On Board with BMW ActiveHybrid 7 in Motion During Frankfurt Debut

BMW constructed the circuit to showcase all of their Frankfurt introductions in full motion, something unique for the show. After a few minutes following the ActiveHybrid X6 around the circuit, the car proceeds past a "who's who" of vehicles behind the scenes before parking alongside other BMW cars.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 7 comes with a 449-horsepower 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces up to 479 ft-lb of torque. Those figures boost to 465 hp and 516 ft-lb when combined with the three-phase synchronous electric motor.

Despite hitting the 100 km/h mark in 4.9 seconds, the vehicle consumes only modest amounts of fuel. The 7er ActiveHybrid uses 9.4 liters of fuel per 100 km, or roughly 24mpg (29 mpg Imperial).

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Cabrio Spied on the Nürburgring

Spies have snapped a barrage of new photos featuring the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Cabrio. The car was seen on the Nürburgring following extended hot weather testing in the US.

The car was seen rolling around the wet German track, not taking full advantage of its engine. It is believed that the car uses the AMG-produced 571 horsepower 6.3-liter V8 engine available on the SLS. That engine produces up to 650 Nm of torque. On the SLS, top speed is limited to 315 km/h, or roughly 195 mph.



A low four-second 0-100 km/h time is expected on the car, as engineers should be capable of keeping the weight down.

2011 Audi A8 Prototype Already Shedding Some Camouflage - Spied Hot Weather Testing

The new Audi A8 was caught by spies as it underwent hot weather testing. This new set of photos shows the prototype with a little less camouflage than before. Audi's flagship car is expected to get several efficient V6 and V8 engines, as well as the 258 horsepower 3.0-liter TDI that produces upwards of 258 horsepower.

In the latest set of photos, we are able to see what the vehicle looks like with LED daytime runners. The end of these lights lead towards the grille, which appears to be distinctly separated into an upper and lower section, unlike on the current model. Absolutely do not be surprised if this changes, although the new bumper appears to have space for integrated fog lamps. The rear section of the vehicle looks a bit more prominent as well, and should also include LEDs. Through the rear glass we can also see a bit of the interior.



Audi is rumored to unveil the new Audi A8 by the end of the year as a 2010 model, but a Geneva appearance is also possible. Whether or not it will be offered as either a hybrid or electric remains to be seen.

Porsche Boxster R: Spy shots!

.our sources inside Porsche have revealed that this open-top is a special, harder version of the sports car that will be revealed by the end of 2009, probably at the LA show.

Externally this special edition differs from its banal brothers thanks to a lower front bumper (with single rather than double strakes across the intakes – all important to the people that might buy this car), plus new side intakes and a bigger rear spoiler. And beneath that disguised rear deck is thought to be a double-bubble Speedster-style hump.

Under the skin this new Porsche is expected to use the 3.4-litre flat-six currently found in the Boxster S, but with a few tweaks to lift power closer to 320bhp.

BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept Officially Unveiled at Frankfurt Preview Event [video]

BMW hosted a preview event to the IAA in Frankfurt where its Vision EfficientDynamics hybrid super car concept was officially unveiled. Company chairman and CEO Dr. Norbert Reithofer spoke and said something very interesting regarding his company's preferred future powertrain solution.

"The car needs to evolve through innovation," said Reithofer . "We are the engine more efficient and make the total of vehicle technology more optimally. In addition, Hybrid is also for us a temporary solution. And especially for large metropolitan areas, a car is needed for electric base. We will continue our research work which hydrogen regard."

So it seems that although the Vision EfficientDynamics is extremely advanced in engine and body construction technology, it is not the final solution for the foreseeable, sustainable future.

To recap the 2+2 seater is powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo diesel hybrid with a total system output of 262kW (356 hp) and maximum torque 800Nm (590 lb-ft). It goes to all four wheels via two electric motors located on both the front and rear axles. The 0 - 100km/h sprint time is 4.8 seconds and peak velocity is electronically limited to 250km/h.

The car's acceleration and top speed performance are stunning considering it has an average fuel consumption figure of 3.76 litres/100 km (75.1 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.

2010 Porsche GT3 RS Autobahn Shakedown and Overview [Video]

This year at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Porsche is revealing the updated 997 Porsche GT3 RS.

Manager of High Performance Cars for Porsche, Andreas Preuninger, gave us the opportunity to ride shotgun as he took the first produced 2010 Porsche GT3 RS out for a ride on the Autobahn yesterday evening. Due to traffic, he was only able to get the car up to 292kph (181 mph) on the unrestricted A5 Autobahn.

