24 Apr 2024

Next-Gen Audi Q7 Spied Testing

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="100506"] It's an interesting time for development of internal combustion models like the venerable Audi Q7. Audi recently debuted a second model improvement (read: facelift) of the current Q7, though these test mules appear to show an all-new version of the 7-passenger crossover is being readied for production and with design locked in. This appears to be a production body with some significant camouflage intended to obscure the final look. ...
23 Apr 2024

Is This the RS Q6 Sportback? We Think So!

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="100488"] Here's another interesting test mule that turned up on industry test days at the Nürburgring, and we're pretty sure it's an RS version of the upcoming Q6 e-tron Sportback. Though the shape is very similar to the already seen Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron, some key details seen peeking through the test mule's camouflage seem to suggest there's something hotter burning through. [gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="100495"] ...
22 Apr 2024

Audi RS 6 e-tron Spied Testing at the ‘Ring

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="100460"] It's test week at the Nürburgring and our spy photographers have caught the Sportback variant of the upcoming PPE-based RS 6 e-tron out lap testing. This isn't the first time the RS 6 e-tron has been spotted, but it is the first time we've seen it turning laps on an industry test day. [gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="100468"] We do note some key details on the RS 6 e-tron test mule. For starters, the front bump...
18 Mar 2024

Q9 Test Mules Spied Wearing Q7 Bodywork

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="98314"] Check out this interesting mule spied testing by our photographers during cold weather testing. We've known Audi plans a larger internal combustion-based SUV above Q7 for awhile now, and this mule certainly seems to be it. But it looks like a Q7 you say? That's true. This wouldn't be the first time Audi puts older bodywork on a newer chassis mule so as to test components without giving away much of the car's design. That'll come lat...
21 Feb 2024

e-tron GT & RS e-tron GT Spied Testing

[gallery columns="1" link="file" size="full" ids="97604"] With its J1 platform-mate Porsche Taycan now having just released a mid-lifecycle freshening, it's only natural that the same sort of updating is now due for the Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. Not suprisingly then, our spy photographers are seeing test mules of these cars more and more. This week, an e-tron GT was caught doing cold weather testing in Sweden while an RS e-tron GT popped up in Germany. Most notable on the e-tron GT ...
1 Feb 2024

Is This an Undisguised North American Spec Q6 e-tron?

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="96728"] This latest set of Q6 e-tron test mule photos shows a largely undisguised Q6 e-tron seen testing near the Audi factory. With the new Porsche Macan, another PPE-based Volkswagen Group EV crossover, having just been revealed days ago, we know it won't be long before the Q6 e-tron is fully revealed. Audi has already shown camouflage livery versions of the Q6 e-tron and let a few press drive them, and now this particular car shows the car no...
26 Jan 2024

RS 5 Avant Test Mule Teases Future of Audi ICE Performance

[gallery columns="1" link="file" size="full" ids="96541"] What a week for our spy photographer sources to be in frigid Sweden photographing cold weather testing. Turns out the heat was in Bavaria, as photographers for outlets such as CarWow and Carscoops nabbed shots of maybe one of the most hotly anticipated new models… the upcoming B10 RS 5 Avant. Yes. RS 5. Yes. Avant. For those not keeping track, Audi will move its ICE product range to the odd numbers of its naming convention – A3, A...
17 Jan 2024

A6 e-tron Avant Spied Testing Nearly without Camo

[gallery columns="1" size="full" link="file" ids="95898"] We’ve known the A6 e-tron is coming, along with Avant body style, for quite sometime now. So, while seeing an A6 e-tron Avant test mule is always interesting, seeing pics of one nearly without camouflage is even more interesting as it gives us a much better idea of what the final product will look like. [gallery columns="1" link="file" size="full" ids="95905"] According to the spy photographer sources, the Avant is set to debut later...
24 Nov 2023

Updated e-tron GT Spied Testing

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="93528"] It appears that a test mule of the e-tron GT was spied cruising around in Ingolstadt traffic this week. The GT’s J1-chassis mate Porsche Taycan has already been seen testing a facelifted version, so it was probably only a matter of time before the GT followed suit. As you can see, the car’s got cladding in all the typical “soft” areas. While stampings for body panels tend not to change in mid-lifecycle updates, components such a...
26 Oct 2023

Spied: Audi R8 LMS GT2 Street Version?

