Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota

What you are looking at here may well be the first unofficial, official image of the third (fourth according to Toyota) generation Toyota Prius. The original hybrid isn’t supposed to debut until we get to Detroit in January, but three images that look like they may well be authentic have turned up on Prius forum. The shape we see here certainly fits with the camouflaged spy photos we’ve seen so far. The basic shape looks much like the current Prius, but the front has been re-shaped. The nose of the car fits in with the look of other current Toyotas but doesn’t seem to carry over much from the Hybrid X concept that appeared at Geneva 2007. If these photos are to be believed the interior unfortunately also carries over the interior concept of the current car with the center mounted gauges. We’ve contacted Toyota for a comment, but we don’t seriously expect anything other than a no comment. If we do learn anything more we’ll be sure to let you know. Thanks to Rafih for the tip!

[Source: PriusChat]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Bentley

The latest Bentley Arnage is doing the rounds in Spain, but it isn’t the sedan’s appearance that’s news, it’s how it might be powered. As far as cosmetic bodywork, the changes appear minimal, including new fog light placement, rear apron and exhaust exit. A little more substantially, the car is widened at the B-pillar, which should finally give back bench passengers the kind of room that befits a Bentley sedan.

Exterior and interior tweaks aside, what’s under the hood is where things are supposedly cracking. Rumors that we can only guess are highly speculative suggest that the coming Arnage will get a diesel engine. We’re not sure if those rumor-mongers got the memo a month ago in which Bentley CEO Josef Paefgen stated there will be no diesel Bentleys. But supposing one of Rudolph’s children was dropped in that massive engine bay, suspects are Audi’s V12 TDI for the standard model, and the Veyron’s W16 to create a thermonuclear Arnage T. Sign us up.

[Source: Global Motors]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Safety, Supercars, Alfa Romeo, Special/Limited Editions

How do you improve on one of the most desirable sportscars in the world? By applying the magic formula, of course! That means less weight and more power, as Alfa Romeo is preparing to do to commemorate its 100th anniversary with the extremely limited edition 8C GTA.

Although we can’t be 100% sure that this is indeed the GTA, we’d have to wonder why else Alfa would be testing an 8C after the development work on the existing model is already done. The prototype is also wearing protective strips along the front fascia and a different set of rims. With the centential celebrations less than two years away, we’re looking forward to feasting our eyes (if not our hands) on the GTA, which is anticipated to loose about 300 lbs. and gain an 50 extra horsepower.

[Source: Autogespot via Euro Car Blog]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Buick

Let’s forget about the Pontiac G3 for now and focus on what General Motors is doing right. Case in point is the upcoming 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which has just been caught undergoing testing wearing very little camouflage. We can clearly see now that Buick designers drew heavily on the Invicta concept for inspiration. Even the concept’s character line remains that kinks just ahead of the rear wheels to create a smooth arch over the rear fenders.

Photographers actually caught two LaCrosse models out testing, one of which showed a clean rear bumper and the other was brandishing two large, rectangular tailpipes and wearing demonstrably larger wheels. They even managed to snag a clear shot of the interior that shows an impressive dash design with what appears to be very high quality materials like a double-stitched leather dash and real wood accents.

Thankfully, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse looks like a winner along the lines of the Cadillac CTS and even Buick’s own Enclave. It may even add ammunition to the argument that GM can build a world-class car when it wants to, but we’ll wait until we see one in person and get some seat time to make our final judgment.

[Source: KGP Photography]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Ford

If you frequent every car blog on a daily basis, then you’ve probably seen these latest spy shots of the 2010 Ford Mustang in base V6 and GT500 trim, as well as completely uncovered views of the interior. We’re acutely aware, however, that some of you rely solely on Autoblog for your daily fix. Therefore, we’re bringing you these three sets of spy shots now, despite the fact they’ve been on the web for a week. We apologize for the delay, but some back-of-the-house complications kept us from publishing them sooner.

Regardless, it’s totally apparent that Ford wants everyone to see these spy shots considering how naked these prototypes are. The batch of shots showing a blue, base V6 model gives the best view of the Mustang’s redesigned front end, including the newly shaped grille, new headlights, hood and lower bumper. The two new interior shots completely give up the goods on the Mustang’s new dash design, as well. Finally, the GT500 convertible shots show that the top dog model will indeed be fierce with a giant hood bulge and its own front end design.

Unfortunately, we’ve heard that the Mustang’s engine lineup will carry over largely unchanged for the 2010 model year, though could be entirely revamped shortly thereafter to keep pace with its crosstown rivals from Chevy and Dodge.

[Source: KGP Photography]

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Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Mazda

When is camo not really camo? When it’s black and white tape stuck to the body of the 2010 Mazda3 sedan. The new 3 was recently caught in the U.S. and the new front end is essentially a reworked version of the Mazda6’s, with a grinning, two-piece grille split by an angular bumper. Notice the bulges and fairings around the foglamps next to the lower grille, and the way the stretched headlights and flared fenders turn the hood outline into a wild polyhedral. The sculpted leather seats and roomy cabin look a treat as well. Assuming Mazda won’t jack up the price or sink the driving dynamics, this could exceed the success of the current car. We’ll bring you the full story from the LA Auto Show in just about sixty days. Thanks for the tip, Kris!