The second half of the video, Andreas tells us what went into the development process for the new GT3 RS and what the car is capable of doing with the new technology and performance upgrades from the previous generation.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spied on Nurburgring

New spy shots of the 2011 Porsche Boxster made their way to WCF headquarters today. Although it is just ten months since the debut of the current Boxster Facelift, the Stuttgart-based automaker looks like it is well into development of the new vehicle.

Spied on the 'Ring, the Boxster is still showing off a cloth roof, and we get another look at the rear LED light clusters. Beyond that, it looks evident that the front end is bulging and somewhat elongated, but not massively. All around the car, it is more of the same: same spoiler, same third brake light, same sidesills, same vents, etc. Instead, we expect there to be some solid differences to the mechanics, and possibly weight reductions, instead of a radical new design. After all, the old design just came out.

Nonetheless, look for the 2011 Porsche Boxster to have a refined front and rear fascia as well as a new rear light cluster. Something beyond mechanics will be needed to entice potential customers. Hopefully, Porsche will finish with the mule, and begin testing the production prototype. We'll bring you any new shots as soon as they appear.

2011 Porsche Boxster Spied on Nurburgring

Although it is just ten months since the debut of the current Boxster Facelift, the Stuttgart-based automaker looks like it is well into development of the new vehicle.

Spied on the 'Ring, the Boxster is still showing off a cloth roof, and we get another look at the rear LED light clusters. Beyond that, it looks evident that the front end is bulging and somewhat elongated, but not massively. All around the car, it is more of the same: same spoiler, same third brake light, same sidesills, same vents, etc. Instead, we expect there to be some solid differences to the mechanics, and possibly weight reductions, instead of a radical new design. After all, the old design just came out.

Nonetheless, look for the 2011 Porsche Boxster to have a refined front and rear fascia as well as a new rear light cluster. Something beyond mechanics will be needed to entice potential customers. Hopefully, Porsche will finish with the mule, and begin testing the production prototype. We'll bring you any new shots as soon as they appear.

2011 BMW 5 Series further details surface - Active Hybrid 5

A very reliable insider from BMW has shared some interesting titbits about the next 5 Series. Slated for a 2010 arrival the 5 will be sold as a 2010 model in countries like the US. With rivals fast catching up and some even overtaking the car, BMW has apparently planned a reply that will silence critics and regain it some lost market share, especially in regions like Germany where the Audi A6 and the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class have made serious sales inroads.

An important aspect of automotive development for the 5 is weight. Several methods were used to reduce the weight which is good for both performance and fuel consumption. Such measures include using lighter body construction materials and producing parts like water pumps, transmission cases and suspension mounts out of lighter substances.

Although quite related to the 5 Series GT, the sedan will only share a minimum number of body panels with its four-seater sibling. Among them are the door handles, the side indicator lights and the side mirrors.

BMW has deliberately designed the car to look more compact than it actually is in order to help it stand out in a segment populated by cars that look quite large. The short overhangs, the low roofline and the wide track will ensure a lot of this happens.

EfficientDynamics systems are now an everyday part of most BMWs sold in Europe so expect to see the next evolution of the fuel-saving measures. Still on fuel, the 2011 5 Series will be fitted with hybrid power for two models. The first will be the same mild ActiveHybrid system used in the 7 Series while the other will be one from the X6 ActiveHybrid. Instead of the V8 petrol though the car will use a 3.0d engine.

Mercedes SLS AMG Cabrio Caught during Hot Weather Testing

Looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning a whole range of models for its upcoming SLS AMG supercar. The petrol coupe has been somewhat detailed and a confirmed electric drive version is in the works. Now the convertible has been caught testing in the heat of the California desert.

Spies saw clues of a retractable roof despite the heavy camouflage and doors that look like they are conventional. That means the SLS convertible will lose its "gullwing" status if these remain as they are on the spied prototype. The normal door handles are further pointers to a standard ingress and egress system, as opposed to the coupe's low-mounted ones.

Mercedes-Benz has engineered the SLS to counter its perceived lack of grunt - 420kW/ 571hp which isn't exactly a mind-blowing supercar figure, by minimising weight gains. The coupe is said to accelerate from 0 - 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and top off at 315km/h. Convertibles are normally a little slower than their hard-top counterparts so the same is expected of this one.

