SPY SHOTS : Production-ready 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible spotted at Holden Plant in Australia !

We all know that the production 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible is around the block, and will be released soon. However, for some who can't wait, there's NCE Camaro Convertible conversion offering. Nevertheless, with these new spy shots, the NCE conversion will very soon be sort of useless. Because what we have here, are spy shots of production-ready (even the paint), of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, that will be available in showrooms beginning of next year.

What's most interesting about these Camaro Convertibles, that they were found in GM Holden's Fishermans Bend plant in Melbourne, Australia. It's the same factory that also builds the Holden Commodore, which the new Camaro is actually based on. However, for a fact, GM say that the Camaro coupe is being built in GM's Oshawa plant in Canada; but could the Camaro Convertible be built in Australia, since these cars are fully production-ready and awaiting release? Well that's got to be a question to GM when they reveal the Camaro Convertible. On the other side though, the Camaro Convertible was spotted before on GM's Oshawa plant. Anywhere they're manufactured, the Camaro Convertible will carry over the same platform as the coupe; so the 3.6L V6 gets 304 hp, and the 6.2L SS V8 gets 426 hp with the manual, and 400 hp with the automatic.

Source : [Camaro5]

SPY SHOTS, Audi Package: Audi RS5 seems production-ready, and Audi preparing a track-focused R8 V10 Sport !

We love spy-shot packages, specially when the two cars from the same company seem to look production-ready, and without any camouflages. Today, we got two future Audi sportscars, that we'll showing-up in dealerships very soon.

First-up, a familiar face. It's the long-awaited Audi RS5. It's been a year at the spy shots section, but we expect it'll pretty soon move towards the unveiled section. Because what we have here, is a production-ready RS5, with all the added kit, and even the engine. This cool-looking matte black RS5 with its extended body-kit, RS5 bespoke wheels, and a mesh grille, was spotted doing some test-runs in the twisty roads in the Alps. Sources aren't yet sure from the engine, but it's either the 4.2L FSI V8, or the 3.0L supercharged TFSI V6. On either engines, RS5 is expected to have 400+ hp, and Quattro all-wheel-drive is standard.

Well, here, is another R8. The Audi R8 now has many flavors, the standard V8, Lamborghini-sourced V10, Spyder version, and R8 LMS GT3 racecar. Nonetheless, here's a R8 that makes any car enthusiasts interested. This R8 V10 has a fixed rear-spoiler, and mildly revised ground effects. However, what makes this R8 V10 so special that Audi went for extensive weight loss in this R8. So this R8 V10 is more track-focused, and it loses some Audi luxuries like the leather seats, stereo, and even air-conditioning. Yes, this is an Audi R8 V10 Sport, spotted at the Nurburgring doing some test-runs, and it seems finished. However, rumors that this R8 V10 Sport will get some inspiration from the latest 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, and actually lose the traditional Quattro all-wheel-drive, for a more purist rear-drive-only chassis. If this truly happens, then this will in fact be the first rear-drive Audi for a very, very long time. We'll hopefully find an answer soon.

SPY SHOTS : Covered BMW EfficientDynamics Concept, headed for Frankfurt Motor Show

After announcing that BMW will no longer compete in Formula One, the German automaker said that it will reallocate freed up resources “to the development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability.” Well, here's the proof, a covered BMW concept called EfficientDynamics, that will be shown at this September's 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The BMW EfficientDynamics Concept is Bimmer's showcase to fuel-saving technologies and to be a “two-seater that draws on all the latest BMW technology and lightweight build processes.” That's all we got, for now. We’ll have more details as we get them at Frankfurt, when BMW take-off the cover of this concept. So stay excited!

Source : [E90Post]

LEAKED Ad : 2010 Audi R8 Spyder ad leaked on a UAE newspaper

On a UAE newspaper, Audi seem to accidently got to advertise the all-new R8 Spyder too soon. The ad is pretty funny, showing how this R8 can be so practical without a roof, but yet still can be a true supercar. According to many sources and spy shots, the R8 Spyder will likely have a cloth-top, rather than the newly modern metal-folding-top.

