SPIED: Mercedes-Benz' SLS AMG Roadster Loses the Top and Gullwing Doors

Mercedes-Benz is nearing the end of the development process of its forthcoming open-top SLS AMG Roadster, which will join the coupe model when it enters the market late next year. Apart from dropping the metal top in favor of an electrically operated fabric roof, as you can see from the location of the door handles in these latest spy pictures, the SLS AMG's famous Gullwing-style doors have made way for more conventional items.

The Roadster model will also gain a pair of partially hidden roll bars located behind the front passengers, which will deploy higher in the event of a rollover crash. The firm's Airscarf neck-heating system will most likely be offered on the standard list.

Under the elongated hood, the SLS AMG Roadster won't differ mechanically from its tin-top twin featuring the same 6.3-litre V8 powerplant with 571HP and 650Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will handle the delivery to the rear wheels. However, buyers should expect some minor losses in performance because of the added weight of the body-strengthening measures, which compensate for the removal of the rooftop.

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U-SPY: Carscoop Reader Snags a Fleet of BMW Prototypes in Austria

The BMW Group is quite busy these days as the Bavarian automaker is developing a raft of new models, ranging from the upcoming Megacity electric-vehicle and the MINI Coupe and Roadster, to the next generation of the 3-Series and the production version of the Vision ED concept sports car.

Carscoop reader Andras from Hungary was vacationing in Obertauern, Austria when he spotted this convoy of BMWs comprising of both masked prototypes and normal production cars, including a sedan in full body cladding. Check out Andras' photos and story after the jump.

Andras Deak's Scoop:

"I am currently in Obertauern, Austria for my holidays and discovered a small parking place dedicated to BMW. I walked there to check the cars and took some pictures.

There were 4 "cooling boxes" for cars. At the parking area I recognized a heavily camouflaged next-gen BMW 3-Series (possibly a hybrid version), the brand new X3 with some light camouflage (also possible hybrid version) and several 5-Series... Note that all the cars were plugged into something which looked like an electric charger to me.. Maybe a plug-in hybrid?

The interior of the next-gen 3-Series looks like all the new BMWs these days. It looked like a small 7-Series from the inside. The navigation screen is huge. I could see several fingerprints on the screen (maybe touchscreen?), but also an iDrive controller..."

Köszönöm for the pictures Andras!

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SCOOP: 2012 BMW 5-Series Hybrid Spied on the Roads of Munich

It's no secret that BMW is preparing a hybrid version of its latest generation [F10] 5-Series sedan as the Bavarian automaker teased the model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid study. And even though the prototype model seen in our latest spy pictures carries the 535i badge, the "Hybrid Test Vehicle" label on the boot pretty much explains everything.

Being a test mule, the prototype doesn't feature any of the (few) unique styling cues of the concept model, such as the LED strips, different front apron and special alloy wheels, but we assume these details will make it into the production car.

Underneath the body work, we expect to see a similar setup to the concept vehicle, which made use of BMW's straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology (same as the one found in the 535i), an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an electric drive capable of delivering up to 54HP (40kW). Given that the 3.0-liter turbo is rated in the U.S. at 300 hp, the combined system output should be around the 340 hp mark.

According to BMW, the hybrid powertrain reduces both fuel consumption and emissions by more than 10 per cent over the conventional version, while it also allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring at low speeds.

The production version of the 5-Series Hybrid could be introduced at a major international car show as early as next year with sales most likely to follow in 2012.

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AutoLeaks: Lamborghini LP700 Murcielago Successor Dealer Order Guide Reveals Specs

This has been a good week for Lamborghini fans. After we saw a lightly camouflaged prototype of the Murcielago’s successor a couple of days ago, the official dealer order guide of the upcoming Italian supercar made its way onto the internet via the Teamspeed forums.

As expected, engine specs remained unchanged, but the guide does reveal plenty of new information. First, let’s get the performance figures out of the way. Tipping the scales at 1.575 kg (3.472 lbs), the LP700-4 is a whopping 230 kg (507 lbs) lighter than a Murcielago LP640-4 coupe and has 60 more ponies. So, not surprisingly, it can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds or half a second quicker than the outgoing model. It also has a higher top speed, reaching 350 km/h (217 mph), compared to the LP640’s 340 km/h (211 mph).

Stopping power comes from 400 mm 6-caliper front and 380 mm 4-caliper rear discs. And what about the wheels? Well, the LP700-4 comes with standard 19-inch alloys up front and 20-inch sets at the back, shod in 255/35 and 335/30 tires respectively.

The automaker said before that the robotized ISR (Independent Shifting Rod) gearbox is fast, but didn’t disclose any numbers. Now we know that as well: the seven-speed ‘box needs just 50 milliseconds to change a gear, which is inconceivably fast.

At launch, buyers will be able to chose from 13 exterior paint jobs, two of which are brand new (Argos Orange and Estoque Grey), and 12 interior colors. The standard equipment list includes -among other things, that is- electronically controlled rear spoiler and side air intakes, multimedia system with 7-inch screen, navigation, xenon lights and air conditioning.

Check out the gallery below for further details.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Teamspeed

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