BMW M GmbH president, Friedrich Nitschke, already confirmed that the M135i Concept unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show would make it to production and as proof of that statement, our spy photographers have caught the car doing some quick laps around the Nürburgring in Germany.
The future M135i will be powered by an N55 6-cylinder inline engine that will deliver about 320 HP. The engine will be combined with a rear-wheel drive system and a powerful sport-tuned suspension with M sport brakes. According to Nitschke, it will also be offered with an optional AWD system.
The future M135i is also said to come with a new set of 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design and an aerodynamic body kit. Considering the prototype caught testing this time was a three-door model, it seems that BMW will also be offering it in two body styles.
All of this considered, it seems BMW is pretty serious about offering a competitor for the Mercedes A25 AMG.
Less than a month after capturing the first spy shots of the Mini Cooper S JCW GP just outside of the Nurburgring during some testing, we now have some shots of the youngest model in Mini’s line-up - the new Coupe - as it sports its new JCW GP equipment. Our spy photographers have spotted a very strange looking Coupe prototype featuring the same wheels and rear diffuser as the GP Hatch prototype spied a few weeks ago. The only explanation that we deemed worthy of this prototype is that a Coupe JCW GP version will be launched soon.
The GP package will make the Coupe lighter when compared to the standard version, but will also add a few extra horses under the hood. Don’t be surprised if there’s anywhere 220 - 230 HP under the hood of this new version.
An official debut for the Mini Coupe JCW GP is expected to be made by the end of 2012, so stay tuned!
Audi is preparing to add a new RS model to its line-up as shown by these images of the future RS6 Avant. The sports-focused mid-sized vehicle was caught testing at the Nurburgring race track in Germany, donning some heavy camouflage. This just means that the mule that was testing previously has been tossed out and the production version is now making its testing rounds.
As previously reported, the Audi RS6 will be powered by the same 4.0 TFSI bi-turbo V8 as the S6, the S8, and even the new Bentley Continental GT V8. However, the final output is expected to be increased to the 500 HP area, so the RS6 should be a real monster.
The future Audi RS6 will also feature a wider track and more aggressive brakes, as well as a meaner overall look. The bad news is that Audi doesn’t plan on offering it as a sedan just yet, so station wagon haters will have to give in or wait that much longer.
Not too long ago, Jaguar unveiled the first official details for their F-Type roadster which is set to be announced later in 2012 with sales to begin in mid 2013. While the official details confirm that only a roadster version will be offered, in an interview with AutoExpress, Design Director, Ian Callum, revealed that a coupe version will also be offered in the next 12 to 18 months.
"A coupe version will appear. Buyers in this market tend to keep their cars for 12 to 18 months, then they want something new. We’ll leverage that by offering a coupe. That’s going to be vital to keeping the car’s lifecycle going."
Callum also confirmed that the production version F-Type version would take 95%of its design elements from the C-X16 concept: "Sometimes a production car can be a big disappointment after you’ve seen the concept, but the F-Type will include 95 per cent of the C-X16. I can promise that you won’t be disappointed."
The new Jaguar F-Type Roadster will be powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 250 HP in the normally aspirated version and 375 HP in the supercharged R version. Jaguar has also confirmed that the future F-Type two-seater convertible will be priced under the current XK, or at about $85,000. That would mean the F-Type Coupe would have a similar if not identical engine lineup and will also be in the same price bracket, possibly with a few thousand dollars knocked off.
A few weeks ago, Jaguar officially revealed the first spy shots for the upcoming F-Type roadster. The F-Type will be announced later in 2012 and will borrow about 95% of its design elements from the C-X16 Concept announced at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. We couldn’t wait to see the final product, so we went to the drawing board for a quick glimpse into the future.
The future Jaguar F-Type will be powered by a new 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 250 HP in a normally aspirated version and 375 HP in the supercharged R version. Jaguar has also confirmed that the future F-Type will be built as a two-seater convertible and will feature all-aluminum construction. The model will be priced under the current XK, or at about $85,000.
Let us know what you think of the rendering for the upcoming Jaguar F-Type roadster in the comment section below!
The AMG version of the new Mercedes A-Class has been caught testing one more time, wearing less camouflage than ever before. The future A-Class AMG - or A25 AMG as it has been rumored to be called - will look pretty much like a normal A-Class, but it will differ thanks to a pair of bigger air intakes, more market side sills, and a new set of wheels combined with some upgraded brakes.
Under the hood, Mercedes will place a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine delivering an impressive 350 HP. The engine will send its power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
All of the updates provided will make the future A25 AMG a serious competitor for models like the Audi RS3 Sportback, the BMW 1M, and the Volkswagen Golf R.
The Mercedes A25 AMG is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2012.
Rumors about Lexus working on a new generation IS sedan have been around for awhile, but this is the first time a mule of the next IS has been caught testing. The mule is still wearing a modified body of the current generation, but it sits on a new platform, a new drivetrain, and a new suspension.
This beginner mule was the first move towards keeping the new design language hidden from all of us camera-happy journalists, but it still can’t keep us from speculating a bit on the new model. The next IS will feature the same design language as the recently announced GS and LS. Under the hood, it has been rumored to feature a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and/or a 3.6-liter flat-6 engine. The 2014 Lexus IS F will continue with a high-powered V-8 with an output of more than 400 HP. The IS-F will sprint from 0 to 60 mph sprint in about 4.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of about 170 mph.
The SS (Super Sport) name was first used back in 1961 and since then, it has become Chevrolet’s signature of performance on many models. Back then, the Impala was in its fourth generation and the SS version brought an amazing power increase of 305 - 425 HP, depending on the version. Now, the tenth generation Impala is on the horizon, changing its focus from being a once feared muscle car to a plain and simple family car, but the SS model will still be there to tickle the fancy of practicality and performance.
The future, standard Chevrolet Impala was just unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, so we expect to see the SS version launched sometime by the end of the year or in early 2013. The new SS should follow the same guidelines set in the previous models, so expect to see a V8 engine with an output of up to 450 HP cradled under that family sized hood. In terms of design, the new Impala SS will receive a modified bumper, new grille, new side skirts, a new set of wheels, an SS badge, and some new red paint.
The upcoming BMW 4-Series Convertible has been caught topless before, but now the spy images that were captured show off the details of the vehicle’s roof mechanism. Just like the current 3-Series Convertible (E93), these photos officially confirm that BMW has decided to go with the folding hard top mechanism.
The BMW 4-Series Convertible is still heavily camouflaged, hiding most of the lines, but according to some inside information, the front end will differ from the recently announced F30 3-Series sedan and will be more sculptured and sportier. In fact, rumors say that the new 4-Series will take most of its design elements from the 5-Series and 6-Series, but with more squared-off headlights and larger eyebrows.
Rumors also say that the 4-Series will be offered with the latest four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units found in the BMW lineup, including the new 245bhp 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine.
The new BMW 4-Series Convertible will be launched sometime in 2013 and will go on sale as a 2014 model.
Shortly after its official launch, the Insignia became one of the most successful models in Opel’s line-up. And even if the car has only been on sale for just three years, the company is already preparing a small facelift for the car to keep it fresh enough to maintain customers’ interest. Our spy photographers have caught the car testing for the first time somewhere in Europe.
As you can see from the spy shots, only the car’s front and rear ends have been hidden, meaning that only these parts of the vehicle will get some changes for the facelift. The new Insignia will receive a completely modified set of headlamps and new bumpers, while the interior will also get modified with some new materials and improved technology. It has also been rumored that the engine line-up will receive some upgrades in order to lower CO2 emissions.
Expect to see the facelift Opel Insignia launched by the end of 2012.
