leaked: Mercedes SLS AMG Gullwing

Public unveiling in Frankfurt is only two months away. Judging by all of the recent leaks and releases, an official media release could happen very soon.

WCF sources state the images are genuine. Judging from the generic studio background and lack of computer touch-up work, they could be preview images for dealers or existing clientele. Additionally, the type of low resolution picture quality, even visible on the magazine cover version, suggests the source images are from a printed brochure or magazine and then captured using a mobile phone camera.


The leaks are starting to flow. Just within the past week we saw the latest spy photos of an SLS Gullwing in grey, more official "teaser" images were published, and today rumours of an SLS Gullwing electric vehicle is slated for 2015. But the day isn't over yet and another very legitimate looking image revealing the front and rear design details has surfaced.

Here we have two very different versions of the same grainy image. The first of which is clearly a magazine cover from Autobild with a bonus rear shot, and the second version from Autowerald.com in The Netherlands is the source image without the clutter.
via:worldcarfans

Photos LEAKED: 2010 Jaguar XJ

Jaguar is using aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture for the first time in a car with the XJ. The technology is next-generation stuff and is likely to filter down into other next-generation Jaguars.


The next XJ is promised to be the new class-leader in a segment led by the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as well as the Audi A8 and the Lexus LS. Jaguar seeks to reclaim its spot alongside these luminaries after years of being sidelined by both buyers and the motoring media.


Powerful engines will match or even outperform some of its competitors. Here we can mention engines like the new 275hp (202kW), 600Nm 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel and the 5.0-litre V8 with natural aspiration. A supercharged XJR might use the engine that makes 510hp (380kW) in the XFR/ XKR but have its power upped to keep up with the BMW 760i and the Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG. Of course this is just pure speculation at this point in time.
via:worldcarfans

Leaked: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Images

The Lamborghini Diablo was the last rear-wheel drive car to come from the factory at Sant'Agata. That may change soon, however, if the car depicted in these images that have surfaced on the Web are to be believed. This orange beast is rumored to be called the Gallardo LP550-2, and given Lamborghini's very descriptive naming scheme, all of this Gallardo's 550-hp are supposedly sent only to the two rear super-wide Pirellis.


Given the stripe package and contrasty black-on-white interior, it’s clearly some kind of upcoming special edition; but determining its drivetrain layout from these images alone is near on impossible. There aren’t any noticable differences in bodywork between this and the current LP560-4, but the 19-inch wheels are reminiscent of the old Superleggera.


Power comes from the 5.2-litre normally aspirated V10 engine but has been detuned to make 550hp (405kW) and not 560hp (412kW) like the LP560-4. A 6-speed manual gearbox comes standard. Don't let that minor power cut dissuade you from forming high opinions of the car though; it has shed 30kg (66 lbs) and dispatches the 0 - 100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.


An AWD Italian bull rushing over 500 stallions from under the bonnet is no child's play at full glory. One with no AWD safety net is something only a few should attempt to play with.
via:motortrend

2010 Saab 9-5 Sedan AND Wagon First photos

Do these images actually show official manufacturer renderings of the 2010 Saab 9-5 sedan and 9-5 wagon? Two different blogs seem to think so.


Both Autoblog.nl and Saabunited.com believe that the source of these images is Saab itself. We're not so sure. The images are far from perfect (is that a scratch on the front bumper of the 9-5 sedan?), showing two drawings that need some finishing touches. Most recently, the wagon was seen under a tight-fitting cloth cover teasing us with an idea of what the vehicle will look like.



However, what the artist seems to have been accurate on is the overall shape of the front bumper, including headlight placement, air intakes, grille shape, and fog lght location. Also, the wheels appear to be fairly close in design to what Saab has included on their teaser car.


Comparing these pictures with the rendering, we think we can spot a few differences. The rendering does not appear to have a steep enough angle just over the rear headlights. Rigidity looks to be key in the back end of the covered up car, as opposed to the smoothness seen in the drawing. Also, the rendering shows a roofline that plunges down at the back quite a bit more than the concealed 9-5 wagon, which shows a flatter roof.


The car should be available with a mix of four and six cylinder engines (petrol/BioPower) and a four cylinder diesel. The six cylinder diesel that was planned for the car was cancelled by GM.
via:worldcarfans

preview：BMW 7-Series M Sport Official Photos

The M Sport Package will initially be offered only on the UKDM 745d, but will likely transcend to other models as well. Visually, the sportier luxo-cruiser receives a more aggressively designed front fascia and a modestly redesigned rear fascia, both with chrome detailing. A new set of sporty split 5-spoke wheels round out the exterior upgrades.


