Frozen Black Edition M3

BMW has announced the 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe for the United States market.

The Frozen Black Edition’s distinguishing feature is its matte black bodywork. Rather than using a vinyl wrap, the effect is achieved by the use of a special BMW Individual paint finish which involves spraying a silk matte clear coat over a metallic black base coat. BMW claims the result meets all of its durability and longevity standards, although it does take the precaution of providing owners with special care guidelines.



Not that there will be many owners, as production of the Frozen Black Edition is to be strictly limited to just twenty examples - and BMW of North America is going to be keeping one of those, at least for now.



Anyone wanting one of the remaining nineteen cars had better keep Thursday, 16th June 2011 free, because that’s the day on which the order line opens (and probably closes, too). The number is 1-800-245-4269, but BMW doesn’t want anyone calling before 11:30AM Eastern Time / 8:30AM Pacific. Delivery of cars to successful applicants will then follow during June and July 2011.

As well as having the order number on speed dial, potential customers will also need $79,650 at their disposal to actually buy the Frozen Black Edition.



That MSRP is substantially higher than the $61,075 (including destination charges and gas guzzler tax) of the standard M3 Coupe, but the specification of the special edition features much more besides just that paintwork.



Although the 4.0 litre V8 engine is unchanged, it does come equipped with the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, reducing the 0-60 mph time from 4.7 to 4.5 seconds. The usually optional Competition Package is also included, which comprises lowered suspension, Electronic Damping Control and revised mapping for the traction control.



The interior gets Extended Novillo Leather with contrast red stitching, heated front seats, a BMW Individual enhanced audio system (including satellite radio), plus both the Premium Package 2 and Convenience Package.



Finally, the exterior look is completed by gloss black trim elements, 19” alloy wheels borrowed from the M3 GTS and red brake calipers.



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Frozen Black Edition M3

BMW has announced the 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe for the United States market.

The Frozen Black Edition’s distinguishing feature is its matte black bodywork. Rather than using a vinyl wrap, the effect is achieved by the use of a special BMW Individual paint finish which involves spraying a silk matte clear coat over a metallic black base coat. BMW claims the result meets all of its durability and longevity standards, although it does take the precaution of providing owners with special care guidelines.



Not that there will be many owners, as production of the Frozen Black Edition is to be strictly limited to just twenty examples - and BMW of North America is going to be keeping one of those, at least for now.



Anyone wanting one of the remaining nineteen cars had better keep Thursday, 16th June 2011 free, because that’s the day on which the order line opens (and probably closes, too). The number is 1-800-245-4269, but BMW doesn’t want anyone calling before 11:30AM Eastern Time / 8:30AM Pacific. Delivery of cars to successful applicants will then follow during June and July 2011.

As well as having the order number on speed dial, potential customers will also need $79,650 at their disposal to actually buy the Frozen Black Edition.



That MSRP is substantially higher than the $61,075 (including destination charges and gas guzzler tax) of the standard M3 Coupe, but the specification of the special edition features much more besides just that paintwork.



Although the 4.0 litre V8 engine is unchanged, it does come equipped with the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, reducing the 0-60 mph time from 4.7 to 4.5 seconds. The usually optional Competition Package is also included, which comprises lowered suspension, Electronic Damping Control and revised mapping for the traction control.



The interior gets Extended Novillo Leather with contrast red stitching, heated front seats, a BMW Individual enhanced audio system (including satellite radio), plus both the Premium Package 2 and Convenience Package.



Finally, the exterior look is completed by gloss black trim elements, 19” alloy wheels borrowed from the M3 GTS and red brake calipers.



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Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy

Renault has announced the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, a car that it’s touting as a serious rival to the Volkswagen Golf R.

As the name implies, the new arrival has had a modest power increase compared to the existing Mégane Renaultsport 250. Its 2.0 litre engine now produces 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of peak torque, courtesy of a revised air intake and a rise in turbo boost pressure from 2.3 to 2.5 bar.



The effect on performance isn’t spectacular, though. Top speed rises from 156 mph (251 km/h) to 158 mph (254 km/h), while the Mégane’s zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 6.1 to 6.0 seconds. Perhaps surprisingly there’s no adverse effect on efficiency, with average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remaining at 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km) and 190 g/km respectively.



By contrast, the all-wheel drive Golf R will ‘only’ hit 155 mph (250 km/h), but its 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds (or 5.5 seconds with the optional DSG transmission) comfortably surpasses that of the Renault. Volkswagen’s offering is marginally less economical though, managing 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while its CO2 figure with the standard manual gearbox is a high 199 g/km.

Another important area where the Mégane beats its opponent is price. In the UK, the three-door Golf R has a price tag of £31,115 on the road, but the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy costs £27,820.



So quite a saving, but it assumes potential customers will actually be able to get their hands on the Renault. That’s because only 500 examples of the 265 Trophy are going to be built, of which just fifty are coming to the UK. The rest will be divided between Austria, Belgium, France (where it’ll be priced at €35,500), Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.



Specification includes the Cup chassis - with its stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar - plus a mechanical limited slip differential and the PerfoHub front suspension set-up that is designed to overcome the inevitable torque steer. The black 19” alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, which are claimed to have Formula 1 inspired tread patterns.



On the inside of the Mégane, there are Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts as well as the Renaultsport Monitor data logging system. It records and displays various parameters in real time, something that’s probably useful for track days if not the daily commute.



Whereas other markets get a choice of yellow, black, white or grey paintwork, UK buyers will be restricted to just the first two colours. However, as compensation, their cars will come complete with a numbered plaque and, more importantly, owners will also get free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK track day calendar.



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Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy

Renault has announced the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, a car that it’s touting as a serious rival to the Volkswagen Golf R.

As the name implies, the new arrival has had a modest power increase compared to the existing Mégane Renaultsport 250. Its 2.0 litre engine now produces 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of peak torque, courtesy of a revised air intake and a rise in turbo boost pressure from 2.3 to 2.5 bar.



The effect on performance isn’t spectacular, though. Top speed rises from 156 mph (251 km/h) to 158 mph (254 km/h), while the Mégane’s zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 6.1 to 6.0 seconds. Perhaps surprisingly there’s no adverse effect on efficiency, with average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remaining at 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km) and 190 g/km respectively.



By contrast, the all-wheel drive Golf R will ‘only’ hit 155 mph (250 km/h), but its 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds (or 5.5 seconds with the optional DSG transmission) comfortably surpasses that of the Renault. Volkswagen’s offering is marginally less economical though, managing 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while its CO2 figure with the standard manual gearbox is a high 199 g/km.

Another important area where the Mégane beats its opponent is price. In the UK, the three-door Golf R has a price tag of £31,115 on the road, but the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy costs £27,820.



So quite a saving, but it assumes potential customers will actually be able to get their hands on the Renault. That’s because only 500 examples of the 265 Trophy are going to be built, of which just fifty are coming to the UK. The rest will be divided between Austria, Belgium, France (where it’ll be priced at €35,500), Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.



Specification includes the Cup chassis - with its stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar - plus a mechanical limited slip differential and the PerfoHub front suspension set-up that is designed to overcome the inevitable torque steer. The black 19” alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, which are claimed to have Formula 1 inspired tread patterns.



On the inside of the Mégane, there are Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts as well as the Renaultsport Monitor data logging system. It records and displays various parameters in real time, something that’s probably useful for track days if not the daily commute.



Whereas other markets get a choice of yellow, black, white or grey paintwork, UK buyers will be restricted to just the first two colours. However, as compensation, their cars will come complete with a numbered plaque and, more importantly, owners will also get free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK track day calendar.



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