Tag: valley

Video: BMW shows off Death Valley testing, 2012 3 Series on display?

Filed under: Videos, BMW

bmw testing vehicles in death valley

BMW tests its vehicles in the heat of Death Valley – Click above to watch video after the jump

BMW runs its vehicles through some extreme environments, and it’s all in the name of research. One of its (and nearly every other automaker’s) favorite stomping grounds is, quite literally, a hot spot. Death Valley, California is one of the hottest places on the planet, and the German automaker comes here to subject its vehicles to temperatures that can exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

This year, the BMW team has decided to capture their efforts on video. In the process, it seems they’ve also beat U.S.-based spy photographers to the punch by showing glimpses of what appears to be a 2012 3 Series wearing blacked-out camouflage. Click past the jump to see BMW’s newest development cars out testing in the scorching heat.

[Source: YouTube via BMW Blog]

Continue reading Video: BMW shows off Death Valley testing, 2012 3 Series on display?

Video: BMW shows off Death Valley testing, 2012 3 Series on display? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Subaru testing its version of FT-86 “Toyobaru” coupe in the Death Valley heat

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Subaru

Subaru FT-86 RWD coupe spy shots

Subaru FT-86 RWD coupe spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve read many reports lately having to do with Toyota’s FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe, but we mustn’t forget that Subaru will be getting its own version of this new two-door – it is a joint venture, after all. Our spies have captured this obviously Subaru-bodied mule out testing in Death Valley, showing that things are still on track for the “Toyobaru” to come to market in the near future.

Details are still very slim on what Subaru’s version of the FT-86 will offer, and contrary to the brand’s image, the new coupe may not be available with all-wheel drive. If that’s the case, Subaru will have to offer a lot more in the way of styling (and perhaps power) to differentiate it from its Toyota sister. This latest prototype has sprouted a hood scoop not seen on earlier test cars, suggesting that a top-mount intercooler could be underhood, though it’s also possible that this is just the result of some WRX/STI parts being used for camouflage purposes.

Toyota is expected to launch its version of the FT-86 in November of 2011, so keep your fingers crossed for Subaru’s version to drop around the same time. For now, see a glimpse of what’s to come in our high-res gallery of spy shots below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Subaru FT-86 RWD Coupe

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Subaru testing its version of FT-86 “Toyobaru” coupe in the Death Valley heat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Volkswagen Up! caught in Death Valley

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Volkswagen

volkswagen up! spy shots

Volkswagen Up! spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though Volkswagen won’t be offering a gasoline-powered version of its exclamatory little Up! city car here in the United States, we’re still slated to get its E-Up! electric counterpart. Earlier reports stated that a larger version of the E-Up! could come Stateside as early as 2013, and we now have spy shots of a pair of Up! prototypes out testing in the Death Valley heat.

Our keen-eyed spy photographers pointed out that while these two prototypes appear to be very similar, the one with its grille closed off could actually be the all-electric E-Up! model. Thus, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more spy shots of the VW prototypes as they go through their hot weather testing. For now, have a look at these initial spy shots for yourself in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Volkswagen Up!

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Volkswagen Up! caught in Death Valley originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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