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BMW

However, the new-look...

However, the new-look Impreza will not be the only radical departure for the Japanese performance car market in 2007, as Mitsubishi is also planning to update its Evo range. The firm wants to enhance the appeal of its new Colt CZT supermini with an even faster version that will carry the famous Evo badge. With a high-output turbocharged engine and front-wheel drive, the hotter Colt is designed to provide Evo thrills for less money than the bigger saloon.



Britain’s Jenson...

Britain’s Jenson Button has admitted that winning his first-ever grand prix was easy. The Honda driver took his and the Japanese team’s debut victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix, after coming through from 14th on the grid.


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1. Speeding

1. Speeding

Road Tests

The new dashboard will...

The new dashboard will be thicker and wider than the current one, and features a selection of wood, plastic or body-coloured inserts depending on the trim level. It will get air vents in pods at each end, as on the original Mini, plus additional vents mounted in the middle of the dash.

While the central speedometer will remain, it will be made much larger to incorporate a head-up display for the radio and trip computer, as well as doubling up as the sat-nav screen on more upmarket variants. The heater dials will be moved lower down in the centre console, with their own digital read-out, while minor controls and window switches will remain on chrome toggle switches in front of the gearlever, as in the current car.

Also incorporated in the centre console is a DVD system and an MP3 player. Meanwhile, a Bluetooth-compatible communications package, using the same technology as that recently introduced on the facelifted BMW 7-Series, could well appear in the plushest variants.

Our pictures all show a car with a six-speed manual transmission. This suggests that the gearbox will become standard across the MINI range when the new model makes its debut, rather than simply being fitted to the flagship Cooper S variant as at present.

Other intriguing features include a small joystick ahead of the handbrake, which could well signal the introduction of BMW"s trademark iDrive system to the MINI line-up. There is also a "Sport" button ahead of the gearlever. This may act in a similar way to that fitted to the Vauxhall Astra, sharpening the steering and throttle response, plus stiffening the damper rates when tackling more challenging routes.

The two additional buttons located either side of the joystick appear to be the controls for the heated seats. These look chunkier and much simpler to use than the fiddly items which are available on the existing MINI.

This fresh cabin is also expected to address some of the criticisms levelled at the existing one. You could expect additional interior storage areas, greater legroom for rear passengers and a more usable boot when the new model appears in 2007.




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