Spy Photos

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2012 Mercedes SLK

Like previous mules, this prototype is heavily camouflaged which prevents us from getting a glimpse of the car's new styling. Regardless, the convertible appears to adopt a more chiseled appearance that seems to dismiss much of the current model's shapely curves. The SLR-inspired nose is also expected to disappear, in favor of a more conventional grille which will likely echo the new E-Class Coupe.

Although details are limited, power is expected to be provided by the usual mix of naturally aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines. Rumor suggests the new SLK may offer a turbo diesel engine, but that remains to be seen. Despite mounting concerns about fuel economy and emissions, several sources are indicating the AMG version will feature a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 470hp (350kW).
http://benzs.blogspot.com/2009/07/vi...s-slk-spy.html

[Matty]

^^^ Never a fan on the SLK, but it does look pretty cool.

[highpsi03]

Lexus: Really, it takes you a V10 to get 500hp? A Supra can make that (EASY) out of a I-6 (which is practically bulletproof). Save your gas guzzling (and heavy) brick of an engine and just give me a turbo...

Hell my 4cylinder makes over 500hp thanks to a holset turbo.

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2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo

Let's get this straight, out of the gate: there's no Cadillac SRX-V in the works, and even though this car we're looping around GM's Milford Proving Grounds is following in the well-worn tracks of Corvettes, it's not the chest-thumping Corvette challenger that, say, Cadillac's own CTS-V might be.

The 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo is about top-end appeal--in price and in power.

It's a new niche for Cadillac to explore--both the compact luxury crossover segment, as well as the turbocharging world. The previous crossover from Cadillac was a longer, seven-passenger car with a more awkward silhouette but with an optional V-8 stuffed under its hood. The new SRX gets smaller, a little leaner, and now it gets forced induction as it gets inducted into a tough, growing market niche, one filled with the likes of the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

With turbo power, Cadillac hopes to outpace all those entries, while it banks on a sharper shape that's neatly dovetailed the new ute into the GM brand's lineup, right in lockstep with the crisp CTS sedan. It's a family resemblance at most, since the SRX and CTS only share drivetrain parts.

We've shown you the standard 2010 Cadillac SRX before--and with a preliminary rating of 8.6 out of 10, the SRX is the top-rated crossover in the luxury class, even before its new boosted engine arrived on the scene. And since we've covered those basics, let's talk turbocharging. The stock SRX arrives in showrooms with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine with 265 horsepower, 223 pound-feet of torque, and direct injection. All said and done, and coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2010 SRX hits 60 mph from a standstill in about 8.5 seconds and consumes unleaded gas at a rate of 18/25 mpg. The power's ample, and a little peaky, with top output arriving near the 5000-rpm mark.

By dropping the displacement 0.2 liters and adding a turbocharger--a formula that's worked for the same engine in the Saab 9-3 lineup--the 2010 SRX gets a flatter, higher power curve that pushes it briskly and easily around the yaw-inducing moments at the GM proving grounds. Total horsepower rises to 300 hp, with 295 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac estimates 0-60 mph times drop to the mid-7-second range with the new engine. First and most noticeable, as we rumble on the GM test track, is the engine's lack of a distinct turbo whistle or wastegate noise; where some boosted engines make their add-ons clearly heard, this turbo V-6 damps out the distinctions, leaving only a swifter pace behind.

Like the other SRXs, the transmission here also is a six-speed automatic, and is without the paddle shifters available in the Cadillac CTS. It does offer some changeable driving modes: in Sport mode it holds gears longer and tightens steering and shift points, while in Eco mode the SRX Turbo's throttle is remapped and upshifts come more quickly to conserve fuel. In Eco mode, engineers report a 1-mpg increase in fuel economy, though since the EPA averages the Eco mode with steady-state driving, the Turbo's fuel economy ratings are still rated at 16/23 mpg. That's still competitive with the Q5, GLK and X3, none of which comes close to the SRX Turbo's power output.The SRX Turbo also tows 3500 pounds.

