Spy Shots: BMW X4 tunes up its crossover game in Germany

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

BMW X4 spy shots

Except for the fancy wheels and the overly expressive fascias, the production version of the BMW X4 looks like it will carry over practically untouched from what we saw in the X4 Concept several months back. With the same fastback roofline as the concept, these spy shots show that the X4 is taking shape to be a baby version of the BMW X6.

Sharing the same platform as the X3, the lower and wider X4 will be positioned slightly more upmarket – as is the case with the X5 and X6. We hear that this could mean that the X4 will ditch the X3’s base engine to give an even sportier feel right out of the gate, but word has it that an M version will being showing up down the road as well.

BMW has already revealed what it plans to show off at the Frankfurt Motor Show (i3, 4 Series Coupe, next-gen X5, refreshed 5 Series, X5 Concept eDrive plug-in hybrid and Concept Active Tourer Outdoor), so barring any surprised we definitely won’t be seeing the X4 there. At this point, with as close to production as these images would have us believe, our best guess would be that we’ll see the X4’s official unveiling happen either at LA or Detroit.

BMW X4 tunes up its crossover game in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Aug 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Spy Shots: BMW X4 tunes up its crossover game in Germany”

Video: Scion FR-S caught on its working vacation in Germany

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Scion, Subaru, Toyota

Scion FR-S spy video

Scion FR-S takes in the German countryside – Click above to watch video after the jump

We have the Scion FR-S on the brain, and it’s not going away anytime soon thanks to the onslaught of new spy photos that keep rolling in. This time, however, we’ve got video instead of still photography courtesy of our friends at FT86club.com.

It’s always great to see a car in motion, and besides, now we have an idea of what the Scion sports car’s exhaust note might sound like.

We’ve been having some fun at Autoblog HQ debating exactly what’s going on under all of that swirly camouflage. Some think we may, in fact, be looking at the Subaru version of the Toyota/Subie joint venture – that wing and those wheels say STI to us. However, others point out that the wing could easily be a shout-out to the Supras of yore. Regardless, we all like what we see and can’t wait until someone pulls the wraps off this thing. Click past the jump to see the prototype in motion.

Continue reading Scion FR-S caught on its working vacation in Germany

Scion FR-S caught on its working vacation in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Scion FR-S caught on its working vacation in Germany”

Racers from Germany and Spain announced for Pixar’s CARS 2

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games

Max Schnell in Pixar's CARS 2

Two new characters from Pixar’s CARS 2 – Click above to view all of the new characters

Pixar has released more goodies this week about its upcoming sequel, CARS 2, due to hit theaters in the U.S. on June 24. What we have for you today are the cars representing Germany and Spain in the movie’s championship race, the World Grand Prix.

First up is Max Schnell, who not only represents Deutschland, but also appears to be carrying the torch for all DTM racers in CARS 2. His last name, Schnell, is also a nice touch, being the German word for ‘fast’. He hails from Stuttgart, which is the home of both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, but we think his design is actually inspired by the Audi A4, hence him wearing the #4. He’s also won more races at the Motorheimring (Pixar-speak for Nürburgring, and also German for Motorhome-ring) than any other car in the World Torque Champion League (Pixar-speak again for World Touring Car Championship).

Miguel Camino in Pixar's CARS 2Next up, representing the country of Spain, is Miguel Camino, who hails from Pamplona. Miguel gained fame in his homeland by participating in the famous Running of the Bulldozers and competing as a toreador in the dozer ring. He now races as car #5 in the Grand Touring Sport circuit. If we had to venture a guess at who Miguel is modeled after, we’d say Spanish F1 champ Fernando Alonso. Why? The shape of his headlights suggest a Ferrari influence, and Spain’s real greatest racer drives for Ferrari in Formula One.

Finally, Pixar has also released some cool retro posters promoting the World Grand Prix in each of the four locations it’s raced. Check them out in the second gallery below, and follow the jump to watch turntable videos of Max Schnell and Miguel Camino.

Gallery: CARS 2 Characters

GremAcerShu TodorokiRaoul ÇaRouleCarla Veloso

Gallery: CARS 2 World Grand Prix retro posters

Continue reading Racers from Germany and Spain announced for Pixar’s CARS 2

Racers from Germany and Spain announced for Pixar’s CARS 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Racers from Germany and Spain announced for Pixar’s CARS 2

Spy Shots: 2013 Audi S6 undresses in Germany

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Audi, Luxury

2013 Audi S6 spy shots

2013 Audi S6 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to a hybrid version, Audi is giving its sleek new A6 the full S treatment. Our spy photographers recently snapped this completely undisguised prototype out testing in Germany, leading us to believe that the production car will likely debut in the not-too-distant future. Audi’s usual S up-do is fully evident here, with the more aggressive front fascia, side sill extension and four exhaust tips out back all signaling a more sporting sedan.