The SLS should be making an appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just over a month.

Audi RS5 Latest Spy Photos

Audi's 2010 RS5 coupe has once again been spotted undergoing high performance testing on Germany's famous Nürburgring.

While the new photos don't reveal any additional details, the matte black paint scheme is simply out of this world. Up front, the RS5 is distinguished by larger, more aggressive air intakes and a revised mesh grille. Other styling tweaks include 15-spoke alloy wheels, a more pronounced rear spoiler, and a massive dual exhaust system.

As we have previously reported, the RS5 will come equipped with a powerful 4.2-liter V8 engine with at least 450hp (331kW). Boasting quattro AWD and a standard six-speed manual transmission (a seven-speed R Tronic gearbox will be optional), the RS5 is expected to accelerate from 0-100km/h in less than 5 seconds. Audi will likely limit the top speed to 250km/h (155mph), but aftermarket tuners will surely fix that.

Look for the 2010 Audi RS5 to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

2011 Porsche Cayenne most revealing spy photos yet

The Porsche 911 ultimately defined the Porsche look. But these days it seems the Panamera is the one taking this design language forward. Seen here are the latest and clearest spy pictures of the upcoming 2011 Cayenne yet.

The only parts that are fully covered are the front and rear ends but happily the protruding headlights are fully-Panamera compliant. The rear lights are new and so is the third window, taped up as it is. While the Cayenne is still an SUV it looks more compact now perhaps as a response to the general auto industry trend of sizing down.



Porsche has been testing the vehicle over many different parts and surfaces, even going as far as putting it on the Nürburgring. After all, it still is a Porsche and as such is expected to handle a certain way. Plans are to make it lighter and more fuel efficient. The current model features a turbo diesel motor as one of its engines so that idea should carry into the next model. A Cayenne hybrid version is in the cards too.

Production is scheduled to begin in 2010 with the first customer deliveries to take place later in the year. A production version is sure to be exhibited during one of the major international shows, including Los Angeles.

Audi A8 prototype mocks Mitsubishi jet-fighter front grill

Could this be a new Audi A8?

We should not assume anything here (because you know what that does) but it does seem like this is a short-wheelbase A8 under an A6 shell carrying an upside-down Mitsubishi badge and jet-fighter front grill.

This scoop comes to us courtesy of a VW Vortex forum and Autoblog, and the photos show what is definitely not a Mitsubishi driving along the highway in the Southwest of the United States. The road warrior (Autoblog reader Ryan on a cross-country trip) who snapped the pictures believed it to be a new A6 undergoing testing, after having spotted some camouflaged VW Routan's earlier in the trip. But the details (and Audi's product time-line) seem to point to a new A8 iteration.

A next-generation A8 was expected to debut at the Frankfurt motor show this September, although, there seem to be no indications from Audi that that will occur. But the new A8 is expected to make its debut in the market sometime in the latter part of 2010.

Looking at the design features of the model pictured here, the furrowed-brow headlights, linebacker shoulder lines, bonnet ridges and the long, swooping C-pillar all point to a flagship Audi sedan.

By the way, is Audi allowed to use a Mitsubishi badge as a cover for a prototype?

Just asking.

BMW Concept Vision Z Rendered

Hardly a day has gone by since pictures of the BMW EfficientDynamics Vision / Vision Z were released into the Internet. Yet well-regarded automotive artist Jon Sibal has created a full rendering of the car based on the covered images. It is a rushed job as you can probably tell, something the artist fully admits.

Using the trusted Photoshop digital tool Sibal went underneath the car's skin and imagined what details could be hidden there. The front end features an upturned kidney grille, a sharp headlight area, the traditional BMW "Hoffmeister kink" on the C-pillar (but with a new shape surround). The rims did not impress the artist and so he replaced them with something that was better suited to his tastes. As the concept is missing side mirrors, so is the rendering.

Official words from BMW indicate that the concept will redefine the sports car segment with its innovative technologies in many auto spheres. Should we hold our collective breaths?

Spied BMW concept is not the Z Vision Concept car slated for Frankfurt

iMotormag is reporting that this is, in fact, not the Z Vision Concept rumored to be headed to the Frankfurt motor show, as it was previously believed to be. A call put in to BMW had the Bavarian automaker deny that.

BMW claims this is a five year old design study car that is being moved from their design studio in Germany to be put into storage somewhere.

Our colleagues at iMotormag speculate that this concept may be a precursor to a possible, future BMW 3-Series GT. Or maybe not.