Other than the engine, the SRX Turbo is essentially similar to high-line models in the lineup. Aside from drivetrain differences, it shares its Haldex all-wheel-drive system, "FE3" suspension settings and Continuous Damping Control (CDC) with the most expensive non-turbo SRXs. The CDC system is one of those noticeable upgrades that feels digital in its operation, but also results in smoother ride and handling feel, even with 20-inch wheels. In our opinion, the 2010 SRX has some of the best steering and ride feel in this class--it's more akin to a sport sedan than what you'd experience in many other crossovers, including the Lexus RX350 that Cadillac pegs as another prime competitor.

Our objections with any of the 2010 Cadillac SRX crossovers are few. If you don't care for its highly stylized shape and wide-ranging use of metallic plastic inside, you're out of luck--and you're in a minority. Pricing is appropriately rich, for better or worse. The SRX Turbo runs just under $50,000, essentially $3000 more than a well-optioned, non-turbo SRX. At least there are precious few boxes to tick on the order form; once you've selected the all-wheel-drive SRX, you opt for the turbo engine, then add on chrome wheels, heated seats and an entertainment system if you like. With those additions, a $55,000 sticker price is easily within reach, though, higher even than the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 our editors recently sampled.

Sales of the turbocharged SRX begin in October, while the non-turbo 2010 Cadillac SRX is available now.
http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/ma...llac-srx-turbo

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Mysterious Audi R8 Gets Our Attention, Sparks Speculation of Lightweight ClubSport Version

Our spy photographer caught this Audi R8 V10 testing on the Nürburgring. The fixed rear wing and the small flaps on the front bumper just may indicate that a lightweight version is in the works. Or it’s just an aero kit.

Is it possible that Audi is taking a cue from the Lamborghini LP550-2 Valentino Balboa, and shedding some pounds and going rear-wheel-drive to create an Audi R8 V10 ClubSport? We can only hope.
Click through the gallery above, or scroll down to read the shooter’s thoughts.

Could it be that Audi is working on a lightweight ClubSport version of its R8 V10? Or what else should we think when we see this Audi R8 with its fixed rear wing and small flaps on the front bumper. Maybe just an aerodynamic package, but a ClubSport version would make much more fun. Loose 100-150 kg, maybe get rid of the four-wheel-drive and make this a real road racer.

The Italian cousin Lamborghini showed the way with the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboa, and we hope that Audi will follow that way.
http://bx.businessweek.com/audi/view...bsport-version

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Devon GTX chasing the production car 'Ring record

Why it was just last week that we talked about the Devon GTX "setting" the one lap "record" at Laguna Seca. We actually got on the horn and called Devon, asking for a detail or two about the GTX's upcoming reveal at Pebble Beach in just four short days (August 15). All we could get out of 'em is that yes, the GTX has a V10 under its hood -- and that was all they'd say. "Everything will be revealed" come Pebble Beach. Oh yeah?

Spy photographers working for Autocar caught some nice shots of the GTX at -- you guessed it -- the Nurburgring. According to the Brit pub, Devon is going after the production Nurburgring time (6:55) currently held by the Radical SR8 (which hardly qualifies as a "production car," but whatevs). Our British friends also speculate that the GTX has an all carbon fiber body to keep its weight low, low, low. Also: Justin Bell, son of five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell, was at the wheel for the 'Ring attempt. We believe that last part 100% as Devon told us Justin was the driver for the Laguna Seca "record."

Obvioulsy, it's not August 15 yet but it's safe to assume a big part of the GTX's launch is going to be how it did on the Nurburgring. As Tom Leykis says, "Do you care?" Either way, that's marketing for you.

One more little point: As we learned last week, the GTX's one lap Laguna Seca time was one tenth of a second faster than the Dodge Viper ACR. Laguna Seca is two miles long, the Nordschleife section of the Nurburgring is fourteen miles long. Taking all the other variables off the table and the GTX could run the 'Ring about half a second quicker than the Viper ACR. To refresh your memory banks, the Viper ACR did the deed in 7:22, and the GTX is chasing 6:55.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/11/s...r-ring-record/

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Did You Hear The One About The Porsche Shooting Brake? It's A Hoax

If, for some reason, you frequent other automotive Web sites besides MotorTrend.com, you may have seen this picture making the rounds. It was reported to be a spy shot of a prototype "Shooting Brake" version of the Porsche Cayman, and it had car fans in a tizzy. Turns out, though, it's a fake.

