Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series caught testing, interior revealed for first time

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

BMW 3 Series spy shots

BMW 3 Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot about BMW’s plans to expand its model line with more niche models like the X6 and 5 Series Gran Turismo. We’ve heard talks of a new X4 crossover, a 3 Series GT and even a hatchback M3. It’s all a bit maddening, yes, but never fear – BMW has not forgotten about its core models, especially the all-important 3 Series sedan. After all, the four-door 3er is quite possibly the most important benchmark vehicle in the automotive marketplace. We do talk about it quite a bit.

BMW 3 Series interior spy shotOur sneaky spy photographers have just snapped this 3 Series prototype out testing on public roads, and while the exterior hasn’t been altered too much from other development cars we’ve seen, our photogs managed to snap the 3er’s reworked interior for the first time. Breathe easy, folks – it isn’t too far removed from what we’ve come to know in the current E90 car. The dash has more sculpted lines, the steering wheel is beefier and has some more functional buttons and the center console features BMW’s new remote-sized shifter.

We’re still unsure as to what BMW has lurking under the hood, but we can expect the usual host of six-cylinder powertrains, both turbocharged and naturally aspirated. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a four-cylinder option, too. Until we get the official word, we’ll hug our current E90s and wait patiently. See the latest set of spy shots for yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series spy shotsBMW 3 Series spy shotsBMW 3 Series spy shotsBMW 3 Series spy shotsBMW 3 Series spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series caught testing, interior revealed for first time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept caught in living color

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Sedan, Subaru, Design/Style

2010 Subaru Impreza Concept

2010 Subaru Impreza Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the biggest surprises (so far…) of the 2010 LA Auto Show has to be the Subaru Impreza Design Concept that snuck up on us just a few hours ago. Some thought it might be the long-awaited Subota coupe (a close cousin of the Toyobaru, of course), but in reality what we have here is a conceptual sedan that the Japanese automaker claims will heavily influence future models… namely the Impreza, we’d wager.

Yes, there’s a working 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine bolted to a CVT gearbox behind that shapely new front grille and its massive side vents, but it’s the styling we’re really intrigued by. To that end, be sure to take a good, hard look at the live shots in our high-res gallery below. If you need all the details, follow the jump for the press release.

Gallery: LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept

Gallery: 2010 Subaru Impreza Concept

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Subaru]

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LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept caught in living color originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:55:00 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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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 ShotsBuick Regal GS: Spy ShotsBuick Regal GS: Spy ShotsBuick Regal GS: Spy ShotsBuick 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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Spy Shots: Next-gen Lexus GS mule caught testing

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

2012 Lexus GS spy shot

Next-generation Lexus GS spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Following our report that the Lexus GS is scheduled to get a rather extensive overhaul next year, our spies have captured this test mule of Lexus’ next 5 Series fighter out on the road.

Even though this mule uses the current GS body, we can see that extra panels have been added around the wheel wells, meaning a wider track is probably in order. What’s more, the reworked GS underpinnings will go on to form the groundwork for the smaller, overhauled IS, which is set to debut in 2013.

Expect to see the next-gen GS show its restyled body within the coming months, with an official debut happening sometime next year. For now, click through the gallery to see high-res shots of the early-build mule roaming the streets.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-Gen Lexus GS

Next-generation Lexus GS spy shotsNext-generation Lexus GS spy shotsNext-generation Lexus GS spy shotsNext-generation Lexus GS spy shotsNext-generation Lexus GS spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Lexus GS mule caught testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Five-door Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show [w/video]

Filed under: Spy Photos, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Land Rover, Luxury

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque five-door

When Land Rover officially revealed the Range Rover Evoque they didn’t include a single shot of the five-door baby crossover utility. Thankfully, someone with early access to the upcoming Paris Motor Show floor decided that was some kind of crime, and so they took shots of the more family-minded Evoque occupying the Land Rover stand. The secret snapper also got images of the cabin, and we think it’s beautiful distillation of the Range Rover Sport’s interior language. We can’t wait to see it ourselves next week.

For now, have a look at the link below for more shots of the Evoque five-door, and be sure to hit the jump for a video of the two-door.

