2012 Archives | Page 25 of 30

Are you the 2012 Toyota Yaris?

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Budget, Etc., Hatchback, Toyota, Rumormill, Design/Style

Possibly the Next Generation Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris is ready for an update, something that Toyota of North America has been pushing for some time now. A concept version of the next generation Yaris is expected to make an appearance at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and we may have gotten a glimpse of what that car will look like thanks to a few scanned images courtesy of French automotive site, Turbo.fr.

The images show an updated Toyota Vitz in standard and Modellista trim. If you’re not up on our Euro/JDM parlance, Vitz is the model name for the Yaris in other markets, and the modellista versions are fitted with sporty body-kits. Thanks for the tip, Chanh!

[Source: Turbo.fr]

Are you the 2012 Toyota Yaris? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Volvo S60 to get updated turbo five-cylinder as base engine

Filed under: Sedan, Volvo, Luxury

2011 Volvo S60

2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems that the Volvo S60 is set to get a wee bit less naughty for the 2012 model year as the Swedish automaker rolls out a base model for the American market. Sure, we’ve sampled the 2011 edition and were mostly impressed by the safety-first company’s latest effort, but so far, only the range-topping S60 T6 model with all-wheel drive (shown above) has been available.

While Volvo has yet to offer up all the details of what’s in store for 2012, a document from the Volvo Overseas Delivery program managed to make its way online, and it leads us to believe that the base engine for the S60 will indeed be a turbocharged five-cylinder as before. The good news is that the workhorse mill, otherwise known as the T5, has been upgraded a bit for its new duty, reportedly putting out 250 horses rather than the 227 currently on offer.

In related news, the same documentation indicates that the cost for a new S60 using Volvo’s overseas delivery program will be $29,880. Expect the U.S. MSRP to be somewhat (though not substantially) higher. In addition to the T5 engine, that will net you a front-wheel drive S60 without the T6’s Dynamic Chassis, speed-sensitive steering or leather seats (Volvo’s T-Tec upholstery will be standard). Want to know more? Hit up the Kilometer to see the full leaked document.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: First Drive

2011 Volvo S60

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: Kilometer Magazine]

Report: 2012 Volvo S60 to get updated turbo five-cylinder as base engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible caught on photo shoot

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Europe, BMW, Luxury

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible – Click above for gallery

Look what’s been caught without its camo: the 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible. The image you see above originated from the folks at E90 Post, and is supposedly a clandestine shot snapped during a photo shoot of the big, topless BMW. The crew over at Autobild then set about doing a little Photoshop forensics to remove the pesky cameraman and shadows from the shot, giving us an unobstructed view of exactly what the new Sixer will look like with its cloth top stowed.

So what do we know about the 2012 6 Series? BMW hasn’t come out and revealed exactly what will lurk under that massive hood, but if we were laying down our hardly-earned paychecks on an educated guess, we’d say that a smattering of the company’s range of turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines would be a good bet. Meanwhile, the topped-out M6 is likely to pack something with a few more cylinders and another turbo. Thanks for the tip, Jen!

Gallery: 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible Spy Shot

[Sources: Motor Authority, E90 Post]

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible caught on photo shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK to get ‘Magic Sky Control’?

Filed under: Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

The roof of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK has been teased, giving us a glimpse of the Magic Sky Control that could be contained within. As with the panorama roof on the big daddy SL roadster, there’s quite a bit of ‘bezel’ around the central open area, probably containing the electrical components necessary to work that ‘magic’.

The roof will be opaque normally, and there will be no electrical action going on. At the press of a button, however, a charge will be run through the top panel which will arrange particles contained in the glass to allow light to pass through. Voila, magic. Or physics, take your pick. The next SLK will show itself in person at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz, Auto Express]

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK to get ‘Magic Sky Control’? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic sedan spied almost naked

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Honda, Middle East

It would appear that the timing for the 2012 Honda Civic’s unveiling has reached the “any day now” point. Car magazine’s Middle East outpost caught the latest version of the popular econo-sedan undergoing desert testing, basically devoid of camouflage. If you were waiting with bated breath for an extraordinarily new and different-looking Civic, stop reading. The 2010 car falls solidly into the “extensive refresh” category rather than a full redesign.

As you can see in the spy video, the front and rear fascias are updated; a new grille and bumper appear up front, while out back, all-new taillamps will be the most distinguishing visual element on the 2012 car. The overall profile of the Honda Civic sedan is clearly a carryover, however.

Likewise, the interior has been mildly tweaked with a new steering wheel and some updated trim panels, but it’s basically window dressing over the passenger cabin recent Civic owners are familiar with. (The bi-level instrumentation is there, and the radio, HVAC controls, and air vents are all in the same locations as the current car.)

What powertrain changes (if any) Honda has in store still remain a mystery. Follow the jump for a video of the new Civic out in the wild, and head to Car Middle East for a complete photo gallery of spy pics. Thanks to all who sent tips.

