Showing posts with label Scoops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scoops. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2011

Next Generation 2013 Dodge Viper Undergoing Testing in the Snow


Although roughly a year away from launch, Chrysler has published the very first official photo of a development mule of the next generation Dodge Viper undergoing testing in the snow. The prototype mule is based on the now obsolete 2010 Viper that was discontinued in the summer of 2010.

Not surprisingly, the Auburn Hills-based automaker released very few details on its upcoming high-performance sports car as the only piece of information we get is that “SRT engineers expanded the development scope for the next generation Dodge Viper to include stability control tuning for the first time.”

Read more »

Monday, April 11, 2011

SCOOP: New Audi RS4 Avant Snagged Testing on the Nurburgring


It looks like Audi has set its mind to fill all the performance niches in the premium category. Following news on the development of a hot S6 based on the latest iteration of Ingolstadt’s executive mid-size model, our man with the long lens has caught a prototype version of the upcoming RS4 Avant testing around the Nurburgring race track.

Even though the prototype is a test mule based on the S4 Avant, there are certain elements that tell us there’s something different about this model. These include the heavily blistered front and rear wheel arches housing the same dark 20-inch alloy rims found on the RS5 Coupe, as well as a modified front bumper with different air vents to supply additional cooling to the engine.

Read more »

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

New Opel Astra GTC Sport Hatch Appears on Facebook Completely Undisguised


The production version of Opel’s stunning Astra GTC Concept from last year’s Paris Motor Show is scheduled to appear this summer with its public debut to take place at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September. However, thanks to Carscoop reader Javier who has a knack for finding future Opel models, we can give you a sneak peak of the production GTC. Javier discovered the picture of the completely undisguised Astra GTC on Opel’s official Facebook page earlier today.

Read more »

Monday, April 4, 2011

SCOOP: All-New 2012 ML 63 AMG is Mercedes-Benz’s Answer to the BMW X5 M


Carscoop’s spies have bagged new photos of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG testing in Germany. The most powerful member of the new M-Class family will compete against BMW’s X5 M, which packs a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine pumping out 555HP and 680Nm or 501 lb-ft of peak torque.

The current ML 63 AMG is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering -in U.S. spec- 503HP at 6,800 rpm and a peak torque of 465 lb-ft at 5,200 rpm. Even thought the 63 badge will remain, as with other new AMG models, the flagship version of the next ML will ditch the 6.2-liter lump for the firm’s newly developed 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 boasting direct-injection technology.

Read more »

Friday, April 1, 2011

SCOOP: New Generation 2012 Porsche 911 Convertible


We’ve already brought you spy photos of the coupe variant of the 2012 Porsche 911, but now we’ve got our hands on pictures of the open top model caught in action. As you can see, Porsche is sticking with its tried-and-tested cloth top, while the design looks very similar to today’s second-generation 997, albeit with some new details here and there. Read more »

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

2012 Jaguar XF Facelift with New 2.2-Liter Turbo Diesel to Debut in New York Auto Show


Undeniably, the XF is one of the most important models in Jaguar’s recent history, as it turned a new design page for the British carmaker at a time the company changed ownership, from Ford to India’s Tata Motors. Now, three years after its market launch in 2008 following a debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Jaguar is preparing a facelift version of the XF that will receive its world premiere at next month’s New York Auto Show.

The facelift model will receive a makeover that includes a new front fascia with new lights, a redesigned front grille and reshaped bumper, which oddly enough, bring it closer to the original C-XF Concept that previewed the car. The XF will also benefit from tweaks to the interior and the overall quality, the introduction of new tech systems and an upgraded suspension for improved ride and handling.

Perhaps the biggest news for buyers across the pond is the introduction of a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine. The oil-burner is a development of the Ford unit found in the Land Rover Freelander and the European-market Ford Mondeo, however, given that the XF is rear wheel drive, it sits in a north-south configuration so Jaguar had to make several changes to the engine.

Read more »

Monday, March 28, 2011

SCOOP: 2012 BMW 1-Series Caught with Less Camouflage


As BMW is getting closer to launching the second generation of the 1-Series, more and more scantily disguised prototypes are being spotted out testing. These latest scoop pictures afford us our clearest view yet of the five-door hatchback version, not only because BMW has reduced the amount of swirly sheeting but also due to the fact that the cars appear to be final prototypes with production headlamps and tail lights.