While the package doesn't include the X6 M's 555 hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, it boasts several unique styling accessories which help to differentiate it from standard models. Key exterior design differences include more aggressive front and rear bumpers, "shadowline" trim around the windows, additional chrome detailing, and a set of M-design wheels.


The interior receives various M parts such as an M steering wheel, M shifter and M footrest.


Look for the M-sport package to be unveiled with the new 306 hp 3.0-liter biturbo diesel 740d, with availability for all 7's shortly thereafter.
via jalopnik

The Golden Ferrari! Pininfarina

The New Pininfarina project dubbed the "Golden Ferrari". Apparently based on the 599 GTB, the car seems to have received inspiration from the Ferrari 330 LMB featured in the short film "Toby Dammit".


He made for us the following photos of a special new Ferrari, which was not yet running. On the plate is "The Golden Ferrari" in reading, the Pininfarina logo below. The whole suggests that this is a piece of coach building is, according to insiders, a one-off. We wrote earlier that Ferrari is the coach building to new life would blow. They would also cooperate with partners such as Fioravanti (check), Zagato, Touring Superleggera, and of course Pininfarina.


The front is very similar to a 599, but towards the back forming the lines into something very different. The back is even very retro, in which the design appears almost equal to the golden Ferrari (the golden car) from the short film Toby Dammit, part of Spirits of the Dead. This Ferrari was based on a 330LMB (with 4-liter V12) and was using Fiorenzo Fantuzzi a new body. Pininfarina has apparently want to make a remake of this classic. Check the gallery for more pictures!


Source: autoblog

Detailed Photos for Ferrari's 4x4 hybrid plans leak

Ferrari has applied for a patent to cover their own version of a hybrid platform, reports Autocar. In their application, they have introduced six different layout options. Each of these has one common thread: an electric motor powers two wheels, with the combustion engine powering the other two.


Ferrari has submitted six different layouts for the patent. In all of them the engine drives a motor/generator, which in turn drives one pair of wheels via electricity provided by an on-board battery.


The magazine quoted the application as saying, "The aim of the present invention is to provide a four-wheel-drive vehicle with hybrid propulsion…and being at the same time easy and inexpensive to produce."


According to application, “The four-wheel drive that can be engaged enables the driver of the automobile to decide whether to use the rear drive or the four-wheel drive; in this way, the driver can use the rear drive in optimal conditions of adherence and can use the four- wheel drive in poor conditions of adherence”.


The electric drivetrain should also allow the car to pull away from a standing start using only electric power. Starting the engine only when the car is travelling at 10mph+, will also reduce the level of pollutants produced by the engine.


Autocar speculates that Ferrari would use the system in tandem with a start/stop, almost guaranteeing an improvement in fuel economy. However, installing this system could have the unintended consequence of eliminating a Ferrari hallmark: the roaring sound of the engine heard when a driver takes off from a standstill. One way around this might be to install a start/stop that the driver can switch on when there is nobody around to impress.


Onboard rain and temperature sensors could also be used to automatically activate four-wheel drive running in bad weather. Information from the car’s chassis electronics could also bring the 4x4 system into play when the driver is pushing the car hard.


via:World Car Fans

Leaked Photo:MINI-i MegaCity?

I’ll make this short and sweet, apparently the photo posted here is the actual MINI-i vehicle we spoke about a few days ago. The MINI-i MegaCity Vehicle is part of the Project i initiative and will be sold under the MINI brand.

Someone close to BMW speaks further of the MINI-i and BMW’s future plans:

The MINI-i will be equally recognizable as a MINI but with the MINI Brand , BMW intend to split the brand with the smaller “MegaCity” cars and then the Austrian built “Urban Adventure” vehicles which will be the MINI-X and the SpaceBox project.

The BMW Motorrad Division will accompany the MegaCity Scooter , For Project-i. Basically a two seater covered scooter similar to the C1 but lower and longer. Think of the BMW Clever Concept.

BMW has not been entirely clear about how these new vehicles will be branded. They seem to be rather bold in claiming it will represent a new paradigm in urban transport and that Project-i will be developing cars for volume production. As things stand now, the MegaCity is set to be a sub-brand of MINI. And some reports surfaced earlier in the year saying that BMW Design Chief, Chris Bangle, left BMW over this very issue, having grave reservations about how Project-i was set to evolve.
Source: Automobile-magazine via:bmwblog

Geneva Auto Show: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Bleu Centenaire

At last month's Geneva Auto Show, Bugatti revealed the Veyron 16.4 Bleu Centenaire, a one-off special edition model built to celebrate the firm's 100th anniversary. Bugatti boss Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen had announced then that the company would have a few more surprises in store for us at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este (April 24 - 26). Well, if we are to believe our fellow 'colegas' at Motorpassion, the 'surprises' come in the form of four special edition versions of the Veyron.


