We’ve gotten various peeks at the Mercedes-Benz A-Class for a few months now, from the to to . Then, of all things in all places, a cyclist with a handlebar-mounted camera 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 for us to give Mercedes props for truth-in-concept-car designing. There’s debate as to whether this is the , but regardless, the final version will be shown at next month’s . Until then, watch the video .
hasn’t exactly been secretive about its desire to offer a five-door hatchback version of its ultra-stylish sedan. After all, the first concept for the latest CLS, which was introduced as a 2012 model, introduced us to the at the 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 (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.
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 . 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.
We’ve driven the new 991-series , 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.
Our spy photographers have snagged a few fresh images of the 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 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 , 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.
It won’t be long before we see the official reveal of the , 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 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 . For now, however, check out AutoEvolution for a second look.
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. does with the , just as it did with the F430, 360, 355 and 348 before it. does with the . does with the . 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 – , 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.
Last we heard, 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 with its and with its . The new model, however, aims to take a slice of that particular pie once it debuts as anticipated in production form at the upcoming in a couple of months from now.
We’ve already , and even in . 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 for a closer look.
Here it is, ladies and gents – the 2013 Coupe. The svelte new two-door will make its official debut at the 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 and adds another element of style to the rear end.
As we , 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.
is busily readying a facelift for the , and our elite squad of spy photographers recently clicked a few images of the vehicle as it underwent winter testing. Details are scarce as to what, if any changes we can expect from the vehicle mechanically, but the photos clearly show an updated front fascia hidden beneath a bit of cladding. Odds are we can bet on seeing a tweaked headlight design with a reworked front valance. The vehicle’s LED daytime running lights look to hang around for another few years as well. The tweaks should help the oddly proportioned Panamera age a bit better moving forward.
Move to the vehicle’s rear and Porsche has served up some similarly small adjustments to the rear bumper cap and taillights. The changes aren’t revolutionary by any stretch of the imagination, but Porsche has never been one shock and awe with its facelifts.
It’s been a spell since put the aging 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 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.
The is the very definition of a halo car, and the fact that 2013 marks its sixtieth year in production is nothing short of a miracle. The seventh-generation Corvette is still a model year away, during which time plans to send off the C6 with a .
Development of the C7, however, continues at full speed, and we have the very first shots of a prototype being tested in cold weather to prove it. The car in question is wrapped in vinyl covering, underneath which hides the familiar black-and-white swirl paint job we see so often on prototypes. Even still, we can identify some aspects of the evolution that will take place between the C6 and C7.
For one, comparing profile shots of this prototype with the C6, it’s apparent that the front wheels have moved farther forward, increasing the dash-to-axle ratio and likely the wheelbase. The rear end also appears to be larger, with a higher deck lid and slightly longer overhang. We also noticed that this prototype’s side mirrors are a different shape than the C6’s, and its dual tailpipes are positioned closer together to form a perfectly spaced line of four pipes.
There’s no evidence of a split rear window and a mid-engine layout is clearly not in the cards. These photos should put to rest, but what’s under the hood and how the interior has been improved are still unknowns.
Even though spy shots signal that exterior adjustments on the next Mercedes-Benz GLK will be subtle, there’s one giant adjustment coming under the hood, and it smells like oil – in a good way. Automotive News says the revamped softroader will gain a new diesel engine option. For its part, hasn’t said which of its oilburners it will offer with the GLK, but that it could be the 2.1-liter turbo diesel mill with 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque that sees duty in models like the and in other lands.
The addition of the GLK and next C-Class will make seven Mercedes model lines offered with diesel in the U.S. With the GLK’s fuel economy addressed, the hope is that the entry-level crossover can find roughly 13,000 more buyers per year and close in on 40,000-sales-per-annum threshold. The brand already offers far more diesels than its German competitors here, but still wants to from 12-to-20 percent to 15 to 20 percent.
Our spy photographers have collected a new few shots of the next-generation as it undergoes testing in Germany. The vehicle is expected to use a modified version of the same chassis underpinning the , and the new model will likely demonstrate a significant weight savings over the outgoing model. Engineers have codenamed the new generation F15, and the crossover is expected to continue to make use of the same engines currently available. That means buyers will be able to enjoy both straight six and V8 power.
With focusing its attention on turbocharged four-cylinder engines as a viable way to maintain performance while reducing fuel consumption, some whispers have indicated the next-generation BMW X5 will be available with four-pot power. Still, it seems unlikely that the company will be able to reduce the vehicle’s weight by enough to make a gasoline four-cylinder a viable option, at least here in the States. Instead, BMW is more likely to offer an ActiveHybrid version for those looking for better fuel economy.
