Carfolio.com welcomes 2012 with a new look and new features.

The first new feature is the ability to save your stable selections. In order to do so, log in and go to your stable, where you are able to give your selection a name and save it. You can share these lists with others, although only you can change or edit them.

Adding cars to your stable has become easier - simply click on the orange + icon that appears when your cursor is over the model name and it will be added to your stable.

Another new feature is the addition of pictures to most pages. When browsing the list of cars from any manufacturer, the latest few images added for the models of that manufacturer are shown to the left of the page.

2 new languages have been added to the specifications page, Italian and Spanish. These join the established French, German, Dutch and of course English translations. More work on the translations is in progress, so more languages will be added shortly.

If you experience any issues with the new interface or features, please drop an email to bugs@carfolio.com with as much detail as possible about what the problem may be and we will endeavour to fix it for you.

Thanks for using Carfolio.com, and have a great 2012!

• 
• Carfolio.com beta testing
• Image courtesy of Carfolio.com

Carfolio.com will soon have a completely new look, new functionality and have the specifications translated into new languages - Italian and Spanish ready to join the current French, Dutch and German translations.

Should you wish to apply to be a beta tester, please email beta@carfolio.com and please include a brief introduction about yourself.

• 
• BMW F30 3 Series
• Image courtesy of BMW

Today BMW released information on their latest 3 Series range, which carries the model designation F30. Initially available as a 4 door saloon with 4 engine choices, the range is sure to be expanded with more diesel and petrol engine choices, all-wheel drive variants, and of course, the obligatory station wagon (likely to still be called Touring), coupé and convertible versions, as well as the usual raft of powerful M-badged range-toppers.

Size-wise, the new 3 Series is longer, narrower and taller than the E90 3 Series it replaces. Overall length is 4624 mm (+93 mm), wheelbase is 2810 mm (+50 mm), width is 1811 mm (-6 mm) and height is 1429 mm (+8 mm). Despite this, BMW claims that the kerb weight across the range is lower by about 40 kg. Looking at the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics - the most aerodynamic of the 3 Series range - the coefficient of drag drops to 0.26 (from 0.27) but the frontal area rises from 2.17 m² to 2.20 m². Overall it means a reduction in CdA (which is the product of the drag coefficient and the frontal area) to 0.572 m².

The 320d EfficientDynamics, 320d and 335i saloons all have engines from the outgoing range, but the 328i is a new designation in some European markets, and is fitted with an engine that is new to the 3 Series family. This engine features the turbocharged 2 litre 4 pot currently found in the BMW Z4 sDrive28i and the latest BMW 528i. All engine variants can be ordered with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Ventilated discs all round provide stopping power, and steering is courtesy of an electrically-assisted rack & pinion setup.

Update:

Since writing this, 3 new model variants have come to light. They are the BMW 316d, BMW 318d and BMW 320i. The two diesel models produce 116 PS (85 kW) and 143 PS (103 kW) respectively, and the petrol model has 135 kW (184 PS). All 3 of them are also available with the 8 speed automatic transmission as an option.

• 2011 BMW 320d
• 2011 BMW 320d Automatic
• 2011 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics
• 2011 BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Automatic
• 2011 BMW 328i
• 2011 BMW 328i Automatic
• 2011 BMW 335i
• 2011 BMW 335i Automatic

The 3 new engine variants:

• 2011 BMW 316d
• 2011 BMW 316d Automatic
• 2011 BMW 318d
• 2011 BMW 318d Automatic
• 2011 BMW 320i
• 2011 BMW 320i Automatic

• 
• 2011 Kia Rio
• Image courtesy of Kia Motors

Details of Kia's latest 5 door Rio hatchbacks have been released ahead of the launch of the 3 door Kia Rio models which will take place in September of 2011, at the IAA in Frankfurt. Kia's revised Rio has been styled by a team led by Peter Schreyer.

The new 5 door Kia Rio's body is 4045 mm (159.3 in) in length, and sits on a 2570 mm (101.2 in) wheelbase - 55 mm (2.2 in) and 70 mm (2.8 in) larger respectively than the outgoing Kia Rio model. All the models in the Kia Rio range (in the UK, at least) will have disc brakes and ABS all round, with the front discs being internally ventilated.

For the UK market at launch, the Kia Rio 5 door will have 4 engine options: 1.25 and 1.4 litre petrol engines, and a 3 cylinder 1.1 litre diesel and a 4 cylinder 1.4 litre diesel. All the engines feature twin overhead camshafts and 4 valve cylinder heads.

