If news of a more powerful sounds familiar, it’s because we earlier in the week. Now, though, a reader of the same Swedish site that initially broke the news has fired back with a set of spy photos, and we can clearly see that is indeed making improvements to the S60.
As for what exactly those improvements are, your guess is as good as ours. As we reported before, – the tuning firm that now offers power upgrades for the current range of Volvo products – is said to be handling the more potent S60, with horsepower slated to be somewhere in the 350 to 400 range. Volvo could use a version of the Yamaha-sourced V8 from the , but in this day and age, a boosted version of the turbocharged inline-six sounds more realistic.
Of course, a hotter S60 will need more than just power to make it truly competitive with the likes of the and . We’re sure that Polestar has many a trick up its sleeve, and we’re indeed interested to see how the whole project pans out. Stay tuned.
As much as it pains us to say it, the current core range from has grown a little stale. But fret not: a new model is just around the corner.
Snapped undergoing testing at the Nürburgring in this latest batch of spy shots is what looks to be a new and nearly complete V12 GT from Gaydon. Code-named AM 310, it could be a successor to either the or – or could carry a different nameplate altogether and replace them both.
While the engine and platform carry over as modified versions of the existing building blocks, sources anticipate just about everything else in the new sportscar will be new. The bodywork – styled as something of a blend between the current DBS and the top-of-the-line One-77 – is tipped to be made up almost entirely of aluminum and carbon fiber, reducing the weight for the 6.0-liter V12 engine – anticipated to come with a 55-horse boost over the current DBS for a solid 565 horsepower. That ought to be sufficient to propel the rakish coupe to highway speeds in under four seconds.
An even lighter version clothed entirely in carbon fiber is also said to be in the works, but we may not have to wait that long, as the AM 310 may debut as soon as this weekend at the prestigious and glamorous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
These are spy shots of the facelifted that we expect to see later this year. You’ll need to look very closely at the front to see where the lifting and tucking has been done: new LED headlights inside a slightly reworked grille. Around back are round tailpipes like those on the .
This is a that will hold us until the 2015 Audi R8 arrives – the one with the , and on offer. That last fact is tragic enough because we still love sports cars with sticks, but descends into the catastrophic since the six-speed manual available now is outstanding. We’re sure the next-gen coupe will be awesome, but we’ll enjoy this one while we have it. Check it out in the high-res gallery of spy shots above.
We’ve seen weirder camouflage. But despite the fact that this next-generation prototype looks like it drove through a garbage bag warehouse, we now have a very clear glimpse at some of the new car’s details – namely, the shapely new front fascia.
Merc’s new flagship takes many of its new design cues from the that debuted back in 2007, specifically the larger, more upright grille and the redesigned headlamps that now incorporate LED running lights (just like what we’ve seen on the new and models). The big sedan’s overall shape doesn’t change too much from the car that’s currently on sale, though things seem to be a little swoopier for this new generation.
Under the hood, we can expect Mercedes’ latest engines to be on tap, including the 4.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 as well as some V6 options. Naturally, an AMG model will follow suit, likely using the new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 in the .
Look for the redesigned S-Class to officially bow later this year.
Last year, the took the honor of being the best-selling vehicle in the Korean automaker’s stable. That pace has slowed somewhat in 2012, as both the and the push past the CUV for sales dominance, but the company’s engineers are already hard at work on the next Sorento facelift.
Our spy photographers spotted the heavily camouflaged version of the tweaked crossover prancing around the Nürburgring. This is the second time we’ve seen the machine out in open air. As you may recall, the Sorento was last spotted romping around in the snow along with a few friends, including an and a .
With those kinds of benchmarks, there’s a good possibility the next-generation Sorento will offer significant improvements in ride and interior refinement. Word has it the next revision will also bring along a fresh fascia, complete with LED headlights, as well as a freshened rear valance with LED treatments of its own.
Our trusty spy photographers have caught the upcoming Turbo Cabriolet with its top down and its tail up on a stroll through German streets. To our eyes, the extended length and wheelbase are accentuated in the rear-end packaging, but it’s still a looker.
Some reports say that motivation will come from a flat-six, others say there will be for immediate low-end action. Horsepower ratings are also a muddle for now, with various reports suggesting 515 horsepower or thereabouts, making for a 15-hp increase over , and that would be followed by a Turbo S with somewhere around 550 hp, a 20-hp bump on . Other reports say the regular turbo will go straight for the 550-hp jugular, leaving the S to haunt the neighborhood of 600 hp.
