As these spy shots seem to suggest, the right time for a new generation of the iconic Mini Cooper has finally come: currently known by the codename “F56,” these images show us a prototype of the 2014 Mini Cooper caught on camera while undergoing some tests on some European public road. Just a few details are known at the moment, but apparently this new Mini will share its chassis with the next-generation BMW 1-series. Moreover, BMW is considering adding a 3-cylinder option to its usual 4-cylinder line-up.

From our photos, it looks as if the next Mini will come bigger in size than the current generation, adding a bit of width and length. That paintjob surely doesn’t help, but the grille looks a little shorter, and possibly a little wider too, while hood and front overhang also appear to be longer than the current model. However, the possibility that Mini chalked that up in order to fool the onlookers cannot be ruled out. Besides, both front and rear windshields appear to be more raked than the current Mini. Production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2013, with the convertible variant following one year later.

View the2014 brand new Mini Cooper spy shots gallery

Kia has released its first commercial in Italy to launch the new Kia Cee’d hatchback, one of the most exciting car on the market today. Simple and spacious the compact uses the same platform of the Hyundai i30 and incorporates the same technical solutions as larger segment cars.

The C-segment measures 4.31 m in length and is powered by a range of engines including two petrol and three diesels. The 1.4-litre MPI petrol unit delivers 100 hp, while the 1.6-litre GDI has an output of 135 hp. The diesel range includes a 1.4-litre unit with 90 hp and a 1.6-litre in two power levels of 110 and 128 hp.

The car boasts a great Flex Steer system, which allows the driver to change the level of steering assistance in three modes, according to each situation, from city cruising to sporty driving. The interiors are elegant and comfortable, embellished with refined trims and a good infotainment system. It is expected to go on sale in the UK from September.

The new Mitsubishi Mirage that was introduced last year to the Asian markets will replace the current Colt in Mitsubishi’s range over here in Europe. At the moment it is not clear whether the model will still use the Colt name or not, but it seems certain that it will make its debut in 2013, and here are a few spy shots picturing a lightly camouflaged European version of the car captured during a test. Apparently, the car will get some slightly changed details and is will probably come with a different set-up than its Asians cousins.

Since Mitsubishi is producing the new Mirage at their new plant in Thailand, it seems quite likely that European version of this model will end up being much cheaper to produce than the outgoing Colt, which is being assembled at the Born plant, in the Netherlands. Even if it is slightly smaller than the current Colt, Mitsubishi says the Mirage will still be able to accommodate up to five adults (obviously including the driver). Power is expected to come from a range of petrol engines starting with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine with start/stop

Revived manufacturer MG (which is now more Chinese than British) showed up at the ongoing 2012 Beijing Motor Show with a slew of new models that are supposed to pave the way for its return on the global market. Arguably the most interesting ones of the lot are the brand new Icon Concept and the production version of the MG5 - which are being exposed to the public for the very first time at the Beijing event - as well as the already known MG3 Xross and MG6.

The MG Icon Concept is the first crossover model ever in MG’s history and is somewhat reminiscent of the Nissan Juke. It is supposed to anticipate a new model that will be made available on the Chinese market only in 2014. The model has been designed to accommodate 4 people (including the driver) and uses elements that makes it look both vintage and modern at the same time. The Icon Concept has been developed on the same platform of the MG5 and is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine that is featured in the MG5’s engine range as well, capable of delivering 137 hp and 200 Nm of peak torque.

The MG5 is a hatchback with sporty aesthetics that is clearly aimed at a young audience. The model is expected to appear fairly soon in the Chinese showrooms of the brand with a 106 hp 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine, but an European version of this car is also in the cards: rumor has it that in Europe the MG5 will come with an engine range made of both petrol and diesel units whose displacement will vary between 1.0- and 1.5-litre, and whose output will be between 117 and 164 hp.

At the MG booth in Beijing there are also the model that had the historic MG plant in Birmingham working again, the MG6, a 4-door sedan powered by a supercharged 4-cylinder unit producing 160 hp and 215 Nm of torque. This unit allow it to go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 8.4 seconds, witha top speed of 193 km/h (120 mph). The MG3 Xross instead is a sort of off-road version of the MG3 pushed by a 1.5-litre engine with an output of 88 hp and 117 Nm.

View the full MG Icon Concept, MG5, MG6 and MG3 Xross @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

Here is a new bunch of spy shots picturing the next BMW M135i, a model that BMW Motorsport division boss, Mr. Friedrich Nitschke, has already confirmed will also be offered in an all-wheel drive configuration. Maybe they’ve heard that the Mercedes A25 AMG (that we showed you earlier this week) will come with an AWD configuration too and did not want to be the only hot hatchback around without AWD. The model is expected to be powered by the new N55 6-cylinder inline engine delivering something in the 320 hp area.

The pictured mule has been spotted while lapping at the famous Nurburgring track with some light camouflage, probably just hiding the fact that it’s the 3-door hatch that’s not be made official yet. No more info are currently available on the model.

The Mercedes A25 AMG 2013 has been photographed again, this time with a minimum camouflage. The spy shots published here were taken in Germany, near AMG headquarter.

The appearance is similar to that of the standard Mercedes A Class, with a few differences. The front bumper has larger air intakes to let the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 350hp breathe. Because an output of 350 hp is too powerful for a simple front-wheel drive, the A25 AMG will be using a four-wheel drive. The transmission will be assigned to a dual-clutch gearbox. The hatchback will also sport new brakes, new rims and a pair of square shaped exhaust pipes.