Each of the Veyron 16.4 Centenaire vehicles gets polished aluminum fenders and doors, unique paint pigments, and new wheel design. The cars use red brake calipers, and get a mirror shine at the grille. These cars truly live up to the Bugatti mantra of "Art, Forme, et Technique."


Bugatti Veyron Centenaire - CarscoopIt is said that each of the four special edition Veyron 16.4 Centenaire pays homage to one of the company's pre-World War 2 Grand Prix drivers including Jean-Pierre Wimille (France, 1908-1949), Achille Varzi (Italy, 1904-1948), Malcolm Campbell (England, 1885-1949) and Hermann Zu Leiningen (Germany, 1901-1971).


The four new models will honor drivers Sir Malcolm Campbell, who won back-to-back Grand Prix de Boulogne races in the Bugatti T39A, Hermann zu Leiningen, who helped win the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix in 1930 with a Bugatti T35B, Jean-Pierre Wimille, who won more than a dozen races for Bugatti including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939, and Achille Varzi. Varzi started with Bugatti, before switching to Alfa Romeo. It is with the latter that he won the majority of his 33 top finishes.


While the special edition Veyron 16.4s remain mechanically intact, they do come with a special paint job that's combined with polished aluminum doors and front fenders as well as a other cosmetic upgrades. We'll have more on the Veyron Centenaire closer to the Villa d'Este festivities.


via carscoop



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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: Exclusive first look at!

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted last week, but we've just received this official sketch depicting what appears to be the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. We're told it'll get the 6.4-liter crate HEMI.


The biggest news we've received is the high-po Jeep will receive the 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 with anywhere between 505-525 tire burning horsepower and roughly 510 ft-lbs of torque, all driven through a revised AWD system. The 392 HEMI has also been rumored to show up in other 2010 SRT8 models, but we're guessing it'll arrive first in the mid-cycle refresh for both the Challenger and Charger in 2011.


If the rest of the world's like us, then HELL YEAH! We're entering into big-time rumor territory here, but there is a glimmer of hope for both Jeep and SRT fans alike. We've heard from a source deep within Chrysler that things have been humming along quietly in the SRT garage as engineers work hard to develop the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 as a 2012 model.


If the above sketches are anything to go by, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be a subtle beast with lowered, sportier suspension, beefy SRT 5-spoke wheels, larger diameter rotors with grippy multi-piston calipers, revised front and rear fascias, a functional cold air induction cowl hood and a larger spoiler out back. We like what we're seeing, but like GM's performance shop, we'll have to wait and see whether or not Chrysler can muster the cash to put out another answer to a question nobody really asked.
Source: jalopnik



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Leaks: 2010 Mercedes S-Class Facelift Brochure

The updated Mercedes-Benz S-Class is due to be introduced at the New York International Auto Show tomorrow, but thanks to a brochure leak, we now have the first images of the facelift model. Visually, the new S-Class has received a subtle makeover that includes revised headlamps and tail lights, a restyled rear bumper and a newly designed front bumper that incorporates LED driving lights. Merc's designers also seem to have refreshed the luxury sedan's interior trim. We'll have more on the 2010 S-Class after its debut in New York.
via:carscoop








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New York Debut: BMW X6 M Leaks Ahead

A tip of the hat goes to Carscoop for getting their hands on these official pics of the mean-looking BMW X6 M ahead of its debut at the New York auto show on April 9th.

The X6 M exudes a certain menace, given it's shifty identity as a crossover/coupe/sedan/SUV, and wears its M badge without reserve. It looks like linebacker, all shoulders.

The X6 is a heavy vehicle but the 550 hp will likely bring its 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time to below the 5 second mark, as the current X6 xDrive50i, with the same engine dialed down to "just" 408 hp, does it in 5.4.

Both the X6 M and the X5 M, will come with BMW's 4.4 liter V8 power plant with twin-scroll turbochargers pounding out an immense 550 hp. The same engine will also be put to extensive use inside the BMW family, as it will be going into the upcoming M5 and M6 models, or so sources say.

An M sprucing up for the X6 comes by way of side air-vents, quad-exhaust, newly designed front and rear ends and a set of five-spoked alloy wheels. The interior X6 M will come with a new M steering wheel and instrument panel along with sports seats at the front.
via:World Car Fans



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