Tag: spy

Spy Video: Nissan GT-R SpecM gets wrung out at the ‘Ring

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Europe, Japan, Nissan

Nissan GT-R SpecM – Click above to watch video after the jump

Just when we thought the softer-riding Nissan GT-R SpecM had disappeared for good, the car shows up at the Nurburgring for a little abuse. The crew from Auto Motor und Sport managed to lay their hands on a lengthy video of a few barely-cloaked examples of the car scooting around Green Hell, and everyone’s best guess is that the vehicles are a peek at what we can expect out of the Nissan 2011 supercar lineup. As you likely recall, the SpecM is designed to be a more comfortable interpretation of the company’s no-holds barred bruiser. The suspension is tuned more for the street than busting around your favorite road course, and the interior is supposedly swaddled in more high-grade materials.

Judging from what we see in the video, we’re guessing that the new SpecM will wear aero additions borrowed from the mighty Spec-V, along with wheels swiped from the same car. Hit the jump to see the flick for yourself.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Carscoop]

Continue reading Spy Video: Nissan GT-R SpecM gets wrung out at the ‘Ring

Spy Video: Nissan GT-R SpecM gets wrung out at the ‘Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Refreshed 2012 Bentley Continental GT gets ready for Paris

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Bentley, Luxury

There’s no denying the Bentley Continental line is due for an update. In the ultra competitive world of ultra luxurious automobiles, the sportiest of Bentley’s top-shelf automobiles is, shall we say, aging gracefully, and all the while new competitors are keen to take a crack at the drive-for-yourself luxury thrown.

In order to keep the Continental GT looking fresh, Bentley is readying a slightly facelifted 2012 model for the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Judging from these spy photos snagged by Auto Express, the changes will be subtle but fairly comprehensive, focusing mainly on the front and rear fascias and perhaps a bit more power from the W12 lurking underhood.

As ever, the grille is the main focal point up front, and it will now be flanked by a swankier set of quad headlamps. Bumpers are revised front and rear, and the taillamps appear to be downsized and elongated sideways. As we said before, subtle but effective. Stay tuned, we’ll be sure to bring you live shots of this and everything else that’s fit to see from the City of Light come October.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: Refreshed 2012 Bentley Continental GT gets ready for Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Video: Mystery Ferrari caught outside Maranello

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

Unidentified Ferrari mule – Click above to watch video after the jump

In an appearance more akin to UFO footage, one quick cameraphone-wielding shooter has caught a couple of seconds of a Ferrari mule doing a drive-by. There are cues from the 458 Italia up front, rear three-quarter glass that’s more 599, then a tiny rear overhang and what appears to be a vent slapped on the back of the greenhouse. We know there are a slew of Ferraris coming, so the question is, which one is this? Follow the jump to see the video and weigh in yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Spy Video: Mystery Ferrari caught outside Maranello

Spy Video: Mystery Ferrari caught outside Maranello originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series five-door caught with rumored turbo’d four

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The big BMW 1 Series news is the upcoming M-badged coupe, but we mustn’t forget that an all-new 1er is currently in development. Our spies have just recently snapped this five-door model testing, concealing what could be a highly anticipated turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Sources suggest this new four-pot could be a new tri-turbo setup, meaning the 1 Series would still be plenty powerful and could replace the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six currently used in 128i models. Additionally, we won’t rule out the possibility that BMW is testing the new N55 twin-scroll single-turbo for use in the 1 Series, since that mill seems to quickly be replacing the current twin-turbo 3.0-liter setup.

Expect the next-generation 1 Series to hit the road sometime in 2012. With that in mind, a debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show doesn’t seem out of the question.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series Five-Door

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1 Series five-door caught with rumored turbo’d four originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 556-hp Supercharged 2012 Camaro Z28

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

It’s been rumored for far too long, and now it’s finally coming into focus. The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 has been caught by the long lens of Priddy & Co., complete with ultra-wide tires, a revised exhaust, intimidating hood bulge and a sizable front splitter. But how do we know what’s under the hood?

The shooters caught the high-po Camaro with its passenger door open, and stuck on the plastic dash is a piece of paper that reads “2012 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.2L SC V8, 6AT.” Break that down and it means the Z/28 is packing the same 6.2-liter supercharged V8 LSA fitted to the 556-horsepower Cadillac CTS-V, mated to a six-speed automatic. Naturally, a proper manual will be available as well when the Z/28 goes on sale sometime next year.

