Europe has been getting all the special edition models lately, such as the Nissan 370Z Racing Edition, Audi’s R8 Limited Edition and now the 3-Series Exclusive Edition and M Sport Edition from BMW. Its a good thing these models aren’t big improvements as far as performance goes, and instead mainly exterior packages. There are two, the 3-Series Exclusive Edition and an M Sport Edition.

BMW’s 3-Series Exclusive Edition sets itself apart with 18-inch lightweight V-Sport wheels finished in Space Grey. The Exclusive Edition also adds an exclusive color, Mineral Gray, in addition to the range of other standard colors.

Inside, the car is differentiated by two color schemes, Pearl Grey with grey contrast stitching and black with white contrast stitching. The finish for both is in a special Dakota leather upholstery. Interior trim pieces are made from Bamboo Grain Anthracite and the look is topped off by floor matts with “color-coordinated” piping.

The 3-Series M Sport Edition ditches the V-Sport wheels for 18-inch Ferric Grey light-alloy wheels with a double-spoke design. It gets an exclusive paint color of its own, dubbed Silverstone – a finish similar to one of the M3-specific colors. A unique design feature of the M Sport Edition is black exterior mirrors and BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line window recess finishers. Out back is a rear apron with body-colored diffuser.

Changes in the interior include sports seats with M detailing, an M Sport steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and an M aluminium driver’s footrest point. The same Dakota leather seat covers as the Exclusive Edition feature, this time with blue contrast stitching and “M” piping. Bamboo Grain Anthracite is swapped out for a Aluminium Glacier Silver trim and floor mats with blue piping wrap up the changes.

Other than that, there is no performance or suspension improvements – this is purely an appearance package. It also seems to only be available in Europe. No word on pricing yet.

The Evolution X SE is a new mid-range model that sits between the GSR and MR. Mitsubishi made a promotional video for the car as it was was put through its paces in California.

We’re glad Mitsubishi is focused on enthusiasts – because this car is specifically geared toward the enthusiast market. The Evo X SE starts at $36,445, and is equipped with the dual-clutch transmission on an Evo X. That price point puts it at about $2000 more than a base Evo X GSR and over $3000 cheaper than a base Evo X MR, the high-end model.

Next-Gen 3-Series Around the ‘Ring

New BMWs are a big deal, especially the 3-Series, which is the BMW brand’s staple automobile. Each year, it has continued to offer the attributes that we know and love – excellent handling and overall performance.

Next time around we hope the car will stay at its current size and perhaps shed some weight. Regardless, BMW’s engineers are hard at work making sure it continues to have handing prowess.

A video of the car, not due until the 2012 model year, has been shot of it testing around the Nurburgring. Thanks to the guys over at E90Post.com for capturing it.

Volvo S60 Pedestrian Detection System

We admire Volvo for its excellence in safety and the overall advancement in the industry that it has spurred. However, they haven’t always been that desirable stylistically. That has begun to change in a very big way with the company’s latest new models – the XC60, S60 and V60 Wagon are all impressive and extremely desirable vehicles.

However, that doesn’t mean the company has backed off on safety. In fact, it has continued to innovate more than ever before.

The City Safety system was debuted on the XC60 and City Safety with Pedestrian Detection takes it up to another level on the S60. Now, pedestrians can be detected as well. This is a huge advancement that will save lives and have far reaching impacts. We’re glad to see Volvo still pressing the envelope on safety.

While that might be changing a bit with cars like the X1 being added, for the most part it rings true. The BMW M3 takes that even further, by any measure an impressive performance vehicle.

BMW took the formula a step further with the orange, overseas market-only M3 GTS. Now comes speculation that BMW could be even going beyond that, with an M3 GTS-R.

If a power bump, upgraded suspension and braking system, aerodynamics tweaks and a dieting program for the sold-out M3 GTS wasn’t enough for you, more could be coming.

More as in more weight reductions and more power, as well as further changes to the bodywork – maybe even a production implementation of the Formula One KERS regenerative braking system. While orange is the signature color of the M3 GTS, the GTS-R would be in Stealth Frozen matte black.

This informationisn’t official, but is on good word from a source at BMW website M3Post. The poster says “it’s called saying goodbye (to the E92 M3) in spectacular fashion.” Indeed!

To test them, Motor Trend rounded up the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G37 and the newest addition to the group, the Lexus IS 250C at a military base on the California West Coast. Check out the results below.

BMW recently announced the M3 GTS, the highest performance M3 to date. Being German only and with no plans for it to be available in the United States, some increased performance for the M3 could be on the way.

(BMW M3 Sedan from the United Kingdom Pictured)

As if it really needs it! More performance = more $ though. Bimmerfile is the site with the scoop, saying to expect a similar competition package to the one that debuted in 2005 on the previous generation M3.

That means 19-inch wheels, larger brakes, an upgraded interior (Alcantara was used on the previous car) and a suspension lowered by 10 millimeters. No word on if any engine enhancements will come with the package, but it doesn’t seem likely.

Some of the parts developed for the M3 GTS are supposedly being used for the package, so we’re looking forward to seeing what makes it. Still hoping for that orange color….