The Porsche shooting brake was actually dreamed up by now-former TopGear.com America editor Jared Holstein. Holstein and his team were let go earlier this week when the BBC folded their site into BBCAmerica.com. Holstein and his team created the Porsche shooting brake hoax as something of a parting gift to the automotive media.

"It's definitely a polarizing design," Holstein told The New York Times. "Some people love it, some hate it, but we wanted it to feature enough cues from the Panamera's design vocabulary to pass as a potential Porsche product. So we did spend a good bit of time on that part."
Holstein had an intern, Matt DuVall, create a 3D rendering of the Porsche shooting brake using Maya, a powerful 3D rendering program, then grafted it into a video shot in an alley in Brooklyn. The team even went as far as to apply Porsche's development wheels, tape up some of the car's features and create a fake license plate that mimics those used on Porsche development cars.

A video was then created by taking high-definition pictures of the alley where the car would supposedly be spied and stitching them together in Photoshop and reduced the quality to make it look like a cell phone video. A soundtrack of people speaking Italian lent credibility to story that it had been captured somewhere in Europe.

The original video was posted on a Czech Forza fan site by fellow intern Jon Masters, who went so far as to write the post in Czech to give it further credibility. After the video went viral, several fake photos of the car were released to various Web sites and the automotive media was intentionally tipped off to their existence.

"It's never been done before," Holstein said. "We love wagons. And we wanted to see what we could accomplish with a high degree of sophistication, but with only a conservative effort."

Motor Trend chose not to run the original story as it appeared too specious. Nothing was known about the car, nor had we heard even a whisper about a possible shooting brake version of the Cayman. We held off pending further investigation, as this is far from the first time a rendering has popped up on the Web and turned out to be a fake. We have to give it to the crew at TopGear.com America, though, for a very imaginative and well-executed prank.
http://wot.motortrend.com/6569691/mi...oax/index.html

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Volkswagen Golf R20T/GTI-R

We’ve been waiting patiently since we reported on rumours of a Golf R20T or Golf GTI-R version of the latest Volkswagen Golf. The wait is over, for the moment at least, as the new R20T has been captured testing on German roads. Although camouflaged at the front and from behind, and wearing a set of standard GTI alloys, one can see that the front fog lights have been done away with, and centred twin-exhausts have been added at the rear, to continue the Golf 5 R32 genes.

No further news on the technical enhancements for the new car, but it is likely that the Golf R20T will share the195 kW 2,0-litre turbo motor found in the Scirocco R20T. Alternatively a milder 188 kW version of the motor, as doing service in the current Audi S3, could be used so as not to step on the Scirocco R’s toes. Either way, the new Golf R20T is a hot-hatch to keep an eye on – we could see a launch at the up coming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
http://www.sacarfan.co.za/2009/08/sp...olf-r20tgti-r/

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2011 Audi RS5

When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 coupe but with the benefit of quattro AWD, a high-revving V-8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not all, of its rivals. A replacement for the RS4 is till several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is due.

These latest spy photos show the RS5 being put through its paces ahead of a planned launch at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show. One new feature not previously seen is an adjustable rear bootlid spoiler. Previous shots also revealed Audi has been testing the car in California’s Death Valley, which means a U.S. launch is highly likely.

With the release of the new generation BMW M3 Coupe and Sedan and the Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi will once again be playing catch-up but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve to ensure it will be the class-leader once again.


One potential powertrain option is the same 4.2-liter V-8 as the RS4, however, power will likely be boosted to 450 horsepower. The car will also likely get the option of Audi’s newly upgraded S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox along with a conventional manual ‘box too. Other sources claim it may use a derivative of the V10 from the RS6, however, this is likely to be too expensive for a car that will have to compete in price with its aforementioned rivals.
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...-2011-audi-rs5

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2011 McLaren ‘P11’ Supercar

When the McLaren F1 first hit the streets it almost immediately catapulted to the top of the performance car scene, taking home the title of world’s fastest production car in 1998 and holding it up until 2005. Building a car better than the original F1 was always going to be a difficult challenge, and perhaps that is why for its successor McLaren isn’t setting its sights too high.

