The funny chaps from Top Gear have spent a few days in Romania in their pursuit to check out “Borat’s land” and what some would call “the most amazing road in the whole world”. No wonder they wanted to stay in Romania forever … good thing they didn’t see much of the women, because I can bet my paycheck they would’ve!

Lovely!

According to latest reports, BMW’s M division allege that the their main priority on their list right now, is to create a “sub-M3″ model available in the market. This has lead to questions of whether there will be an M variant for the next-generation 1-Series.

The 1-Series model currently has a 135i version which is powered by a twin-turbo straight-six petrol/gasoline engine with 306 hp. Some sources say that the engine will be tuned to around 330 hp for the M version. When it comes to the BMW M1 moniker, a source says “The M1 name to us is a sacred thing for a car that marked an important turning point. It won’t be called the M1.”

The M version of the BMW 1-Series will face competition from the Audi S3 in Europe and is set to be priced at around €35,000. In the USA, the 1-Series M is likely to sell for about $10,000 less…

Maserati has announced that its new GranCabrio will cost £95,630 (OTR) in the UK. The GranCabrio is currently available for order and the first right-hand drive models will go on sale in UK showrooms from April 2010 onwards.

The Maserati GranCabrio, which is more of a convertible version of the GranTurismo S, comes powered with a 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivers 323 kW (440 hp) and 490 Nm of torque. This beauty can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds to a top speed of 175 mph, all thanks to a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

This new model of Maserati offers customers a choice of 14 different exterior colors, in addition to an assortment of leather upholstery and a variety of dashboard trims.

Customers also have the option to buy a bespoke four-piece leather luggage set and a trolley suitcase which can be fixed to the rear seats.

The German tuners from Mcchip-dkr GmbH have developed a performance kit for the new Porsche Panamera providing an upgrade from 500 hp and 700 Nm of torque to 550 hp and 775 Nm. The chip tuning increases the Panamera’s top speed up to 311 km/h from the earlier 303 km/h, and costs some €1,499. Other than the chip tuning the folks from Mcchip also offer a new set of wheels from Cargraphic fitted with Continental performance tires. That new wheels and the tires costs €7,969 whereas a set of rims with Dunlop Sport tires has a price tag of €8,089. And if you were wondering, the semi-matte rim finish is priced as €179 per wheel.

The Bugatti Veyron driver has been identified being Andy House, the owner of Performance Auto Sales in Lufkin, a company that restores wrecked exotics.

Couldn’t spot the pelican he claimed causing him to swerve as he said earlier. The man’s handphone had slipped out of the car’s centre console and he reached to retrieve it from the floorboard, Houston Chronicle reported.

When he sat up, he was startled by a pelican flying low alongside the Bugatti and the front tyre subsequently strayed onto the shoulder of the road.

The man couldn’t regain control, the police told Houston Chronicle. There were no indications that the driver was speeding. (He should still be arrested)

After the crash – trying to fish the Bugatti out of the lake

For those wondering how would their M3 do against a Bugatti Veyron … we have a pretty good answer.

Actually that’s a E92 M3 if you were asking!

You have a Lamborghini Murcielago in the garage, but the little beast doesn’t stand out as you’d like. Well here’s a little something to use as inspiration. Apparently somewhere in London (we’d expect to see it either in Russia or Dubai to be honest), this Murcielago has been covered with an adhesive foil/wrap with chrome finish. Definitely makes cleaning hard but the result is an eye catching little monster. What do you think? [via Synamatic]

A pickup version of the GT500 Super Snake series was created by Shelby Automobiles. It was launched at the SEMA auto show in Las Vegas – which took place earlier this week.

The Snake Series pickup is made on the lines of the (2003-2008) Ford F-150 and has Alcoa Shelby wheels as well as black stripes colored on the red model. The hood is custom made and the model comes with a 5.4 liter engine which gives us 475 hp. In addition to this, it will also feature 6 piston brakes. When it comes to the suspension of this beauty, it has been stiffened and decreased by 3 inches (7.6 cm) to make the ride a lot for enjoyable.

A number of aerodynamic and optics mechanisms are added in the kit and include custom front fascia, carbon fiber splitter, mesh grill and grill surround, bender vents, brake cooling ducts and Super Snake badges for looks. As for the interiors, it comes with a leather finish with Shelby logos quite prominently placed on the floor mats and headrests.