by Cristian Ionescu

What a surprise! Yet, the car producers felt overwhelmed by the essential projects of those times – the ones that shall transform the automobile into a consumer good that is as exciting as an electric cooking stove (one that is even less toxic to the environment and less dangerous for the user than any oven connected to a an electric plug) –, some of them were able to find the necessary time and resources to launch some real, or almost out of fashion cars. Certainly we are talking about those models that actually need a licensed driver, cars that are capable of drawing admiration by their simple presence and, no matter how shameful this may seem, these cars still need to be fueled at the pump with fossil fuels. We are irremediably caught between a very politically incorrect (but sincere) admiration and a very serious eco-analytical anxiety.

Audi A4 all road

The second generation of the Audi A4 allroad model was presented, at the beginning of this year, at the Auto Show in Detroit. The car will go into the showrooms somehow in an unexpected manner, during the peak of summer season. The all road adventure started in 1999, when the Audi engineers supplied more manhood and more spirit of adventure to the Avant (break) version of the A6 model, making some cosmetic upgrades, and, most of all, using the same well-thought-out technologies. Audi`s marketing department took a decade to observe the potential of the newly created (sub) brand and to decide the production of a second, more accessible model of A4 – an absolute normal decision. The first all road A4 edition accomplished its mission and the new generation thus created was promising to provide to all nature lovers householder all the known advantages of this car together with some improvements that were expected from such a fresh model.

BMW M2 Coupé

Do not let yourselves be fooled by the digit 2. The new BMW M2 Coupé runs with all its 370 horsepower towards one single objective: to become a grade A model. It remains to be seen if its ambitions become reality. Certainly the freshest and smallest member of the M series from BMW is the follower of some sharp “tools”, such as the M1 Coupé Series and, most of all, the Turbo 2002.

Under the seemingly small hood of the Bavarian coupé, lies a “six in a row” that makes the connoisseurs drool with desire, even after finding out there is a (necessary - we presume -) system of over fueling, the TwinTurbo. As we just mentioned, the TwinTurbo engine and the mechanism provide together a 370 horsepower but also a maximum coupling that can go up to 500 Nm for a short time (in a “normal” regime, the back wheels receive “only” 465 Nm). 

The new BMW M2 Coupé can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4, 3 seconds (when the car has the automated transmission M DCT). If you choose a manual gearbox, you lose two tenths, but you can compensate this with the feeling of absolute control over the small “beast”. The BMW M2 Coupé can be purchased starting with this April, for a price of 50.650 de euro, WATT not included.

Lexus LC500

We know that it is probably too late, but even so, for the sake of the artistic effect, we must encourage you to take a close look at this car. Therefore, contemplate this wonderful red car in photos and enjoy it while you still can! It goes without saying that, in a more or less far, and certainly better, cleaner and “greener” future, such creations – seducing and degenerated monsters reminding of polluting times when personality and creativity were allowed – shall be forbidden, to prevent them from disturbing the path of the gentle “little boxes”, such as the Google cars.

Although it seems just an exercise of style that has minimum chances of ever going into production, Lexus LC500 is, in fact, a (super) model that is as real as it gets, and it is prepared to be released on the public roads, as to spite the worldwide ecologists. Under the aggressively designed hood there is an immense V8 engine of 5.0 liters fueled with gas. The 467 horsepower produced there are delivered to the back deck through a gearbox that has 10 levels – a worldwide premier. This legendary Coupé shall reward its clients with a fantastic soundtrack, most of all when they will test the capacity of reaching 100 km/h in just 4, 5 seconds.

Mini John Cooper Works Cabrio

John Cooper Works, the strongest version of the Mini series, will be available starting with March, also to those who wish to drive a Cabriolet. Clients who care less about their hairstyle, but are rather interested in living exclusive and special sensations, shall enjoy the 231 horsepower and an electric textile retractable roof that provides the most interesting experiences under the open sky.

The top convertible of the Mini series comes all accessorized with some delicious artistic details, typical for this version, and, in addition, with a series of security systems that all have in common the word “control”: Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Electronic Differential Lock Control and... Performance Control.

All these technologies that we have just briefly mentioned are very much welcome, because the “pocket” cabriolet can reach “the hundred” in 6,5 seconds  (having the automated transmission services), and afterwards it is able to speed undisturbed up to the maximum speed of 242 km/h.