Tag Archives: spy shots
3 Things We Learned From The 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4 Spy Shots
We saw the concept for the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4 back during the Geneva auto show in March, and to say we’re excited is quite an understatement. Last week, spy shots and video of its prototype showed that the standalone sedan is already in the late stage of development.
The production version will closely resemble and will stand similar to the concept shown in March. This looks to be beneficial for people who caught up with the craze of the concept.
1. Release date
The standalone sedan, which will be called the Mercedes-AMG GT 4 based on sources, will be on sale starting 2018 as a 2019 model year. This is AMG’s third standalone model just after the GT sports car and the Project One hypercar, which should have launched by next year.
Mercedes will also be releasing a new generation of CLS, which means an internal competition among these cars.
2. Exterior
The sexy lines of the GT sports car will be slapped on the Mercedes-AMG GT 4. The difference is that the headlights will have an angular shape and the hood has been shortened in length. Since this is a sedan, the wheelbase was stretched and there are two extra doors for the rear passengers.
The massive rear spoiler, unfortunately, can’t be seen yet because of the ultra-secretive way this has been camouflaged. But based on the overall look of the car, the concept will be a good foundation to render how the rear side would look like.
The sedan will use the MRA rear-wheel-drive architecture we usually see on the latest C- and E-Class instead of stretching the GT sports car’s aluminum spaceframe architecture. But to make the rear-wheel-drive architecture compatible to the AMG, it needs to be strengthened and made more weightless.
3. Drivetrain
Mercedes will use AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine to produce 500 horsepower. Though the concept showed a hybrid system, it is highly unlikely that we’ll see this during the launch. However, a hybrid system with an output of 805 horsepower will be possibly available for a range-topping version of the sedan.
2018 Honda Insight Spy Shots Emerge
The third-generation Honda Insight is arriving, if spy photos of a test mule for the hatchback is to be believed. It looks like the Japanese automaker is finally ready to unveil its latest offering for the sedan segment.
Body of a Honda City
Honda has always managed to stay clear of criticisms when it comes to body styles and lines. The Insight is no different as it prepares to use the similar body of the Honda City, though adjustments are needed to fit the mechanicals of the Insight. Adjustments mean stretching and widening the body to make way for the wheel arches and extensions added to the hood and rear doors.
Plug-In Hybrid is Possible
Honda has yet to give details as to what will compose the 2018 Insight. What we know so far is based on the Clarity range of fuel cell, plug-in hybrid and electric cars in the midsize sedan segment that was launched just recently. The Clarity range is a hint that Insight will keep its odd shape—a hatchback—but will also dabble in offering electrified cars, or at least the possibility of a plug-in hybrid variant.
If Honda does take this route, it only means one thing—it’s ready to compete with the Toyota Prius in the electrified car segment. The Prius is offering both a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The current-generation Insight, on the other hand, only delivers a hybrid version.
Based on the 2030 Vision strategy released in June by the Japanese carmaker, two-thirds of its vehicle lineup should have some form of electrification by 2030. Primarily, the focus is on the plug-in hybrid technology, although there are also plans to produce electric and fuel cell cars. Honda is set to release a new electric car this fall.
The 2018 Honda Insight will debut later this year or early next year.
Photos
Check out Autoevolution’s spy shots of the upcoming Honda Insight in the gallery below:
Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Is It An SUV Or Something Else?
Rolls-Royce is coining a new term for a segment that falls somewhere between a crossover and an SUV. Called the High-Sided Vehicle, the Cullinan isn’t exactly an SUV, as Rolls pointed out. Instead, it’s a “lifted ride” with ample ground clearance, cabin space, and off-road capabilities.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan was spotted while being tested at the Nurburgring, but we don’t exactly know what to call it because categorizing it under the SUV segment would madden car enthusiasts all over the world. And yet, it isn’t a crossover exactly since that would seriously disappoint luxury car dealers because a Rolls isn’t one for off-road tracks.
Still, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Rolls is at least dabbling into developing a luxury SUV-like vehicle and sends it to the Nurburgring for testing. That makes sense. The HSV, as Rolls wants to call the Cullinan, can handle off-road challenges just like any other SUV. It would have a significant ground clearance as opposed to what we see on their luxury sedans, but it still wouldn’t be high enough to make it awkward for passengers to climb in it.
The Cullinan will be based on the platform used on the Phantom VIII, which many of you know uses a new aluminum spaceframe architecture that would make the luxury sedan lighter, stiffer, and somehow, more powerful.
For the powertrain, Rolls-Royce is planning to use BMW’s 6.75-liter V-12 engine in the Cullinan, though it’s quite possible the luxury automaker is also going to produce a plug-in hybrid variant in the future… just to make the Cullinan compliant to current eco-friendly standards.
The Cullinan is riding on an air suspension, much like the much awaited eight-generation Phantom. That would provide seamless driving experience for the driver and the passengers of this HSV.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is set to compete directly with the Bentley Bentayga once it pops in the scene sometime in 2018. No complete details have been revealed by Rolls so far.
