Usually prototypes such as this one are captured by professional spy photographers; however, this time the shots have come in from a member of M5Board driving a modified M3.
This particular trio of BMW prototypes happens to consist of three different 6-Series models. One model sports the same square exhaust tips that we saw on the Nurburgring 6-Series; presumably the high performance model as suggested by a passenger in the video.
The new 6-Series features styling fairly similar to that of the GranCoupe Concept, but we expect the new 6-Series won’t veer to far off from the old design thanks to BMW’s tentative designers.
With the buzz surrounding the new Ford Explorer, the release of the Audi A7 has gone a bit under the radar. The new A7 will follow the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Aston Martin Rapide in terms of style and practicality. We first saw the A7 in Detroit back in 2009 and the model has officially been launched today in Munich.
For the exterior appearance it is clear that this new A7 was designed alongside the new A8. The A7 will get Audi’s signature LED running lights and a slopped rear deck that is similar to the new A8.
The most interesting design elements on the new A7 are on the sides. From the side, the A7 looks to be part shooting brake concept and part coupe. It’s easy to tell that this sedan follows the same four-door coupe design as its rivals.
Under the hood, the A7 will debut with four engine offerings, two petrol and two diesels. We will likely get the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that is found in the S4. No diesel motors have been confirmed for the United States market.
Audi will offer buyers the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, though it’s likely that we will only be getting the latter. There will also be two transmission choices, a CVT and a seven-speed S-tronic transmission.
The interior of the A7 will get the usual Audi touches. There will be an all-new MMI system that will use a touch pad for various activities. There will also be wireless Internet. The interior is actually quite similar to the A8, which isn’t a bad thing.
The 2011 Audi A7 has been a long time coming. And now, the new Sportback is inching closer to its highly anticipated world debut.
According to the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer, the Audi A7 is going to be revealed at a special event on July 26, 2010 at the Pinakothek der Moderne München, a modern art museum located at the heart of Munich, Germany.
The Ingolstadt-based automobile manufacturer did not release any more details on the car, but the wait will only be for few more days so it shouldn’t be all that excruciating. Despite the limited details, it’s been widely expected that the new A7 will bear striking similarities to a previous concept – the 2009 Sportback Concept – that Audi released in the past.
Following its unveiling in Germany next week, the new A7 Sportback is scheduled to make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in Paris, France in a few month’s time in September.
Smart has already revealed details on the new generation Fortwo mini car. However until it goes on sale this fall, German customers will get another special edition based on the current generation to satisfy their Smart thirst. It is called the "Limited Silver" and will be priced at 12,990 euro.
The "Limited Silver" Fortwo will be offered in either a stylish silver or a gray metallic exterior paint. It will get a smart radio 9 with MP3-compatible CD player, a lockable glove box, and the smart drive kit for the iPhone as standard.
This Smart special edition will be distinguished by new 15" Brabus light metal wheels "Monoblock VII", Brabus LED daytime running lights, a Brabus LED brake light, and the "limited silver" logo in the mirror triangles. It will be available with the environmentally friendly micro hybrid drive (MHD) unit that develop 71 HP and gets the new start-stop system that helps reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions significantly.
Mercedes announced today a few changes made for the 2011 E63AMG sports sedan model. For 2011 the model will get even higher quality standard appointments. In Germany it will be priced at 105,791 euros for the sedan version and at 108,409 euros for the station wagon version.
Under the hood there is the usual 6.3-liter V8 engine which is now mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission from the SL 63 AMG. This combination develops a total of 525 hp and a peak torque of 630 NM which enables the car to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. THe E63 AMG’s fuel efficiency is even decreased by 12% thanks to an on-demand delivery of fuel and generator management with recuperation of braking energy on the overrun. Also adding to the decrease in fuel efficiency is the elimination of the usual torque converter for a "wet start-up clutch running in an oil bath."
For 2011 the interior of the E 63 AMG is being offered with some new options that are sure to please anyone. These options are part of the designo extended leather appointments II range and consist of being able to cover the lower section of the dashboard, the glove compartment lid, the door linings including map pockets, and the side upholstery of the center console with exclusive nappa leather.
Recent spy videos of the new 2011 M5 sedan, the 6-Series Convertible, and the M6 Coupe are increasing the likelihood that these new BMWs are drawing closer and closer to a dealership date in the not-so distant future.