What we do know is that it will pack all-wheel drive, a seven-speed transmission in traditional stick or PDK, and every electro-bauble in Porsche’s arsenal when it finally is revealed. For now, catch what you can in the high-res gallery of spy photos.
This isn’t the (or , or ) time we’ve caught the next-generation Big Daddy out testing, but this latest set of spy photos gives us our best look yet at some of the SUV’s new exterior details. (Sidenote: We have to commend for having some of the coolest camouflage patterns in the world.)
As you might expect, the Range Rover’s shape hasn’t changed too much from the current generation, though we can clearly see a sleeker front fascia with headlamps that seem to incorporate new LED running lights, as well as a slightly sleeker roofline. But the big news for this next-generation vehicle is the huge reduction in weight that’s supposedly on tap – reports have estimated that as much as 800 pounds have been shed from the SUV’s body. This weight savings is largely due to an all-new aluminum platform, as well as widespread use of lightweight materials throughout the body.
Mum’s the word on what’s going to be found underhood, but we’d expect the usual range of eight-cylinder engines to be offered here in the United States. Murmurs of a hybrid powertrain have also been spinning ’round the rumormill, so don’t rule out the possibility of some electric boost being on tap, as well. Click through the above gallery to see the full slate of spy shots for yourself.
Our spy photographers appear to have grabbed the first glimpse at Jaguar’s upcoming F-Type R. Judging by the not-so-subtle “F” camouflage and quad exhaust outlets, odds are this is the more high-strung version of the next convertible from . What exactly is under the hood? That remains to be seen, though early reports suggest its something other than the tried-and-true blown 5.0-liter V8 we’ve come to know and love. The base F-Type will get along with a turbocharged V6, and the brawnier R model will likely bow with something packing eight cylinders and power figures in the neighborhood of 500 horsepower.
So, when can we get our hands on this creation? A final launch date is murky at best, though there is some indication Jaguar could hold onto the V8 F-Type until later in the model’s lifecycle, but doesn’t quite dovetail with the fact that Jaguar is already road-testing the machine. Chances are we’ll see the F-Type R earlier than expected.
Given the spate of new models has introduced in the past few years, from the to the to the to the , it sometimes seems like has forgotten about the original model, the plain old hardtop. It was last redesigned for the 2007 model year, which seems like a long time ago because, well, it is. Which is why Mini will shortly introduce an all-new hardtop Cooper, which our camera spies have captured testing in Europe.
We’re told that the new model is codenamed F56, but more importantly, its underpinnings are said to be shared with the next-generation . While Mini will continue to put four-cylinder engines underhood, there’s presumably a three-cylinder in the works as well, though we’re not sure whether that model will make it to our shores.
While we’ve seen some before, these seem to confirm that the car will grow a bit in size, both length and width. We are told that the longer hood and greater front overhang may be the result of fake front body panels, but the new front and rear glass appears to accurately represent the forthcoming production car, which will have a more raked angle to its windshield and rear window.
is expected to start production of the 2014 Mini Cooper early next year.
There can be no argument that the is a handsome sedan, but some changes are underway to make the 2013 model more striking. Our spy shooters caught this wagon, which despite having its front end heavily cloaked, gives up at least a few details.
New headlights are hiding beneath all that masking, which will integrate the current model’s separate daytime running lamps. Out back, the taillights will retain the same shape, but get a slightly different look.
Also absent from these photos will be a new design to the rear fenders, as we’re told that will be changing the rear doors to remove the “Ponton-style” bulge. The interior will be updated, as well, with some improved safety equipment being added to the E-Class order sheet.
pretty much said it’s coming, and here it is: the new Mini John Cooper Works GP. It’s making an appearance at the Mini United Festival in France this weekend, and while Mini has yet to detail specific power numbers or show off the car’s interior, it has produced a Nurburgring time: 8 minutes, 23 seconds, which, , betters the last Mini GP (circa 2006) by 19 seconds.
Like its predecessor, the GP-spec hardtop loses its back seat for weight reduction, gets a full complement of power and suspension upgrades, including a race-spec suspension and brakes, and sports exclusive aero tweaks, wheels and graphics to differentiate itself from “regular” JCW models. Figure on a power figure north of the 214 horses the last GP produced (standard JCW Minis make 208 hp right now). Only 2,000 of the new Mini JCW GPs will be built and sold globally.
