In addition, we also saw the upcoming release of the new generation of Maserati GranTurismo and other models.
★ Maserati GranTurismo
The second generation of GT is about to see the sun
More than a decade after the debut of the first-generation GranTurismo in 2007, Maserati finally unveiled test photos of the family's second-generation model last June and announced that it would be the brand's first pure electric vehicle.
Recently, we found that the prototype of the second-generation GranTurismo has removed a lot of camouflage, so more details are in front of us. In the front part of the car, the intake grille and the air intake outline on both sides of the lower part, as well as the vertical headlights, are clearly visible. At the rear, we can see slimmer taillights than the current model, which are located closer to the outside. The four exhaust pipes are paired in pairs, which is very suitable for the overall design.
Didn't Maserati already inform everyone that it was a pure electric car? In fact, pure electric is only one of its options. It now seems that the fuel version is more likely to be equipped with the same twin-turbo Nettuno V6 engine as the MC20, with a maximum power of about 621 horsepower. The high-profile all-electric version will arrive later. GranTurismo was originally scheduled to launch last year, but was delayed until the first half of this year for various reasons.
★ Revised BMW X6
The real "Facelift"
What we call "small makeover" is called Facelift in English, which means "plastic surgery and face change". We've seen the small-sized X5 before, and its sibling model also appears in the footage of our new car hunter this time. The current X6 prototype is only camouflaged at the front of the car, of course, this is also the main area of this redesign. The new bumper design is expected to be a replica of the X5 minor makeover. Its headlights have become more slender, but the taillights remain the same on this prototype. However, with the progress of development, the taillight design should also change.
In addition, we know that the interior of the new X6 will be equipped with a larger screen to adapt to the new version of the iDrive8 system. The car is expected to be released sometime next year.
★ A Mercedes-Benz SUV
The trumpet "Big G" is finally here?
The shape of this Mercedes-Benz "mule car" is really weird and has aroused the curiosity of countless people. Is its real identity a Smart SUV or a small G-Class buggy? Why did Mercedes use the ancient W204 as the body of this test car?
First, we can rule out the first possibility: since the planned small SUV will be a pure electric vehicle, and the test car we photographed not only has exhaust pipes, but also hears the rumbling of gasoline engines.
So is it a relatively small but G-class model? While one might think that GLA and GLB have played this role, the fact is that these two cars are more like real hardcore off-road vehicles than The Jimney. Given the recent shutdown of the G-Class, many people may choose this little brother in the future. Of course, these are just our current speculations, and the mystery will not be solved until later.
★ FAW-Volkswagen SUV
It is also a Chinese-only model
This model, like other recent prototypes, was tested in Sweden in the winter. But that's about it, it's a model developed specifically for the Chinese market, and its internal code name is VW416/3. Therefore, it is not difficult to judge that this car is actually a variant of the Lanjing model codenamed VW416/2. Like SAIC Volkswagen's Tuon and Tuon X, the VW416/3 will be a large five-seat SUV with a coupe style, most likely named the Lanjing X. Its competitors are also clear, namely Honda's UR-V and Guandao, as well as similar "big five".
Analogous to The Touan and Toon X, the VW416/3 may also be slightly smaller than the Range, with a body length of about 4.9 meters. The powertrain doesn't have much suspense, and should still be the two 2.0T engines and 2.5T V6 used in the package, as well as a 7-stop wet dual-clutch transmission. VW416/3 is expected to be officially released later this year or early next year.
★ MINI JCW minor makeover
Not all new MINIs are electric
At present, we are all well aware that next year's new generation MINI will come out in the form of pure electric vehicles, which will be produced in China. In addition, the current fuel model will also undergo a facelift next year, and the current MINI, code-named F56, will be greatly improved. That said, there will be two completely different MINI families manufactured in Asia and Europe.
The prototype we recently captured on the streets of Munich belongs to the MINI JCW version. According to previously received information, the new MINI will still use the current powertrain, of course, with some minor adjustments to meet stricter emission regulations. The prototype's front overhang looks a little shorter — but it could also be an illusion created by camouflage. The front of the car has changed significantly, and the grille and headlights have been redesigned to be consistent with the electric MINI. The design of the rear is largely unchanged, while the exterior mirrors have a new shape and integrated turn signals. The test car currently has only one large exhaust pipe, but we hope to change to double tailpipes in the future.
The change in interior design will be more pronounced than the shape. Although the overall layout remains the same, the shift lever of the auto-shift version is said to be moved below the circular centre display. Most functions can be controlled by touch, so only a small number of solid buttons will be retained.
The author of this article is Kick Car Gang Alai