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March 10, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercury, Luxury 
Mercedes-Benz C-Class spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
Our spy photographers have just snapped these shots of the next Mercedes-Benz C-Class undergoing winter testing, and these latest shots give us the clearest look yet at the entry-level luxury sedan's updated front and rear. The baby Benz should make its official debut later this year, and these photos clearly show that we can expect some mild yet substantive alterations to their appearance.
So, what's new? Up front, a new front fascia integrates LED daytime running lamps - something that's becoming standard fare on the entire Mercedes-Benz lineup. From there, we see slightly revised headlamps, what appears to be a more upright grille and a new hood. Out back, there's a modified rear bumper and revised LED taillights.
Our spies also suggest that minor interior and mechanical updates could be present in the new C-Class. We aren't expecting giant leaps from the already very good current car, but squeezing a few more miles-per-gallon out of the Merc's mill probably isn't out of the question.
[Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: Best look yet at forthcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class update originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
March 10, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Opel, Vauxhall 
Opel/Vauxhall Astra SportsTourer spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Opel/Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer - otherwise known as a wagon or estate - is testing its cold weather chops with minimal camouflage.
Details on the little cargo carrier are slim, but snappers at CarPix tell us that the rear liftgate differs from that on the larger Insignia ST by being separated from the taillights. We are also told that the interior and engine options will be the same as on the five-door hatch, and a spicy GSi model is on the way to fill out the line. It's too bad no one from Buick will tell us in the States, "Yes, you can have it..." You can check it out from various angles in the gallery of high-res photos below.
[Source: CarPix]
Spy Shots: Opel Astra ST spotted braving the elements originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
March 10, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Dodge 
Next-gen Dodge Charger spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
There've been no shortage of spy shots to be had showing the upcoming next-gen Dodge Charger, but to date we've yet to see the interior fully revealed. Our spy photogs have remedied this by finally capturing the big rear-wheel-drive sedan's inner domicile. What's plainly obvious is that Dodge designers have added some swoop to the Charger's angular interior. Note the silvery dashboard piece that acts as a backdrop for the cluster gauge, driver and center air vents and the rather large navigation screen. This particular interior is two-tone with what appears to be light-colored leather seats and door inserts, with black plastic (soft touch, we're hoping) everywhere else and some nickel-colored trim thrown in. There's also a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and information display between the tach and speedo.
All in all, we see a big improvement over the current car's aged interior, but a final verdict will have to wait until we can get our grubby paws all over it. We've also got some new spy shots of the exterior that don't reveal much more than what we've seen before except a naked C-pillar. Have a look in the high-res gallery below.
Spy Shots: Next-gen Dodge Charger interior gets outed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
March 10, 2010
Filed under: Aftermarket, Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Japan, Videos, Hatchback, Honda 
Noblesse-tuned Honda CR-Z on-track - Click above to watch video after the jump
A couple of days ago, we wrote about the specs for the 2011 Honda CR-Z, and most commenters weren't all that impressed. Spoon then let a little bit slip about what it was doing to make the hybrid coupe a little more engaging, but those were merely words. Now we have what is said to be track footage of Japanese tuner Noblesse in one of their tuned CR-Zs at Suzuka, and it might put people in a mind to at least reserve judgment.
It's all in-car video, and yes, Noblesse is primarily known for their bodykit work, not for actual performance parts. All which makes this footage a little tough to gauge, but there were moments when we did find ourselves thinking, "Hey, this could be something." And yes, we will only accept fully blacked-out CR-Zs from now on. Follow the jump for some Suzuka lapping, and have a look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below. Thanks for the tip and images, Chris!
[Source: Six Sylinder]Continue reading Spy Shots: Noblesse takes tuned Honda CR-Z to Suzuka for testing [w/video] Spy Shots: Noblesse takes tuned Honda CR-Z to Suzuka for testing [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
March 6, 2010
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, GM 
Well, it sure looks like it. All credit for this one goes to Autoblog reader Aaron P., who emailed the following to us:
So I was walking down Grand Avenue in Downtown LA, and they were shooting a Caddy commercial. There was a covered car, which I thought was the CTS Coupe, but the wind blew off the cover and there was a CTS-V Wagon. I only had time to snag this pic before they put the cover back on but you can see the wagon lines. I hope that means its coming cause that would be an amazing car.
Reports of the CTS-V Wagon being given the green light date back to September of last year. It's basically been a guessing game of whicch show will provide the backdrop for its formal unveiling. With New York the sole remaining major show on the U.S. circuit this year, and Bob Lutz's retirement scheduled to begin exactly one month after that, we'll bet our whole chip stack that El Generalissimo Roberto Maximo goes out with a bang, introducing the CTS-V Sportwagon at the Javits Center, because the car in the above photo is most definitely a wagon, that is most definitely the "V" badge, and those are the correct wheels. Amazing car, indeed.
