Audi A6 L e-tron Concept - 2012

The new A6 L is Audi’s best-selling model in China, where sales are remarkably strong for the Ingolstadt company. In fact, in the first quarter of 2012, Audi sold 90,063 models in China and Hong Kong—that represents a year-on-year increase of 40 percent.
Now, at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, Audi has taken the wraps off the A6 L e-tron Concept, a car built to study the future of electric mobility in China. It’s a plug-in parallel hybrid version of Audi’s popular business sedan, built at the Changchun plant as a joint venture with FAW. Audi says the A6 e-tron Concept is tailored specifically for China’s rapidly growing cities, where it can be driven solely on electric power for 80 kilometers (49.7 miles).

2012 Audi A6 L e-tron Concept

A 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with 211 bhp is found underhood, joined by an electric motor with 95 hp. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is mounted in the rear of this A6 e-tron, in a spot that Audi says is safe in the event of a collision. As in hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, a central control module determines the best operating mode for this A6 e-tron, always with an eye toward maximized driving range. Put another way, the A6 e-tron can operate purely with its internal combustion engine, purely with its electric motor, or with any combination of the two. As is ubiquitous in hybrids, electrical energy is recovered in braking, and it used at times to boost acceleration.

2012 Audi A6 L e-tron Concept

Audi has already launched hybrid versions of the Q5, A6 and A8, but those models can drive only up to three kilometers (1.9 miles) in full-electric mode. With the A6 e-tron, the idea is to make pure-electric driving the primary focus. Test versions of the Audi A1 and A3 e-tron vehicles are currently being used to acquire customer feedback, which will be incorporated into future production Audis. This includes a short run of Audi R8 e-trons that will appear later this year, and the A3 e-tron in 2014.
The Audi A6 L is quite a stylish car, and the e-tron Concept retains the same basic handsome look. In front, though, there’s a single-frame grille with slender crossbars, and the car has 21-in. wheels that incorporate a special e-tron design. What’s more, there’s a special rear diffuser and front air intakes that are almost completely covered.

2012 Audi A6 L e-tron Concept

The unibody chassis of the A6 e-tron is identical to that of the A6, constructed with 10 percent aluminum and designed to be rigid, lightweight and safe. Of note, Audi says all its new models will be lighter than their respective previous versions, with engineers planning to use new combinations of materials that will even include carbon fiber-reinforced polymers. Audi calls this a “flexible” approach to using new materials, with one goal: to obtain the best performance with the least material usage at the best places.

2012 Audi A6 L e-tron Concept

Inside, the Audi A6 L e-tron continues its elegant theme, where the defining element is a wrap-around arc under the windshield and an instrument panel designed in the form of a flowing wave. Controls are said to be intuitive, and there’s a “powerometer” replacing a tachometer, boasting a pointer that indicates total drive system power on a scale from 0 to 100 percent. Colored sections indicate the operating state of the lithium-ion battery, while a separate gauge indicates the state of charge. An energy flow indicator allows the driver to observe which drive components are active, and the MMI (Multi Media Interface) monitor has a bar diagram that indicates average fuel economy and amount of energy recovered over 5-minute intervals.
While that’s common hybrid tech these days, the A6L e-tron does have something special—its MMI touchpad recognizes 29,000 Chinese characters. That is an impressive feat!

2012 Audi A6 L e-tron Concept

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe - 2012 Beijing

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Concept Style Coupé (CSC). As the first and last “c” in CSC indicate, the new car is a concept of a 4-door coupe design.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

The new CSC is powered by a direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. With turbocharging, the engine will produce 208 bhp, according to Mercedes. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive system are packaged in the drivetrain.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

With its 4-door coupe configuration, strong curves and pronounced center grille, the CSC’s styling bears strong resemblance to the F800 concept Mercedes first showed at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. The diamond-look grille on the vents of the front and rear fascia is striking against the shimmer of the exterior’s company-named Alubeam paint, and is a cue from the more recent Concept A-Class displayed at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Note the profile styling details such as the lack of B-pillars and window frames, and the 20-in. wheels. Measurements for the CSC are as follows: 182.6-in. length, 74.4-in. width and 55.0-in. height.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

