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September 1, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Subaru 
Subaru FT-86 RWD coupe spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
We've read many reports lately having to do with Toyota's FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe, but we mustn't forget that Subaru will be getting its own version of this new two-door - it is a joint venture, after all. Our spies have captured this obviously Subaru-bodied mule out testing in Death Valley, showing that things are still on track for the "Toyobaru" to come to market in the near future.
Details are still very slim on what Subaru's version of the FT-86 will offer, and contrary to the brand's image, the new coupe may not be available with all-wheel drive. If that's the case, Subaru will have to offer a lot more in the way of styling (and perhaps power) to differentiate it from its Toyota sister. This latest prototype has sprouted a hood scoop not seen on earlier test cars, suggesting that a top-mount intercooler could be underhood, though it's also possible that this is just the result of some WRX/STI parts being used for camouflage purposes.
Toyota is expected to launch its version of the FT-86 in November of 2011, so keep your fingers crossed for Subaru's version to drop around the same time. For now, see a glimpse of what's to come in our high-res gallery of spy shots below.
[Source: KGP Photography]Spy Shots: Subaru testing its version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" coupe in the Death Valley heat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
September 1, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford, UK 
Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover mule - click above for high-res image gallery
Ford is enjoying early success with the Fiesta here in the United States, but in Europe, where the Fiesta has been on sale for years, it's time to start thinking about the future. Our friendly neighborhood snappers at CarPix have scored spy shots of what appears to be a high-riding Fiesta-based crossover designed to slot in below the Kuga crossover in the automaker's European lineup.
A Fiesta crossover might sound a little odd at first take, but when it comes to production, it should be roughly the same size as a Nissan Juke or Mini Countryman. That in mind, don't rule out the possibility of the Fiesta CUV making its way to the U.S. Expect to see a variety of powertrains offered for European customers including some EcoBoost options, and both front- and all-wheel drive configurations should be available. Check out our gallery of high-res pics before to get a closer look at the forthcoming Blue Oval tall boy.
[Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: Ford Fiesta-based crossover headed for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
September 1, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Bentley, Luxury 
2012 Bentley Continental GT spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's only a matter of days before Bentley officially debuts the 2012 Continental GT coupe on the internet. We've already seen two sets of spy shots and a teaser video, and now our trusty spy photographers have caught the big Conti out testing one last time. So much for keeping us in suspense.
Yes, by now we already have a very good idea of what the final Continental GT will look like, but we're still curious as to what changes lie under that shapely sheetmetal. What's more, we're sure that Bentley has a few tricks up its sleeve for new interior refinement (not that the current Conti has third-world accommodations, or anything).
ContinentalGT.com is the place to be at 10:00 AM EST on Tuesday, September 7 - that's where we'll see the official reveal and get full details on the new Conti. For now, scroll through the final set of spy shots, below.
[Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: Last look at 2012 Bentley Continental GT before internet reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
August 30, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche 
2012 Porsche Boxster - Click above for high-res image gallery
As expected, the Spyder is the send-off model for the current generation Porsche Boxster (987), so a new version - rumored to carry the 981 designation - is under development.
Like anything hailing from Stuttgart, any changes to Boxster's chassis and exterior will be minor, with more shapely sheetmetal adorning the outside and a few minor modifications to the suspension, brakes and assorted underbody bits. Naturally, a few interior tweaks are part of the package, but the big news is the possible addition of a four-cylinder powerplant for the 2012 model year.
While the 2.9- and 3.4-liter flat six-cylinder engines will likely carryover with minor bumps in horsepower and torque, there's talk of a four-cylinder Boxster being added to Porsche's line-up just above its oft-rumored entry-level model - a rebirth of the 914 co-developed with Volkswagen and Audi. Additionally, Porsche has confirmed it will begin testing three Boxsters with electric drivetrains next year, but technical details on the EVs have yet to be released.
Initial speculation suggested that the 2012 Boxster could make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show this fall, but the smart money is on a Geneva debut in March.
Spy Shots: 2012 Porsche Boxster wired up outside the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
August 28, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Truck, Dodge
While recently shooting some cloaked Chrysler and Hyundai prototypes, Automotive Traveler's Rich Truesdell came across several completely undisguised Ram 1500 pickups the other day. As Rich tells it:
Upon closer examination, I figured out why: They are near-production-ready versions of the rumored 2-Mode Hybrid version. Judging by the complete lack of cloaking, I'd assume they are undergoing final validation, possibly to establish their published tow ratings. Don't be surprised if the Ram is an early-introduction 2012 model to reach showrooms in the spring.
We've talked about these hybrid pickups before, and if a schedule posted at Allpar is to be believed, Chrysler will kick off production of this new Ram 1500 Hybrid on November 16, so they may be badged as MY2011 Ram 1500 Hemi Hybrids and not MY2012 as Rich supposes. Either way, the hybrid Ram is expected to employ the same 5.7-liter Hemi V8, two-mode hybrid powertrain that was used in the short-lived Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen hybrids in 2008, backed by a transmission supplied to Chrysler by General Motors. Expected mileage ratings should be similar to GM's hybrid trucks, with a city number of about 21 to 22 mpg.
