TopSpeed Daily Update | |
- BMW 6-series Gran Coupe by AC Schnitzer
- Here it is: The 2013 Volvo XC40
- 2015 Nissan Z will be lighter and leaner
- Lexus LFA Black Amethyst
- Video: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton star in McLaren's animation short 'Tooned'
- McLaren MP4-12C Spyder
- Video: Lamborghini Aventador J and Reventon Roadster spotted in Spain
- Mercedes E-Class Coupe
- Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
- Aston Martin Lagonda
BMW 6-series Gran Coupe by AC Schnitzer Posted: 12 Jul 2012 09:00 AM PDT
The new generation BMW 6-Series already caught AC Schnitzer’s attention in the tuning world, so it was to be expected that the company would also work its magic on the Gran Coupe version. The package announced by the German tuner includes a pretty cool exterior kit, as well as a 40 HP power increase for the 640i version and 47 HP increase for the 640d version. The exterior kit includes a new front spoiler, a chromed front grille with a chrome strip, a rear skirt extension, and rear skirt protective film, as well as a new set of lightweight forged alloy wheels available in both 19" or 20" sizes. For the interior, the model has received a pretty cool "Black Line" aluminum cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminum footrests and pedals, and velour floor mats. In order to obtain the extra power, AC Schnitzer is offering ECU upgrades, plus a new twin sports rear silencer with chromed "Sports Trim" tailpipes. As a result, the output for the 640d went from 313 HP to 360 HP and the 640i went from 320 HP to 360 HP. In order to handle the extra power, the 6-Series Gran Coupe also received an 8-piston high performance brake system for the front which includes 8-piston fixed calipers (left/right), an 8-piece set of brake pads, and brake caliper holders. BMW 6-series Gran Coupe by AC Schnitzer originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 16:00 EST. | ||
Here it is: The 2013 Volvo XC40 Posted: 12 Jul 2012 08:00 AM PDT
There have been spy shots galore of the upcoming Volvo XC40, but now the first undisguised images of the new crossover have surfaced online. The new XC40 is scheduled to make its world debut in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, but it looks like Volvo couldn’t keep it a secret until then and will more than likely have to debut it earlier than anticipated. The new XC40 is, in fact, a V40 with an increased ride height and new technology that make it ready foroff-roading. As you can see, the XC40 is almost identical to the V40, except for its redesigned front bumper and the new headlamps. Under the hood, things will stay the same: power will come from a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine and a 2.0 liter engine with power ranging from 150 to 240 HP. Diesel fans will get a 155 HP engine. Sicne it is an off-road vehicle, Volvo will be offering it with an all-wheel-drive system for the top versions. Here it is: The 2013 Volvo XC40 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 15:00 EST. | ||
2015 Nissan Z will be lighter and leaner Posted: 12 Jul 2012 07:00 AM PDT
Initial rumors about the next generation Nissan Z stated that it would be ready for the 2013 model year, but it seems those rumors were completely wrong. In an interview with Inside Line, Nissan’s design boss Shiro Nakamura said that the development of the next Z sports car is in its early stages and that we would see a concept version of the car soon. The production version is actually set to arrive as early as the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The previous generation - the 350Z - was extremely successful, but unfortunately, the current 370Z didn’t acquire the same high notes. According to Nakamura, the next Z sports car needs to have a stronger impact. To achieve this, the next Z-sports car will be lighter and leaner, and will most likely rid itself of the current 3.7 liter V6 engine in favor of a new four-cylinder engine. This will make the car more fuel efficient, and, according to Nakamura, will make it "more accessible to open the door to more people." As for its exterior design, the next Z will combine the current sporty look with "excitement, substance, and agility." 2015 Nissan Z will be lighter and leaner originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 14:00 EST. | ||
Posted: 12 Jul 2012 06:00 AM PDT
Lexus extinguished the burning rumors that were circulating about the mysterious LF-A models testing at the Nurburgring by announcing that the company has ZERO plans to create any special edition models of their LF-A super car. Well, we are just not having that and, apparently, neither is one lucky guy that has received his LF-A with a special twist. The Lexus-owning American has just taken delivery of a LF-A supercar with a very cool Black Amethyst paint. What makes this vehicle so special is that it is the only LF-A to receive this specific paint color. According to the identifying plaques, this is the LF-A number 366, a strange number considering that only 10 units were reported to be produced. Aside from the unique Black Amethyst exterior paint, the LF-A number 366 also features buff polish wheels combined with black calipers. The interior continues with the same black theme, getting a black steering wheel, black leather door grips, black seat fronts and silver leather seat backs with contrasting white stitching. The package continues with a black headliner, black carpet, black floor mats, black instrument panel, door panel, and center console contrasted with a silver metal trim finish. Lexus LFA Black Amethyst originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:00 EST. | ||
