BMW ready to shift small coupes, convertibles to even-number nameplates

Reports in Europe say that BMW is planning a shake-up in the naming strategy for its smaller coupes and convertibles, as well as planning to shift its 1-series cars onto a front-drive platform. The nameplate shake-up will have coupe and convertible variants of the 1-series become the 2-series, while coupe and convertible variants of the 3-series will become the 4-series. The changeover is expected to start in 2013, according to a report on the Web site of Car magazine.

2013 Mercedes E-Class Coupe & Cabriolet: Price and Specification

The facelift has meant a revised model lineup across the E Class range with just two trim levels, with the entry-level model getting SE trim – but only for the E 220 CDI – and the AMG Sport available across all engine options - E 220 CDI, E 250 CDI and E 350 BlueTEC diesels and E200 petrol. Both trim levels come with COMAND, DAB, speed sensitive electric steering, partial LEDs, Active Park Assist, Attention Assist and Collision Prevention Assist, with the SE getting 17″ alloys, Sport grill, leather, heated front seats and aluminium trim. The E 220 CDI SE Coupe costs from £35,095 and the Cabriolet from £38,465.

New Mazda2 Colour Edition and Sport Colour Edition Limited Editions launch

New Mazda2 Sport Colour Edition (pictured) now on sale Another day, another special edition, this time from Mazda with a pair of Mazda2 limited edition – the New Mazda2 Colour Edition and Sport Colour Edition. Based on the Mazda2 SE AirCon 1.3 litre 75PS, the Colour Edition sports 11 additional bits of kit including Privacy glass, a pair of black door mirrors, 15″ dark grey alloys and a rear spoiler, with the interior getting treated to red piping for the black seat trim, leather steering wheel with gloss dark grey inserts, Bluetooth and body colour for the door trim and air vents. The Sport Colour Edition gets the more powerful 85PS version of the 1.3 litre and comes with 16″ dark grey alloys, Fogs, Sports headlamps, Sports styling kit with interior extras including a 6.1″ screen with SatNav and Bluetooth, trip computer, extra speakers, extra airbags, electric rear windows and a speed alarm.