Could this really be the refreshed 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class that's scheduled to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September?
The crew over at the Mercedes-Fans website who shared this photo certainly think so and if there's no Photoshop-foolery going on, they could be right.
Cosmetically, besides the green body paint that we haven't seen before, the front has been tweaked with new headlamp fixtures and revised grille and bumper designs.
From previous spy shots, we know that the mid-cycle facelift will update the interior with a new twin-dial instrument binnacle similar to the GLA, a different steering wheel and controls for the upgraded infotainment system.
Some minor improvements to the regular engine range are also expected, while there have been rumors about AMG tweaking the A45's 2.0-liter turbocharged four to deliver over 370-horsepower.
Photo via Mercedes-Fans, H/T to Fernando!
Even though the all-new Audi Q7 hasn't really become a hit with car enthusiasts around the world, it's still a very solid and innovative SUV that's sure to impress you once you start driving it.
The new Q7 has been working out. Or better yet, has been dieting while working out, and so it has dropped 325 kg (716 lbs), tipping the scales at just 1,995 kg (4,398 lbs) - which actually makes it a lighter car than the BMW X5.
Then you've got all the gizmos and gadgets on board such as Audi's new 12.3" TFT instrument display, latest generation MMI infotainment system, Audi-branded tablets for passengers sitting behind you and so on.
It is an impressive car, especially when looking at the e-tron version. Still, some people just can't get over the fact that it doesn't look at good as most of us were expecting.
Having said that, Audi Forum Neckarsulm thought to put this particular Florett Silver Q7 on display until May 16. It's packing a 3.0 TDI turbo-diesel engine, which has 272 HP and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque - good enough to get you from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds.
That's more power and better performance than you get from a BMW X5 xDrive30d, which also happens to weigh almost 100 kg (220 lbs) more.
Overall, we don't mind the how this particular S-line model looks. We like the color, it's typical Audi. We also like the 21" '5-arm turbine' design wheels, but let's keep in mind that the Q7 has never wanted to be the one that puts the "Sports" in "Sports Utility Vehicle". It's a proper family SUV that doesn't try to be something it's not. Or at least that's one way to make up an excuse for the way it looks.
Plus, we're fine with letting BMW and Porsche have their way in trying to out-duel each other in this segment.
The Middle East has become a most welcoming motorsport destination for both Formula 1 teams as well as their fans. Now, Iran is looking to add their name to the calendar.
Even though Iran's Cultural Heritage VP Masoud Soltanifar thinks Formula 1 racing has a "great future" in Iran, building a track on Qeshm Island and getting Bernie Ecclestone to sign off it isn't as simple as it sounds.
On the flip side, the location could be quite spectacular as it's situated in the Strait of Hormuz, only a few kilometers from Dubai. But with a stacked calendar for 2016 (at least), odds are they'll have to wait and hope they come up with a solid bid.
As Soltanifar added while being quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency, "It has the potential to become one of the world's most beautiful destinations." Can't argue with that, especially since Iran's climate is exceptionally good for F1 racing due to its long hot summers and short cool winters.
At the moment, there are quite a few other nations trying to bring Formula 1 to their shores, such as Qatar (they already host MotoGP races), and of course there are rumors of a second Grand Prix in the U.S. It's a tough business.
Story references: planetf1
Note: Track image shows a Lotus E23 Hybrid racing in Bahrain
If you had to come up with a study for a next-gen VW CC right now, what a better place to start than the German brand's recent Sport Coupe concept?
The Geneva Motor Show concept might be a little bit too futuristic for a direct replacement, but photoshop-erRemco Meulendijk took care of that with his render that re-details the Sport Coupe to bring it closer to a production CC.
Volkswagen being…Volkswagen when it comes to designs and production reality, this speculative render could actually be very close to what the Germans are preparing for the second generation CC that will share its MQB architecture and powerplants with the roomier but less fancy looking (European) Passat.
VW had previously said that it will release the next CC sometime in 2016.
Renderings courtesy of Design.RM
Will there be a next Mitsubishi Evo? According to Mitsubishi president Tetsuro Aikawa, the Japanese automaker has plans to create an all-new high performance vehicle. However, the exec also hints that the Evo successor will deliver a very radical departure from its current form.
“In the future, we would like to launch such a vehicle with Evo characteristics. In Japanese, when you pronounce ‘Oh’ [in Evo], it means ‘king,’" explained Aikawa to Autocar. "So we would like to launch this type of car, featuring EV and PHEV technology, which is the ultimate of its kind. ‘EV’ for electric vehicle, ‘O’ for king - Evo.”
According to reports, the upcoming Mitsubishi EVO will be based on the next-generation ASX crossover and, as the EV in EVO suggests, will feature a high-performance version of Mitsubishi's PHEV power unit. The next-gen Mitsubishi ASV was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show as the XR-PHEV II concept. The concept also featured a plug-in hybrid gas-electric unit that is expected to produce 160 bhp. No doubt, the powerplant will produce significantly larger numbers for the EVO.
“It has to be light and fast - something performance-oriented. That’s what we want,” explained Aikawa. The next generation EVO will also adopt several lessons that Mitsubishi has learned from its years of competition at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb including the recent Mitsubishi i-MiEV racing car.
Stay tuned as we learn more.
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