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Spy Shots: 2012 Nissan Tiida hatch (pronounced: “Versa”) caught ahead of Shanghai reveal

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Hatchback, Nissan

Yesterday, we told you that the 2012 Nissan Versa is coming to the New York Auto Show later this month, and today we can show you exactly what its JDM counterpart will look like. Above is a completely undisguised photo of the Tiida hatchback as it sits in a parking lot in China. The hatch shares a virtually identical front end to that of the Versa sketch Nisan showed us back in October. The Tiida also shares a platform with the already in production Sunny, which shows that a sedan variant is also likely.

The spy photo shows highly stylized headlamps and a grille that is framed in chrome. The lower fascia is agape, framed by a pair of similarly large fog lamp openings. Overall styling of the Tiida appears to be a bit more conservative than competitors like the Ford Fiesta, though it’s a clear improvement compared to the outgoing Versa. Another spy photo, which is available on autoincar.com, shows that the Tiida carries a Direct Injection Gas 1.6 liter turbo engine, which currently pumps out 188 horsepower under the hood of the Juke, though we’d be very surprised if the Versa gets that kind of power – a naturally aspirated 1.6 will likely be offered.

We’ll see how close this spy shot of the Tiida is to the production 2012 Versa when it is unveiled in New York later this month.

[Source: Auto In Car]

Spy Shots: 2012 Nissan Tiida hatch (pronounced: “Versa”) caught ahead of Shanghai reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster hits the track and the town

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

spy photos: mercedes-benz sls amg roadster

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery

A note to prospective buyers of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: you might want to wait a bit longer to hand over your hard-earned gold bullion. The roadster version should be arriving very soon, provided you’re willing to give up the coupe’s gullwing doors for a bit of open sky. Spy photographers have caught the drop-top Merc pushing around the Nürburgring then taking in the sights around town. Sporting only a dash of camo, this shows us that Mercedes is close to showing the world a production version of the SLS AMG Roadster.

Once on sale, it will pose a buying conundrum for Three-Pointed Star devotees looking for a new supercar. You might have to give up the hardtop’s charismatic doors, but at least you’ll also hear more of the devilish gargle produced by the SLS’ 563-horsepower, 6.2-liter V8. Decisions, decisions…

Gallery: Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster hits the track and the town originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Mondeo spotted testing

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Ford, Design/Style

Spy Shots: Next-Generation Ford Mondeo

Next-gen Ford Mondeo spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is hard at work on the next generation of its Mondeo mid-size sedan. Spy photographers caught a snow and camo-covered version of the new mid-size sedan as it waits to be shuttled to its next testing location. The car shows hints of adhering to Ford’s Kinetic design language, and we expect the front-end to – ahem – focus in on that style.

The next Mondeo will serve as a true global vehicle like its smaller Fiesta and Focus siblings. Lincoln and Ford will use the upcoming Mondeo as the guts beneath both the Fusion and MKZ skin. Rumor has it that this future Mondeo will also be offered as a wagon and four-door fancy-coupe, as well.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-Generation Ford Mondeo

Spy Shots: Next-Generation Ford Mondeo

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Mondeo spotted testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Acura to be official car of spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D in Thor [w/video]

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Acura

thor trailer acura

Thor trailer – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Get ready for Marvel Comics and Paramount Pictures to rule commercial time leading up to their new Thor movie that premiers on May 6. The film, which will be followed up with Captain America later this summer, follows two Iron Man movies and the 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Those films make up the lengthy run-up to the release of The Avengers movie next summer that will feature all the good guys on one silver screen.

Predictably, Thor will be jammed with corporate sponsors and product placements, which will lead to still more Thor commercials. Even Acura has gotten in on the act, as the upscale Honda brand has nabbed the roll as the vehicle of choice for the good guys at S.H.I.E.L.D., who are working hard to get all the superheros on the same team (hello, Avengers). Acura, whose corporate styling language already involves the shield-shaped front fascia that so many have complained about, were more interested in the role due to S.H.I.E.L.D’s high-tech, cutting edge reputation. The automaker will reportedly receive an amazing two minutes of air time during the movie, and Acura even allowed the bad guys to blow up some of its vehicles.

Acura no doubt paid big bucks to get all that screen time, but that’s not all it plans to do. Variety reports that Acura will push the movie in commercials, while also hosting Thor events at local dealerships that include giving away some tickets for advanced screenings. Hit the jump to watch the latest movie trailer. Top tip, Stewie!

[Source: Variety]

Continue reading Report: Acura to be official car of spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D in Thor [w/video]

Report: Acura to be official car of spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D in Thor [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Coupe spotted making the rounds

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Luxury

spy photo porsche 911 cabriolet

Spy Photos: Next Generation Porsche 911 Cabriolet – Click above for high-res image gallery

Spy lenses have once again caught Porsche engineers out testing the next generation 911. Both cabriolet and coupe versions were seen out running on the Nürburgring. The 2012 Porsche 911 is expected to be slightly larger and boast a wider rear track. The boxer engine in the base model is rumored to produce 345 horsepower.

