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Motor Authority - blog Tag: Prototype

  • Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS

    Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS October 30th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 30th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS

    The Mercedes-Benz CLS ignited the four-door coupe market when it was first introduced back in 2004, and since then we’ve seen several other luxury rivals attempt to emulate the design with cars like the 2010 Porsche Panamera, recently revealed 2010 Aston Martin Rapide and upcoming Audi A7.

    Now, prototypes for Mercedes’ next-generation CLS has been spotted, revealing a few subtle clues about the new model. The new car is expected to be launched in late 2010 as a 2011 model and positioned more upmarket to bring it in line with some of its more premium rivals. This will also allow Mercedes-Benz to introduce a second four-door coupe...

    The Mercedes-Benz CLS ignited the four-door coupe market when it was first introduced back in 2004, and since then we’ve seen several other luxury rivals attempt to emulate the design with cars like the 2010 Porsche Panamera, recently revealed 2010 Aston Martin Rapide and upcoming Audi A7. Now, prototypes for Mercedes’ next-generation CLS has been spotted, revealing a few subtle clues about the new model. The new car is expected to be launched in late 2010 as a 2011 model and positioned more upmarket to bring it in line with some of its more premium rivals. This will also allow Mercedes-Benz to introduce a second four-door coupe model, rumored to be based on its next-generation small car platform. The new design will feature a wider track, as indicated by the extended wheel arches seen on previous test mules, and according to insiders its platform is borrowed from the current S-Class sedan flagship. New to the CLS will be a hybrid option based on the same powertrain as the one used in the recently revealed S400 BlueHybrid. Other engine options will include both V-6 and V-8 powerplants, and there will be a high-performance AMG model, which you can see spy shots of by clicking here. Also rumoured to be in the works is a new ‘shooting brake’ variant, which you can read about by clicking here. Read More

  • Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

    Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche 911 Cabriolet October 5th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 5th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

    The current 997 Porsche 911 is still being updated for its mid-cycle refresh, with the standard Carrera, Carrera 4, Targa, GT3 and Turbo all receiving the update for the 2010 model year. Still in the works is the new 2010 Porsche GT2, though it too is drawing near to its expected unveiling.

    Last year a 911 test mule was spotted in Germany by our spy photographers, confirming that Porsche engineers are already well underway testing the next-generation 998 model, and soon after that Porsche's chief of research and development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, revealed some details of what to expect for the new car.

    Now we have images of the 998 911...

    The current 997 Porsche 911 is still being updated for its mid-cycle refresh, with the standard Carrera, Carrera 4, Targa, GT3 and Turbo all receiving the update for the 2010 model year. Still in the works is the new 2010 Porsche GT2, though it too is drawing near to its expected unveiling. Last year a 911 test mule was spotted in Germany by our spy photographers, confirming that Porsche engineers are already well underway testing the next-generation 998 model, and soon after that Porsche's chief of research and development, Wolfgang Dürheimer, revealed some details of what to expect for the new car. Now we have images of the 998 911 Carrera Cabriolet, which is expected to be launched in late 2011 or early 2012. Speaking of the new car, Dürheimer said, "'it will be even more competent, even sexier, even more unique. The design can of course only be evolutionary, but beneath the skin, almost anything is possible". The 2012 Porsche 911, known internally as 'project 991', will feature a few radical departures from the 911's long-running classical styling. The changes are out of necessity more than anything, but they will be noticeable. First, pedestrian protection rules in the EU will require a change to the nose section of the car, likely meaning a larger and more collapsible bumper section. The rear of the car will also be changed, but for aerodynamic improvement. Clear differences between the 998 and the current 997 model are the more upright headlights, a slightly longer body, and the side mirrors now positioned at the side of the doors and not at the window. Other new features for the car will include heavy use of lightweight carbon-fiber materials and active aerodynamics--surfaces that react to what the car is doing, and how fast it's doing it. Expect adjustable front and rear spoilers plus dynamically opening and closing air intakes. It’s still too early to determine what changes Porsche has in store for the engine lineup, but expect to see the familiar flat-six engine range carry over with only minimal updates--possibly for emissions and economy standards. The new PDK dual-clutch gearbox will also carry over as will a standard six-speed manual. Rumors of a possible four-cylinder addition to the 911 lineup, effectively bringing back the 912, and the revival of the 914 are shaking things up. However, at this point nearly anything seems possible. Read More

  • Spy shots: Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed hits the ‘Ring

    Spy shots: Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed hits the ‘Ring July 1st, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, July 1st, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 2 Comments

    Spy shots: Modified Gumpert Apollo Speed hits the ‘Ring German sports car manufacturer Gumpert unveiled a faster version of its Apollo supercar back at March’s Geneva Motor Show named the Apollo Speed. Building on previous versions like the Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, the new Speed had been further engineered to tackle high speed runs.

