Audi RS3 Mule First Spy Photos at Nürburgring

Where others are trying to climb up the premium ladder, Audi is moving downscale and presenting potential customers with performance options at the foot of the hill. Globally more and more people are buying down as a reaction to the recession. Therefore smaller cars with good performance are now quite desirable. A case in point will be this Audi RS3 mule which has been spied testing at the Nurburgring for the first time. The quick Sportback has different air intakes and a new engine.

First unveiled in the upcoming TT-RS, the RS3's 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine utilises a turbo to force out 250kW (340hp) and 450Nm of torque through the quattro AWD system. Anticipating that the RS3's weight will be almost the same as the TT-RS, we think it's safe to use the TT-RS's performance specs as the standard of comparisson here. The 0 - 100km/h dash should be achieved in about 4.6 seconds and an optional unlimited top speed will be 280 km/h (173.98 mph). This kind of performance is approaching RS4 territory but at a considerably lower price.

Though the all-new A3 is only scheduled to appear in October 2010, an RS3 should follow at least 24 months later - just as the TT-S and TT-RS followed the TT debut. This would give the RS3 a launch date of at least 2012.

2010 Mercedes E63 AMG Unleashed

Official information regarding the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan has been released along with the first batch of official photos. The E63 AMG now makes 518bhp (386kW) and 465lb ft (630Nm) of maximum torque compared to the current car's 507bhp (378kW) and the same amount of torque. Mercedes-Benz is sticking to the tried and tested 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 on this one. Performance should be similar to that of the outgoing E63 with figures of 4.5 seconds for the 0 - 62mph sprint and a top speed of 155mph (249km/h).



Despite the minimal increase in power the car is said to quaff 12 percent less fuel resulting in an average consumption of 22.4mpg. One of the components credited for this is the Speedshift MCT 7-speed gearbox found in the SL63 AMG. It has four driving modes namely Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual.

The standard car comes wearing 18-inch AMG alloys with size 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tyres. There is an optional 19-inch rim available. In terms of exterior cosmetics the big AMG gets LED daytime running lights, a more aggressive front spoiler, a rear diffuser and four tailpipes as per current AMG standard issue.



It is expected that the new E63 AMG sedan will go on sale in the UK in September. It is also expected that the public will get first live glimpse at the 2009 New York International Auto Show next week.

Next Generation Porshe Boxster Spy Photos

The camouflaged 2011 Porsche 911/998 mule that cruised past the spy photographers on its way home from the Swedish test track recently was apparently accompanied by a next-generation Boxster as well.

It's hard to tell if this is a subtly changed design or if, as with previously-spied 2011 Boxsters, this prototype wears the sheet metal of the current car to disguise its new lines. The mismatched taillights reveal that there's something different going under the surface. These clear-weather photos hint at revised bumper contours, but as with the previous shots of this car there's not much to go on.



There's more than just a minor cosmetic update expected for the next Boxster, however. Porsche insiders say the new car will be lighter, and a turbocharged four-cylinder option is a possibility. The presence of a four-banger may enrage some Porschephiles, but should also contribute to the next Boxster as being, as some have hinted, "the most economical Porsche ever."

Spy Photos: BMW 5 Series GT production model

The recently unveiled BMW 5 Series GT Concept continues down the testing path and today we have some new photos of a heavily camouflaged test mule spotted in Southern California.

The production 5GT model will be introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September and it’s expected the final version to suffer some modifications. The interior will be modified to allow for a five passenger seating, compared to the concept which allowed only 2 people in the rear, separated by a center console.

We don’t expect major changes to the exterior design, but our friend Rich at Automotive Traveler did notice something interesting. While the concept BMW featured frameless doors,the test mule spotted by him seems to return to the classic frame for each of the side windows. Could it be just a diversion by BMW?

This mule is still covered with the famous fake plastic, hiding most of the design lines, a clear indication that the 5GT has not entered yet the final evaluation phase.