4 Things To Know About The 2017 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante
The Vanquish Zagato Volante is said to be the rarest Aston Martin car ever created and there will only be 99 units of this made. This makes it as hard to come by as the coupe version that was based on a collaboration dating back to over five decades.
The Ashton Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante was spotted for the first time in July 2017 at the Nurburgring. Here are what we learned about it so far based on a report:
1. Exterior
The drop-top version of the Vanquish Zagato Volante is similar to the couple, except for the missing roof and the fact that it’s made entirely from carbon fiber. It’s the back part where the drop-top version will look different because the trunk lid has been reshaped while the tailgate has been replaced by a conventional lid.
2. Interior
Inside, the Zagato is similar to the standard Vanquish Volante. The overall design is unchanged, but the cabin now has enhanced high-end materials and special features. Some of the differences are the “Herringbone” carbon fiber on the center stack, the aniline leather and the “Z” quilt pattern stitch on the seats and door panels, the “Z” embossed on the headrests and center console, and the double contrast stitching of the upper door panels.
3. Drivetrain
The Vanquish Zagato Volante is using a naturally-aspirated 5.9-liter V-12 engine that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that remains standard. That pairing has an output of 591 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The standard Vanquish has 23 horsepower less than the Zagato Volante, which can go from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds.
4. Pricing
There’s no final word on how much the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante will cost. What we do know is that there will only be 99 units of the Zagato available, so eager hands should place a reservation immediately. Based on estimated, though, the Zagato convertible will be somewhere north of $450,000.
Top 3 Things About the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS
These spy shots of the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS are showing us how the German luxury automaker is gearing up for its next high-performance sports car. The prototype of the 718 Boxster GTS was shrouded in camouflage, though that didn’t stop us from imagining what it could look like.
1. Exterior
The standard 718 Boxster looks slightly different from the GTS version of the same model. The prototype we have seen, however, seems to be a little sportier and more aggressive than the regular 718 Boxster. Obviously, the prototype is packing a new front fascia with an A-wing design that looks very similar to the 918 Spyder hypercar. Below the front fascia, you can find a new lip spoiler.
2. Powertrain
The Boxster S and the previous Boxster GTS have the same engine, though the one fitted on the GTS is slightly more powerful. Porsche will most likely apply the same principle on the 718 Boxster GTS, which means a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine that would be placed behind the cabin instead of under the hood.
The engine will have an output of 365 to 375 horsepower, a slight upgrade from the 350 horses produced by the 718 Boxster S.
There is also an option for a top-end chassis—standard Sport Chrono and Porsche Active Suspension Management.
3. Release date
The car might be introduced sometime in 2018 with the 718 Cayman GTS. But remember, the 718 Boxster won’t be the best in the 718 range because the Boxster Spyder and Cayman GT4 are expected to make their own debuts. Both will sport the naturally aspirated flat-6 engines.
Spy Shots
Check out the spy photos of the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS in the gallery below:
5 Things To Know About The 2019 Porsche Cayenne
Spy shots of the next-generation Porsche Cayenne, which is slated to be a 2019 model, shows why the midsize truck remains to be a strong contender in this segment. Though the camouflaged Cayenne revealed few details, it’s enough to get experts excited about this high-riding crossover.
1. Appearance
Based on the spy shots of the auto featured in CarAndDriver, there are changes in the front grille, as well as the lower fog-light windows that are wider and now feature a full-length slat. The headlights have been covered, but it might be safe to assume that it will use Porsche’s four-LED cluster—the same one used in the rest of the lineup.
The rear showed that Porsche is ready to take the Cayenne to a sportier aesthetics because there might be a full-width light bar connecting the taillights. That would give this car an overall wider appearance and stance.
2. Platform
This new Cayenne is expected to be on top of Volkswagen’s MLBevo platform, the same one used by the Audi Q7 and the Bentley Bentayga. It will also be utilized on the Volkswagen Touareg and the upcoming Audi Q8 and Lamborghini Urus. The lightweight dynamics of this new platform will contribute to Cayenne’s ability to shed off at least 200 pounds.
3. Powertrain
The powertrain lineup on the all-new Panamera should give huge expectations on what can be found under the Cayenne’s hood. The turbocharged V-6 engine will most likely be the powertrain of choice for the entry-level Cayenne. The S and GTS version should be using a twin-turbo six while the Turbo model might come with the V-8. It will share Panamera’s plug-in 4 E-Hybrid powertrain too, combining a twin-turbocharged V-6 with an electric motor.
4. Competition
The Cayenne, once it is released, will go head-to-head with some of the most powerful midsize luxury crossovers in the market—the BMW X5, the BMW X6, the Range Rover Sport, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and the Maserati Levante.
5. Release and pricing
The next-generation Cayenne will probably be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show later this fall, with deliveries to begin early next year. Prices will be similar to the current generation’s tag.
3 Things To Look Forward To In The Third-Generation 2019 Acura RDX
In 2007, Acura released its first ever true crossover/SUV called the RDX. The Acura RDX came out in 2007 and got a second-generation upgrade in 2013.