The 1.25 litre petrol engine has a capacity of 1248 cc (76.158 cu in). This produces power of 84.2 PS (83 bhp) (61.9 kW) at 6000 rpm, and torque of 121.0 Nm (89 ft·lb) (12.3 kgm) at 4000 rpm. The only gearbox available with this engine at the date of launch is a five speed manual. Claimed performance figures are 12.6 seconds for the 0-100 km/h dash, and a top speed of 171 km/h (106 mph). The combined fuel economy for the 1.25 litre Kia Rio is 5.0 l/100km, and the CO₂ emissions are 114 g/km.

The other petrol engines variant is the 1.4 litre. This engine has a displacement of 1396 cc (85.189 cu in), and produces power of 108.5 PS (107 bhp) (79.8 kW) at 6300 rpm and torque of 137.0 Nm (101 ft·lb) (14 kgm) at 4200 rpm. This variant has as choice of a 6 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic gearbox. With the manual gearbox, the 1.4 litre Kia Rio covers the 0-100 km/h sprint in 11.1 seconds, has a top speed of 183 km/h (114 mph) and 5.5 l/100km combined fuel economy. The carbon dioxide emissions are 128 g/km. With the automatic gearbox, the respective figures are 12.7 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h, a top speed of 171 km/h (106 mph) and combined fuel consumption of 6.4 l/100km. The CO₂ emissions for the automatic are 150 g/km.

The 3 cylinder diesel engine has a swept capacity of 1120 cc (68.347 cu in). With a 16.0 compression ratio and common rail direct diesel injection, the diminutive turbo diesel engine produces maximum power of 75 PS (74 bhp) (55.2 kW) at 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 170.0 Nm (125 ft·lb) (17.3 kgm) at 1500-2750 rpm. With a six speed manual gearbox, the Eco version of the Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi manages an astonishing 85 g/km of CO₂ emissions. Performance is somewhat duller than the rest of the range, with the 0-100 km/h dash taking 14.9 seconds, and the top end not quite breaching the 100 mph (161 km/h) mark, at 158 km/h (98 mph).

The 4th, and final, engine for the Kia Rio 5 door hatchbacks at the time of the UK launch is a 4 cylinder, 1.4 litre common rail turbocharged diesel. This engine displaces 1396 cc (85.189 cu in) and produces 89.2 PS (88 bhp) (65.6 kW) at 4000 rpm power and 220.0 Nm (162 ft·lb) (22.4 kgm) at 1750-2750 rpm of torque, mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. This provides a top speed of 171 km/h (106 mph), a 12.6 second time for the 0-100 km/h benchmark and CO₂ emissions of 105 g/km.

• 2011 Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi Air
• 2011 Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi Eco
• 2011 Kia Rio 1.25
• 2011 Kia Rio 1.4
• 2011 Kia Rio 1.4 Automatic
• 2011 Kia Rio 1.4 CRDi

• 
• Ginetta G40R
• Image courtesy of Ginetta Cars

Ginetta Cars have been producing racing cars and light, agile sports cars for decades. Started by the Walklett brothers, Bob, Douglas, Ivor and Trevor in the 1950s, the company has survived and have launched their most recent road car - the Ginetta G40R.

Ginetta's G40 race car is a classically-styled coupé with a front-mounted longitudinal naturally aspirated inline four cylinder engine providing the shove. The G40R is the road-legal sports car version of these G40 racers. The Ginetta G40R features a Mazda-sourced 2.0 litre engine where the racing variants have 1.8 litre Ford Zetec units. With the 1999 cc engine providing 175 PS (173 bhp, 129 kW) at 6700 rpm, Ginetta are able to claim a very respectable 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds, thanks to a low overall weight of just 795 kg for the car.

The Ginetta G40R is a small car, sitting on a 2250 mm wheelbase and with an overall length of just 3748 mm, and is strikingly low at just 1045 mm high. Mazda's latest MX-5, by way of comparison, is 4020 mm long, 1245 mm high and weighs 1165 kg at the kerb. This car is small.

The G40R sports racing-derived suspension, with independently sprung double wishbones fore and aft, and adjustable anti-roll bars. Braking power is supplied courtesy of 280 mm ventilated discs all round. Beefy 205/40 ZR 17 84W tyres sit on 7.5 x 17 inch alloy rims. Power from the engine is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six speed manual transmission.

Ginetta claim a very respectable 225 km/h (140 mph) top speed for the pretty little coupé. Emissions are given as 181 g/km of CO₂, but that figure has been taken straight from the Mazda MX-5's specification figures. In this application with the smaller body and lighter weight, it would probably fare a little better than that figure.

• Ginetta G40R
• Mazda MX-5

• 
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
• Image courtesy of Chevrolet

All the following information and specifications are preliminary, as Chevrolet have not yet released complete and final specifications.

