SPIED: 2011 BMW M5 Super Saloon Sheds More Camouflage

Now that there's less reason for secrecy since we've already seen the standard versions of the new F10 5-Series on the road, BMW has started peeling off the psychedelic camouflage from its 2011 M5 prototypes.

Key stylistic highlights of the new M5's look will include the four tailpipes, chunkier front and rear bumper designs, unique exterior mirrors and alloy wheels while there's also talk about a carbon fiber roof and bootlid which should also help reduce weight.

As we've already told you in earlier posts, BMW's new uper saloon will be the first M5 to adopt turbocharging with power coming from a reworked version of the X5 M and X6 M's 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 that replaces the current model's V10 unit.

Details of the new engine remain secret but it is believed that in the M5, the V8 engine will produce more than the 555HP and 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque it does on the X5 M and X6 M, flirting closer to the 600HP mark.

The new unit will not only be more powerful and lighter than the outgoing V10, but also more efficient. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will be further reduced thanks to a suite of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies including a start and stop system, electronic flaps in the front fascia of the car that can close to improve aerodynamics, Brake Energy Regeneration and Electric Power Steering.

Along with the new V8 powerplant, the F10 M5 will get a re-engineered version of the BWM M3's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission (DCT), and hopefully for purists, a 6-speed manual gearbox (this has not yet been confirmed).

Like today's model, the new M5 will also benefit from suspension, brake and steering system upgrades to further improve handling and driver's feedback.

We could see the M5 in the flesh as early as this fall at the Paris Motor Show, though it's more likely to be unveiled at a major international car show in 2011 with sales to start towards the end of the same year.

SCOOP: Opel's Sexy-Looking Three-door Astra GTC Caught out in the Open

The new Astra range continues to expand. Following a series of spy shots and videos of the Sports Tourer model, our man with the long-lens has snapped the dramatically styled replacement to the three-door Opel / Vauxhall Astra GTC while out and about in Germany.

Due to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October before arriving in most European markets in early 2011, the new three-door variant of the Astra hatch follows in the footsteps of the outgoing GTC boasting a more rakish appearance than its five-door sibling.

In fact, as you can see in these revealing spy shots, the new Astra GTC appears to be even more aggressively styled that the outgoing three-door model featuring a lower, almost coupe-like roofline. The heavy cladding doesn't allow us to see all the details, but expect to see a pronounced crease above the rear wheelarches as well as unique tail lights, possibly even a reworked fascia.

Changes to the interior -aside from the less spacious rear compartment that has fallen victim to style- are expected to be limited to the dashboard trim.

Underneath the sheetmetal, Opel's engineers will most likely tweak the chassis for a sportier ride, while the basic engine range will be shared with the five-door model and range from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot to a 180HP 1.6-liter turbo petrol and a 160HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

The range will also grow to include a successor to the Astra OPC / VXR with its 240HP 2.0-liter turbo engine, while we've also heard rumors about a GSi model with a more potent version of GM's 1.6-liter turbo with a little over 200-horsepower.

Rumors: Next Infiniti M and G May Share Platform with Mercedes E-Class

There has been a lot of talk lately about the recently inked strategic cooperation between Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. And we're not referring to the official agreements on the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform for small cars and the swapping of diesel and petrol engines between the two groups.

Leaving aside recent rumors of a small Infiniti CUV based on the next generation of Mercedes' A / B Class, Japan's Best Car magazine is now reporting in its latest issue that the Infiniti M and G replacements (Nissan Fuga and Skyline in Japan) will share a common architecture with the Mercedes E-Class.

Even though there's no official confirmation, the prospective move makes sense not only because Mercedes-Benz has already agreed to give Infiniti a range of four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines for its future models, but also because of the broader savings in vehicle development costs for both automakers.

Source: Best Car

New Ferrari 458 Italia Challenge Spied in Italy?

Is this Ferrari's 458 Italia Challenge weekend racer? It sure does look like it. According to Axis of Oversteer, the car was spied at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy. As you can see from the pics, the 458 Italia has special tires, center-locking wheels, a lexan window, and tow hooks.

Whether this is foreshadowing the new car in Ferrari's Challenge series or simply a prototype testing upcoming components for a more street-oriented Italia Challenge Stradale is to be determined. Time will tell.

By Phil Alex

Via: Axis of Oversteer

SCOOP: Mystery Sedan Spied, Could it be the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

The folks over at GM Inside News have a mystery car on their hands. Forum member 'GMfan1111' snagged a pair of identical sedan models, both of which featured an unfamiliar badge on the boot.

We'll agree with most members from the forum that the car's styling cues including the pronounced lower side lines and the shape of the fascia, as well as its relatively compact dimensions point towards the next generation of the Volkswagen Jetta (see a spy video of the 2011 model here).

In this case, the mystery logo was probably used as an attempt to trick people / spy photographers into thinking that it's not a VW model.

Of course, we could be totally wrong and the car(s) seen here is something different altogether. Any thoughts? Leave them in the comments section below.

Via: GMInsidenews

SCOOP: New Opel Astra Sports Tourer Caught on Film

The estate version of the new Opel / Vauxhall Astra has been spotted doing the rounds at the Nurburgring.

