Tag Archives: testing

Mercedes, Spy Shots

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

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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.

Spy Shots, Volvo

2012 Volvo V40 Spyshots – Winter Testing

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Last week Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby announced that the new v30 range would be called the v40.

And as regular as clockwork our spies have spotted the V40 undergoing winter testing in northern sweden.

Not just will the V40 be a brand new model, but it will also replace two existing models.

When the V40 arrives in 2012 the current S40 and V50 will be discontinued in Volvo line-up.

During an interview on friday Stefan Jacoby got the question if the V40 will replace the C30 as well but just answered that the C30 is a 3 door car and the new one will have more than 3 doors. So we have to wait and see what happens to the C30 in the future.

The v40 is targeted against the Audi A3 Sportsback and BMW new 1 series which is a hint at the aspirations at Volvo.

From the limited view of the car we guess that it will look a lot like a smaller version of the V60.

We expect the same engines to be carried on with a choice of 4 diesels from 115hp to 215hp, and soon to be followed by a range of petrols from 180hp to a range topping 320hp option along with AWD.

The new V40 will have its public debut in March at the Geneva Car Show.

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.

Volkswagon

Volkswagon Shakedown Testing Polo WRC Rally Car

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Volkswagon WRC Polo
Volkswagen have begun shakedown testing of the 2013 Polo R WRC rally Car.

Testing is being completed by two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz.

An initial test run of around 100 kilometers took place in Eifle Valley close to Trier in Germany, one of the stages of ADAC Rally Germany.

Says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen: “Next year we’ll be running an extensive testing programme on tarmac, gravel, mud and snow in order to prepare ourselves for the 2013 season as best we can.”

The Volkswagen Polo R WRC features a 1.6-liter TSI engine that develops approximately 296hp. The car is also equipped with an all-wheel drive system based on the haldex.

Mercedes, Spy Shots

2012 Mercedes CLS Brochure Shots and Nurburgring Spyshots

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The 2012 Mercedes CLS has spied at the Nurburgring Nordschleife the guys over a Mercedes – Benz ‘s Passion have also seen some leaked shots of the upcoming brochure CLS.

The detailing includes the usual ” shooting brake “concept of sloping curves and feminine esque rear LED clusters. And widebody style arches.

Inside is the usual Mercedes leather interior and more sports like molded seats to increase passenger stability on hard cornering .

Engine options will be: –

CLS 250 CDI (204 hp / 500 nm ) of known engine OM651 , Available as of 03/2011
CLS 350 CDI (265 hp / 620 NM ) with OM642LS DE30LA , from 01/2011
CLS 350 CDI 4Matic (265 hp / 620 NM) OM642 LSDE30LA
CLS 350 CGI (306 hp / 370 NM) M276 DE 35 , from 01/2011
CLS 500 BE (435 hp / 700 NM) M278 DE LA 46 , from 03/2011
CLS 500 BE 4matic (435 PS / 700 NM) M278 46 EN LA
CLS 63 AMG (544 hp / 800 NM) M157 DE 55 LA

Source : http://blog.mercedes-benz-passion.com


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MG, Spy Shots

The 2011 MG MG6 Spied Testing at the #Nurburgring

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This is the new MG6 spied testing on the Tourist day laps of the Nurburgring in Germany, Before its public debut at the 2010 Goodwood Festival Of Speed.

The MG6 will be first new MG since the ill-fated X-Power SV of 2002 and it will be produced at Longbridge, Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation president Chen Hong has promised.

Production of the 550-based hatchback will start at the Birmingham plant towards forth quarter of next year.

Development of this MG version of the 550 has been carried out by SAIC’s technical centre at Longbridge, which has been tuning the car’s chassis to suit MG branding.

The MG6 represents a clear break from earlier MG models with a fresh-looking exterior and modern interior – all aimed at appealing to a much younger audience than recent MG models.

At 4653mm in length, 1827mm in width and 1478mm in height, it is marginally longer and wider but slightly lower than the Skoda Octavia.

