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Budget hits gas-guzzlers

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 03 June 2007 02:00 Gordon Brown’s budget didn’t throw up too many surprises; after all, we expected him to take more money out of the motorist’s pocket. Below are the changes due over the next three years. An increase of 2p per litre this year, 2p in 2008-09, and 1.84p in 2009-10.

New (2014) BMW M3 and M4: OFFICIAL

The new BMW M3 (pictured) debuts along with its coupe sibling, the BMW M4 (below) We’ve had teases from BMW for the new M3 and M4 but now, ahead of a public debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, we get the official details. Key to the four-door M3 and 2-door M4 is the new 3.0 litre engine, a new turbo, direct injection in-line six petrol which produces 425bhp and a very healthy 405lb/ft of torque from just 1850 rpm. That sort of grunt is enough to get the M3 and M4 to 62mph in 4.3 seconds with the standard six-speed manual, but opt for the seven-speed DCT ‘box and it’s even quicker – just 4.1 seconds.

BMW makes 1,000 workers permanent

AROUND 1,000 agency workers at car giant BMW are to be made permanent employees, guaranteeing job security for years. The change, being made in two phases, was warmly welcomed by the Unite union, describing it as a great Christmas present. The announcement covers workers across a number of BMW sites including the Mini plant in Oxford, pressings plant in Swindon and Hams Hall engine site near Birmingham.