Hi fieldingmellish,
I'm surprised this question wasn't answered before now, but I'm glad,
it was a pleasure to research. I found lots of articles and pictures
for you. Check these links carefully for the links to more pictures
besides those shown on the page I linked to.
For Reference, here's a page of links to the 2006 models:
Picture Galleries
http://auto.moldova.org/foto_album/eng/?PHPSESSID=1fc47e803da5e855ba5f6a35ed8eb985
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MERCEDES
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New Mercedes SL roadster (WoW)
http://www.motorsblog.com/2006/01/19/new-on-mercedes-sl-roadster/
..."Practically every single engine in SL model line-up received some
serious modifications or was replaced by a new powerplant. 3,7 litre
engine with 245 hp was replaced by a new 3,5 litre V6 engine
outputting 282hp. This results in acceleration of this roadster from
stand still to 100km/h (0-60 mph) only in 6,6seconds..." [ more at
the link ]
2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: Facelifted
http://auto.moldova.org/stiri/eng/8566/ (2 pictures, long article)
Four years on from its launch, the successful Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
has undergone a number of enhancements, the most significant being in
the areas of technology, design and interior appointments. The
engines, powertrain and chassis have been optimised to deliver a
sportier response so that the unique Roadster now offers an even more
enjoyable dynamic driving experience while perpetuating the "SL
legend" which has existed for over 50 years..." [ What follows is a
detailed article about the 2007 SL series. ]
Another link re: the SL series:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/01/17/2007-mercedes-sl-facelift-revealed/
This might be worth waiting for!
2008 Mercedes-Benz P8 - CLICK past the stupid ad for the picture..
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z7856/Mercedes-Benz_P8/default.aspx
..."Mercedes-Benz wants to fight Ferrari and Lamborghini at their own
game, with plans to build a mid-engined supercar to take on the 360
Modena and recently launched Gallardo.
Rather than opting for another front-engined, rear-drive supercar --
such as the 460kW SLR -- for the second stage of the duo's road car
partnership, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren are seeking to deliver a
smaller, lighter, more focused mid-engined model to slot between the
$370,000 SL 55 AMG and the $1 million SLR in performance and price.
Known as the P8, the new Benz supercar is officially a concept, which
means styling, engineering, logistic, production and cost proposals
for the two-seater are under way.
But it is already clear that both Mercedes-Benz and McLaren management
are desperate to put it into production. And the word is that as well
as a regular coupe, there will also be a convertible.
"Yes, we are looking at a mid-engined road car," Mercedes boss Jurgen
Hubbert told US publication AutoWeek. "But there is no decision on
production." ..."
Between the Lines: Motor Trend on the Mercedes-Benz S500
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/between-the-lines/between-the-lines-motor-trend-on-the-mercedesbenz-s500-148913.php
The relentless stop-and-go is the perfect opportunity to let
Mercedes-Benz brand-new flagship sedan, the 2007 S550, show what it
can do. You can read about the dragstrip and the slalom cones later;
right now, the big Benz is putting on a truly unforgettable
performance: It?s driving by itself. [ WOW ]
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BMW
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2007 BMW M Coupe - BMW M Coupe Will Hit the Streets Soon
1) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=107403
2) http://www.motorsblog.com/category/auto-makers/bmw/
..."When the BMW Z4 Coupe concept made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt
Motor Show, it not only looked good, it packed 261 horsepower, a set
of 19-inch wheels and short gears for maximum acceleration. We fully
expect to see a production version of that concept soon, but our
latest spy photos also indicate that a Motorsport version could be on
the way as well.
The 2007 BMW M Coupe prototype was spotted at every manufacturer's
favorite test track, the Nürburgring. Unlike the concept shown in
Frankfurt, the M coupe prototype rode on a set of double-spoke wheels
similar to those used on several Motorsport cars over the last several
years. A quick check of the tailpipes reveals four outlets ? another
Motorsport trademark. Although the upcoming M3 is expected to get a
400-hp V8 under its hood, the M Coupe will probably stick with a
high-powered version of the standard six. The Z4 coupe could go on
sale early next year so expect the M coupe to arrive by the summer of
2006..."
More about that:
Z4 Promises Kept: Still want that Cayman S? - great pictures here)
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=103328
This summer, BMW Company intends to begin sales of their newest
sportcoupe ? Z4 M Coupe.
http://www.motorsblog.com/
BMW 1-Series as Sporty Three-Door
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6060111.001/bmw/1.html
...."At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show BMW will release the sporty
three-door variant of the current 1-Series model which so far was
available as a five-door only.
The three-door?s side doors are larger, and the B-pillars are set
further back within the wheel-base. The pictured prototype has no
disguise, and judging from the double exhaust pipes the car is
equipped with a 3.0 litre six cylinder fuel engine delivering about
250 HP.
The 1-Series three-door model is expected to be in the dealerships
from summer 2006 on..."
Spy Photos: 2007 BMW X3, Nip and Tuck (links & pictures)
http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/spy-photos-2007-bmw-x3-nip-and-tuck-149000.php
..."BMW?s X3 isn?t going to change dramatically between now and its
scheduled update for the 2007 model year, but the interior will look
less like that of a Monogram model, at least according to German Car
Fans. The facelift will address customers? complaints about interior
quality, add some character in the fascia and rear, and insert the new
gas engines offered in the latest 3-Series. The pressure on BMW?s
next-gen X to stay competitive will intensify, as it faces down a new
Land Rover Freelander, and as-yet unconfirmed mini luxo-utes expected
from Acura, Audi, Mercedes and (for backchannel rumor whores in the
house, Porsche)..."
