Cars And Automotive: Spy Photos

Showing posts with label Spy Photos. Show all posts

BMW X5 M First Real World Photos in Landshut, Germany

Shortly after the official launch at the Shanghai Auto Show and we have the first photos of the BMW X5 M spotted on the streets somewhere in Germany.
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Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing Spied in White for First Time - Sheds some camouflage

While it's true that much of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing supercar has been spied in various guises before, this is the first time it has come out in clear white. White is said to be almost as popular as silver/ grey in many markets around the world for Merc. These spy pictures also show a bit more flesh under the SLS' skin as it sheds a few pieces of camoflage. We can see two trapezoidal tailpipes as well.

Mercedes-Benz has already announced engine details for the SLS. It uses a 7-speed double clutch transmission coupled with a 6.2-litre V8 of natural aspiration to produce 571hp (420kW) and 650Nm (479lb-ft) of torque. The 0 - 100km/h run will be completed in 3.8 seconds and top speed will be 315km/h.

Of course the car's interior was officially revealed through a few pictures that showed not mere cutaways but the real thing. Switchgear, the gear lever, the dashboard, the centre console and parts of the seats were clearly seen in those pictures.

McLaren Automotive which was Mercedes-Benz's partner in the development of the 2003 SLR McLaren supercar, are working on their own new challenger codenamed the P11 for this segment. However, engine and performance details have not been released.
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Spy Photos: Porsche Aerokit Cup for 997 Facelift

Porsche is developing an Aerokit Cup (new front and rear bumper, rear wing) for their Tequipment program for the Porsche 997 facelift. While the front bumper is completly redesigned, the rear gets only minor modifications in comparison with the Porsche Tequipment Aerokit Cup for the first generation.
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Preview: Audi planning handful of new A3 variants

Audi has pushed back the arrival of its next-generation A3 by one year as it tackles the development of several other all-new models such as the A1 hatch and Q3 soft-roader.

Originally slated to arrive at the end of the year, the next A3 will now hit the market in the first half of 2010 in the basic three and five-door hatchback models. Further down the track Audi will add a new Cabrio model and Sportback wagon, and according to a new report there could even be a four-door coupe as well as an Allroad soft-roader.
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BMW X5 Security Plus Armoured SUV Launched

In order to successfully defend against these kinds of attacks, BMW has specifically outfitted the X5 Security Plus with high-performance steel moldings and panels, added body joint protection, a fragment resistant polycarbonate coating, splinter resistant technology, and special tires which can be driven up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) at a speed of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) even if they are completely deflated. To deal with this added weight, the company equips the armored X5's with stronger springs and dampers, a high-performance braking system, and a revised chassis control system with active roll stabilization.

The X5 Security is built completely in-house at BMW and is available directly through the carmaker’s dealerships. The vehicle still retains its dynamic character, with its powertrain and chassis modified in line with the increased weight.

Power is provided by BMW's 4.8-liter V8 engine which produces 261 kW (355 hp) and 475 Nm of torque. The X5's performance is seriously hampered by the additional weight of the armoring process as 0-100 km/h takes 8.2 seconds and the top speed is limited to 180 km/h (112 mph).

Key elements in its construction are the heavy-duty material and ballistics-resistant steel and 22mm-thick bullet-proof safety glass all around. Other safety features include an intercom system and a camera monitoring set-up. The vehicle’s passenger cell has been designed to protect its occupants from violent crimes such as robbery, kidnapping or carjacking, and it can even sustain a blast from a small explosive.

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Spy: Ford Fiesta sedan for U.S. market gets minor changes

Ford is busy courting the youth population as potential buyers for the new Fiesta--it has brought 100 Fiesta five-doors over from Europe and loaned them to people for extended test drives.

Meanwhile, engineers are putting the final touches on the Fiesta for the United States. Some of those changes are happening in the front and back, as seen on this prototype of the 2011 Fiesta sedan.
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Spyker Peking-to-Paris SUV on the way

Spyker plans to grow its model range with the addition of the “Peking-to-Paris” SUV. First shown in concept form at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the D12 Peking-to-Paris Concept met a warm reception with “well over 100 orders” being placed during the show alone.