Chevrolet's 2012 model year Camaro ZL1 is the most powerful Chevrolet Camaro yet. The 2+2 seater coupé features a 6.2 litre supercharged V8 (LSA) engine, powering the rear wheels via a 6 speed manual transmission.

The Camaro's LSA V8 is an oversquare 103.25 x 92.0 mm bore & stroke (that's 4.06 x 3.62 inches), for a total swept capacity of 6162 cc (376.028 cubic inches). Coupled to an intercooled Eaton supercharger, this unit prodcues 558 PS (550 bhp) (410 kW) at 6100 rpm, with peak torque of 746 Nm (550 ft·lb) (76.1 kgm) at 3800 rpm.

Chevrolet have not given an indication of weight yet, but the Chevrolet Camaro SS tips the scales at 1751 kg (3860 lb). It is probable that the Camaro ZL1 will not be very different, as the body remains 4836 mm (190.4 in) long, atop a 2852 mm (112.3 in) wheelbase. Performance figures have not been officially released nor estimated as yet, but it is certain that the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be the fastest Chevrolet Camaro of them all.

Update: The official SAE-certified power ratings are in, and the Camaro ZL1 gets 580 bhp and 556 ft·lb of torque. Final data is not yet released, but the spec sheet will be updated when the numbers are official.

• 
• 2011 BMW M5 (F10)
• Image courtesy of BMW

The specifications for the 2011 F10-series BMW M5 have been released by BMW. The naturally aspirated 5-litre V10 of the previous E60 BMW M5 gives way to a turbocharged V8 of 4.4 litres capacity. Power and torque do not suffer though, as power is up to 560 PS (412 kW, 552 bhp) between 6000 and 7000 rpm (up from 507 PS/373 kW), and torque is up to 680 Nm (502 ft·lb) between 1500 and 5750 rpm (an improvement from 520 Nm/384 ft·lb). The 90 degree V8 features direct petrol injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger.

The current (in 2011) F10 BMW 5 Series is slightly larger than the E60 5 Series was - which is pretty standard for model range progressions. As a result, the 2011 BMW M5 is 4910 mm long, and sits on a 2964 mm wheelbase, whilst the E60 BMW M5 had an overall length of 4855 mm and a wheelbase of 2889 mm. Overall weight is up too, from 1830 kg to 1945 kg, and overall increase of 115 kg. Aerodynamics suffer slightly too, with the drag-coefficient dropping to 0.33 (from 0.31) and frontal area being larger at 2.4 m² over the E60's 2.26 m².

Despite the extra weight, the F10 BMW M5 outperforms the E60 BMW M5 on paper, with the 0-100 km/h dash completed 0.3 seconds faster, at a claimed 4.4 seconds. The standing-start kilometre is rattled off in a claimed 21.9 seconds - 0.8 seconds quicker. CO₂ emissions are down 35% - 357 g/km in the E60 BMW M5 to just 232 g/km in the 2011 BMW M5.

BMW have improved the M5's stopping power too, with ventilated discs all round - 400 mm in diameter at the front, and 396 mm at the rear, both larger than the outgoing M5 by some 26 mm. The gearbox is a seven speed automatic, and the tyres front and rear are 265/40 and 295/35 section, respectively, which sit on 9J x 19 inch and 10J x 19 inch rims.

• 2004 BMW M5 (E60)
• 2011 BMW M5 (F10)

• 
• New 2011 BMW 1 Series
• Image courtesy of BMW

The details of the latest model range of the 1 Series 5 door hatchback have been released by BMW. Other body styles, including a high-tailed hatchback similar in concept to the 5 Series GT are to follow soon.

The body of the new BMW 1 Series is 85 millimetres longer than its predecessor's (4324 mm and 4239 mm respectively), with a wheelbase 30 mm longer (2690 mm and 2660 mm, respectively). The front track is 51 mm wider and the rear track is 72 mm wider. The overall height height remains unchanged at 1421 mm, but the new BMW 1 Series is wider overall by 17 mm. The drag co-efficients of the various models ranges from 0.30 for the 116d and 118d models to 0.32 for the 118i, which is very similar to the outgoing model; however the frontal area is up slightly, at 2.14 m² (2.09 m² for the predecessor).

The initial range incorporates 2 petrol engine options and three diesels. The petrol engines are 1598 cc in capacity and the outputs are 136 and 170 PS for the 116i and 118i respectively. The three diesel variants range from 116 PS in the 116d, to 184 PS in the 120d.

