Leaks: Audi E-tron Spyder Concept

The German car maker Audi is planning a fifth E-tron model, an Audi E-tron Spyder. The car is expected to be an evolution of the E-tron system and previews the electric version of the upcoming convertible version of the R4 sports car.

This is vastly different when compared to the original e-Tron concept. The Audi R8 e-Tron was shown off a year ago with four electric motors combining for 230 kW (313 hp) and up to 4,500Nm of torque. With that massive figure, the car cruised to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds en route to a 200 km/h top speed. Its range of 248 kilometers came from the 213kg lithium-ion battery pack, which required up to eight hours recharge time on a 220V outlet.

The e-Tron Spyder might use the same technology found on the e-Tron Detroit Show car, which was powered by two electric motors delivering a total output of 204hp (150kW) and 2,650Nm (1954.54lb-ft). With these numbers, the car can accelerate 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 5.9 seconds while the sprint from 60 to 120km/h (37.28 – 74.56mph) is achieved in a mere 5.1 seconds.

Featuring a wraparound windscreen and no roof whatsoever, making it a permanent convertible, the R4 Spyder gets an identical front end to the fixed-roof e-tron, while at the back the bodywork surrounding the rear lights is finished in black.

The Audi e-tron Spyder is most likely based on the company's space-frame aluminium chassis, with two electric motors sending 204 HP to the wheels, and a production version should debut around 2012.

Source: AutoBild

Leaked: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

Now, a series of leaked pictures showing the Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 racecars have surfaced, showing the car in all its glory.

The car pictured here features a heavily revised body which includes the front bumper with large central intake and lower splitter, canard air foils, hood, fenders with deep wheel well vents, huge side sills, that massive carbon rear wing integrated into the boot lid, fuel filler pocket in the quarter panels and rear bumper with purposeful diffuser.

Inside the car is a true racer with carbon fiber racing seats, a carbon center console and racing digital dash – which even has lights to notify the driver when to shift.

The car will used a modified version of the production V8 engine. This is a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated powerplant that develops 571 hp at 6,800 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.

According to the Mercedes-Benz-Passion blog, full details are set to be released on March 27th, with the car set for its racing debut in the Spring of next year.






Press Release

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Spectacular racing car for the sporting customer

Puebla (Mexico) - Coinciding with the market launch of the SLS AMG on 27
March 2010, Mercedes-AMG is presenting a GT3 variant. This racing version of
the gullwing model stands out with its spectacular design and thoroughbred
motor sports technology. Developed to comply with the GT3 specifications of
the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 is
designed as a racing sports car for customers competing in sprints and
long-distance races. These race series for near-series GT cars are noted for
their very varied participants and great excitement. Not least because of
their comparatively favourable cost structure, they are enjoying increasing
worldwide popularity.

AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz, is entering a new
business sector with the new SLS AMG GT3: the development, production and
marketing of sports racing cars intended for customer use. Sales of these
customer cars are expected to commence in autumn 2010, and homologation of
the GT3 variant will be completed in time for the 2011 racing season.

"Thanks to uncompromising lightweight construction and superior handling
dynamics, the SLS AMG provides an outstanding basis for a highly competitive
racing car. This exciting GT3 version is our response to strong customer
demand for a car designed for these attractive motor sports series. Once
again, it demonstrates AMG's huge experience gained in more than 40 years of
motor sports, and its great expertise in the development of unique
high-performance cars," says Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG
GmbH.

The new SLS AMG GT3 is an emphatic continuation of AMG's commitment to
motor sports. AMG has been a pioneer in the motor sports world ever since
its foundation in 1967. The new racing version of the SLS AMG is developed
and produced by AMG in close cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is responsible for
the DTM racing team on behalf of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports. The HWA team is
one of the most successful in international motor sports, as witness nine
driver championships in the DTM and ITC, as well as two championship titles
in the FIA GT Championships.

The SLS AMG GT3 is set to write another chapter in this success story,
and harks back to the 300 SL racing sports car of 1952 which first
established the "gullwing" legend. Its historic victory in the "Carrera
Panamericana" long-distance race also made Mercedes-Benz a household name in
North and Central America, and demonstrated the know-how and expertise of
the Stuttgart-based automobile company.

Spectacular racing car looks and top-class performance

The new SLS AMG GT3 is wide, flat and has spectacular racing car looks. The
main focus when modifying the body of this gullwing model was on aerodynamic
performance - as is seen not only in the new front apron with a splitter,
the bonnet with its central cooling air vent and the wider front and rear
wings, but also in the the side wheel arch air vents, the sideskirts with
cooling ducts for the rear brakes, the smooth underbody with a rear diffuser
and the adjustable rear aerofoil. All these features ensure a low drag
coefficient and maximum downforce - while guaranteeing effective cooling of
thermally highly stressed components. The C-pillars accommodate the
standardised filler pipes for the fast-refuel system.