As you can see, the Bavarian automaker sticks with the tradition of keeping a design for two generations before radically changing the styling. This means the next 1-Series hatchback takes an evolutionary styling step keeping the basic shape of the current model.

Read more »

VIDEO: 2014 Cadillac ATS Compact RWD Sports Sedan Spied Out Testing


A prototype version of Cadillac’s upcoming BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class rival, dubbed the ATS, has been caught on video during road testing. Though still heavily camouflaged, it appears that the Detroit firm’s compact, rear-wheel drive sports sedan will continue with Cadillac’s Art and Science design language.

The new ATS sedan will be positioned below the CTS, taking its place as the Cadillac’s entry-level model. The introduction of the ATS will allow the next iteration of the CTS to grow in dimensions to better compete with Germany’s executive saloons like the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6.

The engine lineup of the ATS is pretty much speculation as of right now, though a supposedly official document that leaked onto the internet in January made word of three engine choices including a 270HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 330HP 3.6-liter V6 and a 470HP 6.2-liter V8 for the range topping ATS-V.

Read more »

Friday, March 25, 2011

BMW Gives us a Video Insight into the World of Secret Prototypes


Ever wonder why BMW went from the bulky metal or plastic panels to foam and swirly sheeting on its secret prototype models or what goes on during testing of upcoming vehicles at Death Valley, California? Then follow the jump to watch a pair of official BMW videos that provide us an insight into the world of prototypes at the firm’s Research and Innovation Center called ‘Plant Zero’ as well as a clip from the heat testing team.

Read more »

Thursday, March 24, 2011

SCOOP: Walkaround Video of a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML Found Parked on the Road


A camo’d 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML was recently spotted hanging out on the road by a Youtube user who takes us on a walk around the SUV model in the video after the jump. As we recently reported when our spy photographers snagged a lightly disguised prototype in Germany, the new ML is scheduled to launch towards the end of this year. Depending on the market, the luxury SUV will be offered with a familiar range of V6 and V8 gasoline engines, V6 diesels and a hybrid drievtrain, possibly with plug-in capability.

Read more »

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

VIDEO: BMW M3 Pickup Truck Filmed Out on the Road


As it turns out, the BMW M3 sport pickup truck that has been making the internet rounds recently is nothing more than an expensive hoax being prepared by the Bavarian automaker for April Fools’ Day. Nevertheless, we can’t say we’re not interested in a ute that’s based on one of the most coveted sports cars in the market. If you’ve had your fill of spy shots and want to see the M3 sport ute on the move, all you have to do is hit the break and watch the video.

Read more »

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SCOOP: 2012 MINI Coupe JCW Remains Remarkably Faithful to Concept Model


Given that BMW Group officials recently confirmed that MINI’s new coupe model will arrive in the market before the end of the year, it shouldn't come to much of a surprise that the company is gradually stripping away the camouflage from its test cars. Spotted here by our scoop photographers in Germany, is the most potent version of the MINI Coupe lineup, the John Cooper Works model that’s easily distinguished by the aggressive body kit with the flared wheel arches and muscular bumpers.

MINI first showed the Coupe and Roadster models through a pair of concept cars at the Frankfurt motor show in 2009. As predicted, the production version of the Coupe has stayed remarkably faithful to that show car’s design. In fact, with the exception of some very minor details such as the grille and the tail lamp crystals, nothing else has changed, including the shape of the top that’s supposed to resemble a baseball hat worn backwards.

Read more »

Friday, March 18, 2011

SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML Drops More Camo, Reveals Interior


These are the clearest spy photos yet of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML, which was caught testing in Germany with minimal camouflage ahead of its market launch later this year.

The new ML could easily be mistaken for a facelift version of the current model as Mercedes-Benz’s styling approach follows an evolutionary path. A closer look reveals a slightly boxier shape with more sculpted lines and new details such as the longer tail lamps and a more angular grille up front.

The interior shots snagged by our scoop photographers show a completely redesigned dashboard with a prominent center console featuring new switchgear and a large LCD screen for the infotainment system.

