2012 Porsche Boxster Latest Winter Spy Photos

New spy photos of the 2012 Porsche Boxster were captured in snowy northern Europe. The pictures show a new body for the Porsche model, with just a hint of the car's LED daytime lights.

The photographer on the scene says the Boxster prototype is definitely "lower and wider than the current generation." The front bumper appears to extend closer to the ground, and tape could be covering up changes in the side panels and sills. Thus far, the car has mainly been spied with a cloth roof. Perforated brake disks, already available on the current model, can be seen in these photos.

Previous reports mention Porsches need to reduce CO2 emissions down to about 180 g/km. As a result, Porsche is considering a turbocharged three-cylinder engine for the third generation Boxster model.

Nonetheless, the real changes could be coming to the car's performance figures. Look for more efficient numbers to come from the next-gen Boxster, which will likely weigh less than the current model, as well as a 2011 launch.

Audi RS5 Leaked

Ever since the Audi A5 mid-size executive coupe was born 3 years ago, reports of a high-performance RS variant have been teasing us. Finally, the wait is over.

Goog thing we checked our inbox today because we received an anonymous email containing 18 full-resolution photos of the Audi RS 5. Simultaneously, we also received a tip from Australian Motoring blog Ausmotive.com which just posted the same photos which are sourced from a leaked brochure. Either way, go put your bib on, because the drooling starts now.

No details about the powertrain or performance specs are revealed in the brochure. However, it does mention three types of seating and four wheel design choices. Audi's 7-speed dual clutch S-tronic transmission is the only choice - no mention of 6-speed manual. Also, no flat-bottom steering wheel is shown.

Speculation over which powerplant will drive the RS 5 has ranged from a massaged 3.0-liter supercharged V6 in the S4, 4.2-liter V8 and 5.0-liter V10 in the RS 6 to the range topping 5.2-liter V10 from the R8. Horsepower has been logically guestimated between 450 PS (331 kW / 444 hp) and 550 PS (405 kW / 542 hp), essentially where the RS 4 leaves off with 420 PS (309 kW / 414 hp) and ending with the RS 6 and its 579 PS (426 kW / 571 hp).

The RS 5 will undoubtedly debut at the Geneva Motor Show in two weeks. According to previous reports, the RS5 hits the streets soon after in July.

Panamera Commercial with Classic Porsches: Behind the Scenes [Video]

It may be a bit of "old news," but we were so impressed by this video that we had to showcase it. This "Making of" video takes viewers behind the scenes of a recent Porsche Panamera commercial shoot.

The "Family Tree" ad used 50 different Porsche models, with 22 professional drivers on hand to make it happen. In the final version, the cars race around miles of tarmac, all centered around the new Porsche Panamera. By the end of the video, the cars have splintered off to form the shape of a tree, with the Panamera creating "another bold line on the family tree," states the narrator.

The shoot for the television ad took three days to complete, with over 160 crew members involved. "Family Tree" was directed by @Radical Media's Jeff Zwart, who specializes in automotive ads. Amongst many other spots, Zwart directed the Hyundai Genesis Coupe commercial featuring Yo-Yo Ma.

The four-seat four-door Porsche Panamera is offered in three trim levels with either a 394-horsepower 4.8-liter naturally-aspirated V8, or a twin turbo model producing 493 hp. Six-speed manual and ZF seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearboxes are available. A hybrid version is also speculated.

Mercedes SLS AMG Tunnel Video Staring Michael Schumacher [Video]

The first in a series of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG ads featuring Michael Schumacher was released today. It shows Schuey driving the car through a tunnel at high speed, steering it off the road, up one wall, across the ceiling, down the other wall, before safely and smoothly getting the car back on the road.

Rough edits of the video had surfaced over the past few weeks. This is the first to identify Schumacher as the driver of the gullwing model. Rather, it is the first to try to convince us that he is the driver.

Fake or not, the minute-long video is fun to watch. It is part of a coordinated, cross-media marketing campaign by Mercedes to promote their speedy car, and their brand as a whole.

Production of the hand-built Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG began this month, about two months before its scheduled European market launch. The car uses a 6.3-liter (6208cc) V8 engine producing 563 horsepower and up to 479 ft-lb of torque.

VW Group Considering Audi R4 Platform for New Entry Level Porsche - speculation

The R8 started an exciting journey for the Audi brand when it launched into a segment its maker had not competed in before. Soon after rumours of a smaller R8, thought to be called the R4, surfaced. A concept e-tron car unveiled at the recent Detroit Auto Show confirmed that indeed an R4 is in the works.

Now Porsche is considering using the R4 platform as a basis for its newest and smallest model line. Speaking to Autocar, VW Group chairman Martin Winterkorn finally admitted to be looking at a car below the Boxster/ Cayman pair.

"The Porsche model range is firmly based on the 911, Boxster, Cayenne and Cayman, and it will stay that way," he was quoted as saying. "We are also investigating opportunities for a smaller sports car and a smaller SUV - but I cannot say more at the moment."


The car dubbed the new 356 would use a mid-engine layout and source power (said to be about 186kW or 250bhp) from a turbocharged boxer engine. It will share its transmission with the R4 but remain very much a Porsche in most other ways.

Although the R4 is expected to go on sale around June 2011, the Porsche model won't be available until at least 2012. Speculated prices stand at the equivalent of £33,000 (US$53,300) in today's money.

Porsche 991 Latest Winter Test Spy Photos - Rear LEDs in View

Spyes have snapped new pictures of the redesigned Porsche 911 (codenamed 991 or 998) undergoing cold weather testing in Sweden.

While it's still heavily camouflaged, we can see new details about the 911's LED taillights. Overall, the shape is similar to the one used on the current model (997.5), but the turn signal elements appear wider.

As we have previously reported, the next-generation 911 will feature an evolutionary design theme with minor styling tweaks. Changes include streamlined headlights, Panamera-style door mirrors, a revised rear windshield wiper, and wider rear wheel haunches. The 2011 model may also be a tad longer than the 997.

Engine options will likely carryover with minor modifications, and they will be connected to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission. Like the current 911, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants will be available.