.)
A front-wheel-drive BMW – who’d have thought it? But that’s exactly what the Concept Active Tourer (CAT) previews. It’s a spacious and luxurious hatchback, and has been designed to tempt buyers downsizing from larger cars. The production CAT, tipped to be called 1 Series GT, will be based on the next MINI platform and use BMW’s new range of modular engines. The concept features a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine driving the front wheels and a 67bhp electric motor turning the rears. This system – which is expected to make production – promises an electric-only range of 19 miles and average fuel economy of 113mpg.
BMW i3 Concept On sale: Late 2013Price: From £35,000 (est.)
BMW says this is the future of the supermini. The i3 concept uses the same advanced lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre chassis as the i8 supercar. Power comes from a 170bhp electric motor mounted on the rear axle, with a range-extending petrol engine offered as an option.
BMW i8 Concept On sale: 2014Price: From £150,000 (est.)
BMW is preparing to shake up the supercar market with the hybrid i8 – spied here on test. It has unique, lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium construction, and promises extraordinary performance. A 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine powers the rear wheels, while a 129bhp electric motor turns the fronts.
BMW M3 On sale: 2013Price: From £55,000 (est.)
For the first time, BMW’s legendary supersaloon will feature turbo power, with a six-cylinder engine offering around 450bhp. That’s enough for 0-62mph in about four seconds. The M3 name will remain for the four-door car, but the coupe version will debut the ‘M4’ badge.
Bugatti Veyron Type 37A On sale: NowPrice: From £1.9million
The latest special Bugatti Veyron is a convertible Grand Sport Vitesse with a colour scheme inspired by the Type 37A racer that took Bugatti to grand prix victory back in the twenties. A cognac interior tops things off – and the car costs £300,000 more than a ‘standard’ Vitesse.
