Tag: spy

Spy Shots: 2015 Subaru Legacy prototype caught testing in Michigan

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Subaru

The current Subaru Legacy is only three years old, but compared to rival midsize sedans like the Mazda6 and Ford Fusion, which have recently received thorough redesigns, it might as well be a million. In other words, a reworking is in order. Caught in these spy shots, the 2015 Subaru Legacy appears to be about the same size as the current model, but it appears that Subaru is looking to push the sedan a little more upmarket in terms of styling and luxury.

Despite the heavy camouflage, some elements of the new Legacy’s design are still visible. The new headlights still have a scalloped shape but are much narrower, and we can also see the deep body creases that run the full length of the sedan. At the rear of the new Legacy, the taillights should get some added depth with a C-shaped brake light design similar to what we saw on the WRX Concept earlier in the year.

Showing that Subaru is aiming a little bit higher for this Legacy, this car is being benchmarked against all-wheel-drive luxury vehicles like the current Infiniti G37 and the Audi Allroad – the latter is likely for comparison with the Legacy’s wagon version, the Outback. Following the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, we expect the 2015 Legacy to be the next Subaru product to get a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain, which we hear will be paired with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a CVT and, of course, all-wheel drive.

No word as to when the 2015 Legacy will debut, but the New York Auto Show is as good a guess as any.

2015 Subaru Legacy prototype caught testing in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the Lexus GS F?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus GS F spy shot - rear three-quarter in garage

It’s been a while since we’ve heard rumors of the fabled high-performance Lexus GS F, but thanks to our eager spy photographers, this looks to be our first real proof of the machine’s existence. We don’t have the usual brace of photos from all angles to work with this time around, our spies saying that every time Lexus’ garage door opened, engineers jumped in front of the cameras to prevent the car from being photographed.

Even so, we have a pretty clear glimpse at some significant changes to this GS sedan, including the same staggered, quad-pipe exhaust found on the Lexus IS F. There’s also an air diffuser panel nestled between the exhaust outlets, as well as a larger lip spoiler and unique wheels (matching those of the RC coupe) wrapped in high-performance tires.

Last time we heard rumors of the GS F’s existence, sources predicted that the M5-fighting sedan would use a tuned version of Lexus’ 5.0-liter V8, producing something like 465 horsepower. We have also heard that the automaker plans to reduce weight wherever possible, and that the final curb weight will be something like 3,700 pounds.

Of course, those earlier reports said we’d see the car as early as 2012, and that obviously didn’t happen. These days, our spies’ best guess is that the GS F will arrive in time for the 2015 model year.

Are you the Lexus GS F? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Is Chevy working on a Prius V, C-Max fighter?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM

Chevy Orlando hybrid test mule - front three-quarter view, disguised spy shot

Chevy Orlando hybrid mule - paperwork closeup - spy shotChevrolet is testing a very peculiar MPV, one that isn’t sold in the US but is wearing Michigan plates. On top of that, riveted bodywork aside, it sure looks suspicious with a bunch of Chevy Volts and a Ford Fusion Hybrid buzzing around it like flies. Upon closer inspection, our spy photographers say it’s actually a test mule for a yet unannounced hybrid vehicle from General Motors, which will probably end up competing with the Ford C-Max Hybrid and Toyota Prius V.

After the swarm of GM engineers finally left the car alone, our photographers were able to move in and snap some shots up close. What they found was a heavily modified Chevrolet Orlando (which is sold in North America, but not the US) with tons of gas-electric hybrid components and testing gear scattered about the interior. The cargo area, for one, is stuffed with a battery and rudimentary cooling system comprised of tubes, and the battery’s casing has a “High-Voltage” warning sticker affixed to it. No plug-in port is visible, leading us to suspect it’s a straight-up hybrid. Our spy photographers were wondering if it was the Volt MPV5 concept testbed, which debuted at the Beijing Auto Show in 2010, but they have heard the MPV5 was cancelled to divert resources to the Cadillac ELR. No Voltec powertrain is suspected in this Orlando mule.

