Earlier this week, we brought you the first spy shots of a seven-seat version of the upcoming BMW 1 Series GT and today, the car was caught again, but this time it’s on public roads.
In the last images, we only caught profile shots of the seven-seat 1 Series GT, but this time our spy photographers managed to catch it from multiple angles. From these new angles, we can see - as far as the camouflage allows - that the seven-seat version will look nearly identical to the standard 1 Series GT version, except the longer rear doors, the overhang and upright rear.
The two versions will share the same BMW UKL1 platform and both will be offered with a front-wheel-drive setup. The engine lineup will include a new three-cylinder engine, a hybrid three-cylinder drivetrain and four-cylinder engine.
We expect the seven-seat 1 Series GT to arrive about a half-year after the standard version hits the market.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW 1 Series GT with seating for seven.
Full story
Last month, the 2014 Audi A8 was caught testing for the first time on the public roads in Germany. Today, the car changed landscapes and went for high-altitude testing in the Alps.
Just like in the previous testing session, Audi chose to heavily camouflage this A8 prototype; but even so, we expect to see the same updates that we have seen in all of the recently launched Audi models.
These updates will include: new headlight units; new grille; and small changes to the bumper. On the rear, the revisions include: new taillights and a revised bumper. The interior will also receive some small updates, plus an updated infotainment system.
Under the hood, Audi will focus on reducing fuel consumption and lowering CO2 emissions.
We expect the revised Audi A8 to be unveiled in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Click past the jump to read more about the Audi A8.
Full story
Now that Volkswagen unveiled both the standard and GTI version of the seventh-generation Golf, the next model we expect is, of course, the R version. We’ve brought you plenty of spy photos of the 2014 Golf R, but this time we present to you a video showing the upcoming Golf R taking a beating on Nürburgring.
The upcoming Golf R will be powered by a revised version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a DSG or a six-speed transmission. The revised engine will deliver 256 horsepower in the U.S. version and 270 horsepower in the European model.
As for aesthetics, the next-gen Golf R will receive the same R treatment as the current model, but it will get the some of the design improvements seen on the other seventh-gen Golf variants, including: revised headlights and taillights; a new grille and front bumper; and a revised backside.
Stay tuned for more information and spy shots on the new Golf R as we slowly approach its debut.
The current-generation Volkswagen Polo was unveiled back in 2009 and for the 2014 model year, it looks as if VW will give it an update. The model was spotted undergoing testing on public roads and judging by the lack of camouflage, it is obvious that the updates will be minimal.
As far as we can understand from these photos, it looks like the 2014 Polo will receive a revised front bumper with a modified air intake. Of course, it is very possible that the production version will receive a few extra updates that we cannot see from these shots.
It has also been rumored that Volkswagen will also offer some smaller updates on the interior, including a revised infotainment system, new materials and updated colors.
As for the engine lineup, there is no official confirmation just yet, but we expect to see a small revision for improved performance and reduced fuel consumption.
Expect the revised Volkswagen Polo to be unveiled in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Click past the jump to read more about the Volkswagen Polo.
Full story
It’s been a while since we last caught the upcoming BMW M4 Coupe testing, but it’s definitely worth the wait. Today, our spy photographers managed to catch the car testing at the famed Nürburgring racetrack in some slippery conditions.
As you can see, the car is still heavily camouflaged but it is still pretty easy to see that for the first time, the M4 Coupe is wearing something other than its typical black paint. This may seem insignificant on the surface, but it is a sign that BMW has reached the next level of testing and that an official unveiling is drawing near.
BMW also tipped its hand by equipping this particular model with a set of gold-colored calipers, which indicates that this 4 Series features the M Carbon Ceramic brakes.
As for the engine, rumors indicate that the M4 will be powered by a S55 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with an output of 415 horsepower.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW M4 Coupe.
Full story
Shortly after Maserati unveiled the Kubang concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, rumors began circulating that a production version would be offered. Shortly after, Maserati confirmed that a production version will indeed be offered, but the production version will drop the Kubang name in favor of Levante.
The SUV takes its name from the Via Emilia Levante in Bologna, where the Maserati brothers, almost a century ago, dreamed up the company that today still bears their name.
The Levante will be offered with three engines: a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine delivering 410 horsepower, a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 engine with 530 horsepower and a turbo-diesel engine only offered in Europe. All the three engines will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and will send their power to all four wheels via Maserati’s new all-wheel-drive system.
