Tag: shots

Spy Shots: First photos of 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Volkswagen

2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots

2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year we learned that Volkswagen has been readying a new New Beetle, and we now have the first spy photos of the next-generation Bug out testing. Rumor has it that this car could debut as early as next month at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, but we think a Detroit or Geneva debut is much more likely.

Though still in test mule stages, it’s obvious that the next Beetle will take a lot of its styling cues from Volkswagen’s Ragster concept, first shown in 2005. The longer, flatter greenhouse and softened curves give the cutesy Bug a more aggressive stance. Perhaps Volkswagen is trying to break the Beetle out of its “chick car” stereotype.

The 2012 Beetle will ride on the new Golf VI platform, and it’s expected that powertrains will be shared between both cars. Volkswagen’s 2.5-liter inline-five is a safe bet, as is the 2.0-liter TDI four, but sources within Volkswagen have told us that the next-generation Beetle will be available with a pretty potent engine. “Something you can take to the track,” they said. Hmm… Whatever the case, we’ll know more when the car makes its official debut within the next few months.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: First photos of 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Saab 9-4X leaks out ahead of production debut

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossover, Saab

Saab 9-4X

Saab 9-4X spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Now that the fate of Saab is in the hands of Spyker Cars, future product plans seem to be moving right along. The new 9-5 is out on the road and the 9-4X crossover is scheduled to make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

Our friends at Saabs United managed to snag some shots of a pre-production 9-4X, giving us a glimpse of the automaker’s new CUV before we see it in person later this year. The 9-4X was initially conceived under Saab’s General Motors ownership, meaning its underpinnings are shared with the Cadillac SRX crossover. Word on the street is that the production taillamps will look slightly different than the ones on this early model, but that aside, don’t expect things to change much between now and November.

Because the 9-4X is closely related to the SRX, we fully expect the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 to be under the hood. Don’t rule out the possibility of the 9-5’s 2.0-liter turbo four being offered, as well. Both engines will more than likely be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and as the “x” in the name suggests, all-wheel drive will be on hand.

Until we get the official word in Los Angeles later this year, scroll through our gallery of spy shots below, and head over to Saabs United for all things Griffin.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Saab 9-4X

[Source: Saabs United]

Spy Shots: Saab 9-4X leaks out ahead of production debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the Toyota Prius minivan?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Toyota

Prius Minivan Spy ShotEven though we’ve been hearing various rumblings across the interwebs for quite some time now that Toyota was hard at work crafting a mini-minivan version of its popular Pruis hybrid hatchback, it always helps assuage the skeptics when spy shots start to show up. And that’s exactly what we have here.

Toyota’s next swagger wagon appears to share its basic aerodynamic wedge-like profile with the well-known Prius, but the entire greenhouse seems to have been moved up and forward a few inches, taking on an airier feeling in the process. We don’t see any evidence of sliding doors, so we’ll have to assume (for now) that the Prius minivan will use four normal swinging portals.

Rumors indicate this machine, which may be called the Prius Alpha, will sport three rows and offer seating for seven. The spy shooter suggests that the MPV is roughly the size of a Mazda5, which we’d guess is just about right. Power will likely come from a version of the Prius hatchback’s four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, possibly with the addition of lithium ion batteries to improve mileage and may even allow for more electric-only propulsion opportunities. Look for it to hit the market around 2012.

[Source: Carscoop]

Spy Shots: Are you the Toyota Prius minivan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK spied

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve been staring at spy shots of the forthcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK for months, but now we have our best look yet at what Benz’ baby coupe will look like once the camo tape is peeled away.

The grille gets a nose job to match its larger SLS AMG sibling, and the photo above reveals it to be a more pleasing aesthetic than in previous shots. Also, it seems the new SLK wants to play with the cool kids who are all wearing LED running lights.

