Volkswagen’s Amarok pickup, or ‘bakkie’ to us South African’s, has been spotted undergoing testing on Germany’s famous Nürburgring.

Looking virtually production ready, this particular prototype only has minor camouflage on the front and rear fascias. As we have previously reported, the Amarok will receive VW’s new grille, from the Golf 6 and new Polo, contemporary styling, and a modern interior.

While details are scarce, the Amarok will be offered in a variety of different configurations. The double cab model will be launched first, with a single cab version set to debut shortly thereafter. As with most ‘bakkies’, consumers will be able to buy an Amarok with two- or four-wheel drive.

Power will come from a new-generation of common-rail diesel engines, which should combine impressive fuel economy for a bakkie, with modest CO2 emissions.

Built at VW’s Pachero plant near Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Amarok will be launched in Central- and South America in early 2010. Six months later, the truck will be offered to Russian and European consumers. Australia and Africa will receive the new model towards the end of 2010.

Adapted from WorldCarFans

The Audi R8 is on a diet! Spies have caught a second R8 V10 Sport mule lapping the Nurburgring in Germany, this time finished in stealth-like matte black paint.

Set to be the fourth model in the R8 line up, following V8 and V10 versions of the Coupe and the Spyder variant revealed at Frankfurt last week, the Sport will be the most focused incarnation of the supercar so far. With its wild rear wing, enlarged rear diffuser and more prominent bodykit, you’ll certainly see it coming.

Taking its lead from hardcore models such as the Lamborghini LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, the Clubsport will feature a stripped-out cabin and ditch an all-wheel drive transmission in favour of a lighter and more dynamic rear-wheel drive setup.

The 386 kW 5,2-litre V10 from the coupe will receive a mild boost in power, while around 50 kg will be shed from the kerbweight, meaning performance should be mind-blowing. Expect the 0-100 km/h sprint to be dispatched in the region of 3.5 seconds and a top speed approaching 320 km/h

Our sources have revealed that an unveil at the Essen Motor Show in Germany in November is likely, with the car actually going on sale in the first quarter of 2010.

Adapted from AutoExpress

We recently brought you our first impressions of the Audi’s new R8 V10, with which we are impressed to say the least. When Audi went and borrowed the Gallardo’s V10 and placed it in the back of the R8, there was much to celebrate in the name of more power and torque in a brilliant chassis.

Now the game has been upped once again with an Audi R8 sport version, potentially called the Audi R8-S, rumoured to be on its way – similar to the one caught testing at the Nürburgring. What does this mean? How about lightweight bucket seats, no air-conditioning or stereo, and improved aerodynamics, which include a fixed rear wing.

Power will see a slight boost too, but don’t expect much because Audi wouldn’t want to outshine the Gallardo LP560-4’s 412 kW engine. Following Audi’s naming convention with the TT, TT-S and TT-RS, a sportier version of the R8 could take on an R8-S badge, leaving space for a Superleggera and Scuderia eating R8-RS – we live in hope! Any way you look at it, a sportier and more powerful version of an already sporty and more powerful version, is good news.

Adapted from AutoCar

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS has been caught doing some serious laps at the Nürburgring. Making its recent debut in Geneva, the 911 GT3 facelift received new rear lights, LED daytime running lights, and a bigger 3.8-litre flat-six engine, providing 15kW more for a total of 324kW.

The most recent spy shots reveal the GT3 facelift in RS trim, showing widened front fenders and a more purposeful rear wing. This wing is more than likely one of several different designs that will be tested during the GT3 RS’s development. The lighter weight GT3 RS also boasts wider wheels and retuned suspension over that of the “standard” GT3. These close-up shots also provide a good view of the roll cage and the tops of the carbon fiber race seats, which are the same as the previous version.

Speculation is rife that Porsche’s PDK gearbox will be available as an option for the GT3 RS, which may be controversial to the Porsche purist. However the rationale is quite simple, in that it makes gear changes quicker and the car faster.

The current GT3 RS is 20kg’s lighter than the standard GT3 so expect comparative weight loss figures as a result of carbon fiber and plastic used throughout the interior and body. As is currently the case, the GT3 RS should better the standard GT3′s sprint time, of zero to 100km/h in 4.0 seconds, by 0.1 to 0.2 tenths of a second.

The first public reveal is expected to take place at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.

Adapted from WorldCarFans

Following the success of the Golf R32, a replacement for the car based on the Mark VI platform was always going to have big shoes to fill. However, with news that the torquey 3.2L V6 engine from the Mark V model was being phased out, the outlook for the car’s successor was looking grim.

That was until reports emerged claiming VW was working on a new high-performance turbocharged engine to replace the older V6. We now have the first spy shots of the car, which was caught testing recently at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit. While the prototype seen here is disguised in the body of 2.0L TDI model, under its hood is a newly developed 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine – hence the name Golf R20.

The hot-hatch is expected to deliver 270hp (201kW) and be fitted with a six-speed manual and AWD. A dual-clutch DSG is also expected to be featured as an option. The zero to 100km/h sprint should fall into the five second bracket and top speed will likely be set somewhat higher than that of the recently launched GTI. Unlike its Euro-competition – the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus RS – the R20 will use AWD for superior performance and handling.

The R20 is expected to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year and be launched in the U.S. by early 2010. The R20 is expected to bow in at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Adapted from Motor Authority