Teased: BMW i8 official images leak ahead of Frankfurt [w/video]

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Design/Style, Electric, Luxury

BMW i8 Profile Shot

The new BMW i8 plug-in electric supercar isn’t set to make its official debut until September 10, when it will glide onto the Frankfurt Motor Show stage amidst a sea of flash photography. Of course, that isn’t so true in today’s world, where debuts are always preceded (often carefully) by “leaks.”

Take this trio of images of the BMW i8 – there’s just enough of the exterior on display in the profile shot to draw attention, without showing important styling points that might be present on the front or back of the car. The same goes for the video attached below. The cabin shot is cool, but isn’t particularly earth-shattering when it comes to BMW interiors. As for the skeletal shot, we can see the 1.5-liter, turbocharged engine positioned between the rear axles, the battery pack found in what would be the transmission tunnel and the front-mounted electric motors.

We’ll have a full set of live images when the BMW i8 makes its debut in Frankfurt next week. Until then, have a look in the gallery and at the video below, and let us know what you think of BMW’s next big thing.

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BMW i8 official images leak ahead of Frankfurt [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teased: BMW i8 official images leak ahead of Frankfurt [w/video]

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Design/Style, Electric, Luxury

BMW i8 Profile Shot

The new BMW i8 plug-in electric supercar isn’t set to make its official debut until September 10, when it will glide onto the Frankfurt Motor Show stage amidst a sea of flash photography. Of course, that isn’t so true in today’s world, where debuts are always preceded (often carefully) by “leaks.”

Take this trio of images of the BMW i8 – there’s just enough of the exterior on display in the profile shot to draw attention, without showing important styling points that might be present on the front or back of the car. The same goes for the video attached below. The cabin shot is cool, but isn’t particularly earth-shattering when it comes to BMW interiors. As for the skeletal shot, we can see the 1.5-liter, turbocharged engine positioned between the rear axles, the battery pack found in what would be the transmission tunnel and the front-mounted electric motors.

We’ll have a full set of live images when the BMW i8 makes its debut in Frankfurt next week. Until then, have a look in the gallery and at the video below, and let us know what you think of BMW’s next big thing.

Continue reading BMW i8 official images leak ahead of Frankfurt [w/video]

BMW i8 official images leak ahead of Frankfurt [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Sep 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe images leak out

Filed under: Coupe, BMW, Luxury

2014 BMW 4 Series

Because embargoes were apparently made to be broken, images of the 2014 BMW 4 Series coupe have leaked onto the Internet ahead of the car’s official debut thanks to Car Design News’ Facebook page. As you’ll recall, the 4 Series is the replacement for the outgoing 3 Series coupe, its nomenclature falling in line with the rest of BMW’s lineup, where coupes and convertibles will be set apart from their sedan counterparts by one number.

As we can see in the photos, the 4 Series takes a lot of its design cues from the 3 Series on which it is based, but there’s a lot more in the way of attractive body sculpting, and this production model stays true to the original 4 Series Coupe Concept that we saw at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

We don’t have official details to divulge just yet, but we can discern from the photos that the range-topping coupe will be the 435i model, likely powered by BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six from the 335i. There will no doubt be a 428i model with a 2.0-liter turbo-four underhood, and we expect BMW to offer its xDrive all-wheel-drive system on both models. Much like the 3 Series, a variety of trim levels will be on offer, including a top-spec M Sport trim that you can see painted in Estoril Blue here.

Stay tuned for the official 4 Series details later today, but for now, have a glance through our gallery of leaked photos, above.

2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe images leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

2012 Honda Civic

2012 Honda Civic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is recalling 1,156 of its recently introduced 2012 Civic sedans and coupes over faulty O-rings that could result in a fuel leak. In the affected cars, a misaligned O-ring that seals a connection in the fuel feed line could result in fuel leaking from the engine.

If any sort of ignition source is present, a fuel leak could obviously result in something quite tragic.

To remedy this problem, Honda dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of the month; follow the jump for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official statement.

