A reader of Car photographed the new Aston Martin Rapide uncovered, a real scoop before the UK makers unveil official pictures and details about the new and highly anticipated coupe model. The Rapide, derived entirely from the DB9, seems very sleek and aggressive, with four seats divided by a single console running the entire length of the vehicle. The answer to the Porsche Panamera and the Maserati Quattroporte has arrived.

Carmagazine.co.uk

Continue reading: Aston Martin Rapide: pictures of the uncovered model

More sightings of the next generation Toyota Prius prototype have occurred, and while it’s difficult to get an idea of the overall look, these new shots give us a chance to check out the interior.

It appears more sporty, and the central gear stick is of particular note, compared to the joystick of the current version. The touch screen and general driving position have also been lowered.

The new Toyota Prius should be released in the course of 2009, with the “old” nickel batteries and similar dimensions and volume to the current model, although station wagon and cabriolet versions are currently being developed.

Continue reading: Toyota Prius next generation: more spy shots

It appears that rear passengers of Toyota’s IQ will have to be experts in contortionism to fit into this little car. As you can see from the spy shots, little space has been left for bags and people.

The car is also taking on a 3+1 form with a rear seat specially designed to host one adult and one child. And that’s about it as the length under three metres imposes some difficult choices. I’m not sure I’m that comforted by the brand new rear airbags, although I suppose if I ever do find myself in this car, at least there is a shield against accidents.

Continue reading: Toyota IQ: rear passengers unlikely to be grateful

Just outside of Stuttgart, the new baby Cayenne from Porsche has again been caught on camera by spy photographers. The sports utility, the Cayenne’s little brother, will do battle in the sector inaugurated in 2003 by the BMW X3, and recently brought back to life with the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLK.

According to latest reports, the old “Roxster” hypothesis is back in vogue but it’s still too early for such details. What is certain is the close relationship with the Audi Q5, with a shared technical base as we had previously surmised and as what happened with the Cayenne-Touareg-Q7 family.

The technical details also include a strong engine correlation with Audi: it appears that we can’t go back on the adoption of a Volkswagon diesel engine, as per the biggest Cayenne.

Continue reading: Porsche: more spy shots of the baby SUV

Coming up to the final stages before the Paris show, occasion in which this car will probably be revealed, the defensive camouflage of the Ferrari F149 are slowing coming off: after much talk we can finally hazard some guesses.

Or better, we can breathe a sigh of relief. The proportions, a real achilles heel for the aesthetics of all coupé-cabriolet, aren’t damaged by the presence of full-bodied doors necessary to house the folding roof. The rear look seems to have been maintained and the general body shape gives a nice sense of a linear style.

The front seems to have similar aspects to the 599 Fiorano, complete with a distinctive grill necessary to cool the V8 4.7 placed at the front and equipped with direction injection.

Continue reading: Ferrari F149: coupé-cabriolet, but not necessarily inelegant

The next Ford Ka has a hard work to face: it must try not to be cannibalized by the charming Fiat 500, which provides the technical basis for the small german citycar.

The only way to gain popularity and face adequately the italian rival, is impressing a peculiar styling to the body, and it seems that Ford Europe will take the right decision: the 2009 Ford Ka will keep very close to the Ford Verve concept’s lines (headlights, air intake, belt line).

We are sure it is a necessary choice for keeping the distance between the two citycars, all the more so since the Fiat 500 won the “Car of the Year 2008″ award.

Continue reading: Ford Ka 2009 spied