2011 BMW 1 Series (F20) models in summary:
BMW 116i: Four-cylinder in-line petrol engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package, consisting of twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS variable valve control,
capacity: 1598 cc, output: 100 kW/136 PS at 4400 rpm,
maximum torque: 220 Nm at 1350-4300 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 8.5 seconds,
maximum speed: 210 km/h,
combined-cycle fuel consumption: 5.5-5.7 l/100km,
CO₂ emissions: 129-132 g/km, emissions standard: EU5.
BMW 118i: Four-cylinder in-line petrol engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package, consisting of twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS variable valve control,
capacity: 1598 cc, output: 125 kW/170 PS at 4800 rpm,
maximum torque: 250 Nm at 1500-4500 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.4 seconds,
maximum speed: 225 km/h,
combined-cycle fuel consumption: 5.8-5.9 l/100km,
CO₂ emissions: 134-137 g/km, emissions standard: EU5.
BMW 116d: Four-cylinder in-line diesel engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package, consisting of variable-geometry turbocharger with common-rail, magnetic-valve direct injection (max. injection pressure: 1600 bar),
capacity: 1955 cc, output: 85 kW/116 PS at 4000 rpm,
maximum torque: 260 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 10.3 seconds,
maximum speed: 200 km/h,
combined-cycle fuel consumption: 4.3-4.5 l/100km,
CO₂ emissions: 114-117 g/km, emissions standard: EU5.
BMW 118d: Four-cylinder in-line diesel engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package, consisting of variable-geometry turbocharger, common-rail, magnetic-valve direct injection (max. injection pressure: 1600 bar),
capacity: 1955 cc, output: 105 kW/143 PS at 4000 rpm,
max. torque: 320 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 8.9 seconds,
maximum speed: 212 km/h,
combined-cycle fuel consumption: 4.4-4.5 l/100km,
CO₂ emissions: 115-118 g/km, emissions standard: EU5.
BMW 120d: Four-cylinder in-line diesel engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package, consisting of variable-geometry turbocharger, common-rail magnetic-valve direct injection
(max. injection pressure: 1800 bar),
capacity: 1955 cc, output: 135 kW/184 PS at 4000 rpm,
maximum torque: 380 Nm at 1750-2750 rpm,
acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.2 seconds,
maximum speed: 228 km/h,
combined-cycle fuel consumption: 4.5-4.6 l/100km,
CO₂ emissions: 119-122 g/km, emissions standard: EU5.

• 2011 BMW 116i specifications
• 2011 BMW 116i Automatic specifications
• 2011 BMW 118i specifications
• 2011 BMW 118i Automatic specifications
• 2011 BMW 116d specifications
• 2011 BMW 116d Automatic specifications
• 2011 BMW 118d specifications
• 2011 BMW 118d Automatic specifications
• 2011 BMW 120d specifications
• 2011 BMW 120d Automatic specifications

• 
• Nissan Skyline Autech
• Image courtesy of Autech

Autech, Nissan's own tuning arm, has produced a number of interesting limited production models based on regular Nissan vehicle underpinnings. In 1992, Autech produced and sold a very special version of the then-current Nissan R32 Skyline range. The 1992 Nissan Skyline Autech featured a 4 door saloon body mated to a naturally-aspirated version of the 2.6 litre straight six RB26DETT engine found in the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R coupé.

The Nissan Skyline Autech used a 4 door saloon body, but this featured some of the front and rear styling addenda normally found on the mighty Skyline GT-R body, which was only available as a 2 door coupé. The saloon was 35 mm longer than the coupé, at 4580 mm long. Despite having some wider body styling around the rear wheelarches, the Autech Skyline body was some 60 mm narrower than the GT-R, at 1695 mm. Being slightly longer than the GT-R, the Autech Skyline weighed in at a little more at the kerb, at a total of 1480 kg.

Like the Skyline GT-R, the Autech Skyline had all-wheel drive. The naturally aspirated RB26DE engine had a swept capacity of 2598 cc, with a bore and stroke of 86.0 mm and 73.7 mm respectively. A 10.5:1 compression ratio and 4 valves per cylinder enabled the unit to produce 220 PS (217 bhp) (162 kW) at 6800 rpm, with torque of 245 Nm (181 ft·lb) (25 kgm)
at 5200 rpm. This was mated to a 4 speed automatic transmission, and Nissan's all-wheel drive system.

Official production numbers are not known, but it is said that there were less than 200 of these very special Nissan Skylines produced. The combination of Skyline GT-R styling touches on a 4 door saloon body with a naturally aspirated RB26DE engine mated to a 4 speed automatic gearbox driving through all four wheels makes it a completely unique Skyline.

Specifications of cars mentioned in this article:

• Nissan Skyline Autech R32
• Nissan Skyline GT-R R32

Additions to the Carfolio.com automobile specifications database over the last few days include the following:

• Hyundai i40 range
• Ssangyong Chairman W range
• Ssangyong Rexton II range
• Opel Insignia OPC Automatic