The Porsche Panamera is one of those cars that’s a little tricky to make body kits for. Pegged as a luxury sports saloon, tuners have to be wary of being a tad aggressive on giving the Panamera a makeover that loses the car’s high-class luster. Fortunately, German Special Customs managed to dodge that proverbial land line with their latest offering, the Panamera Turbo Nighthawk.
GSC’s Nighthawk program offers a simple yet classy body kit for the Panamera, one that’s careful not to go overboard with any of its components. The body kit is comprised of a new front spoiler lip, a vented carbon fiber hood, new side gills, sport side skirts, a modified rear diffuser, a far spoiler, and last but certainly not least, a new quad exhaust system.
With the new components fitted into the Panamera Turbo, GSC went with a matte gray finish on the car’s body, creating a visual chemistry of matte gray and carbon fiber that doesn’t exactly blow up our eyes in a hue of rainbow colors.
Such programs are what looks great for a car like the Porsche Panamera Turbo. If it were any other Porsche’s, say a 911, then we wouldn’t mind if the color looked more visually eye-catching. But this set-up works for the Panamera Turbo and certainly, we’re fans of what GSC managed to do to the German sports saloon.
Just a few weeks ago, it seemed all but inevitable that Saab would be saved by a massive takeover bid from Chinese mega-company, Youngman but unfortunately, the company recently confirmed that it has pulled out of its multi-billion dollar bid to purchase the flailing brand. However, if the latest reports are to be believed, Saab may not be dead just quite yet.
Little known Swedish firm, National Electric Vehicle Sweden is said to be behind the latest bid to purchase Saab’s remaining assets for an undisclosed amount. But if previous speculation about GM shooting down Youngman’s billion dollar bid for Saab is true, then we can only imagine how much this new deal must be worth.
If NEVS really has struck a deal to purchase Saab, then it’s likely the firm has ambitious plans to turn Saab into an electric automobile producer, to help inject some life into the brand. What’s very interesting about this latest bid is that NEVS is actually owned by none other than Karl-Erling Trogen, the man once behind the operations at Volvo Trucks.
Although all of this sounds very promising, we have serious doubts that NEVS bid will be accepted if previous, unsuccessful attempted acquisitions are anything to go by.
The current generation BMW 7-Series was only launched a couple of years ago, but with Mercedes tackling their S-Class with modifications improving fuel efficiency, as well as design, BMW had limited time to freshen up the competition. The facelifted BMW 7-Series will find its way to the market in 2013, ready to meet the new S-Class straight on.
The new 7-Series has received changes to both the exterior and the interior, as well as a line-up of new and upgraded engine variants. For the exterior, BMW has added new full-LED headlights, a prominent BMW kidney grille, and a modified front apron, while the interior gets a multifunctional instrument display and a new Rear Seat Entertainment package.
The engine line-up will range from the 258 HP 3-liter straight-six petrol engine found in the entry-level 730i up to a 544 HP V12 engine found in the top version, the 760i. All of the versions will be combined with Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, and the second-generation Driving Experience Control switch with ECO PRO mode.
UPDATE 05/25/2012: This review has been updated with the official details and images for the BMW 7-Series.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 BMW 7-Series.
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Back in April 2012, Jaguar officially confirmed that the F-Type sports car wold be coming, except they only confirmed it in a coupe version and a roadster version. Now, recent spy shots have revealed that an R version is also under development. Come on, anyone knows that all Jaguars come with their own R version, so this little development shouldn’t have taken anybody off-guard.
The future Jaguar F-Type R will be powered by the usual supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine used in almost all the other R models, but detuned to around 450 HP, which is still pretty impressive for such a tiny sports car.
Compared to the standard F-Type, the R version will get a set of quad exhausts, more prominent front and rear bumpers, a new set of wheels, and a sportier interior.
It is believed that the R version will be launched at the same time as the standard version, so expect to see the new F-Type in all its glory later in September 2012.
Now all we need to complete the lineup is for the Jaguar F-Type RS to get picked.
The Cadillac Escalade has always been a love-it-or-hate-it type of vehicle, thanks to its awesome styling but terrible fuel economy. Sales have been falling off lately and incoming CAFÉ regulations are really putting the squeeze on GM to increase the overall fuel economy of its sole luxury automaker. This led to talks of the Escalade getting the axe in coming years, but apparently GM is not ready to throw in the towel yet.
Reports are pointing to an all-new Cadillac Escalade arriving in 2014 as an early-2015 model year. Instead of Caddy going the direction that many other SUV builders have gone, it will keep the Escalade on a truck frame, whereas many builders are changing SUVs to sit upon car platforms. This means that the 2015 Escalade will ride on the same platform as the soon-to-be released new Chevy Silverado and Sierra.
Unfortunately, we have nothing to really offer except speculation on the incoming Chevy and GMC trucks, as we have only seen heavily camouflaged models. All we can say for certain is that the Cadillac will share the same platform as its pickup brethren. Some experts are anticipating a change in the Silverado/Sierra twins that rivals the 1996 space shuttle treatment that the F-150 received. If this is the case, we can also expect a vastly redesigned Escalade.
We also know that GM has to work on the fuel economy of this luxury SUV to help it meet CAFÉ regulations in the future and the 18 highway mpg that the 2012 Escalade gets is simply not going to cut it. Look for GM to develop an engine that rivals the Ford’s EcoBoost V-6, like the 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine that has been mentioned, and toss it into the Escalade. The only other option would be to go turbo diesel, which may not sit well with Cadillac owners.