Report: 2007 BMW M3 coupe to get unique body + RS5 news
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2005/12/23/report-2007-bmw-m3-coupe-to-get-unique-body-rs5-news/
..."Unlike past generations of the iconic sports car, the 2007 BMW M3
coupe will receive an entirely unique body design, according to a
report in Germany?s AutoBild magazine. In recent months, the magazine
has stood by its computer rendering of the car (shown right - click to
zoom), despite consistent indications that the new 3-Series coupe
would feature a less radical design. It now appears that while the
3-Series coupe and convertible will not stray too far from their sedan
and wagon counterparts, the M3 will take on a much more aggressive and
upscale appearance. Traditionally, the M3 has used what is essentially
a lowered 3-Series body with relatively minor visual distinctions. The
new M3, expected as either a 2007 or 2008 model, will feature an new
V8 engine derived directly from the company?s new V10 engine from the
M5 and M6 performance cars. Output is expected as high as 425
horsepower. Meanwhile, Audi is said to be readying its own answer to
the M3 ? the RS5 coupe. The car will likely use the same engine as the
RS4, with output boosted to around 450 horsepower..."
More revealing 2007 BMW 3-Series Coupe images - link to lots of pictures, article:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/01/24/more-revealing-2007-bmw-3-series-coupe-images/
..."Motor Trend has published some new spy photos of the 2007 BMW
3-Series Coupe (E92). (To view the images, you must watch a 30 second
ad on Motor Trend). We?re not sure who took the images, but they seem
to be from same batch as those published by Hans G. Lehmann last week.
The images are reportedly from ?back roads of Bavaria? in some final
rounds of testing. Although Lehmann said his image of the E92 was
unedited, the Motor Trend images suggest some camo was removed in
Lehmann?s photographs. However, his photos were far from complete
fabrications, as some BMW fans had suggested. The front shot doesn?t
reveal too much that we haven?t seen in other recent images, but the
rear view confirms that the coupe?s tail lights are drastically
different from the sedan?s, possibly as suggested by a recent artist?s
rendering..."
New BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class Spy Photos
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6060116.002/mercedes/1.html
More links to BMW pictures:
Future Vehicles: BMW Vehicles - links
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/FVDP/MakeIndex/make=bmw?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/future/bmw/index.html&mktcat=il-future&kw=2007+bmw+325i&mktid=ga440762
Latest BMW Spy Photos from Munich - links to pictures
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6060113.001/bmw/1.html
There's an interesting discussion here:
The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard - BMW M5, M6 and Z8 Forums > E60
M5 Discussion - 2007 Facelift?
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/archive/index.php/t-63459
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DIVERSION
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I used to own a Porsche, check this out:
All New Porsches to Come
http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoid/6060106.002/porsche/1.html
When Porsche-boss Wendelin Wiedeking took over the steering wheel of
Germany?s smallest car manufacturer, the company had just one model
range ? the legendary 911 ? and suffered from bad sales. Since then,
he increased the number of ranges to three and made the auto-maker the
most profitable car company in Germany. Now there?s yet more models
underway ? and even two new ranges are just about to get the green
light. Andreas Conradt let?s you in on Porsche?s secrets. *swoon*
Another diversion - too cool to pass up. - CLICK past the stupid ad,
the pictures are fabulous..
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10852/default.aspx
..."Prodrive has unveiled P2, its unique two-seater sports car, which
has gone from concept to reality in just nine months.P2 is a fully
working car featuring Prodrive?s latest technology and which has been
entirely designed, engineered and built by the motorsport and
automotive specialist at its operations at Banbury and Warwick in the
UK.
P2 was the idea of Prodrive chairman and chief executive, David
Richards, who wanted to create something that used the skills of every
part of the business and demonstrated the company?s capabilities.
He said: ?What we created is P2, a unique two-seater sports car, which
has gone from concept to reality in just nine months and which is the
perfect manifestation of what happens when our inspirational ideas
combine with our innovative approach.?
Prodrive?s philosophy behind the design of the car was practical
performance. Weighing just 1100 kg and with a power to weight ratio of
more than 350 bhp/tonne, P2 is expected to reach 100 kph from
standstill in under four seconds and carry on to 280 kph. Yet, despite
the focus on weight reduction, P2 has all the comforts of any modern
car, with a six speaker stereo system, power assisted steering and
electric windows..."
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MISC LINKS
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This page ahas a bunch more peeks on the right:
http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider/sneakpeek/index.cfm
Future Releases - Spy shots of prototypes and concept cars - Modern
Racer - Features
http://www.modernracer.com/spyshots/spyshots.html
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Have I missed anything glaring that you want me to specifically find?
I just gathered all I could find in your area of interest. If you want
something specific that is not here, please ask for a clarification
and I'll be happy to assist further.
~~Cynthia
Search terms used at Google:
Mercedes Prototype OR concept
2007 Mercedes SL
2007 Mercedes Facelift
2007 Mercedes Prototype sport
2007 Mercedes Prototype
BMW prototype OR concept
2007 BMW
2007 BMW Facelift
2007 BMW Prototype |
