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Here it is, folks. This is the car that was under cover in the spy shots we showed you a few days ago, and it’s going to be called the Fisker Atlantic when it debuts this week at the New York Auto Show. These two images of the car appeared today on a Czech website, and the rear shot clearly shows a license plate bearing the name “Atlantic.”

Previously called Project Nina, the Atlantic will slot in Fisker’s fledgeling lineup below the Karma, and reportedly cost considerably less. While any talk of pricing is just a guess at this point, rumor has it the Atlantic will be about half the price of the Karma, putting it squarely in the $45,000-$55,000 range. It’s a plug-in series hybrid, just like its big brother, but the Atlantic will reportedly use a turbocharged four-cylinder from BMW as its range-extending generator.

We’ll have more detailed information about the Atlantic when it officially debuts at the New York Auto Show this week, so come back for our live show coverage on Wednesday and Thursday, April 4-5.

Project Nina revealed as Fisker Atlantic, images leak early

Who wants to wait until the official unveiling of the Fisker Nina plug-in hybrid next week when we can see spy shots right this second? Neither do we.

So, what do the shots reveal? For starters, we can see that the Nina is indeed shorter than its Karma big brother. This is expected, but the impression we have is that the Karma’s design language translates quite well into a vehicle about the size of a BMW 5 Series. The front end, too, sports a moustache-like grille that’s similar to the one on the Karma. On the back side, the “EVer” badge is still proudly in place, but the non-functional diamond-shaped exhaust outlets are missing. The four-door sedan’s rear doors have the handles hidden smoothly between the window and the C-pillar. Then there are the wheels. It’s hard to miss those. If you want to compare the Nina with the Karma directly, open the gallery above as well as this gallery in another tab and click away.

The problem with these images is that they still don’t tell us much about the car itself. We’ve heard the cost for the Nina, which is supposed to be powered by a BMW four-cylinder engine, will be about the same as a top-of-the-line BMW 3 Series. That implies something north of $45,000, despite what Vice President Joe Biden said back in October of 2009: “It looks like a four-door Ferrari, I can’t believe it’s only going to be $40,000.” We’ll hopefully know more when we get to the New York Auto Show next week.

After all the problems Fisker has had with the Karma launch and the DOE loan, it’s important to remember that it’s the vehicle you see above that the DOE has been helping with all along. Do you like where your tax dollars have gone?

Fisker Nina caught peeking out before New York reveal

Lexus has released this teaser image of the 2013 ES sedan, and – surprise, surprise – it shows off the spindle grille and LED running lamps found on each and every one of the automaker’s vehicles. More to the point, it looks exactly like what we saw in a set of Chinese spy shots that we posted last month, so really, there isn’t much left for us to speculate on in terms of design.

The Camry-based Lexus mid-sizer will likely debut in ES 350 guise, powered by Toyota’s tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6. And while, historically, there’s only been one engine offered in the ES range, rumor has it that this sixth-generation model may gain a hybrid variant with a version of the Camry Hybrid’s gasoline-electric powertrain. Regardless, Lexus states that the new ES will feature “a new dynamic driving experience.” We’ll see about that.

Inside, expect a host of updates similar to what we’ve seen on the GS sedan, including a larger infotainment display screen and mouse-like controller, as well as the addition of Lexus Enform. We’ll have the full details next week live from New York, so stay tuned. For now, hit the jump for the automaker’s brief press blast.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus ES teased ahead of New York debut

2013 Lexus ES teased ahead of New York debut

It looks as if the rumors swirling around the supposed resurrection of the limited-edition Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP have some substance. Our spy photographers caught this creation out and about for a little testing just a short hop away from the Nürburgring recently. From the looks of things, this could be our first glimpse at a new version of the JCW GP. New aero work, including a new front splitter and more aggressive rear spoiler, help set the model apart from its more pedestrian siblings. It looks as if the vehicle will also boast a set of revised rockers with what functional air inlets for cooling off the rear brakes.

With unique four-spoke wheels that pay homage to the first GP and a lower ride height, the hatch looks downright sinister. Early reports have hinted that the hot hatch may boast somewhere in the neighborhood of 220 horsepower with less weight to boot. Like its sought-after 2006 predecessor, odds are there’s a big stiffening brace where the rear seats used to reside, too.

Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works GP spotted testing

We got our first glimpse at what the 2014 Toyota Avalon may look like thanks to a an artists rendering that appears to take some creative license. The teaser really only shows us that Toyota wasn’t kidding when it said it was taking the Avalon upscale, with a dramatic, sloping roof line that conjures thoughts of the Audi A7.

The Avalon is only days from its world premiere on the big stage at the 2012 New York Auto Show, but we have some spy shots that tell us even more. The photos show us what we already knew; that the artist rendering isn’t exactly representative of reality. But the pics also show that the sleek roof line and vastly reworked proportions are very real.