The relentlessly unconventional looks to be going a lot less unconventional for its third generation, at least on the inside. A glimpse of what appears to be Mini’s future was snapped by KGP Photography in the Arctic Circle, and outside, there looks to be little change except for slightly larger dimensions. Inside, though, the giant-speedo-and-toggle-switch IP looks to be binned in favor of a soberly BMW-esque dash cluster and horizontally laid-out central console.
If this interior is accurate and not just an elaborate – and expensive – engineering mule bait-and-switch, then it signals a rather marked change in the way of life. The theories of why it might be the real deal are, again, the testing expense, the expectation that the Mini will get a GT brother and the platform sharing necessitated more commonalities, or that designers might simply be over the still-unique first- and second-generation interior design (a retro-minded setup that both delights and enrages with its haphazard ergonomics). What’s every bit as likely, however, is that this isn’t a Mini at all – it’s a next-gen 1 Series wrapped in a Mini mule shell.
While we all wait to find out if the Mini cabin dream is over, you can catch more high-res glimpses of this odd creature in our gallery.
Our elite squad of spy photographers have managed to take a few quick photos of the , and from the looks of things, the luxury sedan may have one very special trick up its sleeve when it hits the market: a large, retractable glass roof. Taking a close look at the vehicle’s rear glass, we can clearly see a very squared-off window with visible tracks down both sides. That may indicate a mechanism capable of retracting and supporting the roof section as it moves back.
If that turns out to be the case, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ will boast a roof similar to what’s found on the . Unfortunately, the spy shots don’t show the roof in the retracted position, which means we’ll have to use our imagination until the vehicle gets closer to an official unveil at the 2012 New York Auto Show.
Motor Trend reports has confirmed that its next-generation will bow at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The third-generation Santa Fe is expected to hit dealer lots by the end of the year as a 2013 model. Hyundai hasn’t disclosed exactly what we can expect from the vehicle when it arrives, though spy shots suggest a vehicle more in-line with the automaker’s current design language. MT believes the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will continue on with the same powertrain options found in the current vehicle, which means buyers can look forward to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Hyundai may squeeze a bit more performance or fuel efficiency out of those engines, however. Some reports have also suggested the 2013 Santa Fe may bow with a new turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood as well. That engine is currently found in the likes of the where it produces 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.
Finally, our intelligence still suggests that Hyundai will eventually market ae as the de-facto replacement for the slow-selling , but it isn’t clear whether that vehicle (or strategy) will be disclosed in New York.
A few images of the new Chinese-market long-wheelbase have made their way to the web. The vehicle’s profile clearly shows a few extra inches of room for rear passengers, though the additional space between the front and rear wheels doesn’t infringe too heavily on the sedan’s design.
With a slightly longer rear door and expanded rear cabin, the 335Li is designed for buyers who would rather be driven than drive. That’s a big plus for the chauffeur-oriented Chinese luxury vehicle market. From what we hear, the vehicle is headed toward an official debut at the in April.
In addition to more rear legroom, the BMW 335Li will likely feature a new 8.8-inch freestanding control display mounted atop the vehicle’s dash. An auto start-stop system is expected to debut on the vehicle to help increase fuel economy, and a blind-spot awareness system is expected to be standard equipment, as well. Head over to the for a better look at the elongated 3 Series.
Our spy photographers have caught the Mercedes-Benz CLC out for a little winter testing. Based on the same platform as the company’s A and B-Class vehicles, the CLC should offer buyers a smaller alternative to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Rumor has it the CLC will be available in both front and all-wheel drive configurations, and AMG is already humming along on a high-performance version of the four-door. The CLC AMG is likely to produce somewhere between 300 and 340 horsepower when it debuts. Otherwise, buyers can expect to find two gasoline engines on the option sheet producing 121 and 154 horsepower, respectively.
Chances are Mercedes-Benz will also offer European buyers a pair of diesel options good for 107 and 134 horsepower. Regardless of engine choice, the CLC will likely put the power to its wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Detroit in January isn’t exactly the proper place to go topless in a 650-horsepower tire smoker, but that doesn’t mean rumors of the Convertible’s at the aren’t accurate. And these spy shots prove that the car is very much ready for its big debut.
We’re expecting the soft-top Shelby to pack the same 5.8-liter supercharged engine as its hard-topped sibling, which means the asphalt will be punished with those aforementioned 650 ponies along with 600 pound-feet of torque. For the coupe, that power equals a top speed of over 200 miles per hour.
So, here’s the big question: Will the 2013 GT500 Convertible be the least expensive way to a wind-in-your-hair blast at supercar speeds? While we all ponder that question, let’s all take a gander at the spy photos in the gallery above. And let’s pray to the god of sunshine that the GT500 Convertible does indeed drop its top in the snowy climes of Detroit in January.
