This week, we saw the salty and sweet AMG CLE63, caught the Land Rover Defender SVR in Newburgh, and once again encountered the all-electric Audi A6. Finally, let's take a long-term view and take a look at what the Audi Compact car of the pure electric era is like through the prediction chart.
Mercedes AMG CLE63 convertible coupe
More appealing from the inside out
About half a month ago we reported the first appearance of the CLE 4-door version, if you think that such a 4-door coupe is not pure enough, then the CLE derivative model that appears this time must be your dish. First of all, it's a beloved convertible: while the current test car is still in its early stages, with a body borrowed from many other models and a somewhat messy roof with suspected vents, it is bound to show its unique charm over time.
Second, it's an AMG, with a wider wheelbase and a stronger braking system that exposes its identity. However, we did not find the hybrid's unique logo or charging interface on its body, because it is said that the car will share the powertrain with the new generation AMG C63, that is, a plug-in hybrid system based on the M139 2.0T engine with a maximum power of more than 650 horsepower. So the question is, are we ignoring the details, or will the car use other powertrains? Let's keep waiting for the truth.
Audi A6 e-tron
The backbone of the future appears in two places
As the backbone of the Audi sedan, the A6 has tried "electrocution" as early as 10 years ago - whether successful or not, it is a brave attempt. Now, the truly electrified A6 has entered the testing phase and is not far from being officially unveiled.
The latest spy photos come from Sweden and the North Ring of Newburgh, Germany, and it is conceivable that the tests in Sweden mainly look at the low-temperature endurance of their electric drive systems, while the team in Newburgh focused on dynamic performance. We can even see the interior of the car in one or two photos, but the interior is also very well camouflaged, so that people can't find any features.
The A6 e-tron will use the PPE platform developed by Audi in collaboration with Porsche, which will feature a charging voltage of 800 volts, a charging power of up to 270 kilowatts, and a battery pack from 5% to 80% in 25 minutes. According to the information of the previous concept car, its wind resistance coefficient is only 0.22, and the cruising range is more than 700 kilometers. Judging from these indicators, it is basically better than the same level of Mercedes-Benz EQE. It seems that the decades-long competition in the era of the internal combustion engine will continue in the future.
Land Rover Defender V8 SVR
The AMG G63 finally waited for an opponent
The test mule, based on the V8 version of the Defender 110, attracted everyone's attention as soon as it appeared in Newburgh. Not only because it was heavily camouflaged, or because its inner front wheels were off the surface of the track in the corners, but also because it was fitted with an extended wheel brow that we had never seen before the Defenders.
Unlike other versions of the Defender, there are also its tires, which make us even more suspicious: Will this be a high-performance Defender SVR? In fact, the legend about the Defender V8 SVR has been around for a while. According to the most popular theory, it will be powered by the S63 series of twin-turbo V8 engines from the BMW M5, which will have around 600 horsepower, which will give the representative of the British off-road vehicle enough power to match the power of the new generation AMG G63 585 horsepower.
The small gap in the hub obscures the brakes well, but we're pretty sure it's larger than the regular version. The outwardly extended eyebrows indicate that the wheelbase has been widened. It is estimated that the Defender SVR will have a slightly different appearance from the regular Defender, such as larger air intakes and additional lightweight parts. Also, while the test car we're seeing is a long-wheelbase Defender 110, when it's released next year, it will have both 90 and 110 versions.
BMW X5 M minor makeover
For the first time, new taillights were installed
To take the lead in competition with domestic rivals, it is not enough to sell the engine to Land Rover, and the testing of BMW's new X5 M is also in full swing.
Recently, the X5 M, which is fully equipped with new components, has appeared near the Newburgh circuit.
The first test car of the minor redesigned X5 M first appeared last year, when it still borrowed the body of the old model. Since then, camouflage cars equipped with new headlights, grilles and front bumpers have appeared one after another, and although their tails are also camouflaged, the taillights under them are still the style of the old model.
Now that we have a spy photo of the X5 M's latest state, it features a new taillight design for the first time, and in some pictures you can even see its illuminated graphics. In addition, the vents on the sides of the front fenders have been obscured, and it seems that there will be some changes here. The grille is expected to be more similar to the X6, so don't be surprised if it can also shine like the X6. We also found that some of the test cars were equipped with blue M sport brake calipers and some were red M high performance calipers.
Although this time we did not capture the interior of the cab of the new X5 M, it is certain that it will feature the same curved screen and iDrive 8 system as BMW's latest model. Those who like this car will have to wait, and we expect the new X5 M to be mass-produced until April next year.
Audi A3 e-tron
The fifth generation of A3 may no longer be called A3
Unlike the A6 we introduced earlier, the A3, another major model in the Audi family, will completely exclude the option of the internal combustion engine in the next replacement. We are so sure because the compact series only launched the fourth generation in 2020 and will not be replaced for a short time, and Audi has decided not to launch any new internal combustion engine models after 2026.
But lovers of traditional A3s don't have to worry about full electrification, and christian Schulte's next-generation A3 prediction charts can completely keep us in the reverie and longing for it, and its design is extremely sporty, compact, full of technology, more attractive than its predecessors.
Design aside, the new generation of the A3 — or let's call it the A3 e-tron — will be heavily used in the results of Volkswagen's Project Trinity and Audi Apollon programs, including long ranges, extremely fast charging speeds, highly digital, revolutionary manufacturing processes, and more.
Specifically, the upgraded MEB platform will support up to 250 kilowatts of charging power, double the current level, and the cruising range will increase to about 700 kilometers. In addition, it will support two-way charging, which means it can supply power to the grid, other vehicles or homes. Finally, according to some recent reports, the real name of the car may be the "Audi E3": whatever the final name, it will come to life in the near future.
The author of this article is Kick Car Gang Alai