The Avalon prototype has enough protective cladding to give the Storm Chasers tank a run for its money, but we do see what looks like a very different front fascia, LED taillights and a pair of impressive chrome-tipped exhaust outlets. From the rear, we get a better sense of how the sedan will look, and it appears there may be some tape covering up the lines that would tell us if these prototypes are in fact hatchbacks.

Spy photos were also taken of the reworked interior, but the insides were also covered up beyond recognition. We are able to see an attractive leather steering wheel and completely reworked redundant controls. We can also see expensive-looking french stitching above the gauge cluster, as well as upscale gauges themselves.

Click on the gallery above to view the high-resolution spy photos of two different prototypes. Stay tuned to Autoblog for the official reveal pics of the 2014 Toyota Avalon.

Next Toyota Avalon spied wearing its sleek new shape

Svelte as it still looks, the DB9 is getting a little long in the proverbial tooth – Aston Martin first launched the 2+2 way back in 2004. As such, it’s high time the British purveyor of luxury GTs gear up to roll out a new model, and this is the best look we’ve had at it yet.

Spied virtually undisguised while undergoing winter testing in the snow, the new DB9 (or whatever AML opts to call it) carries all the trademark elements of a contemporary Aston Martin design. The grille appears to be a little smaller and the rear fenders pack a more pronounced curve. Expect the new V12 GT to arrive sometime next year, but you can check it out now in the high-res gallery of spy shots above.

Aston Martin DB9 successor caught romping in the snow

The BMW i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car is just the sort of crazy project that could help redefine the BMW brand – and perhaps even the notion of what makes a car enthusiast – for the 21st Century. It’s the sort of out-of-the-box thinking we’ve been waiting for some automaker to deploy, so these new details are exciting.

To start with, according to Britain’s Car, the i8 will only be available as a plug-in hybrid – no conventional, internal-combustion-only version will be offered. That means no M version will be in the cards, at least not an M product in the way we currently define the BMW performance moniker. But the report says the i8 will have a more powerful gas engine than we’ve previously reported, with its 1.5-liter three-cylinder cranking out 223 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque through the rear wheels. The front-drive electric motor is said to be rated at 170 horsepower, giving the i8 a combined 393 hp and 406 lb-ft.

The report claims that the i8 will have a 20-mile all-electric range, a top speed of 156 miles per hour, and sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. Curb weight is said to be just 3,125 pounds, which is less than most models of the new 2012 3 Series, thanks to the i8’s carbon fiber body and aluminum chassis. Recharge time is said to be six hours, presumably on a 220-volt system. In all, a pretty amazing package.

But here’s the kicker: Car says the i8 will be priced above €100,000, which is $132,600 based on today’s exchange rates. We expect the i8 to hit the market as a 2014 model, and while that price is spendy by plebeian standards, the queue for the car will most certainly be long, at least initially.

Click past the jump if you’ve missed any of BMW’s i8 videos.

Continue reading BMW nixes plan for M version of i8, but production car to have more power? [w/video]

BMW nixes plan for M version of i8, but production car to have more power? [w/video]

When Ford unveiled the EcoSport Concept at the New Delhi Auto Expo in January, we were smitten. A pint-sized, good-looking CUV with thrifty engines could do well here in the States. Brazil’s Noticias Automotivas has caught what looks like a production EcoSport sans camo before it undergoes crash testing and, as promised, it looks little changed from the showcar.

The sparkly LED-powered headlights are gone but everything else seems to be very close to what design boss J Mays told us about in New Delhi. The final version is expected to come with two engine options: the 1.6-liter Sigma and the 2.0 liter Duratec.

Despite Ford’s plans to expand the EcoSport beyond Brazil, we’re not hopeful it’ll be sold in North America, as we’ve heard Blue Oval executives dismiss the Fiesta-sized CUV as too small. Be sure to check out Noticias Automotivas for additional photos of the new EcoSport.

Brazilians, this is your new Ford EcoSport

Mercedes-Benz has a history of offering performance models that would make any niche supercar manufacturer cower. The latest among them is the SLS AMG, but the gullwing coupe and its roadster counterpart aren’t the extent of what the German automaker’s skunkworks have in store. No, that place of honor at the top of the Mercedes-Benz lineup will soon be taken by an SLS AMG Black Series.

Following in the footsteps of the SLK55 AMG Black Series, CLK63 AMG Black Series, SL65 AMG Black Series and (most recently) the C63 AMG Black Series, the new SLS AMG Black Series promises to eclipse them all with an anticipated 560 horsepower, reduced curb weight and aggressive aerodynamics package.

These spy shots, snapped while the vehicle was undergoing cold-weather testing in the frigid north, also show the tell-tale widened fenders to house the upgraded rolling stock and a new front bumper to feed the over-clocked engine with all the air it needs to breathe.