Underneath the panoramic roof, the cabin is a color mix of light grey and anthracite with neon green and black chrome accents. Carbon fiber, Alcantara, suede and nubuck leather are some of the premium materials used to wrap the surfaces. Similar to the Concept A-Class, the jet engine-inspired air vents are backlit, changing color to reflect the temperature set by the user (blue for cold, yellow for medium and red for hot). Take away the exotic materials and colors the cabin of the CSC appears to be close to a production version—read into that as you may.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

The multimedia system on the CSC utilizes the latest in COMAND Online. Taking advantage of Internet connection via a data-enabled mobile phone, applications on the new concept are operated and stored in the cloud—meaning updates to the software can be made without taking the car into dealership. Something owners of all future Mercedes will be able to appreciate.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

Audi S6 and 2013 Audi S7

Last time around, Audi created the S6 by going to Volkswagen’s Italian uncle, Lamborghini, borrowing the 5.2-liter, 435-bhp V-10 and fitting it in the sedan’s nose. The combo certainly worked, with a 0-60 time of 5.0 sec, but it didn’t seem Audi’s style to create this sort of horsepower hybrid.

With the new S6 sedan, the Germans are back on track, using their own twin-turbo V-8 and then adding the same performance driveline package to the 4-door hatchback A7. That would make it the S7, creating two machines that are somewhat different in purpose, but identical in power.

2013 Audi S6

Coming to the U.S. this autumn, the S6 and S7 use an engine based on the V-8 that was first seen in the A8 last year. It’s a very compact package, the turbos tucked in the engine’s 90-degree vee with the exhaust ports in the heads’ inside, the intakes on the outside. At 4.0 liters, the new direct-injected powerplant produces 420 bhp, with 406 lb-ft of torque on a plateau that stretches from 1400 to 5200 rpm. This compares to the 310 bhp and 325 lb-ft supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 in the A6 and A7. The new S6’s 0-60 time comes in at 4.6 seconds with the somewhat heavier S7 only a tenth slower, both about a second quicker than the A6 and A7.

2013 Audi S6

Fuel economy is improved, and when you’re cruising at light throttle, electronics shut down cylinders 2-3-5-8. To combat any untoward noise and vibration from the shutdown, Audi has included active noise control through the sound system and active engine mounts. Stop/start is also in the package for Europe but not the U.S.

2013 Audi S6

As expected, there’s a dual-clutch automatic behind all this, with seven speeds feeding into quattro all-wheel drive. Normally this would give you a 40 percent front/60 percent rear power split. Let the rear wheels lose traction and that can go to 70/30. If the fronts spin the ratio can switch to as much as 20/80. Also standard is torque vectoring, which basically helps the car remain neutral when bending through a corner, plus a sport differential that can route power between the rear wheels for max stability.

2013 Audi S7

Other changes for the S6 and S7 include such features as adaptive air suspension, electromechanical steering, 255/40-19 tires, electronic stability control and an extensive (remember, that’s only one letter different from expensive) option list.
Audis are already about as aggressive as any cars out there when it comes staring down the road at you with their evil eye headlamps. The S models add a sharper edge with detailing, including chrome mirrors, added sills, a revised rear diffusers and dual exhausts...all setting the S models apart without being too boy racer.

2013 Audi S7

Inside is diamond stitch upholstery that will make some smile, some wince but proves comfortable on short and long runs.
Nail the throttle, take a quick breath while the turbos spool up and the S is on its way to 60 and beyond, which is officially set at 155 mph. We were able to play on an autobahn on-ramp--not using the launch control--and keep in it up to around 130 mph before traffic capped it. Not surprisingly, the S--6 or 7--is dead stable through all this. Big German sedans are like that. There’s a rumble to the exhaust that is a nice presence under acceleration or at speed without being intrusive.

2013 Audi S7

Being spring in Germany, the 2-lane roads wind through a countryside pattern of green new growth and yellow rapeseed fields. The handling potential of cars like the S6 and S7 is so high you’d be a jerk to test the limits on these public roads. Even when we were able to boost things a bit on deserted sections, the Audis handled anything we encountered effortlessly...a reflection of the state of the art of well-developed cars these days. Quick, safe and fun.
Prices weren’t announced, but figure the S6 will start a bit over $70,000 while the S7 will take off just under $80,000.

