Bentley Flying Spur PHEV [spy Shot]

A prototype of the upcoming Bentley Flying Spur PHEV has been outed during a recent round of winter testing. Unsurprisingly, most of its exterior looks identical to other Flying Spur prototypes, except for a small plug on the left rear quarter panel. We suspect that the Flying Spur PHEV will share its powertrain with select Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Panamera models. That means a 2.9-liter V6 plug-in hybrid that produces roughly 462 hp and offers up an all-electric range of about 48 km. Alongside the plug-in hybrid V6, Bentley is thought to be readying the new Flying Spur to support a 4.0-liter petrol V8 and a 6.0-liter petrol W12. It is even possible that variants towards the top of the Flying Spur family could use the powerful hybrid V8 system found in the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and deliver a neck-snapping 680 hp. Fitting the new Flying Spur with powertrains from the Porsche Panamera will be quite easy for the automaker as the duo feature the same MSB-F platform. This also means the Flying Spur will receive a number of new technologies from the Panamera, including an updated infotainment system and select semi-autonomous driving functions. Like other recent prototypes, this Bentley Flying Spur PHEV prototype does have some body cladding across the exterior. With that being said, we鈥檙e provided with a reasonable look at the car鈥檚 design, including its aggressive front bumper, large black grille, multi-spoke wheels, and oval-shaped tailpipes. Expect the new Bentley Flying Spur to premiere in the middle of the year.

Only 2,455 Miles From New on this 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4. Impeccably Finished in 'Paint-to-Sample' (PTS) Non-Metallic Slate Grey over a Black with Platinum Grey Stitching Full-Leather Interior, this is a visually stunning & very unique GT4. Powered by a 3.8L 385hp/309lb-ft 6-Cylinder Engine that's backed by a 6-Speed Manual Gearbox. The optional PTS Slate Grey non-metallic is the same color Steve McQueen requested for his last special-order Porsche a '76 Turbo, (according to Mecum Auctions). 5,500 option and it's believed to be one of only two cars produced in this color. The Cayman concept. A sports car that seeks out the curve like no other and then takes full advantage. A concept so intimate with the road that it can hardly be improved. The GT4s have caused quite a stir among motorsport enthusiasts both on and off the track. They stand for even greater power and an even sportier specification. Revisited and intensified, the GT4 is an all-new Cayman - from the styling to the engine. This Porsche Cayman GT4 coupe features a 3.8L 6-Cylinder engine that's backed by a proper 6-Speed Manual transmission. The 3.4-liter flat-six engine with direct fuel injection and VarioCam Plus delivers 385 hp. With the 6-speed manual gearbox and the Sport Chrono Package integrated, the Cayman GT4 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in a blur. The smooth and precise 6-speed manual gearbox is optimally adapted to the high power output of the engine. Shift throws are short and the gear lever is easy to operate. The sound of the Cayman GT4 is particularly resonant and distinct. Always On Site, Nobody Has What We Have!

Audi and Porsche, both brands from the Volkswagen Group, have developed separate platforms for their first volume electric cars. Meanwhile, over at Porsche, engineers have developed the J1 platform for a sedan based on 2015鈥檚 Mission E concept. Given how fast the technology is advancing, it shouldn鈥檛 come as a surprise that Audi and Porsche are already working on their next electric car platform, this time with development split between the two brands. The greater collaboration is the result of cost cutting measures at the VW Group following the diesel scandal. Speaking recently with Automotive News (subscription required), Audi R&D boss Peter Mertens revealed that the new platform, code-named the Premium Platform Electric, or PPE for short, will spawn three 鈥渕odel families,鈥?two of which will be for Audi. Mertens hinted that about 60 percent of the models spawned from the platform would be from Audi and the remainder from Porsche. He also hinted that the platform could be used for vehicles in core segments such as those occupied by the Audi A4 and A6. Interestingly, Mertens also said Audi is looking to reduce the number of internal combustion engines it currently offers, which again should come as no surprise. He questioned the need for 10- and 12-cylinder engines but said V-8s are here to stay for a while still. He also said diesel will be offered in many markets for a while, too. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume isn鈥檛 so supportive of diesels. In July, he said Porsche was evaluating the future of diesel engines and would make a final decision by the end of the decade.

The latest diesel models from Mercedes, Vauxhall and BMW emit almost no nitrogen oxides, or NOx, even in the toughest real-world on-road tests, according to independent research. The German automobile club (ADAC) conducted on-road RDE (real driving emissions) tests of a number of petrol and diesel models to assess their cleanliness, and found many models dramatically undercut the 168mg/km currently allowed under Euro 6d Temp rules. The diesel Mercedes C-Class C220d actually emitted no NOx whatsoever during the on-road tests, while the BMW 5 Series 520d emitted just 1mg per kilometre. An Opel (Vauxhall) Astra with a 1.6-litre diesel engine also impressed, emitting just 1mg/km of NOx, while the Citroen Berlingo BlueHDI 130 emitted just 7mg/km. In some cases, the diesel cars tested emitted less NOx than equivalent petrol models. On road RDE NOx limits are set at 80mg/km (milligrams per kilometre) for diesel cars, and 60mg/km for petrols. The current conformity factor is 2.1, meaning a car can emit 2.1 times more NOx during RDE tests than is permitted. From January 2020 the conformity factor drops to 1.5, effectively allowing diesels to emit 120mg/km of NOx during RDE trials. At the end of 2018, however, the European Court of Justice ruled the European Commission had no right to introduce those conformity factors, meaning a strict limit of 80mg/km of NOx should be in effect. Reports indicate the European Commission intends to appeal the ruling, but the 80mg limits will be enforced within 14 months if that appeal is unsuccessful. Are you surprised by these findings?