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February 8, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Hyundai 
Hyundai HED-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's been nearly two years since the Hyundai HED-5 concept bowed at the Geneva Motor Show, but in late 2008, the Korean automaker announced that a production version of the compact crossover would arrive in 2010. And here it is.
Spied while testing in Northern Scandinavia, Hyundai's unnamed answer to the Opel Zafira gets substantially toned down from its conceptual predecessor, although shades of Hyundai's new "Fluidic Sculpture" design language are peering through the camo.
The hoods squat proportions are balanced by the acres of windshield, and if there wasn't enough glass up front, Hyundai has seen fit to add a set of small windows aft of the A-pillars. Even with the camouflage covering much of the rear hatch, it's obvious that the mini-'ute is destined to provide plenty of cargo space, and judging by the size of the rear doors, back seat passengers won't be wanting for legroom.
Although the original HED-5 concept was powered by a 2.2-liter diesel putting out 212 horsepower and 340 lb.-ft. of torque, when Hyundai announced production plans for the crossover, it mentioned a new 286-hp, 2.0-liter Theta Turbo GDI engine. When it eventually makes it to markets abroad, expect either the 115-hp 1.7-liter diesel from the ix35 concept or a 136-hp 2.0-liter oilburner to be available, along with a few choice gasoline powerplants. No word on U.S. availability, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the production version on the show stand in Geneva next month.
Spy Shots: Hyundai HED-5 leaves show stand for snow mound originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
February 8, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari  Few letters hold the same lore for Ferrari fans as G-T-O. Pontiac muscle-cars aside, the letters were first used on the iconic '60s-era 250 GTO. The 288 GTO followed two decades later and laid the ground for the F40, the first in the modern age of Ferrari supercars. Now the name is set to come back again on an extreme version of the 599 GTB
Bridging the gap between the roadgoing 599 GTB Fiorano and the track-bound experimental 599XX - and filling the hole left by the Enzo - the 599 GTO promises epic levels of performance (and extreme exclusivity) worthy of the GTO moniker. The prospect first broke cover back in November when internal documents referred to a "599 GTO Limited Edition," and was followed up with more speculative details - including a 700-horsepower output figure - early last month. Now an intrepid observer in Maranello with a camera handy appears to have snapped a camouflaged prototype out in the wild.
Aside from the yards of white vinyl and black tape telling you something's up, this 599 test mule is wearing big black alloys, a blacked-out roof (like that of the 599XX, albeit sans the extra winglets), a monster rear diffuser and Prova-style factory plates. Beyond that there's little to tell, but this is the first evidence we have beyond rumors and conjecture as to what Maranello is up to next.
[Source: alVolante.it]Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO, is that you? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
February 8, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Citroën 
Citoen DS3 Racing leaked - Click above for image gallery
Think of a road-ready rally machine, and what pops into your head? Likely the Subaru Impreza WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, right? Well Subaru hasn't won the World Rally Championship in seven years, Mitsubishi in eleven. In fact, neither is even trying anymore: Both have withdrawn from the championship. No, that territory is Citroen's to claim. The French automaker (with its star driver Sebastien Loeb) have been the reigning champs since 2004, but Citroen hasn't really capitalized on its gravel-drifting prowess with anything even approaching what of the WRX and Evo. Until now.
Although the current C4 Loeb has won the past three world rally championships in remains in active duty for another season - with former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen taking the wheel in the junior team - after that the new rally-spec DS3 (previewed in a batch of spy shots a few months ago) will take its place. From the looks of things, however, Citroen isn't waiting around for the DS3 to match the C4's dominance before they roll out the street version.
Following an earlier report last month hinting at the hot DS3's arrival, a handful of photos showing what insiders suggest is the finished product have leaked onto the interwebs. Brought to us by our compadres over at Autoblog Spanish, these shots were recently confirmed as the real deal (and not as photochops as originally suspected) when the same car showed up in other images released (and since retracted) by the factory.
The car pictured features wider wheel flarings housing bigger hoops and riding on a dropped suspension. Sources peg it at 15 millimeters stouter than stock, with NAFTA four-pot brakes front and rear. Under the hood, the 1.6-liter turbo four is tipped to produce between 200 and 210 horsepower, driving through a six-speed manual (the jury's still out on the presence of a limited-slip differential) and likely to the front wheels to propel the DS3 Racing to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The Halloween livery may be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but this is likely what we'll see, if the reports prove accurate at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. For our part, we'll take ours in deep blue, with a big red leaping bull on the side and our names printed above the doors.
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010
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February 8, 2010
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February 8, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai 
2012 Hyundai Azera - Click above for high-res image gallery
In its current form, the Hyundai Azera (known as the Grandeur outside the U.S.) has been around since 2005, and despite the new Sonata's push upmarket, Hyundai apparently still sees the need for another model to slot in between its new Camcord competitor and the Genesis Sedan.
Although a refreshed Grandeur was revealed for other markets late last year, judging by these latest spy shots, Hyundai is hard at work on a more thorough makeover, complete with an even more coupe-like roofline, Sonata-inspired fascia and chrome strip extending its way atop the front fender.
The four-wheel independent suspension is sure to remain, and Hyundai is likely to continue offering a choice of V6s - a 263-hp 3.8-liter or a 234-hp 3.3-liter - each mated to a six-speed automatic. We'd expect a small bump in output when the all-new Azera debuts late next year as a 2012 model.
[Images: CarPix]Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Azera frolics in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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