One of the telltale signs of a test mule for a new model – and not a new variant of an existing model – is body modification. From the riveted front end with Chevy Spark headlights to the lengthened cargo area, it’s clear from the outside that major modifications have been done to the Orlando’s body. After analyzing the pieced-together door panels, our spy photographers also believe the front doors were lengthened and the rear doors were shortened.

These Orlandos have been seen testing since early this year, buy they’ve been shrouded in mystery until now. They’re still quite mysterious (is GM trying to fool us by testing them alongside a Fusion Hybrid instead of a C-Max Hybrid?), but the hybrid battery found in the cargo bay is our biggest clue yet.

Is Chevy working on a Prius V, C-Max fighter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: McLaren MP4-12C gets a nip, tuck and ‘Ring run

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Luxury, McLaren

Facelifted McLaren MP4-12C caught camouflaged on the 'Ring - spy shot

It look like this McLaren MP4-12C is recovering from a touch of plastic surgery, and our spy shooters who caught it at the Nürburgring say that a minor headlight and bumper facelift is on the way. Juicier things could be happening in the rear, though, with the suggestion that horsepower from the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 will rise from 616 horsepower to somewhere around 650 hp.

The fact that the changes are modest suggest we could see the facelifted model as soon as the Frankfurt Motor Show in about six weeks.

McLaren MP4-12C gets a nip, tuck and ‘Ring run originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jul 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Land Rover LR4 getting facelift and interior refresh

Filed under: Spy Photos, Land Rover, Luxury, Off-Road

Land Rover is preparing a slight freshening of the its seven-passenger, mid-range LR4 (known outside of North America as the Discovery 4). The LR4/Disco 4 is currently the second oldest model in the Land Rover range, besides the mostly forgotten LR2/Freelander, and while it’s still a competent entry, its age is beginning to show.

This refresh should allow it to soldier on until a replacement can be built, which logic would dictate is to be called LR5/Discovery 5. Until then, the current SUV gets the typical batch of headlight tweaks, along with a freshened front bumper. The side mirrors are new as well.

On the inside, we can also expect a long-awaited upgrade to the infotainment system. Jaguar and Land Rover have both struggled in this regard, so here’s hoping the new system offers an improvement.

The big news for the LR4 will come under its hood. Jaguar Land Rover as a whole has already phased out the excellent but thirsty 5.0-liter V8, with the only holdover being the supercharged variant. That means the V8 LR4 is not long for this world. Look for it to be replaced by the same supercharged, 3.0-liter V6 that’s offered as a base engine in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. As with the Jaguar XF we tested, ZF’s eight-speed automatic would likely harness the V6’s power.

Expect to see a refreshed LR4, likely before the end of 2013.

Land Rover LR4 getting facelift and interior refresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jul 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes S600 Pullman spied, could get three-row seating

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes S600 Pullman prototype - camouflaged

With the death of its Maybach brand, Daimler will be filling its ultra-luxury sedan portfolio with a version of the redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class called the S600 Pullman. While it’s not totally clear if the car shown here is the new Pullman, we can easily see from these spy shots that this is not your run-of-the-mill stretch job.

Comparing this car to our firsthand shots of the 2014 S-Class, the extended wheelbase is instantly obvious, but looking closer, we also see that the rear doors, quarter panel and C-pillars are also unique to this vehicle. Oddly, those bits are also far different from the most recent stretched S-Class spy shots we’ve seen (although they could have just been an early engineering mule for this car). Whatever model is shown in these spy shots might not even be the king of the S-Class range, though, as there is also word of a three-row, six-passenger Pullman model in the works.

Mercedes S600 Pullman spied, could get three-row seating originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2014 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible caught naked in the wild

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet

2014 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible spy shot - top up - silver

While we had our first genuine look at the 2014 Camaro SS back at the New York Auto Show this spring, we hadn’t yet gotten a glimpse of the droptop version of the pony car, until now.

Nabbed near Chevy’s home turf in beautiful Milford, MI, the ’14 Camaro SS Convertible looks ready for prime time as-is. We’ll be honest: From the shoulder-line up, this new Camaro looks almost identical to the outgoing car, with no apparent changes to the folding soft top or rakish A-pillars. Below the waist, the convertible shares the revised front hood, nose and revamped rear treatment with the SS coupe.