[Source: Camaro5]

Spy Shots: 556-hp Supercharged 2012 Camaro Z28 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the next Chevrolet Aveo sedan?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Aveo Sedan? – Click above for high-res image gallery

Now here’s a curiosity. Our legion of spy photographers managed to lay their lenses on a small sedan testing with a bevy of 2011 Chevrolet Aveo hatchbacks. We aren’t exactly positive, but our best guess is this little guy is the four-door version of the bottom of the Bow Tie line. If true, this is the best look we’ve had at the Aveo sedan – save a few patent drawings – but there are a few complications with the theory.

For starters, very little of this car dovetails with what we’ve seen of the five-door. We could gloss over inconsistencies like vastly different doors, complete with incongruous handles and side view mirrors, but things get murkier when we have a look at the two cars’ lug pattern.

This new creation clearly rocks four lugs, while every other camo’d Aveo we’ve seen uses five. Chances are General Motors probably isn’t interested in using completely different spindles, rotors, wheels, etc. just for a different body style of the same vehicle. So what is it? Your guess is as good as ours.

Gallery: Chevrolet Aveo Sedan?

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo spy shots

Spy Shots: Are you the next Chevrolet Aveo sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Dodge

Toyota and Honda may be improving the images of their minivans, but we mustn’t forget about the company that started it all: Chrysler. The very first Dodge Grand Caravan went on sale 27 years ago, and through all of the ups and downs that the automaker has faced over the years (especially in recent times), the Grand Caravan and Town & Country twins have always been a mainstay.

The current pair of minivans was introduced for the 2008 model year, so it’s only fitting that a slight mid-cycle refresh is on deck, and the folks at The Detroit News have snagged some spy shots of a Town & Country prototype out testing. In addition to modest exterior updates that include things like LED taillamps and a reworked rear bumper, expect Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to be slotted under the hood. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, this should account for a healthy improvement in fuel economy, not to mention power.

What’s most important for minivan shoppers, though, is interior refinement, and the 2011 T&C is expected to get a host of cabin upgrades. More comfortable seats, higher-quality materials and an integrated center console will be on hand, and we’d expect the nifty Stow ‘N Go and Swivel ‘N Go seating configurations to carry over, as well. Look for similar improvements to make their way into the Dodge Grand Caravan, as well. Thanks for the tip, Aaron!

[Source: The Detroit News]

Spy Shots: 2011 Chrysler Town & Country nip/tuck spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic struts its stuff in Europe

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, Honda

Euro-spec Honda Civic spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, look at what we have here. Back in May, our intrepid spy shooters managed to snap off a series of images showing the next-gen European Honda Civic hiding in plain sight under an amalgam of ill-fitting current-gen bodywork. The latest set of spy photos seen here prove that Honda’s little compact hatchback is progressing along rather nicely.

Unlike previous spy photos, it’s clear that the car being tested is wearing its new bodywork… though it’s obviously obscured as much as possible with funky matte black panels with strategically placed cutouts for doors, lights and glass. In any case, we can see a clear hatchback body design, as you would expect for the European market, along with an overtly wedge-like profile.

We have no way of knowing what’s powering this vehicle at the moment, but previous reports suggest our European friends will get a typical choice of gasoline and diesel four cylinder engines along with a possible hybrid. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 European Honda Civic: Spy Shots

Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic struts its stuff in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover puts a spin on spy shot camouflage to introduce Evoque to the world

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Land Rover, Luxury

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque says hello – Click above for high-res image gallery

Having already introduced its new two-door Range Rover Evoque to the world, Land Rover is taking a different tack when it comes to testing its pre-production fleet. While most manufacturers stick to draping their wares in plenty of psychedelic camouflage and plastic cladding to disguise the vehicle, Land Rover has taken to swaddling its prototypes in neon vinyl wraps to stir up a little buzz. The company is launching its final wave of testing on the vehicle, including putting the CUV through its paces in extreme environments like the Arctic.

Meanwhile, in its quest to iron out all possible bugs, engineers will be driving the Evoque around cities from New York to Shanghai – 10 in all. The Evoque will wear a vinyl wrap with a detailed GPS map of its foster city traced in neon lines from stem to stern. Very cool. Land Rover claims that the Evoque will be the lightest and most fuel-efficient vehicle the company has ever created. Whether that’s true or not, this pre-production stunt will likely win the new comer the most outgoing award. Check out the gallery of high-res images below, then hit the jump for the full press blast.

Gallery: Land Rover Evoque Says Hello

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Land Rover puts a spin on spy shot camouflage to introduce Evoque to the world

Land Rover puts a spin on spy shot camouflage to introduce Evoque to the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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