BMW will be premiering a new concept car dubbed EfficientDynamics Vision at the Frankfurt show next month alongside its new 5-series GT and the X1 compact SUV. It remains to be seen what that is.

BMW 5 Series: New spy shots from France!

Here are some spy shots of the upcoming BMW 5 Series in France, near St Remy en Provence. It was a convoy of 5 cars, both sedan and wagon. Have a look!

BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible Facelift Spy Photos

Just over a year ago BMW unveiled the facelifted 3 Series sedan. The time will soon come for the Coupe and the Convertible to show their faces in full too. But for now we must satisfy our curiosity with these spy pictures of both models doing final testing before their public debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Modifications include a new front bumper, headlamps, LED rear lights and a new rear bumper. Previous spy pictures showed only the front bumper in disguise but these snapped shots show the true changes. Both models will exhibit these changes when unveiled in September.



Since BMW has a habit of escorting a new product launch or update with a new engine or an upgraded one, our curiosity is running at full speed trying to figure out which new powerplant will accompany these cars. That information might leak out ahead of the show. If not then the wait will be a long one.

Mercedes Benz S-Class Stretched Limousine Facelift Spied

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class was shown in April this year. Now spies have caught the stretch limousine version of the car being tested. The front end seems to feature a new bumper and LED lights will be part of its appearance. The limo appears to be on some sort of skid pan in what looks like the standard training exercise conducted by Mercedes-Benz for drivers and sometimes owners of these cars.

Mercedes-Benz is big on stretched limousines and has a good chunk of the market in many countries. This particular car should be 6.4 metres long and weigh more than two tones.

The current S-Class Pullman Guard is powered by a 5.5-litre V12 bi-turbo engine that makes a heady 380kW (517hp) and 830Nm of torque. Peformance figures are not the same as the standard-length car because of the extra security features installed, such as thicker windows. It also has body resistance for certain types of hand guns, some explosives, runs on runflat tyres and has an interior fire extinguisher fitted.

The Pullman Guard is not just a semi-armoured tank but a proper S-Class as well, which means a luxurious interior suited to the kind of money paid for such a car.

Audi A7: Test mule spotted in the Alps?

Have a look at these interesting spy shots of what is alleged to be the upcoming Audi A7.

2012 Mercedes SLK Spy Video

Our spy photographers have managed to catch new video of Mercedes' upcoming 2012 SLK roadster.

Like previous mules, this prototype is heavily camouflaged which prevents us from getting a glimpse of the car's new styling. Regardless, the convertible appears to adopt a more chiseled appearance that seems to dismiss much of the current model's shapely curves. The SLR-inspired nose is also expected to disappear, in favor of a more conventional grille which will likely echo the new E-Class Coupe.

Although details are limited, power is expected to be provided by the usual mix of naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines. Rumor suggests the new SLK may offer a turbo diesel engine, but that remains to be seen. Despite mounting concerns about fuel economy and emissions, several sources are indicating the AMG version will feature a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 470hp (350kW).

Expect more information to leak out as the redesigned SLK approaches it's 2012 launch date.

Bugatti Bordeaux second teaser image surfaces

A second teaser image of Bugatti's upcoming Bordeaux super sedan has surfaced.

The new picture shows the rear end of Bugatti's highly anticipated sedan. While we can't make out a lot of details, it is clear the Bordeaux features a distinctive design thanks to two horizontal horseshoe taillights and a large vertical center taillight which suggests the car may have a split rear window. Below the unique lighting display, we can see twin sets of quad tailpipes.

While details are scarce, the Veyron's quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine is expected to see duty in the new sedan. This likely means the Bordeaux will boast 1001 hp and 1250 Nm of torque, which should earn it the title of being the fastest and most powerful sedan ever created.

The picture reportedly comes from an invitation to an event which takes place during the Frankfurt Motor Show, so expect a concept version of the Bordeaux to debut in September.

Spy Photos: BMW 3 Series GT

Almost unnoticed, the BMW 3 Series GT showed up during an early stage test drive somewhere in Germany. The secrecy around this new niche model from BMW is bigger than ever and not many information have leaked so far.

But here is what we know so far: the PAC, short for Progressive Activity Coupe, is built on a long-wheel base 3 Series. The Progressive Activity Coupe has a higher roof when compared to the existing 3 Series Wagon and of course, a longer wheelbase as well. Following the steps of its “bigger brother”, 5 Series Gran Turismo, the 3 GT will be available in a smaller segment and will share some personalization features such as optional bench or individual seating . It will bring a personal approach to luxury and will differentiate itself from the Wagon model.