Current intelligence also has it that Porsche plans to unveil the car at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Until then, check out the spy photos in our galleries below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next Generation Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next Generation Porsche 911 Coupe

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Coupe spotted making the rounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Video: Cadillac ATS getting shaken down on the proving ground

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Videos, Cadillac

ATS Spy Video

Cadillac ATS spied on GM’s proving grounds – Click above to watch the video after the jump

We’re likely a year away from the reveal of the Cadillac ATS, as the rumormill states that the rear-drive Caddy will likely go on sale in fall of 2012. We’ve seen plenty of spy photos of the sub-CTS Cadillac, as well, and now we’ve got a video that shows the entry-level ATS in motion.

The post-jump video, which comes courtesy of the folks at ATS Forums, appears to have been shot from the branch of a tree outside of General Motors’ proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. It’s difficult to see much in the video due to the heavy camo adorning the prototype, but we do see a more steeply raked windshield and a greenhouse that, compared to that of the CTS, appears to be a bit more rounded.

As an added bonus, the video shows a three second-long glimpse of the Buick Regal GS at the 1:34 mark. Hit the jump to take in the video for yourself. There may not be any audio, but there’s plenty to see.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Cadillac ATS or XTS?

[Source: YouTube via ATS Forums]

Continue reading Spy Video: Cadillac ATS getting shaken down on the proving ground

Spy Video: Cadillac ATS getting shaken down on the proving ground originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: All-wheel-drive Mini Cooper hybrid caught weathering the arctic

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Mini

hybrid mini cooper spy shot

AWD Mini Cooper Hybrid Spy Shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Once you’ve put an all-electric drivetrain into a Mini Cooper, is it that hard to hybridize one? Well, yes, especially since BMW’s limited testing program was intended to give the company information about a plug-in architecture. But our spy photographers have discovered what’s believed to be the first Mini Cooper prototype fitted with a hybrid drivetrain.

The body certainly looks the same, but – as you can see in our high-resolution gallery – BMW has affixed a sticker in the window that clearly says “hybrid test vehicle.” We don’t know many details about the powertrain sitting under the bright red paint, but sources indicate that this is a through-the-road hybrid, with the front wheels powered by a normal engine and the rear wheels motivated by an electric motor. Things like displacement, total horsepower and battery size are all as mysterious as they ever were, but rumor has it – no, really this time – that a hybridized Mini will be available when the next-generation arrives in 2013.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Mini Cooper Hybrid with AWD

[Source: Carpix]

Spy Shots: All-wheel-drive Mini Cooper hybrid caught weathering the arctic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series GT caught taking a break from bell-tower duty

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW

spy shots bmw 3 series gt

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series GT caught hitching a ride – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW hinted that a 3 Series GT was in the works. Like its larger BMW 5 Series GT sibling, the 3 Series Gran Turismo would feature a two-tier rear hatch, raised seating position and a boosted ride height. And rumor has it that a non-swirly-camo version will be heading to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The BMW 3 Series GT will slot in the lineup to combat Audi’s upcoming Q3 crossover. It’s also enough of segment jumper that the A4 Avant could wind up in its crosshairs. Take a gander at the gallery below, and try to look past the swirls to decipher the hunchback body hiding underneath.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series GT

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series GT

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series GT caught taking a break from bell-tower duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series caught working out in the cold

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

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series spy shots

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hold on to your hats, folks. As if the current 451-horsepower Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG weren’t hardcore enough, the folks in Stuttgart are working on an even hotter Black Series version of Merc’s BMW M3 killer.

The bulgier fender flares you see here won’t be the only visual upgrades – our spies tell us that a new front spoiler will be on deck, as well as a revised rear diffuser with some Formula One-inspired cues. This development car still uses the old front fascia not found on the new-for-2012 car, but we’ll probably see the updated headlamps and LED running lights as part of the new package.

The automaker’s 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 will still be the powerplant of choice, current intelligence reports suggest we can expect about 510 horsepower on tap – 29 more ponies than the already-potent C63 with the P31 Development Package. That grunt runs through Mercedes-Benz’s seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission, and even with the added Black Series bits, we’d expect that a few pounds have been shaved off of the AMG’s curb weight.

Our spies even suggest that a C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is in the works, and it will bow shortly after the sedan’s official debut. Consider that a proper successor to the shockingly great CLK63 AMG Black Series that debuted in 2007.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series: Spy Shots

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series caught working out in the cold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Latest Mini Coupe photos suggest production nearly afoot

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Mini

Mini Coupe Spy Shots

Mini Coupe Spy Shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re inching ever closer to seeing the Mini Coupe in showrooms. The clipped Cooper is set to land on dealer lots as soon as this Autumn, and it looks like the company’s engineers are hard at work ironing out the very last wrinkles in the platform. Our spy photographer commandos managed to click off a few photos of the most recent tester out and about wearing what must be nearly production-ready sheetmetal. If we were the betting types, we’d lay a shiny nickel on the vehicle you see here being all but identical to the final iteration.

In these photos, we can clearly see that the vehicle’s retractable spoiler tucks cleanly into the trunk when not in use, though the somewhat awkward roof aero treatment is still sticking around. Up front, the Coupe wears the same corporate clothing as the Cooper line, and buyer should expect to find the same line of four-cylinder engines under the hood as well.

Gallery: Mini Coupe Spy Shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Latest Mini Coupe photos suggest production nearly afoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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