Audi A8: First spy shot with D4 body work

Awesome found here: the first spy shot of the upcoming Audi A8 with a new D4 body work. Have a close look!

First spy photos 2012 BMW 1 Series

To our surprise, the next generation BMW 1 Series due to launch in 2011 has already made an appearance in Munich. The test mule spotted here seems to be the 5-door hatchback version, one of the 5 different variants considered for the 1 Series family.



The first new BMW 1 Series will launch in 2011, along with the Z2 Roadster based on the same platform. The coupe and convertible models will be available a year later together with the 135i SuperSport vehicle.

Many people have wondered what the next 1 Series will bring to the table, some believe, including us, that the new 1 Series will have a revolutionary design, moving away from the safe design lines used in the current 1er.

Audi R8 Electric Vehicle Concept Rumored to Debut in Frankfurt

September's Frankfurt Motor Show is shaping up to be an Audi extravaganza, thanks to recent reports which indicate the company will unveil four vehicles at the show.

Besides debuting the redesigned A8 and the new A5 Sportback, Audi is expected to show the highly anticipated R8 Spyder and a R8 electric vehicle concept. Like the coupe, the R8 Spyder will be offered with a 4.2-liter V8 with 420 hp or a massive 5.2-liter V10 with 525 hp.

Details on R8 EV are scarce, it remains unclear if the concept will be a pure electric vehicle or a more contemporary gasoline-electric hybrid. While the chances of production are minimal, Audi probably wants to demonstrate they know alterative powertrains aren't always diesels.

Porsche RS Spyder: Street version in the works?

Sources say that Porsche is working on converting the ultra-lightweight, open cockpit LMP2 race-car to a limited-run road version that will become a two-seater. The car is almost being seen as a successor to the Carrera GT, which ended production in 2005.



What do you mean ‘almost?’ Well, instead of using the 630-hp V10 from the Carrera GT, Porsche will be using a 3.4L V8 making around 400-hp.

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Production Model

We’re continuing our coverage on the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo with a new video that was just released by BMW. Back in March, right after the concept GT was unveiled, Hans-Jurgen Branz, Project Manager for the 5 Series GT, spoke about the idea behind this new somewhat controversial car and the expectations BMW has for it.



We hope that by now you’re familiar with the 5 Series GT model, but just in case you missed our big news yesterday and the multiple photos, you can always go back here. As a last minute update, the BMW 5 Series GT will make its debut at the Frankfurt IAA motor show in September and European sales will start in October. The pricing for the German market has also been announced, the entry model 530i GT starts at 55,200 euro, followed by the diesel version, 530d GT at 55,700 euro. The high-end model, 550i GT, comes with a premium price of 75,300 euro, approximately $104,000.

BMW North America expects the 550i GT to have a base price set between $65,000-$70,000.

Audi Confirms A5 Sportback, Q5 Hybrid, RS5 Engine & New A8 November Unveiling

Audi's Chairman of the Board, Rupert Stadler, has outlined the brand's upcoming product offensive at an annual shareholders meeting in Germany.

During his remarks, Stadler confirmed that the highly anticipated 2010 A8 will unveiled in November and that it will be "the sportiest luxury sedan in its class - and set new standards with regard to interiors."



As for the A5 Sportback, Stadler announced it will be revealed sometime this year and it will be a "genuine innovation in the B segment: a revolutionary vehicle concept offering the ideal blend of functionality and aesthetics."



Other notable announcements included a 2010 launch date for the A1 minicar, a Q3 crossover for 2011, and a possible hybrid version of the Q5.

In other Audi related news, Car magazine is reporting that a source has indicated that the upcoming 2010 RS5 will feature a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine with 450 bhp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Available initially only in coupe form, a convertible version is expected to join the lineup later on.

Next Gen 2012 VW Passat First Mule Spy Photos

Our spy photographers have caught Volkswagen's next generation 2012 Passat undergoing testing on Germany's famous Nürburgring.



While the mule wears the current Passat body, we can see slight modifications in the form of wider wheel wells and lengthened B-pillars. This clearly indicates that the next generation Passat will be longer and wider than today's model.