We’re told to expect the SLS AMG Black Series sometime next year, but you can check out the spy shots now in our high-resolution image gallery.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series caught braving the cold

Our spy photographers managed to spot something curious (and decidedly hilarious) recently. General Motors has been busy testing what would appear to be Chevrolet Volt models with massive 20-inch wheels and tires in place of the low-rolling resistance pieces on the stock plug-in.

Why? Guesses are slim at the moment, but one hypothesis is that this is actually our first glimpse at a Cadillac Converj test mule. That vehicle will make use of an altered version of the Voltec drivetrain found in the Chevrolet, albeit bolted to flashier wheels. The luxury hybrid has been an on-again-off-again affair for General Motors since the concept first rolled across the stage at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Last we heard, the Converj is on track for launch in either 2013 or 2014. If true, now would be the time to begin working out any engineering bugs on the rumored Voltec 1.5 system. With luxury buyers more willing to hand over stacks of cash for new technology, the Converj could make quite a bit more sense to buyers than the Volt. Or bolting chrome dubs to a hybrid, for that matter.

Is this dub-rockin’ Chevrolet Volt actually a Cadillac Converj in disguise?

Earlier today, we showed you a brace of images starring the refreshed 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK that will make its debut at the New York Auto Show next month. But upon closer inspection, the folks at CarScoop found something very interesting hiding in the back of one of the GLK photos: the revised 2013 G-Class.

It’s unclear exactly which G-Class model this is, though our best guess is that it’s the standard G550. (Those wheels look much too tame for an AMG model.) The G-Wagen’s overall design hasn’t changed (that’s fine, we like it just the way it is), but updates for the 2013 model year include LED running lamps under the headlights and redesigned mirrors.

Word on the street is that the G-Class will feature a reworked interior for 2013, including a new instrument panel, steering wheel and consoles. The big news, however, is that the G55 AMG will now make use of Merc’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the other AMG models, though it’s unclear if its nomenclature will be altered. You know, because G63 AMG absolutely makes sense.

Mum’s the word on when the official G-Class details will be released, but since the car appears to be finished and already posing for photos, we don’t expect Mercedes-Benz to hold off for too much longer.

Revised 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class makes easter egg appearance in GLK photos

Our spy photographers have nabbed the first glimpse at the upcoming Audi Q6 – a crossover that’s being designed to give the BMW X6 something to torment on the playground. These shots show that the Q6 will ride on an altered version of same platform underpinning the current Q5, but from the look of things, the Q6 is a good bit longer and wider than its donor with a little extra ride height to boot. Of course, this is simply a test mule undergoing development, so don’t count on the thoroughly awkward B-pillar we see in these shots making it all the way to production.

So far, the German automaker hasn’t said much about what buyers can expect to find under the hood, but we wouldn’t be shocked to see anything other than a selection of the same troop of engines currently powering the company’s stable. That means a powertrain lifted from the parts bin of the Q5 and the Q7. A supercharged 3.0-liter V6 would provide a nice foil for the 300-horsepower X6 xDrive35i, though more thrust would be necessary to parry the X6 xDrive50i with its 400-horsepower, turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. The company’s home market will likely get one or two diesel powerplants, as well.

Audi Q6 mule spotted testing

The Citroën DS6 Concept may have slipped out ahead of the showcar’s planned debut later this year. What is believed to be the big DS was seen lounging on the streets of Paris during a recent photo shoot, and while initial photos like the one above show the car covered by a well-placed cloth, new shots from L’Automobile have come out that show the concept in its entirety. The massive alloys shown above look to be the same as the ones we’ve already seen poking through the lens-flare-riddled teasers. Details are still scarce about what the DS Concept will bring to the stage in terms of drivetrain, but the French automaker has made it clear it has its eye on creating a new, large cruiser aimed squarely at the large-sedan hungry Chinese market.

Citroën is likely to unveil the DS6 Concept at the Paris Motor Show in September, and may borrow more than a few elements from the Citroën Metropolis Concept built just for the Shanghai World Fair. While the exterior elements may vary considerably, both vehicles are expected to carry approximately the same dimensions. That means the DS6 may be over 17 feet long and more than six feet wide.

For more shots of the car uncovered, head over to L’Automobile.

Citroën DS6 concept spotted on Parisian streets ahead of reveal?

When we caught sight of this heavily-cloaked GL-Class last summer, we thought Mercedes-Benz was just refreshing its big SUV with a cosmetic facelift and maybe a new engine. New reports seem to indicate that Mercedes-Benz may be launching an all-new, second-generation GL for 2013, however.

According to Car and Driver, the new GL will be based on the M-Class. A diesel V6 is said to be in the mix, along with the twin-turbo, 402-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 also found in the ML550. The new model will debut at the New York Auto Show in April, and should hit dealers later in the year.

