BMW is keen to offer eco-friendly options to the world and a decision has been made to assemble the electric cars at the Leipzig facility. BMW chose the facility for its flexibility and capability for increased capacity. Models like the ActiveE, an electric variant of the 1series, will be produced in limited lumbers up front and then the Megacity EV will be rolled out in 2013. While the assembly will be in Leipzig spare parts will also be built in Wackersdorf and Landshut while the Li-on batteries will come from SB LiMotive which is joint venture between Samsung and Bosch. Megacity will be a battery laden commuter and carbon fiber usage will ensure high economy courtesy of the low overall weight.

Source: Alex Ion

The street legal version of the 599XX, the Ferrari 599 GTO is the next big arrival in the auto industry and spy photographers in Maranello managed to get a handsome look at one of its prototypes. The prototype comes with a fresh looking carbon fiber roof and a huge rear diffuser set amidst two exhaust pipes. The front bumper also looks a fresh creation and so do the grille and the wheels. On the inside, all that the spy cams could click was the new seating set-up. Engine speculations for the Ferrari 599 GTO suggest a 700 PS 690 bhp 6.0L V12 monster that will help the street legal version hit 100km/h in 3.2 seconds while topping it out at 350km/h. Slated for a debut later this year, the 599 GTO will cost around €340,000. [via WCF]

Source: Alex Ion

Bespoke automaker TVR understands that a comeback as a brand is a challenge in the US and offering a supercar first up may be its best chance. It sure has the Swordfish hype to get things going its way but eventually, it will be the supercar that will decide the destiny and not some movie cameo. TVR should be ready with its sports car possibly at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the car will be developed in Germany. A crate’ engine integration from either GM or Ford will help the Russian brand to save money on engine development and homologation.

Source: Alex Ion

The world has long awaited the arrival of the Audi RS5 which will be a high performing RS variant of the A5 mid-size executive coupe. The news is that the arrival of Audi RS5 is hopefully around the corner as a brochure with 18 images of the beast has hit the web. The brochure comes laden with some stunning RS5 images but unfortunately, it doesn’t talk about the engine details and the performance specs.

What the brochure does mention are three types of seating and four types of wheel design choices. As far as gear transmission is concerned, the RS5 will only feature the 7-speed dual clutch S-tronic unit as the catalog doesn’t talk about a six-speed option. Slated to debut at the Geneva motor show next month, the high-performing commuters’ engine is still a mystery and it could stage anything from a Supercharged V6 to the 5.2-liter V10 from the R8.

Source: Alex Ion

The compact executive car segment is all about cut-throat competition and all big brands are looking to go one up on the other by releasing their facelifted models later in the year. Mercedes contender, 2011 C-Class is also gearing up for the year ahead and the facelifted variant was recently spied testing in cold weather conditions.

The current generation model has been around since 2007 and Mercedes plans to upgrade it this year to compete with BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 facelifted versions. The latest spy shots of the 2011 C-Class revealed a completely new set of head and tail lights alongwith a new front bumper and a modified one at the rear. Although, these images do not clearly reveal a new bonnet, the 2011 model is expected to arrive with one. The 2011 C-Class will hit the market later this year probably before BMW releases it 2011 3-Series variant. [via WCF]

Source: Alex Ion