Top Gear's Christmas Special Cars go on Display at the World of Top Gear Exhibition in the UK

This year’s Top Gear Christmas Special saw Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May embark on their most dangerous challenge yet: following the path of the three wise men, which took them on a 1,200 mile (1,932 km) journey, from Iraq to Bethlehem. In classic Top Gear fashion, the TV show hosts completed the trip in a trio of specially modified cars. These vehicles are now on display in the World of Top Gear exhibition at Beaulieu, UK.

Jeremy Clarkson bet his money on a Mazda MX5 that featured a unique “car of many colors” paintjob, an “axle of evil” and body full of holes, as a testimony to a “bulletproofing” plan gone wrong. An oversized bullbar and hookah pipe were also installed, but the latter fell off at some point in the journey.

James May went for an Afrika Korps and Luftwaffe themed BMW Z3, complete with a shovel and pickaxe mounted on the bonnet, plus a gas canister on the left fender.

Richard Hammond used a Fiat Barchetta, which, surprisingly, proved to be quite reliable. Special touches applied included actual “bits” of desert glued to the front of the car and parts of a Bedouin tent strapped to the rear.

World of Top Gear features a collection of cars used over the years in different challenges by the cast of the TV show and it also includes the “Enormodrome”, a recreation of the actual studio where the show is filmed.

“We like to keep the exhibition as up to date as we possibly can and what could be better than for fans to see the show on TV and then the cars just a few days later”, said Stephen Munn, Commercial Director at the National Motor Museum.

For more information visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.

New BMW Z4 Roadster Receives the G-POWER Treatment

The Germans at G-Power have released their first take on the second generation BMW Z4 E89 hardtop-roadster. The tuning firm's performance package for the new Z4 includes a power kit for the sDrive 35i's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six engine along with suspension and wheel/tire upgrades. We suspect that it won't be long before G-Power unleashes a 400HP+ beast based on the Z4 but until then, let's see in detail what the company has prepared for the German roadster starting off with the engine kit.

The Z4 sDrive 35i's twin-turbocharged inline six benefits from the BI-TRONIK performance module that that pushes the factory engine's output from a standard 306HP and 400Nm (295-lbs/ft) of torque to a more satisfying 345HP and 480Nm (354-lbs/ft) of torque. G-Power claims that with this kit, the 345HP Z4 Roadster can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds, or half a second faster than the factory model.

G-Power's offerings also include a new coil-over suspension and a more sonorous stainless steel sport rear muffler with four tail pipes. While the tuning firm has not released any type of aero parts (yet), Z4 owners can equip their car with a new set of 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport rubber (255/30 ZR 20 up front and 295/25 ZR 20 at the rear).

And now for the prices. The cost for the 20 inch alloy wheels along with the Michelin tires is €4,474 while the coil-over suspension is €1,256 and the rear muffler, €1,508. As for the engine kit, prices have been set at €1,978 but unless you know your way around the engine bay, you'll have to pay another €403 to get it installed.

G-Power Transfers BMW M5 Hurricane RR Supercharger Tech to the E85 Z4 Roadster

German tuner G-Power has decided to share some of the technology found on the 800-horsepower M5 Hurricane RR and M6 Hurricane RR with the masses by offering a modified version of the supercharger system on the [previous generation] E85 BMW Z4 as well as the E46 Series with the 3.0-liter straight-six engine. On both models, the redesigned SK Plus supercharger system replaces the previous ASA TM3 supercharger.

The geometry of the compressor has been modified as has the housing, resulting in a more efficient build-up of boost in the middle rev-range. With a 0.3 bar pressure boost, the SK Plus kit increases output by 55 ponies, to 286 hp and 345 Nm (255 lb-ft). Thanks to the extra oomph, the tuned Z4 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds.

To be able to wring out every bit of performance delivered through force induction, the German tuner recommends customers to specify their cars with a 9-way adjustable coil-over sport suspension. 20-inch multi-spoke Silverstone Diamond alloys, wrapped around in 245/30 front and 285/25 rear Michelin tires, can be ordered, too. For a more ferocious roar, G-Power can provide a new, hand-built rear silencer, with matching tail pipes.

Granted, these changes don’t transform the Z4 SK Plus into a Hurricane killer, but the tuner charges only €2.500 (VAT excluded) for the performance upgrade, which as we mentioned previously, is also available for the E46 BMW 3 Series.

2010 BMW Z4 U.S. Priced From $46,575

BMW North America has just released the U.S pricing for the new 2009 BMW Z4. As expected, there is a price increase over the previous Z4 generation, but still significantly lower than the German pricing.

The BMW Z4 is all new for 2010, and the updated roadster will be ready for production later this spring.

BMW gave the Z4 sleeker sheet metal, a folding hard top, and upgraded powertrains, but the biggest change could be to its price tag. Buyers looking for a new Z4 can expect to plunk down $46,575.


That's a big jump from the base $36,700 of the 2008 Z4, which packed less power and less road presence. The 46 large is also exactly the same price as the Z4's nemesis; the Porsche Boxster.

The 2010 model will net you a 258-horsepower inline six capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The base Bimmer will also come standard with leatherette seating surfaces (upgrading to Kansas leather tacks on another $1,250).

The 306-horsepower, twin-turbo Z4 sDrive35i will cost a whole lot more, with a starting price of $52,475, including destination and handling.



The 2008 Z4 M was a bit cheaper at $50,400 and carried more power, but the 2010 car's higher torque numbers make for an equally-quick droptop, as evidenced by its 5.1 second 0-60 time with the dual-clutch gear box.


Options abound for the Z4, and they're both expensive and confusing. Bundles include a Premium package at $3,900, or $2,800 when also ordering the $2,300 Sport package, which is $1,900 when also going premium.

You can also get a performance 19-inch tire and wheel package for $1,200, but only if you purchase the sDrive35i and the Sport package. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox can be had on the 35i for $1,525.

2010 BMW Z4 U.S. Priced From $46,575

BMW North America has just released the U.S pricing for the new 2009 BMW Z4. As expected, there is a price increase over the previous Z4 generation, but still significantly lower than the German pricing.

The BMW Z4 is all new for 2010, and the updated roadster will be ready for production later this spring.

BMW gave the Z4 sleeker sheet metal, a folding hard top, and upgraded powertrains, but the biggest change could be to its price tag. Buyers looking for a new Z4 can expect to plunk down $46,575.


That's a big jump from the base $36,700 of the 2008 Z4, which packed less power and less road presence. The 46 large is also exactly the same price as the Z4's nemesis; the Porsche Boxster.

The 2010 model will net you a 258-horsepower inline six capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The base Bimmer will also come standard with leatherette seating surfaces (upgrading to Kansas leather tacks on another $1,250).

The 306-horsepower, twin-turbo Z4 sDrive35i will cost a whole lot more, with a starting price of $52,475, including destination and handling.



The 2008 Z4 M was a bit cheaper at $50,400 and carried more power, but the 2010 car's higher torque numbers make for an equally-quick droptop, as evidenced by its 5.1 second 0-60 time with the dual-clutch gear box.


Options abound for the Z4, and they're both expensive and confusing. Bundles include a Premium package at $3,900, or $2,800 when also ordering the $2,300 Sport package, which is $1,900 when also going premium.

You can also get a performance 19-inch tire and wheel package for $1,200, but only if you purchase the sDrive35i and the Sport package. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox can be had on the 35i for $1,525.