While the original F1 competed with the best supercars of its time - cars like the Ferrari F40, Jaguar XK220, and Porsche 959 - its successor will be competing with more ‘entry-level’ models. Rather than chasing Enzos and Veyrons, the McLaren F1 successor will go up against cars like the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, and as such it will be priced accordingly.

Prototypes for the new model, which is currently going by its ‘P11’ project name, have been spotted testing recently near McLaren's factory in Surrey, UK, as well as at Germany’s Nurburgring for the first time. Spy shots of the prototypes reveal that the new P11 will feature a much more chiseled appearance that its McLaren F1 predecessor. Though heavily masked, the prototypes also reveal a mid-engine layout, a tall, squared-off tail, short overhangs, and tapered back headlights. The car will also sport a pair of vertically-lifting scissor doors.

Expect an advanced carbon-composite chassis, a lightning quick F1-style paddle shift gearbox and carbon-ceramic brakes. While Mercedes’ partnership with McLaren will soon come to end, the German automaker is tipped to be supplying its 6.2-liter AMG V-8 engine for application in the P11. McLaren engineers, however, are expected to work over the engine to the tune of 550 horsepower.

With an estimated kerb weight of about 1,250kg, the new P11 should easily accelerate from 0-62 mph in less than four seconds and reach a top speed in excess of 200 mph. First deliveries are expected to start in late 2010, and in the following years a Spider convertible and high-performance GTR version could eventually be launched.
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...n-p11-supercar

[Matty]

There was a story about Brenda Priddy last night on Nightline.

[~Barn~]

There was a story about Brenda Priddy last night on Nightline.

I saw the last few minutes of that actually.

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She found a way to make a name for herself and make good money doing what she wants to do. I would love to do photography for a living.

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2011 BMW 5 Series - Best Spy Photos So Far

We have just hit publish on our 2011 BMW 5 Series article and new, revealing photos of the next 5er showed up on the web. The fellows at Bimmerpost are bringing us new spy shots of a 5 Series test mule spotted in Munich.

As we announced last week, the fist Final Evaluation Phase prototypes are being tested currently, an indication that we might indeed see the new 5 Series, completely unveiled before the year ends.
Sources within the company speak of an official launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.

While maintaining the class and sporty allure of a 5 Series, the new model will play an important part in the EfficientDynamics strategy. Several features of this technology will be available in the new 5, from brake energy regeneration to specially designed aerodynamics wheels. Every details counts when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Two mild hybrid models are also being considered by BMW with both gasoline and diesel engines.

The new 5er will have an unique design which will differentiates itself from other models within the brand, an indication that BMW wants to stay away from consumers labeling the car as a “smaller 7 Series”. The car will maintain the typical 50-50 weight distribution and it is rumored to weigh less than the current model.

The interior quality has been upped a notch with many design cues imported from 7 Series and the new 5 GT. It is said to be at the same level with the 5er GT when it comes to quality and design.

Some of you might already wonder what is the exterior paint seen on this 550i, well, we’re here to tell you that we are looking at the Sophisto Grey, the same one available on the new 7 Series.

With the Frankfurt Motor Show just around the corner, expect to see more information being leaked released by BMW.
http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/08/20/20...photos-so-far/

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Paparazzi Snaps Photos of Newest Car Models
Half-Photographer, Half-Spy: Brenda Priddy Chases the World's Top-Secret Rides

It's no secret that the most valuable photographs for mainstream paparazzi are the ones snapped when celebrities least expect it, documenting the furtive kiss or the bad hair day. But there's another breed of paparazzi on the prowl -- half-photographer, half-spy -- whose target is not celebrities, but new cars.

Brenda Priddy is the world's leading car spy. The 49-year-old chases automotive companies' newest models, and snaps pictures of these top-secret prototypes years before their creators want anyone to see them. In the process, she drives carmakers nuts.

"I think they're trying to hide it from everybody -- primarily their competitors," Priddy said. "They don't want their competitors to see what they have planned for the future. They just like to keep it secret until they introduce it at an auto show somewhere."

