186 mph Alpina-fettled BMW 3 Series goes on sale in UK

The twin-turbo, 400-horsepower Alpina B3S has been let loose on the UK market. With just about 400 pound-feet to get you off the line you'll get from 0-to-60 in 4.7 seconds.

That might not sound too impressive for an Alpina, but you'll be able to hang with Porsche Carrera S's, and that's not bad for a 3 Series. Staying away from hard going will get you another impressive number, though: 24.2 combined miles per gallon (29.1 Imperial). The Alpina B3S is offered in Saloon, Touring, Coupe and Convertible, with deliveries beginning in July.

Porsche 918 Spyder to contest 2011 Nürburgring 24

Porsche made an impressive showing at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this year with its 911 GT3 R Hybrid.

But don't think for even one power-boosted second that its hybrid initiative was a one-time affair for the Stuttgart-based automaker. Not, at least, if the latest reports from Germany prove accurate.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, mere days after the conclusion of this year's race, Porsche is already preparing to campaign a competition-spec version of the 918 Spyder at the Ring next year. The 918 Spyder concept debuted just a few months ago at the Geneva Motor Show to rave reviews. Derived from the same program that gave birth to the 917, 911 GT1 and RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder packs 718 horsepower of combined output, 90 miles per gallon and a simulated Nordschleife lap time of 7:30, making it an ideal machine to contest the grueling endurance race. We'll just have to wait a year to find out whether it lives up to its promise or falls victim to arch-rival BMW.

BMW preparing even hotter M3 GTS-R

Hot on the trails of BMW's victorious return to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this year, rumors have surfaced that an even hotter version of the M3 GTS is on the way.

The orange wündermobile was unveiled barely six months ago, complete with 450-horsepower V8, upgraded brakes, rolling stock, suspension and aero package and a stripped interior. But if that's not enough to tickle your fancy, a few supposedly informed fanboys say that Munich is preparing to celebrate – and bid farewell to – the E92 M3 with an even fiercer derivative.

Tentatively dubbed the M3 GTS-R, the ultimate 3 Series is expected to benefit from yet another power upgrade, plus more carbon fiber body panels – all decked in matte black – to further reduce weight and pack even wider wheel arches packing Y-shaped five-spoke rims and blending into fat side sills. There's even word of a streetable implementation of the company's F1-derived KERS regenerative braking system for push-to-pass boost. Sounds tasty; stay tuned for more.