After financial issues of recent years, boutique Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker is not only staying afloat – it’s growing. Spyker sales doubled in 2008 from 26 to 43 units, and while the gain is paltry, progress is progress.

Back when it was the D12, the Spyker crossover was said to run from 0-60 mph in five seconds, on its way to a 185 mph top speed. It is unclear how drastically performance would diminish because of the smaller, less powerful engine. The smaller engine could also mean a lower price tag than the expected cost of around $300,000. A dip in the price could prove beneficial for the company if they can maintain performance figures. Spyker has taken a gamble on the crossover, betting that demand for the vehicle will help deliver consecutive production and sales increases for the company. Spyker, which was very recently in financial trouble officially reported production and revenue increases for 2008.

There is good new as well for C8 Aileron customers! Spyker is trying as hard as possible to get the first customer car out this quarter. We've got some news on the D8 Peking-To--Paris as well. Spyker has shown the car to the audience a long time ago and now, two years later, they've started testing the car. We can see a heavily modified Land Rover Defender with a Lotus suspension attached to it. The sports car manufacturer hopes to produce the first D8 cars by the end of this year.

We know it doesn't look like much more than an old school Land Rover, but underneath all the patchy sheet metal is the impending Spyker D8 Peking to Paris. At least they put a beautiful set of blacked-out rims on this Frankenstein-esque creation.

Pricing is estimated to fall around $300,000 USD.
via lotusenthusiast

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Nürburgring_ MINI Crossman Crossover Hits

Testing season is now in full swing at the Nürburgring where MINI was caught testing their upcoming SUV supposedly named, Cross or Crossman. Recently the BMW X1 was spied testing on the same track, so it seems the BMW Group still puts a great deal of value in road-handling results for these mini crossovers/SUVs.
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More Spy Photos for Facelifted Porsche 997 GT3 RS

The GT3 RS is based on the wider bodied Carrera 4S, but in this case it looks like the front fenders have been extended even more. We also notice that huge adjustable rear wing that helps keep the car planted during high velocity. The lighter weight GT3 RS also boasts of wider wheels and retuned suspension. These close-up shots also give us a nice view of the roll cage and the tops of the carbon fiber race seats which are the same as the previous version.

Despite the fact that Porsche has already begun to develop the next generation 911, there are still some versions of the current 997 that have yet to receive the face lift. One of these models is the hardcore version of the GT3, the 997 GT3 RS. We brought you first spy photos of the GT3 RS facelift just a few days ago, and already spies have caught the puritan 911 during a second sortie at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The engine will remain the same as the "normal" GT3 facelift, meaning a 3.8 liter flat six delivering 435 horsepower. But a rumor we heard is that the PDK gearbox will be available as an option for the GT3 RS which may be controversial to Porsche purist. However, the rationale is quite simple - it makes the car faster.
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Spy Shots： BMW X1 Latest Spy Photos Shows Rear Window

Set to take on the VW Tiguan and the upcoming Audi Q3, the X1 is mostly based on the 1-Series even if there are some parts shared with the 3-Series as well. Power will come from both four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines and both petrol and diesel will be available. Base model will be front-wheel drive only but of course all-wheel drive is optional.

The BMW X1 is one of the most photographed prototypes lately. It's even been tested by some "select" auto journalists and photographers. But now the X1 has lost a lot of its camouflage and more details are revealed without the special invite. On two photos we can see the quarter panel rear window without camouflage, something that the BMW engineers noticed and taped up again later.

Debut is set for Frankfurt in September.
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Next Generation Porshe Boxster Spy Photos

Late last year Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range and there are still several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform in the works. One of these is a high-performance RS model, recently seen testing at Germany’s Nurburgring, and another is a chopped 'Speedster' model.

However, development of the next-generation model is also well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced. This time the prototype has been spotted on its way to Germany’s Nurburging circuit for some high-speed testing.

It's hard to tell if this is a subtly changed design or if, as with previously-spied 2011 Boxsters, this prototype wears the sheet metal of the current car to disguise its new lines. The mismatched taillights reveal that there's something different going under the surface. These clear-weather photos hint at revised bumper contours, but as with the previous shots of this car there's not much to go on.