As a quick refresh, the exterior design was created by Christopher Weil and it includes the body surfacing and design elements which will be seen in the next-generation 5 Series due out in 2010. Some minor design cues were imported from the CS Concept into the 5GT, as seen by the shape of the headlamps in the concept version and the very aggressive front-end. The front-grill is smaller than the one found on the new 7, but far more sportier.



The first BMW 5 Series GT will be powered by 6-cylinder engines, the 272 horsepower naturally aspirated motor or the 326 horsepower updated 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine from the new 740i.

More engines will be available after the official launch, including the powerful 407 horsepower 4.4 liter V8. Two diesel choices will be offered as well: a turbocharged 232 horsepower engine and 282 horsepower 3.0 liter twin-turbo. Transmission will be available in both manual and the new ZF eight-speed automatic. The Active Damping control will be standard.

VW Golf R20 First Spy Photos

The Golf R32 is dead, long live the Golf R20.

The new Golf R20 is making some quick laps at the Nürburgring racetrack disguised as a 2.0 TDI. But they can't fool us, not with those two big central mounted exhaust pipes. While the R32 had a six cylinder engine with 250 horsepower, the new R20 will have a version of the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine with direct injection which will be tuned to produce 270 horsepower. That should be enough to let the R20 accelerate up to 100 km/h in the low five seconds range.

To stop the car is as important as power, and this prototype has the same brakes as the Audi S3 which will be enough for this power rabbit. Both 3- and 5-door versions will be available but we expect the 3-door version to come first.

Expect a more aggressive front bumper when the R20 will have its debut, rumors says it will be in May at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Facelift Spy Photos on the Nurburgring

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS has been caught doing some serious laps at the Nürburgring. Making its recent debut in Geneva, the 911 GT3 facelift received new rear lights, LED daytime running lights, and a new bigger engine providing 20hp more for a total of 435hp. However, these spy shots reveal the GT3 facelift in RS trim showing widened front fenders and a more purposeful rear wing. Looks like the rear LED high-mount brake light strip that is mounted just below the bottom of the rear glass inside a crevice has been repositioned to sit at the base of the spoiler on the ouside of the bonnet. Surely, this wing is one of several different designs that will be tested during the GT3 RS's development.

Power is expected to remain at 435hp from the direct injection 3.8-liter flat six. However, the RS package is known to liberate a couple dozen kilos as a result of carbon fiber and plastic use throughout the interior and body. The 6-speed manual transmission will be standard but Porsches PDK 7-speed dual-clutch should be available as an option, although it is speculated that PDK will be left out for the sake of weight savings. The GT3 RS should be able to better the standard GT3's sprint to 100km/h of 4.0 sec by shaving 0.1 to 0.2 tenths of a second off.


The first public reveal is expected to take place at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September. Meanwhile, stay tuned as more spy pictures of this and other facelifted Porsches keep cropping up.

Audi RS5 Spied Heading to Nurburgring

After a short quiet period the Audi RS 5 has returned to the Nürburgring for more high-performance testing. These spy pictures reveal a very purposeful sports coupe with lots to show off. The small rear spoiler is integrated into the boot lid. The wide fenders and two massive oval tailpipes look just like those in the 426kW (579hp) RS 6. Big air intakes at the front signal the need of extra air. Our spies report a phenomenal sound coming from the RS 5.

General consensus is that the RS 5 will be powered by the 4.2-litre V8 in what may be its swansong thanks to fast-approaching emissions laws. It will be twin-turbocharged for extra power which should push it up to between 316kW (430hp) and 331kW (450hp). The coupe will have quattro AWD with either 6-speed manual or 7-speed Audi R Tronic.

The RS 5 was scheduled to go on sale in July 2010 but with the credit crunch seemingly taking more industry victims, Audi has been forced to postpone the market launches of a few new models. This could very well be one of them.

Porsche 911/998 Newest Spy Photos Show Roof Spoiler

Clear-weather shots of what is likely the 2011 Porsche 911/998 caught in testing have surfaced, offering some new sneak peeks into what's in store for the iconic sports car. The latest shots, snapped outside of Porsche's Scandinavian test track, clearly show a small roof spoiler above the back glass.