2013 Audi S7

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG - First Drive

St. Tropez, France—Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance arm is known for building powerful engines. And the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG based on the recently introduced SL550 does not disappoint. Available with a 530-bhp twin-turbo V-8 or an optional 557-bhp version of the same powerplant, the new 2-seat SL63 is a true land rocket.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

The folks at AMG hand-build the 5.5-liter direct-injected twin-turbo V-8, which produces a whopping 590 lb.-ft. of torque, or 664 with the optional performance package. The aluminum-block block engine gulps fresh air through its intercooler, the twin turbochargers running providing peak boost of 14.2 psi (18.5 for the higher output model). Exhaust through the twin tailpipes creates a deep and throaty sound not unlike a speedy freight train conveying its might.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

Thanks to the SL63 AMG’s all-aluminum body shell, carbon-fiber rear trunk lid and other lightweight materials (such as high-strength steel and magnesium in the chassis), the new car tips the scales at just over 4000 lb., about 275 lb. lighter than its predecessor. More power and less weight translates to faster acceleration for the new SL63 AMG. Zero to 60 mph is estimated at 4.2 sec, and the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Order the optional performance package and the SL63 AMG hits 60 mph in 4.1 sec and has a top speed of 186 mph.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

On winding mountain roads near St. Tropez, the SL63 AMG’s responsive power will surprise you. In Sport Plus mode, with the excellent Speedshift MCT 7-speed automatic gearbox displaying the precision and immediacy of a manual, the AMG plants its foot quickly and rushes forward before you can blink your eye. Need to pass a long line of slower cars? No worries. Just step on the throttle. The AMG surges forward with such confidence and power that the entire row of slow traffic whizzes by in a flash.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

Through the turns, the SL63, with its multilink suspension and Active Body Control, grips the asphalt well and has just enough roll to let the driver know how much cornering force is in effect. In Sport Plus mode, the speed-sensitive electromechanical steering firms up to match the cornering effort, though more sensitive and weighting would still be preferred to give more precise front wheel placement. More steering feel will definitely help the SL63 AMG feel better on the very narrow roads around St. Tropez.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG has an MSRP of $146, 695, including the $895 destination charge. That’s a lot cheaper than buying a seat on a rocket that will blast you into space. And the cars arrive soon, in July.

Dodge Dart - First Drive

It’s always a good sign when the engineers who develop a car are excited to let journalists drive it. The earnest grin on Chief Engineer Mike Merlo as he discusses the development of Dodge’s Dart speaks volumes, and also hints at the success of Fiat and Chrysler's entwinement. This is the first shared platform between the two. The Dart’s foundation is that of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, however it’s not badge engineering. Merlo’s team evolved the Giulietta’s architecture into what is now that Dart. The cars are significantly different, more so than the Dart being a sedan and the Giulietta a hatch. For starters the Dart is not built in Italy, but in the Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant where the Jeep Compass and Patriot are made. And where once was built the Neon, the car to which the Dart, name aside, is a true successor.

2013 Dodge Dart

From the look on its face, it’s clear the Dart is not a happy, googly-eyed cartoon character like the Neon. Head of Dodge Exterior Design, Joe Dehner, explained that the goal was to give the car some aggression. This was achieved with a long hood, short deck and good deal of tumblehome. There are no exterior panels shared with a Giulietta, and on the interior the only borrowed part is the shift knob of the 6-speed manual transmission.

2013 Dodge Dart

Popping open the door and sitting in the little sedan, I could see that the interior shortcomings of the previous models are gone. Sitting in the mid-level $18,995 Rallye with fingers wrapped around the leather wheel, I thought of the Honda Civic and how this domestic was about to eat a good share of its pie. And that was before I actually drove it, and discovered it may devour the entire pie.

2013 Dodge Dart

A sweet looking black on black Rallye with unique front fascia was first on my drive route. I’d naturally gravitated to it because of its sporting trim that includes a dark front fascia and dual exhaust. Its Fiat sourced 6-speed manual and optional turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir engine sold me. Those in the know will recognize this engine as that available in the Fiat 500 Abarth, a seductive driveline package for any frugal minded enthusiast. It sips gasoline, but isn’t lacking on performance. We didn’t drive on the freeway, or some perfectly smooth race track. Instead Dodge selected a drive route outside my hometown in Sonoma County, California. Roads I’d driven in my early twenties, when I was dumber and more invincible than I am now. As it happens it rained on our drive—a lot. The twisty back roads are notoriously nauseating for passengers, and in the wet I suspected the front-wheel-drive Dart would have a hard time not understeering off the road, what with its standard economy-minded tire choice and open differential. I was wrong.

