This new Audi A7 spy shots shows the latest phase of winter testing for the Audi coupe-sedan, with what appears to be a retractable rear wing. With the coupe style, we could be looking at something similar to the system used on the Audi TT and Audi R8, in addition to some of the mules of the RS5.

It looks like future, more exclusive, Audi models will be equipped with this feature to improve aerodynamics and sports feel. The new Audi A7 will debut sometime in the course of 2010, in what could prove to be an important year for Audi with presentations of the all new Audi A1 and Q5 hybrid.

Source | Spyshots.nl

Continue reading: Audi A7 spy shot with rear wing

These Volkswagen Touareg “spy shots” actually show a scale model of the new SUV, which is being planned for a spring debut. The new Touareg will fit the Volkswagen family nicely, with the next generation planned with a front end similar to that of the new Golf and Polo.

Under the exterior, though, the Touareg has much in common with the Porsche Cayenne. On the engine front, we’ll see a new 3.0-litre V6 TFSI unit with 290 hp (from Audi origin), a new 3.0 V6 TDI Euro 6 and a new hybrid version for the environmentally conscious.

It was hoped that the Volkswagen Touareg would see a 2010 Geneva Motor Show debut, but it’s unclear if that will happen. Another alternative, making sense for the US market, would be a presentation at the New York auto show in April. In any case, the Touareg’s commercial launch will take place in the second half of this year.

Source | Autoweek.nl

Continue reading: Volkswagen Touareg revealed in scale model pics

These spy shots of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta would seem to confirm the style of the interior, which we have seen from other shots collected from the internet. Official pics of the Alfa Giulietta were already released some time back, but testing is still continuing with slight camouflage, before the unveiling at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

These are turbulent times for Alfa Romeo and a lot rests on the Giulietta being a success for the brand in the midst of a review. The Alfa Giulietta interior had been planned, but among the rather chaotic release of the first pics, the official interior became unofficial as Alfa planned to modify it and block the official photos being released, apparently on specific request of Sergio Marchionne.

The Giulietta interior is quite similar to those unofficial first pics, with some modifications being made to the central compartment of the dash. In the place of the integrated radio in the same colour as the rest of the interior, we now see a standard space that looks set to accommodate an audio system based on customer choice. Or, we could also be looking at an entry-level Giulietta where the space originally dedicated to the navigation unit has been converted into a storage spot. Other aspects of the interior, including the shape of the air conditioning vents, the steering wheel and the gear level now seem confirmed.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta spy shots

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The Peugeot 407 and 607 will become the Peugeot 508, and we can see the new sedan in these fuzzy cold weather testing spy shots. While the pics show us little to nothing of what the new car will look like, we’re pleased to see Peugeot going ahead with tests, and if it’s anything like the Hymotion4 Concept, it will be a sexy little saloon. The new Peugeot SR1 Concept should also influence the design, and we’ll be seeing it at the 2010 Geneva motor show in March.

The Peugeot 508 should appear at the 2010 Paris motor show in October as a concept car, with production model debut planned for the following Paris motor show in 2011. The 508 will also have a diesel-hybrid version with the Hybrid4 technology, and so it will have all wheel drive, too.

Source | AutoWeek.nl

Continue reading: Peugeot 508 spy shots

These spy shots of the Mercedes SL show the next generation which will turn up in only 2012. But testing has already been underway for the new Mercedes spider, which should be getting a complete overhaul. The Mercedes SL is still covered in very heavy camouflage, meaning we can’t get an accurate idea of how it will look.

According to some reports, both the Mercedes SL and SLK will inherit some of the design features from the classic Mercedes SLS, but we can’t verify that with these shots. However, we do get some tantalising technical information: the new SL should be wider and lower than the current model, gaining some improvements in aerodynamics and drive style.

It will have a totally new spaceframe chassis, and will have a specialist suspension system with an aluminium double triangle both at the front and rear. We should also see an exciting new engine range with new V6 and V8 units, both aspirated and turbo models, with CGI direct injection. Both performance and fuel consumption should be improved, and eventually we should also see a Mercedes SL hybrid version with lithium ion batteries.

Source | Autowereld

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New spy shots of the Mercedes S-Class coupe have emerged showing what the replacement to the CL-Class will look like. These pics show a grille which should be different from the production version, as the latter will show off the Mercedes badge more clearly on a single chrome bar.

LED lights will feature at both front and rear, along with LED day lights, and new bumpers will also appear. A redesigned exhaust should be part of the package. An AMG S-Class coupe will also appear as the higher performance version, while the standard version should include the same engine range as the S-Class sedan.

