BMW UKL platform to underpin up to 12 models - report

BMW Concept Active Tourer 13.9.2012

Company is betting big on front-wheel drive

BMW's UKL platform has critics dreading an onslaught of front-wheel drive models, but the company insists it won't be all that bad.

BMW's product manager for front-wheel drive vehicles told Automotive News, "In the '90s we broke with tradition when we began selling SUVs along with our sedans. Customers realized they could get the driving dynamics BMW is renowned for from an SUV. We will see the same transition happening with front-wheel drive."

Frank Niederlaender's sentiments were echoed by BMW sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson who revealed he sees great potential in front-wheel drive vehicles. According to Robertson "One of the big advantages of UKL is that we are able to launch a lot of products almost simultaneously because we are doing the engineering at once."

In the next eight to ten years, BMW expects to offer up to 12 different models that are based on the UKL platform. We already know about a couple of them - including the BMW 1-Series GT and MINI Cooper / Cooper five-door - but Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of purchasing, hinted the company could launch a front-wheel hatchback, a larger hatchback and a small SUV.

Onyx Concept introduces the Porsche Cayenne OTS Edition

Onyx Concept Porsche Cayenne OTS Edition 21.11.2012

Aggressive looks for a sporty crossover

Onyx Concept has introduced their Porsche Cayenne OTS Edition.

Available in two stages, the entry-level model has a new front bumper, revised side skirts and extended wheel arches. There's also a tailgate-mounted spoiler and a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser. Other highlights include daytime running lights, carbon fiber trim and a center-mounted dual exhaust system.

For an even sportier appearance, Onyx offers a stage two package which adds a ventilated hood, a roof spoiler and carbon fiber mirror caps. Customers can also order a custom paint job and 22-inch forged alloy wheels.

To spruce up the cabin, owners can buy quilted leather seats, a sport steering wheel, carbon fiber trim and lamb's wool floor mats.

TopSpeed Rendering: 2014 BMW 5-Series facelift

Posted on 11.21.2012 12:00 by Simona Filed under: BMW | sedan | Spy Shots and Rendering | BMW 5-Series | midsize cars | Cars | Car News

At the end of October, we brought you the first spy shots of the facelifted version of the BMW 5-Series sedan. That prototype was wearing camouflage over the good parts — the parts being updated —so it was kind of difficult to see what changes the 2014 5-Series will bear. Thanks to our crack rendering team, we have a our rendering of the 2014 5-Series. We hope it gives you a clearer look at what we all expect to see when Bimmer unveils it.

The most significant changes will be made up front, as it will feature new air intakes on the front bumper, a new headlight design and a grille that sits more upright. As you can see, we have also included headlights that go all the way to the grille — a feature first seen on the 3-Series and that we expected to make its way over to the 5-Series lineup.

Most of the changes will be limited to the exterior, but there will be one under-hood change. This change will be the elimination of the N55 engine in the 535i and the addition of a new turbocharged in-line six-cylinder.

SRT Viper

Posted on 11.21.2012 13:00 by Justin Cupler Filed under: Dodge SRT | coupe | sports cars | Dodge Viper | future cars | 2013 | SRT Viper | Cars | Car Reviews | SRT

When the last model for the previous generation Dodge Viper rolled off the assembly line, many of us took comfort in knowing that the next generation had already been confirmed for production. The new generation SRT Viper was rumored and teased for a good amount of time, building up the suspense for the new design and powerful engine. Now, it’s finally here, bringing its new look and ditching the Dodge title in the process.

The new SRT Viper has received an all-new, timeless exterior design with a new carbon-fiber hood, roof, decklid, and aluminum door panels. As a first, the Viper will be offered with LED taillamps that integrate stop-and-turn illumination in one element.

Under the hood, the new Viper features a new 8.4-liter all-aluminum, V-10 overhead-valve engine that will deliver a total of 640 HP and 600 lb-ft of torque. The new engine will be mated to an improved Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission.

For the new generation, the Viper will be offered in two different versions: standard and GTS. The GTS will offer more technologically advanced solutions, like two-mode active suspension for those clients who want to enjoy it on the race track.

UPDATE 04/24/2012: SRT has unveiled another video for their new Viper. This time, the company goes into detail about the history of their gorgeous sports car. Check it out!

UPDATE 09/11/12: Are you wondering how much the SRT Viper is going to cost? Wonder no more because SRT has released the official price of the iconic American sports car. Find out how much it’ll burn a hole in your wallets after the jump.

UPDATE 09/12/12: Chrysler has unveiled a new video of the new SRT Viper during its automotive test drive at Gingerman Speedway, South Haven, Michigan.

UPDATE 11/21/12: We have just added a series of 110 new high res images to our SRT Viper picture gallery. SRT also announced today the official performance numbers for the SRT Viper. It features a top speed of 206 mph and a 0-to-60 mph time in low-3-second range. The Viper launches through the 1/4-mile in the mid-11-second range. It is capable of running a 0-to-100-to-0 mph relay less than 12 seconds and boasts braking distance from 60 to 0 mph of 106 feet. Lastly, the SRT Viper’s coefficient of drag (Cd) is a slippery 0.369.

Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 SRT Viper.

SRT Viper originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 13:00 EST.

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Official: Onyx Concept Launches Porsche Cayenne OTS Edition

Irelands bespoke automotive company Onyx Concept has released the Porsche Cayenne Onyx GST edition. The program features parts made of carbon fiber, an exhaust system and ECU upgrade. The interior has also been upgraded with a new interior trim featuring leather.

The exterior has been converted to a wide stance, which works perfectly with the arch, sill and skirt vented components. At the front a new bumper and new hood were installed. The side profile has been changed using wider arches and new side skirts. At the back a roof spoiler, rear door spoiler and new rear bumper are combined with a carbon fiber diffuser offering space for the central dual exhaust pipes.

The Onyx Concept conversion also featured technical changes, such as an exhaust system with valve control which can be altered in the cabin at a flick of a switch and performance upgrade to 350bhp for the diesel variant and up to 620bhp turbo engine.

Video: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio Teased by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa

As a preview for the upcoming 2012 Los Angeles Motor Show and because the Ferrari F1 team was in the USA this weekend, both Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa got the chance to drive the 2013 Abarth 500 Cabrio in Austin, Texas.

The Abarth 500 Cabrio received a small facelift and will come with a few extras in the cockpit. Under the hood, you will find a 1.4 liter engine producing about 160hp. Later on next year, Abarth will most probably introduce the Esseesse version of the small racer with up to 180hp from the same block.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Design Process

Mercedes-Benz AMG recently offered fans a pictural insight into the design process for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series. It is not often that we get to see some of the content they had to offer. That’s why we’ve taken it from their Facebook page to share with you on our frontpage!

The gallery below demonstrates the initial steps in the process. The design moves from the sketch stage, in which designers are free to do what they like. Then the designs are rendered which adds a bit more life to the process.

The rendered designs are submitted by a variety of different designers and a final design is eventually chosen. The next phase is the construction of a clay model which then gets covered in foil and displayed to the people who make the decisions.

The next stage is to optimise the design. This involves many different departments perfecting different aspects of the car; both aesthetic and technical. The design is then digitised using a 3D scanner and further checks are carried out.