Tag Archives: mule

Mercedes, Spy Shots

Mercedes SLS Black Series – Winter Spyshots

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Here are the latest photos showing the Mercedes AMG SLS Black Series during cold weather testing in the artic circle.

The car is a direct replacement for the SL65 AMG Black Series from 2008 and we expect it to be as insanely dangerous in this form.

It will be badged as the SLS AMG Black Series and is expected to output around 690 ponies, This is where information is vague as engineering the current 6.2-liter V-8 up is one possibility but unlikely, The other is introducing the new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8. From the large air intakes on the front of this prototype it could be feeding the Twin intercoolers required for the forced induction.

Also the detailing is showing a wider track along with the usual Black Series aggressive arches along with clever use of composites to reduce weight, we also expect numerous chassis and brake modifications to mate to the increase in power and torque.

This car is still in Prototype mule form from the current SLS and is likely to have another 2-3 months to go before the production prototype will be spotted probably at the Nurburgring in early may.

Maserati, Spy Shots

2014 Maserati Quattroporte – Spyshots

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Here are the latest spy shots of a prototype of the Maserati Quattroporte.

This is a pre-production prototype of a complete new chassis hence the four-door is covered in enough camouflage to hide any detailing and any suggestion of new body work features.

Rumour has it that they are also going down the Ferrari route and is touted to house a similar AWD setup as the Ferrari FF as well as the usual RWD.

This is very early stages to talk powerunits for this car but we expect it to carry on with a reworked version of the current V8 powerunit with additional power along a lighter nimbler chassis.

And I will throw caution to the wind and could there be a v12 offering in the works????

Audi, Spy Shots

2013 Audi RS6 Spied Winter Testing

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The current C6 RS6 was discontinued in 2010 and there was no hints of a replacement in development.

It is great to see that Audi have not forgot its Bi-Turbo Quattro’s in this latest prototype to sneak its way from Neckarsulm home of the RS models up to the winter wonderland in northern Sweden.

This car is in mule form on first looks, like a current A6 based Avant sporting A8 wheels.

But on closure inspection we notice the aggressive front bumper leading its way back through to the Ceramic Disks front and back, this is no other than an upcoming RS6 Production prototype.

We are expecting the car to be powered by a V8 Bi-Turbo 4.0 liter engine which is currently in use on the New Bentley Continental GT and the current S8.

But this car will be going head to head with the likes of the BMW M5 & the new AMG C63 so expect BHP to be around 580hp mated to a revised Bosch ESP and EBD safety system and the usual Quattro AWD with DRC.

Enjoy the remarkably uncamouflaged mule and keep an eye out for the production prototypes around april this year.

Porsche, Spy Shots

Porsche Cajun Mule Spied Winter Testing

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The Porsche Cajun mule has been spotted in northern Sweden undergoing winter testing.

We were expecting to see at least a production prototype around now, so we find it strange that the mule is still cross dressed in the Audi Q5 form.

This car is expected to be in direct competition to the current Range Rover Evoque and priced around £35,000 for the base model.

The chassis is based on the mules Q5 but will be an heavily modified affair, with a wider track and some Porsche fettled power units from Audi.

Rumour has it that there will be two engine options at launch including a 180bhp Diesel along with a 235bhp 2.0 litter.

Later on in 2012 we expect to see the S variant which will be powered by a 3.0 litre V6 with around 300Bhp but expect this figure to change depending on the rumoured sporty Evoque.

An Hybrid model will follow in 2013, We expect to see a concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor show.

Jaguar, Spy Shots

Jaguar C-X16 prototype testing at the Nurburgring

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Jaguar Spyshots of the C-X16 Mule
C-x16

Here we have got the latest and clearest Spyshots of the C-X16 Mule which was revealed in Concept form in Frankfurt in 2011.

As you can see this is no ground up chassis which will be used in the final form but this shorter wheel based mule is testing the power train which will be ultimately mated to the production prototypes.

