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

Thursday, April 28, 2011

U Spy: BMW’s New X1 ‘baby’ Crossover Caught Strolling in Long Beach, California


While BMW is still keeping mum on when it will bring its smallest crossover model over to the States, Carscoop reader, Nick K., who is always alert for new models on the road, snapped this picture of the X1 dressed in an M Sport outfit during his daily maneuvers in Long Beach, California. “I saw this BMW X1 driving in Long Beach today followed by 3 5-Series BMW's. It had specially marked plates and it was beautiful,” Nick told Carscoop. Read more »

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Filmed out in the Open in Texas


In what could be one of the first public sightings of the brand new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle outside of a motor show, Youtube user JWalters84 passed by and filmed his short encounter with the car on a road in Laredo, Texas. What was it doing there? Well, who knows, but it's safe to assume that it’s probably a pre-production model used either by dealers or by VW Group employees since sales of the third generation of the Beetle in the USA will not start until September. Read more »

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

SCOOP: Third-Generation 2012 Porsche Boxster Caught Working Out


The next iteration of the 911 series, codenamed 991, isn’t the only new model undergoing development by Porsche these days. The Stuttgart-based sports car maker is also busy testing a brand new generation of the Boxster, as these latest spy photos reveal.

In typical Porsche fashion, the third generation Boxster’s styling will be an evolution of the second generation model, which itself was an...evolution of the original drop-top, entry-level Porsche which debuted in 1996.

However, expect to see some styling influences from the Panamera at both ends of the car, as well as in the cabin. As you can see from the scoop pictures, the prototype model keeps the current version’s electrically operated cloth top.

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Monday, April 25, 2011

U Spy: 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV Spotted in Germany


Mercedes-Benz has plenty of new models in store for us this year, with the German automaker having already revealed the refreshed C-Class, the new C-Class Coupe along with its AMG brethren, as well as the all-new SLK hardtop roadster. And there’s more to come with the Stuttgart-based company planning to unleash several more new model throughout the year including the next–generation M-Class SUV that was snagged by Carscoop reader Gal Leibovici during a recent trip to Germany. Gal spotted two different M-Class prototypes on separate occasions. Read more »

Friday, April 22, 2011

SCOOP: 2012 Opel Zafira MPV Uncovered


These are the latest and most revealing spy shots of the upcoming 2012 Opel Zafira minivan (to be sold under the Vauxhall brand in the UK), which will receive its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before going on sale across Europe this fall.

The new Zafira was previewed in conceptual form at the Geneva Salon in March and will sit atop the Meriva in Opel’s MPV range rivaling the likes of Ford’s C-Max and Citroen’s Grand C4 Picasso.

From the looks of the lightly camouflaged test model, the Zafira has remained close to the Geneva concept car, with the most visible changes concerning the shape of the mirrors and the lower parts of the front and rear bumpers along with the reduced angle of the kink in the rear-side window.

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The Dangers of Test Driving: BMW M5 E60 Driver Overtakes M5 F10 Prototype at 300km/h [Video]


Being a test driver for any automaker isn’t an easy task. In fact, there are times it can be downright dangerous, as this video clip proves. You see, it is one thing filming a prototype vehicle from a distance and on foot and another when a fool does it holding a cell phone camera on one hand and the steering wheel with the other while passing you on the autobahn at around 300km/h (187mph)… That’s just beyond stupid.

The cars in question here are a BMW M5 E60 and what is claimed to be a lightly camouflaged prototype of the next generation M5 F10, which we saw in concept form at this week’s 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. Watch the short video after the break.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Scion FR-S Concept: First Photos of U.S. Market Toyota FT-86 Leak Online


Anticipation is running so high for Scion’s version of the Toyota FT-86 sports coupe that some couldn’t wait for the official reveal of the FR-S later today at the New York Auto Show, and dropped the first pictures of the car onto the web.

From what we can tell from these two photos, the Japanese automaker has changed the design again with the FR-S sporting a new front bumper that does away with the Geneva Show FT-86 II’s aftermarket-like LED strips, while also featuring a different rear bumper and diffuser, as well as more pronounced rear fenders. The gaudy side vents are also gone while the study is equipped with different exterior mirrors.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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