Close inspection of previous spy shots shows a visible panel at this location, so it's clear that we're seeing the retractable roof spoiler in its extended position. The unusual camouflage at the back of the car is probably in place to allow the conventional retractable spoiler to deploy without pushing the body masking material out of place.

With the view uncluttered by snow, these new shots also show more of the car's longer, lower and wider form. The re-contoured hood has been tweaked to meet new safety regulations, and the LED daytime running lights that are the current automotive fashion trend can be seen as well.

Rumor has the 2011 911/998 getting a boost in power from its familiar flat-six engine range, and featuring Porsche's new seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. A six-speed manual will also be offered.

2010 BMW 5 Series family spotted together

The new generation BMW 5 Series models, due to be launched in 2010, have been spotted together near St Remy de Provence in the south of France. With the BMW 5 Series GT Concept already unveiled, the 2010 BMW 5 Series Sedan, Wagon and M5, are the only models still hiding behind the heavy camouflage.

The production version of the 5 Series GT will make its debut at the IAA Frankfurt Auto Show in September, followed in early 2010 by the Sedan and Wagon models. The 2010 BMW 5 Series Sedan is expected to import some design elements from the CS Concept and 2009 BMW 7 Series.

The next-generation BMW 5-series will soften the harder lines of the current E60 with a cleaner front-end design and a more “flat nose” due to the European pedestrian safety regulations.

The 2010 BMW 5 Series Sedan and Wagon will use some of the existing engines, starting with the 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine and of course, the powerful V8 twin-turbo found in the X6 or the 750Li. Even though not confirmed, I am confident that the new 2011 BMW M5 will use the engine found in the upcoming BMW X5 M and X6 M, a modified version of the V8 twin-turbo with twin scrollers outputting 550 horsepower. The entry level models in Europe will be the BMW 520i - 204 hp and 525i - 235 hp.

Diesel engines will be available as well in the next 5 Series line-up, starting with the turbocharged 6 cylinder engine and the twin-turbo one from the 335d as well. Rumors say that a hybrid model will be available in the future as well.

We expect to see the new BMW 5 Series at the Detroit or Geneva Auto Show early next year.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Videos Released

Mercedes-Benz has sent out a few new videos featuring pre-pro testing of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing. Mercedes is hard at work on their pick to take over for the McLaren SLR.

This nearly 2-minute long video (thanks, Carscoop) seems to have been shot at about the same time as the photo shoot featuring the same vehicle. We showed you those photos just a few weeks ago. The video shows the car as it goes back and forth from design stages, testing stages, development, engineering, and refinement. By the end of the footage, we see the aluminum chassis vehicle racing through snow and ice down the Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado. Filming was also done in Laredo, Texas, and northern Sweden.

The 1620 kg car will get a 571 hp, 6.2-liter V8 engine that generates up to 650 Nm of torque. The driver will be capable of getting the car to 0-100km/h in under four seconds, and 200km/h in about 12, with the help of a seven-speed dual-clutch trans. The mid-front mounted engine is partly responsible for the impressive 48-52 weight distribution. Ceramic brakes will be installed to bring the car back to zero as quickly as possible. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing should go on sale in early 2010 at about €140k.

Porsche Cayenne: New spy shots of next generation

Porsche has canned its proposed Q5-based Roxster 4x4, and is instead pushing ahead with its second-generation Cayenne SUV, CAR can disclose. The new model will feature much of the Panamera limo's technology, including a stop/start system – and there will also be a hybrid model running a supercharged V6.

Audi Q7 facelift spotted in Atlanta

We're still running down the sources, but what you have here is the facelifted Q7 set to drop this spring and hit dealers as a 2011 model in the fall. We believe this particular car is an S-line package in body. Whether the wheels are consistent with S-line when it hits the USA remains to be seen. Note the LED taillights and LEDs at the front.