2013 Dodge Dart

Wheel spin is minimal and the rack-mounted electric steering system is superbly tuned. Atypical of front-wheel-drive cars in the wet, the Dart is agile and tractable, even through tight corners and rising crests in the road. The steering’s precision is impressive for a car at this price point, and I can’t think of a more enthusiastic car in the class. I’d take this over a Civic Si, and we’ve not even driven the Dart R/T model yet. The 1.4-liter turbo MultiAir is surprisingly responsive and happy to rev. The whole car feels light on its feet; the controls are easy and as a package they work in complete harmony.

2013 Dodge Dart

Helping to separate the Dart mechanically from the Giulietta is the use of die-cast aluminum subframes that are bolted rigidly to the steel unit-body. The Italian uses steel subframes. The lighter aluminum units save weight and improve rigidity. This gives tremendous feedback and solidity to the steering, but with a slight penalty in road noise and vibration. Compared to other cars in the class like the Chevrolet Cruze or Toyota Corolla, the Dart is less isolated, but not uncharacteristic of a car with a sporting disposition. It’s far quieter than a Mazdaspeed3, for example.

2013 Dodge Dart

Aside from the Rallye with the 1.4-liter turbo and 6-speed manual I so enjoyed, I sampled the base 2.0-liter non-turbo Tigershark with 6-speed automatic and found it predictably acceptable. The naturally aspirated inline-four Tigershark makes the same 160 bhp as the turbo 1.4, but produces only 145 lb.-ft. of torque that comes on slow at 4500 rpm. By contrast the turbo 1.4 belts out 184 lb-ft at 2550 rpm. It may seem as if the turbo 1.4 is all about fuel economy, but it’s really the performance bargain. A larger 2.4-liter MultiAir II is available on the soon-to-follow R/T model, but without a turbo manages only 184 bhp and 174 lb.-ft. at 4800 rpm. The turbocharged 1.4-liter with MultiAir technology that can adjust intake valve lift and duration is a homerun to any buyer who wants fun and efficiency. Although not available for testing at the time of this writing, a 6-speed dual-dry-clutch automated manual transmission is going to be an option alongside the conventional 6-speed automatic. We can only hope it will perform more like the DSG in a VW than the PowerShift unit in a Ford.

2013 Dodge Dart

The base model of the Dart is the $15,995 SE, the car with steel wheels and hubcaps. Next up the food chain is the $17,995 SXT, $18,995 Rallye and $19,995 Limited. Each steps up the interior accouterments and leather allotment, but all are equipped with ten airbags and the 2.0-liter Tigershark engine. The turbo 1.4 is an option and it’s not until you get to the purportedly sporting R/T that the 2.4-liter becomes standard. Like many other small cars on the market today, there are a plethora of options to luxuriate it like a large sedan; heated steering wheel, navigation and blind spot detection are primary among them. Even without knowing the price at which the turbo 1.4 will be optioned, with the fact that it has an EPA rating of 27/39 mpg, I’m going to say it’ll be worth it.

Caught Testing: 2013 Chrysler 100

We finally have photographic evidence that Chrysler is officially working on a 5-door hatchback to compete with the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. Look for this compact Chrysler hatchback to be called the 100 when it goes on sale, most likely in early- to mid-2013. Using the same Fiat-sourced platform found in the new Dodge Dart sedan, which debuted during the Detroit Auto Show, the black Chrysler prototype spotted by our spy photographers looks even more like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta upon which it’s based. This is a departure from Chrysler’s previous design study, a half-hearted concept based on the current Lancia Delta. Shown at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the badge-engineered show car didn’t even have a name.

2013 Chrysler 100

Compact Luxury
The production model is showing a little more inspiration than the previous concept. Granted, the LED-equipped headlights, taillights, and hidden rear door handles are exactly the same as those found on the Alfa. Yet the design is fresh and modern, even if it’s borrowed. Only the front grille of this test car looks markedly different, a wide Chrysler grille replacing the Alfa’s smaller V-shaped one. This prototype sports body-colored side mirrors, while those on some trim levels of the Giulietta are chrome. The 17-inch “Eleganza” multi-spoke alloys also come from the Fiat parts bin. Based upon what’s available on the European-spec Giulietta, the 100’s wheel sizes should range from 16-18 inches in diameter.

