Dodge Ram Power Wagon Spy

We just told you that that Chrysler will be launching four new "Moparized" vehicles later this month, and our spies have already caught one of these new vehicles � the Dodge Ram Power Wagon � on the streets of southeast Michigan.


Unlike the Power Wagon that's just now hitting dealers, this is a totally unique package, featuring a single-cab configuration with a short, style-side bed. The huge off-road tires and exaggerated wheel arches lead us to believe that this is Chrysler's answer to the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor (if only in concept form), and our spies tell us that this prototype "made hair-raising sounds" as it drove by, leading us to believe that the 383-horsepower Hemi V8 is underhood.


We can't wait to see the production version on March 27 at the 44th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. If these spy shots are anything to go off of, it looks like it'll be serious fun for desert storming.



More Photos

2011 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Spy

We have a fairly good idea of what the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne look likes, thanks to a couple of official leaks and some revealing spy shots, but in less than two weeks all will finally be revealed as the new SUV makes its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.


The current-generation Cayenne Diesel achieves a fuel economy of around 25.3 mpg (Combined European) but with a kerb weight almost 400 pounds lighter, the new Cayenne Diesel should achieve significantly better results. The Cayenne S Hybrid, however, will be the most fuel efficient Porsche in the automaker�s lineup, returning a fuel economy of about 28.7 mpg.


The regular gasoline models will include the base Cayenne, powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 model with 300 horsepower, the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8 Cayenne S with 400 horsepower and a range-topping twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8 Cayenne Turbo with 500 horsepower.


This latter model has been seen testing for the first time, captured here by spy photographers whilst being filled up with diesel fuel near a test location in Northern Europe. The new 2011 Porsche Cayenne Diesel will pack the same 240 horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine found in the current model but will tuned slightly to produce fewer emissions.


Two more models will eventually join the lineup: the Cayenne S Hybrid, which packs a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 and electric motor for a combined output of 375 horsepower, and the new Cayenne Diesel.

Sadly, neither the Cayenne Diesel nor Cayenne S Hybrid will be arriving in the U.S. anytime soon.
More Photos

Spy Shots: BMW 6-Series Cabrio

Spy photographers have captured new pictures of the next generation BMW 6-Series Cabrio. The pictures were taken while the car was on the road in Munich.


Images show for the first time the rear light clusters in place of the conical dummy units from previous prototypes. Also we can see a center brake light mounted in the center of the boot lid, similar to the last version.


The car's emblem, already recessed in the previous generation's boot lid, looks larger, and inset to the point where it is almost perfectly flat, according to the spy.


Look for the next-gen BMW 6-Series to take styling cues from both the 7er and the CS Concept.
More Photos

2011 Chevrolet Orlando Spy Winter Testing

These latest spy shots capture a 2011 Orlando prototype undergoing cold weather testing in Europe. They reveal that the production Orlando will keep the boxy design, swept-back roof, and blunt front-end of the concept, although it appears that the sliding door and split tailgate configuration of the show car has been dropped in favor of a conventional four-door body and vertically lifting tailgate.


The Orlando is based on the same front-wheel drive Delta platform that underpins cars like the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt plug-in hybrid, and despite its compact proportions the upcoming crossover will be able to seat seven.


Being based on the Delta platform means the Orlando will most likely enter production at the same Hamtramck plant in Detroit that will build the Cruze and Volt sedans. However, the new crossover will be a crucial model in Chevrolet�s global lineup, with production planned for Europe and South Korea as well.


Expect a similar powertrain lineup to the one in the Cruze for North American markets, which means a range of four-cylinder gasoline engines in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. A plug-in hybrid version using the Voltec system borrowed from the Volt may also make an appearance according to previous comments from GM vice chairman and former product planner Bob Lutz.


Chevrolet confirmed early last year that it would bring a production version of 2008�s Orlando concept vehicle to North American markets sometime in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas.
More Photos

Next-gen Porsche 911 gets LED indicators Spy Photos

No other automaker subscribes to the "evolution, not revolution" idiom more than Porsche, and the next generation 911 will benefit from yet another styling refresh later this year in the form of some subtly tweaked sheetmetal and a new set of LED indicators that join the current model's daytime running lights.


