Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Spied Dancing At The Ring

Same V12 engine. Same stunning looks, only without a roof. We’re fine with that.

There’s one thing the Ferrari 812 Superfast doesn’t have the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera soon will: a drop top version. We’ve known for some time now that Aston Martin has been developing the DBS Superleggera Volante but our previous spy shots showed test mules still covered in bits of camouflage. Today, however, that’s not the case. Caught at the Nurburgring is this camo-free DBS Superleggera Volante.

Unfortunately, because of rainy weather, the test drivers were forced to keep the top up. But no matter, you still have a very good idea about what it’ll look like without a roof. We don’t know exactly when it’ll be revealed in full to the public, but a good guess will be at Geneva in March.

Under that long hood will be the very same 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that powers the coupe. Expect a total of 715 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Power will be directed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Zero to 62 mph should take about 3.4 seconds, assuming it matches the coupe’s performance. If so, top speed will be clocked at 211 mph.

As it typically goes, the convertible version of any coupe adds a few pounds to the total weight. The DBS Superleggera tips the scale at 3,732 pounds (158 pounds lighter than the DB11), but chances are some of that fat will be regained with the Volante.

How much exactly remains unknown at this point. We doubt that alone will deter buyers. Aston Martin has been on a new product blitz as of late, beginning with the DB11 and DB11 Volante, Vantage, and the DBS Superleggera coupe. Also set to arrive is an SUV, rumored to be called Varekai. It’s not due to go on sale until 2021, so we’re probably about a year out from its debut. In the meantime, expect the DBS Superleggera Volante to be the next big Aston Martin reveal.

2019 Audi S8 Spied Getting Sideways At The Nurburgring

A prototype of the super sedan was spotted flexing its muscles at the Green Hell completely stark naked.

Audi is preparing to launch a high-performance version of its new flagship A8 and judging from these new spy shots it looks nearly production-ready. After spotting the new BMW M3 dancing around the Nurburgring, our spies have caught a prototype of the 2019 Audi S8 getting sideways at the Green Hell. Unlike the M3, however, Audi hasn’t covered it in camouflage, so an official reveal probably isn’t too far away. Compared to the standard model, the prototype S8 sits lower to the ground and rides on larger alloy wheels.

To cope with the extra performance, massive ceramic brake discs have been fitted with six-piston calipers up front. The styling tweaks are subtle. As we can see the super sedan sports reshaped bumpers, wider side skirts and quad exhaust pipes, giving it a slightly more aggressive appearance. In terms of powertrains, the 2019 Audi S8 is expected to adopt either the 2.9 liter V6 from the Panamera 4S or the 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 from the Panamera Turbo. Let’s hope it’s the latter, because the V8 generates 550 hp in the Panamera Turbo. Power is rumored to increase by around 20 hp from the old S8, so we can expect the new model to generate somewhere in the region of 540 hp.

If you want even more power, an Audi S8 e-tron could also be rolled out packing the same technology as the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which produces 680 hp. In the Audi, this output will likely be detuned since Porsche will want the Panamera to reign supreme. As for when we’ll see the new 2019 Audi S8, the super sedan will probably debut at the Paris Auto Show in October if we had to guess.

Audi S6 Sedan Spied Flexing Its Muscles

Stealthy sedan lays down some hot laps on track before 2019 debut.

The latest Audi A6 comes packed with safety and technology allied with the usual top-class interior we have come to expect from this luxury brand. The performance-oriented S6 variant has been a firm favorite with those that appreciate a subdued exterior design with sportscar crushing acceleration capabilities and our latest spy shots show the upcoming model taking to the track before its introduction next year.

Shorn of any camouflage, the S6 can be seen wearing bigger wheels, lowered suspension and those trademark quad tailpipes sticking out below a subtly redesigned rear bumper. Just as in the current S6, the front air intakes are bigger than the standard models while the side skirts also have a more purposeful look to them.

The outgoing S6 features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 which is good for 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. However, it is quite likely that the new model will use the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 currently employed in the new RS 5 and Porsche Panamera 4S. That powerplant may lack the aural excitement of the V8 but with 444 hp and 443 lb-ft on tap, but it's enough for the RS 5 to reach 60 mph in a staggering 3.7 seconds.

The current V8 S6 does it in 4.4 seconds so the new S6 will be even quicker than before while lowering emissions at the same time. We may also see the existing seven-speed dual-clutch transmission ditched in favor of an eight-speed automatic too which is actually a good thing.

Both the Audi S6 and Audi S6 Avant are due for an early 2019 debut and they will most likely feature identical mechanical specifications, although the Avant may (once again) not be made available here. Those wanting even more will need to wait for the upcoming 600-hp RS6 which shares its running gear with the twin-turbo V8 RS7.

Whether it will be making it to the US is still not totally clear though as the previous model was a wagon only so Audi didn’t think we would want it. Let’s hope it changes its minds this time, if not we always have the very capable S6 or the RS7 to keep us happy.

2020 Audi Q7 Facelift Spied With Fancy New Grille And Headlights

The current Audi Q7 is overdue a refresh.

The second-generation Audi Q7 has been on sale since 2015, so the premium SUV is definitely due an update. It appears the Q7 will soon be getting a facelift, as our spies have spotted a prototype undergoing testing. The biggest changes can be found at the front, where the updated Q7 features slimmer headlights akin to the new Audi Q3, as well as a wider grille and a redesigned front bumper. These styling changes are welcome, bringing the Q7 up to date with Audi’s modern line-up. In particular, the new Singleframe grille gives the Q7 a sportier look in line with the flagship Q8.

