One of the biggest surprises on the German public roads this week was an Alpina version of the 2014 6-Series GranCoupe. As you can see, the model is wearing camouflage only in the parts rumored to be updated, because as usual, Alpina is preparing the biggest updates under the hood.
As you can see from these spy shots, Alpina will use a 650i version for its project. While in the standard version the 4.4-liter V-8 engine delivers a total of 450 horsepower, Alpina is rumored to add at least an extra 100 horsepower. We expect this extra power to significantly improve the car’s current 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds.
Next to the engine upgrades, Alpina will also offer a few styling changes, an updated interior and.a new set of wheels, of course.
Expect the new BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe by Alpina to be unveiled in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Hit the jump to read more about the BMW 6-Series GranCoupe by Alpina.
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When Porsche announced the initial specifications for the upcoming 918 Spyder, it announced a combined output of 795 horsepower.
Apparently, that was a little bit off, as it is now rumored that the supercar will be significantly better than initially claimed. The output will go somewhere in the 875-horsepower area, the weight will be lower and the Nürburgring time will be under 7 minutes.
Also, one buyer said at the Goodwood Festival of Speed said that he has seen the final production version, and when compared to it, both the LaFerrari and McLaren P1 look “mediocre.” Also, the same buyer claims that while everyone thinks they know how the supercar looks like, we are all in for a huge surprise when the production model drops.
The buyer also stated that the 918 Spyder will be a targa model and "will travel at 150 kms on electric alone." This can be taken one of two ways. The first way is that he means it delivers an electric-only range of about 150 kilometers (93 miles) — a rather stout number. The second meaning is that it has a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).
The new Porsche 918 Spyder will make its world debut in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The second-generation Hyundai ix35 (also known as Tucson for the American market) was unveiled in 2009 and this is the first time the company is working on a facelift for it. Our spy photographers have caught the SUV testing for the first time, before the car’s official unveiling at the 2013 Frankfurt Car Show in September.
Even though the SUV is heavily camouflaged, we expect it to feature design elements we have seen on both the Santa Fe and i40. This means we will see a three-bar hexagonal front grille, new headlamps, wraparound taillights and a new rear spoiler. Our spy photographers managed to also catch a shot of the interior, reveling that it will also receive small changes, most likely inspired by previously unveiled Hyundai models.
Under the hood, you should expect some all-new or modified engines to meet the demand for more fuel-efficient engines and less CO2.
Land Rover recently unveiled the new-generation Range Rover, but we haven’t heard anything about the more powerful Range Rover Sport. Well, the model is now back into the picture, as our spy photographers managed to catch it during its cold-weather testing in the Arctic Circle.
To help you differentiate it from the standard Range Rover, Land Rover made the Sport version slightly wider and lower, with a more sloped roofline.
Under the hood, Land Rover will borrow its engine lineup from Jaguar, meaning we will see a choice of both diesel and gasoline engines, with the 510-horsepower supercharged V-8 engine from the Jaguar XK-R at the top of the lineup. Land Rover also announced it will use lots of aluminum in the Range Rover Sport’s construction, making it a lot lighter than the current version.
Expect the new Land Rover Range Rover Sport to be unveiled in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
Last week, we brought you the first spy shots of the upcoming Skoda Octavia Combi. Now it’s time for something a little bit more powerful: the Octavia Combi RS.
When compared to the standard Combi, the RS version will feature a sportier and more aggressive front bumper, and an exhaust system with trapezoidal tailpipes. The production version will also get some bigger wheels to help it ride and handle a little better.
The Octavia RS will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that will deliver a total of 220 horsepower. The engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a DSG transmission and there are rumors suggesting the engine will be couple to a four-wheel-drive system.
The standard Octavia Combi will make its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but those of you who want a more powerful wagon will need to wait for the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, as this is where the RS version is set to be unveiled.
Hyundai recently released an updated version of the i10, but it looks like the company is already hard working on the next-generation i10. Our spy photographers have caught the first prototypes out for a testing session, and, as you can see, the car is heavily camouflaged so it is pretty difficult to see the changes the new i10 will bring.
Still, it is pretty easy to notice that the grille has become bigger in order to show the family face. The car’s general lines have been slightly updated, so now the i10 will feature a clearer side profile and a more sloping roof. At the rear, the lights seem to have received a horizontal position compared to the vertical lights on the current version. In the front bumper, the fog lights have an LED stripe above.
The new-generation Hyundai i10 will make its world debut in September 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Well, that was fast! Days after Porsche unveiled its new Cayman and Cayman S, we now have rumors of a Cayman Turbo that is expected to debut at the IAA-Frankfurt 2013.
Any Porsche enthusiast knows that the “Turbo” badge signifies more power and a bigger price tag. Yes, there’s more power but with a catch. Unlike the 6-cylinder, boxer configuration of the Cayman S, the Turbo variant is expected to be powered by a smaller, turbocharged 4-cylinder boxer engine that is expected to produce more than 350 horsepower. We don’t think Porsche purists would be happy with this move as it will lose the iconic sound that is instantly recognizable as Porsche sports car, but at least the power is there.
