Okay, it is purple and therefore a little bit ghastly—okay, a lot ghastly—but we do applaud Roger Lighterness for his unofficial rendering of the F10 BMW M5 Touring. We can only assume BMW will make an estate version of their new M5 and, if they do, we’ll be wishing one was ready and waiting in the garage at AUSmotive HQ.
[Source: 5Post]
A couple of pics of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster prototype have been doing the rounds today. Of course, the Roadster will lose the gullwing-style doors of the tin top, but it will feature the same stonking 6.3 litre V8 engine. Using a weight and space saving fabric roof the SLS AMG Roadster is expected to debut around the middle of next year.
[Source: Autocar]
Pistonspy have some nice shots of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster in action at the Nürburgring. It’s expected we’ll get a proper look at an undisguised SLS AMG Roadster before the end of the year. It may even be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Engine specs from the tintop SLS AMG aren’t likely to change, so there might be a slight performance drop due to the extra weight needed to strengthen the roofless chassis.
[Pic: Pistonspy]
Dutch website Autoliefhebber brings us some new and close up pics of the now familiar Audi RS3 test mule. We last saw pics of this prototype (note registration HN TT 342) back in June, with some video not long after. While there’s still nothing officially official coming from Audi we can learn a couple of things from these pics.
Inside you can make out a TT RS style flat bottom steering wheel. They’re quite a bit chunkier than the standard tiller found in the S3 Sportback on which the prototype is based. You will also note large cross drilled brake rotors up front. A better view of the front spoiler has also been captured showing a bit more definition than previous spy shots.
From these pics it’s not possible to see if the car is fitted with an S tronic or manual transmission. However, the TT RS is only available with a 6 speed manual box, so it may safe to assume the RS3 will come with any transmission you like so long as its manual.
Other interesting tidbits to note are the test mule is actually white underneath what appears to be a black vinyl wrap. You will also note the fitment of a roll cage and full on racing buckets from Recaro. Of course, there’s the data capturing hardware on the wheels as well.
[Source: Autoliefhebber]
Those of you who think gullwing style doors are a bit passe might be interested to learn the Roadster version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is getting closer to a release. This video filmed at the Nürburgring shows the car in action. As with its tin top sibling the engine note is pretty special. Check out the clip after the break.
[via The German Car Blog]
Another possible ‘M1’ prototype has been spotted in testing, this time at the Nürburgring. Devlopment of the widebody 1 Series seems well underway and this sighting follows last week’s ‘M1’ appearance.
The prototype captured in the images here were taken during an industry testing session at the Ring, so we can be fairly certain this is a BMW test mule, and not some crazy guy who has stuck a few bits of plastic on his car to be cool.
The fact the widebody kit only appears on the rear of the car tends to indicate BMW’s M engineers are developing the rear axle components, which are expected to be sourced from the current M3.
Apparently the test driver was pushing pretty hard and with thanks to Bridge to Gantry you can see another pic and brief video after the break.
[Source: Bridge to Gantry]
The thought of an ‘M’ badged 1 Series is one that will make most enthusiasts go weak at the knees. Talk of a baby ‘M1’ has been around for a while, but speculation has generally been a bit wishy-washy in terms of will they, or won’t they make it. BMW specialist website BimmerFile have been quite firmly placed in the yes they will build it camp and these spy shots justify their position.
So what are we seeing here? Try as it might the BMW trademark swirl disguise cannot hide the car’s flared guards (see second pic after the jump). Those guards are probably hiding some very tasty hardware, too. Namely drivetrain components from the M3, such as an adapted rear axle, including mechanical rear diff.
Wider bodywork would also allow for an increased track. Couple that with the 18″ wheels from the new M3 Competition Package and cornering stability should be improved.
Also note that the rear exhaust is dual-tipped on the left side only. No quad-tipped exhaust as on the M3. Sure, this may be part of the development process, but a single exit exhaust would allow for a less complex arrangement for a 1 Series that is already tightly packed at the rear. It’s also a bit old skool, too, which is nice.
Will this car be badged as the ‘M1’? That is not yet certain, perhaps BMW will extend its nomenclature from the X5 M and call this car the 1 M. If you’re dead against the ‘M1’ nameplate being revived, then click here to re-live the grand old days.
There’s more info, speculation and inside word on the ‘M1’ across at BimmerFile, so make sure you follow the link below to be kept up to date.
[Source: BimmerFile, via 1addicts]
The next generation Golf VI GTI has been spied in testing. With the recent release of information on the broader Golf VI range only the front grille and rear light/bumper treatment needs disguising in this test mule. It is expected the GTI will feature Audi-like LED daytime running lights up front. You can also see from the image above that the new GTI will adopt the latest trend for dual exhaust pipes on either side. Earlier reports suggest the entry level GTI will have a revised 211bhp (160kW) 2-litre turbo and the car will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show (4-19 October). It is believed the GTI will be a precursor to a new hero GTI featuring Volkswagen’s ‘R’ badge, with an all wheel drive turbo four cylinder replacing the R32 at the top of the Golf range.
Source: GolfMk6.com & World Car Fans
NextAutos is reporting sightings of an Audi R8 Spider on roads near Germany’s famed Nürburgring. The Spider—although naming has not been confirmed—is believed to be available with the existing 4.2 litre V8 engine as well as the 5.0 litre V10, as the large tailpipes on these shots would indicate. The familiar side blades of the R8 hard top have been removed in the conversion to the soft top roof, but this certainly hasn’t lessened the eye candy appeal of the stunning R8. Expect to see an official release from Audi at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. Make sure you follow the link below to the NextAutos article, which has more images for your visual pleasure!