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2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Spoiler Alert! The French leak key chase scene from Fast Five

Filed under: Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Celebrities

fast five dodge chargers

Dodge Chargers get furious in Fast Five – Click above to watch video after the jump

Fast Five, the fifth installment in The Fast and the Furious franchise, hits theaters Friday, April 29th. Since we live in the age of instant gratification, you’re able to hunt down some of the key scenes and check out the furious action before you decide to plunk down your hard-earned bucks for a ticket. In order to facilitate the decision making process, a key chase scene has made its way to YouTube courtesy of the French arm of Universal Pictures.

We’ll let you decided whether or not you want to watch the clip posted after the jump. However, we will tell you that Dom (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) use a pair of pumped-up Dodge Chargers in a… unique capacity. The tow-rating on a 5.7-liter-equipped Charger is 2,000-pounds max, and even if you double that figure we’re pretty sure the director is employing a healthy scoop of automotive movie magic to shoot this scene. We’ll save the real sleuthing for a future episode of Mythbusters.

Click past the jump to watch three minutes and 44 seconds of Fast Five. It goes without saying that there are massive spoilers here, right? The audio is in French, but you shouldn’t have too much trouble figuring out what’s going on.

Gallery: Fast Five

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Spoiler Alert! The French leak key chase scene from Fast Five

Video: Spoiler Alert! The French leak key chase scene from Fast Five originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible photos leak out

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is set to debut the 2012 200 Convertible at the New York Auto Show in March, but through the magic of the Interwebs, the first crop of official images has already leaked out. The new 200 sedan isn’t a bad-looking car, and while the convertible’s design isn’t the most attractive creation (that rear end still looks plenty awkward), it’s certainly better than the outgoing Sebring.

Aside from the deletion of a fixed roof, expect the Chrysler 200 Convertible to be largely the same as its sedan counterpart, with interior refinement and engine choices all being carried over. This means that both the 2.4-liter inline-four and 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 should be underhood, and the end result is a cabriolet that, while better than the model it replaces, certainly won’t take your breath away.

Gallery: 2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible Leaked Photos

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible

[Source: Autoblog.it]

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible photos leak out originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: New details on next Mercedes B-Class leak out… is it U.S. bound?

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz B-Class – Click above for high-res image gallery

A few details have surfaced surrounding the upcoming new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. According to Autocar, the Silver Arrow is cooking up something special for the hatchback’s platform. In addition to being able to build the tall-roof B-Class on the new bones, the MFA structure will also serve as host for a sleeker Audi A3-style creation. Sharing chassis points between models is nothing new, but Autocar sites Jorg Prigl, the head of development for the A-Class, B-Class and Smart, as saying that it’s the architecture’s versatility that makes it noteworthy. In addition to being built to house a number of internal-combustion powerplants, Prigl says that the MFA platform is also made to accommodate any number of alternative power solutions.

That includes space for a battery pack, a fuel cell, hydrogen or compressed natural gas tanks. From the sounds of things, Mercedes-Benz is planning to make the new B-Class as light on its feet as possible when it comes to alternative energy drivetrains.

Autocar says that the platform is so unique that Mercedes-Benz is seeking to patent the design. That patent may be unveiled as soon as late January of 2011. Sadly, there is no additional word on whether the B-Class will make it to U.S. dealers, but last we heard, the model will make it to our market along with a companion crossover.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: New details on next Mercedes B-Class leak out… is it U.S. bound? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First images of Audi e-tron Spyder leak out?

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Electric, Luxury

Audi e-Tron Spyder sketch – Click above for image gallery

We aren’t sure of the provenance and we have no information beyond the images, but these could be the first sketches of the oft-rumored Audi e-Tron Spyder that’s supposedly set to debut at the Paris Motor Show. As you’d expect, this convertible creature appears to be based on the design of the e-Tron Concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show this year, not the original concept shown in Frankfurt. Still, no word on the powerplant involved, but if it is headed for production expect a run of 1,000 units in 2012. Hit the gallery for a few more images.

Gallery: Audi e-Tron Spyder sketches

[Source: Caradisiac (translated)]

First images of Audi e-tron Spyder leak out? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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