The cars are often incognito -- disguised during test drives with fake body parts and black coverings over key features.

Priddy sells photos of the cars to trade magazines, newspapers and Web sites in dozens of countries. Her biggest seller of the year: photos of President Obama's new limo, which Priddy's team of automotive paparazzi caught long before the official unveiling.

"Obama's limo was the hottest selling photo, well, one of the hottest selling photos we've ever had," she said.

But Priddy says that she gets just as excited shooting brand new cheap cars as she does shooting a cutting-edge BMW.

"I make the most out of everything that I shoot, so if I shoot a $12,000 Kia or a $70,000 luxury car, I get just as excited," she said.
"Nightline" hit the road with Priddy to see what it takes to snap photos of hot rides.

Car Companies' Ground Zero: Testing New Rides
We followed Priddy to a strip of land in the Mojave Desert, which has become the ground zero for every car company on the planet to test their newest rides under intense triple-digit heat.

Priddy is chasing what she believes to be a 2012 Volkswagen SUV hybrid -- a model that's never been seen before.

"This is interesting ... this is a car carrier and it's different from the one that was here last night, which gives us an indication [that] possibly more Volkswagens are in town today," she said, sorting the clues.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/n...ory?id=8353139

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8360038

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2010 Nissan Altima Coupe getting a nip/tuck?

Next on the Cavalcade of Mild Styling Tweaks, the Nissan Altima Coupe. It’s still mostly internet speculation about what’s in store, but some pictures of what’s believed to be the 2010 Altima Coupe have surfaced. Altimas.org forum member Mr_Coupe got hold of a couple of stills that appear to depict a facelifted Altima two-door and a 370Z Roadster getting all shot up by a Mercedes M-Class process truck. It could be running footage or a commercial being filmed, and it’s unclear where the two snaps came from, but it offers grist for the mill.

When we asked about the photographs, Nissan told us the following:

“We can confirm that several marketing activities (photo shoots, etc.) have been underway for the past several weeks capturing a number of Nissan products. While the image does appear to be a 2010 Altima, no further information will be provided at this time.”

It looks like the Coupe will be given a grille more like its sedan siblings (although the four-door is also likely to get refreshed), and the headlamps appear different here when the picture is scaled up. As we head into the end of 2009, there’s sure to be more details coming soon. With just a single shot of the front end, we’re left to wonder if the same kind of treatment has gone on out back, with subtle changes to the rear fascia and taillamps. Now that we’ve lit the conjecture bomb, we’re just going to back away behind this blast wall here…
http://www.stoth.com/2009/08/24/spy-...ing-a-niptuck/

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Ford Ranger Prototype Hits the Desert

We've seen this Ford Ranger prototype before , but we thought we would show you this latest test mule anyway. It was spotted testing in Death Valley recently so development is clearly continuing. Whether this means much for the U.S. market is still unclear. The on-again, off-again saga of the next-generation Ranger is a well worn subject and Ford has never been much help in clearing the air on the situation. Speculation aside, is this the Ranger that Ford should be working on? Would a truck that's slightly smaller than the current crop of midsizers be a better choice that meeting Toyota and Nissan head on? Oh and don't forget Mahindra and its diesel-powered picku p due next year. Mahindra delayed until 2010
http://autoinfonews.org/spy-photo-fo...ts-the-desert/

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Mahindra Launch Delayed To Make Minor Product Changes

According to a report in Automotive News, the U.S. launch of the Mahindra compact pickup truck has been delayed.

Originally scheduled for a 2009 debut, Mahindra has delayed the truck's on sale date to February of 2010. A Mahindra spokesman confirmed the on-sale date and noted that start of production is now scheduled for the first week of December.

Minor exterior changes are being made to the truck. A new grille, hood and rear end are in the works, presumably to better suit American tastes. The truck has already been on sale in various world market for some time.

The Mahindra Pik-Up, its name in current markets, will use a 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder engine connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. It will offer both two- and four-wheel drive versions with either two- or four-doors.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...t-changes.html

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Moto Morini 1200cc Motard

Motoclismo must have a permanent seat at the hot test tracks in Italy, because they’ve caught Moto Morini’s contender to the Strada Aperta taking laps at the Adria circuit. Essentially a motard version of the Granpasso, the new bike has an interesting head-on profile, but looks the business from the rear and sides.

