VW BlueSport Concept: Driving report!

What's the Bluesport like on the road then?

Surprisingly good - it feels absolutely rock solid and creak free on the move, with crisp steering, responsive brakes and a decent suspension set-up. The 258lb ft has no trouble in shifting the concept’s 1300 kilos (the production car will weigh closer to 1.2 tonnes) and the big brakes easily pull the Bluesport to a pause.

The big wheels cause it to tramline a little, but overall the allegedly unfinished car provides a remarkably smooth and balanced drive. It's a beautifully balanced car.
And inside?

A joy – it’s minimalist, but it doesn’t feel meagre either thanks to the easy-to-use touch-screen MMI and climate control dials that glow blue or red depending on the temperature you set. The driving position is low, but there’s plenty of leg and elbow room, and the black leather-trimmed seats are very comfortable.

The bright orange roof is also a thing of beauty, weighs only 27kg, and despite the mid-engined layout and cubby for the folding hood, there's 112 litres of storage space in the nose and another 70 in the rear.

Okay, for the last time - BMW X1 Spy Photos

We keep promising that the X1 is coming out soon, but it hasn’t happened so far. We expected the official photos to drop prior to the event that took place at the Leipzig factory this past weekend.

Obviously we were a bit wrong, but the latest information out of the rumormill says that within days, the press release will drop on the web and we will FINALLY see or criticize the X1.

In the mean time, we decided to post the last spy photos of the BMW X1 and this time, we will keep our word. As much as we enjoy this game, the photos seem to be the same over and over, just slightly different colors.

With that being said, the fellows at vroom.be are responsible for bringing these spy shots of a slightly covered silver X1. And once again, we’re confused….can’t decide if we will fall for it or simply hate it. One thing we know for sure, we dig it more than the current X3.

Now with the new redesigned and larger X3 coming out, it will be difficult to chose one or the other, it will most likely come down for us to which one is more efficient. After driving the X5d for over 1,800 miles, we realized that fuel efficiency is an important factor for us and probably for other people as well.Give us an X1 xDrive23d with over 35 MPG and we’re sold on it.

Bottom line, we have no doubt that the BMW X1 has its place in the BMW line-up and it makes sense even more in the European market. A young demographic is what BMW aims for and this might be the key.

Mercedes AMG Driving Academy Returns with the 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG

AMG enthusiasts lucky enough to live in the US and pocketed enough to afford track training fees upwards of US$2,200 can get their hands on the brand new SLS AMG for a few hours. The AMG Driving Academy is being launched Stateside over three tracks; Lime Rock Park (Lime Rock, CT) - September 9 - 15, Palm Beach International Raceway (West Palm Beach, FL) - September 22 - 27 and Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, CA) - November 7 - 8 and 17 - 20.

Founded in Affalterbach in 2007 the academy aims to stimulate customers' senses through the experience of driving their favourite AMGs around a controlled and safe environment under the guidance of professionals.

Cars to be used are the E63 AMG, the SL63 AMG, the C63 AMG, the SLK55 AMG and the CLK63 AMG Black Series. The main treat is of course the SLS AMG course which is conducted at Laguna Seca Raceway, includes an overnight stay at the InterContinental Hotel in Monterey and costs US$2,295.

There are two other programmes on offer. The AMG Driving Academy Stage I is a one-day course that teaches the fundamentals of performance driving and car control. Students will get a chance to test their skills later in the day. Expect to pay US$1,895 per person.

Lastly participants can go with the AMG Driving Academy Stage II two-day programme that gets quite technical and in-depth. Drivers will only be allowed to enrol if they have completed the first stage or something similar. It will cost US$3,495 per participant.

Audi A5 Sportback Caught Completely Undisguised at Photo Shoot

The Audi A5 Sportback has been out and about it seems. These spy pictures of the four door hatch/ coupe were taken during a campus photo shoot in which the car was starring. Presumably the resulting official pictures will form part of a soon-to-launch marketing campaign, perhaps end up in a leaked brochure? We can only wish.

Nevertheless these are clear enough to indicate where the A5 Sportback lies in terms of positioning and styling. For the family man who desires the fastback action of the A5 coupe's lines but can't convince the missus of the importance of a sporty two-door GT to a man's overall wellbeing, the Sportback calls. Imagine 480 litres (980 with rear seats folded) of cargo space wrapped around the elegant alloy sheets and housing some of the most rewarding engines around. That is the Sportback; space plus performance.

Engines ensuring the latter are a 2.0TDI making 125kW (170hp) and 350Nm of torque. Following that is the 2.7TDI good for 140 kW (190hp) and 400Nm of torque, and a 3.0TDI worth 500Nm. There are also petrols like the 2.0TFSI with 155kW (211hp) and the 3.2-litre V6.

New Mercedes S-Class Coupe Returns for Latest Round of Testing

Our spy photographers have once again managed to catch Mercedes' new S-Class Coupe undergoing testing in Germany.

Unlike our previous spy photos, these new pictures provide us with our clearest glimpse of the upcoming CL replacement. Up front, the car features a redesigned bumper, an updated grille, new headlights with LED accents, and S-Class inspired horizontal slates in the air intakes. Despite all the camouflage out back, it appears the only change is a minor reshaping of the rear bumper.

Mechanically not much is expected to change, as the current CL's engine lineup will carry over virtually untouched. One notable expectation is the possibility of an S-Class Coupe 400 Hybrid which would feature a 279 hp 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 20 hp electric motor.



Like the recently updated 2010 S-Class, the S-Class Coupe will probably feature a major technological overhaul thanks to the addition of a SPLITVIEW monitor, a revised Night View Assist system with pedestrian detection, and an upgraded COMMAND system.

New 2010 Porsche Panamera Promotional Clip Released

Audi A5 Sportback Teaser Photos, Video & Initial Details Released

Audi has announced new details regarding their upcoming BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo competitor, the A5 Sportback.

Designed to be as "emotional and elegant as a coupe, as comfortable as a sedan, and as practical as an Avant", the A5 Sportback is essentially a five-door coupe. Although the teaser video only shows an artist stretching the A5 Sportback's design, Audi states that the new model features a large rear hatch, a graceful tapering roofline which is 36 mm (1.4") lower than the A4 Sedan's, and four frameless doors with "dynamic window styling".

In terms of practicality, Audi has informed us that the new A5 Sportback offers 480 liters (17.0 cubic feet) of cargo capacity and 980 liters (34.6 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded down.

At launch, the A5 Sportback will be offered with three diesels and two petrol engines. Diesel versions include the 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, a 2.7 TDI with 140 kW (190 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), and a 3.0-liter V6 TDI with 176 kW (240 hp) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) torque. On the petrol side, potential owners can select a 2.0 TFSI quattro with 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque or a more powerful 3.2-liter V6 quattro with 195 kW (265 hp).

Performance options include a newly developed ESP system with an electronic differential lock for improved steering response, Audi drive select, adaptive shock absorbers, and dynamic steering with continuously variable assistance.

Look for the new A5 to start arriving in European showrooms this September with a base price of €36,050.

Porsche Cayman 998 Mule Spied Again

orsche is still reaping the rewards off its current facelifted Cayman. Nonetheless looking forward is always preferable to looking back, and so the company is now quite far into preparing the next-generation Cayman. These spy pictures reveal a mule that appears to be wider and has beefier wheel arches than the current model. What may look like the model we have on the streets is actually a disguised 998 as the car is codenamed. Just look at the imprecisely-fitting tailpipes and the fender extensions. Dead giveaways.

The current Cayman comes with the optional new PDK dual-clutch transmission which provides very smooth shifting in traffic conditions and sporty changes when pushed to respond quicker. Fuel consumption is said to be improved despite power and torque increases. The 998 Cayman will presumably use the PDK system as well.

There is no indication as to whether Porsche will stick with naturally-aspirated boxer engines for the Cayman or move with the wind and adopt turbo power for the baby 911 for the first time. The Volkswagen Group is brimming with such engines so adapting them to suit Porsche characteristics would not require too heavy an investment.

Production will begin in only a few years' time at Magna Steyr's factory in Austria. Dealers will receive their first batches of Boxster and Cayman stock in 2012.

BMW Releases X1 Teasers via Facebook

BMW, ever on the cutting edge of the marketing machete, has released some teaser pictures of the X1 on the web. Instead of these leaking out as they sometimes do, BMW themselves put them up on their FaceBook page. That says we are not too far off from seeing the first full set of official pictures.

Official camouflaged "spy" pictures of a prototype X1 are already all over the Internet after appearing a few days ago. The tiny SUV is one step down from the X3 and represents the new entry-level BMW SUV. BMW is targeting an even younger set with the X1, people who are mostly urban dwellers and probably haven't started nesting yet.



There are a few models planned for the X1 including an xDrive18i and a 177hp (130kW) xDrive20d. Higher up the model range the xDrive23d will be offered. It puts out 204hp (150kW) and 400Nm of torque. It also runs from 0 - 60mph in 7.3 seconds and realises a top velocity of 223km/h. BMW's xDrive AWD system is fitted but there's speculation that baseline models will feature RWD.

European deliveries will start in autumn which means the vehicle will appear in the metal at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Latest BMW X1 Prototype Video in Mallorca

oy is what you make of it. That's the payoff line at the end of this video clip showing the upcoming BMW X1 in what is now its familiar prototype garb. The tests were being done in Mallorca, Spain. Indications are that BMW is not pitching the X1 against tougher offroad vehicles. On the clip the tiny SUV goes through its paces by firstly negotiating a gravel track with haystacks as apex points.

Later it takes a drive up a mountain pass, still on dirt. Then we see it on twisty asphalt, probably the car's best surface. BMW always puts driving pleasure ahead of all else so that the car excels on tar is by design and not by default.