Check out Automotive Traveler for more photos of the 2011 Ram 1500 Hemi Hybrid.
[Source: Automotive Traveler]Spy Shots: 2011 Ram 1500 Hybrid uncloaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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August 27, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Hyundai 
2012 Hyundai Sonata (i40) wagon spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's no secret that we Autobloggers are big fans of wagons. Unfortunately, the market here in the United States isn't as wagon-friendly as those in other corners of the world, and because of this, there are very few examples to choose from - most automakers would rather introduce crossovers, as it's a significantly bigger (and growing) market.
With that in mind, it's unlikely that we'll get a version of this five-door Hyundai Sonata (which will be dubbed "i40" in other markets), though the automaker hasn't officially given America the red light just yet. Aside from the cargolicious rear end, the Sonata wagon caught by the spy shooters at CarPix employs a different chrome treatment at the base of the A-pillar, and we can see that a slightly different front fascia has been adapted. In keeping with the Sonata's sleek design, Hyundai has opted for a more rakish hatch assembly.
While you wait for Hyundai to take the wraps off this load lugger, scroll through the gallery below to see the prototype out on the street.
[Source: CarPix]Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Sonata (i40) wagon caught testing again originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
August 27, 2010
Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Crossover, Hyundai, Design/Style
Our buddy Rich Truesdell over at Automotive Traveler was out at one of his favorite spy shot locales and came across some Hyundai prototypes under wraps. Among them was a hatchback that Rich initially figured was the new Accent. It turns out it's more likely the production version of the Hyundai HED-5 undergoing testing.
The Elantra-based competitor for the Mazda5 and the forthcoming Ford Grand C-Max - was first shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2008, and then again in Los Angeles where Hyundai quickly confirmed it for production. Things got a bit quiet after that until February of this year when an alert reader sent us pics of a cloaked version of the production microvan undergoing testing in Scandinavia.
The three-row space wagon shows signs that it will be blessed with Hyundai's new Fluidic Sculpture styling, a design language that we are finding very appealing, despite the kooky name. We're not sure what's under the hood, but Hyundai did mention its new 286-hp, 2.0-liter Theta Turbo GDI engine as a possibility when the concept was on the stand in Los Angeles back in '08. That would certainly shake things up in this increasingly popular class, but such a powerful motor doesn't seem likely. However, were it to recceive the force-fed motor, who knows? It could singlehandedly force a business case for a Mazdaspeed5 as well. Hmmm.
Click on over to Automotive Traveler for more pics of the cloaked Hyundai HED-5.
[Source: Automotive Traveler]Spy Shots: Hyundai HED-5 making the rounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
August 26, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Honda, Racing 
Widebody Honda CR-Z Prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery
The GT Channel crew have snagged a handful of shots of a widebody Honda CR-Z being built for an unknown venue, and while it could just be an elaborate show car for this January's Tokyo Auto Salon, it's possible Honda is prepping the CR-Z for a run in Japan's SuperGT touring car series.
With one of the Honda HSV-010 teams holding down second place in the GT500 class this season, HoMoCo could be looking to capitalize off its success - and the popularity of the hybrid hatch in Japan - by fielding a CR-Z is the GT300 class. The engine and chassis restrictions are less rigid compared to the top-tier SuperGT racers, so the mid-mounted V6 (or V8?) shown in the gallery below is a-okay with JAF (the regulating body behind SuperGT) - even with a set of turbos.
If the build is taking place now (check the carbon fiber doors coming out of the autoclave), Honda or one of its racing affiliates is likely to start testing the CR-Z racer this fall before the new season kicks off in March of 2011.
[Source: GT Channel]Widebody, mid-engine Honda CR-Z coming to SuperGT? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
August 26, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Volkswagen 
Volkswagen Up! spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
Even though Volkswagen won't be offering a gasoline-powered version of its exclamatory little Up! city car here in the United States, we're still slated to get its E-Up! electric counterpart. Earlier reports stated that a larger version of the E-Up! could come Stateside as early as 2013, and we now have spy shots of a pair of Up! prototypes out testing in the Death Valley heat.
Our keen-eyed spy photographers pointed out that while these two prototypes appear to be very similar, the one with its grille closed off could actually be the all-electric E-Up! model. Thus, we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more spy shots of the VW prototypes as they go through their hot weather testing. For now, have a look at these initial spy shots for yourself in our high-res gallery below.
[Source: KGP Photography]Spy Shots: Volkswagen Up! caught in Death Valley originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
August 23, 2010
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Chevrolet  The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has been busted again, wearing front and rear camo, which is more camo than it wore the last time we saw it. It's clear that the flanks are getting just enough etching to add some visual interest, but we're wondering how far the front and back treatments will move toward Regal-ish styling or whether they'll carve a place of their own. That Volvo- and Camry-esque trunk treatment has really got us going...
According to Inside Line, this version of the 'Bu could go international, which makes the expectation of "a complete interior overhaul" a necessity. Even so, a navigation screen is only expected to be optional. Rumored engines are a direct-injection four-cylinder, a hybrid, a 3.6-liter V6 and a turbocharged ECOTEC.
[Source: Inside Line via GM Inside News]Spy Shots: 2012 Chevrolet Malibu continues its camo striptease originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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