Recently we've seen a lot of prototypes of high-performance cars being tested, and there's also the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
★ KTM X-Bow GT2
The days of driving a car on the road are not far away
This is the first time we've captured KTM's X-Bow GT2 Street Edition. Although KTM leaked some official "spy photos" of the car not long ago, those are just three very unclear photos. This time we saw the X-Bow GT2 in winter testing in northern Scandinavia, apparently not just for fun.
The car is a spin-off of the track version of the GT2, which debuted last year. KTM also revealed some of its information when it "officially leaked" the picture: the street version will also use a five-cylinder engine from the Audi RS3. This engine can burst 600 horsepower on the track version, but we don't yet know how it will be defined on the street version.
Regardless of the amount of power, it will pass through a 7-speed sequential transmission and then pass to the rear wheels, which should provide excellent handling pleasure. The track version weighs around 1,000 kilograms, while the street version increases in weight to meet safety regulations. Its testing work looks like it's only just begun, so its official unveiling will be some time away, around the end of the year or the beginning of next year.
★ Rolls-Royce Phantom minor makeover
Minor repairs and small repairs will be fought for a few more years
Rolls-Royce didn't throw all its power at the pure electric model led by Spectre. Traditional models like the Mirage will also be gradually replaced.
Judging from the pictures we got, the new Rolls-Royce Phantom has changed very slightly in appearance, just a few articles in individual details. It feels like it's not so much a minor makeover as it is an annual one. There are some new changes to its grille and headlights, and the four exhaust pipes at the tail that were previously exposed are now obscured by bumpers. The V12 engine is expected to remain intact, although pollutant emission levels have decreased. In addition, the in-vehicle infotainment system and safety configuration will be upgraded accordingly. The new Mirage is expected to be officially released next year.
★ BMW 1 Series minor makeover
Close-up spy photographs were first exposed
BMW's new compact sedan appeared in the field of vision for the first time. As we can see in the close-up photos we've taken, it will feature a new headlight design with a slimmer shape and smoother edges. Although the entire vehicle was covered with camouflage stickers, we found that the double kidney grille hadn't become as big as the recently launched 2 Series Station Wagon – thankfully!
The new design of the front bumper keeps the 1 Series fresh until the next generation of models is born. And while almost all new BMW models have new door handles, they remain the same on the new 1 Series. In the well-shielded tail, it's hard to see how the taillights will change, but what we can tell is that the rear bumper has also been redesigned. As for the iDrive8 system and its related hardware, which people are very concerned about, it is not clear whether BMW plans to install it on the 1 Series, but why not?
The powertrain will be upgraded to the latest version, and the plug-in hybrid system is expected to appear on this model for the first time. The long-rumored pure electric 1 series currently looks set to follow the next generation of models. Given that road trials of the prototype are about to begin, we speculate that the 1 Series minor makeover will probably be officially launched next year.
★ BMW M2
The second generation of the M2 is coming
This is another small, high-performance car that is extremely fun. We saw it not long ago, and new photos show that the camouflage of its front part has been reduced a bit. This time, the design of the grille and bumper is more clearly seen, and the shape of the headlights is different from the ordinary 2 Series.
Overall, the M2 has a wider body and wheelbase, and the posture is very dynamic. Hidden beneath its body is an engine of around 400 horsepower, which is rumored to be available only in a rear-drive version, but with the option of manual or automatic transmission. The car is expected to be released within this year – an absolutely very busy year for the M department.
★ Mercedes-AMG C63
Take performance to the next level
In the latest batch of spy photos, several new-generation Mercedes-AMG C63s roared by, including both sedan and travel versions. Compared to previous photos, these test cars remove some of the camouflage. Looking at these test cars from the side, their huge braking systems are particularly striking. At the tail, four square exhaust pipes clearly express their identity.
The new generation of Mercedes-AMG C63 will feature an in-line 4-cylinder 2.0T engine of the M139 series, and the addition of a hybrid system will maximize power performance. So what is the total power? AMG has said that the total power of this powertrain will be no less than 480 kilowatts (652 hp), which will be at least 105 kilowatts higher than the 375 kilowatts of the current AMG C63! Don't forget, it's a twin-turbo V8 engine.
Therefore, we can completely forget that the small-displacement four-cylinder engine does not match the AMG, and the only thing to worry about is whether it can sound as good as the V8.
The author of this article is Kick Car Gang Alai