Scheduled to be shown for the first time this summer with a Paris Motor Show debut to follow in autumn 2010, the Astra Sports Tourer looks like a smaller version of the Insignia station wagon boasting a more raked roofline and a less boxy / conservative shape than the current model.

The new Astra Sports Tourer rides on a longer platform than its hatchback brethren, which should translate to a more spacious boot.

Engine options for the station wagon model will mirror those offered on the five door Astra, so expect a petrol range stretching from a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated four-pot up to a 180 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo, and a comprehensive diesel lineup topping out with a 160HP 2.0-liter CDTi.

The estate version will be the second model to be added to the new Astra's range. It will be followed by a sportier-looking three-door hatchback, a coupe convertible and a four-sedan model that will also be sold in the States as a Buick.

Video: Youtube/AMS

Scoop Video: Up, Close and Personal with the 2011 BMW X3

For obvious reasons, unlike New York, a parked BMW dressed in swirly camouflage doesn't cause a bomb scare in Munich (click here to read about the NYC incident). So, instead of notifying the authorities, this Youtube user took out his camera and shot a two-and-a-half minute long video that walks us around the new 2011 BMW X3 crossover.

The video after the jump gives us a pretty good look of the Bavarian automaker's new crossover that appears to be more stylish as well as a bit bigger than the current X3.

A range of four- and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines will be available on the new X3, ranging from a 2.0-litre four-banger to the firm's recently revised 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six turbo with 306HP. A new gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant may also be on the cards.

The second generation of the BMW X3 is expected to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Thanks for the tip Timo!

2012 Ford Explorer SUV Officially Teased

Pictured here next to Jim Holland, chief engineer behind the new Ford Explorer, is (trumpets, please), well, the new Explorer - or at least, a smidgen of it.

The successor to Ford's 90's break-out hit is supposed to debut this year, but there's still no official word from Ford.

We know the new Explorer will be sharing its underpinnings with the Flex, something that usually wouldn't make sense. The Flex is a quirky crossover, and the Explorer is supposed to be an SUV.

That is, unless Ford has some crazy off-roading, efficiency-themed crossover technology coming out. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Power would hopefully come from some Ecoboost 4- and 6-cylinder engines.

Sadly, there's really nothing to be said about the styling...yet. If it has a hint of Ford's 2008 Explorer America concept in it, that would be nice. And sliding doors need to make a comeback, too.

By Phil Alex

Via: USAToday and Freep

Dodge Fan Renders 2012 Durango SUV from Official Sketches

couple of months ago we broke the story on the official patent drawings of the next Dodge Durango SUV (see here), or whatever else Chrysler LLC bosses decide to name it. Andrew Currie from the 'Cheersandgears' forums took a couple of these sketches and rendered them to offer us a more realistic view of Dodge's full-size SUV.

The Durango's successor is believed to ride on the same or lengthened version of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, which was developed alongside the next generation Mercedes-Benz ML SUV.

Powertrain options will most likely include Chrysler LLC's new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar with 290-horsepower and a 5.7-liter V8 HEMI with 360 ponies, while an all-wheel-drive option is certain.

Via: Cheersandgears

2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS: New Photos Surfaces Online

New Photos of Porsche's hotly anticipated 911 GT2 RS - apparently shot during some sort of official presentation- have made their way on the internet revealing Stuttgart's hardcore sports car in all its glory.

The pictures reveal that the baddest ever road-going version of the 911 gets a wider body, spoilers of all sorts, a carbon fiber hood and massive air intakes behind the doors along with a new set of wheels.

The interior on the other hand has been stripped out (notice the latches on the doors) and fitted with a pair of bucket seats, which like the rest of the cabin, are trimmed in red Alcantara.

We don't have the mechanical details yet, but it is said that the new RS packs a modified version of the 911 GT2's twin-turbocharged flat-six producing over 600HP.

It is also reported that the weight saving measures on Porsche's rear-wheel drive 'widow maker' have shaved almost 100kg or about 220 pounds from the kerbweight.

We'll have more on the new 911 GT2 RS as soon as more information or/and pictures are available.

Via: Autogespot

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Camouflaged BMW X3 Prototype Sparks Bomb Scare at NY Museum

There's no such thing as bad publicity, as BMW intends to prove. After a variety of recent bomb scares, man-made catastrophes, and natural disasters worldwide, a cleverly oblivious test driver left an X3 prototype parked and running in front of the American Museum of Natural History...so he could go for a walk in the park, according to the New York Daily News.

The end result is just what one would expect: the bomb squad showing up Hurt Locker-style, busting in through the rear window, and making sure the swirly-wrapped SUV (sorry, SAV) was no longer a threat. Oh, and now everyone's talking about BMW. Word of mouth is the best marketing, after all.

Driver Martin Birkmann explained, "It's a misunderstanding...I was test-driving it." Clearly you were NOT, sir; bomb squads don't show up to defuse cars when people are driving them...nor are tickets for idling issued.

The second-generation X3 debuts later this year. Thankfully, Mr. Birkmann didn't have any scores to settle with museums and the prototype was not deemed a threat. Whether or not it will be a threat to the X5's or X1's sales, however, is yet to be determined.

By Phil Alex

Via: NY Daily News