Back in June we had revealed a long list of performance focused cars ranging from a track focused roadster to a full-fledged SUV. A few of it will be revealed over the next few months while the others will be revealed in 2019. Here below are the top eight cars that were spied testing last month –
Audi SQ8
The SQ8 has been spotted on test last month without any camouflage. The vehicle is expected to be revealed later this year, followed by its market debut in 2019. The SQ8 will be positioned between the standard Q8 and the fully-blown RS Q8. It will be powered by a V6 motor which comes mated to an electric motor. The 20kWh battery pack will help the V6 to generate 470bhp of power and 700Nm of torque.
McLaren 570 LT
The name speaks for itself! The McLaren 570 LT has been spotted on test in Nurburgring. Powered by a twin-turbocharged petrol engine, it generates about 600bhp of power and plenty of torque. The air dam in the front also gets more aggressive and will get a larger front lip to direct air more effectively at high speeds. With more power and lower weight, the car will be much faster and hence will get an upgraded suspension setup, larger brakes and probably wider wheels to generate more grip.
Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder
The 718 Boxster Spyder from Porsche was spotted undergoing high altitude testing in the mountains with its top down. The 718 Spyder will be high on weight saving measure and the diffuser at the back now features integrated circular exhaust tips. The naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six produces more than 500bhp, but will allegedly be tuned down in the range-topping 718 Boxster Spyder.
BMW M4 GTS
The Bavarian carmaker was spotted doing trials on a test mule of the GTS with an added aggressive aero kit. Under the hood could be the same 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six which powers the M3 and M4 range. However, the infamous water-injection system from the GTS might be abandoned. We expect a significant boost in the power figure over the limited run GTS which punched out almost 500bhp.
Audi R8
A prototype of an Audi R8 has been spied in southern Europe last month. The vehicle is expected to be powered by either a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder with over 400bhp or, most likely, the 450bhp 2.9-litre V6 from the RS5. The side intakes have also been modified. Gone are those vertical bars, replaced by conventional mesh. Slight changes to the side skirts and chin spoiler will only be noticeable by doing a side-by-side comparison.
Audi RS6
Expected to arrive in the second semester of 2019, the RS6 has been spotted on test last month. The vehicle will feature a new bumper, rear diffuser, rear spoiler as well as larger front air intakes to properly cool the mechanics. The new Audi would be a plug-in hybrid and would be able to touch the 700bhp barrier. However, this choice would mean a considerable increase in weight, something that Audi Sport cannot afford. That is why we expect the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that does duties in the Lamborghini Urus.
Audi RS Q8
For the first time, the RS Q8 was spotted testing in the Austrian Alps with minimal camouflage. Audi RS Q8 will be powered by the fully-blown 4.0-litre twin turbocharged V8 from the Lamborghini Urus. The power output of the V8 for the Four Rings is unknown yet, but under the hood of the Raging Bull it produces 650bhp and 800Nm. We expect similar power output from the Q8 as well, since the RS Q8 will be the most powerful car in the Audi’s line-up. The quattro all-wheel-drive system along with the eight-speed transmission will also be part of the package.
Skoda Kodiaq RS
Skoda Kodiaq RS has entered the final stages of its testing programme. This is the faster variant of the seven-seat SUV which is in the works, and will arrive in the second half of the year - perhaps after its debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. The only engine to be offered in the Kodiaq RS will be a 237bhp two-litre twin-turbo diesel and will be offered with a four-wheel drive system and a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