Also, we're hearing from a few contacts that the 3.0T FSI will not be the base engine out of the gate. If it happens (and we expect it will) it will rotate in as the base engine for the Q7 at a later time.

BMW X6 M to be unveiled at New York Auto Show

As we suspected and hinted in a few of our previous articles, the BMW X6 M has been confirmed to debut at the New York Auto Show next month. One of sources confirmed this a couple of weeks ago along with the fact that the “twin brother” BMW X5 M will be present as well.

Today, Motor Trend received official confirmation from BMW, but only regarding the X6 M. With the official unveiling scheduled for the first week in April, I don’t see any reason why both would not present together at the NYC Auto Show.

New Audi A2 Development Reaches Concept Car Stage

udi has supposedly completed work on an Audi A2 concept. Audi research head Michael Dick tells Autocar that the new design study is making its rounds at company headquarters.

The aluminum A2 supermini hasn't been around since 2005. When we heard about an Audi EV being developed, we sent out a story with a rendering based on the underrated five-door. That story speculated a car with a LEDs, fiber optics, new wheels, lacquer touches, and chrome details.

We had thought the EV would be based on the platform shared by the VW Up and the Space Up, but in fact that may not be the case. The Audi exec says the new concept has been built around the idea of another new platform. "It's bigger than the Up - at least as big as the A1, but with a different body style," Dick said, indicating the use of "a group platform of the next generation."

This is a busy time for Audi and its small car business. "For now the A2 has our priority," Dick said, "and we also have to introduce the A1." They also haven't blown off the idea of building their own electric model based on the Up.

"It would have to be different from the VW and would clearly have to be premium. We are looking with interest to Toyota and what it is doing with the iQ. It also wants to be premium."

He also said the vehicle would "be recognisable as an A2 but very different from the old car." The exec suggests a conventional version as well as an electric version could be released at about the same time. The upside means Audi will do their best to make sure the A2 is a longer-lasting product than the original generation. The downside is that the A2 will not be launched this year.

Next Generation Mercedes CLS Spy Video

Here we get to see the next generation Mercedes CLS on the move during winter testing in northern Scandinavia.

There's not much new revealed here, as we have already seen this iteration of the CLS in spy shots over the last couple of months.

The CLS is the segment-creating sedan/coupe that Mercedes launched in 2004 that sparked a run by luxury automakers on creating such 4-door, 4-seat sport coupes. One can give the CLS credit or blame for that, depending on your perspective. You may also have your opinions about the low, sloping roof-line of the CLS but it does, indeed, look like a Mercedes that's been squashed by King Kong.

The CLS is still quite a time aways from its release, as it is slated for a 2011 launch. So, it might end up looking far different than even this heavily camouflaged version.

Love it or not, though, the CLS will come with the best technology that Mercedes has to offer, including a S400 BlueHybrid version, as evidence of Mercedes's green restraint, and a road-munching AMG version to try to satisfy the seemingly insatiable desires of luxury sports sedan fiends. And who are the people who buy those cars, exactly?

BMW X1 spotted during photo shooting

BMW X1 is entering the final stage where all the marketing materials need to be filmed or photographed in different locations, countries, chosen by BMW. We learned that beside California and Vancouver, our beautiful hometown Chicago will play its role in the X1 theme.

Recently, every newly released BMW model came with a theme, a slogan, the Z4 was all about the “Expression of Joy”, but the X1 will tell you that “This is your world..”. The marketing slogan comes from the idea behind this small SAV, an urban vehicle geared towards a younger demographic who enjoy outdoor activities as well and would still like to use a spacious car to transport their surfboards, skis, snowboards or climbing equipment.

In one word, the BMW X1 will offer: Flexibility.

2010 Mercedes E63 AMG Sedan Teased

Here's a teaser for the upcoming E63 AMG sedan, which will be unveiled next month at the New York auto show.



That's an un-identified man, likely a Mercedes-Benz executive, getting cute with the camera and showing us the face of the car. Luckily, we have spy photographers that can get us a better look, and we've already seen several sets of shots of this E63 AMG sedan.

Mercedes has been rather patient-less recently with the launch of AMG models, with AMG variants coming on the heels of new launches without the marketing folks taking too much time in-between to build anticipation. Perhaps they have their reasons for the strategy. But it's, no doubt, good news for those waiting on an AMG E-Class like this one.

Details on the new E63 are still few. There's a 6.3 liter V8 under the hood, with 525 hp and 630 Nm of twisting power churning at the 7-speed automatic transmission, already seen in the SL 63 AMG. Those power ratings are evidence that AMG does, indeed, believe that the horsepower wars are over, as it declared a few months ago, since competitors like the RS6 (579 hp) feature more thunderous numbers.

But it may be just that, a horsepower number that AMG can match with weight reduction and better aerodynamics, which it has promised to do. We'll have to see the E63 take a few laps around the track to see how much progress AMG has made with the model, but the performance division has already shown it has the technology to make up for less power upratings.

Price tag is expected to be somewhere over 80,000 euros in Germany, likely closer to 90,000.

Audi R15 TDI Victorious in 12 Hours of Sebring

Audi finished the 12-hour endurance race only 22.279 seconds ahead of arch-rival Peugeot, having covered 1,417.10 miles (2267 km) in total

The Audi Sport Team Joest's two Audi R15 TDI's, raced by drivers Dindo Capello of Italy, Tom Krisentsen of Denmark, and Scotsman Allan McNish won the race at the Sebring circuit in Florida with a record distance run, finishing 383 laps, 13 more than the previous best.

The win didn't come easy, with Audi competing fiercely with the two Peugeot 908 diesels, the lead changing more than a dozen times between them. Audi finished the 12-hour marathon race only 22.279 seconds ahead of Peugeot, having covered 1,417.10 miles (2267 km).

The heated competition between the two diesel racing cars likely now solidifies the status of diesels in endurance races. Audi Sport has reigned over the past couple of races at the 24-hour LeMans circuit with its previous R10 TDI. This June, Audi Sport Team Joest will race there with 3 R15 TDI's and is considered a favorite to win.

Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG to Debut in New York

Mercedes is making something of a tradition out of introducing the AMG versions of its latest vehicles at the New York Auto Show. It's easy to see why; spend just a few minutes on the streets of Manhattan and it's clear that New Yorkers love Mercedes products. It's only fitting that the most entertaining versions debut here, within blocks of Broadway. This year is expected to be no different, with the 2010 E 63 AMG looking ready to make its debut at the oldest auto show in North America. The recent increase in disguise-free spy photos also points to an official unveiling in the next few weeks.

As is its modus operandi, the upcoming AMG version of the new Mercedes E-Class "goes to eleven," to paraphrase the movie "This Is Spinal Tap." Actually, it's an apt quip, because the 2010 E 63 AMG goes up by eleven--horsepower, that is. Mercedes has announced that the updated sports sedan will make its official debut at the New York Auto Show next month, with a 6.3 liter V8 whose output has been increased by eleven horsepower, to 525. The seven-speed automatic transmission from the SL 63 AMG is also installed, to handle the 630 Nm of torque on tap.

The increase in power is accompanied by suspension improvements as well. According to preliminary information, the track has been widened, with complementary body modifications, and the E 63 AMG features a rear air suspension.

Eighteen-inch wheels and improved brakes are likely also on the menu. For more details, we'll have to wait until New York.
Pricing for the E 63 AMG is expected to be around 90,000 euros when it goes on sale later this year in Germany. An estate/wagon version is also expected to make its debut in the fall at Frankfurt.

Audi TT- RS : First real photos and price

Everybody is waiting for the audi tt rs , the ultimate Audi TT. And here it is with new information, real-life photos and even the price from the Austrian debut. A must see!




The Audi TT RS can be yours for 64.300 Euro (~$88.000) and it's powered by a 2.5 TFSI quattro with 340bhp and featuring a 6-gear manual transmission.