[Source: Auto.cz]

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Filed under: Mazda, Spy Shots

Ever since Ford’s U.S. operations decided to forego the second-generation Focus in favor of a freshened version of the first generation model, Americans have been complaining that we can’t get the best Focus. In fact, the essential underpinnings of that C1 Focus have been available here under two other brands. The pricier Volvo C30/S40/V50 and the current Mazda3. The Mazda has actually been quite popular here and it looks like it will be getting a mid-cycle refresh soon. Judging from the batch of spy photos that has popped up on a Czech website it won’t be an all-new car. That’s probably a couple more years away when the next-gen Focus comes to the U.S. market. Instead, the 3 is getting some new bodywork from the belt-line down. The greenhouse looks carry-over from the current car, while the front fender area in particular looks all new. The 3 looks set to inherit the arching wheelhouses used by other current Mazdas like the 6, CX-7 and CX-9 as well as the tiny Mazda2 that’s not available here. Since they have taken off most of the heavy camouflage, it seems likely the 3 will be introduced fairly soon, probably at either the Los Angeles or Detroit Auto Show. Thanks to Kris for the tip!

[Source: news.auto.cz]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Ford

The eagle-eyes at KGP have spied a 2008 Ford Five Hundred with very little camoflage. What’s changed? Okay, okay, they’ve updated the nose by adding Edge-type lights that integrate more with the grille, lessening the bug-eye effect of the current model. There are new strakes in the airdam, and the new corporate three-bar grille, but other than that this looks like a mild freshening. We’re detecting perhaps a smidge more angularity in the new front end. Out back, the taillights have been revised with more clear and just accents of red. Overall, a minor freshening but a much needed one to bring the Five-Hundred in line with the new face of Ford. We’ve always thought it was conservatively styled, but not ugly. The revisions keep it up to date, but the addition of the new 3.5-liter V6 with more power will no doubt pick up more sales than this mild facelift.

[Source: LLN]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai

Hyundai’s working on a rear-wheel-drive successor to its home-market Equus luxury sedan. The car’s expected to debut at the New York Auto Show in April, and these most recent spy shots show it with less camouflage than we’ve seen it wearing in the past. You can’t see the front end, but you get a really good look at the clean flanks. The roofline pays homage to the Euro iron Hyundai undoubtedly has in its sights; not to mention the high-end Japanese makes like Infiniti and Lexus. The kink in the lower portion of the C-pillar is a nod directly to BMW - though Infiniti copied it first. Power will be provided by the Azera’s 3.8 liter V6 at the bottom end, while there’s a 4.6 liter V8 reportedly generating over 300 horsepower for the top-of-the-line car. This looks like a large vehicle, and we car nuts welcome more RWD platforms with available V8s - they’re a hoot to be irresponsible in. Rumors have the entry price in the $30,000 range, which is a mighty deal if it continues with Hyundai’s recent formula. Expect to find styling that’s pleasant in an inoffensive, non-polarizing way when the wraps come off, and we’re sure that equipment levels will be high and suspension calibrations will tend toward the softer side. How soft it goes will determine whether it’s a spiritual successor to the Crown Victoria, or if it plays in more rarified air occupied by the aforementioned lux-marques.

[Source: The Car Blogger via GM Inside News]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Spy Photos, BMW, MINI

Could it be true? Could there be an as-yet-unheard-of MINI variant added to the pile? Spy pics of some yellow beastly thing wearing a MINI front and rear have a few folks wondering if MINI might make a Moke. The original MINI Moke from the sixties was an offroad vehicle that Alec Issigonis was trying to sell to the military. We doubt BMW would have any such aims for a Moke revival, but at the very least it could be a much more capable four-wheeler than the Crossman/Monte looks like it’s going to be. A “possible retractable hard-top convertible, or a stripped down, open-air speedster variant,” and even the possibility of a small truck bed have been thrown into the guessing game basket. Or, as ever, it could just be a test mule and mean nothing at all. But knowing MINI, we doubt it. Oh, and BMW might also want to change the car’s name: moke means a dull or boring person, a donkey, or an old, broken-down horse.

[Source: Winding Road]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Chevrolet, GM

click above to view the new Camaro spy-shot in high-res

General Motors has released another shot of the production Camaro making the rounds on its test track and this time we get a nice view of the front three-quarters. According to the FastLane Blog, the Camaro “is quickly evolving into final form,” however, things like the headlight design will likely change before all is said and done. The itty-bitty pic doesn’t divulge much, but it does prove that GM is sticking as close to the concept as possible. And just to let you know, we’re already looking for a larger version of the pic.

UPDATE: High-res version of the pic added.
UPDATE 2: You knew they were coming. CamaroZ28.com forum member Rampant has provided us with images of the new Camaro shot in a rainbow of colors.

[Source: GM FastLane Blog]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Ferrari

We’ve been patiently waiting for a successor to the Ferrari Enzo for some time now, and here’s evidence that development of the next supercar from Maranello is underway. Codenamed FX70, the mule is housed in the shell of an F430 Scuderia, though there are a number of clues that what you’re looking at is something very special. Take for instance the wheels, which are grossly oversized for the Scuderia. The track is also much wider and out back there’s a large center-mounted exhaust. Next Autos reports that Ferrari is working on two separate engine options for the FX70 including a 700-hp twin-turbo V8 and a twin-turbo V12 that could reach 800 hp. Rumors suggest that Ferrari may go with the TT V8 in deference to the climate concerns of our time, though we hardly expect Ferrari to mix in too much green with that Rosso Corsa Red.

[Source: Next Autos]

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