Mercedes-Benz to bring next-gen GL-Class to New York

2013 Fords, Volkswagen XL1, Toyota Prius C sales, 2013 Nissan Altima

Episode #274 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Chris, Zach, Dan, and Autoblog Executive Editor Chris Paukert cover our recent drive of the 2013 Ford Mustang (as well as some other Ford products), the Volkswagen XL1, the Toyota Prius C outselling the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf’s combined yearly total in three days, and the forthcoming 2013 Nissan Altima. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #274:

• 2013 Ford Mustang GT
• Volkswagen XL1 spy shots
• Toyota Prius C outsells Volt, Leaf in three days
• 2013 Nissan Altima teaser

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Infiniti FX50S
2012 Chevrolet Equinox
2013 Lexus GS 350
2012 Dodge Charger

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Zach Bowman

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #274

Autoblog Podcast #274

We’re almost ready to record Episode #274 of the Autoblog Podcast, and you can check out the topics below, add your own to the Q&A and join us live via UStream, as well, and we’ve embedded our UStream player after the jump. Thanks for listening!

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #274

• • 2013 Ford Mustang GT
  • Volkswagen XL1 spy shots
  • Toyota Prius C outsells Volt, Leaf in three days
  • 2013 Nissan Altima teaser

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #274 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

Autoblog Podcast #274 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

We record Episode #274 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and Chris Shunk is returning to the host chair with a vengance. You can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below, check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven’t already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #274

• 2013 Ford Mustang GT
• Volkswagen XL1 spy shots
• Toyota Prius C outsells Volt, Leaf in three days
• 2013 Nissan Altima teaser

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #274 LIVE

Just over one year ago, we heard reports suggesting that Volkswagen would actually be building a production version of its Formula XL1 concept for limited consumption. And while the skeptics among us were quick to dismiss these reports with a resounding “yeah, right,” this latest set of spy shots show that Volkswagen is indeed making progress on an honest-to-goodness road-going model of its 1.0-liter fuel economy warrior.

It’s still unclear exactly what will power the production XL1, though the concept car featured a two-cylinder TDI diesel paired with an electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All in, this is said to be good for an astonishing 235 miles per gallon. It might look big and sleek, but the XL1 is about as long and wide as a Volkswagen Polo. It should be ultra-light, too – the concept version tipped the scales at just 1,753 pounds.

The XL1 might look sleek and sporty, but performance will be anything but. The latest reports state that the production car will be limited to a stop speed of about 75 miles per hour, and that it’ll take 32(!) seconds to shoot from a stand-still to 50 mph.

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for future XL1 prototypes as development continues, but for now, scroll through our attached high-res image gallery to see the space-age VW for yourself.

Groundbreaking pre-production Volkswagen XL1 caught testing on the ice

With every new set of spy shots, we become increasingly more excited for the launch of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake (or is that Break?). This tapered wagon version of the shapely CLS is certainly a looker, even in pre-production, camo-clad protype form, and after giving its shockingly quick sedan counterpart high marks for its driving dynamics, we can only assume that the complete Shooting Brake package will be really, really sweet.

Oh yeah, there’s an AMG version, too.

Seen here for the first time, the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake takes the same sleek long-roof shape of the CLS550 Shooting Brake prototypes we’ve seen, but adds all of the bulgy bits fitting of any high-performance Merc. All we can say is, it looks absolutely stunning, and we can’t wait to see the finished product.

Power is expected to come from the same twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 found in the CLS63 sedan, sending 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via Mercedes’ seven-cog Speedshift transmission. Like the sedan, we expect that Mercedes-Benz will offer an AMG Performance Pack, which boosts power to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft in the sedan. Holy moly.

Wipe the drool from your keyboards and click through our attached high-res image gallery to see the CLS63 Shooting Brake prototype for yourself.

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is the one we want

Ford is hard at work on a refresh for the Fiesta, and thanks to our intrepid spy photographers, we’re now getting our first glimpses of the subcompact’s new schnoz. It appears as though the car’s somewhat cutesy face will now have a more aggressive shape, complete with smaller headlamps that integrate LED running lights – which appears to be right in line with the revised design language seen on the all-new 2013 Fusion.

It’s unclear exactly what other changes are in store for the next Fiesta, though reports have suggested that EcoBoost power may soon be found underhood. Ford has long stated that it plans to incorporate EcoBoost powertrains into the vast majority of its vehicles, and the Fiesta would be a seemingly perfect home for the recently launched 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo. In the European-spec Focus, this engine is available with either 99 or 118 horsepower and a respectable 125 pound-feet of torque. For comparison, the current Fiesta’s 1.6-liter inline-four pumps out 120 hp and 112 lb-ft.

Scroll through our attached high-res image gallery to see the facelifted Fiesta blasting through the snow undergoing winter testing and stay tuned for more details.

Ford Fiesta five-door facelift photographed