Thanks to Aaron for the photo! Peekaboo: Cadillac CTS-V Wagon spied in L.A.? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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March 5, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, BMW 
BMW M5 spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
It seems that the 2011 BMW M5 is nearing production-ready status, and while the new supersedan may still be wearing a bit of swirly camouflage, it's easy to see what the more aggressive M5 will look like in its new F10 5 Series body.
As we've mentioned earlier, the 2011 M5 is expected to ditch the outgoing car's high-revving V10 in favor of a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 borrowed from the X5 M and X6 M. Currently, that engine kicks out 555 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, but if the rumormill is to be believed, BMW's M division has cranked out some extra punch for the M5, to the tune of 578 hp and 530 lb-ft. That means 0-60 mph runs should happen in under 4.5 seconds on the way to a limited top speed of 155 mph. As for transmissions, we'll bet our last dollar that the M5 will use a dual-clutch setup, and we're still crossing our fingers that a proper manual transmission will find its way into the cards as well.
Expect the production-ready M5 to debut later this year (Paris Motor Show?) or in the very early months of 2011. In the meantime, click through the attached gallery to see all of the high-res spy shots.
[Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: 2011 BMW M5 shows off more of its new skin originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
March 5, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai, Luxury 
2011 Hyundai Equus prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery
Judging by these spy shots of a Hyundai Equus we just received from an alert reader, the Korean brand may be considering giving Rhys Millen a new ride to try and break the class record he set last year at Pikes Peak. Recall that in 2009, Millen ran up the 14,110-foot Colorado mountan-side in 12 minutes, 9.397 seconds at the wheel of a Genesis coupe.
Apparently, Hyundai may be looking to challenge the AMG S63s and Alpina B7s of the world with its new flagship by establishing the performance bona fides of the new Equus luxury sedan with some motorsports activity. Either that or somebody at the Hyundai tech center is just trying to pull a fast one on us to see if anyone is paying attention.
Spy shots: Will Rhys Millen drive a Hyundai Equus at Pikes Peak this year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
March 1, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz 
2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery
Our man Chris Paukert had a layover in Germany this weekend on his way to the Geneva Motor Show that included a visit to the headquarters of AMG in
Affalterbach. While there, a prototype SLS AMG Roadster made a suspiciously timed pass and pause while he and other journalists were walking around the compound. No matter the motivation, our man Paukert snagged a brace of shots and says that the droptop is expected to arrive as a 2012 model.
Aside from the folding top in place of the upward swinging gullwing doors, not much else is expected to change. Paukert got off-the-record confirmation from a company official, however, that the roadster will not immediately receive the new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that is going into the 2011 S63 sedan. Instead, it will carry over the 563-horsepower, normally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 already on sale in the coupe.
Photos Copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS roadster spotted in Affalterbach originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
February 26, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai 
2012 Hyundai Accent - Click above for high-res image gallery
With all the new product coming out of Hyundai, the Azera and Accent are beginning to stand out like the proverbial sore thumbs. To rectify the latter, Hyundai has begun testing the next Accent in the Great White North.
Since the upcoming Veloster will fill the hatch-sized space in Hyundai's line-up, there's a good chance that the next Accent will only be available in sedan form when it hits the market in the next two years. In four-door form, the Accent employs the now-standard sweeping roofline of its bigger Sonata sibling, and underneath the camouflage we expect a similar fascia and liberal application of chrome.
Early indications suggest that the i20's platform will be used to underpin the new Accent, with power supplied Hyundai's next generation 1.6-liter inline four, capable of producing around 140 horsepower. If all goes according to plan, we suspect the all-new Accent will make an appearance later this year or early next, with sales beginning in the middle of 2011.
Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Accent originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
February 26, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari, Luxury 
Ferrari 599 Hybrid - Click above for image gallery
With just a few days separating us from the Geneva Motor Show, the list of surprises continues to dwindle. The latest victim is the much-anticipated Ferrari 599 Hybrid which the automaker has confirmed will appear in Switzerland next week.
The shots appear to have been taken from the show stand, so there's no hard information to go off of yet. What we do know is that Ferrari will employ a version of its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that originally debuted during the 2009 Formula 1 season on the 599. The system captures energy normally lost to the flywheel under braking, sending a boost of energy to the wheels when the driver hits a steering wheel-mounted button. Judging by the size of the battery pack, it's doubtful that the 599 will be able to operate on electric power alone. We'll find out soon enough, but until then, check out Ferrari's green beastie in the gallery below. Top tip John.
[Source: CarSpyShots]Geneva Leakage: Ferrari 599 Hybrid caught on stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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