La Dolce Veloce

Just saw in AutoExpress that they’re recalling around 2500 MR2 Spyders over there. The problem is with a seal in the master cylinder that can corrode, allowing fluid to bypass the seal and thus affecting stopping distance. I don’t know if this affects US cars but would assume so, so if you own one of these and have a problem like this, might want to look into that.

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, might want to wait a few years. Porsche is building a new museum in Stuttgart, set to open by 2007.

This comes as a surprise to few; BMW is unveiling an M version of their 6-series (coupe based on the 5-series). A 500+hp V10 engine will push this coupe to 60mph in under 4.6 seconds. Quick, but not all that impressive given the amount of power this car has. As a comparison, the Lotus Elise accomplishes the same acceleration with only 190hp. This can likely be attributed to the BMW’s hefty mass (though the carbon fiber roof of the M6 surely helps).

Expect more information after the Geneva motor show.
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Every car nut knows that lightweight wheels are an important element in vehicle performance. To achieve this, wheels have been designed with lightweight materials (magnesium, and more commonly, aluminum), improved manufacturing methods (forging, to increase the strength per unit weight), and construction techniques (making the wheels from multiple pieces, to optimize material and process for each part). Well, a company called AutoVelocity has taken it a step further, producing what can truly be considered a twenty first century wheel. What makes it special is the use of carbon fiber for the rim (with magnesium for the spokes, though a titanium version is in the works). The result is a wheel that weighs half what a comparably sized one would (like 8lbs!). Inexpensive? Not a chance. Try $1500 and up. PER WHEEL. (Note – their website indicates that they’re not just a wheel company, but rather, are designing a supercar to hit the roads this fall. Quite ambitious, I hope they succeed!).

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The Dodge Neon has received much praise for its design and drivability, but its once original design is showing its age. This spring, Dodge will show the Caliber concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show. The Caliber is due to replace the beloved Neon. Its side profile is much like the Toyota Matrix, which is not a bad thing – this mini-wagon shape is attractive and provides for a lot of interior space.

At the Chicago Auto Show, Mazda unveiled the Mazda3 SP23, thus exhibiting that their specialty really does lie with designing cars, not with coming up with creative names for them.

The SP23 is available as either a four or five door, with a 2.3l 160hp engine. Cosmetic enhancements include 17″ wheels, side sills, and Carbon Gray Mica paint (the only one available). Other electronic gizmos are thrown in (rain sensing wipers, for example), which combined with the leather interior makes this so much more than your basic budget compact, it moves it much closer to (surpases, perhaps?) VW’s Jetta in the compact luxury class.

AutoWeek reports that BMW is working on a new “multipurpose” vehicle to be build on the same platform as their X5 SUV. In other words, they’re designing a new station wagon with fair ground clearance and lots of head room.