Since it’s based on a 3 Series platform, BMW’s plans are to maintain the performance and dynamics seen on the other 3er models. The engine range will include the latest six cylinder turbo(N55) found in the GT and the latest six cylinder diesel , additional petrol and diesels will include BMW’s upcoming four cylinder Turbocharged petrol engine and the four cylinder diesel.

Spy Photos: 2012 Five-Door BMW 1 Series spotted

Another week and some more spy photos of the next generation BMW 1 Series which will make its debut in 2012. This time, the spy photographers capture on camera a five-door 1 Series test mule during a testing session in Germany.

Judging by these photos, we are clearly looking at the 5-door hatchback, part of the future large 1 Series family. Now what makes these latest spy shots even more interesting is the RoaDyn Measuring Wheel System which uses a sensor to monitor the dynamic measurement of force and torque. Similar systems have been used before by engineers in the tuning process of AWD platforms.

Of course, we can only speculate at this point that we’re looking at an xDrive 1er model, but nonetheless, it was worth mention it.

We already know that BMW is looking to launch an extensive 1 Series line-up, from a 3-door touring, 3 and 5-door GT to 5-door hatchback and a 3-door Coupe and Convertible. A high-performance model, similar to an M car, is in works as well and sources close to BMW use the codename Supersports when referring to it.

BMW X1 Officially Released with HD Video

BMW has released official details of the new X1 SUV (SAV). The smallest X vehicle in the range is 4.45 metres long, has a wheelbase of 2.76 metres, is 1.545 metres high and the lightest model weighs in at 1,615kg (EU). It is designed to have a low-slung rear window to make it look the sporting car that it is, and it features wide wheel arches for an aggressive squat. The signature kidney grille is as bold and muscular as it is on the 7 Series. Standard wheels coming with the range are 17-inch alloys.

Contours and sharp lines are evident all the way to the sides and back, including the "Hofmeister kink" at the C pillar. Further confirming that this is a true BMW design are the L-shaped rear lights clusters with sharp jagged edges.

Inside the X1 gives an elevated seating position to each passenger while the driver benefits from a driver-facing "surfboard" dashboard that made BMWs of yesteryear so different from their rivals. The new iDrive system is installed and can be mated to a USB port, a CD player, and six Pro Logic 7 HiFi loud speakers. A rear parking camera and/or Park Distance Control can also be specified from the options list.

Six models will be available at launch. Only one of these is petrol-powered and that is the X1 xDrive28i. Fitted to this version is the 3.0-litre straight six with 258hp (190kW) and torque of 310Nm. The rest of the lineup runs on diesel, starting with the sDrive18d making 143hp (105kW) and 320Nm of torque. Then comes the sDrive20d which produces 177hp (130kW) and 350Nm. Both these RWD vehicles are coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Higher up the rung are the manual xDrive18d with the same figures of 143hp (105kW) and 320Nm, an xDrive20d of 177hp (130kW) and 350Nm as well as the thrusty xDrive23d. It has the 2.0-litre twin turbo motor that does 204hp (150kW) and 400Nm of maximum pulling power.

Customers living in the USA will start getting their consignment of the BMW X1 some time in 2011. US-bound engines and powertrains will be confirmed closer to launch.

Audi A8 teaser image discovered

The first teaser image promoting the Audi A8 has recently been found. Standing with the cloth-covered A8 is Audi's Board Member for Technical Development, Michael Dick.

Few things are clearly visible in the picture other than Dick. We can see the now-signature Audi LED daytime lights through the sheet, but we also notice a car that could be a little shorther than the current generation. The rear windshield of the car also looks to have a bit of a sharp angle, something that contradicts the official sketch of the car released by Audi last October.

According to Autovisie, the photo was buried in a collection of promotional materials released by the automaker as part of a 100th anniversary celebration.

The Audi A8 is expected to hit the market in 2010 with four engine options, including petrol and diesel versions of a 3.0-liter and 4.2-liter V8. Should a S8 model be released, it could receive a 5.0-liter V10 FSI that unleashes 620 horsepower.

Built with a next generation Aluminum Space Frame, the 2010 Audi A8 was supposed to be shown off in Frankfurt this September but recent reports state this has been postponed despite the "surfacing" of this teaser image.