When it got its eventual facelift in 2016, many fans were disappointed because of the minimal changes aesthetically. But now that Acura announced a third-generation RDX, it looks like we’re finally going to get the updates we have been craving for.
The competition is tough in this segment, and that’s why Acura has been super secretive on how the RDX will look like for this next major facelift. As for the competitors, get a load of these names: Audi Q5, the BMW X3, Land Rover Evoque, and the Mercedes GLC.
1. Exterior
The spied 2019 Acura RDX was heavily covered with a tent-like tarpaulin, so it’s hard to speculate how different this would be from the second-generation. The very secretive nature on how this was tested tells us it will be very, very different from its predecessors, and that will make Mercedes, BMW, and Audi take notice.
The photos showed that the new RDX will get the same Jewel-Eye headlights, though the unique LED strips will give a sleek-looking fascia below. The grille would probably be similar to the MDX, particularly a larger version of the diamond pentagon grille.
Acura won’t ever go extreme when it comes to the body lines department but still, expect to see a more aggressive styling than the ones on the current generation.
2. Interior
There’s going to be a revamped interior, that’s for sure, with Acura most likely going for a clean dashboard that has all the controls the driver needs—infotainment system, HVAC controls, and a few other buttons. Traditionally, Acura has been left behind in the luxurious interior department by its competitors so hopefully, it will do something radical this time around.
Some of the things we’re expecting from the new RDX are: a new center console, a redesigned shifter, an updated instrument cluster, and a new steering wheel.
3. Drivetrain
Right now, RDX packs a 3.5-liter V-6 engine for all trim levels. It produces a fair amount of power at 279 horsepower, 6,200 rpm, and 252 pound-feet of torque. For the 2019 model, Acura might have to go down to the same engine under the hood of the Honda Civic Type R—a 2.0-liter version with the same output as the V-6 engine. The only difference is that the 2.0-liter version will save more weight and be more economic.
Hyundai Santa Fe Spy Shots Surface Online
After unveiling the new Hyundai Kona, new spy shots surfaced online showing a camouflaged prototype of the upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe. Despite the heavy covering, the form of the spied vehicle seems to bear a striking resemblance with the Kona.
The shape of the Santa Fe’s nose in the images here shows that it will sport an aggressive version of the Hyundai’s cascading grille much like the Kona. The bulges in the headlights, bumpers and front lip all indicate that it is based on its smaller crossover sibling too.
The source also noticed from the frontal shots of the Santa Fe that it is carrying Recaro racing seats. But then again, the seats might only not make it in the production version of the auto.
Going to the rear, the new Santa Fe looks like it is keeping many styling elements found in its predecessor. The roofline and window panels are almost alike. There is probably an update in the taillights of the vehicle though.
The report said that the Santa Fe in the spy shots might carry a 2019 model year since we just saw an update in its current model this year. The earliest possible unveiling of the vehicle might be in the next spring or next fall.
A Look at the Present Hyundai Santa Fe
As a recap, the present refreshed model of the Santa Fe has a starting price of $30,800. The vehicle is offered in eight trims. The auto is offered in SE, Limited, SE Ultimate and Limited Ultimate versions. Each of the mentioned models come in two variants—the front wheel drive and the all-wheel drive. The current Santa Fe comes with a V6 engine with 290 hp.
New Hyundai Santa Fe Spy Shots
Check out the spy shots of the upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe model provided by Autoblog in the gallery below:
2018 Ford Mustang GT Gets 7,500 RPM
A new Ford Mustang GT is currently being tested. Spy shots of the car have surfaced a week ago giving us a preview of its external features. One of the leaked photos take us to the interior of the car, which reveal the revolutions per minute or rpm of its engine.
According to Fox News Auto, the new Mustang GT will bear a 2018 model year. The exterior upgrades include sleeker hood, revised headlamps and lower suspension.
What’s more interesting was the information revealed by the spy pictures of the car’s interior. The analog tachometer of the vehicle indicates that it is capable of generating 7,500 rpm.
Interior of the 2018 Ford Mustang GT.
Reports said the 2018 Mustang GT will get Ford’s updated 5.0-liter V8 engine. The unit is rumored to offer more power than the current one’s 435 hp. The new port, direct fuel injection and new intake system based on the Shelby GT 350’s 5.2-liter V8 are expected to bring about the boost in the output of the auto.
The new data hinted by the spy shot complements the concept of Ford for the new digital instrument cluster of the Mustang GT, which was released in January. The display of the rendering show up to 7,500 rpm while the car makes use of its Sport+ mode.
The source also claimed that the power of the Mustang GT will likely be distributed via a 10-speed automatic transmission similar to the one utilized by the F 150. Those who want the manual shifting process can opt for the re-engineered six-speed manual transmission of Ford.
The 2018 Mustang GT is will most probably hit the market by fall this year. In 2016, the Mustang was the best-selling sports car in the United States. The brand sold 105,000 units in the country. It outperformed its rival the Chevrolet Camaro by 30,000 last year.