The new Skoda Octavia will arrive in 2013, and will continue to be available in both sedan and five-door versions, as well as the Octavia Wagon or “Combi” family car. The new Octavia will share the same platform as other cars from the Volkswagen group such as the Audi A3 and the and Volkswagen Golf. The new platform will emerge in 2011, firstly with the new A3, and then the Golf 7 will adopt it in 2012.

The new Skoda Octavia will have a sporty style and we should also see a jump in quality, while keeping its reputation for comfort. The Octavia might adopt the Twin Door system seen on the Superb, and the new generation will be slightly larger, gaining six centimetres in with and being 4cm longer in the wheel base for a total of 262 cm.

Both occupant and boot space will be larger in new Octavia, and we should see some new engine technology, including Start&Stop as standard. The 1.2-litre TSI engine will have Greenline technology emitting less than 100 g/km of CO2, while the top of the range will be represented by the RS versione with the 2.0-litre TSI with 270 hp (the same engine as that of the Golf R). The Octavia Wagon will also have 4×4 and Scout versions.

Source | L’Automobile Magazine

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Here’s a look at the Brabus SLS AMG tuning, which is a lot more respectful towards the classic Gullwing than the MEC Design proposal seen in the gallery below. In terms of style features, Brabus has lowered the vehicle and added new wheels with enormous tyres.

The mechanics will get a tweak, and while Brabus most likely won’t use its own 6.3-litre V12 twin turbo with 800 hp, we could see a power increase around the 700 hp-mark all the same. We should see this at the Essen motor show where we can’t wait for more news!

The MEC Design tuning renderings on the other hand, are bordering on sacriligeous. Maybe the guys were trying for something over the top for they’re digital reconstruction but we hope nothing like this ever actually makes it onto the SLS AMG.

MEC has also included large, 22-inch wheels, an enormous front grille and equally enormous rear diffusor with spoiler and redesigned exhaust outlets. Apparently the CEO of MEC has said they’ve had a lot of positive feedback and they can’t wait to get their hands on a Gullwing to create their project. The Brabus picture is from Autobild, information on the MEC Design from Autoblog and WorldCarFans.

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After the new BMW 5-Series sedan was released, here are renderings of what the 5-Series touring wagon might look like. Taking the front of the sedan, the 5-Series wagon will share a similar platform to the 7-Series, and should be even more spacious than the sedan.

The 5-Series wagon could appear about 12 months after the sedan, making it a 2011 model. It will likely have a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo engine with 400 hp, and a 3.0-litre version with 300 hp. Like the 5-Series, a more comprehensive engine line-up will appear later in the piece with both petrol and diesel options.

Source | MotorAuthority

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American investment group Crown, headed by former Ford president Michael Dingman, could put an offer on the table to buy Volvo, although a sale to Chinese company Geely seemed in the bag. Geely has been Ford’s preferred purchaser, although there have been industry concerns about selling Volvo to Asian interests, and losing possible brand image, intellectual property rights and technological know-how. The move could be a win for American patriotism if Ford were to prefer a home grown purchaser.

Reports say that Crown group could also enlist the support of Swedish investors and offer up to two billion dollars for the brand - a similar amount to what is on the table from Geely. In the meantime, the guys at Swedespeed have produced these renderings of what they think the V60 station wagon would look like, with a V60R sport wagon rendering, too.

Volvo V60 wagon renderings

Source | Es.autoblog.com and Swedespeed

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This rendering shows a future Jaguar C-Type cabrio based on the Jaguar XJ. The rendering takes on the design elements of the front of the XJ, with obvious changes to the rear to accommodate the cabrio vehicle. The idea is to produce a Jaguar roadster to compete with the likes of the Mercedes SLK and the Porsche Cayman, which will be positioned just below the XK in the Jaguar line-up.

Reports say that we are sure to see this Jaguar sometime soon, with a possible concept turning up in 2011. The C-Type could be equipped with a 5.0-litre V8, with a twin turbo diesel option also available. The renderings are well-done, with the rear distinctively sporty and compact, although while the front shows the lovely XJ, it may prove too bulky for this style of car.

Source | AutoExpress via Autogespot

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Another sexy rendering, this time of the Lancia Thesis, comes from Theophilus Chin, and Chrysler 300 C or not, a model like this could definitely make an impact on the US market. It’s basically a merging of the Chrysler 200C hybrid concept car, and the Lancia Thesis. In fact, the suggestion is to replace the Thesis with the 200C, and this is what you get.

I was at first quite skeptical about how Fiat-Chrsyler style would go together, particularly on some of the larger Chrsyler models that haven’t been crash hot on the European market. In addition, with some concern about how succesful a hatch like the Alfa Milano might be in the US, you’re starting to get a mine field of possible design downfalls for the new venture. It will all be up to the guys at Fiat-Chrysler, but with a design like this Chrysler-Lancia Thesis, they don’t have to go far to look for inspiration.

Source | Theophilus Chin

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Here are renderings of the Porsche Roxster compact SUV that may appear in 2012, as the company works on its “baby Cayenne” model. While Porsche has denied the project, the Roxster could be an ideal model in the aim of doubling sales within the next four years. Another model we might see as part of this project is the Volkswagen BlueSport-based roadster.

The Porsche Roxster, in these renderings, appears more as a crossover model than a real SUV, with sports-style design that reflects the Audi Q5. Meaning Porsche will be spoiled for choice on choosing a Volkswagen group model on which to base its compact SUV.

Source | Autosblog.fr

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These renderings of the Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI have been produced by the guys at Infomotori getting there photoshop out and making something to compete with the likes of the Megane RS or Ford Focus RS. They’ve designed to be a halfway point between the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Golf with a long, pointy nose and a bulky “Golf-like” rear end.

The new Golf 7 will replace the Golf 6 at the end of its production run in 2011, being a short-lived version of this model. The Golf 7 should be a new chapter for the popular Golf, with a greater focus on environmental solutions and the possibility of a Golf hybrid being developed.

Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI renderings

Continue reading: Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI renderings

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Here’s a rendering of the new Mercedes R-Class, which will be hoping to revive its fortunes a little when it debuts at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show. So far it hasn’t been a particularly successful model for the brand, but after a minor facelift in 2007, this restyling should be more significant to turn sales around.

The R-Class first appeared in 2005, and later in the piece received its first restyling and a cheaper rear-wheel drive model was added to the line-up, along with a seven seater version. The next generation R-Class should feature a new front end similar to the A-Class and B-Class models.

Some minor changes to the rear will occur and the interior should also see some modifications. It will be released late next year as a 2011 model.

Source | Motor Authority

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In what are not new images, our colleagues at Autosblog.fr are describing these pics as the first real preview of the new BMW 5-Series. After some investigation, nothing is conclusive regarding these mysterious shots which were first published by a Scandinavian magazine in October.

They were then reproduced on the Bimmerpost site and described as renderings of the new 5-Series, which is to debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show. It appears, though, that the pictures have since been bought by Car and Driver magazine (according to our French source) and that the bridge in the background is in Lisbon, the same city that hosted the photo shoot for the new BMW 5-Series GT.

So, the guys at Autsoblog.fr are saying that this could be the first look at the BMW 5-Series in what will have been a very quiet scoop before its official presentation next year. Your thoughts?

Source | Autosblog.fr

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With talk of Fiat-Chrysler plans and the return of Alfa Romeo to the US with the new models Alfa MiTo, Alfa Milano and Alfa Giulia, here’s another rendering to keep our interest going. This design of a hypothetical Alfa Giulia shows a sporty, agressive front, while keeping the smooth lines of the sedan intact.

The Fiat group will first make its appearance on US shores with the Fiat 500, and it is expected to be every bit as successful as in Europe, having become an icon of Italian style. It will appear in 2011 and will be followed by the Alfa models later, with the Milano debuting next year in Europe, and the Giulia not until 2012.

Source | Alvolante.it

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If you’re a purist Maserati fan you’re not going to like this, but if you’re an SUV fanatic who wants a premium brand in that model, this could be for you. These renderings show a hypothetical Maserati SUV design in an attempt to migrate Maserati style over to the SUV category. The design is called the Maserati Kuba crossover.

It’s taking us some time to get used to and while we doubt Maserati will go the way of Porsche with the Cayenne and create its own SUV, it’s not a bad effort at all from designer Andrey Trofimchuk. See what you think.

Maserati SUV design

Source | Automotto

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