Audi A3 : 4 doors coupe coming in 2013

After the hatchback, the Sportback and the Cabrio Audi is going to introduce a 4-door Audi A3coupe by 2013. We have an outlook how it might look like!

The new Audi A3 Sportback is targeted for 2012. See an impression below.

Next-generation 2-door Audi A3 is expected for 2011.

Mercedes S-Class Coupe Spied for First Time on Video

For the first time we have a video showing the new S-Class Coupe in action during harsh winter testing. The big two-door was caught on camera about 100km from the icy town of Arjeplog in Sweden. Much of what could be disguised is left out in the open and all that is left under the covers are the bonnet, the front lower grille and parts of the rear end. Presumably these are the areas where most changes were made.

The S-Class Coupe is the new name given to the successor of the old CL-Class which was essentially an S-Class with two doors. Mercedes-Benz seems to be reducing the number of model names the public has to remember when it comes to its range of cars.

When the new S-Class Coupe hits the market it will sport LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, which are seen on the video, a sporting front grille, a redesigned bonnet and a new rear bumper.

It is expected to share a similar range of engines as the S-Class sedan. That means engines like the 5.5-litre petrol V8 and 3.0-litre turbo diesel motor will be on the buyers' menu. A BlueHybrid engine could also be included since the S-Class is getting one later this year. Of course an AMG version will break cover as is tradition.

Towards the end of the video you may notice an S-Class being towed by another. No information is available on this incident suffice to say that was not the car being tested.

BMW X1 Prototype Shows More

Now in final testing, some of the camouflage has come off which gives us our best look yet at the bold production grille which strongly resembles the one introduced on the recently redesigned 7-Series. At the rear, we can see an updated version of BMW's SAV taillights that now feature "wave" effect lens in a similar fashion to the new 7-Series.

Power options will mirror that of the 1-Series which means we can expect two versions of BMW's 3.0-liter V6 engine, a naturally aspirated one with 230 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque as well as the highly regarded turbocharged version with 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The model will come standard with rear-wheel-drive (sDrive in BMW speak) with all-wheel drive (xDrive) being optional.

Set to take on the Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5, expect the new BMW X1 to start arriving in dealerships in 2010 with German pricing starting somewhere in the neighborhood of €32,000.

BMW 3 Series Hybrid Touring with X1 Front End Spied in Norway

Soon there will be new speculation about these spy pictures which were ta ken in the cold northern Norwegian town of Bodoe. The only report we have is that the car is supposedly a "hybrid" of sorts that combines the rear look of the pre-facelift BMW 3 Series Touring with the front end of the upcoming X1 compact SUV.

Why BMW is testing such a two-bodied vehicle is still a well covered-up mystery dressed in black and white camouflage. However three reasons can be speculated. One is that BMW is experimenting with an Audi A4 allroad rival which would have a raised suspension, as seen in the rear view photo, and run on the xDrive AWD system.

Another could be that they are testing a brand new engine. Two years ago BMW was spotted testing the new 4.4-litre twin turbo using a 5-Series body and speculation went ballistic that it was a new M5 engine, which of course it wasn't. So we know they have a history of just testing engines using old bodies, but that doesn't explain why they are using camouflage on the front end.

That leads us to the third reason. Notice how the X1 lookalike camouflage does not quite fit from the front fender. Its oversized dimensions extend not only to the sides but up top as well. This would suggest that BMW could be hiding the entire front end of a new model which is housing a new engine - possibly a turbo petrol or a hybrid engine. Given Bavaria's rumoured four-cylinder petrol turbo engine we are inclined to lean towards this type of powerplant rather than a hybrid. Besides, the hybrid powertrain has been tested plenty of times before including in the X6.

First Audi R8 LMS Delivered

The first Audi R8 LMS has been delivered and the customer is a racing team very close to the Ingolstadt-based automaker - Audi Sport Italia.