C-X16 is powered by an experimental hybrid powertrain that combines a new all-alloy 3.0 Litre V6 Supercharged engine with a performance-boosting electric motor inspired by Formula One’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).

C-X16’s is constructed from an all aluminium body shell .

A unique combination of lightness, strength and torsional rigidity results in greater handling agility, faster acceleration, shorter braking distances and improved fuel economy in comparison to an equivalent steel-bodied car.

It is being billed as having 380hp along with 332 (lb ft) of torque mated to a 8 Speed Gearbox with integrated KERS.

0 to 60 will be achieved in a very respectable 4.4 and a top speed limited at 186mph and unbelievably a combined 41 mpg.

If Jaguar pull this car off with them specs they will be competing with the likes of Porsche Panamera and the Mighty M5.

Mclaren

McLaren MP4-12C Performance Figures Released

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McLaren Automotive have officially release performanc figures of the MP4-12c and they are impressive to say the least

  • Dry weight (with lightweight options): 1301kgs / 2868 lbs
  • Carbon MonoCell chassis weight: 75kgs / 165 lbs
  • 0 – 200kph (124mph) in 9.1s (8.9s on optional Corsa tyres)
  • CO2 emissions of 279g/km (equating to 24.2 EU mpg combined)
  • 0 – 100kph (62mph) in 3.3s (3.1s with optional Corsa tyres)
  • Top speed: 330kph (205mph)
  • 100 – 0 kph (62 – 0mph) in 30.5 m (100 ft)
  • ¼ mile: 10.9s @ 135 mph
  • Power:weight (lightweight options): 461PS / 455bhp per tonne
  • Power: 600PS (592bhp) at 7,000 rpm
  • Torque: 600Nm (443lb ft) between 3,000 – 7,000 rpm

They also released some interesting facts about the test data they carried out testing on the Nordschleife and the limitiations from winter closure.

As well as road miles, the 12C has undergone novel laboratory development, including with a ‘virtual reproduction’ of the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The Nordschleife in Germany (as any fule kno) is regarded as the world’s ultimate test circuit due to its combination of challenging surfaces and 12.93m length.

“We have a permanent test base at the Applus IDIADA proving ground in Northern Spain, ” says Technical Director Dick Glover. “Our team of engineers took data from the Nordschleife circuit including lateral g performance, vertical road inputs, engine throttle position and gearing, and created a programme which can then be run at IDIADA, which we call the Idischleife Concept.

“This programme allows us to undertake challenging and aggressive testing to the level experienced at the Nordschleife but at a location where we can run testing literally twenty-four hours, seven days a week and quickly move the 12C closer to its development targets,”

Source: McLaren

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Mercedes, Spy Shots

Strange Mercedes C-Class AMG Black Series Mule Spyshot’s

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A few weeks ago we spied a C-Class AMG Prototype with a wider track and flared chromed wheel arches.

We found this strange as the New C-Class is arriving in mid 2011, we assume that this is a prototype of the C-Class AMG Black Series.

We expect that this car is powered by the same 6.2 liter V8 as the CLK 63 AMG Black Series.

The power of this model should be around 510 hp along with a 0-60 time of around 4 seconds, and the power delivered to the rear wheels via AMG 7 speed speedtronic gearbox.

And to stop this car there are ceramic disks along with a dual circuit system to ensure maximum brake performance at high speed.

Not sure if this C-Class AMG Black Series will make it to market with the new model coming in 2011.

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Lexus, Spy Shots

Lexus GS Test Mule Spotted at the Nurburgring

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These are some of the clearest spy shots of the new generation of Lexus’s GS testing on the legendary Nürburgring’s Nordschleife.

The current model of the GS is already half a decade old now and due for a new generation.

These shots show the hint at the next GS but is still a test mule, and the production prototypes to follow in the coming months.

According to rumours, Lexus is intent on building a GS-F to compete against the performance sedan likes of the F10 M5 and also the Cadillac CTS-V, so we expect the power output to be targetted around 540hp.

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