In terms of exterior design, the new Passat is expected to ditch the current model's bland styling for a more aggressive appearance which is both luxurious and dynamic.

According to CAR magazine, the redesigned Passat will feature a host of weight saving technologies such as ultra-thin glass, foam chassis reinforcements, and a low-friction 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Other technologies are likely to include an automatic parking system, "airless" Continental tires, an advanced window cleaning system that doesn't use traditional wipers, 360° parking cameras, adaptive cruise control with speed limit monitoring, and possibly even a sci-fi low-voltage magnetic paint which will allow owners to change the car's exterior color by adjusting the current.

Power will continue to be provided by a variety of engines including a 3.0-liter V6 with 280 hp, an unspecified replacement for the VR6, and possibly a new diesel engine with 300 hp and an eight-speed DSG transmission. Volkswagen is also expected to offer a hybrid version of the 3.0-liter V6.

Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing White Prototype Spied Again

While we've already seen this particular mule before, our spies have managed to take additional pictures which show a better view of the grille, headlights, and rear end. Although they were unable to get a glimpse of the interior, Mercedes already released official press photos of the SLS cockpit last month.



As previously reported, the new supercar features a naturally aspirated front mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine which produces 571 hp (420 kW) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. Thanks to the combination of a powerful engine and an advanced seven-speed double clutch transmission, the SLS AMG Gullwing rockets from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph).



Expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the SLS AMG Gullwing will go on sale next year with a base price somewhere in the neighborhood of €150,000.

Rendered Speculation: 2011 BMW 6-Series

Some new artist rendering have surfaced showing what BMW's upcoming 2011 6-Series may look like.



While they're just one artist's interpretation, recent spy photos have shown the new 6-Series will feature aggressive styling that adopts several design cues from the Z4 roadster, 7-Series, and the CS concept.


Engine options will likely carry over from the current 6-Series, but the 360 hp 4.8-liter V8 will be replaced by the new 400 hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 from the new 7-Series. The M6 is also expected to drop its V10 engine with 500 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque for a slightly retuned version of the X5 M and X6 M's new 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque.

New Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS Facelift Spy Video

ach year from about this time of year the Nurburgring is abuzz with activity from automakers wanting to hone their upcoming cars on the famous track. Porsche of course is one of the main culprits. This spy video from UK CAR shows the new facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 RS going through its usual paces through the track. The sound alone makes for exceptional viewing so you can even "watch" the video clip without the picture.

The new GT3 RS has GT3 blood running through it but is a bit different. It will have a massive rear spoiler which seems to have been built of carbon fiber. Deeper side skirts and wider rear bodywork give the GT3 RS a squat fit for a very sharp track tool.

The car will lose a few kilograms and gain more speed. The GT3 facelift already kicks out a suitable 435hp (320kW) from its 3.8-litre flat six engine. In its best form the RS should be able to go from 0 - 100km/h in about 3.8 seconds.

Among all the other hot cars expected to make their debuts at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show in September will be the GT3 RS facelift. It seems like a long while to wait but when it comes to all things Porsche time just seems to fly.

Possible 2012 Audi A3 Image Leaked?

What you see here may or may not be part of the rear end of the next-generation Audi A3. The image is quite blurred so details are sketchy at best. What can be seen distinctly though are the four Audi rings, some Q5-like design cues and LEDs on the tail lamp. Of course the A3 wording on the registration plate tells us what car it is.



The next A3 should hit European showroom floors in 2010 since the current model has been in the market for six years now. Body styles will include a three-door hatch, a five-door Sportback, a cabriolet and a rumoured sedan for the US market which will be sold as a 2012 model.

The engines speculated to be in the lineup include the recently announced 1.2 TSI making 75kW (105hp), the 1.4 TSI producing 104kW (141hp) as well as a 1.8 TSI with 127kW (173hp). There will also be turbo diesels just as in the current model which will be topped by a rumoured 152kW (207hp) 2.0-litre TDI.