A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the next-gen Boxster recently began making the rounds.
via:motorauthority

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Nürburgring: Audi RS3 Mule First Spy Photos

According to a recent report, Michael Dick, a member of Audi's board of management for technical development has stated that the company is considering building a new RS3 – and here’s the first pictures that prove the car is in fact rolling. We snapped a mule of Audi’s future pocket-rocket testing at the Nürburgring.

First unveiled in the upcoming TT-RS, the RS3's 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine utilises a turbo to force out 250kW (340hp) and 450Nm of torque through the quattro AWD system. Anticipating that the RS3's weight will be almost the same as the TT-RS, we think it's safe to use the TT-RS's performance specs as the standard of comparisson here. The 0 - 100km/h dash should be achieved in about 4.6 seconds and an optional unlimited top speed will be 280 km/h (173.98 mph). This kind of performance is approaching RS4 territory but at a considerably lower price.

The car spotted has S3 badges, but we can already see larger air intakes in the front bumper.

Power will very likely come from Audi’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine, that develops 340 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque.

Same engine is under the new TT RS. We expect RS3 to hit 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in around 4.6 seconds while the top speed is around 288 km/h (179 mph)

Stay tuned, as we will be seeing more test mules with new details in the near future.
via:evo.co.uk

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Spy Photos: Opel Insignia OPC in Blue - Clearest

We're hopeful for an unveiling of the new Opel Insignia OPC in the near future.

Opel is alleged to be including Brembo brakes so the driver can handle all the additional muscle. The supposedly four-wheel drive car has circled the Nürburgring in just over eight minutes.

The Opel Performace Centre (OPC) vehicle will have some unique badging to identify the sporting heritage. Black tape is conveniently used to cover up the identifying characteristics in these pics. The last performance car from the outfit was the 2.8-liter V6 turbo Opel Vectra with 255 hp. Rumor has it the OPC could get power in the low 300 horsepower range.

Check this out: more spy pics of the Opel Insignia OPC. The car has been spotted, mostly uncovered, on several other occasions. However, instead of being captured in black or white, the vehicle was captured in blue.
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Spy Photos: Mini working on 50th Anniversary models?

It's still too early in the life cycle of the latest MINI Cooper for BMW to make any major changes to the car's basic design, so our interest is naturally piqued by these spy photos of some interesting MINIs caught on German streets, since they appear to sport a mildly-revised front bumper that incorporates restyled air intakes and fog lights.

Since BMW first revived the MINI brand in 2001, the little Cooper has seen just one complete refresh, which took place in 2006 and was followed a year later by the stretched Clubman model. The latest convertible version was just released a few months ago, and all three models were met with mostly positive reactions. So, what's the deal?

According to Global Motors, these changes may make it into production for a new edition from MINI that celebrates the brand's 50th anniversary. It's certainly possible; after all, there's still plenty of life left in the 2009 auto show circuit. Stay tuned.

Source: Global Motors

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Spy Shots: Fiery new Insignia VXR uncovered

Here's proof that Vauxhall’s white-hot Insignia VXR is nearly ready for the road.

Our spies spotted the fiery Vauxhall testing in Europe, and these undisguised pictures show the performance version of the Insignia strutting its stuff in public for the first time.

As well as a bodykit, the Insignia VXR has been fitted with twin exhausts and Brembo brakes. Insiders have also hinted it could get four-wheel drive for extra grip. Power will come from a twin-turbocharged V6 with more than 300bhp.
Source: F1 Live

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Spy Photos: Facelifted Audi Q7 Spotted in Atlanta

These were just posted in our Car Lounge forum. We're still running down the sources, but what you have here is the facelifted Q7 set to drop this spring and hit dealers as a 2011 model in the fall. We believe this particular car is an S-line package in body. Whether the wheels are consistent with S-line when it hits the USA remains to be seen. Note the LED taillights and LEDs at the front.

Also, we're hearing from a few contacts that the 3.0T FSI will not be the base engine out of the gate. If it happens (and we expect it will) it will rotate in as the base engine for the Q7 at a later time.

Thanks to AutoUnion32 for sharing these.