Spyshots: 2014 Porsche Panamera Winter Testing, Sports New Lights

The refreshed or facelifted Porsche Panamera is undergoing its second session of winter testing in Northern Europe. Last year, we were reporting that the changes made to this car would not be that significant, but these latest prototypes are much different.

It appears that Porsche might have reconsidered their original plans and are now going to introduce sweeping changes to the Panamera. We've heard similar rumours about Macan compact SUV, which is supposedly going to be redesigned to be as funky as its main rival, the Evoque.

These photos our spy photographers have managed to capture show the Panamera now sports a new set of taillights, which are all-LED and designed much the same way as those on a Cayman.

At the front, heavy camouflage is masking our view, but we know an LED bar will be used for the daytime runners, a much needed update.

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Spyshots: New 2014 BMW M3 Snow Fun

Earlier today, we showed you some allegedly leaked images of the upcoming 2014 BMW M3 and now we're back on the topic to offer you a fresh set of spyshots.

While the aforementioned images only revealed the front of the car, the adjacent spy photos offer us a complete view of the M3, which is still wearing some camo.

The 2014 M3 will follow the trend seen in many performance car segments nowadays: it won't up the ante on the power front too much, but it will lose some serious weight.

The vehicle is targeting the weight of the E46 M3 from two generations ago - 1470 kg (3240.8 lbs) for the coupe. This will improve performance in all areas, as well as increase fuel efficiency. The diet will include the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body parts on a larger scale than before.

Boosting fuel economy is also the reason for which the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8 unit of the current generation will have to go. This will be replaced with a turbocharged unit, which is expected to be a 3.3-liter six-cylinder delivering about 450 hp.

The test vehicle captured here uses the BMW M performance brakes (blue calipers), but you'll be able to order to production version with the new BMW M Carbon Ceramic brakes. The ceramics, which were introduced at the Detroit Motor Show on the M6 Gran Coupe, come with golden calipers.

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Spyshots: Porsche 918 Spyder Winter Testing

A few million in the bank and nothing to do with them? Forget about buying your wife that expensive diamond necklace that a queen wore, she's just going to get bored with it. What you need is a Porsche 918 Spyder.

At least, that's what we think the mentality of the person who buys one of these is like. And we say that because we really can't imagine anybody wanting to pay $845,000 not including tax for a Porsche. Not a Ferrari Enzo, or a Zonda.

But if there ever was a technological showcase that's worth that sort of money, it would have to be this one. It's an advanced hybrid supercar that offers a high-strung 4.6-liter mid-mounted V8 with 570 PS and a pair of electric motors that do their part towards a combined output of 800 PS or so.

The drivetrain is so advanced that it can sip fuel at the rate of supermini or blitz the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes 14 seconds.

This is the first time it's been spotted undergoing winter testing in chilly Scandinavia. However, the 918 has toured the world, filling at gas stations from the Nurburgring to Nevada.

News Source: autoevolution

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Spyshots: Porsche 918 Spyder Captured Winter Testing

The buildup to the final official launch of the Porsche 918 Spyder has been one of the most drawn out affairs in recent memory and although the long wait may be upsetting for many in the automotive press let alone those who have previewed the car, it does help to highlight just how precise Porsche has been throughout its development as they will not finish road testing the supercar until they inevitably feel it’s the world’s best supercar.

To highlight this point, the Porsche 918 Spyder was recently captured by spy photographers undergoing sub-zero winter testing to help fine tune the car’s charging systems.

With the launch of the car pinned for the 2013 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Porsche is up to the final stages in developing the 918 with pictures recently being leaked of the production ready version.

Deliveries are then expected to begin in early 2014, with the car going for 625,400 euros and then 683,600 euros for the lightweight Weissach model.

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[Spyshots] Production Version of the Volkwsagen XL1 Spotted Snow Drifting

The XL1, arguably one of the most interesting concepts to come from the VW group in a very long time, is set to debut later this year. For those who may not know it, the XL1 is a two-seater car, designed to be as efficient as possible, while using 'conventional' hybrid technology.

It will be powered by a two-pot turbo diesel engine, which will make around 50 hp, and it will be boosted by a 30 hp electric motor. The combined output of both engines is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The car is expected to be highly efficient, and if VW prices it correctly, it will make a lot of sense for people who don`t need any more than two seats, and those who want to get from A to B as efficiently as possible.

The car's interior will be simple in its design, and will stay true to that of the original concept version of the XL1. Also, looking at the photos, you will have noticed that the rear wheels are set too far inward, so it is expected that they will be completely covered in the final version, to further boost the car's excellent drag coefficient.

The production version of the car was recently spotted doing some cold weather testing, at -30 degrees Celsius, and the driver seemed to be enjoying himself, drifting the little rear-wheel driven VW around in the snow, and having to apply quite a bit of lock.

News Source: autoevolution

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Spyshots: 2014 Porsche Macan Winter Testing

While all Germans are created equal, some are more equal than others. Porsche took the platform from the Audi Q5, as well as the V6 engines, and transformed them into something much better.

Following the trend for small crossovers, the maker of the 911 is finally launching a model that’s smaller and probably cheaper than the Cayenne. The idea is to create a car that’s to its big brother what the Cayman is to the 911.

Powering the Macan will be a new 4-cylinder 2-liter TSI producing 220 hp, just like a Golf GTI, as well as TDI and TSI V6 engines. The most powerful model will be the 380-or-so hp Macan Turbo, with a bi-turbo 3-liter under its bonnet.

The Macan will be unveiled later this year and should enter production soon after that, so this is Porsche’s last chance to see if it stands up to the toughest winter conditions Europe can offer, in Scandinavia.

News Source: autoevolution

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Spyshots: 2014 BMW X7 Spotted Testing in California

BimmerBoost has posted images of what they believe to be the long-rumored 2014 BMW X7. Rivals like Mercedes-Benz and Audi both have been very successful in the large SUV market, especially in the United States. It would only make sense financially for BMW to at least make an attempt to enter and compete in the large SUV market.

The X7 is reported to be a main rival to the widely popular 7-seat variant of the Mercedes-Benz GL SUV range. The photos were snapped in the California mountains, where the car was testing. No surprise really, as California remains one of the regions of the United States with the highest year-to-year SUV sales.

The car looks markedly larger than the recently spotted next generation BMW X5, with the test driver reportedly stating the car “is a 2014 X7.” While little additional information is known beyond the realm of pure speculation, the pictures appear to show a non-M variant X7 prototype, which fits logically with BMW’s historical release schedule. No word on if a X5M-style variant will be offered.

Check out the pics and full story on BimmerBoost. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

News source:  BimmerBoost

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