Although the front-mounted LEDs are the most glaring addition, these newest spy shots hint at slightly reworked front and rear fascias, Panamera-inspired mirrors and the possible addition of a retractable rear spoiler. If we had to guess, we'd expect the newest 911 to debut either at the Geneva Motor Show in March or the Paris show this October, with a few minor mechanical updates and the usual assortment of interior upgrades.


More Photos

Spied: 2011 Ford Mondeo Facelift Again Winter Testing

New spy photos of the 2011 Ford Mondeo facelift have surfaced six weeks before its introduction in Geneva. The car was spied during cold weather testing along European route E45, a road that runs from the northern Sweden/Finland border down to the southern tip of Sicily, Italy.

The new pictures show a car, powered by the TDCi engine, that has faced at least one challenge: the car looks to be scratched and dented at the bottom of the rear passenger-side door.


Under Ford's Kinetic Design scheme, engineers included a new front bumper with other changes expected on the facelifted model. The prototypes are still sporting black tape covering up details here, which may include LEDs. A new grille is also expected here. Test vehicles also seem to indicate that the next model will have new side mirrors, as well as rear LED clusters. Changes to the rear bumper are also possible, and interior upgrades are anticipated.


Look for the 2011 model year Mondeo to get the Galaxy facelift's 200-horsepower 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel. The diesel will be available with either 113, 138, or 160 horsepower.


Eventually, a four-cylinder 1.6-liter Ecoboost producing up to 180 hp may also be offered.

Look for the 2011 Ford Mondeo facelift to be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
More Photos

Spy Shots: Lamborghini Jota Murcielago Replacement

Lamborghini recently revealed its new Reventon Roadster, a car many believe to be the final evolution of the Murcielago platform so it�s not surprising to see this new prototype for the car�s replacement undergoing testing. This new Lamborghini will have some tough competition when it arrives as there are new supercar models in the works at rival brands Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin.


The new model will retain the Murcielago�s mid-engine layout but be much lighter. According to previous reports, its wheelbase will be similar in length to the Murcielago but its overhangs, both front and rear, will be much shorter. It will also feature a wider track.


A big-cube V-12 engine will likely remain but the addition of direct injection technology should improve fuel-efficiency and power levels across the rev-range. In this way, engineers will be able to improve performance without having to boost power, the end result of which will be a much easier to drive Lamborghini flagship. The 670 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque developed by the latest Murcielago LP670-4 SV gives us a rough estimate as to what to expect, though expect final numbers to sit somewhere around the 700 horsepower mark. A dual-clutch transmission may also be offered to help transfer power to the four wheels.


This may also be the first Lamborghini to be fitted with a hybrid powertrain, as well as fuel-saving engine stop-start and brake-energy regeneration technologies. CEO Stephan Winkelmann has already hinted at a 2015 launch for a hybrid Lamborghini and the new supercar�s expected 2012 release date puts it right on target to be the first green Lambo.
More Photos

Spy Photos: European Registry pulls wraps off 2011 Kia Sportage?

Based on these images, the new Sportage looks to be a big step up from the friendly but aged current model. Underneath slick new sheetmetal that's in keeping with Kia's current family design themes, the Sportage will likely share much with the just-unveiled Hyundai Tucson. No word yet on when we'll see the trucklet's official unveiling, but given that Kia's usually good for a significant reveal at the New York Auto Show, we'll wager that at the very least, we'll see the Sportage's North American debut in the Javits Center in late March/early April. Stay tuned.


The European Registry must be a bigger thorn in the side of automakers than the likes of Brenda Priddy and her minions. After all, the new-vehicle images the Registry keeps in its database are devoid of camouflage, and the latest to show its face (and rear, and roof, and flanks) appears to be the 2011 Kia Sportage.