[Source: 0-100.ro]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Five-door Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show [w/video]

Paris Preview: Five-door Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Chrysler workers caught drinking during lunch suspended without pay

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

Chrysler Workers Drinking

Chrysler has announced that all 15 of the employees who were apparently caught drinking and smoking pot during their lunch break by a Fox 2 News Detroit crew have been suspended indefinitely without pay. The workers from the company’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant were spotted drinking heavily during their lunch breaks over a ten-day period. Chrysler says that all of the individuals had been identified and relieved of their duty within 36 hours of the company learning of the problem.

The company also says that while the video seems pretty cut-and-dry, it must adhere to its protocol when it comes to removing those workers permanently. Chrysler also stressed that each of its vehicles goes through an extensive quality control system and that it doesn’t condone the behavior documented in the news report in any way. Chrysler’s Jefferson North plant employs a total 2,500 workers.

To see Chrysler’s official response, click past the jump. To read more about the story, head over to Fox 2 Detroit’s website.

[Sources: Chrysler, Fox 2 Detroit]

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Followup: Chrysler workers caught drinking during lunch suspended without pay originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Audi S7 caught, but what’s under the hood?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

2012 Audi S7

2012 Audi S7 – Click above for high-res image gallery

When this first batch of spy shots landed in our inbox, we didn’t think too much about them. It’s an Audi A7 with the optional S Line bodykit. Big whoop. However, the rear view tells a different tale. Specifically, the quad-tipped exhaust system.

What we’re looking at is the first Audi S7 prototype which, according to earlier reports, could debut as early as next week at the Paris Motor Show.

If it does, we can expect a slightly lower ride height over the standard A7, upgraded brakes, wheels and tires, and a set of deeply bolstered buckets up front. But what’s under the hood?

Initial speculation suggested that the 4.2-liter FSI V8 found in the Audi R8 could be the engine of choice, but the latest intel floating around involves a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 outputting upwards of 450 horsepower and a healthy amount of torque.

Hopefully, all will be revealed in just over a week, but before then, scope out the S7 mule in the gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Audi S7

Spy Shots: 2012 Audi S7 caught, but what’s under the hood? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Opel Meriva EV caught in the Austrian Alps

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Opel, Electric

Opel Meriva EV

Spied: Opel Meriva EV – Click above for high-res image gallery

Opel showcased their suicide-door wearing Meriva crossover concept back in 2008 at the Geneva Motor Show, which was followed by the production 2011 Opel Meriva at the 2010 Geneva show earlier this year. Now, thanks to some excellent and sneaky camera work, we have obtained images of a Meriva powered not by traditional gasoline or diesel fuel but by Tesla’s favorite form of energy – electricity.

Three Opel Meriva EV prototypes were caught being put through the paces in the Austrian Alps. Apparently, the engineers are not just interested in how much power it takes to make it up the mountain grades but also how much can be regenerated on the way back down. Since the cars need to take time out to juice back up, some plucky photogs were able to catch them resting.

According to the shooters, Opel has partnered with Bosch, Mercedes and some German universities on this project, known internally as Meregio. Check out the gallery below to see the sans-tailpipe Merivas taking a break from their alpine work retreat.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Opel Meriva EV

Spy Shots: Opel Meriva EV caught in the Austrian Alps originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Video: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti caught testing at Fiorano

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari

Ferrari 612 spy video

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti spy video – Click above to watch the video after the jump

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard any rumblings about Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti replacement. The oldest member of the Prancing Horse marque is due for an overhaul in the very near future, and while we’ve only seen a singular spy video that barely shows off the new body style, we can confirm one thing: Ferrari makes one hell of a sweet-sounding V12.

Seen here running around Italy’s Fiorano racetrack, this 612 mule is obviously testing out new engine mechanics, and the revised exhaust is an aural delight for anyone whose ears perk up at the sound of naturally aspirated, twelve-cylinder, Italian-bred powerhouses. See (and hear) for yourself, after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Spy Video: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti caught testing at Fiorano

Spy Video: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti caught testing at Fiorano originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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