The engine choices, consist of two lightly updated versions of the 1.8-litre K-series engines now badged the N-series one of them turbocharged.

Unless they have been significantly upgraded, power outputs will be arounf 135bhp for the normally aspirated 1.8 and 160bhp for the turbo.

SAIC claims the MG6’s arrival “marks the start of one of the most exciting periods in the 85-year history of the iconic MG brand, as it prepares to expand globally, starting with the world’s largest automotive market in China”.

Hong said the MG6 is the first of range of contemporary new MG models, including a new entry-level model based on the Roewe 350 that is also planned to get its first public airing in Guangzhou, with the objective of re-establishing the once highly regarded British marque.

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Mercedes

2011 Mercedes ML 63 AMG

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Mercedes unveils its updated exterior on the ML 63 AMG, featuring a powerful 375 kW (510 hp) AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, takes on a more attractive appearance thanks to some subtle but effective changes.

From the front, the eye is immediately drawn to the new bonnet with power domes, and the darkened bi-xenon headlamps with active light function. The rear, meanwhile, also contributes appropriately to the new look: the performance SUV now features darkened tail lamps incorporating a clear-lens design and LED technology. The subtle changes to the exterior coordinate perfectly with the high-gloss, chromed front and rear underguard, and afford the ML 63 AMG an even more powerful and distinctive appearance.

Still boasting a power output of 375 kW (510 hp) at 6800/rpm as well as 630 Nm of torque, the ML 63 AMG is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). At the renowned International Engine of the Year Awards in 2009, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine took the top places in both the “Best Performance Engine” and “Above 4 litres” categories.

As before, power transfer is taken care of via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with three drive modes. The permanent all-wheel drive is decidedly sporty: the power is split asymmetrically 40:60 between the front and rear wheels to provide optimum agility. The AMG sports suspension, based on the AIRMATIC package with air suspension, adaptive damping system ADS and automatic level control all-round, provides dynamic performance combined with the hallmark Mercedes long-distance comfort. The generously dimensioned AMG high-performance braking system, which features internally ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round, ensures short braking distances and optimum resistance to fading.

The ML 63 AMG comes with 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, which are painted titanium grey with a high-sheen finish and fitted with 295/40 R 20 tyres on the front and rear. As an optional extra, titanium-grey-painted, high-sheen twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels fitted with 295/35 R 21 tyres are also available.

As usual, the interior of the ML 63 AMG is both functional and high-quality: electrically adjustable AMG sports seats finished in nappa leather upholstery, with Alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas and multicontour function and heating, are complemented by the AMG sports steering wheel with AMG aluminium shift paddles and perforated leather on the specially-shaped grip area. A nappa leather-trimmed dashboard is also available as an optional extra.

The updated ML 63 AMG is available to order with immediate effect and will be delivered to customers from July 2010. It carries a price tag of 105,077 euros (incl. 19% VAT).

See Attached Press and Prototype Pictures:-

Aston Martin

Aston Martin One-77 220mph

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Aston Martin One 77
Aston Martin One 77

Gaydon, Tuesday 22 December. Aston Martin’s One-77 supercar has moved even closer to setting a new all-time record for the British manufacturer in initial high speed testing after surpassing all predictions and comfortably breaking the 200mph barrier.

The One-77 is currently undergoing a strict development process ahead of planned launch in 2010 with high speed testing taking place at a top secret proving ground in southern Europe Nardo?. In a series of test runs completed last week the One-77 exceeded original expectations and recorded a 220.007mph (354.86kmh) top speed in dry but windy conditions under the guidance of the Aston Martin engineering team. Dynamic testing is now scheduled to continue into the New Year.

The engine is Powered by a new Aston Martin 7.3 litre V12 engine, the One-77 is engineered to deliver breathtaking levels of power and performance. The dramatically styled two-door, two-seat sports coupe is based on an innovative new carbon fibre monocoque body structure and adopts new active aerodynamic technology.

The One-77 is the pinnacle of what Aston Martin stands for and will combine modern technology and design with craftsmanship and ultimate exclusivity to create the world’s most desirable automotive form.