It is open season at the Nurburgring, and the manufacturers are making the most of it. After doing test rounds at the cold and dark Lapland, the carmakers headed for the sunny and perfect weather at the notorious German racetrack to test out the performance instincts of their forthcoming vehicles. Here is a list of the cars doing the round of the Green Hell in the month of June.
Toyota Supra
Developed alongside the BMW Z4, the upcoming Toyota Supra is one of the most anticipated Japanese sportscars at the moment. The production spec Supra still carries many design elements of the 2014 FT-1 Concept. According to the latest development, the Supra will be equipped with BMW’s automatic transmission switchgear and infotainment screen as was spotted on the test mule. Which puts a question whether the JDM star is available with a manual transmission option with a hybrid powertrain. The all-new Supra will sit above the GT86 in Toyota’s sports car line-up and is expected to be revealed after the BMW Z4.
Audi A6
Following the flagship, the A8, Audi will introduce the new generation A6. The mid-size executive sedan is likely to have a distinctive design compared to its smaller and bigger siblings. Distinct Audi elements are imminent with the hexagonal grille, bigger yet sleek headlights and large wheels. The new A6 is developed ground-up to be more aerodynamic and more fuel efficient than the outgoing car. The executive sedan is expected to be revealed later this year, to take on the fight to the new and updated BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Audi S6
Alongside the A6, Audi also spotted testing its potent variant, the S6. The quad-exhaust system sticking out at the back, bigger set of brakes and racier alloy wheels with low profile tyres on the prototype are the distinct upgrades on the S6 over the standard A6. Powering the S6 will be a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine which currently does duty in the S5 range and is expected to produce an excess of 350bhp and 500Nm in the new generation S6. It might even get Audi’s new 48-volt electric system as an optional fitment.
Hyundai Veloster N
Hyundai is set to give the ‘N’ performance treatment to the Veloster supermini. Along with the update, the Korean carmaker intends to introduce the more potent variant of the Veloster to foray into the hot hatch segment in the European markets. With dual exhaust at the back, performance brakes and a bigger engine option, the Veloster N will take on the likes of Honda Civic Type-R, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST upon its arrival later this year.
Renault Megane RS
Renault has teased the new Megane RS on many occasion and here we have the hot hatch doing rounds of the ‘Ring ahead of its debut later this year as a 2018 model. Featuring huge air vents up front and a beefy diffuser at the rear, the test mule show an aggressive front fascia with ‘chequered flag’ style DRLs on the front bumper. Under the hood, Renault might opt for the new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder from the Alpine A110 in place of the 2.0-litre turbo. Either way, Renault has confirmed an output of over 300bhp for the new Megane RS.
Mercedes-AMG GT four-door
After making a debut in the concept guise at the Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-AMG GT four-door has been spotted testing on the Nurburgring for the first time. Basically, a four-door variant of the AMG GT family, the GT4 (speculated name) remains true to the concept. The performance sedan is spotted with full-LED projector unit and sporty five-spoke alloy wheels with beefy brake rotors. The GT four-door sedan is expected to have an unconventional powertrain wit all-wheel drive layout. Post launch it will take on the likes of Porsche Panamera S and the Aston Martin Rapid S.
Toyota Crown
Toyota is working on the 15th generation of the Crown saloon which is spotted here undergoing high-speed handling tests at the Green Hell. The Crown is one of Toyota’s models that are built exclusively for Japan and China. This particular car was equipped with a four-cylinder hybrid engine and a CVT gearbox. The new model is expected to arrive at dealers in Tokyo and Beijing at the beginning of 2018. The Crown is the longest running passenger car nameplate affixed to any Toyota model.