Sitting atop the pile for the first time will be an RS 3 model which has been spied during testing exercises. That car should run the same 250kW (340hp) 2.5-litre turbo found in the new TT RS. Mated with all these engines will be choice between a 6-speed manual or a new 7-speed DSG double-clutch transmission.

Spy Photos: 2010 BMW X6 Hybrid

The upcoming 2010 BMW X6 Hybrid has been spotted again near Spartanburg by our close friend Palbay.We have recently saw the X6 ActiveHybrid at the Detroit Auto Show where we learned that it will go on sale by the end of this year.

Compared to the previous spy photos that showed us the X6 in darker colors, this time, we seem to have here the official single color that will be available for the X6 Hybrid. We mentioned in our previous article that the Hybrid SAC will be available in one color only, similar to the one we have seen at previous auto shows, a light blue paint.




The BMW X6 is a two-mode hybrid based on an 8-cylinder gasoline engine which has been custom-made to meet the requirements of an SAV. The system uses a modular hybrid system which can be adapted to many different engine/vehicle combination, as opposed to a design-specific petrol engine/hybrid combination, which sees wider use in the automotive industry.

Porsche Panamera: Convertible coming?

Rumors about a coupe version of the Porsche Panamera were circulating before the sedan was even officially announced, and while a 928 successor has potential, a convertible version of the four-door Panamera seems downright absurd. However, according to an interview conducted by Auto Motor und Sport with Porsche development head Wolfgang Dürheimer, a drop-top Panamera is feasible – if not entirely likely. Dürheimer is quoted as saying (translated), "Currently, this topic is not on the agenda. We have other homework to do, such as the six-cylinder. And then the Panamera will also have a hybrid engine." As expected, AMuS runs with it, saying that the Panamera convertible would pack a cloth soft-top rather than a retractable hard-top, in keeping with Porsche's convertible 911 variants and Boxster.

Audi A8: Fresh spy shots, including interior pics!

We found new spy shots of the next-generation Audi A8
including interior pics. A must see!

2011 Mercedes CLS Prototype Caught with Slightly Uncovered Interior

These are the first interior spy pictures of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS. A number of spy photos revealing certain aspects of the upcoming CLS have already been published, but these are the first to show parts of the front interior.

Most of what is revealed can be summed up in three words: typical Mercedes-Benz. The key hole is on the dashboard and the key is stuck into it. There may be a start/stop button as well but it seems the good old key is king on this specific prototype. The driver's seat-adjustment buttons are located on the door and are shaped like the seat in question. The sat nav system seems to be functional so there's nothing new on that front.

The upcoming CLS four-door coupe will aim to improve on the segment-pioneering work of the 2004 CLS which introduced the concept of two extra doors on a coupe-like shape in its market segment. Since then Porsche and Aston Martin have announced entrants too while Audi's competitor has been spied in testing and speculated to be shaped after the 2009 Sportback concept.

2010 Mercedes S63 AMG & S65 AMG Promotional Footage Released

Mercedes has released a new promotional video that shows the updated 2010 S63 AMG and S65 AMG in action.

The refreshed cars feature a variety of minor exterior styling tweaks such as a more prominent grille, a new front bumper with air intake-mounted LED daytime running lights, a redesigned rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, and new LED taillights. Interior updates are also modest but include a redesigned center console with wood trim and a new steering wheel.

Power for the S63 comes from a naturally aspirated V8 engine that develops 386 kW (525 hp) and 630 Nm of torque, this allows the sedan to run from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. The S65 on the other hand comes equipped with a massive 6.0-liter biturbo V12 engine that produces a 450 kW (612 hp) and 1000 Nm of torque. Despite the huge power difference, the S65 AMG is only 0.2 seconds faster to 100 km/h because of the car's inability to effectively get all its power to the ground. The S65's massive power rating also has other disadvantages as it forces the car to use a five-speed SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission instead of the S63's more modern seven-speed SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

The super-sedans also come equipped with the latest technological innovations such as a sports suspension with crosswind stabilization, a Torque Vectoring Brake system for improved handling, an Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, Night View Assist with pedestrian detection, and optional Speed Limit Assist.