Quote:The new Mercedes-Benz A-class has been spotted undisguised ahead of its Geneva motor show launch in March. The new model was spotted during a promotional shoot in Lanzarote and posted on YouTube.

Mercedes is turning the new A-class into a high-quality, sporty mainstream rival for the new BMW 1-series and Audi A3 models, leaving the new B-class to fill the role of the small MPV.

The Mercedes MFA platform that underpins the A-class will also be used for the new B-class, swoopy CLC sports saloon and Shooting Brake models, GLC off-roader and selected Nissan models as part of the Daimler-Renault-Nissan alliance. The new structure replaces the previous model’s ‘sandwich’ platform, which boasted a flat floor.

A so-called M270 range of petrol engines at launch will be virtually all-new 1.6-litre turbocharged units, one making 121bhp and 147lb ft, and the other 154bhp and 184lb ft, with maximum torque in both available from just 1250rpm. The engines feature Mercedes’ third-gen direct-injection system and stop-start. These engines will soon be fitted to C-class and E-class models too.

The OM651 family of turbodiesels at launch will have a capacity of 1.8 litres. It will initially come in 107bhp/189lb ft and 134bhp/221lb ft states of tune.

Alongside the standard six-speed manual gearbox, a light, compact seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox will be offered. Mercedes claims that this delivers nine per cent better economy than the CVT gearbox it replaces.

MotoringFile Wrote:Sources at Car and Driver are saying that MINI chief and former BMW M division boss, Dr. Kay Segler, has very real aspirations to finally turn the John Cooper Works into the stand-alone, performance skunkworks that frankly, we’ve always wanted it to be. We’ve heard this from MINI before, but with Dr. Kay at the helm, will the dream finally come true? What could this mean for future JCW MINI models? Details after the break.

First of all, Dr. Kay wants to push JCW beyond packages and accessories and produce stand-alone MINI JCW models — just like BMW’s M cars.

Car and Driver Wrote:Once the JCW Countryman arrives, MINI will offer John Cooper Works packages for all of its models, but Segler wants to further differentiate JCW products in the future. This means that cars wouldn’t so much be equipped with the John Cooper Works package, but rather positioned as standalone models.

Mini already considers the standard JCW powerplant—a turbocharged 1.6-liter four making at least 208 hp—a “unique” engine, and not a standard Cooper S mill with more boost. But we interpret Segler’s remarks to mean that the John Cooper Works engine will come in for additional work in the future; that could mean it will get some unique internals, or that the displacement will be increased. Segler’s sentiments also suggest that more hard-core, limited-edition models like the upcoming new-gen MINI GP could be produced.

Could the next generation MINI GP be the first in a whole generation of stand-alone JCW cars? That’s a thrilling prospect to say the least. But if the John Cooper Works does start producing independent models, will any of us mere mortals be able to afford one?

Car and Driver Wrote:Even though Minis have a real penchant for getting absurdly expensive with options and accessories—see our $46,244, ex-long-term JCW convertible as a prime example—Segler says the company will be careful about pricing future John Cooper Works offerings. Take a note from the relatively reasonable pricing of the BMW 1-series M and M3 GTS, we’re told. Considering that the 1-series M was something of a bargain at $47,010, that’s encouraging.

That’s highly encouraging. What good is a line of halo cars if they can only sell a handful? But perhaps the best thing that would come from a more dedicated JCW would be cars that much more highly tuned for performance. If past MINI models are the guidepost, two examples come to mind. The 2006 JCW GP, and the JCW version of the new MINI Coupé (which was designed as the “default” version of the car). Both cars are examples of MINIs that have been developed with a lot of focus. The result in both cases is a car with that little bit more — that little extra bit of feel, performance and refinement. If JCW gets to package each of its models this way, the result is likely to be really, really good.

Hagerty Wrote:2012 Hagerty Hot List: 10 Future Collector Cars Under $100,000

Scottsdale Auctions and Market Trends Highlight Next American- and foreign-built Classic Cars


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (January 26, 2012) – Hagerty, the world leader in classic car insurance and host to the largest database of classic cars, today announced its annual "Hagerty Hot List" of new vehicles that stand above their mass-produced peers. The announcement comes on the heels of the annual Scottsdale collector car auction week, a Mecca for classic car enthusiasts and the place where collector car values are established for the year ahead. With so many world-record breaking sales and increasing values, consumers may be wondering what cars have the best future collectability.


"After more than twenty years of witnessing car-collecting trends, we have the unique ability to look at new cars through the eyes of a collector," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. "This year's Hot List includes cars that are sure to develop a cult-like following because their characteristics resonate with driving enthusiasts."


Each year Hagerty asks its team of valuations experts to select which mass-produced vehicles with a MSRP of less than $100,000 will one day become collectible. The 2012 Hagerty Hot List (along with base price) is:


1. Buick Regal GS ($32,535) – It has been quite a long time since we could say "that isn't your Grandpa's Buick." Surprisingly, at a time when allegedly more sporting makes don't offer real three-pedal manual transmissions, Buick is doing it with the Regal GS.


2. Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition ($48,100) – Ford is calling this a "race car with a license plate," and it pays homage to the original and very collectible Boss 302. It is a beast on the race track, yet tame enough to drive on the street – and all for less than $50,000.


3. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($61,785) – Let's face it, Americans love SUVs. The problem is most SUVs don't handle as impressively as they look. The SRT8 version of the Grand Cherokee takes the rugged, go-anywhere look of an SUV and combines it with performance characteristics that would earn respect on a race track.


4. Fiat 500 Abarth ($22,000) – With a 160 horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, Abarth-tuned suspension, brakes and dual exhaust, the latest in-house-tuned Fiat recalls the "small but wicked" models from the past. Fiat's performance division also includes complimentary admission to the Abarth Driving Experience with each purchase. The cognoscenti line has formed.


5. Volkswagen Golf R ($36,000) – The Golf's ancestor, the MK I GTI from the early 1980s, is now a legitimate collectible, and the rare 2004 Golf R32 is headed in that direction. The new, all-wheel drive Golf R is geared towards someone who enjoys driving and evokes the same "pocket-rocket" characteristics of its forbearers.


6. Porsche 911 ($82,100) – The Porsche legacy is built around the 911. Every generation runs the course from being fun used cars for good buys to eventually swelling in value. If you are most concerned about a car holding its value over the long term, then this is the car on this list to buy now and lovingly keep.


7. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ($54,095) – Since 2005, the current generation of Shelby Mustangs has owned the king-of-the-hill position in the pony car segment. The new ZL1 Camaro with 580 horsepower brings Chevy back into the hunt and demonstrates that old-school muscle is alive and well.


8. Nissan GT-R Black Edition ($95,100) – Until this year, this is the car that young people in the U.S. have only been able to experience on video games. It manages to squeeze 530 horsepower out of a six-cylinder engine. While the invoice price is out of reach for most in the younger generation, we predict they will remember these cars years down the road after their student loans are paid off.


9. Dodge Charger SRT8 ($46,795) – What won us over is the giant touch screen in the center of the dash. And not for the reasons you are thinking. It has "performance pages" that feed input to the driver about performance statistics such as available horsepower and torque.


10. Audi TT RS ($56,850) – For people who won't buy a Porsche because they haven't won Le Mans in quite a while, the Audi TT RS is the answer. This is a car with global appeal, which means it will have global demand several decades down the road.