    Setting apart the Speed from previous Apollo models are bigger wheel arches, a new front splitter and revised air intakes. However, development of the car is far from complete as evidenced by this prototype version spotted testing at the Nurburgring in Germany. The car unveiled at Geneva was only a display model. Production versions come with a special... German sports car manufacturer Gumpert unveiled a faster version of its Apollo supercar back at March’s Geneva Motor Show named the Apollo Speed. Building on previous versions like the Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, the new Speed had been further engineered to tackle high speed runs. Setting apart the Speed from previous Apollo models are bigger wheel arches, a new front splitter and revised air intakes. However, development of the car is far from complete as evidenced by this prototype version spotted testing at the Nurburgring in Germany. The car unveiled at Geneva was only a display model. Production versions come with a special two-tone paint scheme, an adjustable rear spoiler and unique tail lamps. This particular prototype is wearing an oversized fixed wing and a new intake system attached to its roof. Special testing equipment taped onto the vehicle’s body suggest that Gumpert’s engineers are in fact still finetuning the car or possibly working on an updated model. As for the standard Apollo Speed, new features include a carbon-fiber and aluminum sandwich underbody, as well as fixed wheel caps at the front and rotating rears – a similar set-up to that used in F1. Other specs include adjustable dampers, 19in aluminum wheels, and 378mm ventilated brake discs with six-piston calipers. Power comes from an Audi-sourced twin-turbo 4.2L V8 developing up to 800hp (597kW) and 664lb-ft (900Nm) of torque in the range topping model. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox, and according to Gumpert the new Speed will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, pass 200km/h in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 360km/h.Photo Gallery no. 1Modified Gumpert Apollo speed spy shots Read More

  • Video: Red Bull Racing shows off F1 prototyping, construction techniques

    Video: Red Bull Racing shows off F1 prototyping, construction techniques June 24th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, June 24th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 0 Comments

    Video: Red Bull Racing shows off F1 prototyping, construction techniques It's not every day that you see a complete, three-dimensional F1 prototype part emerging from a milky polymer soup on its way to the wind tunnel, but today is one of those days. In addition to the prototyping process, a new video released by Red Bull Racing shows off how the testing and construction of the RB5 was done.

    From the carbon-fiber autoclave to the stereo lithograph, the wind tunnel to the chassis dyno, RBR gives us an unprecedented look behind the scenes at what goes on in the design, construction, and testing process of an F1 car.

    To see for yourself what goes into F1 racing, check out the video below.Red Bull Racing RB5Video:... It's not every day that you see a complete, three-dimensional F1 prototype part emerging from a milky polymer soup on its way to the wind tunnel, but today is one of those days. In addition to the prototyping process, a new video released by Red Bull Racing shows off how the testing and construction of the RB5 was done. From the carbon-fiber autoclave to the stereo lithograph, the wind tunnel to the chassis dyno, RBR gives us an unprecedented look behind the scenes at what goes on in the design, construction, and testing process of an F1 car. To see for yourself what goes into F1 racing, check out the video below.Red Bull Racing RB5Video: Red Bull Racing shows off F1 prototyping, construction techniques Read More

  • Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator

    Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator May 6th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator The Internet is awash with electric vehicle demonstration vehicles, but few have as much oddball spark as the new Kangoo be bop ZE. Based around the standard be bop, but with zero emissions (hence the ZE) capabilities, the car is to be used as a test vehicle to show off what its EV platform can do.

    Looking a lot like it shares some of its internals with the recently revealed Nissan EV-02 prototype - Renault and Nissan are joined at the corporate hip, after all - the Kangoo be bop ZE features some fairly impressive stats.

