You may remember the video we posted a few days ago of Chinese stunt driver Han Yue breaking the record for the tightest parallel park.
Well he wasn’t satisfied with breaking just one world record that day, Yue set another world record on the very same day – only this time it was for the most donuts (spins) around a car driving on two wheels in one minute.
Professional drivers Han Yue and Zhang Shengjun managed to achieve 10 donuts – drifting around the MINI 3 Door Hatchback. The mini was driven on two wheels, while the BMW M4 Coupe slid around the mini as it continually moves forward.
The obscure record took place at the Chinese Drift Championship in Chongqing, China on 14 November 2014.
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BMW have now revealed the latest edition to their high performance sports car line up with the all new M4 convertible.
The M4 Convertible is said to replicate the performance figures of the new BMW M3 but “emphasizes its stylish and distinctive appearance through its individual character and places the fascination of sporty and dynamic open-top driving at centre stage”.
Performance
The M4 convertible is powered by the same 431hp six-cylinder inline engine with M Twinpower Turbo Technology found in the new
M3 Sedan and new M4 Coupe. The car has been fitted with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, and takes just
4.6 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph), dropping to 4.4 seconds if the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission is specified. The top speed is an electronically governed 250 km/h (155 mph).
Styling
The somewhat aggressive ‘M design’ styling battles with the effeminate nature that is inherent in all convertibles.
Standout features include the hallmark power dome on the bonnet, the double-spoke ‘M’ wheels, M gills with integrated Air Breathers behind the front wheel housing, flared front and rear wheel arches, and the high-gloss polished, slanting pair of twin exhaust tailpipes.The M4 Convertible comes as standard with low-weight, forged 18-inch BMW M light-alloy wheels, though 19-inch wheels are available as an optional extra.
Inside the car the car has been well kitted out, as expected, with all the usual M sport goodies.
Leather clad with chrome touches and a large visual display has been appointed front and centre.
In another part of the world, where the sun is always shining I imagine this car would have great appeal, driving enthusiastically with the roof down, however in this part of the world, where we call two days in a row without rain summer, I’m not sure if it will have the same effect. If you are one of the select few who feel like driving around with the top down in the rain, this car is set to go on sale on September this year… just in time for winter!
]]>1. Audi Allroad Shooting Break Concept
First off is the Audi Allroad Shooting break concept, although the name may still need a little work the car itself looks to be a close to production vehicle.
The car looks to be a mash up of the entire audi production line. It’s like a sporty two door jeep with hints of a saloon car and hatchback. While I think it looks visibly appealing, I’m not sure what market this car is targeted at, perhaps a sporty off roader that Audi see as a competitor for the likes of the Range Rover Evoque?
2. 2015 BMW M3 Sedan & M4 Coupe
BMW announced their plans for the M3 Sedan & M4 Coupe, with the latter causing much controversy as it is set to place the previous M3 2 door Coupe.
Both vehicles will not only be lighter than their predecessors but both will receive a power boost in the form of a twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine producing 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual or 7-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission is available.
3. 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
If you’re a fan of american muscle then this car is for you, the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is one of the more impressive cars to be unveiled at Motor City this year and it has the power to back up those menacing looks. The supercharged V8 lurking under its sculpted and vented bonnet makes at least 625 horsepower, putting up there with the last-generation ZR1. It will come with either a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission and is set to go on sale early next year.
4. KIA GTA Stinger Concept
One of the more interesting cars for me at the Detroit motor show this year was KIA’s GTA Stinger Concept. The Korean company have been working hard over the last decade to strengthen their brand in the marketplace and bringing a successful sports car to the game will go a long way in making a big impact in the car industry. Kia’s tagline is “The Power to Surprise and they’ve certainly done that with this car. The car was designed at the California Design Center America and for their first proper sports car I think it looks pretty impressive. The car comes equipped with turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces an impressive 315 horsepower. Kia claims to have no plans to put this car into production though with the reception it received at Detroit, these plans may change.
5. 2015 Lexus RC-F Coupe
Although its official unveiling was at the Detroit Motor show, details of the RC-F were released prior to this and they can be found from our article on the car here…
6. 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
The new GLA45 AMG was first debuted as a concept last Autumn at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but it was Detroit that got to see the final production model.
The impressive crossover boasts the most powerful series-production 4-cylinder engine in the world, a 2.0-liter turbo four that puts out an impressive 355 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. This power is transferred to the road via a 7-speed automatic and the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC AWD system and the GLA45 will hit 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds.
7. MINI John Cooper Works Concept
As previously mentioned by us here…http://motacarblog.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/new-mini-john-cooper-works-to-premiere-in-detroit/ the new John Cooper Works Concept was finally unveiled.
8. 2014 Porsche 911 Targa
Porsche first introduced the Targa on the 1965 911, though in this latest up to date model, the 911 Targa features an innovative folding cloth top that stores behind the rear seats, preserving the cars instantly recognizable roofline. Porsche says the new 911 Targa’s top takes just 19 seconds to open and close while the car is stationary.
9. 2015 Subaru WRX STI
The STI version of the Subaru takes an already improved WRX and adds more power and grip. The 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer 4-cylinder engine produces 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque and is teamed with an improved 6-speed manual transmission. A special Launch Edition, limited to only 1,000 units, will be available exclusively and features WRX Blue paint and comes equipped with gold BBS forged alloy wheels.
10. Toyota FT-1 Concept
Last but not least in our top ten picks from Detroit is Toyota’s unveiling of their FT-1 Concept. This awe inspiring car was probably the most talked about car that was revealed at Motor City and there has been a wave of speculation and rumours that have followed in regards to whether or not this car will be the next Supra. Toyota say the FT stands for future Toyota so lets hope this car will go in to production. The FT-1 is a creation of Toyota’s CALTY design studio, and helps celebrate the studio’s 40th anniversary. Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota’s CALTY design studio, made this comment to journalists at the Detroit motor show: ‘We always like to see our concepts as having a purpose.’
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