Development of the next-generation Porsche Boxster is well underway and images of a prototype for the car have once again surfaced, this time captured while it was undergoing cold weather testing in Northern Europe.

A rumor alleging that Porsche insiders are talking about a lightweight, turbocharged four-cylinder platform for the next-gen Boxster recently began making the rounds. The thought coincides with possible rumors of a revived 914 that could be co-branded by both VW and Porsche, which means the new Boxster could certainly be fitted with a highly charged four-banger. If that’s the case, we’re sure Porsche will still offer a six-cylinder option for upper range models.

Such a design premise might offer more room to launch a detuned entry-level Carrera also aimed at improving emissions ratings. Even the current six-cylinder Boxster and Cayman, the most efficient in Porsche’s line, emit about 222 g/km of CO2–about 100 g/km more than the projected 2015 limits.

Whatever Porsche has in store for the new car, we’ll have to wait until its expected arrival in 2011 to find out.

Source:motorauthority.com

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate facelift rendering

The latest generation W204 Mercedes Benz C-Class has been on sale since 2007 and will be due for its mid-cycle facelift in the second half of next year. As this computer generated rendering suggests, the car’s designers won’t be mucking around with the stylish look of the current model, instead choosing to focus on only minor changes such as new bumper, headlight and wheel designs.

Besides the styling changes to the exterior, there will almost certainly be some updates to the interior and a number of mechanical changes. The latter will likely include modifications intended to improve the efficiency of the C-Class and boost Mercedes’ fleet wide fuel economy and emissions averages.

Source:motorauthority.com

2011 Audi A1 spy shots

Audi’s new A1 premium compact is expected to hit showrooms in late 2010 as a 2011 model but today we have the first spy shots of actual prototypes taken as the car was undergoing testing in Germany. Aimed squarely at other upmarket compact cars, namely the Mini Cooper, the new A1 will be available in several different variants–just like the Mini family.

The lineup is expected to be filled with the regular three-door and five-door hatchback models, but a stylish convertible and a compact MPV are likely to be launched as well.

The latest images clearly show the shape of the grille and LED detailing in the headlights. Powertrain options will range from about 1.2- to 1.6-liters in displacement and output up to 200-horsepower in a performance ‘S’ variant. A mild hybrid model may also be offered, as previewed by the 2008 A1 Sportback Hybrid Concept.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler has reaffirmed on a number of occasions plans to boost the brand’s lineup to 40 models by 2015, as well as expanding its production facilities. Audi has already confirmed it will invest €200 million in its Brussels plant to prepare it for the new A1 range.

Audi was originally planning to build around 100,000 A1s per year but with the new upgrades production can now be boosted closer to 120,000 units annually.

There’s a strong chance the A1 will be arriving in North America. Last month Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s head of sales, revealed that the A1’s launch in North America could help the automaker reach its goal of surpassing BMW and Mercedes-Benz in sales in all markets by 2015.

Though the A1′s position as a premium compact isn’t something U.S. buyers have had much exposure to, the credit crunch and subsequent curtailing of salaries may have opened the door–along with higher average fuel prices–for a feasible, if small, sales market for the car.

Source:motorauthority.com

2011 Hyundai Genesis facelift spy shots

Hyundai’s Genesis sedan has only been on sale for a little over a year and during that time it has already taken home the prestigious North American Car of the Year award. As successful as the original formula was, Hyundai is not resting on its laurels and is already planning an update to the car as seen in these latest spy shots.

The images depict a facelifted version of the car due late next year. They reveal a new tail-lamp design and slightly revised exhaust tips, and the camouflaged front-end suggests a new headlight and grille design as well.

Expect the powertrain lineup to continue with minimal changes, which means buyers will be able to select from either the 4.6-liter Tau V-8 with 380 horsepower or the 3.8-liter Lambda V-6 with 305 horsepower on tap. New engines are possible, including a 265 horsepower 3.3-liter V-6 already sold overseas and a new 5.0-liter V-8 range topper with more than 400 horsepower.

Supercharging technology is another area Hyundai is investigating but there’s no word on plans to introduce it to the Genesis line. Hyundai is also working on a new eight-speed automatic transmission but its first application is likely to be in the Equus flagship.

Source:motorauthority.com

2010 Saab 9-5

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the same basic mechanical underpinnings as the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997. A totally redesigned model was expected to make an appearance last year but its release was pushed back due to limited resources at Saab and the introduction of the facelifted 9-3, not to mention the company’s then-ongoing ownership limbo. But the wait for the next 9-5 can now be measured in days, and Saab has launched a site to do just that.

We confirmed back in July that the new model will make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and shortly thereafter two dozen images of the sedan leaked online. The images show a clear resurgence of Saab’s past design traits married to a modern, sleek profile. The countdown site reveals that though its first public outing may be reserved for Frankfurt, it will be officially unveiled in just under 7 days. The model will be shown by Saab Design Chief Simon Padian.

Underneath the new sheet metal will be a heavily revised version of GM’s FWD Epsilon II platform, which is also shared by Opel for its new Insignia range. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s wheelbase will stretch 9.3 feet, which is up 5.5 inches on the current model, and the overall length will stretch just over 16 feet.

Engine options will include a range of four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units including a biofuel model. There will also likely by an AWD flagship model with a turbocharged petrol V-6 displacing 3.6-liters and developing upwards of 350 horsepower. Other engines will include a 210-horsepower 2.0-liter unit and mid-level 2.8-liter V-6. A petrol-electric hybrid model is also expected.

Saab’s sale by GM to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg was announced early this week, and it seems the transfer has done nothing to dampen the company’s plans for the future.

The new 9-5 will be built at Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start in the middle of the year. Head over to Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport to see more than 20 shots in all their high-res glory.

Source:motorauthority.com

Audi RS5 Spy Shots: Testing in the Alps

When Audi released the RS4 back in 2005, few expected it to be a true competitor to BMW’s benchmark M3 coupe but with the benefit of quattro AWD, a high-revving V-8, and better weight distribution, the performance sedan managed to upset many, if not all, of its rivals. A replacement for the RS4 is still several years away as RS variants are usually only released in the final couple of years of a standard model’s product cycle, but to fill the gap a brand new RS5 model is on its way, spied here testing in the alps.

These latest spy photos show the RS5 being put through its paces ahead of a planned launch at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show. Some of the clearest photos yet, these images include every angle of the car. Previous shots also revealed Audi has been testing the car in California’s Death Valley, which means a U.S. launch is highly likely, though the torturous environment also makes for a good test of the car’s mechanical and cooling capabilities.

With the release of the new generation BMW M3 Coupe and Sedan and the Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi will once again be playing catch-up but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve to ensure it will be the class-leader once again.

One potential powertrain option is the same 4.2-liter V-8 as the RS4, however, power will likely be boosted to 450 horsepower. The car will also likely get the option of Audi’s newly upgraded S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox along with a conventional manual ‘box too. Other sources claim it may use a derivative of the V10 from the RS6, however, this is likely to be too expensive for a car that will have to compete in price with its aforementioned rivals.

SOURCE:motorauthority.com