Dodge Ram Power Wagon Spy

We just told you that that Chrysler will be launching four new "Moparized" vehicles later this month, and our spies have already caught one of these new vehicles – the Dodge Ram Power Wagon – on the streets of southeast Michigan.


Unlike the Power Wagon that's just now hitting dealers, this is a totally unique package, featuring a single-cab configuration with a short, style-side bed. The huge off-road tires and exaggerated wheel arches lead us to believe that this is Chrysler's answer to the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (if only in concept form), and our spies tell us that this prototype "made hair-raising sounds" as it drove by, leading us to believe that the 383-horsepower Hemi V8 is underhood.


We can't wait to see the production version on March 27 at the 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. If these spy shots are anything to go off of, it looks like it'll be serious fun for desert storming.



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McLaren Automotive reveals details of its next generation of prototypes [Video]

Development of the groundbreaking McLaren MP4-12C is entering its final phase. The bespoke high-performance sports car is due to launch in 2011, and right now the latest Experimental Prototype (XP) 12Cs are undergoing intensive appraisal at a number of test locations around the world.



One such site is Spain's Applus IDIADA facility, the most comprehensive independent proving ground in Europe. McLaren Automotive recently obtained special permission to capture on camera the XP Beta cars in action at Applus IDIADA, and on public roads in the foothills near Tarragona. The result is the second in the 'Inside McLaren Automotive' series of short films. This gives viewers a unique insight into a performance car testing programme from the perspective of the development team responsible for the 12C.





Featured in the short film are XP8 and XP10, two XP Beta-phase prototypes. Wrapped almost entirely in matt black vinyl, XP Beta cars are clearly discernable from 2009's XP cars, which were seen in the 'Inside McLaren: Developing the MP4-12C" video sporting a black and white contrasting camouflage exterior.



The XP Beta test cars feature significant technological advancements that take the 12C nearer to production. A revised iteration of the M838T twin-turbo engine, transmission featuring new gear ratios, a more efficient cooling package, new suspension geometry and upgraded electrical architecture are the headline features of current prototypes, denoting key differences between XP and XP Beta cars.





Indicative performance figures generated by the XP Beta cars are expected to be announced in March, but feedback from February's testing suggests that McLaren Automotive's aspirations to out-perform its competitors appear well-founded.



A core team of 20-25 Vehicle Technicians travel with the XP Beta cars and are on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support a test programme that mirrors the intensity of developing a Formula 1 car. Meanwhile, a further 12 Vehicle Development Engineers are responsible for specific technologies and systems being appraised while out on test.





Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive Programme Director, is leading the engineering team and said: "There is an extensive list of subjective and objective targets set for our prototype vehicles. These XP Beta cars are already achieving outstanding results in many of the subjective areas, which includes ride quality, handling and many other aspects of dynamic performance.



"The benchmark competitor vehicles we have tested become nervous and twitchy at higher speed, but the 12C feels more stable than anything I have driven. Because the bump rejection is so good, the ride is smooth and the steering is solid."





"Between now and production the vehicles and the team are working flat out. All this is geared towards not just achieving our unprecedented levels of performance but also guaranteeing the levels of quality, reliability and durability with which we expect to delight future McLaren customers."





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2011 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Spy

We have a fairly good idea of what the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne look likes, thanks to a couple of official leaks and some revealing spy shots, but in less than two weeks all will finally be revealed as the new SUV makes its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.


The current-generation Cayenne Diesel achieves a fuel economy of around 25.3 mpg (Combined European) but with a kerb weight almost 400 pounds lighter, the new Cayenne Diesel should achieve significantly better results. The Cayenne S Hybrid, however, will be the most fuel efficient Porsche in the automaker’s lineup, returning a fuel economy of about 28.7 mpg.


The regular gasoline models will include the base Cayenne, powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 model with 300 horsepower, the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8 Cayenne S with 400 horsepower and a range-topping twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8 Cayenne Turbo with 500 horsepower.


This latter model has been seen testing for the first time, captured here by spy photographers whilst being filled up with diesel fuel near a test location in Northern Europe. The new 2011 Porsche Cayenne Diesel will pack the same 240 horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine found in the current model but will tuned slightly to produce fewer emissions.


Two more models will eventually join the lineup: the Cayenne S Hybrid, which packs a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 and electric motor for a combined output of 375 horsepower, and the new Cayenne Diesel.

Sadly, neither the Cayenne Diesel nor Cayenne S Hybrid will be arriving in the U.S. anytime soon.
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Spy Shots: BMW 6-Series Cabrio

Spy photographers have captured new pictures of the next generation BMW 6-Series Cabrio. The pictures were taken while the car was on the road in Munich.


Images show for the first time the rear light clusters in place of the conical dummy units from previous prototypes. Also we can see a center brake light mounted in the center of the boot lid, similar to the last version.


The car's emblem, already recessed in the previous generation's boot lid, looks larger, and inset to the point where it is almost perfectly flat, according to the spy.


Look for the next-gen BMW 6-Series to take styling cues from both the 7er and the CS Concept.
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