More spy shots coming in from the Nurburgring, and this time around it’s the Skoda Rapid’s turn. The pictured prototype sports a few decals around the front and rear lights to hide the new shapes, and they also tried the same trick with the shape of the rear door. Nice try guys, but it didn’t quite work out the way they expected.

Initially the Rapid will be introduced as a hatchback, while a station wagon version is also in the works. As for the powertrain, the model should make use of the latest VW developments in terms of engines and gearboxes. The Skoda Rapid should be officially unveiled at the next 2012 Paris Motor Show.

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Here are a few spy shots revealing the definitive look of the upcoming Mini Countryman Coupe, arguably one of the most ‘eccentric’ projects of the Anglo-German carmaker. The model is the final evolution of what we had seen with the Paceman prototype, meaning a compact crossover with a more ’sporty’ attitude than the standard Countryman model it is basically based upon. For this model the Mini designers decided to get rid of the rear doors, a choice that implied a change of the whole rear section of the car as well.

This new Countryman Coupe will position itself in the same niche of the market ruled by the Range Rover Evoque, although the different size and price-tag of these two models will have them competing in two different segments of the market. The model is scheduled to make its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. Just as a reminder, the Mini Paceman measured 4.11 meters in length, 1.79 in width and 1.54 in height.

View the Mini Countryman Coupe spy shots gallery

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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.

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We just saw it about a week ago crossing some snowy landscape in Northern Sweden, and now there it is again going for some quick lap on the Nürburgring, in Germany. We are talking about the new Maserati Quattroporte, whose next generation is scheduled for launch in September at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The model should be equipped with an upgraded version of the already known 4.7-litre V8, delivering something in the 475 hp area. The power generated by this unit will get to the rear wheels through an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, although an all-wheel drive option will also be made available.

The new Quattroporte is also expected to be quite bigger than the current version as it is supposed to make room for the upcoming “baby Quattroporte”, and still it will be lighter then the outgoing generation because of the large use of more lightweight materials.

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During the last Frankfurt Motor Show Skoda showed up with the Mission L concept, and today we received the first lot of spy shots starring the future production version of that model, which - according to the latest rumors - will be named Rapid. If these rumors have to be believed, the choice would be quite strange as the VW Group is already selling a sedan version of its own Polo in India with the same name, a model that could also be introduced in Europe later on. However, some people think that this last model will end up being sold in Europe as a 3-box variant of the Skoda Fabia.

Going back to the spy shots, it is fair to say that this new Rapid will be positioned in Skoda’s current range between the Fabia and the Octavia, and that a hatchback and a station wagon versions are also in the cards. Moreover, the model will be marketed in Spain as the new version of the Seat Toledo.

The next Skoda Rapid will be developed on the standard platform - hence it will not be based on the brand new MQB one - and will come with the most recent VW’s engines and gearbox options. The definitive version should be ready by the summer, and chances are that its official unveiling will happen at the next Paris Motor Show.

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Here are a few spy shots picturing a mule of the next, all-new Maserati Quattroporte, which has been caught during some cold weather testing in cold Sweden. The car is still wearing heavy camouflage which basically makes it impossible to tell anything about its design, but from what we know the new car should be an evolution (rather than a revolution) of the current model.

Power should come from an upgraded 4.7-litre V8 unit that should be able to deliver about 475 hp, combined with a 8-speed automatic transmission (courtesy of German specialists ZF) that will deliver the power to the rear axle or (optionally) to all four wheels.

The new Maserati Quattroporte model year 2013 is expected to make its debut in its definitive form by the end of the current year, probably at the Paris Motor Show.

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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.

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Here are the latest spy shots of the next Bmw 3-Series Coupe, which many people think will end up being called ‘4-Series‘. The model is well into its texting stage by now, and it is believed that it might be officially unveiled in the course of this year, most likely at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, in October. In comparison to the 3-Series 3 F30, the new model seems to have a more sleek line, especially as far as the roof line is concerned. This is also because the new model will have longer doors and, probably, no frames for the side windows.

From an aesthetic point of view there should not be any revolutionary change in comparison to the current model, the E92, but just a number of subtle cosmetic upgrades, especially in the front end area. As usual, the engine range should be almost identical to the one of the 3-Series, with the possible eventual addition of the much hyped 450 hp turbocharged 3.3-litre 6 cylinder unit that will equip the next

View the full 2013 Bmw 3-Series Coupe spy shots photo gallery

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Honda has released a first bunch of video commercials starring its all-new CR-V crossover, whose first generation was launched in 1995. You can watch the whole lot - a one minute long video and two 30 second long ones as well as an exhaustive 2 minute long video presentation of the model - by clicking on the ‘Continue Reading’ link below you will be able to see

The 2012 Honda CR-V comes with a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 186 hp and 220 Nm (163 lb/ft) of peak torque mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. This combination is the only poweretrain option for now, but more engine and transmission choices are expected to appear at a later time. The model is also equipped with 17″ alloys, fog lights, automatic climate control, retractable cargo cover and automatic headlights.

This ad is for the American version of the CR-V that is now available for order whereas the European CR-V (presumably boasting just a few cosmetic differences) will be presented in October at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and hit the market shortly afterwards. In Japan, the new CR-V made its commercial debut in December 2011.

Continue reading: Honda releases first commercials for the CR-V (videos)

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AMG’s debut in the C-segment is anticipated by these spy shots, picturing one of the first mules of Mercedes B-Class 25 AMG. The car will be the first compact SUV with an AMG badge and one of the few with all wheel drive, thanks to the new MFA modular platform. The model will be equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4 cylinder unit delivering 320-350 hp coupled with a dual clutch transmission. Obviously there are no official performance figures to speak of, but it is safe to say that the car will probably have a 0-100km/h sprint time of about 5 seconds and a top speed in the 250 km/h area, just like Audi RS3 Sportback, its main competitor.

Judging by these pictures, Mercedes B 25 AMG will probably have a re-designed front bumper with larger air intakes, an exhaust system with 2 or 4 mufflers and big alloy wheels, fitted with a more performing braking system. A new rear bumper with integrated diffuser is also expected to appear on the final version. The model should make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2012.

View Mercedes B 25 AMG spy shots spy shots

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The Citroen DS3 Cabriolet looks like it won’t have the same folding roof mechanism as the Fiat 500C, despite this being considered the favoured option for some time. It seems like the DS3 will go “anti-retro” again, and have a mixed folding roof mechanism which maintains the front look of the hatchback and which finishes in a soft top fabric roof which folds back entirely onto the boot.

From the design, we can see that structural rigidity will be maintained through the door frames which will stay the same. Rear passengers however, will get a full open air experience in a style that resembles some open top jeeps. All will be revealed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, when the Citroen DS3 cabriolet will probably debut.

Source | Autosblog.fr

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Honda releases a new video starring the American version of Honda CR-V’s fourth generation, which looks indeed quite different from the current model. The new CR-V has been unveiled a few days ago at the Los Angeles Auto Show and is available only with a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine - producing 186 hp and 220 Nm (163 lb/ft) of torque - and a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

Honda already confirmed that the new Europen version of the CR-V will be produced in England, will not be too similar to this one and should be launched toward the end of 2012, most likely at the next Paris Motor Show. By the way, this new footage is sound-less, so you might want to put your favorite song on while watching.

View the full Honda CR-V USA 2012 photo gallery

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