Launch models will be the xDrive20d which produces 130kW (177hp) and has an economy figure of 5.8 litres per 100km. There's also the xDrive23d worth 150kW (204hp) and two entry level models namely the xDrive18i and xDrive18d.

They say if you can't beat them, join them and that is what BMW seems to be doing. No longer able to keep the X1 away from spy lenses the company has decided to bare it all in public. Of course much of this helps hype the car up before its European introduction this summer.

2011 BMW 1-Series spied up close

We got some new spy photos featuring the 2011 BMW 1-Series. This time around, a series of shots with the hatch wide open gives us a view from a new angle.



Still mostly camouflaged, we see this five-door edging closer to its production ready model. We hope to some day get a few pictures of the rumored 1er shooting brake, if the car actually exists.



Until then, we can recap what we know about the upcoming 2011 hatchback. Power could come from either a naturally aspirated or turbocharged petrol. Horsepower will range from about 105 horsepower with the base 1.3-liter engine, a retuned unit with 136 hp, or a 326 horsepower model. If you prefer a turbo diesel engine, you will get a choice between a 150, 184, or 211 horsepower unit. The driver will reign in that power with either an automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.

The rear-wheel-drive car is also getting touched up by the Efficient Dynamics crew at the automaker. They will be doing their best to keep emissions low, while maximizing fuel economy. Although we have photos of the interior, details are pretty hard to discern. We can see a multi-function steering wheel apparently with a Bluetooth function built in.

We expect to see the debut of the 2011 BMW 1-Series within a year-and-a-half.

White BMW 5 Series GT spotted

After the official revealing, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is out in the open and cruising down the Munich streets. While the official marketing photos were all about the gold and blueish colors, the test car spotted by Carscoop is sporting the beautiful Alpine White paint.



We never thought we would say this, but the 5 Series GT looks better on public roads that in those marketing photos. The car definitely has an impressive stance, road presence and it absolutely stands out. Of course, some of us are just not cut for this car and it will be difficult to accept it, but it definitely has its place in the BMW line-up and we are willing to bet that it will do just fine.



Now what else is new with the GT? Well, beside the fact that it has a brand new engine, the N55, a twin-scroller turbocharger which features for the first time High Precision Injection and variable VALVETRONIC.

VW Scirocco R: First driving video

We have found the first driving video of the VW Scirocco R, nowhere else than on Nurburgring. Make sure to watch!

BMW 7-Series M-sport package spotted uncovered - It's no M7

Earlier this week, we brought you the first spy photos of what was thought to be the long awaited BMW M7. Now that our spies have managed to catch the car completely uncovered, we're left thinking this prototype is nothing more than a standard BMW 7-Series outfitted with a new M-sports package.



After closer analysis, you can clearly see that this 7-Series lacks several key M styling characteristics such as quad exhaust pipes and front fender M logo gills. What about the power bulge on the hood? Previously we've seen various BMW prototypes wearing a similar hood bulge most likely making way for diagnostic equipment used in powertrain testing. All of these omissions virtually rule out the possibly of this being the highly anticipated M7.

Despite lacking the X5 M's 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, with 555 horsepower (408kW) and 500 lb-ft (678Nm) of torque, the car features a dynamic appearance thanks to more aggressive bumpers and new wheels.



When (or if) BMW will unveil the M7 remains a mystery, but judging by your reaction, it can't come soon enough.

Spy video: 2011 BMW 6 Series

The 2011 BMW 6 Series was video spied by the folks at Edmunds Insideline. A 6er prototype shows up at the Nurburgring track for more testing and for the first time, judging by the engine sound, we believe we’re looking at test mule powered by the powerful 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbo engine.



As we learned in the past, several powerplants will be available for the new 6 Series, starting with the the twin-turbo 6-cylinder 326 horsepower engine, followed by a 6-cylinder diesel as well and as a surprise, the newly developed, but not yet released, Tri-Turbo 6-cylinder diesel which produces 354 horsepower.

And since we’re moving towards more fuel efficient luxury sport cars, BMW will offer a model under the 655 naming convention which is powered by the hybrid powertrain from the X6 and 7 Series hybrids.

BMW X1 going off-road

Media publications around the world were invited last week to test drive the not-yet released BMW X1. Gathered in the Mallorca region in Spain, auto journalists spent a day behind the wheel of the smallest Sports Activity Vehicle in the BMW line-up.



We showed you yesterday Edmunds’ report on the car and overall, it was quite positive. We have to admit that the X1 is starting to grow on us and we finally see where the car will fit. An X3 sits in our garage currently, but looking at X1 photos, we definitely see ourselves “falling” for it. We love the overall size, interior space seems to be as spacious as the X3, but with a far better design.



Sure, the next X3 is just around the corner and it is rumored to have been taken up a notch on the design scale, but at the same time, it carry a higher price tag.