The FIA will determine the maximum output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8
front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication on the "Balance of Performance"
principle. This is intended to ensure that all the racing cars taking part
have an equal chance. The classification process, during which the kerb
weight is also determined, will be completed in 2010. Power transmission in
the GT3 variant is by a sequential six-speed racing transmission with
steering wheel shift paddles and an integrated multi-disc locking
differential. As in the standard SLS AMG, the transmission is located at the
rear axle: the engine and transmission are connected by a torque tube within
which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine speed, as in the roadgoing
version.

The wheels are located by a double-wishbone suspension of forged
aluminium at the front and rear. Adjustment facilities for the springs and
shock absorbers, the suspension height, the stabilisers, the track width and
camber allow an individual setup for the racetrack. Rack-and-pinion steering
with a more direct ratio and speed-sensitive servo assistance make for
extremely agile handling. Behind the central-locking AMG light-alloy wheels,
a composite steel racing braking system with racing ABS ensures outstanding
deceleration.

Functional racing car atmosphere in the interior

The interior of the SLS AMG GT3 is dominated by a functional racing car
atmosphere: the steel rollover cage not only ensures the driver's safety,
but also adds additional reinforcement to the aluminium spaceframe. Another
eye-catching feature is the racing bucket seat with a six-point seat belt
and HANS system (Head and Neck Support). The central display is perfectly
positioned in the driver's field of vision, and shows all the relevant
information such as speed, engine rpm, operating temperatures, lap times and
the selected gear. The open-top racing steering wheel with gearshift paddles
makes perfect vehicle control possible.

Additional controls are located on the centre console. This is where the
driver can not only start the AMG V8 engine or adjust the traction control,
but also select reverse gear or - if the worst comes to the worst - activate
the integrated fire extinguisher system. The adjustment control for the
brake balance is located on the torque tube tunnel.

Leaked: 2011 Audi RS5 Coupe Brochure

A German agency appears to have mistakenly released the official brochure of the new Audi RS5 Coupe ahead of time as the car's world premiere isn't due for another week or so at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2.


No details about the powertrain or performance specs are revealed in the brochure. However, it does mention three types of seating and four wheel design choices. Audi's 7-speed dual clutch S-tronic transmission is the only choice - no mention of 6-speed manual. Also, no flat-bottom steering wheel is shown.


Look closely and you'll be able to spot the slightly blistered wheel arches that hark back to the original Quattro coupe, the new front bumper with larger air vents at each corner, the honeycomb grille without the horizontal bar, the redesigned rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and the two large oval tail pipes.


Speculation over which powerplant will drive the RS 5 has ranged from a massaged 3.0-liter supercharged V6 in the S4, 4.2-liter V8 and 5.0-liter V10 in the RS 6 to the range topping 5.2-liter V10 from the R8. Horsepower has been logically guestimated between 450 PS (331 kW / 444 hp) and 550 PS (405 kW / 542 hp), essentially where the RS 4 leaves off with 420 PS (309 kW / 414 hp) and ending with the RS 6 and its 579 PS (426 kW / 571 hp).


The revised LED tail lamps, the specific alloy wheels and what looks like a retractable boot lid spoiler round off the exterior styling tweaks.



The interior shots suggest that there won't be any cosmetic upgrades over the S5 Coupe.


The RS 5 will undoubtedly debut at the Geneva Motor Show in two weeks. According to previous reports, the RS5 hits the streets soon after in July.
More Photos

Frankfurt Debut _ Audi R8 Spider Leaks ahead

It's no secret that Audi is unveiling the R8 Spider at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. Neither are these leaked pictures showing the car mostly jazzing around with two happy occupants. In addition to recent paparazzi shots of the car taken during the filming of Ironman 2 - Electric Boogaloo, spy photos revealed a black canvass roof whose mechanisms hid the mid-rear mounted engine. We'd be quite interested to see how said roof is operated.


Audi plans to launch the R8 Spider with only the 5.2-litre V10 engine as its symphony of thrust. It produces 386kW (525hp) and peak torque of 530Nm. The transmission options are the 6-speed manual and the R Tronic sequential shifter. Power is shared along the two axles through the quattro AWD system which, if the same as the coupe's, can transfer up to 85% of torque to the rear wheels. Rumours say there won't be a 4.2-litre Spider but there may be an electric-powered one.


The front end has the powerful grille with surrounding LED daytime running lights while the rear features LED rear lights, two oval tailpipes that are visible from the sides and a massive diffuser.
More Photos

Porsche Cayman Shooting Brake Uncovered? ...

There was a Porsche mule spied only last month and thought to be this elusive Shooting Brake. The latest image seems to have been taken during a studio photo shoot. What appears to be a man adjusting a light is seen on the other side of the car, presumably working on the instructions of the photographer who has our view of the car. From what is visible there is no B-pillar, thus suggesting a concept rather than a finished product.


