Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Set to make its world premiere this fall at the renowned Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR super sports GT celebrates the formidable SLR race cars of the 1950s. The new SLR bridges the past and future with styling elements from the original 300SLR roadster and "Uhlenhaut Coupe" (in background) as well as the latest Formula One Silver Arrow race cars.
Mercedes-Benz and its Formula One partner McLaren are showcasing their collective experience with such features as a carbon-fiber structure and composite ceramic brake discs. Powered by an AMG-produced supercharged V8 engine producing well over 550 bhp, the limited-production SLR McLaren will go on sale in Europe late this year, and its U.S. launch is planned in 2004.
All-New 2005 Porsche Boxster
Porsche's next-generation Boxster is due for launch in mid-2005. This prototype was caught on film during cold weather testing in Scandinavia. The new Boxster will feature a new front end with new headlights and a new rear end. This prototype is wearing disguise panels to conceal the future new styling. However, clearly visible are the three large air intakes in the front skirt ,and wider fenders and track. Porsche is likely to make 17-in. wheels standard at last, with 18s as an option. Power for the standard model will come from a 2.7-liter engine, outputting 240 bhp; the S version should have 270 to 280 bhp. There are rumors that a 300-bhp 3.4-liter engine will also be offered. Both a roadster and coupe version are planned.
2004 BMW 6 Series Coupe
A nearly undisguised prototype of the future new BMW 6 Series coupe was captured on film during final high-speed testing at Nrburgring. (Editor's note: The photos have been slightly computer retouched, removing tape around the head- and taillights.) The new model is expected to debut at this year's Tokyo Motor Show in October.
The 6 Series styling draws strongly on the latest 7 Series and the original Z9 concept car. While the convex-concave side and the rear end closely resemble the 7, the front end incorporates a new "kidney" grille layout-first seen on the Z9-blended with a pair of circular headlights of different size. The interior will not be any less controversial than the exterior, as it features the very same iDrive operational surface used in the 7 and 5 Series. The mechanical underpinnings are based on the new 5 Series, which again is closely related to the latest 7 Series. Advanced lightweight design is said to ensure agile handling and sporting driving dynamics.
For the 6 Series, BMW offers a choice of two different V8 models: the 635Ci with around 275 bhp, and the 645Ci with around 335 bhp. A Formula One-inspired V10-powered M6 is rumored but remains to be confirmed. Around one year later, in 2004, the 6 Series will also be introduced as a four-seater convertible, codenamed E64.