2013 Chrysler 100

A luxurious cabin and loads of standard features are likely to feature prominently in the Chrysler 100. This should allow Dodge to position the Dart as a sportier model, whereas the 100 will put a premium on driving refinement and ride comfort. Extra sound deadening is likely, to keep engine noise to a minimum. Chrysler may opt to limit the engine range to the top offerings used in the Dart, specifically the 2.0 and 2.4-liter “Tigershark” 4-cylinders, whose power outputs range from 160 to 186 bhp. A 6-speed automatic is likely to be the sole transmission offered in the 100.

2013 Chrysler 100

Positioned beneath the existing Chrysler 200 sedan, but slightly above the Dodge Dart, the 100 hatchback is likely to carry a sticker price around $18,000.

2014 Aston Martin DBS

To the untrained eye, the spy shots of this latest Aston Martin mule have fueled speculation that the British automaker was busy at work on the next generation DB9, the oldest car in its lineup. But in truth, what’s beneath the tape is actually a revamp of the range-topping DBS coupe, which replaced the Vanquish back in 2007. Dealers have been informed that an all-new 2014 Aston Martin DBS will arrive early next year. In the interim, a limited run of 100 DBS Ultimate models will be built to end the current car’s production run. The Ultimate models will build on the exclusivity of the earlier released Carbon package, with bespoke interior accents and features.

2014 Aston Martin DBS

A DBS With One-77 Cues
Leaner and edgier, the 2014 DBS is clearly influenced by the One-77 supercar. The form features more sharply defined character lines, a hint of curves that wrap through the rear fenders, and a revised roofline. The taped front fascia also hides a larger grille opening and auxiliary inlets with mesh inserts that also recall the sold-out supercar of which only 77 examples were built. Aston has also repositioned the side mirrors, moving them from the side windows onto the doors with a mounting arm that mimics the one used on the One-77. Another feature derived from the supercar is the aerodynamically stepped side sills.

2014 Aston Martin DBS

Revamped Engine and Interior
In addition to the changes in visual cues, Aston is said to be giving the DBS a boost in power from its 5.9-liter V-12, which currently puts out 510 bhp—perhaps to something in the realm of 600 bhp. The DBS will most likely again offer a choice of a 6-speed manual and the automated single-clutch manual gearbox, as evidenced by the paddle shifters.
Sources say the interior has also been redesigned for improved ergonomics. Although the instrument cluster and center stack look similar to the current car’s, right down to the Emotional Control Unit—Aston’s trademark crystal key fob.
Official photos of the 2014 Aston Martin DBS may come as soon as June.

2014 Audi TT Coupe

The next Audi TT coupe is already pounding around the world famous Nürburgring racetrack, ahead of its arrival in 2014. This treacherous course, nicknamed “the Green Hell,” should give the TT a thorough workout as it transfers over to the VW Group’s MQB architecture. The new platform will underpin a vast array of models, including the next VW Golf and Audi A3. Engines will be transversely mounted and, depending on its spec (and market where it’s sold), the TT is certain to retain the choice of front or all-wheel drive.

2014 Audi TT Coupe

Evolutionary Changes
The TT coupe in these photos is wearing a clever disguise; the exterior looks nearly identical to the current model. Audi isn’t likely to radically alter the appearance of the car, though we expect the front and rear fasciae to have a more purposeful and performance-oriented design. Like the rest of the Audi lineup, the front will be fitted with narrower headlights and a re-profiled grille. LED lighting should feature heavily in both the headlights and taillights.

2014 Audi TT Coupe

A slightly longer wheelbase should provide extra legroom, though the rear in this 2+2 is probably best left to kids or cargo. In the U.S., the engine lineup will likely remain the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder or 2.5-liter inline-5 – an additional (smaller) gasoline and 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine will be available in Europe. Transmissions are likely to be mostly carry-over, though Audi could add an extra cog to the existing 6-speed automatic.

2014 Audi TT Coupe

To save fuel, Audi might equip the TT with a stop-start system. And while nothing is confirmed, a hybrid or electric-powered model seems very feasible, given the car is based on the highly flexible MQB platform.

2014 Volkswagen XL1 - Spy Shots

There could be a new fuel mileage champion cruising into town. Captured while undergoing a round of winter testing, the Volkswagen XL1 is a streamlined coupe that is, supposedly, capable of averaging 235-mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. That kind of economy is enough to make even a green-themed hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius, look like a veritable fuel hog in comparison. Set to arrive next year, most likely as a 2014 model, the XL1 is delivering on VW’s decade-old promise to bring ultra fuel-efficient motoring to the masses.

