Tag Archives: winter

2013-2014 Audi S1 Sportsback – Spied out Winter Testing

Audi S1 Sportsback

After the uber bonkers Audi A1 Clubsport which had 495hp Audi have been out testing the sensible Audi S1.

The changes from the regular A1 include 2 extra doors and more practicality than the current range topping 185ps 1.4 tfsi.

Audi was saving the Quattro all wheel drive transmission for this car and is rumoured to be a derived from the club sport obviously with less strengthened parts.
Continue reading 2013-2014 Audi S1 Sportsback – Spied out Winter Testing

BMW M 6 Series Gran Coupe – Latest Spy Photos

This is BMWs answer to the Mercedes CLS AMG and Audi flagship S7, the M6 Gran Coupe has been spotted in light camouflage during cold weather testing in Scandinavia. With its deep front spoiler and wider fenders it looks really aggressive and the M trademark quad exhaust pipes finish the back off beautifully.

Powered by the same high revving turbocharged V8 engine as the M5 and the just revealed M6 Coupe and Convertible, the M6 Gran Coupe has atleast 560 wild horses to play with. Rumors are even talking on a 20-40 hp power boost for the M6 Gran Coupe, making it 580-600 hp in total.

All this power will be sent to BMW M´s latest seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic.

2013 Volkswagon Golf Mk VII – Spy Shots

Here are the latest spyshots of the final production prototype of the MK7 Golf. The cars is still under heavy camouflage so most of the detail and styling cues are still under wraps.

However what is interesting in this new model is the brand new MQB chassis that will be shared with the Audi A3 Etc. It will have a longer wheelbase and will also have more aerodynamic features.

The range-topping Golf models will use a new 2.0-liter TFSI Petrol engine with more producing around 240 hp on the GTI and around 310 hp in the Golf R which will be equipped with VW’s 4Motion 4 wheel drive system.

VW accidently gave us our first look at a very early clay prototype of the Mk7 Golf featuring a agressive snout and more steeply raked windscreen through an official video back in 2009.

2013 Volkswagon Beetle Cabriolet – Too Cold to be Cool

Here are the latest spyshots of the upcoming Volkswagon Beetle Cabriolet undertaking winter testing in northern Sweden.
It looks like it wasn’t hot enough in the subzero temperatures to go topless.
The new generation Beetle was unveiled last year but was leaving the cabriolet for a probable unveiling in either production concept at the Geneva Auto Salon next month.
Powering the Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet will be the same range of engines found in the current model and mated to the DSG transmission or a six speed manual.

Engine Choices:-
1.2 TSI 105PS which will do the 0-62 dash in 10.9 seconds.
1.4 TSI 160PS Which will do the 0-62mph dah in 8.3 seconds.

We expect some R Variants to be seen testing sometime this year from the concept shown in Frankfurt in 2010.

Beetle R Concept
The Concept R for the 2013 Beetle

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet – Spyshots

Porsche have officially unveiled the new 911 in both Cabriolet and Coupe body styles, It is now time for the forced induction growling 911’s.

The prototype here still under heavy camouflage is showing its side intake ports as well as its fatter booty along with an oversized spoiler.

The styling including the headlight clusters will follow the recently unveiled 911’s.

This engine is internally called the GT-R beater but perhaps not in its cabriolet form but I look forward to the comparisons.

The engine will have an output of around 560hp, and perhaps even more interest will be around how many blowers this will have. (Tri-Turbo??)

Look out for the debut of the new 911 Turbo at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Rolls Royce Phantom Facelift – First Spyshots

Here are the latest spyshots of the 2013 Rolls Royce Phantom facelift changes on the outside are minimal.

Changes seem to be hidden by a clever headlight sticker hiding a complete new lighting cluster and daytime running lights.

Also around the front quarter window there is some detailing hidden under the camouflage, which hints at a new arrangement.

We are expecting the same process where the chassis is dipped in 7 chemical baths to galvanise the chassis from corrosion and then off to production where the engine is fitted.

The engine will be the 6.75 L -V12 as the previous model but expected to achieve some additional fuel economy considering its current thirsty 18mpg appetite.

We expect Rolls Royce to have the worldwide unveiling at the 2012 Geneva Motorshow where the current model was shown in 2008.

I could talk about the interior options but as the class of the cars “Bespoke” program I expect it to be suitably yours.

BMW X5 Spied Testing In Northern Sweden

The next generation BMW X5 has been spied winter testing in Sweden.

The F15 X5 will be based on a lighter chassis along with sleeker looks and matched with a range of engines with better fuel economy over the current model.

Powering this new range of X5 will be a range of turbocharged engines, including the usual 6 cylider engines and perhaps a turbocharged v8 in the X5M.

This is unlikely to be in production until early 2014 so we expect to see this through the year in different stages of undress.

2012 Mercedes A Class out in the Cold (Spy Video)

Here are the latest pictures of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes A Class sporting less camouflage than the previous spyshots.

The two cars are undergoing rigourous winter testing in northern Sweden which is reaching the end of its test cycle as its spent a lot of time on the Nurburgring in Germany and was first spotted in 2009.

The car is allready in production prototype from and hints at the final shape which is close to the A Class concept shown in Shanghai in april last year albeit more doors.

Powering the unit is a multitude of petrols ranging from 109 hp to the flagship petrol sporting a 210 hp turbocharged four cylinder along with a similar output diesel range.

Also a AMG variant is in development and expected in middle of 2013 with the above model arriving at the Geneva Autoshow in march.