More changes can be found at the rear, as the prototype sports slimmer taillights with new graphics, and the lower part of the rear hatch also looks radically different to the current model. The lower parts of the rear bumper have also been redesigned.

As for the interior, the dashboard inside the prototype is covered up, so there could be some big changes coming. Having said that, it seems unlikely that Audi will completely redesign the interior to look like the flagship Q8. Instead, the updated Q7 is likely to gain a new steering wheel, minor trim and material changes, and an updated infotainment system.

In terms of engine options, we’re expecting the updated Q7’s powertrain to be more fuel efficient, but specific details are being kept under wraps. In the US, the current Audi Q7 is offered with a choice of a 2.0-liter turbo I4 generating 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque or a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Expect Audi to lift the wraps off the refreshed Q7 sometime next year.

Audi S6 Avant Spied Looking Like Forbidden German Fruit

At least the US will probably get the sedan.

Audi has already shown off the 2019 A6 Sedan and Avant, which are both powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 340 horsepower. A more powerful S6 is on the way, which will bridge the gap between the base A6, and the more hardcore RS6. We've spotted the S6 Sedan testing, but now we've had the chance to see the S6 Avant running laps on the Nurburgring in Germany. The Avant will likely be mechanically identical to the Sedan, but will obviously offer greater practicality and an added cool factor with its wagon body style.

The US has always had a bad track record with receiving Audi RS cars, especially wagons. The next generation RS6 could be a surprise import to the US, but we doubt that the lesser S6 Avant would also be brought over. The S6 is expected to utilize a smaller 2.9-liter V6 with two turbochargers. Audi uses this same engine in the RS5, where it produces 444 hp. This engine is also found in the Porsche Panamera 4S, where it delivers 440 hp. The current S6 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which pumps out 450 hp. We expect that Audi will at least match the old car's output, and possibly outdo the BMW M550i's 456 hp figure.

The new S6 should be an incredibly quick car, but we doubt the twin-turbo V6 will sound as good as the 4.0-liter V8. We can also hope and pray that the US receives either the S6 or RS6 Avant, though we know not to get our hopes up.

Audi S6 Sedan Spied Flexing Its Muscles

Stealthy sedan lays down some hot laps on track before 2019 debut.

The latest Audi A6 comes packed with safety and technology allied with the usual top-class interior we have come to expect from this luxury brand. The performance-oriented S6 variant has been a firm favorite with those that appreciate a subdued exterior design with sportscar crushing acceleration capabilities and our latest spy shots show the upcoming model taking to the track before its introduction next year.

Shorn of any camouflage, the S6 can be seen wearing bigger wheels, lowered suspension and those trademark quad tailpipes sticking out below a subtly redesigned rear bumper. Just as in the current S6, the front air intakes are bigger than the standard models while the side skirts also have a more purposeful look to them.

The outgoing S6 features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 which is good for 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. However, it is quite likely that the new model will use the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 currently employed in the new RS 5 and Porsche Panamera 4S. That powerplant may lack the aural excitement of the V8 but with 444 hp and 443 lb-ft on tap, but it's enough for the RS 5 to reach 60 mph in a staggering 3.7 seconds.

The current V8 S6 does it in 4.4 seconds so the new S6 will be even quicker than before while lowering emissions at the same time. We may also see the existing seven-speed dual-clutch transmission ditched in favor of an eight-speed automatic too which is actually a good thing.

Both the Audi S6 and Audi S6 Avant are due for an early 2019 debut and they will most likely feature identical mechanical specifications, although the Avant may (once again) not be made available here. Those wanting even more will need to wait for the upcoming 600-hp RS6 which shares its running gear with the twin-turbo V8 RS7.

Whether it will be making it to the US is still not totally clear though as the previous model was a wagon only so Audi didn’t think we would want it. Let’s hope it changes its minds this time, if not we always have the very capable S6 or the RS7 to keep us happy.

Aston Martin Rapide AMR Spied Attacking The Nurburgring

This is our first look at the production version of the Aston Martin Rapide AMR after the concept was unveiled last year.

At last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin announced its new AMR (Aston Martin Racing) sub-brand offering racier versions of existing models. At the time, the automaker unveiled concept versions of the Rapide AMR and the more hardcore, track-focused Vantage AMR Pro. The Valkyrie hypercar will also be getting the hardcore AMR Pro treatment. Since its reveal, however, news on the Rapide AMR has been slim – until now. Our spy photographers have caught a prototype of the hot four-door supercar attacking the Nurburgring.

Seeing the Rapide AMR at the Green Hell isn’t surprising, since Aston Martin Racing’s European development center is based at the iconic racetrack. After the concept version was shown last year, the spy shots provide us with a first preview of the upcoming production version. It looks to be be largely unchanged from the concept, retaining the same front apron. It also sports new side skirts, an aggressive rear diffuser, and a lip spoiler on the trunk lid. Standard Rapide wheels have been fitted to the prototype, but the final car will ride on 21-inch wheels. The prototype is clearly still a work in progress, as the car is missing its new AMR honeycomb grille quad-exhaust.

Don’t think that Aston Martin is adding a sportier body kit and calling it a day, however. Every AMR model will benefit from performance upgrades, too. Aston Martin is hailing the Rapide AMR as the “world’s fastest and most thrilling four-door” that will be capable of hitting 210 mph. The standard Rapide S is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 producing 552 horsepower, so the output will probably increase to around 600 horses in the hotter AMR version. Production will be limited to just 210 examples. No doubt Aston Martin will reveal more information about the Rapide AMR in the next few months before it arrives later this year.