2014 Volkswagen XL1

10 Years in The Making
It was back in 2002 when Volkswagen first revealed the 1-Litre concept vehicle. The car was extremely narrow, and featured a side-hinged bubble canopy that opened to reveal a tandem seat layout. The name referred to the concept’s powerful boast, that it could travel 100 kilometers on just one liter of fuel – or the equivalent of 235-mpg. Basically, it was everything a show car should be: outrageous in terms of its design and layout, and totally impractical for everyday use. VW refined the concept in 2009, though the end result (called the L1) retained the tandem seats and impractical canopy.
Judging from this grey prototype, it appears VW has taken a new approach. Expected to wear the XL1 name when it goes on sale, the car now features a side-by-side seating arrangement for two onboard, along with a pair of gullwing doors. The redesign was probably necessary to get this car green-lighted for production.

2014 Volkswagen XL1

Major MPGs
As we’ve already pointed out – and VW will happily remind you – the XL1 has been engineered to return 235-mpg. A low curb weight and slippery aerodynamics are going to be hugely important, though we have no reason to doubt the teardrop shape of this prototype can deliver on VW’s promise of an outstanding drag coefficient of only 0.186. For comparison, the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, one of the most aerodynamic cars presently on sale, has a 0.28 Cd.
Look closely and you’ll notice the XL1’s narrow rear track, especially how the wheels sit inward of the body. Expect the production model to feature full wheel covers, to help clean up the aerodynamics. A curb weight of 1,749 lbs. has been made possible by the use of lightweight materials, most likely copious amounts aluminum and carbon fiber. Only 23.2-percent of the XL1 will be made out of steel or iron.

2014 Volkswagen XL1

Like the previous L1 concept, the XL1 will be powered by a 2-cylinder turbo-diesel. This 800 cc engine delivers 47-bhp and 89 lb.-ft. of torque. The XL1 will be rear-wheel-drive, and come equipped with VW’s 7-speed DSG transmission. Adding the extra kick to the diesel engine is a 27-bhp electric motor, which can operate with the diesel or drive the car independently for short distances. There is no official word on the XL1’s electric-only driving range, or if electric mode will be limited to low speeds.
Speaking of speed, the XL1 might be efficient, but it definitely won’t be fast. Top speed will apparently be limited to 74.6 mph. However, it’s the reported 0 to 50 mph time of 32 seconds that could pose the biggest challenge – most economy cars are roughly three times quicker under acceleration.

2014 Volkswagen XL1

2014 Aston Martin DBS - Spy Shots

To the untrained eye, the spy shots of this latest Aston Martin mule have fueled speculation that the British automaker was busy at work on the next generation DB9, the oldest car in its lineup. But in truth, what’s beneath the tape is actually a revamp of the range-topping DBS coupe, which replaced the Vanquish back in 2007. Dealers have been informed that an all-new 2014 Aston Martin DBS will arrive early next year. In the interim, a limited run of 100 DBS Ultimate models will be built to end the current car’s production run. The Ultimate models will build on the exclusivity of the earlier released Carbon package, with bespoke interior accents and features.

2014 Aston Martin DBS

A DBS With One-77 Cues
Leaner and edgier, the 2014 DBS is clearly influenced by the One-77 supercar. The form features more sharply defined character lines, a hint of curves that wrap through the rear fenders, and a revised roofline. The taped front fascia also hides a larger grille opening and auxiliary inlets with mesh inserts that also recall the sold-out supercar of which only 77 examples were built. Aston has also repositioned the side mirrors, moving them from the side windows onto the doors with a mounting arm that mimics the one used on the One-77. Another feature derived from the supercar is the aerodynamically stepped side sills.

2014 Aston Martin DBS

Revamped Engine and Interior
In addition to the changes in visual cues, Aston is said to be giving the DBS a boost in power from its 5.9-liter V-12, which currently puts out 510 bhp—perhaps to something in the realm of 600 bhp. The DBS will most likely again offer a choice of a 6-speed manual and the automated single-clutch manual gearbox, as evidenced by the paddle shifters.
Sources say the interior has also been redesigned for improved ergonomics. Although the instrument cluster and center stack look similar to the current car’s, right down to the Emotional Control Unit—Aston’s trademark crystal key fob.
Official photos of the 2014 Aston Martin DBS may come as soon as June.

2014 Aston Martin DBS