Given that the regular John Cooper Works models are fairly marvelous as is, the GP should be deliriously fun. No pricing yet, but since a loaded-up John Cooper Works easily runs into the high-$30K range now, we’d expect the limited-production GP to skip right past the $40,000 mark.
Tiny city cars are becoming a big business in overseas markets. was a pioneer in the segment with the entire brand, tackles it with the iQ, recently launched the Up! (along with the Skoda and Seat versions that came along with it), and soon Opel and Vauxhall will, as well.
The new city car, undergoing testing at the Nürburgring and released in this latest pair of “official” spy shots, promises to give a slice of the city-car pie. But its nameplate has left us scratching our heads. The project has at times been referred to as the Junior or the Allegra, but has now been officially confirmed to be called the Adam.
The name is an apparent nod to the company’s founder, Adam Opel, and in its invasion follows the same formula as the Ferrari Enzo – albeit and the complete opposite end of the spectrum. If this emerges as a new naming trend, we should be looking forward to seeing models like the Henry, Louis, Ferruccio and Ferdinand flooding showrooms in the near future. Before that, though, expect the Opel Adam to debut at the in the fall… hopefully without the camouflage.
did quite a bit to differentiate the new from the old one, but arguably the biggest development in that department is the splitting of the model line. Because the new 3 Series is only the sedan and wagon. The coupe and cabrio are branching off as the 4 Series, similar to the (as distinct from the ), the old 8 Series (separate from the ) and what’s expected to emerge of the 2 Series from the new .
Following earlier spy shots of the 4 Series convertible with its roof up in the rain and in the snow, this is our first look at the upcoming new model being driven the way it’s meant to be driven: with its top down and the sun shining.
Unfortunately our view is a little obscured by all the swirly camouflage, so we’ll have to wait until its anticipated debut sometime next year to see the whole package. But you can check out the spy shots now for a sneak preview.
Last time we saw the non-AMG skin of the it was bathed in red paint and caked in Arctic snow and grime. Warmer times have brought new shots of a black car – which we’ll christen The Scarab – on standard wheels wearing nothing but a shine and a wisp of camo. Its shape has found a way to divide opinion, as the CLS-Class has always done, and we’ll admit that yes, perchance there’s something faintly Romulan about it, but we’re totally sold on the looks.
Right now, there’s nothing left to the imagination but the aft-most sliver of window – that final angle of chrome is an application. We expect all blanks to be filled in come the Paris Motor Show in September, which should see the reveal of the CLS550 and versions of the sleekest wagon this side of Rigel 5. The high-res gallery is above, and you should check it out.
A keen-eyed reader managed to snag a few photos of what looks to be the upcoming ahead of the vehicle’s debut at the . Like most manufacturers, is keen to offer buyers the small crossovers they demand. With a taller ride height, more ground clearance and a more aggressive front fascia than the , the XC40 should do just that.
Drivetrain details are still a bit murky at the moment, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see everything from a new diesel to turbocharged gasoline five-cylinder under the hood. The latter of those two should be good for around 254 horsepower.
If the V40 is any indication, the crossover will also boast start-stop technology and brake-energy regeneration in either manual or automatic transmission configurations. Expect to see both front and all-wheel drive variants as well.
The machine above was spotted in Flagstaff, Arizona while out for a little hot-weather testing, though we’re told the XC40 isn’t destined for the U.S. market. That seems a bit odd to us. The small crossover seems to be a perfect fit for Americans who can’t get enough stylish crossovers.
Our spy photographers have given us our first clear glimpse at the upcoming . While the test machine we see here wears some camouflage, there’s little hiding the small CUV’s roof line.
Based on the , the Macan will boast plenty of suspension tweaks by the minds at Porsche to put the crossover more in line with the sports car maker’s stable. Likewise, while the Macan will borrow a host of gasoline and diesel powerplants from the parts bin, each one will be tuned for more horsepower than we’ve seen so far.
There’s also some indication that Porsche may lift the hybrid system from the Q5 into the Macan’s bones, as well. That means buyers would see a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder coupled to a 44-horsepower electric motor.