The R8 LMS is a 10-cylinder 500 hp GT3 racer and, as part of its new customer sport program, Audi will be delivering 12 of them to 6 racing teams for the 2009 season. On Tuesday, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, who heads Audi Sport, handed over the first model with the chassis number 101 to Emilio Radaelli, team manager of Audi Sport Italia, at the Audi Forum in Neckarsulm.

Besides Audi Sport Italia, the R8 LMS GT3 will also be fielded by racing teams Abt Sportsline, Argo Racing, ORECA, Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg. Those teams will be competing in 5 European GT3 championships series and Phoenix Racing will also be taking the R8 to the 24-hour race at Nürburgring, for which Audi has developed a special endurance version of the car.

The R8 LMS will make its debut on Easter weekend in the first races of both the ADAC GT Masters circuit, held in Oschersleben, Germany, and the French GT Championship (ORECA) which takes place in Nogaro, France.

Lewis Hamilton and the RC Mc Laren

Audi A8

Here are some fresh spy shots of the next-generation Audi A8.

Audi Q3 for 2011

Audi has confirmed to bring the Audi Q3 by 2011 during the Annual Press Conference. No technical details have been released yet, but the pictured Audi Cross Coupe quattro might give you the one or another hint.

BMW GT 6

The breaking news this week were related to an announcement we made about BMW launching in the near future a GT version of its popular 6 Series. Named GT 6, the model will follow the steps of the newly released BMW 5 Series GT, which offers an extension to the future 5 Series.

Of course, the announcement raised more questions and as promised, we looked into this and snooped around trying to get more information. Even though we couldn’t get an official statement from BMW, we did get a somewhat unofficial, but authoritative, confirmation from Scott27, a regular member of GCZ and someone very close to BMW.

Rendering by Huckfeldt

According to BMW, their GT series represent a “Natural Progressions” with the GT 6 being a progression of a premium sports Coupe. GT 6 will be the first BMW to have a full hatchback and unique passenger entry - excluding the Z concepts, X models or GT. The BMW GT 6 will get rear hinged opening doors like the Mazda RX-8 and a left/right split interior for four, think about the MINI Clubman or Rolls-Royce.

Next Generation Audi A8 Coming in 2010

German car news outlet Automobilwoche claims Audi has confirmed a 2010 release for the new Audi A8. This validates rumors about the A8 that have been around for a while.

An Audi spokesman told the Automobilwoche, "Our new flagship will come next year."

WCF previously reported that the Audi A8 will be released with two diesel and two petrol engines. The two engine displacements available will include a 3.0-liter and 4.2-liter V8. It does not appear that Audi will release a hybrid version of the car, unlike the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes S-Class. However, Audi will likely improve A8 fuel consumption with a start-stop automatic. An Audi S8 could see the benefit of a 620 hp 5.0-liter V10 FSI.

It is also looking more likely that the Audi A8 will use the ASF II, the second generation of the company's Aluminum Space Frame. It uses an aluminum passenger cell, with steel and foam built in to reinforce vulnerable areas.

No word yet on the debut location of the new 2010 Audi A8. An introduction at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September seems to be a distinct possibility.

Mercedes S-Class Coupe Facelift Spied

Here's a look at the upcoming standard S-Class Coupe.

"Standard" meaning as opposed to the AMG version we've previously had a sneak peek at.

New in the S-Class Coupe (besides the name, as it replaces the CL) will be the redesigned headlights, the addition of LED-day driving lights, a different grill that slants much less, full LED tail lights, new front and rear bumpers and a new set of pipes for the exhaust.

Engines expected are the same range as seen in the S-Class series, likely coming with improvements in fuel economy and upped performance output through engine management techniques that Mercedes-Benz is constantly developing.

An S-Class Coupe 400 BlueHybrid may also be in the works as the S-Class sedan version is already expected this May. The 400 BlueHybrid features a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 279 hp coupled with an electric motor of 20 hp and a combined torque reading of 385 Nm. With the addition of stop-start technology, the 400 BlueHybrid rates an impressive fuel economy of 7.9 liters per 100 km (30mpg US) for the full-sized S-Class.