Posted: 12 Jul 2012 05:00 AM PDT
McLaren has proved to be one of the more marketing savvy teams in the F1 grid these days. Their latest venture, an animation short starring Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, is another home run in our books. Titled "Tooned," the animated short series made its debut at the British Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 last weekend. In this episode, Button, Hamilton, and Professor M - think McLaren’s version of a quirky scientist - all go to McLaren’s underground testing circuit to give the new McLaren F1 car a testing shakedown. Button proceeds to win the coin toss to get first dibs on the car, but true to Hamilton’s always competitive nature, he somehow commandeers a rocket-powered F1 prototype to race Button in what turned out to be an "explosive" race. Not content with the finish, the two then proceed to use the "super-soft" tires to bound their way to the finish line, much to the chagrin of the clearly perturbed Professor M. It’s a funny video that shows the lighter side of the McLaren F1 team. Well worth your time to check out! Video: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton star in McLaren's animation short 'Tooned' originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:00 EST. | ||
Posted: 12 Jul 2012 04:00 AM PDT
After months and months of spy shots, and a very special teaser, McLaren Automotive has finally unveiled the MP4-12C Spider and boy, was it worth the wait! Featuring all of the updates recently found on the updated MP4-12C coupe, the Spider promises to take the fight to the Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder and help reinvigorate life into the high-performance sports car market. As you would expect, the MP4-12C Spider is essentially identical to its coupe sibling, meaning it's also made good use out of the advanced carbon fiber monocoque, tipping the scales at just 165 lbs. Despite the added weight of the electronic systems required to open and close the hardtop, the Spider has only gained 40kg/88 lbs over the coupe, meaning no modifications to the monocoque were needed. The new MP4-12C Spider is offered with the same engine as the updated version of the MP4-12C Coupe: a 616 HP 3.8-liter V8 twin turbo engine combined with a 7 Speed SSG dual-clutch transmission. The Spider version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and will hit a top speed of 204 mph (3 mph less than the coupe). One of the most innovative features of the new 12C Spider is its unique RHT (Retractable Hard Top) folding roof system that may be operated while on the move at speed of up to 19 mph. Confirmed back in 2009, the new MP4-12C Spyder will be available for sale in 22 countries worldwide. On the British market, it is priced at £195,500, about $300K at the current exchange rates. On the US market, it will be priced at $268,250, which is about $37,250 more than its coupe sibling priced at $231,000 UPDATE 07/12/12: McLaren has unveiled two new videos featuring the brand new MP4-12C Spyder. The first video shows how you can go from a coupe to a roadster in just 17 seconds. The second video is the official launch video of the new sports roadster. Enjoy! Hit the jump for more details on the 2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spyder. McLaren MP4-12C Spyder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 11:00 EST. | ||
Video: Lamborghini Aventador J and Reventon Roadster spotted in Spain Posted: 12 Jul 2012 03:00 AM PDT
In recent years, Lamborghini has made so many strictly-limited production vehicles, they've almost become its specialty. Case in point, the Aventador J and Reventon Roadster. As we're sure you know, the Lamborghini Aventador J was created in just six weeks, ahead of its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. With only one unit being built, it's literally as rare as a car can be. Based off the standard Aventador, yet featuring an array of visual changes, the Aventador J is the ultimate expression of what the Italian firm is capable. In a similar fashion, the Reventon Roadster based off the Reventon coupe, which was based off the Murcielago, was limited to just 20 units through its production run and seemingly served as quite the influence on the design of the eventual Aventador. As a result of the extreme exclusivity of both of these cars, coming across one of them on the streets would be downright amazing, but both at the same time? One can only dream. Or can they? Well our dream was actually the reality of many onlookers in Marbella, Spain when both of the aforementioned cars were spotted together on a 'dark night.' Get it? Because the Aventador is in the new Batman movie…….never mind. Nonetheless, this is a might impressive spot and if you can cope with the horribly grainy footage, then it's definitely worth checking out! Video: Lamborghini Aventador J and Reventon Roadster spotted in Spain originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:00 EST. | ||
