2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe

The most awaited BMW of the time its finally out! As a response to models like the Mercedes CLS-Class and the Porsche Panamera, BMW has launched the 6-Series Gran Coupe - a production version of the Gran Coupe concept unveiled at the beginning of 2010. On the US market, the new 6-Series Gran Coupe will be offered in a 640i version first, but a 650i and a 650i xDrive version will join the line-up later in the summer of 2012.

The new Gran Coupe will be immediately recognized as a 6-Series, but adding a unique combination of top-class sporting dynamics, stunning design, and luxurious touring comfort. However, compared to a standard 6-Series coupe, the new Gran Coupe version was built on a wheelbase that is 4.5 inches longer and its distinctive profile is dominated by its four-door, elegantly stretched roof line.

The 640i - the first to be offered on the US market - is powered by a TwinPower turbo 6-cylinder engine with an output of 315 HP at 5,800 to 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 330 lbs-ft delivered between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. The model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 155 mph.

UPDATE 08/24/2012: BMW has released another video of their five-passenger limousine, but this one follows the vehicle on a trip through Sicily, providing an even closer look at the 6-Series Gran Coupe. Enjoy!

 

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2015 Audi Quattro Coupe

The 2010 Paris Auto Show brought us many concepts, but while the Lotus five-year plan has since fizzled to nothing and the Renault Dezir is only planned to be chopped up and used for inspirational parts, Audi is pushing forward with a production version of the Quattro concept. That’s right, the Quattro has been given the green light for limited production which should be ready for the 2015 model year.

The production Quattro will be based on Audi’s latest aluminum spaceframe chassis with a body built in carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. It will weigh in at about 660 lbs less than the RS5 as seen on the prototypes already testing. It will also feature a wheelbase that has been reduced by 150 mm and an interior featuring seats made from forged composites.

We don’t know exactly what will be used under the hood of the sports car, but the concept version is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder attached to a classic six-speed gearbox. The engine delivers a total of 402 HP and 354 pound-feet of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in just 3.9 seconds, while top speed is of course limited to 155 mph. Hopefully we will see either this configuration or something a bit more powerful on the production Quattro.

UPDATE 08/24/2012: Sources have told AutoBild that the future Audi Quattro Coupe (internally known as the Q35) will only feature small bits of inspiration from the Quattro Concept displayed at the 2011 Paris Auto Show. Other than that, the four-seater, two door sports car will have short overhangs, a flat roof, LED headlights and taillights, 20" wheels, and some hood-mounted air vents inspired by the original Quattro. In terms of power, the Quattro will feature a supercharged 2.5L five-cylinder engine mated to a dual clutch S-tronic transmission. This engine will produce 380 HP and send the Quattro from 0-62 mph in a little over four seconds.

AutoBild is predicting that the Audi Quattro will debut in March 2013 to coincide with the original Quattro’s 35th anniversary, hence the internal Q35 designation. It will be priced somewhere between the Audi TT and the Audi R8, which will fill in the gap nicely with the $38,650 and $114,200 price tags of the aforementioned models.

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2012 Mercedes SLS Roadster by Domanig

Two years after they built a program for the Mercedes SLS AMG, German tuner Domanig has come out with another program, only this time, it’s for the SLS AMG Roadster.
While there isn’t any aesthetic modifications done on the car, the German tuner did have a couple of things in store for the SLS Roadster. The first is the wheels, which Domanig takes pride in. For this particular program, the German tuner fitted the SLS Roadster with a new set of 20" SOM03 wheels in the front and wrapped it in 275/30ZR20 Michelin Super Sport tires. Over at the back, the choice was 21" DOM06 wheels rapped in 305/25/ZR21 Michelin Super Sport tires.
Moving on to the car’s suspension, Domanig added a new KW suspension system that not only lowers the car’s ride height by 30mm, but also makes it work in tandem with the supercar’s standard Ride Control system.
Finally, Domanig made some engine tweaking to the SLS Roadster 6.3-liter V8 engine and ramped up its output from the standard 571 horsepower to past 600 ponies. 620 horsepower, to be accurate.
Overall, the program is bereft of the style of other tuners, but as far as unbridled power is concerned, it gave quite a bit of an added punch.

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2012 Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR

On August 29th, the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2012 kicks off and it is scheduled to run through September 9th. For this upcoming show, TOPCAR has put together an entrant in the form of a 2012 Porsche Panamera customized to the gills. This Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR is actually the 9th edition of 25 upcoming Stingray GTR models.

We are not necessarily huge fans of the Panamera and even less of fans when it comes to customized models. So many companies tend to go way overboard restyling the Panamera and they actually end up taking away the little character that this Porsche sedan actually has.

TOP CAR has taken to this Panamera from top to bottom, decking out its interior, exterior, engine, and even the brakes in an attempt to not just make it look better, but run with the best of them. Can TOP CAR really pull off the nearly impossible by handing us a well-designed Panamera with accents where they need to be, or did they just roll out another Panamera hack-job like we usually see?

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Amazing car company Volkswagen'' you driving on snow, water, sand,''!!

Now is the time Brand Chinese Volkswagen with a new design impressive incredible, would not believe that I told you that this car you can command on the sand and in the snow and also the water came designing wonderful distinguishes it from other four fans blowing to make it hover, they also environmentally friendly as it works tohydrogen-fueled engines, one of the engines came down the car to be submitted to the Supreme while the other came to push forward and direct.
Mr. Zhang says this car designer: "It soon will someday be available to the general public for use"

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Melkus files for bankruptcy in Germany

So much promise, yet not enough to back it all up. Such is the case with German automaker Melkus who has now filed for bankruptcy in a Dresden district court.

German press sources have told GTSpirit that sales of the Melkus R2000 have fallen short of the company’s 25-models-a-year target, thus forcing the company to file for bankruptcy in a last ditch effort to keep the company afloat, albeit barely.

Since the company was relaunched in 2006, Melkus has produced a total of one model - the RS2000. Not exactly the kind of business Melkus had hoped for after six years of being in the business. Certainly, the car’s combination of performance and price - the RS2000 has an output of 325 horsepower and is priced at close to $200,000 - is pretty insane, especially considering the multitude of more powerful choices you can have for that kind of money, but apparently it was not enough to warrant any sales.

Melkus’ struggles appear to have come as a result of overestimating the market with a car that doesn’t pack the kind of punch warranted by its price. Now, it appears they’re paying a pretty steep price for it.

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Car and Athlete: Andrew Bynum may no longer be a Laker, but he’s still a bonafide car nut

Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum - yeah, he’s not a Los Angeles Laker anymore - is a pretty tall dude at 7’0", but even with all that length, not to mention the bulk of being close to 300 lbs, the 24-year old certainly has a pretty strong affinity for top-of-the-line supercars.

As we previously showed in the last installment of Car and Athlete, athletes with this kind of financial security have become more adept at splurging their dollars on something as insatiably satisfying as a limited edition model. Andrew Bynum fits into this mold because the man is more than just a highly-paid basketball player; he’s got the garage to back it up too.

So have you ever wondered what kind of cars Bynum has in his garage? True to his reputation as one of the most popular auto enthusiasts in the world, Bynum’s list of cars run long and impressive.

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