This should make the Mercedes AMG A25 a match for rivals such as Audi RS3 Sportback, BMW 1M and Volkswagen Golf R. And since these cars have been used by Mercedes as a comparison during development and testing, we are confident that they have done things properly.

View the full Spy shots Mercedes A25 AMG photo gallery

World Car Fans has released an image of what should be the R-Design version of the new Volvo V40. The R-Design tag is the one that is used by the most sporty versions of the latest Volvo cars and apparently this pic was taken from an official Spanish brochure of the model. The image features two blue V40s with big alloy wheels, the chromed wing mirror shells, vertical stripes of LED day running lights and the black plastic element that makes the front end even more flashy. The new Vovlo V40 is expected to make its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and will come with an engine range made of a 1.6-litre petrol engine in three power configurations: T3 (150 hp), T4 (180 hp) and T5 (254 hp) and the diesel units dubbed D2, D3 and D4, credited with an output of 115, 150 and 177 hp respectively.

The top-of-the-range Mini model from the last generation was the John Cooper Works GP, which was produced in a limited series of 2000 units. Now it seems like a new GP version of the current Mini is also in the works, as these spy shots taken just outside the famous Nürburgring would suggest.

Looking at the pictured mule, there are a few key indicators that would confirm this theory: the new front bumper and spoiler, the massive rear diffuser (clearly derived from the Challenge race car), the lower suspension (see the very small wheel-tire gap) and, most of all, the massive spoiler at the back end of the roof. Besides, those wheels are pretty reminiscent of the set used by the original GP too, although they have a more modern touch.

The new Mini Cooper S JCW GP is expected to come with - at least - 220 hp, and should be significantly lighter than its predecessor, which would make it that sort of pocket rocket that many Mini fans around the globe have been eagerly waiting for. The new model might actually be ready to debut by the end of the current year.

After displaying Fiesta ECOnetic at the last Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford announced today the start of its production. The little Blue Oval model has been presented as the car with the most efficient engine ever made and the lowest CO2 emissions. It will be available in three-door and five-door versions, in a variety of trim levels and will be assembled at the Ford’s Cologne Assembly plant in Germany.

Powered by a four-cylinder 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, the Fiesta ECOnetic develops 96 hp of output and 205 Nm of torque. The car’s emissions are so low, just 87g/km of CO2, it will be exempt from road tax and London Congestion Charge, also offering an average fuel consumption of only 3.3l/100 km. Given the continued rise in fuel prices Ford expects that, by the end of 2012, half the sales of the brand will consist of ECOnetic range of vehicles.

In addition to a variety of technologies within the engine, Ford has managed to obtain these results by using functions such as Auto-Start-Stop, new gear ratios, an Eco mode and an energy recovery system. To improve aerodynamics the car is fitted with lowered suspension, rear wheels air deflectors and advanced tyres.

A mule of the upcoming Opel Astra Convertible has been spotted while doing some winter testing in Northern Europe. The pictured prototype still uses a temporary roof top that has nothing to do with the real solution, but rumor has it that eventually the car will adopt a conventional soft top as opposed to the retracteble hardtop used on the Astra TwinTop.

From an aesthetic point of view, the new Opel Astra Convertible should end up being pretty similar to the GTC coupe, especially as far as the lines of the two sides are concerned. Same goes for the engine range, with the only exception of the ultra-sporty OPC variant.

It is also believed that the new model might not be using the “Astra” name: Mark Adams, Vice President of Design for GM Europe, had hinted at this possibility during an interview released last October, but at this moment there are neither confirmations nor denials on the subject to speak of.

View the Opel Astra Convertible spy shots

Kia has released today the first sketch of the new pro_cee’d, which is scheduled to debut in September at the 2012 Paris Motor Show (29th Sep -14th Oct). The Korean C-segment design will be visibly carried over from the Cee’d 5-doors and will be recognisable from the “Tiger-nose” front grille and the headlights stretching out to the wheel, while the side will be subject to a small stylistic innovation, transforming it into a 3-doors. The image looks deliberately exaggerated and portrays a low, slender car, with no side handles and fitted with large diameter alloy wheels. The actual model will be certainly less extreme and aggressive.

The new Kia pro_cee’d will be mounting the new 1.2-litre T-GDI petrol engine producing about 120 hp and the 1.6-litre T-GDI with an output of 185 hp. Yet to assess the launch of the quietest 1.4 MPI (100 hp) and 1.6 GDI (135 hp), while it is been confirmed the 1.4 WGT diesel engine with 90 hp and the 1.6 VGT offered with 110 and 128 hp. Will also be available the brand new Flex Steer system, which allows the driver to change some parameters of the car according to the Comfort, Normal and Sport operating modes.

We just received a new lot of spy shots starring the next, facelifted Ford Fiesta. The latest version of the popular hatchback from the Blue Oval gets to its mid-life restyling too, as the mule caught in these pictures while doing some cold weather testing demonstrate. The front end of this prototype wears some heavy camouflage, which would have us thinking that the most relevant changes will affect this part of the car. Taking for granted that some sort of LED technology will appear somewhere in some form, we would expect more cosmetic upgrades concerning the front bumper and maybe the grille as well.

The revamped version of Ford’s successful B-segment model might also use a different design for bonnet and fenders, but the cammo of this mule doesn’t really give us any clue on this matter. The engine range of the next Fiesta should also include a brand new 80 hp supercharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder Ecoboost engine, which has just debuted on the B-Max. The new Fiesta should appear on the market by the end of 2012.