Tag: prototype

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BMW

BMW M5 prototype sounds a bit better now

BMW M5 prototype

Back in September we brought you video of the latest BMW M5 test mule undergoing testing at the Nürburgring. Aside from the fact it’s always good to see a new M5 on the way the sound from the car in last month’s video was, well, quite disappointing, really. Never mind, though, as this new clip from Car magazine shows that BMW has started to put things right. The twin turbo 4.4 litre V8 is sounding much nicer now!

Reportedly, the M5’s V8 will be good for 578hp, a slight 22hp increase on the 555hp found in the X5 M’s 4.4 litre heart of gold.

It’s understood we’ll see an M5 concept at Geneva next March, with the production ready model on show at Frankfurt in September 2011.

[Source: Car via BimmerFile]

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Categories
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Jota prototype spied at Nürburgring

Lamborghini Jota prototype

Lamborghini has been teasing us lately with some rather esoteric photographs that don’t really say anything. It’s a good thing, then, that Pistonspy was on the ball to capture some images of the new Lamborghini Jota.

It’s understood the Jota will be the new Murcielago replacement and that will be powered by a 7.0 litre V12 spreading the hypercar word to the tune of 700hp (520kW). Lamborghini recently published a statement that reads in part, “The key factor in terms of better handling and acceleration, meaning more immediate pleasure in driving, is the power-to-weight ratio.”

That means this new Jota thingy should really get down and boogie thanks to a lighter shell. With any luck we’ll be seeing some fancy new pics in the very near future. There’s heaps of pics at Pistonspy, too, so make sure you take a closer look.

[Pics: Pistonspy]

Categories
Audi

Is Audi making an RS version of the R8?

Audi R8 GT RS?

This Audi R8 was recently photographed at a service station near the Nürburgring in Germany. It’s a bit of an odd one. Are those red markings on the body work part disguise, or part bad taste? Is that lower front splitter an aftermarket add-on, or a work in progress? Are they really new exhaust exits up high, coming straight from the engine bay? Speaking of which, could there be an even more powerful V10 underneath that plastic engine cover?

But, a bigger question remains; is there really scope for yet another, driver focused, iteration of the R8 given Audi has already give us the R8 GT? Maybe this could be a rear-wheel drive only beast to take it up to the Porsche GT2 RS.

So, we have a lot of questions about this car, let’s hope Audi has some answers for us soon.

[Source: Auto Express | Pics: autoscoop.biz]

UPDATE: Word on the tweet says this car may simply be an MTM development prototype, rather than Audi being up to any new tricks. I thought there were too many unanswered questions on this one.

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Categories
Audi

A closer look at the Audi RS3 prototype

Audi RS3 prototype

Dutch website Autoliefhebber brings us some new and close up pics of the now familiar Audi RS3 test mule. We last saw pics of this prototype (note registration HN TT 342) back in June, with some video not long after. While there’s still nothing officially official coming from Audi we can learn a couple of things from these pics.

Inside you can make out a TT RS style flat bottom steering wheel. They’re quite a bit chunkier than the standard tiller found in the S3 Sportback on which the prototype is based. You will also note large cross drilled brake rotors up front. A better view of the front spoiler has also been captured showing a bit more definition than previous spy shots.

From these pics it’s not possible to see if the car is fitted with an S tronic or manual transmission. However, the TT RS is only available with a 6 speed manual box, so it may safe to assume the RS3 will come with any transmission you like so long as its manual.

Other interesting tidbits to note are the test mule is actually white underneath what appears to be a black vinyl wrap. You will also note the fitment of a roll cage and full on racing buckets from Recaro. Of course, there’s the data capturing hardware on the wheels as well.

[Source: Autoliefhebber]

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Categories
BMW

A closer look at the 1 Series M Coupé

BMW 1 Series M Coupe soyshot

BMW were kind enough to give us an official tease of the 1 Series M Coupé on Friday. However, aside from the name, they’ve not given much else away, especially in the case of the car’s specification or equipment. That means we need to take a closer look at the pics available and start the guessing game.

Above you can see an interior shot of the car (or one of the cars) used in Friday’s tease. Keep in mind this is clearly a prototype and details are likely to change. The first things you can see are the steering wheel and front seats from the M3. On the dash are two-tone dials which might not make final production, but you can just make out an indicated redline of 7000rpm. Does that really tell us anything? Probably not, but it does match the current redline of the 135i.

Which brings us to the engine that will power the 1M. At initial launch the 135i was powered by the N54 twin-turbo 3-litre six, producing claimed figures of 225kW (300bhp) and 400Nm. It has since been replaced by the N55 single turbo 3-litre six, with twin scroll technology. Rated power and torque figures remained unchanged from the N54.

There seems to be some debate as to which engine the 1M will feature. For what its worth, the US spec 335is uses a tweaked N54 producing 243kW (320bhp)/502Nm. German publication Autobild is estimating the power of the 1M will be 340PS (250kW). Hmm, sounds suspiciously like the engine specs of the Z4 sDrive35is. Would BMW really adorn the M badge to an engine already found in a non-M model?

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Categories
BMW

BMW ‘M1’ spotted during Nürburgring testing

BMW 'M1' spy shot

Another possible ‘M1’ prototype has been spotted in testing, this time at the Nürburgring. Devlopment of the widebody 1 Series seems well underway and this sighting follows last week’s ‘M1’ appearance.

The prototype captured in the images here were taken during an industry testing session at the Ring, so we can be fairly certain this is a BMW test mule, and not some crazy guy who has stuck a few bits of plastic on his car to be cool.

The fact the widebody kit only appears on the rear of the car tends to indicate BMW’s M engineers are developing the rear axle components, which are expected to be sourced from the current M3.

Apparently the test driver was pushing pretty hard and with thanks to Bridge to Gantry you can see another pic and brief video after the break.

[Source: Bridge to Gantry]

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