Audi A4 2008 - rumours

Autobild has a couple of sketches of and some interesting news on the next generation Audi A4.
Autobild starts by noting that last year was the first time that the Audi A4 surpassed the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class in terms of sales, thanks also to the fact that the new 3 Series was on sale only for part of the year (especially the Touring) and that the C-Class is starting to feel the weight of its age.
To face off current and future models from its german rivals in this segment, Audi's plan for an "A4 family" is pretty much this : the first to be announced will be the A5 coupè at the beginning of 2007, followed by the A4 saloon at the end of 2007, by the A4 Avant in mid-2008, by the Roadjet at the end of 2008 and by the SUV Q5 and the A5 Convertible at the beginning of 2009.

Caught in Modena

Spotted on the streets of Modena, the 2008 Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale is a high-performance F430 derived from Ferrari's F430 Challenge series racecar. Compared to the standard F430 coupe, the Stradale features a more aggressive suspension, revised transmission, carbon-fiber interior trim and lightweight wheels — all of which are designed to give the Stradale a harder edge than the standard F430 coupe.According to our spies, the F430 Challenge Stradale will get a 30-horsepower boost over the standard model. This would be different from the race setup, as the official Challenge Series racecars use the same 483-hp V8 as the standard coupe. Regardless of its horsepower rating, we expect the street car to get the same F1 semiautomatic gearbox as its track-ready cousin. With quicker shifts and taller gears, the revised gearbox is specifically tailored for high-speed running.The F430 Challenge car rids itself of the stock F430's adjustable suspension in favor of a more one-dimensional track setup. It also uses a mechanical limited-slip rear differential instead of an electronic E-diff. We can't tell from the pictures if the Stradale will do the same, but new safety regulations restrict it from running with the same Lexan windows as the race version. It does look as though the Stradale will get a set of lightweight magnesium wheels, although they'll use a street-legal five-lug design in place of the Challenge car's center-lug race setup. One piece of hardware the two cars will share is a high-mounted exhaust, and from the looks of the measuring equipment attached it pushes the limits of legality.The F430 Stradale will also get a stripped-down interior. Carbon-fiber door panels can be seen on this prototype and previous Challenge Stradales have done without radios — or any other luxuries for that matter. More heavily bolstered sport seats are also fitted as standard.Expect to see the Ferrari F430 Challenge Stradale hit the market early next year with a price somewhere between the standard $168,000 F430 and the $227,000 F430 Challenge racecar.

First prototype of 2009 Porsche Panamera caught testing

Flush with cash from strong sales of its Cayenne SUV, Porsche is looking to expand beyond its sports car roots yet again with an all-new sedan. Revealed here in our exclusive spy video, this 2009 Porsche Panamera prototype was caught while undergoing early development tests prior to its launch in mid-2009.It may be covered in heavy camouflage, but this prototype does give some hints to the overall shape of this front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sedan. Porsche is already calling the Panamera a four-door coupe much like Mercedes-Benz does with its sleek CLS sedan. This should assure a low, sloping roof for the Panamera and somewhat limited rear-seat passenger room compared to sedans of similar size.Set for assembly at the same Leipzig factory as the Porsche Cayenne, the Panamera is expected to use the same lineup of V8 engines as the SUV. A top-of-the-line model could also utilize a retuned version of the V10 engine from the discontinued Carrera GT sports car. A dual-clutch setup similar to Audi's DSG system is expected to be the sole transmission.Expect to see the production version of the 2009 Porsche Panamera debut at the Geneva auto show in the spring of 2009, with sales beginning later that year.

We catch the 2009 BMW X6 on the streets of Munich

Now that the 2007 BMW X5 has made its debut, BMW is working on its next sport activity vehicle (SAV). Expected to debut sometime next year, the 2009 BMW X6 uses the same basic hardware as the X5 but adds a sleeker profile and subtracts some utility for the sake of styling and improved handling. Our latest spy video shows an early X6 prototype undergoing development tests on the streets of Munich. Expected to come off BMW's Spartanburg assembly line, the X6 will ride on the same platform as its more family-oriented sibling. Its wheelbase isn't expected to change much, although it may add an inch or two in length to make the proportions look right. Judging by the prototype in our latest video and photos, the X6 will look similar to the X5 from the B-pillar forward. A deeper front spoiler and some extended side skirting may be used, but in a rearview mirror it would be hard to distinguish an X6 from an X5. Real changes are evident once you get past the rear doors. Despite the heavy camouflage, it's clear the X6 will get a steeply sloping roof line. Just how far BMW will go to give the X6 a coupelike profile is hard to tell, but it's a design cue that is expected to do away with the third row of seats that were added to the latest version of the X5. Cargo room probably won't be great either. Although the X6 will have a more aggressive look, its drivetrain isn't expected to deviate from the X5's current offerings. Expect top-of-the-line models to get the same 350 horsepower 4.8-liter V8 backed up by a six-speed automatic. BMW's new twin-turbo 3.0-liter is a good bet for the base models. A manual transmission is a possibility for European markets, but it's doubtful U.S. customers will get the same option. Look for the official debut of the 2009 BMW X6 at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, with sales beginning later that year.

2008 Volvo C30: Small coupe and convertible to share basic platform, mechanicals, and drivetrain with the S40/V50 range. Styling will draw from the 3CC concept.