If our intel holds up, the reason behind the larger grille isn’t just to mimic the gorgeous gullwing, but to feed the new 476 horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. If that mill is going in any SLK, it’ll be wearing an AMG badge on the back, and we’re hoping to get a better look when we stop by the Mercedes-Benz booth at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK

Spy Shots: Clearest look yet at 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 19:24:00 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: 2012 Ford Fiesta ST ready to back up its big brother

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Fiesta ST

2012 Ford Fiesta ST – Click above for high-res image gallery

We can’t find much fault with the 2011 Ford Fiesta, but if there’s one major gripe, it’s a lack of power (well, and paddle shifters for the dual-clutch gearbox). However, it looks like that lone complaint may be addressed with the introduction of the Fiesta ST, the smaller sibling to the recently revealed Focus ST.

Similar to the mule caught in Detroit earlier this year, the three-door Fiesta is back with a massive front-mount intercooler, revised body work, new wheels and a high-performance exhaust, along with some racy Recaros that probably won’t make the trek from prototype to production.

While it’s doubtful Ford would port over the Focus ST’s 247 horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost mill, the 180-hp turbo’d 1.6-liter or rumored EcoBoost 1.4 are definitely in the cards. With the Focus ST finally having a shot in the States, the globally-certified Fiesta ST might come along for the ride. And maybe a set of paddle shifters will be included in the package.

Gallery: Spy Shots 2012: Ford Fiesta ST

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Fiesta ST ready to back up its big brother originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:24:00 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 Shots: Audi R4 up close and in camo

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Etc., Audi, Design/Style

Audi R4 spy shots

That mysterious Audi coupe we saw in grainy video form is slowly becoming more clear. The above photo shows off some of the styling lines, even though the curly-Q camo is trying hard to hide them. Originally, the internet was abuzz with word that this vehicle could be related to Audi’s all-electric e-tron. Now, however, many are now backing away from that thinking – the large brakes, sporty wheels and shining tailpipes suggest otherwise. This could very likely be an R4 coupe or cabrio prototype basking in the Austrian sun, getting ready for a reverse ski-jump workout and laughing at our attempts to figure out what it is.

Our friends at GermanCarBlog may have a better idea as to exactly what’s going on here. They believe this is not the e-tron, not the R4 coupe or cabrio, but the S5-based Audi Anniversario project. That’s right folks, we may be staring at a long-awaited update to the beloved Ur-Quattro.

What exactly is sitting under the Van Gogh-esque wrap job remains to be seen. In the meantime, our eyes will remain glued to the ‘tubes until we learn more.

[Source: R4um, GermanCarBlog]

Spy Shots: Audi R4 up close and in camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(More) Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Jaguar, Luxury

2012 Jaguar XF spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

It feels like Jaguar’s renaissance has only just begun, and here’s the sedan that started it all, already prepping for its own renaissance. The Jaguar XF, in line to be fitted with some tailoring taken from the XJ’s handsome suit of sheetmetal, was caught again stretching its legs in the desert. The exterior changes won’t be radical, but expect a smattering of fascia work and some tweaking of lines and light clusters out back, along with some revised and refined interior elements.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF

(More) Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Kia readying Soul, Tiger Edition?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Crossover, Kia

Kia Soul Tiger Edition

Kia Soul Tiger Edition? We think not – Click above for high-res image gallery

User AiboPet over at the SoulHamsters forum happened upon one very interesting Kia Soul Sport while cruising the Kia North America fleet lot recently. The boxy hatch was caught wearing some unique vinyl graphics, complete with tiger stripes down both sides and large paw print on its hind-end. While the forum immediately caught fire with the notion that Kia is planning yet another special-edition version of its youth-oriented crossover, the truth may be a little tamer.

Kia tells Autoblog that it has no plans to roll out a new Tiger Edition Soul, nor will any other big-cat themed models be available from dealers anytime soon. Sorry, feline fans.

Of course, that doesn’t exactly answer what’s up with this particular graphics package. Kia says that when the company’s designers are done with special show-circuit jobs, it just parks them outside with the rest of its testers. This could be a stillborn special edition or a SEMA package that never made it to the show floor. Your guess is as good as ours. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Gallery: Kia Soul Tiger Edition

[Source: SoulHamsters]

Spy Shots: Kia readying Soul, Tiger Edition? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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