    Its range of 100km (62mi) from a lithium-ion battery back and 60hp (44kW) power output mean it will be limited to... The Internet is awash with electric vehicle demonstration vehicles, but few have as much oddball spark as the new Kangoo be bop ZE. Based around the standard be bop, but with zero emissions (hence the ZE) capabilities, the car is to be used as a test vehicle to show off what its EV platform can do. Looking a lot like it shares some of its internals with the recently revealed Nissan EV-02 prototype - Renault and Nissan are joined at the corporate hip, after all - the Kangoo be bop ZE features some fairly impressive stats. Its range of 100km (62mi) from a lithium-ion battery back and 60hp (44kW) power output mean it will be limited to test-drives in the city, but that's where EVs are meant to shine anyway - cutting street-level pollution and noise, reducing petroleum dependence for 90% of travel needs and making the business of daily life just a little bit cheaper. Part of the car's efficiency can be laid at the feet of its aerodynamics. Smoother out, sealed up and lowered by 20mm, the ZE offers a much smaller profile to the wind. As a hint at the ZE's underlying system being geared up for production, much of Renault's press release discusses the durability and robustness of the powertrain, especially the battery. Built as part of the Nissan-NEC joint venture, the lithium-ion battery pack is designed to deliver 80-100% of original capacity for at least six years. That's not exactly a lifetime-of-the-car duration, but it's a significant chunk of time before replacement will be necessary. Once the production Renault EVs come along in 18 months time, the company hopes to up the 15kWh and 62mi range of the ZE's battery pack up to 100mi (160km) - an increase of about 66%, meaning the production car will likely feature a 25kWh battery as well. When it does come time to replace those batteries, Renault is looking to the future by making its batteries recyclable, further building the car's green credentials. To check out what Nissan's side of things look like, read up on the EV-02 prototype here.Renault Kangoo be bop ZE Read More

  • Spy shots: Next-gen Mercedes Benz CLS interior revealed

    Spy shots: Next-gen Mercedes Benz CLS interior revealed May 3rd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, May 3rd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 15 Comments

    Spy shots: Next-gen Mercedes Benz CLS interior revealed The Mercedes Benz CLS ignited the four-door coupe market when it was first introduced back in 2004, and since then we’ve seen several other luxury rivals attempt to emulate the design with cars like the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and Aston Martin Rapide all under development.

    Now, prototypes for Mercedes’ next-generation CLS has been spotted, revealing a few subtle clues about the new model (previously we saw a test-mule disguised under the sheet metal of the current model) including shots of its interior. The new car is expected to be launched in late 2010 as a 2011 model, and positioned more upmarket to bring it in line with... The Mercedes Benz CLS ignited the four-door coupe market when it was first introduced back in 2004, and since then we’ve seen several other luxury rivals attempt to emulate the design with cars like the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and Aston Martin Rapide all under development. Now, prototypes for Mercedes’ next-generation CLS has been spotted, revealing a few subtle clues about the new model (previously we saw a test-mule disguised under the sheet metal of the current model) including shots of its interior. The new car is expected to be launched in late 2010 as a 2011 model, and positioned more upmarket to bring it in line with some of its more premium rivals. This will also allow Mercedes to introduce a second four-door coupe model, rumored to be based on its next-generation small car platform. The car will feature a wider track, as indicated by the extended wheel arches seen on the previous test mule, and according to insiders its platform will be borrowed from the current S-Class sedan flagship. New to the CLS will be a hybrid option based on the same powertrain as the one used in the recently revealed S400 BlueHybrid. Other engine options will include both V6 and V8 powerplants, and there will invariably be a high-performance AMG model. Meanwhile, the styling of the car is expected to be similar to the current model although it will be bigger overall and feature some sharper lines, especially around the front end. Mercedes may even launch a 'Shooting Brake' variant as well. A Shooting Brake is essentially a two-door wagon, and Mercedes designers hinted at the possibility of a modern version with the unveiling of the ConceptFASCINATION study at the Paris Motor Show. While the ConceptFASCINATION was based around the design of the new E-Class Coupe, which is expected to spawn a Shooting Brake model of its own, our inside source suggests that a new CLS version will be offered as well.2011 Mercedes CLS spy shots2011 Mercedes Benz CLS Shooting Brake preview2011 Mercedes Benz CLS interior spy shots Read More

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