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="92156"] A most interesting R8 popped up at the Nurburgring this week, setting off the rumor mill about just what it could be. Is it a test mule of a limited production swan song for the much-loved R8, or perhaps a track weapon for an uber rich German client? We’re not sure, but we’ve got some ideas about where the rumors in the press are going wrong, and some perspective on who built the car and what that could mean for well-heeled R8 enthusi...
Thu, Oct 26 , 2023 Bill
18 Sep 2023

Audi B10 Test Mules Spied at Pike’s Peak

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="90101"] photos: Devehn Spitzer Less than 24 hours after the Q6 e-tron was spied in Burbank, CA, another Audi enthusiast Devehn Spitzer caught a trio of B10 test mules on Pike’s Peak (of all places). It seems Audi engineers (and possibly PR staff) are definitely concentrating on logging miles in America. [gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="90100"] Though disguised in the usual camouflage, these definitely appear to be B10 mules… ...
Mon, Sep 18 , 2023 Bill
15 Sep 2023

Audi Q6 e-tron Test Mule Spied in Burbank, CA

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="90091"] photos: Paul Rivera While we know the reveal of the Q6 e-tron is coming soon, evidence of this is particularly noticeable when US market test mules start popping up in domestic locations… like Burbank, California. And, as it turns out, should those test mules stop to charge, they’re effectively sitting ducks for eagle-eyed enthusiasts stopping in to take a closer look. [gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="90092"] Take Pau...
Fri, Sep 15 , 2023 Bill
4 Aug 2023

Does Lambo Urus Hybrid Test Mule Reveal Hardcore RS-Car Drivetrain?

[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="88385"] With electrification an inevitability, Lamborghini's approach thus far has been to go with plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants of its future and current models. We've seen it already with the Revuelto, and here is more confirmation of Lamborghini engineers testing a PHEV version of the Urus. The PHEV Urus is expected to replace the non-hybrid versions of the Urus in the second half of 2024. This latest test mule reveals production headl...
24 Jul 2023

Spied: Test Mule for Facelifted Audi RS 3 Sportback

[gallery columns="1" size="full" link="file" ids="88053"] Now that the RS 3 is in its second year of production, it's about time for Audi to start thinking mid-lifecycle freshening. That's exactly what this RS 3 Sportback represents, spied last week near the Nürburgring. Changes appear to be a slightly different shaped grille, with a change in the mesh and a modified front bumper. It also appears the Audi rings have moved up slightly within the frame of the grille, likely shifting to the new ...
12 Jul 2023

Lamborghini Huracan Successor Spied Testing

[gallery link="file" columns="1" size="full" ids="87754"] We've finally got photos of the replacement to the Lamborghini Huracan. Now that the Revuelto is revealed, it's time for Sant Agata to turn their attentions to their smaller sportscar, and these are the first photos confirming its existence. As you can see from the photos, it shares some details with its Revuelto sibling, including plug-in hybrid tech and a high center-mount exhaust pipe (with two seen inside). This car will ditch the V...
21 Jun 2023

Audi RS 6 or RS 7 Sedan Spied Testing at Nürburgring

[gallery columns="1" size="full" link="file" ids="87025"] When this RS spec C8.5 test mule was spied the first time, we labeled it RS 7, and for good reason. Audi began shifting even alphanumeric nomenclatures to its electrics with the e-tron facelift that took on the name Q8. Factory sources have confirmed the strategy, one that'll see the MLB Evo B10-based A4 ICE replacement become A5 while an electric equivalent remains A4. With an A6 e-tron based on the brand's new PPE electric architecture...
14 Jun 2023

Spied: Audi S5 Sportback B10 Now Testing

[gallery columns="1" link="file" size="full" ids="86896"] As the B10-generation of Audi models gets closer to production, further variants have been seen in test mule form. Today's appearance is the S5 Sportback. Most already know that ICE offerings like the B10 will shift to even numbers, meaning the replacement to any A4 derivative will be badged as an A5 derivative. We also know that the sedan is going way, leaving only a Sportback with more utilitarian hatchback rear opening. [gallery col...
10 May 2023

Spied: Audi RS 7 Sedan

[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="86178"] Here's an interesting test mule spied by our photographer sources in the Alps showing what appears to be the upcoming sedan version of Audi's mid-sized RS cars. Expect it to be called RS 7, though there's no RS 6 nor RS 7 sedan on sale currently. Though hotter "performance" versions of the C8 RS 6 and RS 7 models have been shown, neither have gone through full mid-lifecycle freshening just yet. This car could represent such a product improvement (P...
2 May 2023

Next-Gen A6 Sedan, A6 Avant and S6 Spotted During Cold Weather Testing

Don't let the familiar shape fool you. We're told the hardware underneath these test mules seen testing in northern Europe is actually for the next-generation replacements (C9) for the current A6 and S6 models. Likely to be called A7 and S7 when they arrive (as Audi moves to reserve even-numbered designations for E-tron models), the ICE-powered prototypes shown here will eventually wear all-new sheetmetal for production. We expect to see disguised versions of the new bodywork running around...
26 Apr 2023

Spied: Audi SQ5 B10 Testing at Nürburgring

[gallery size="full" columns="1" ids="85684"] The next-generation Q5 was spied cold-weather testing about a year ago, and now a test mule of the SQ5 has popped up in and around the Nürburgring. This latest version is sporting what appears to be more finalized headlight and taillight designs. Photographers report it also appeared as if the production grille and bumpers were also likely underneath the camo. Bigger brakes can also be seen. The give-away that this was an SQ5 versus more pe...