The bike features, dual-exhaust cans with vertically slit end caps, an off-centered rear-shock, and projector headlights. The windshield is noticeably missing in these pictures, but we can spot some Brembo monobloc four-piston calipers mated to the 320mm brake discs.

According to Morini’s development manager, the new bike’s engine is reported unchanged from the 1200cc Granpasso, and not the motor found on the Corsaso streetfighter.

No word on price (or if it will even make it to the US), but we should have more details at EICMA this November, where we expect the bike to debut.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bike...1200cc-motard/

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BMW Unveils Triple Threat Plug-In Sports Car

It's a diesel, a hybrid, a plug-in, a three-cylinder--and a tour de force, perhaps?

BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics concept has been the subject of rumor and innuendo for weeks, but now the German car company is setting the stage for its 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show display with new details of its concept.

As the name implies, this concept car grafts fashionable green technology on the body of a 2+2 sports car. The promise: BMW M-car performance from a vehicle with a three-cylinder diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain.

To break down everything in that last clause takes some effort. The combination of fewer cylinders, plug-in hybrid technology, lithium-ion battery cells, and diesel combustion is a technological tour de force, should it ever reach production. It's a holy grail for green-car drivers that melds the state of the art in lower-consumption driving in ways that haven't made the step from engineering lab to the street quite yet.

The drivetrain marries a direct-injection, 1.5-liter, 163-hp, three-cylinder turbodiesel to two electric motors (one per axle), a set of lithium-ion batteries and a software controller that modulates and marries both powertrains to a combined total of 356 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Using only the diesel engine's power, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The hybrid powertrain is less conventional: it's actually two distinct applications, a hybrid system on the rear wheels and a hybrid motor on the front wheels. The rear-wheel hybrid system operates in tandem with the diesel engine, while the front system operates on battery power alone. With this arrangement--similar in concept to the Ferrari hybrid system announced earlier this year--the Vision EfficientDynamics could provide all-wheel drive in electric-only mode, with battery power twisting its front and rear axles simultaneously.

Performance is geared to please the toughest Bimmerphile. BMW claims a 155-mph top speed and a 0-60 mph time of less than 4.8 seconds, while providing fuel economy of almost 63 mpg, and for European enthusiasts, CO2 emissions of 99 grams per kilometer.

Because it's also a plug-in hybrid, those controversial CO2 emissions could be halved to 50 grams per kilometer, if the Vision EfficientDynamics were juiced up with electricity and driven on battery power alone. The plug-in technology used means the concept car would use a standard 220-volt household outlet to recharge its batteries. A 2.5-hour recharge time is predicted, though on a 380-volt line, BMW says a 44-minute full recharge is possible.

Driving range could pass 400 miles with fuel or 31 miles on electricity alone, BMW also adds.

A grand tourer in silhouette, the concept wears aerodynamically influenced cues for style and purpose. A low front end and active louvers cool the drivetrain when needed, and close to improve airflow when unnecessary. The racing-inspired details continue with well-managed airflow--so tightly tuned, the EfficientDynamics concept generates a coefficient of drag of 0.22, while today's best production cars sit at 0.24 (the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe).

Dimensions place the EfficientDynamics concept in the middle of BMW's current coupe range. It measures 181.1 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 48.8 inches tall, and weighs 3076 pounds. The concept has 5.3 cubic feet of luggage space, enough for two golf bags.

The body of the Vision concept is lightweight in design and execution, its engineers say. The body shell and suspension are rendered in aluminum, the roof and door skins are formed from polycarbonate glass that darkens automatically in response to climate--like photochromic glasses. The cockpit of the Vision concept also uses lightweight materials. Kevlar frames the seats, and connects them to the center console, but elsewhere, sustainability is penned into the colors and materials chosen. LED lighting inside has ambient hues, while the headlights and taillights are linked to the ambient lighting to shift its color and intensity, depending on exterior conditions. A head-up display and night vision are configured into the gauges and driver displays.