Maserati’s first SUV will combine exterior and interior elements from Quattroporte and Ghibli with some electronic architecture from Chrysler and Jeep.
Until recently, it was rumored that the Levante would be built at Chrysler’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but due to the huge demand for the Jeep SUV, this isn’t a possibility. Instead, it will be produced in Italy.
The Levante will be unveiled in 2014 - just in time to celebrate Maserati’s centennial.
Image Note: The above image is a TopSpeed rendering and not an official image of the Levante
Update 5/21/2013: A report by Edmunds has revealed more information on the Levante’s production home and drivetrain.
Full story
When Mercedes works on a new generation for one of their models, we can all rest assured that the AMG version to match will follow right behind it. Such is the case with the next-generation S-Class, as the sedan variant was just revealed days ago.
Our spy photographers have caught the future S-Class AMG during a testing session at the Nürburgring racetrack, wearing the same light camouflage as the normal non-AMG cars. As you can see, when compared to the standard S-Class, the AMG version has received bigger air intakes, marked side sills and a new rear bumper with a covered up diffuser. This prototype is still missing the quad tailpipes; but don’t worry, they will undoubtedly show up on the production version S-Class AMG.
The future Mercedes S-Class AMG will be powered by an AMG twin turbo 5.5-liter V-8 engine that will deliver between 536 and 550 horsepower.
Expect to see the new generation Mercedes S-Class AMG launched sometime in 2013.
Updated 05/20/2013: Now that we have seen the official images of the new S-Class, is time to imagine what the AMG version will look like. Today, we have created a rendering for you that may help you imagine what the next S63 AMG may look like.
Full story
The standard BMW 1-Series GT was caught testing many times, but this is the first time our spy photographers managed to catch the longer, seven-seat version. To be completely honest with you, the car was not really “testing;” rather, was just parked inside a BMW test facility.
This makes it pretty easy to spot the differences between the new, seven-seat version and the standard 1-Series GT. Up to the B-pillars, the two cars look the same, but this is where the changes come. The rear doors are longer and the overhang at the back is also longer on the seven-seat model. The back is also more upright, offering more room for the rear passengers.
The seven-seat version will be built on the same UKL1 platform as the standard 1-Series GT and will be offered with a front-wheel-drive setup. Under the hood, the engine lineup will again be shared with the standard version and will include the new three-cylinder, hybrid three-cylinder and four-cylinder powertrains.
The standard 1-Series GT will make its world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and the seven-seat version is expected to arrive six months later.
Updated 05/23/2013: Our spy photographers managed to caught the upcoming 1-Series GT Seven-Seater out for another testing session.
Click past the jump to read more about the seven-seat BMW 1-Series GT.
Full story
With falling sales and stiff competition from the BMW 7-Series and the Audi A8, Mercedes is looking to revamp its S-Class line for the 2014 model year. The model has been caught testing in many times and was teased even more, but today Mercedes finally unveiled in all its glory.
As expected, the 2014 S-Class adopted the same design language we have seen in all the recently launched Mercedes models, which was started by the 2010 Mercedes F800 Style Concept. Translated, this means the new S-Class received sharper lines, a sportier front fascia, a larger grille and a redesigned rear end.
The model grew in size, so it now offers improved interior room where the passengers can enjoy the highest-quality materials, luxurious wood trim, a metallic switchgear and stitched-leather accents.
UPDATE 05/15/2013: The new Mercedes S-Class finally made its world debut today at the Airbus A380 delivery center in Hamburg, Germany.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Mercedes S-Class!
Full story
Later today, Mercedes will drop the official details on the new S-Class sedan, but our spy photographers were busy too. They managed to catch the S-Class Coupe testing in Hamburg, Germany.
Even though the prototype caught testing was heavily camouflaged, it is easy to see the coupe version will be almost identical to the four-door model. It will get a more prominent front grille, new headlamps, and sportier and more elegant lines than last year’s model. Of course, the coupe version will look a little bit sportier, thanks to the lack of the rear doors.
Under the hood, we anticipate seeing the same lineup found in the sedan, including: a 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine that delivers 255 horsepower; a 4.7-liter turbocharged gasoline V-8 with 449 horsepower; and a hybrid version that will combine a 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 and an electric motor for a total output of 302 horsepower.
Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.
Full story