This particular SS Convertible is wearing a new set of 20-inch five spoke wheels, as well as a beefy quad exhaust setup out back. Sharp-eyed readers will also notice that the Chevy test driver isn’t terribly pleased with getting his picture taken. Gentle souls should avert their eyes for images four and five of our gallery…

2014 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible caught naked in the wild originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Renault Alpine mule captured wearing Lotus duds

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Renault

Renault Alpine mule caught on test track - front three-quarter view

A curious, heavily modified Lotus Exige has been spotted lapping the Nürburgring, and, to hear our spy shooters tell it, the car is actually a disguised Renault Alpine A110-50 out chassis testing with Swedish suspension company Öhlins. It was spotted in the company of several key performance cars from Renault Sport, including the Megane RS and Clio. These spy photos confirm that Renault is serious about making the Alpine a production reality and suggests that it needed more than its alliance with Nissan to help foot the development bills.

Caterham became Renault’s partner in this venture last year, and rumors have suggested that this Lotus-disguised Alpine will be mid-engined, with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering about 1.6 liters of displacement and making around 270 horsepower.

We have reported in the past that Renault, Infiniti and Lotus were developing a gas-electric hybrid together, and the Renault version could become the Alpine (with Lotus building the production versions of all three cars), but we don’t truly know what the future holds for Renault’s reborn performance division.

Got all that? Neither do we, so we’re going to sit tight and see where the chips fall, but we’ll be sure to let you know when that happens.

Renault Alpine mule captured wearing Lotus duds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: McLaren P1 XP2R caught doing hot laps

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Racing, McLaren

McLaren P1 XPR2 prototype on 'Ring - spy shot - front three-quarter view

McLaren P1 XP2R DetailColor us befuddled. This is a McLaren P1, circling the Nürburgring. Not too out of the ordinary, right? Well, direct your attention to the very last photo in our gallery of spy shots (also conveniently located to the right), and notice the graphic: XP2R Prototype Vehicle.

Is this a new McLaren that’s powered by an ion engine? Perhaps it burns refined goat milk rather than gas? The reality is likely far less spectacular. The XP2R is almost certainly the testbed for a more potent version of the already freakishly quick McLaren P1, or perhaps even a prototype of an upcoming endurance car to take the place of the 12C racer.

We’re leaning towards the former rather than the latter, simply due to the seeming lack of racing-specific bits. The windows look like glass, rather than Lexan, and the aerodynamics package looks too close to stock to be for racing. There’s also no evidence of racing-spec safety features in the cabin, although it’s difficult to tell for certain from these images.

Or maybe McLaren just trotted out an old prototype of the P1 so we’d jump all over it and some engineers in the UK could have a laugh. Whatever the XP2R is, we’re keeping our ears to the ground for any additional info and we’ll be sure to update you as soon as possible.

McLaren P1 XP2R caught doing hot laps originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Lexus coupe caught in spy shots actually RC, headed for Tokyo reveal?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Lexus

Lexus may have pulled a fast one on us. The car our spy shooters spotted yesterday may not, in fact, be an IS F Coupe as we indicated. Rather, the car shown above may be a new model, dubbed RC, that will arrive at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Following a report from Automotive News, the RC is believed to be a pure coupe, rather than a hardtop convertible. This gels with information provided on the IS sedan’s launch, when Lexus spokespeople said the IS Convertible would remain on the current platform. With styling based on the LF-CC from the 2012 Paris show, the new car will share a rear-drive platform with the IS and GS sedans.

Power is expected to come from a 3.5-liter V6 that turns out 306 horsepower. That car will likely wear the RC 350 badge. A hybrid model is expected to follow, but in a twist, it won’t be coming to the US. The big news, though, is that the RC will spawn an RC F.

Sources told AN that a 460-hp V8 will replace the 416-hp mill found in the current IS F, allowing the RC F to really duke it out with Stuttgart, Munich, and Ingolstadt.

Where does that leave the IS F? We can’t be sure, but with Mercedes-Benz and BMW both offering (now or in the future) fast, compact sedans, we wouldn’t bet on Lexus sitting out. We can expect to see a production RC F at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, with examples arriving in dealers later that year.

Lexus coupe caught in spy shots actually RC, headed for Tokyo reveal? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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