A facelift BMW M3 Convertible was spied driving in Germany. It follows cosmetic upgrades to the 3 Series range announced in 2008. Changes will include new rear LED lights as well as interior modifications such as a new iDrive system and pearlescent chrome light switch cluster.

No changes are expected for the engine which remains a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 making 309kW (420hp) and 400Nm of torque. It goes from 0 - 100km/h in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250km/h.

The car should go on sale in early 2010 equipped with the likes of a 6-speed manual transmission (7-speed M-DCT optional), bi-xenon headlights, dual climate control, DVD changers and a full leather interior sold as standard or optionally depending on the market.

By WCF

The sixth and final round of this year’s inaugural Pirelli Star Driver scheme finished in Cardiff this afternoon, with all five of the drivers having tasted Rally GB at its best with ever-changing grip levels and weather conditions. There had been concerns from purists that moving this event forward six weeks could water down what is usually a tough and uncompromising end to the season. They needn’t have worried, the last three days have been as challenging as ever in the Welsh forests. Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship draws to a close the first season of the all-new WRC-based young driver development programme. The five drivers involved have all made significant progress through 2009, none more than Martin Semerád, who ends his season on the highest of highs with his best ever result on a round of the World Rally Championship. The Czech Republic driver was 14th overall and first of the Pirelli-backed Mitsubishis home.

This was the strongest showing yet for the five Pirelli Star Drivers, with Jarkko Nikara (Finland) leading Group N and all of the Production Car World Rally Championship runners on the first day, before sliding off the road on the second day. Czech Republic driver Martin Semerád picked up where Nikara left off and completed his best ever result on a round of the FIA World Rally Championship, belying his lack of experience of Wales and its wet conditions to take third in PWRC. Semerád did, however, endure one heart-stopping moment on the final morning, when his Lancer slid off the road on an exceptional muddy surface. He got the car back on the road and continued to 14th overall. Nikara returned on Sunday via SupeRally and registered 35th place overall.

All five Ralliart Italy-tuned Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Xs made it to the finish of this final round of the WRC, with only Jon Williams (South Africa) suffering a significant technical problem when his car broke its gearbox on Saturday afternoon. Williams returned, however, to deliver his British co-driver George Gwynn a much-appreciated finish on his home round of the Championship. The African-English partnership ended the event 15th in Group N.

Mark Tapper (New Zealand) and Nicos Thomas both completed the route in 17th and 23rd overall respectively. Tapper did suffer car failure on the event – but he was grateful that his problem came on the recce, when his standard Mitsubishi suffered overheating issues. That didn’t spoil his enjoyment of an event which he says was the closest of anything he has done this season to his home roads on the North Island. That was not something Thomas was saying. The Welsh stages couldn’t have been more different to his native Cyprus. But, after five consecutive non-finishes, Thomas only had eyes for Sunday afternoon on this rally – and he made it.

By RallyBuzz