BMW REVEALS SOME HOT COMPETITION

ONLY weeks after launching its new M3 Competition Saloon and M4 Competition Coupe, BMW is set to add another two variants to the model line-up.

They come courtesy of the M xDrive all-wheel drive system - available for the high-performance sports cars in the premium midsize segment for the first time.

With more driven wheels, the new xDrive variants take the M experience to a higher level with improvements in traction, handling and stability enabling both models to reach 62mph from standstill in 3.5 seconds, making them 0.4 seconds quicker on the sprint than their rear-wheel drive counterparts.

The power from the 510bhp straight-six engine fitted in the new models is directed via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.

The M-specific all-wheel drive system then divides it between the front and rear wheels as required to enhance agility, directional stability, traction and track-focused dynamics, with a rear-biased set-up.

Customers will have further choice later in the year when the newcomers will be joined by the latest version of the BMW M4 Convertible.

GOLDEN ENCORE FOR POLESTAR 1

A SPECIAL version of the Polestar 1 electric performance hybrid, due to reach the end of production later this year, has been revealed.

The new special edition features a bespoke matte gold exterior paint job with matching callipers and black wheels.

Inside, colour-matched gold stitching gives the interior a more unique feel to the 25 examples to be built.

The electric performance hybrid has a lightweight body made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer, twin rear electric motors, torque vectoring and high performance components like Akebono brakes and adjustable dampers.

With a combined power output of 609bhp and 1,000 Nm of torque, the Polestar 1 boasts a purely electric driving range of 78 miles.

Polestar chief Thomas Ingenlath said: "We didn't design it to compete with other cars, and neither did we design it to suit a specific target customer.

"Polestar 1 was about pushing our own boundaries, exploring a new era for Polestar and launching the brand with a strong statement."

GRIFFIN EDITIONS JOIN VAUXHALL LINE-UP

VAUXHALL has added new Griffin Edition models to its Corsa, Astra and Grandland X vehicle range.

The new Corsa Griffin Edition, Astra Griffin Edition and Grandland X Griffin Edition are available to order now, with prices starting from £18,530 for the Corsa, £19,245 for the Astra and £25,765 for the Grandland X version.

Last year, Vauxhall launched a new Griffin logo, now featuring a 2-D design of its iconic Griffin and the new badges can be found across all new Vauxhall models, with the Corsa Griffin Edition, Astra Griffin Edition and the Grandland X Griffin edition wearing the new logo both front and rear.

All three models are available with a choice of petrol or diesel engines.

CUPRA FORMENTOR LANDS DESIGN AWARD

THE CUPRA Formentor has landed the Red Dot Award for Product Design 2021.

The Formentor has already exceeded its maker's expectations by finishing on the podium in this year's Car of The Year award - some achievement, given the brand is only three years old.

The award highlights outstanding design quality and is presented to the product considered the year's best, whether for aesthetic appeal, function or smart innovations.

Evaluation is based on a variety of criteria, with each of 50 jurors offering a different area of expertise, the criteria including topics such as the degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics, symbolic and emotional content and eco compatibility.

The Formentor came out on top thanks to its ability to mix the needs of the everyday with the passion and emotion of a high-performance vehicle.

POST-LOCKDOWN OFFERS FROM MITSUBISHI

MITSUBISHI Motors has an array of spring offers for customers seeking a new post-lockdown vehicle to get them back on the road.

There are customer savings across the range for cars registered between April 1 and July 31 2021, up to £4,000 on some models, with three years' of free routine maintenance, as well as three years' home and roadside assistance, also included.

In addition, anyone who takes a test drive at an official Mitsubishi Motors dealership until May 31 is eligible for an additional £400 saving on top of any existing offer.

That means that customer savings can range from a £1,400 on the Mitsubishi ASX (£1,000 saving plus £400 test drive bonus) to a £4,400 saving (£4,000 customer saving plus £400 test drive bonus) on both the Eclipse Cross and L200 pickup.

And the UK's best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, attracts a £3,900 saving (£3,500 + £400) and there is a £2,400 (£2000 + £400) saving for Outlander Petrol customers.