News on the future Porsche Cajun has quieted down as of late, but a few spy shots have catapulted the baby Cayenne back to the headlines. Our spy photographers have caught the Cajun doing a bit of winter testing somewhere in Northern Sweden.
The Porsche Cajun will be built on the same platform as the Audi Q5, which is why this mule looks identical to Audi’s SUV. However, somewhere under that wider track lies Porsche’s future baby crossover, packed with better brakes and wheels. The engine line-up will also be borrowed from the Q5, meaning both both petrol and diesel variants, fine-tuned to Porsche specifications for higher power figures. A hybrid powertrain may also be in the works and may combine a 2.0 TFSI engine that produces 210 HP with a 44 HP electric motor. This will help Porsche get closer to the average CO2 emissions goal of 130 g/km that all car manufacturers need to reach by 2015.
At the initial launch, the Porsche Cajun will be available with four doors, but a sportier two-door model will follow shortly thereafter.
Up until now, we’ve only heard rumors about possible Audi Q6 and Q4 SUVs, but now its official. Walter de’ Silva, Design Boss at Audi’s parent Volkswagen Group, has confirmed that the company has started to work on a BMW X6 competitor, while plans for a smaller SUV are still under consideration.
The X6 competitor is known as the Q6 and will be placed between Audi’s Q7 premium large SUV and the Q5 premium medium SUV: "We will definitely launch a sportier crossover in between the Q7 and Q5." The new model will be built on the Q7 platform and is expected to arrive sometime in 2015.
As for the other SUV, known as the Q4, it will be placed between the Q5 and Q3 and will be a competitor for the X4, a model that BMW will be launching in 2014.
Both models will be offered in an attempt to boost Audi’s sales, especially on the European market where BMW is the leader in the SUV market.
German tuning company, Vorsteiner ,has come out with a new aerodynamic package for the BMW X5M and if we do say so ourselves, the German tuning company has done it again.
Incidentally, the new X5M program comes a year after the company unveiled a similar program for the SUV’s big brother, the X6M. Coincidence, or they always appear to be busy this time of the year?
In any case, the addition of Vorsteiner’s new aero components give a fashionable touch to an already classed-up BMW SUV. Among the changes in tow include a new add-on front spoiler, a vented racing hood, and a new rear differ. What makes these materials unique from the rest of the X5M programs we’ve seen in the past is that the components are made from Carbon Fiber Autoclave Pre-Preg. This material adds more strength and durability to the material, yet retains the same high-class look that’s usually attached to anything Vorsteiner does. In addition, the German tuners also added a new set of alloy wheels to complete the SUV’s classy new look.
In terms of performance, Vorsteiner has yet to reveal details regarding any engine improvements for the X5M. Having said that, the high-powered SUV still has plenty of growl under its hood in the form of a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 555 horsepower and 500 lb/ft of torque. Those numbers are good enough for the SUV to hit 0-62 mph in just five seconds while also boasting of an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
Just like every other model in Peugeot’s line-up, the 5008 MPV is also preparing to enter its second generation. It was first launched back in 2009 and its success was almost instantaneous. That being said, Peugeot has to keep up with the times in order for that success to continue.
The new 5008 will be based on a new platform that appears to be slightly wider than the current one, illustrated by the testing mule’s wider fenders. Other changes seen in the spy shots include five wheel bolts instead of the current four and the location of the fuel cap (it has switched sides). But no matter what changes are being done on the exterior, the 5008 will get bigger dimensions, especially on the inside. This will allow up to seven people the room that they need.
The engine line-up will be shared with the upcoming 301, the successor to the 308, which means a wide range of diesel and petrol engines as well as a diesel-hybrid. Just like with every other model in the line-up, Peugeot will be focusing on reducing fuel consumption and Co2 emissions.
Most of the packages from Senner Tuning have focused on vehicles such as the Nissan 370Z and the Audi A5, but now the tuner has diverted their attention to a larger car: the BMW X6. Their tuning package has it all, with exterior and interior upgrades, as well as a 30 HP power increase.
The exterior modifications err toward the side of the M6, with a new front bumper, large air intakes in a honeycomb design, a new tailgate, and a modified exhaust system. The standard wheels were whisked away and replaced with a new set of 22" wheels, leading towards the bottom part of the X6 where the tuner added a Bilstein B8 shocks system and springs with 25/20 mm lowering feature. The interior was only perked up with a new pedal set and a new DVD system to entertain any and all guests of the crossover.
The boost in power provided for the X6 takes the standard 3.0L turbodiesel engine of the xDrive40d and gives it an ECU remap and a new sports air filter. These changes take the standard 306 HP and brings it up to 336 HP. It’s nothing to write home about, but at least it gets the job done.