We will continue to bring you more information as it becomes available on the upcoming 2015 Escalade.
Current model pictured
Aston Martin is intensely preparing their new DBS for its official launch and in the past few days, the future DBS was spotted running a very quick lap around the Nürburgring with its sticky Pirelli tires.
According to our spy photographers, the sports car was very fast! That speed comes from its previously used 6.0-liter V-12 engine delivering somewhere between 550-600 HP. Add that to the fact that it was built on a lighter chassis and extensive use of lightweight materials, and you have the recipe for a very successful - and fast - sports car!
As for the design of the DBS, Aston Martin clearly took inspiration from its One-77, visible on the front of the vehicle with its reshaped headlights. The rest of the design seems to be a direct evolution of the current DBS with sportier touches here and there. The rear of the vehicle was more refined with adjustments made to the rear bumper and exhaust.
Expect to see the new Aston Martin DBS launched at the 2012 Paris Auto Show this September.
Our spy photographers have been on fire these past few days, revealing a number of test vehicles as they make their rounds. Today, the car du jour is the upcoming Mercedes CLA - a model that until recently was known as the CLC. The name change occurred because Mercedes decided that all of its future coupe or four-door coupe models would get a name that starts with CL. Since this baby CLS is based on the A-Class platform, the name naturally evolved to the CLA.
But back to the car. The CLA is based on a long-wheelbase version of the upcoming front-drive B-class platform. It will also get an AMG model that is considered an indirect successor to the classic 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II. As you can see in these images, when compared to the previous prototypes caught testing, this CLA is donning less camouflage, revealing more details such as the front, the rear lights, and more of its overall lines.
The future Mercedes CLA will be offered with a four-wheel drive system that will be paired up with the same petrol and diesel engines found in the new A-Class. In the A-Class, the petrol line-up includes 1.6 and 2.0 liters engines, with power ranging from 115 HP in the A 180, 156 HP in the A 200, and 211 HP in the A 250. Diesel versions include the 109 HP A 180 CDI, the 136 HP A 200 CDI, and the 170 HP A 220 CDI. For the CLA, Mercedes will also be offering an AMG version that will get a turbocharged 2.0-liter unit with about 335 HP.
Expect to see the new Mercedes CLA launched sometime in 2013.
Here we go, folks. The 2012 model year will be the last for the current Aston Martin DBS and a newly redesigned model is on its way. In the mean time, Aston Martin fans can enjoy the 2013 DBS Ultimate, which is little more than a slightly upgraded version of the Carbon Black model, but a limited edition nonetheless.
We all anticipate seeing the upcoming 2014 Aston Martin DBS in the 2012 Paris Auto Show, which kicks off the 29th of September. We are also anxiously awaiting some official photos from Aston Martin, which we expect to see some time in June. As we wait, the spyshot groups are out and about seeking some prey and fell upon a 2014 DBS specimen frolicking around the streets and snapped a few pics. Unfortunately, the DBS was wearing significantly more clothing than the models at the Beijing Auto Show and there wasn’t much to be seen.
Well, our crack rendering team has stripped the clothing from this beauty and gave us a good idea of what to expect, with the above picture. Rendering is not what we’re all about though, as we also are prepared to offer you a full review of this new beast using the information we have gathered and just a pinch of speculation.
Click past the jump to read the entire review on the 2014 Aston Martin DBS
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Cadillac’s recently unveiled XTS Platinum Concept has been made over into a production model revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Cadillac XTS sedan will hit dealer showrooms in 2012 in late spring or early summer as a competitor for models like the Audi A6, the BMW 5-Series, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The new XTS will be placed above the CTS in the current Cadillac line-up and will deliver "the space, elegance, and dramatic presence that are Cadillac signatures, but with entirely new and technically advanced methods tuned for a new generation of luxury customers."
"The Cadillac XTS represents a new formula for luxury, driven by advanced technology," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "XTS showcases the evolution of our Art & Science philosophy, merging the best technical ideas with the continued refinement of Cadillac design."
UPDATE 05/22/2012: We have just added 50 new high res images in the XTS picture gallery, including images of the Platinum Collection. Enjoy!
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Now that Maybach is out of the picture, Daimler’s presence in one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals - the 2012 Cannes Film Festival - now hinges on Mercedes-Benz.
The German automaker is responding in golden fashion by bringing in a fleet of its vehicles covered in...gold. If the glitz of all these golden Mercs serving us certifiable shuttle vehicles, Mercedes is also dressing up one car, a 2013 Mercedes SL65 AMG, in gold where it was displayed in all its shining and shimmering glory at the Cinema Against AIDS Gala being organized by the amfAR foundation at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 24.
In addition to having their gold-covered fleet vehicles, Mercedes will also be hosting a plethora of events during the event, one of which is a test drive session of all its latest models. This session will be open to the public and will take place along the French Riviera. And lastly, Merc’s performance division, AMG, will be sponsoring a handful of events, particularly the "Le Club by Albane" at the J.W. Marriott hotel and the “IWC Filmmakers Dinner” at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21st.
So if any celebrity is looking for a ride to Cannes, it probably won’t be too difficult to spot any one of these golden Mercedes vehicles. Then again, you can skip all that and pull off a Kanye West and just drive to the event in a Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss.