More Photos

Spy Photos: 2012 Hyundai Veloster coupe

There are only two shots of the car, but from what we can tell, it appears that Hyundai Motor America's CEO John Krafcik wasn't exaggerating when he told Inside Line this past summer that the production model will look 70-80 per cent like the 2007 Veloster Concept.


Inspired by the two-door Veloster concept car from the 2007 Seoul auto show, the production-ready Veloster coupe packs attractive exterior body style with slopping roof-line and short front and rear overhangs.


The small front-wheel drive coupe, which has been described by Krafcik as a "4-passenger Honda CR-X", is scheduled to go on sale at Hyundai's dealerships alongside the larger and more expensive rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe before the end of 2011.


It was revealed earlier this month that the showroom-ready Hyundai Veloster will be powered by 1.6L four-cylinder engine, which features direct injection technology and churns out impressive 140+ horsepower. The entry-level powerplant is expected to achieve over 40 mpg!
via:carscoop

Spy Shots: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible

The shots were taken by an eagle-eyed Pistonheads reader who posted the shots in October. It definitely appears to be the Supersports Convertible, it has the revised front bumper and bonnet, both of which provide a great deal more cooling for the beefed up engine.





Apparently spied during a photo shoot, the ragtop has the same styling tweaks (a revised front bumper, a ventilated hood, smoked headlights, 20-inch wheels, and two sport seats) as the standard Continental Supersports. Besides the exterior changes, the convertible also features a modest weight reduction, a 'Quickshift' transmission, and carbon-ceramic brakes.





Power will be provided by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine that can run on regular petrol or E85 bio-fuel. Producing 621 hp (463 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, the Supersport Convertible will likely accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds before topping out somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 mph (322 km/h).





Look for more information to be released when Bentley officially unveils the Continental Supersports Convertible at next month's North American International Auto Show or the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.

via:worldcarfans

2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV gets Sleeker Spy Photos

Not surprisingly, the Cayenne's dashboard looks very similar to the Panamera sports sedan featuring a five-gauge cluster and a center stack dominated by a large screen with the climate controls positioned underneath. Flanking the gear lever on the elevated lower console are the suspension controls and numerous other buttons.


Porsche is putting the final touches on its second generation Cayenne SUV that is anticipated to be introduced at a major car show in the first half of 2010. These new spy pictures suggest that the next Cayenne will be far better looking than its graceless predecessor adopting a smoother design language and more dynamic proportions accentuated by the lowered roofline, smaller rear window and steeper angle of the rear tailgate.


The direct-injection powerplants are expected to be carry-over units from the Panamera. A VW Group-sourced V6 petrol producing around 300-horsepower will serve as the entry-level engine, while the range will top out with Porsche's 4.8-liter V8 delivering 400HP in naturally aspirated form and 500HP in turbo spec.


Word from Germany is that Porsche's engineers have worked overtime to reduce the SUV's weight as much as 200kg or 440 lbs over the current model with obvious benefits in handling, fuel economy, CO2 emissions and of course, performance figures.


The V8 models will most likely feature Porsche's seven-speed double-clutch PDK transmission as standard.

Porsche will also offer the new Cayenne with a V6 gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant as well as a V6 diesel engine.

The next Cayenne will be built on a modified version of the Panamera's platform that will also be shared with the second generation VW Touareg.
Source:carscoop

SPY SHOTS: 2011 BMW M5 with Twin-Turbocharged V8

Having already introduced the next generation 5-Series sedan, BMW and in particular, its M division, is now concentrating on the development of the flagship version of the series, the M5 that was caught here testing at the Nordschleife. The hotly anticipated M5 will debut about a year after the standard 5-Series that is due to make its first public appearance at the 2010 Geneva Show next March.

Until recently, it wasn't clear if the new M5 would continue to use the current model's exotic V10 powerplant or if the Bavarian's would go for the new 4.4-liter bi-turbo V8 that debuted in the X5M and X6M. However, BMW officials have now confirmed that the new M5 will indeed be equipped with the turbocharged V8.


more detail. ...