Posted: 12 Jul 2012 02:00 AM PDT
Next to the standard E-Class, Mercedes is also working on an update for the coupe version and our spy photographers have captured the first prototype during one of its testing sessions. Lucky for us, the upcoming E-Class Coupe is not as heavily camouflaged as the previous sedan and wagon models, so we have a pretty good idea on the changes the model will receive. Just like the sedan and wagon models, the quad headlights for the E-Class Coupe will make room for one single unit on each side with integrated LED day-driving lights, eliminating the need for them to be mounted in the bumper like on the current model. The front end of the exterior will also adopt a more upright grille and a redesigned front bumper, while the rear of the Mercedes will get new bumper and redesigned rear lights with LEDs. The interior will get some minor changes to the dashboard, new steering wheels, and new air vents as well as the latest upgrades in communication, comfort, and safety. Expect to see the new Mercedes E-Class Coupe launched by the end of 2012. Mercedes E-Class Coupe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 09:00 EST. | ||
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake Posted: 09 Jul 2012 03:00 AM PDT
After debuting the standard CLS Shooting Brake just the other day, Mercedes has also decided to drop the official details of the AMG version - a model built to prove that even station wagons can be sporty and fun. The new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake version will go on sale in October 2012 with the first units being sold as the "Edition 1." Just like the sedan version, the new Shooting Brake model is powered by a 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine that delivers a total of 525 HP (557 HP if you buy the Edition 1 version) and is mated to a SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in 4.4 seconds (4.3 seconds for the Edition 1). Unfortunately, top speed is still limited to 155 mph. When compared to a standard CLS Shooting Brake, the AMG version will be distinguished by an AMG front apron, an AMG radiator grille with single slat, an AMG-specific design for the bonnet, an AMG-specific rear apron with a diffuser look, and the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome twin tailpipes. UPDATE 07/11/2012: Mercedes has just unveiled a cool trailer video for the recently launched CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake. Enjoy! Hit the jump for more details on the Mercedes CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 9 July 2012 10:00 EST. | ||
Posted: 12 Jul 2012 01:00 AM PDT
When Porsche created the Cayenne there was a massive uproar from the Porsche faithful. They found this new SUV to an abomination of what a proper Porsche, a 911 in their minds, should be. Yet, despite all the hate, the Cayenne was a huge success. British supercar maker Aston Martin are looking to follow suit with their new Lagonda, which was just a concept a few days ago, but now seems as if it’s headed for the production line. Despite the fact that most Astons are gorgeous vehicles, the Lagonda just isn’t. We thought the first generation Cayenne was bad, but the concept version of Aston’s SUV was like looking at a pile of sick with an Aston Martin badge on top. Not to mention the fact that Aston have recently announced the Cygnet, a small city car aimed at helping the company bring down its fuel economy numbers. So, on top of that, a new SUV might cause a riot among Aston’s largest following. UPDATE 07/12/2012: Back in May, we reported that despite previous rumors, Aston Martin still wanted to offer a production version of the Lagonda SUV revealed as a concept back in 2009. Aston Martin reconsidered its decision because it's trying to enter markets, like China, where large models are a must. That, and because of the market's positive reaction to Bentley's EXP 9 F concept. Now, Aston Martin is offering new details on the upcoming SUV. The production version will be built on a Mercedes GL-Class platform and the top version will be offered with a 6.0 liter V12 engine. However, Aston Martin announced that it also plans to offer a hybrid and a diesel version for clients with a particular interest for the environment. The company is still deciding if the new model will be sold as an Aston Martin or if they will revive the legendary Lagonda name. Either way, the SUV will have plenty of competitors on the market, including the two SUVs from Lamborghini and Bentley. A final decision will be made in the upcoming months and a production version is set to be unveiled by 2016. Hit the jump to learn a little more about the Lagonda. Aston Martin Lagonda originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 12 July 2012 08:00 EST. |
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