We’ve known for quite some time now that the new M5 and the M6 Coupe are being given an engine overhaul by doing away with the current model’s 10-cylinder engine in favor for a modded version of the twin-turbocharged V8 engine that’s currently sitting under the hood of the X5 M and X6 M. It’s also worth noting - awkward as it is - that in one of the videos, a Mercedes Benz SLS AMG is peeking just behind the 6-Series Convertible and nobody seems to be taking any notice to the camouflaged BMW. The boys from Merc ought to be having a good laugh from this.
Nevertheless, these camouflaged BMWs are still what caught our attention - no offense to the SLS - and seeing them get that kind of shakedown leads us to believe that seeing them launched will happen sooner rather than later.
Audi Germany is offering a download for the new Audi R8 GT catalog. Unfortunately, the catalog is only available in German, but if you Deutsch sprechen then the new catalog will give you the chance to learn a lot about the new sports car.
For example, from the new catalog you will find out that the R8 GT will get matte carbon fiber blades and accents as standard and will be offered in four standard colors: Suzuka Grey, Somoa Orange, Ice Silver and Phantom Black. The R8 GT will be offered with a new Race package that includes: rear roll bar in black or red, four-point belts in black or red, sports seats, battery emergency, and fire extinguisher.
The R8 GT is powered by a 5.2 FSI V10 engine that delivers a total of 560 HP and 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. The result is a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, from 0 to 124 mph in 10.6 seconds, and a top speed of 198.8 mph.
Fiat has unveiled the special edition 500 Rosso Corsa created especially for the German market. It will be limited to only 250 units, each carrying a price tag of 19,500 €. For comparison, the top version "by Diesel" model costs 17,200 €.
Besides the red exterior color, the 500 Rosso Corsa is also distinguished by leather trim, 16-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, stereo system, red painted brake calipers, and a body color matching the key cover. Each model will get an aluminum plate with the corresponding production number and a chrome lettering on the tailgate featuring the "Rosso Corsa" logo.
This special edition will only be offered with a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine that delivers a total of 100 HP.
Of course, if you want a 500 painted in this red exterior color than we have to repeat the fact that it will only be offered in the red exterior paint job that is unique to this edition and only available in the German market. So either make the move or just choose from other 500 models in your area that are fully customizable anyway. You may not get the red, but you’ll at least have a highly customizable Fiat 500 model that is sure to please.
Mercedes’ new prized beauty, the CLS saloon that’s been designated as the ’C218’, is still a few months - give or take - away from its highly-anticipated unveiling. Of course, that hasn’t stopped curious bees like us from trying to get as good a look at the car whenever the opportunity presents itself, which is probably why we got all geeked up when this spy video of the CLS AMG doing some lap runs at the Nurburgring found its way on the Internet.
The new member of Mercedes’ CLS line will be powered by the company’s new 5.5-liter bi-turbo engine, a different engine from the car’s closest predecessor, the CLS 63 AMG, which was powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine. With the new 5.5-liter bi-turbo, the new CLS will be able to produce over 544 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque for the standard form with a more powerful performance package - 571 ponies and 664 lb-ft of torque - also being offered.
That’s the extent of what we know about the new CLS saloon with Mercedes being extra cautious in divulging more information about the car. In any case, the new CLS is expected to be unveiled later this year, possibly at the Paris Motor Show, at which time we’re going to be feasting our eyes on the new Merc eye-catcher with longing looks.
UPDATE 07/16/2010: The Mercedes CLS-Class has been caught undisguised! Hit the jump for more info and a picture of the naked CLS!
German soccer fans have more reason to root for Germany now as it prepares for its 2010 World Cup bid. Mercedes-Benz, ever the proud supporter of the German team, announced a load of incentives for it’s national fans that includes up to $2,493 in cash at current conversion rates. And in the event Germany wins their first World Cup since 1990, then they can expect even more goodies to be given by the Silver Arrows.
Should Germany triumph, Mercedes is giving away a special zero-percent financing and $381 in lease incentives. It’s a pretty incentive for the German team to perform well in the World Cup because their fans will be celebrating more than just the championship if the team wins it all, thanks to Mercedes-Benz.