Porsche may also look to offer a more athletic three-door version of the Macan later down the line to more effectively compete with the likes of the .
will launch its seventh model – a two-door version of the crossover – at the later this year, and our trusty spy photographers recently spotted this prototype out testing. Many sources have stated that the car will be dubbed Countryman Coupe when it hits the market, but we’ve also heard rumors that the vehicle will wear the name that was given to the original concept that debuted at the .
Whatever it ends up being called, the two-door Countryman formula is pretty simple. The rear doors have been removed, allowing for a more swept-back roofline that integrates into an updated rear fascia. The rear end design – as previewed in these spy shots, anyway – is immediately reminiscent of the , the Countryman’s main competitor.
Mum’s the word on powertrain choices, though we’d expect the four-door Countryman’s range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines to carry over largely unchanged, mated to both front- and all-wheel drive. Stay tuned for the car’s official unveiling in Paris later this year.
The new Opel minicar has been so long in gestation that it has worn three names (so far). From the Junior and Allegra, we are now being told that it will now be called the Opel Adam, no doubt a nod to company founder Adam Opel.
Still clothed in enough camo to hide a barn, we can’t tell much about how it looks, but with the latest spy shots we do know its sporting chops have been tested at the Nürburgring. That’s a necessity since a longer version of the Adam’s platform will go under the next Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Beyond that, we aren’t sure what will power it at launch but three-cylinder engines co-developed with are . The electric version, however, .
At 3.70 meters, the Adam extends 15 cm beyond the Volkswagen Up! but is smaller than the Opel Agila. It is expected to go on sale in the Spring of 2013 for a base price of under €10,000 (Roughly $13,000 USD). If it does, that would be a turnabout from last year when former Opel chief Nick Reilly said the “Junior” and cost more than the larger Agila, which currently ($14k), but still wouldn’t to the .
Stay tuned, for those and other mysteries will begin to be solved on May 8, which is when Opel will officially announce the car. So the rumors say. The showcase reveal will come at this year’s .
Imagine you’re a spy shooter at the Nürburgring. You’ve got your ancient Scorpio parked nearby, but you’ve hoofed it up to the top of a hill in the hopes of getting the perfect angle on the track. Three heavy cameras are strung about your body like you’re a contestant in The World’s Strongest Man competition. It’s early and you are tired. And cold. The morning temperature was in the single digits Celsius, and while you’re not exactly sure what that translates to in the Fahrenheit scale, this certainly ain’t Miami.
Your job is boring. Boy racers driving all manner of would-be performance cars squeal by, inexpertly holding a line that betrays their inexperience. “Go back to your videogames, kids,” you think as you nurse your cramped and sore legs. You shift your position and the wait resumes. Sport bikes zip by and the wail hurts your ears. You get up and stretch before resuming your regimen. A momentary break in the traffic causes you to do a mental rehearsal, double-checking your gear.
Then you hear it: The tires, disembodied from the roar of an engine, but creating their own . You reach for the camera with the longest lens and barely get it up to your eye as the whooshes towards you, followed by the loud rumble of something more internally combusted. The camera is now firing on all cylinders as you expertly track the car’s pace for the few seconds it’s in your field of vision. A enters the viewfinder and you exhale, lowering the camera and turning your back to the track.
The will take just one lap of the Nürburgring that day, but you were there to capture it. It may not surface again before it goes on sale next year, but you don’t care about that. You need to hustle back to the car to download the images, so the world can see what an without exhaust pipes looks like, so the fanboys can obsess about the extra cooling vents in the hood for the batteries and the blacked-out rear window.
You will e-mail the photos across the Continent, across the ocean, back home. You’ll get a few bucks deposited in your German bank for your trouble, but that won’t happen for a while yet. By then you will have taken more photos and sent more e-mails.
And drank countless lagers. It is still early, but you think of the cliche about it being noon somewhere and head off home. Nobody will be in your favorite expat bar at this time, but you think there must be at least one bottle left in your refrigerator.
announced earlier in the month that in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, piloting a 2012 . The car is reportedly a , a race-ready derivative sold in Japan, and our spy shooters have spotted it out in the wild.
The car is only lightly camouflaged, with coverings over parts of the the front fascia, hood, and rear windows. We will admit that your guess is as good as our as to what might lie beneath the wrapping, but given that Nissan has said the only changes from production car to race car are some added downforce in the front and a new rear wing, we’ll just go with “nothing” as our answer.
