Archive for germany
Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake Spyshots (Updated SpyVideo)
Posted by: | CommentsHere are the latest CLS spy shots in white, with the front uncamouflaged and it seems unchanged from the CLS Saloon.
We expect the back to be close to the concept with some exclusive led encrusted cluster and the chrome detailing around the rear’s sharp curves.
The only thing we expect to be toned down from the concept is the interior and the instrument clusters.
We expect the Mercedes new twin-turbocharged 4.6l Litre V8 to be the engine at launch, and we expect an AMG variant late in 2012.
Volkswagon Shakedown Testing Polo WRC Rally Car
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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.
Gazoo Racing FT-86 VLN Racer Spyshots
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Gazoo Toyota FT-86 Racer (Click to see Gallery)
The Toyota FT-86 has still not made its official debut, but on saturday it will make its race debut in Germany. This FT-86 will run in the German VLN series on the Nürburgring. If you remember, they did the same thing with the Lexus LF-A. So its a type of tradition at Toyota/Lexus to race with prototypes.
Mercedes CLC – C117 Coupe Spyshots
Posted by: | CommentsToday we managed to snap some photos of the baby CLS, the new CLC. Codenamed C117, this little 4-door Coupe is based on a longer version from the platform made for the new A- and B-Class.
This platform will make it possible to offer both front- and all-wheel-drive versions, and with rumors of a high power AMG version it might be good with all-wheel-drive to be sure to get the power down.
Other engine options will be a petrol engine in two versions, delivering some 121 and 154 horsepower.
Diesel friends will be able to choose between a new 1.8 liter engine delivering two stages of power, 107 or 134 horsepower.
In all cases it will be connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual.
We expect the CLC to hit a show room close to you in 2013 and perhaps a teaser or two at the Frankfurt IAA.
BMW I8 & I3 World Premier – Munich 29/07/2011
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i3 -Mega City Concept
Originally named as the MegaCity concept, the BMW i3 will be the first vehicle produced under the i brand when it arrives next year. Two structures make up both the i3 and i8′s LifeDrive architecture – predictably, the Life aand Drive modules.
As its name would suggest, the Life part of the equation is what contains the driver and passengers, and the platforms have been individually developed for each model. In the case of the i3, a lightweight body structure is made up of a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, with the Drive module mounted underneath, obviating the need for a transmission tunnel and allowing BMW to install two bench seats for four occupants in the front and back while providing 200 liters (7.06 cubic-feet) of storage.
Underneath that lightweight body lies the Drive system, comprised of the suspension, battery and drivetrain, along with structural and safety components. A liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery back spans the undercarriage and supplies juice to an electric motor mounted directly above the rear-drive axle. Yup, this a rear-wheel-drive EV hatchback, with the motor putting out 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque through a single-speed gearbox. BMW claims the i3 can reach an electronically limited top speed of 93 miles per hour and make the run from 0-60 in under eight seconds.
An available PRO ECO mode tweaks the throttle and electronics to boost efficiency, and braking regeneration feeds kinetic energy back into the battery pack. Remarkably, BMW also claims that you can charge the battery back to full in six hours using a standard power socket and the i3′s batteries can get to 80 percent in one hour using a high-speed charger (we’ll be getting more details on both very soon).
i8 – Vision Concept
This car was first released in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the Vision Concept and was spied in Northern Sweden in 2010-2011 (Yellow Snow Edition)
Unlike the standard i3, the i8 will be a plug-in hybrid, with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter three-cylinder powerplant mounted up front and putting out 220 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the electric motor, the run from 0-60 mph is claimed to blow by in under five seconds, with fuel consumption estimated at three liters per 100 kilometers and seven liters per 100 clicks when driven like… well, a BMW.
The three-pot works in tandem with a lithium-ion battery pack and front-mounted electric motor pulled from the i3 and driving the front wheels, allowing an electric-only range of up to 20 miles on a charge. Put both systems together and you’ve got a front-wheel-drive vehicle for maximum efficiency, a rear-driver for maximum fun and all-wheel drive for maximum grip. And if that isn’t enticing enough, the i8 has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
Jay Leno drives the Jaguar XKR-S around the Nurburgring
Posted by: | CommentsJay Leno gets the opportunity to learn how to drive on the infamous Nordschleife in Germany,with the 550hp Jaguar XKR-S
After some tuition by Sascha Bert and some familarisation laps Jay Leno manages to achieve a laptime of 8:41.
2012 BMW 3 Series Spyvideo of the 335i
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This is the latest spyvideo of the 2012 3 series of the 335i Prototype (F30).
The 3 Series is born from the design elements from the F10 5 Series.
The side profile sports a double line that starts above the front arch and runs to the rear light cluster.
Based on the brake rotors and engine note, we believe we are looking at a prototype running with a six-cylinder engine.
The new 3 Series will use four and six-cylinder powerplants. Both are making use of the twin-scroll lagless turbochargers.
BMW will officially introduce the F30 3 Series at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Peugeot’s EX1 Concept Nurburgring Lap Record (Worlds fastest Milk Float?)
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I used to remember my days sat on the back of a stealth electric powered milk Float, Unaware that I was sat on the back of the future of automotive glory.
Now Peugeot has released a video showing the EX1 concept setting a new electric vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring.
Driven by Stéphane Caillet, the one-off prototype completed the 20.8 km Northloop in 9 minutes and 1.3 seconds at an average speed of 138.3 km/h (85.9 mph).
The sound is pretty bizarre coming from this car and is in need of some v8 forced induction to make the video complete, but the EX1 concept is powered by two electric motors that produce a combined output of 340 PS and immediately has 480 Nm torque.
Detailed performance specifications haven’t been announced, but the car previously set an unofficial EV acceleration record of 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.