For some time now rumours of a Posche Cayman Shooting Brake model have been circulating. Now this image of the supposed car has been posted on the Porsche section at Flickr. Most probably it is a fake as it was posted by a user with no known credentials. Or it could be real; the user could be an insider screaming for some hype for Porsche's next shocker. In any case a screen shot of the car has appeared on the upcoming XBox 360 racing game Forza Motorsport 3.
more detail. ...

Frankfurt debut: Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car

This is the Mazda MX-5 Superlight show car – an MX-5 speedster with weight stripped out and windscreen relegated to the scrapheap. Think of it as the purest MX-5 yet.

Sadly, it's just a concept car at present, destined to be shown at the Frankfurt motor show in autumn 2009. Designed in Oberusel, Germany, it is Mazda’s present to itself for creating (over to you, Mazda PR machine) 'the best-selling two-seat sports car in the world'.

Of course, this isn’t any old milestone; the MX-5 has been around for 20 years exactly – worming its way into our hearts since its debut in 1989. To some it is single handedly responsible for reviving the small sports car market that many thought had died with the British motor industry.

Mazda MX-5 Superlight: the details


On first glance, you’ll notice the lack of windscreen and door handles in this MX-5 speedster. What you won’t notice is the lightweight technology that allegedly improves driving performance, handling, fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

No technical details have been released yet, meaning we at CAR can only guess it will be conventionally powered by either of the MX-5’s current line of 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engines.

'It's like the Smart Crossblade – it has no windscreen!' I hear you scream. Quite. A robust flies-in-the-teeth experience is guaranteed with the lack of glass and A-pillars.

The chances of the MX-5 Superlight being put into production are, we think, remote. But then you never can tell with companies like Mazda.
Source: carmagazine

photos Leaked: Saab's redesigned 2010 9-5 sedan

Based on a sportier version of GM's Epsilon II platform, the new 9-5 rides on a 2.84 meter (111.8") wheelbase which should offer plenty of room in the passenger compartment. The increase in room also extends to the truck, where cargo capacity measures a healthy 513 liters (18.11 cubic feet).


Inside, the cabin boasts traditional Saab design cues such as a "7" dashboard, complex air vents, and a center console-mounted ignition. Other styling touches include glossy black trim, aggressively bolstered seats, and a thick-rimmed steering wheel. On the options list, we can expect a rear seat entertainment system, bi-xenon headlights, a Harman Kardon audio system, keyless entry, and a large 8-inch navigation system from Panasonic.


Engine options will include a three turbocharged petrol units: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 160hp, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 210hp, and a 2.8-liter V6 with 300hp. Diesel power will be provided by two 2.0-liter units which will produce 160 hp and 190 hp. Eventually a petrol-electric hybrid is expected, as is a biofuel model.


Set to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new 9-5 features distinctive styling with a bold front end and a sleek profile. Overall, the design is pretty much what we expected but there are several interesting touches such as blackened A-pillars and dark trim across the top of the side windows. At the rear, the sloping C-pillars help to give the 9-5 a dramatic appearance which is further assisted by clear LED taillights.


Look for the new Saab 9-5 sedan to go on sale in Europe in April 2010, with a base price around €35,000.
More Photos

Leaked: 2010 Acura RDX Facelift

New photos of the 2010 Acura RDX facelift have leaked out, and they appear to be officially produced by the automaker. While the photos mainly focus on the front of the car, we also can decipher some changes at the back.


New for 2010 is the addition of a two wheel drive RDX. This FWD version enjoys a weight reduction of about 200 pounds and coupled with revised gearing, should gain a couple of miles per gallon over the SH-AWD version. (exact EPA figures are not available yet)


The photos show a sport utility vehicle with a drastically restyled front end, that includes extensive modifications to the air intakes, fog lamps, and grille. Although there is not a clear shot of the entire rear of the RDX, we can see three clear details: hexagonal tailpipes, part of a redesigned rear bumper that better incorporates the exhaust, and the use of some black mesh material at the center. We particularly like the new wheels.


The 2010 RDX features the Acura family grill that is nicely integrated into the front fascia. Large metallic trimmed faux air ducts house the standard fog lights and the 'blacked out' bumper area forms an aggressive new look.


The 2.3 liter Turbocharged i-VTEC 4 cylinder returns and it is rated
for 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The innovative Variable
Flow Turbo (VFT) uses two concentric inlet paths to help the turbine spin up
faster to reduce turbo lag. To insure durability, the VFT uses high strength steel construction with water cooling to protect the vital turbo bearings.


New interior features include a Back Up Camera integrated into the rear view
mirror on non-Technology Package RDXs. The Technology package continues to use
the Navigation screen as the camera display but now adds useful guidelines
superimposed onto the image. Other interior upgrades include: USB iPod
integration, Bluetooth Audio, ambient footwell lighting, auto-off headlights,
For mainland customers, the Tech RDXs now feature AcuraLink Real-Time weather,
traffic re-routing and note functionality for XM radio.
Source: satoauto via:worldcarfans