Sophisticated software underpins virtually every system of the concept. That software takes constant readings from the car's systems and interprets the data to enable more efficient operation. BMW says, for example, the navigation system's traffic data can cue the drivetrain to shut down the concept's cooling fans to prepare it for more efficient highway operation. Even the air conditioning and electric power-steering sensitivity are constantly tweaked in this way for optimum performance, BMW says.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,544840,00.html

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2011 VW Jetta Sedan

After spending time with the Jetta sedan last year, we came away mostly impressed by its performance and looks. V-Dub's bread-and-butter model is handsome enough to keep buyers interested, but every design gets stale and after wearing the same duds since 2004, VW is working on all-new sheetmetal for the 2011 model year.

KPG caught the new Jetta Sedan undergoing hot-weather testing in Arizona, and while most of the shots show little more than swaths of black camo, the heat and wind worked away at the adhesive to reveal crisper lines, a swoopier roof, a more angled rear side window and some snazzy looking taillights.

VW is calling the revised Jetta its "New Compact Sedan" and the Jetta name is in no danger of being changed. Expect the 2011 Jetta to take aim at the Civic and Corolla with a significant drop in its base price when it goes on sale late next year.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/s...w-jetta-sedan/

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Strada Aperta: But Wait, There’s More!

As we inch closer to EICMA, and the rumored unveiling of the BMW GS killer from Ducati, the rumors and spy shots of the Strada Aperta continue to roll in. This latest batch features once again, our favorite gaffer taped bike out on the town, doing its thing. This time, a few more details about the front fendor can be seen despite the masking.

We hope the mirror & hand guard units are being re-thought, and that the current setup with the mirrors poking up above the handguards with integrate signals are merely for safety while testing. We can’t imagine that Ducati would go to market with the current doubled up arrangement they have, when an elegant solution on the Hypermotard is right in front of them. As we like to say here, time will tell.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bike...ront-close-up/

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MV Agusta F3 3-Cylinder Caught Testing

MV Agusta is rumored to have a 3-cylinder motorcycle in the works that’s smaller than the current F4, and Motociclismo was lucky enough to find it wandering about in the wild. Already dubbed the F3 (by the media, not MV), we know very few concrete facts about the F3, other than the visibly higher clutch case, and smaller front forks. The rest of the information is based on speculation and a little triangulation. Continue past the jump to read it.

Allegedly, the bike’s three cylinders will make a combined displacement of 675cc, and put out 140hp at 14,000 rpm’s. Weight is said to be around 350lbs, and the overall stature of the motorcycle is smaller than the F4.

The weight savings will come from the typically liberal use of carbon and magnesium by MV, but the bike is still expected to slot in below the F4 in the price department.

Other features include the absence of a counter-shaft, a reduced-mass flywheel, and a set of variable height throttle bodies. Most noticeably absent from the F3 is MV’s signature single-sided swingarm, and undertail exhaust. Instead a GP style exhaust protrudes from the fairing, much like a Yamaha R6.

Not expected to come out of hiding until Fall of 2011, we are not anticipating getting a chance to see the F3 at this year’s EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, maybe next year though. Still, that won’t stop us from annoying everyone at the MV booth about the motorcycle.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/rumo...aught-testing/

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2010 Audi A8 on the Autobahn

We heard last month that the redesigned 2010 Audi A8 would see only evolutionary design changes, and now we've spotted the car on the autobahn in Germany. Even under the Benz-style psychodelic camo that Audi is using for daylight runs, the subtlety of the facelift is apparent. This sedan has the same basic silhouette the A8 has had since 2004.

There will be some detail changes, though. The hood, for example, seems to have a more dramatic slope toward the nose than before. If you look at the profile photo after the jump, you'll see the character line has moved down as the beltline moves up. This contour now appears to be flush with the door handles, which look to be pull-style rather than flipper-style.

And in the rear 3/4 photo, you'll see evidence of a subtle Bangle Butt, as Audi designers are apparently trying to keep the 2010 A8 sedan from looking strange and ungainly with its higher beltline.

Don't expect to see this new Audi A8 next week in Frankfurt. We hear that Audi is saving it for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. It should go on sale sometime next year with a new range of engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...-autobahn.html