[Source Car Middle East]

Continue reading Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic sedan spied almost naked

Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic sedan spied almost naked originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max shows off its magic middle seat

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Crossover, Ford, Design/Style

2012 Ford Grand C-Max; Disappearing middle seat

2012 Ford Grand C-Max: Disappearing middle seat – Click above to watch video after the jump

We recently spent some time with the 2012 Ford Grand C-Max and came away with mixed feelings about it. It’s an excellent compact minivan, but that’s a low-volume segment and we’re unsure of how well the Grand C-Max will sell here. One particular feature we do know people will be impressed by is the disappearing middle seat found in the second row.

Ford engineers designed the Grand C-Max so that the second-row middle seat folds out of sight into a compartment under the adjacent seat cushion. Doing so opens up a clear passageway to the third row seating. Also, both rear seating rows fold flat to accommodate sizable cargo loads. To see it all in action, check out the video after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max shows off its magic middle seat

Video: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max shows off its magic middle seat originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Buick Regal GS caught going out for lunch

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Buick, GM

Spy Shots Buick Regal GS

Spy Shots: 2012 Buick Regal GS – Click above for high-res image gallery

We spy with our little eye, a camouflaged 2012 Buick Regal GS taking a group of General Motors employees out to lunch. Rather than opting for the drive-thru, this group decided to stay out of the office a bit longer and left the vehicle alone in a parking lot, and our CarPix spy photographers were ready to pounce in order to give us this good look at the sportiest Buick we’ve seen for eons.

And sporty it shall be judging by the hardware the cameras caught. A set of heavily-bolstered Recaro seats look identical to the super grippy chairs used in the model’s Opel Insignia OPC twin, and there’s a six-speed manual transmission sprouting between the bolsters, further suggesting that this is no mere people hauler. The Regal is expected to borrow heavily from the OPC partsbin, and that’s great thing. The OPC is motivated by a 320 horsepower, twin-turbo V6 that pushes the all-wheel drive car to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just six seconds. In our brief experience with the Euro market car, it has an altogether more hardcore and snarlier character that should appeal to diehard enthusiasts, and it’s sure to bring some performance luster back to the TriShield brand. We can hardly wait.

Gallery: Buick Regal GS: Spy Shots

Buick Regal GS: Spy Shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Buick Regal GS caught going out for lunch originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Ford, First Drive

The Blue Oval Boys Bet Big By Going Small

2012 Ford Grand C-Max

2012 Ford Grand C-Max – Click above for high-res image gallery

Historically speaking, the Ford Motor Company has been successful at a great many things, but building minivans hasn’t been one of them. Perpetually mired in the shadow of offerings from Chrysler and Japan’s automakers, the Blue Oval folded up its sliding-door tent and went home years ago, killing off its undersized Mercury Villager in 2002 and then extinguishing the Windstar-turned-Freestar (and its short-lived Mercury Monterey counterpart) in 2007. Brand supporters will doubtlessly note that the family-ferrying segment was in decline for some years before Dearborn walked away from it, but the truth is that Ford never managed to crack the market’s top ranks despite more than 15 years of trying.

So why, then, is red-hot Ford risking a return to the segment in 2012 with the Grand C-Max shown here – a vehicle that’s conspicuously smaller and less powerful than the segment norm? Do they know something that we don’t? We hopped a puddle jumper to Nice, France after covering last week’s Paris Motor Show in an attempt to find out.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max

First Drive: 2012 Ford Grand C-Max originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Chevy Camaro spotted with polarizing lights, mirrors

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Camaro spy shot The big news for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro is indeed the highly anticipated Z28, but that doesn’t mean the base cars are moving forward without a few small tweaks. Our friends at Camaro5.com landed a set of spy shots that depict the Chevrolet muscle car sporting a new ~~and improved~~ set of taillamps and mirrors.

Out back, the revised lamps use a full-LED design that mimic the shape of sunglasses. And if we’re honest, we much prefer the standard bulb-lit units found on the current car, though we’re sure that the LED setup will be a hit amongst the gee-whiz crowd. As for the side mirrors, they’ve grown quite substantially and now include turn indicators. At first glance they look a bit awkward, though this should help remedy one of the largest complaints we have about the Camaro: outward visibility.

We’re still scratching our heads to decide if we’ll put our stamp of approval on these design tweaks, though we’ll have to wait until the finished product shows up before making any final judgments, as these could just be early prototype parts. Expect to see the slightly restyled Camaro debut sometime next year as a 2012 model. Hat tip to Luke!

[Source: Camaro5]

Spy Shots: 2012 Chevy Camaro spotted with polarizing lights, mirrors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 running the ‘Ring

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 spy shots

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The highly anticipated Chevrolet Camaro Z28, which we caught an early glimpse of this summer, has been shipped off to Germany to be put through its paces on the Nürburgring. Much of the early prototypes’ heavy front cladding has been stripped away and replaced with General Motors’ usual checkerboard camouflage, but we can still see the Z28 upgrades clear as day under all that tape.

As if the massive power bulge in the hood doesn’t give it away, the Z28 will be powered by the same supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 that’s found in the Cadillac CTS-V. In that application, 556 horsepower is pumped to the rear wheels, but there’s no telling what sort of power numbers will be on tap in the Z28.

We won’t be shocked if the Z28 makes its official debut at the Los Angeles or Detroit auto shows with the first sales starting sometime in 2011.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 at the Nurburgring

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 running the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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