Read more »

Thursday, March 17, 2011

SCOOP: Production Version of Opel Zafira Tourer Concept getting Ready for Frankfurt Show Debut


At this month’s Geneva Motor Show, Opel previewed the next generation of its 7-seater MPV model through the Zafira Tourer Concept. Now, our spies have snagged some new photos of the production version rolling around in Germany as Opel puts the final touches on the compact minivan before its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Being that that Geneva show Zafira was more of a pre-production model than a pure concept, few things appear to have changed on the outside. These include the smaller size and less snazzy alloy wheels, the larger but obviously more practical for everyday use exterior mirrors, the redesigned tail lamps and the more mundane tail pipe designs.

Read more »

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

VIDEO: 2012 BMW M5 Prototype Put Through its Paces


Leading up to the world premiere of the 2012 M5 that’s believed to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall, BMW is releasing a series of videos slowly uncovering its high-performance sports saloon.

This time, we get a three-and-a-half-long video clip of the M5 flung around on the snow. There’s also a lot of talk going on, but unfortunately, it’s all in German, so if any of you out there can translate the basic bits, we’d appreciate it. We’ll remind you that the new M5 will be motivated by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with direct-injection pumping out close to 600 horsepower. Take (another) look at the M5 in the video after the jump.

Read more »

Friday, March 11, 2011

BMW i8 Hybrid Sports Coupe Spied Testing on the Snow [with Videos]


With BMW having already announced to the world the creation of its new ‘i’ sub-brand, through which the Bavarians intend to market a line of stand-alone hybrid, range-extended and full-electric plug-in vehicles, the company is now concentrating on the development of the first cars to wear the i logo.

In this series of spy videos, we see the test driver sub-brand’s halo car, the i8 hybrid sports coupe, which is based on the 2009’s Vision Efficient Dynamics concept model, undergoing cold weather tests in Northern Europe.

Up until now, it was believed that the i8 would keep the concept model’s mechanical hardware with a 163HP 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel engine located behind the back seats, and two electric motors, one positioned between the diesel engine and the six-speed double clutch transmission, and the other in the front of the vehicle.

Read more »

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

SCOOP: Kia Readying a Facelift for the 2012 Soul


It appears that the Soul is the next vehicle in Kia’s list to receive an update. Caught here in testing in Germany by our spy photographers, the bagged-up ends do their job to hide the Soul’s stylistic upgrades with the only visible change being the redesigned exterior mirrors that house the turning lights.

However, it is expected that the Soul will take some cues from the new Picanto and Rio hatchbacks (both of which were revealed at the Geneva Motor Show) such as the pulled back headlamps and more pronounced bumpers. An interior rework may also be in the cards.

Read more »

Thursday, March 3, 2011

U Spy: New Kia Cadenza Sedan Spotted Again in California


An undisguised example of the new Kia Cadenza sedan has been spotted by a Cascoop reader rolling around in California for the second time since the beginning of the year. This one was caught by Sanjay Patel. "Saw this Kia Cadenza with Michigan plates going 55 North in Orange County, California," Sanjay told Carscoop.

The sleek looking sedan which is already on sale in South Korea as the K-7, is longer and wider than the Amanti it will replace. It is expected to be revealed this year in U.S.-spec with sales to follow before the end of 2011. In its home market, the K7/Cadenza is offered with three gasoline engines ranging in output from 165HP for the four-cylinder unit to 295HP for the 3.5 liter V6.

Read more »

Sunday, February 27, 2011

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series Rendered


It's only a matter of time before Mercedes-Benz unleashes an AMG version of its new C-Class Coupe to rival BMW's two-door M3, but Carscoop reader Luis Silva from Portugal decided to craft a quick chop of the C63 AMG Coupe for our viewing pleasure.

The actual C63 AMG Coupe could be revealed as early as this year's edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Given that the two-door model is based on the current C-Class series, it's almost certain that the two-door variant will keep the 2012 C63 AMG Sedan's 6.2-liter V8, which produces 457HP and 600Nm / 442 lb-ft of torque in standard trim and 487HP with the optional AMG Performance package.

Read more »

U SPY...from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show


We're less than 48 hours away from the automotive extravaganza known as the 81st Geneva Motor Show and automakers are scrambling to get their booths ready for the grand opening on Tuesday. We'll be covering all the news from the press days of course, but thanks to a Carscoop reader, we can now give you an exclusive look at the cars being loaded off the trucks in front of the Palexpo Center in Geneva as well as a sneak peak at some of the automakers stands inside. Check out the gallery right after the break.

Read more »

Share

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites