Production Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted undisguisedFebruary 4, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury  We've gotten various peeks at the Mercedes-Benz A-Class for a few months now, from the patent drawings to spy shots to QR-coded teasers. Then, of all things in all places, a cyclist with a handlebar-mounted camera gets a full-on shot of the real deal while riding in Lanzarote, Spain for what we assume is a photo or video shoot. If you liked the look of the patent drawings, then you'll be happy with the glimpse here. It even looks close enough to the Concept A for us to give Mercedes props for truth-in-concept-car designing. There's debate as to whether this is the AMG A-Class, but regardless, the final version will be shown at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Until then, watch the video after the jump. Continue reading Production Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted undisguised Production Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted undisguised originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake snapped winter testingFebruary 3, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Wagon, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury  Mercedes-Benz hasn't exactly been secretive about its desire to offer a five-door hatchback version of its ultra-stylish CLS sedan. After all, the first concept for the latest CLS, which was introduced as a 2012 model, introduced us to the CLS Shooting Break Concept at the Beijing Motor Show in 2010. And yes, MB itself called the car a Shooting Break, not Brake. Based on that concept, we have a pretty solid idea of how the CLS Shooting Brake will look. Judging by these spy shots that were snapped in Northern Sweden, there won't really be any surprises. And that's totally fine by us. We'd expect Mercedes-Benz to deliver its super hatch in both CLS550 (with 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8) and CLS63 AMG (with 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8) flavors, which means the biggest question left to answer will be whether the company decides to call it the Shooting Brake or the Shooting Break. We, like pretty much everyone else in the world, vote for Brake. Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake snapped winter testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsBMW i3 caught winter testing againFebruary 1, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Europe, Hatchback, BMW, Electric  Spy photographers have picked up yet another batch of photos of the BMW i3. This time, the pint-sized Bimmer was spotted during some winter testing in Norway. When we last saw the awkward-looking hatchback, it was whirring about under the power of 600cc two-cylinder range-extending engine back in November. This looks to be the same i3 REx, complete with its "Hybrid Test Vehicle" stickers slathered on both doors. That means the model you see here likely boasts a range of significantly longer than the 100 miles quoted for the pure EV. How much longer? That's a question BMW isn't likely to answer until the production model debuts. From what we've heard, the BMW i3 is slated hit the market in 2013 with the i3 REx surfacing sometime shortly thereafter. We'll be interested to see whether the production model rides on the same super-skinny tires as the test ride pictured above. Click through our attached image gallery for a host of snowy i3 photos. BMW i3 caught winter testing again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsPorsche 911 Turbo caught out and about againJanuary 30, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Luxury  We've driven the new 991-series Porsche 911, and now the next chapter of the new 911 story - the 2013 Turbo - has been caught proving itself in the wintertide climate. Its most important details - the front and rear bumpers and side intakes - remain behind camo, but we now get a look at how the tail sits across the wider rump, and we think it looks quite good. When it's finally revealed, the new 911 Turbo is expected to put out more than 500 horsepower - numbers from 520 hp to 550 hp have been mentioned - from it's tri-turboed (yes, three turbos) 3.6-liter flat six. Both the seven-speed PDK and seven-speed manual transmissions should be on offer, and the lighter-than-the-last-Turbo package should be screamingly fast. Have a look at the high-res gallery to see it from just about every angle. Porsche 911 Turbo caught out and about again originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsNext Land Rover showing up pixel by pixelJanuary 30, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, SUV, Europe, Land Rover, Luxury  Our spy photographers have snagged a few fresh images of the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover as engineers put the SUV through its paces during a little winter testing. The prototype looks identical to the bruiser we say playing around on the Nürburgring last year. Details were scarce then and they remain so now, though this batch of photos show the big Rover's interior for the first time. From the looks of things, the cabin doesn't seem to have received much in the way of an update, though there's no way to tell if this particular tester is fitted with a full production-spec interior. The next-generation Range Rover is expected to bow with a gently sloping roofline and a more aggressively raked rear window. Word has it that the vehicle will ride on the same underpinnings as the Jaguar XJ, though the luxury utility will likely undergo a serious diet before it debuts. Land Rover has made it clear that reduced mass is a top priority as governments around the world continue to push more aggressive fuel economy and emissions targets. Next Land Rover showing up pixel by pixel originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |
Are you the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?January 26, 2012Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossover, Hyundai, Design/Style  It won't be long before we see the official reveal of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, but predictably, the Internet won't be kept waiting. Consider us unsurprised that a set of grainy photos showing what is claimed to be a badgeless redesigned Santa Fe crossover has appeared ahead of schedule. That said, we're thinking the chrome-heavy maw depicted in these shots suggests that this is probably an overseas version (ix45) - not exactly what we'll see in the States. At least, that's what we're hoping, as the wall of frontal brightwork seems out of step not just with the market, but also Hyundai and its styling position here in North America. That said, our moles confirm that this is "some version of Santa Fe" and suggest that the image above was likely part of an illicit photo shoot taken inside the plant in Korea. We should know more in April, when the North American Santa Fe is expected to launch at the New York Auto Show. For now, however, check out AutoEvolution for a second look. Are you the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMcLaren MP4-12C Spyder caught on camera with its top downJanuary 26, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, MISC  If you're going to make a mid-engined supercar, you've got to make a roadster version. You simply have to, and that's all there is to it. Ferrari does with the 458 Spider, just as it did with the F430, 360, 355 and 348 before it. Lamborghini does with the Gallardo. Audi does with the R8. And soon McLaren will with the MP4-12C. We know it will - it's just a matter of time. And now it appears that time is coming up soon.Caught by in spy shots by Britain's Car magazine, the MP4-12C Spyder carries a folding solid roof mechanism - not unlike that found in the 458, but unlike the Ferrari's, does not hide the engine. That's because the system is more of a targa top. It's reportedly being built for McLaren by Webasto and - intriguingly enough - Lotus, made of aluminum and plastic, and can deploy or retract in about 17 seconds while rolling at up to five mph. Otherwise it's expected to be mechanically identical to the fixed-roof version, complete with twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 pumping 592 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Expect the 12C Spyder to roll out some time later this year - in time for the summer, if McLaren's as smart and quick about it as it is with most things. McLaren MP4-12C Spyder caught on camera with its top down originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsMercedes teases A-Class ahead of Geneva debutJanuary 23, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Videos, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury  Last we heard, Mercedes-Benz was planning to bring its new A-Class to North America, a market where the current model has never been sold. But whether it makes the trek or not, there's little question that the new premium hatchback will be a vital product for Daimler. While the current A-Class hasn't been a smashing success, the segment has grown into an important one for luxury automakers like Audi with its A3 and BMW with its 1 Series. The new model, however, aims to take a slice of that particular pie once it debuts as anticipated in production form at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in a couple of months from now. We've already seen the A-Class in concept form, test-mule spy shots and even in production-ready patent renderings. Now Mercedes has released a video clip showing a prototype strutting its stuff on the open road, but instead of the usual body-cladding or shape-disguising camouflage, the German automaker has covered the mule in QR codes to enable the legions of smartphone-toting fans the opportunity to peer into the future of the premium hatchback. Check out the video clip after the jump for a closer look. Continue reading Mercedes teases A-Class ahead of Geneva debut Mercedes teases A-Class ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe caught undisguised ahead of Chicago debutJanuary 20, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Budget, Hyundai, Design/Style  Here it is, ladies and gents - the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe. The svelte new two-door will make its official debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show in just a few weeks, but our intrepid spy photographers managed to catch this completely uncovered prototype on the back of a flatbed truck. Not surprisingly, the new coupe relies heavily on the same Fluidic Sculpture design language of the award-winning sedan, though subtle tweaks have been made to give the two-door a bit more sporting flare. The foglight housings appear larger and more angular, giving the front end a slightly more aggressive appearance. Out back, a small lip spoiler has been added to the rear deck that both enhances the swoopy profile shape of the Elantra and adds another element of style to the rear end. As we reported earlier, the Elantra Coupe will get a sport-minded SE trim level, and all in, Hyundai hopes that the coupe will account for 20 percent of all Elantra sales. We'll have the full details in just a few weeks, but scroll through our gallery of spy shots to see naked coupe from all angles. 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe caught undisguised ahead of Chicago debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsRolls-Royce Phantom facelift spottedJanuary 19, 2012Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Europe, Rolls-Royce, Luxury  It's been a spell since Rolls-Royce put the aging Phantom under the knife. In truth, the luxoliner hasn't seen any serious revision since it debuted in 2003, but our spy photographers have just managed to click a few photos of a vehicle that may hint at changes to come. Unfortunately for carspotters, Rolls-Royce engineers and designers appear to have cleverly hid the vehicle's new face under stickers designed to make the front end appear identical to the old model. The decal treatment makes it difficult to see exactly what Rolls-Royce has planned for the Phantom, but we'd wager the changes will remain mild. Expect to see minor updates to the vehicle's lighting out front. Indoors, parent company BMW may throw in an updated navigation system and connectivity hardare. Under the hood, the new Phantom is likely to boast a little bit more power with fewer emissions through fine-tuning, but we don't expect a wholesale powertrain swap-out. Expect the price tag to remain somewhere between lofty and ludicrous. Rolls-Royce Phantom facelift spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |