Carbon beats Metal

2012 BMW M3 Carbon Edition

Since it was first released, BMW have always found new ways to improve the taste and presence of the M3. First, there was the M3 GTS. Then the M3 Competition Coupe and Frozen Gray arrived. The China exclusive Tiger Edition was unleashed a few days later. A few months ago, they released the Matte Edition, and it seems that they're not done as they've now unveiled the Carbon Edition, another China exclusive Beamer. Not much else new here except for the exclusive badging, two-tone leather seats, carbon accents, and 19-inch alloy wheels. But, essentially what you have there is the Competition Coupe made only for China. The power remains the same as it's been: a 4.4-liter 414 horsepower V8 engine. All the performance stats remain the same as well: 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 MPH. So, really nothing much different here. I guess China loves the M3 that much. Well, if you live in China and want one of these, it will cost you 1.23 Million Yuan (RMB), which is about $189,595.38 if you convert it right. To me, all that is useless. Just get a standard M3. It's cheaper, has the same amount of power, and in some ways, is slightly better. 

Kobe is Smart

2011 Brabus Smart ForTwo

Not everyday do you spot an art thief in downtown China. Luckily, if you drive a Smart Car and have the words Kobe and Bryant in your name, you'll be able to spot those idiots a mile away. A recent ad was posted by Smart of China showing Kobe Bryant trying to catch a art thief in a Brabus Smart ForTwo. Don't underestimate these things. 98 horsepower is pretty powerful for a car its size. And since its so small, you'll be able to move through junctions and tight spaces with ease, that is, if you are catching an art thief. Check out the ad below to see the Brabus Smart in action with Kobe behind the wheel.

EDIT: I just found out. It's not even in China. This was shot in California.

科迈罗 Ke Mai Luo

2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1

Not very often do you see American Muscle cars heading to foreign countries. The Chevy Camaro's become a big name in Britain now. In fact, Top Gear's Richard Hammond has thought about buying this car. Well, GM is making another special exception for China. Ever since the 60's, we've called it the Camaro. But, starting next month, the Chinese will know this car by a new name: 科迈罗(Ke Mai Luo). Yep! The Camaro, or should I say Ke Mai Luo, is coming to China, and it's bringing all of its muscle with it. The 3.6-liter 312 horsepower V6 engine comes standard, and the Chinese have the option of choosing from a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. No word on if the V8s will arrive as well. It is a good thing the Camaro was born here, because it's cheaper here than in China. Starting prices over there are ¥500,000, which is similar to $76,264. Over here, they start at a measly $22,000. The Ke Mai Luo is definitely a luxury car over there.

[Source: Chevy]

Top Gear China?

Top Gear China Hosts

Well, Top Gear UK won't be back 'til June and we'll have died of waiting by then. Well, I'm here to announce that another country has gotten in on the Top Gear franchise: China. Yep! New to the list of international productions including Australia, Russia, Germany, Albania, and the U.S., China has recently gotten their hands on the franchise that is Top Gear. The show has three petrolhead hosts, as usual, doing Top Gear races against, say, a donkey and a Cadillac,  fast car reviews including one with the China-Exclusive BMW M3 E92 Tiger Edition, and even a star in a reasonably priced car. Obviously, the whole show is in Chinese, so if you're english, you won't understand anything. But, the heartwarming thing is, there is no foreign translation in any language for the word "STIG". Yes, Chinese STIG is here with his own need for speed. What's interesting is he's not even wearing his favorite Diamondback helmet. Anyway, he has his own playground their in which he can test his cars, but it's more like a custom-built racetrack than an airfield racetrack. But, what makes this version of Top Gear special is that it actually looks interesting, unlike boring US Top Gear. Check out what the Chinese are up to below.