2006 New York Auto Show Coverage by TCC Team (4/10/2006)
BMW 3-Series Is World Car of The Year

2006 BMW 330i
The other finalists, the Mazda MX-5 and the Porsche Cayman S, were also evaluated based on “value, safety, significance and emotional appeal,” among other things, by the jurors. The BMW 3-Series is built on two continents and the cars are sold in 140 markets globally. Jurors claimed the tradeoffs between performance and practicality are “more perfectly balanced with the 3-Series than is the case with any other make.” The Audi A6 was the 2005 winner.
Newly created this year were three additional specialty awards created for vehicles in performance, design, and environmental responsibility categories. The Porsche Cayman S was voted world performance car from 29 vehicles that included the Audi RS4 and BMW M5 as the other finalists. The Citroen C4 took design honors for its “stylistic originality that defined the brand’s reputation in the past, without resorting to a retro look.” Other finalists for design were the BMW 3-Series, and the European version of the Honda Civic, culled from an initial list of 27 vehicles. The Honda Civic Hybrid topped 21 other machines for World Green Car.—Ken Zino
MINI Cooper Brings John Cooper Works GP Kit
MINI is
extending its line with a John Cooper Works GP kit that removes the rear seats
and some insulation for about a 100-pound weight reduction, adds an aero
package, offers stability control as a no-cost option, and tweaks the engine to
214 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque at 4600 rpm. Output is enhanced by
modifications to the intercooler, the supercharger, and the electronic engine
management system. Acceleration times of 6.5 seconds from zero to 62 mph are
claimed. The John Cooper Works GP Kit will be limited to 2000 units worldwide
with the car number lettered above the driver’s door. The
2007
The Tokyo Motor Show in 2007 will
be held at Makuhari Messe in
2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B

2007 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B
Impreza WRX STI Limited
Why Subaru would want to offer the acclaimed WRX STI in a Limited, "more refined" version seems to contradict the reason the car was successful in the first place. Nevertheless, the 2007 Limited has been sent to "finishing school" with heated leather seats, a more subdued exterior look, and a power glass moonroof. The Limited delivers the same performance of the standard model with a turbocharged and intercooled, 2.5-liter DOHC boxer engine producing 293 hp at 6000 rpm and 290 lb-ft of peak torque at 4400 rpm and delivered to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. A planetary center differential provides 41:59 torque distribution. Both mechanically and electronically controlled limited slip differentials are used. Automatic or manual modes can vary the split up to 50:50 with the center differential locked.
"We know some enthusiasts have resisted the temptation to buy one simply because they want more everyday driving comfort and refinement, along with less aggressive styling,” said Fred Adcock, executive vice president, Subaru of America. “Now, with the STI’s reputation for pure performance unquestioned, we recognized an opportunity to broaden the car’s appeal.”
The WRX STI Limited will be available in the fall in a limited run of 800 numbered units, 400 in Satin White Pearl and 400 in Urban Gray Metallic.—Ken Zino
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