A new 3-Series GT is coming to the United States market in 2011, around the time the X1 debuts. The 3-Series GT would bring the 3-Series model count up to 5 models. Sedan, Coupe, Convertible, Wagon and now, GT. Yay?

Photo courtesy of Edmunds Inside Line. To me the X1 seems like it could fit the “role” of a 3-Series GT, but I guess not. BMW is determined to make the most out of what it thinks is a new segment it’s creating that “bridges the gap” between 3-Series and 5-Series. Couldn’t they have waited to at least see how the 5-Series GT pans out first?

The cars will probably sell due to the BMW badge, but I don’t think they will do as well as BMW is expecting them to. Of course, I could be wrong about it and they could be some huge hit, but I doubt it. Sources say the GT will be positioned as the premium - meaning most expensive - model of the 3-Series lineup.  

Expect the 3-Series GT to follow the 5-Series the preceded it almost exactly; same two function hatchback and rear styling, etc. It will also be available in two seating configurations; four-seat (which to me makes NO sense in supposedly “functional” vehicle) and 5-seat. No word when we’ll see it appear at an auto show, but it is slated to go on sale in 2011.

To me, the G37 Convertible is a much better looking vehicle with the top down than it’s cross-town competitor the IS 250 C (Convertible). BMW vs. Lexus vs. Infiniti battle of the retractable hardtop convertibles! I’m sure that’s a comparison we’ll see in car magazines this summer.

Like always (practically) BMW’s entry is the highest priced model in the segment, coming in at $44,550. Infiniti undercuts that price by only $700 with it’s $43,850 asking price. Not sure which one I’d pick if I had to choose between the BMW and the Infiniti.

Cheapest is Lexus’ IS Convertible, which Lexus has said will come in at under $40,000. That should make it an appealing choice in the segment for those looking for value (and right now, who isn’t?). The G37 Convertible is actually the first Infiniti convertible since the M30 that was discontinued in 1992.

While the IS sedan is certainly good looking, especially in a sportier form like I saw on the road yesterday, the IS C doesn’t seem to be all that attractive. It’ll be interesting to see if the two newcomers to the segment hit their sales targets.

I did get a chance to check out the new RX Crossover in person and found it to be not as bad as it seemed in the press shots. In the right color combination it can look decent. Hardly reason enough to buy one though. I think that is part of Lexus’ problem too. Save for the IS, none of their vehicles have me even remotely interested.

The IS is the lone vehicle in their stable that I think is OK. I don’t think the interior is remarkable but the exterior styling is at least good looking and it’s RWD (thank goodness!). In addition to producing a full range of variants, Lexus is going to need to really step up it’s game on the next-generation IS if they ever hope to compete with the 3-Series. 

A step towards doing that is the IS250C retractable hardtop convertible. Lexus project manager Keiichi Nishiyama told Automotive News that Lexus plans to sell 1,600 units of the car worldwide. 70% of those models are expected to be sold in the United States, which would work out to 1,120 units a month (13,400 for the year). I would say that’s about par for the course for a luxury convertible like the IS. A lot of it depends on pricing, and in that area Lexus intends to make the car very competitive.

According to Nishiyama, the IS250 C will start under $40,000. I suspect that is a number that will get buyers attention. Under $40,000 for a retractable hardtop from a luxury marque is good. At that price, I think they might be able to hit their goal.

That is the result of Audi’s marketing team’s hard efforts to counter the BMW M3 “Checkmate” ad. Like many of the entries submitted, the Audi R8 features (not a bad idea). But the ad itself; well as I’ve said before, how do you top “Checkmate”? You don’t. So the results are questionable, to say the least. “Check your luxury badge, it may have expired” (?) What is that supposed to mean and what does it have to do with chess? Nothing, apparently.

You might be wondering if BMW will counter with anything. In my opinion the best response to ad like this would be to drop it, it speaks for itself to say nothing. The marketing brains at BMW have done just that too. To make matters worse, both the ”Checkmate” ad and Audi’s”Your Move,  BMW” are gone, leaving this ad to reference - who? Here’s what BMW thinks about that:

An advertisement for Barney’s New York. No BMW anywhere to be found. Brilliant! Is Audi telling Barney’s to check their luxury badge? Once again, Audi is outsmarted by BMW’s marketing team. Good job guys, this has proved to be really entertaining! I really hope we can see more of it from Audi and BMW in the future. Who knows, maybe Audi will come up with something clever next time? For this battle though, BMW definitely wins.

Got a program like Photoshop or Illustrator and think you can come up with a creative response? Here’s the link to Audi’s Facebook Page.

Audi (and BMW no doubt) have realized that this whole thing has made a big splash, both in the automotive and mainstream media. The creative minds at their respective advertising agencies must be thinking hard on how to maximize this. Is Audi planning something? A reponse to this ad or a shot of another type fired in the Audi vs. BMW war.

As I’ve said before, I love it! It gets us talking about the brands, and it has proved to offer good publicity both for Audi and for BMW. I definitely say more so for BMW though; the response was genius.

So honestly, I’m not sure that Audi should respond to this one individual ad, per se. You know with the asking for response ads they’re thinking about it though. But in reality, I think BMW won this battle and really what response can you come up with that’s more clever then the BMW ad? Will be interesting to see them try!