With the downsizing trend becoming popular among top brands, the main aim is to bring more power while improving fuel efficiency, thanks to the rising fuel prices and concern for carbon emission. Looks like Porsche is expected to join that bandwagon with the Cayman Turbo and the Macan.
If this is true, it’s going to be funny trying to reason with a Cayman S owner why the Turbo is better.
For now, this is all we’ve got on the flagship Cayman. We’ll keep an eye out on this while we wait for its expected unveiling at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Professional photographers working the auto show circuit know that the cars come first, but coming in a close second are the ladies lounging around these new models.
The Frankfurt Auto Show is one of the biggest in the auto calendar so naturally, we expect to see a portfolio’s worth of some of the most beautiful women you’ll ever come across. No more was that evident than at the IAA Commercial Vehicle, where, as you’re eyes will tell you, hundreds of beautiful and sexy vixens strutted their assets and became the object of the photographers’ lens.
Just imagine how tedious it must be for a photographer to take pictures of a car knowing that at the corner of their eyes, a beautiful women is waiting to her have her turn in front of the lens. But come to think of it, it’s a job that certainly has its fair share of benefits.
Enjoy the picture gallery below and let us know whether you like the cars or the girls in the comments section!
Slated to be announced at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Macan will mark the entry of Porsche into the premium crossover segment that is dominated by cars such as the Range Rover Evoque.
Porsche has confirmed that the Macan will be based on the Audi Q5, but will have a completely different dynamic proposition from that of the Q5. In other words, it’ll be different despite the same platform. According to R&D Chief, Wolfgang Hatz, everything has been modified in this vehicle, ranging from engines, to transmission, to suspension systems. "It’s all new and Audi can’t believe what we’ve done.”
Hatz also claims that Audi shouldn’t fear the Macan disturbing the sales of the Audi Q5, which have been great. He says that the Macan is targeting a different type of customer; more like the young and rich folks that also drive the Evoque’s growth.
In the design department, the baby Cayenne’s design will be influenced by the recently announced Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, where the design combines certain key elements from the 911 and the Boxster. If you want an idea of what it would look like in flesh, take the Panamera Sport Turismo and bloat it up. Voila, the Porsche Macan is served.
In terms of performance, Hatz confirmed that the Macan will be the first modern-day Porsche to be powered by four-cylinder engines in its lineup, but don’t get your checkbooks ready as Porsche won’t be launching the 4-cyl versions in the beginning. Along with that, there will be a 3.6-liter V6 engine that develops 295 horsepower.
The Porsche Macan: For those people who like to ferry their family around in an Audi with a Porsche badge, but can’t afford a Cayenne or a Panamera. This is certainly interesting for us.
Is it for you? Let us know in the comments section.
Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over! After months of speculation, Lotus has finally unveiled the new Exige S. This "ultimate lightweight high performance sportscar" comes bearing a new look inside and out, as well as a brand new engine that adds over 100 HP to the car’s output.
The look of the 2012 Lotus Exige S still claims it as an Exige, but the add-ons provided smooth out the sports car’s look, while still adding a certain degree of aggression to the design. The Exige S now carries a new front splitter that reveals a cleaner line across the front of the car and a smaller rear spoiler, both of which still improve the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
As for power, the Exige S is now working with a mid-mounted, transverse 3.5 liter DOHC V6 VVI-i engine that delivers a total of 345 HP, a far cry from the previously used 257 HP 1.8L Toyota supercharged I4. The reason for this massive upgrade is clear when the car’s weight gets introduced into the equation. The previous model claimed 2,077 lbs, while the new Exige S plumps up at 2,380 lbs. Once the added weight gets brought in, the Exige S’ 0-60 mph time is still better, coming in at 3.8 seconds (from a previous time of 4.0 seconds) and its top speed hikes up to 170 mph (up from a previous 145 mph).
Lotus will also be offering a Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) switch that allows the driver to switch between three driving modes: Touring, Sport, and DPM off. An optional Race Pack also gets thrown in to add a fourth driving mode (Race) to the mix, for the ultimate Lotus Exige S experience.
UPDATE 12/08/11: After having to yank the Exige and Elise from the US market due to airbag restrictions, Lotus is throwing the US market a bone by bringing the new Exige S over to our side of the pond as a track-only car. This race version will feature a full roll cage, racing seats and harness, and an electrical cut-off switch, in addition to all of the features found on the road car. Pricing will start between $85,000–$90,000. (duPont Registry)
UPDATE 07/13/2012: Lotus has unveiled three new videos for their brand new Exige S. In two of them, the car is being tested at the Nurburgring and at the Hethel Track at Lotus HQ, while the third video shows Donato Coco, Lotus Director of Design, as he explains the design and styling of the new Lotus Exige S, and Matt Becker, Chief Engineer of Vehicle Dynamics, as he talks through some of the fundamental changes that have been made to the Exige S.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Lotus Exige S.
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