Mercedes S-Class coupe spy shots

Source | CarAdvice

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This Mercedes SLK spy shot could also be a baby SLS AMG first look, according to World Car Fans. The spy shot, similar to previous mules seen testing, was originally considered to be the 2012 Mercedes SLK, but since announcements that a smaller SLS AMG will be produced, that may not be the case.

The idea is that what was once destined to be the stuff of the SLK could in fact be dedicated to the new, smaller SLS AMG, which will appear in the product line-up above the SLK55 AMG, much like the Gullwing is placed above the SL63. Don’t expect the baby SLS AMG to be a smaller version than the current one, as rumours say that the gullwing doors will be replaced by a more economical option.

That doesn’t help to identify these spy shots, then, because if we were looking for the signature doors, we clearly have to reconsider. Alternatively, these spy shots could just be the new SLK redesigned in a more classic style. We can’t say though, that the idea of the baby SLS AMG from the guys at WCF isn’t tantalising all the same.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLK or baby SLS AMG spy shots

The future for Saab looks bleak. With Koenigsegg no longer footing a purchase deal and General Motors laying off 9000 workers around Europe for Opel, I can only imagine how the test driver of this Saab must feel right now. Something like driving around in a coffin might come close.

The spy shots show a Saab 9-5 Station Wagon in testing, which should include most of the features of the lovely new 9-5 sedan, but obviously with a heap more luggage space and redesigned rear end. This Saab 9-5 estate could have been one to compete, dare I say, with some of the German touring estates and wagons, but as the guys at spyshots.nl say, a guardian angel for Saab seems a long way away.

Source | SpyShots.nl

Continue reading: Saab 9-5 wagon spy shots

These Lotus spy shots show a revamped Lotus Exige masquerading as what could possibly be the new future Lotus Esprit. In fact, the rear is almost unbelievable and it is what indicates the new Esprit powertrain, according to reports. There are plans to build a new Lotus Esprit, considered essential to the brand, which would have an impressive power-to-weight ratio.

The new Esprit engine is unknown as yet, but it could be a V8 from Toyota, and it’s not entirely certain how modifications to the aluminium chassis will play out. The project is apparently in a very early stage, and will use a version of Lotus’ Versatile Vehicle Architecture.

The Lotus Esprit would be the top-of-the-range model, described as the “ultimate expression of the brand”. We should soon get a full Lotus product plan from the new CEO Danny Bahar, and reports already show a rough idea of what that will be. The Exige, Europa and Elise will be entry-level models with their four-cylinder engines, while the V6 Evora will take up the middle in the Lotus range, with the Esprit right at the top.

Lotus Esprit spy shots

Source | Autocar

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These Mini spy shots show nothing very particular on the exterior, apart from centrally-mounted twin exhaust pipes for the Cooper and the Clubman’s hood scoop, to suggest diesel models. The models are very similar to the standard petrol S versions, but reports say that on the models being started and driven, both had that London-cab, diesel hum of the engine.

This has lead to speculation that Mini is working on S versions of its Mini One D versions. The standard Mini diesel has about 90 hp, while the Cooper diesel has 110. If we see a couple of tuned S diesel versions, we could be looking at 140 to 150 hp, with impressive torque of about 300 Nm.

Source | Autoblog and WorldCarFans

Continue reading: Mini Diesel 'S' version in the works?

The new Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe has been spied testing on route to Düsseldorf. The aesthetic changes are minimal, mostly in the rear, with no clear view of the front at the moment. According to reports, in the future, the “S63″ badge will give way to the “S-Class Coupe“, to avoid confusion.

We imagine that further elements will include some of the same features as the S63 sedan, including the larger front air intake on the AMG version and LED lights. The engine could be the same 6.2-litre V8 as the sedan, with 518 hp.

Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe spy shots

Source | SpyShots.nl

Continue reading: Merceds S63 AMG or S-Class Coupe spy shots

These Audi S8 spy shots are from Autogespot reader, Michael Biro, and show the new sporty S8 testing in the Austrian mountains. The Audi A8 will be replaced by a new model, substituting the V10 engine for possibly an aspirated V8 with about 450 hp. Audi should also produce a lighter and more economical version for the future.

The S8 shown here has classic Audi design, with a few changes to the grill, sportier bumpers, a new set of alloys and a redesigned exhaust. The new Audi A8 could be revealed by the end of this month, while details on the release of the S8 are unknown.

Audi S8 spy shots

Source | Autogespot

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