The new S6 will likely ditch the current car’s 5.2-liter V10 mill in favor of a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. Since the S6 will compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and BMW M5, expect power output to be somewhere in the 500- to 550-horsepower range.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2013 Audi S6

2013 Audi S6 spy shots2013 Audi S6 spy shots2013 Audi S6 spy shots2013 Audi S6 spy shots2013 Audi S6 spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2013 Audi S6 undresses in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Spy Shots: 2013 Audi S6 undresses in Germany”

Toyota iQ Disco makes us glad we don’t live in Germany… or the Seventies

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Hatchback, Toyota, Specialty


Toyota iQ Disco – Click above for high-res images

If you thought the recently green-lit Aston Martin Cygnet is little more than an over-glitzed version of the Toyota iQ, then you’ve got another thing coming. Well, to Germany, anyway. And it comes straight from Toyota.

It’s called the iQ Disco, and it’s here to remind us that if you like the latter, the former needn’t apply. Fortunately it’s a promotional one-off. Aside from the disco-ball mirror finish, the show car features Lambo doors, multi-spoke 18-inch alloys and a full DJ booth, complete with a set of Numark NDX 800 turntables and a two-channel mixer pumping through 1000 watts and 130 dB worth of speakers and amplifiers.

Suddenly that gilded Fiat 500 looks decidedly tasteful. The iQ Disco will be hitting the floor at a concert in Cologne and will then tour Toyota’s dealerships across Germany as a promotional tour. Makes us want to put a down-payment on an Avensis, how about you?

Gallery: Toyota iQ Disco

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota iQ Disco makes us glad we don’t live in Germany… or the Seventies originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Toyota iQ Disco makes us glad we don’t live in Germany… or the Seventies”

Anderson Germany tunes the Bentley Continental Supersports

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Bentley, Luxury

Bentley Continental Supersports by Anderson Germany – Click above for high-res image gallery

Considering that Bentley’s enormous engines would put many a freight train to shame, unveiling the Continental Supersports as the most powerful in the company’s history is saying quite a bit. But that doesn’t mean it’s lacking room for improvement. Leave it to Anderson Germany, then to find that extra bit of oomph.

The Deutsche tuning house that recently gave us the 590-horsepower tuned Balboni edition Lamborghini Gallardo has now turned its attention to the Supersports, cranking up the muscle from 621 horsepower to 685. The power boost comes courtesy of a remapped ECU, a new air filter and a variable exhaust that also has the benefit of dropping 38 pounds off the Supersport’s already-reduced curb weight.

The example you see here, decked out in matte silver with 22-inch modular alloys and a refitted interior, has also been fitted with Anderson’s new body kit. Only 300 sets will be produced, capable of fitting the standard GT, GTC and Speed models as well. After that, we don’t doubt Anderson will start work on modifying the next-gen Continental. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Bentley Continental Supersports by Anderson Germany

[Source: Anderson Germany via World Car Fans]

Anderson Germany tunes the Bentley Continental Supersports originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Anderson Germany tunes the Bentley Continental Supersports”

Ferrari California gets 515-hp infusion thanks to Anderson Germany

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Ferrari, Luxury

Anderson Germany Ferrari California

Anderson Germany Ferrari California – Click above for high-res image gallery

You have to admire the automotive scene in Germany. Despite its somewhat small geographic size, Bavaria seems to have more tuners per capita than just about any other nation in the world. We tend to count Anderson Germany among the best and brightest of that group, thanks largely to the company’s work with various Ferrari products. The tuner has just finished tidying up the details on its latest project, and the final result is plenty mouthwatering. Anderson Germany started with a base Ferrari California, decided that plenty-fast wasn’t swift enough, so it proceeded to yank a full 515 horsepower out of the 4.3-liter V8. We like these guys.

That extra 55 horsepower arrives courtesy of an ECU reflash and an all-new tri-mode stainless steel exhaust system. The pipes are built with a special valve that can be adjusted depending on how much of a menace to society you feel like at that particular moment. The company also bolted on a set of 21-inch wheels up front and 22-inch rollers out back and installed a new suspension control module that can allow the car to be lowered up to 1.3 inches. Anderson Germany isn’t saying how much it would cost to convert a standard California into the beast you see above, but we’re guessing it’s not cheap. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Anderson Germany Ferrari California

[Source: Anderson Germany]

Continue reading Ferrari California gets 515-hp infusion thanks to Anderson Germany

Ferrari California gets 515-hp infusion thanks to Anderson Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ferrari California gets 515-hp infusion thanks to Anderson Germany”