Like the R8 hard-top, Audi is fitting the same engine line-up on the Spyder. Base engine a 4.2L FSI V8, with 420 hp, and a lamborghini-sourced 525 hp 5.2L FSI V10 as an option. Both engines can be fitted to an open-gate 6-speed manual, or a 7-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch transmission. Quattro all-wheel drive system is standard equipment.

Look for the 2010 Audi R8 Spyder at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Ferrari mistakenly teases on a new 600 GTB though their website

With Ferrari announcing their all-new 458 Italia, Ferrari updated their website, to add the latest Prancing Horse to the model list. Nonetheless, Ferrari also published a teaser for a new model on its official site. In the list with the other Ferrari road-cars, a black box saying "Coming Soon" next to the new 458 Italia, and the title for that box is "600 GTB". The box appeared for a few minutes before the Italians hastily removed the text. According to Quattroruote magazine, Ferrari said that the teaser was the result of an error.

Now, it clearly to all, the 600 GTB will likely to replace the 599 GTB Fiorano. Of course, there's no info yet on the new Ferrari, but as soon as we get any, we'll keep updating.

Source : [Quattroroute (translated)]

SPY SHOTS : New Grand Bentley; a replacement of the Arnage, coming to showrooms in 2010

Days are coming closer, for Bentley to reveal their all-new Grand Bentley; that will replace the Arnage. Bentley got their fans excited with teasers, and now we tease them with some fresh spy photos.

Although the Grand Bentley is coated in copious amounts of camoflage, when we look back at the teasers Bentley released of the hood and rear-quarter, it doesn't take much imagination to piece the overall shape together. There's a few shades from its Brooklands sibling to the profile, primarily accentuated by the ultra-thick C-pillar, and the body cladding lends an air of a Rolls Royce Phantom to the fascia, it's decidedly more sculpted and smooth, and should be a fitting place to stack the dual-rounded headlights.

The code-named Grand Bentley should be released at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance next month.

Source : [KGB Photos]

LEAKED : 2010 Saab 9-5 sedan leaked through the web!

The embargo on the 2010 Saab 9-5 has apparently been broken, and all the leaked images are out via AutoBild. We don’t have any technical details as of yet but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we get them. Stay tuned.

Source : [AutoBlid]

Pictures :

SPY SHOTS : 2011 Hyundai Sonata spotted testing, in Dubai !

It seems the world of Arabia is a good place to spot new spy cars. Latest spy photos, were of the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, was spotted in UAE. Now, we got another pack so real spy shots, of Hyundai's next-generation Sonata, that will debut next year, as a 2011 model.Arabic forums, Assayyarat, snapped these photos of this moderately camouflaged 2011 Hyundai Sonata. New Sonata will have a similar 4-door-coupe style design like in the Volkswagen Passat CC and new Opel Insignia. Hyundai has also developed an all-new platform for the 2011 Sonata.The photographer also managed to snap a few pictures of the Sonata's interior that is completely new featuring a swoopy dashboard design with very Volvo-like controls on the center stack and a pair of deeply set gauges which seem to be the industry standard these days.Sonata's good-set of engine variety will likely stay in the next-gen Sonata. A 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with around 180 hp will come as a basic model, and a 3.3L V6 will appear in the up-scaled model.

While the Hyundai Sonata will still be a rival to Toyota's Camry and Honda Accord, Hyundai will try to market the new Sonata towards Volkswagen and Volvo buyers.

Source : [Assayyarat]

SPY SHOTS : Redesigned 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, spotted in the Middle East

For all who live in the Middle East, know that there are two versions of the Toyota Land Cruiser; there's the original Land Cruiser, and the slightly-smaller Land Cruiser Prado. For American market, Toyota re-badges the Prado as a Lexus GX. However, the Toyota Prado has remain since 2002 unchanged. Nonetheless, the news today, that there will be an all-new 2010 Toyota Prado coming very soon.We caught spy shots today, of the new Prado, looming around car parks, in the Middle East. The car is virtually un-covered, and seems truly production-ready. As usual, Toyota has gone for a massaging routine as opposed to brute force for the exterior. A reshaped front fascia contains swoopier headlights, a vertical-bar chrome grille, and headlights that seem identical to the new 2009 Land Cruiser. he changes are minimal out back, with more pronounced tail-lights with a unique U-shaped chrome tail-light outlet. Overall though, the shape looks a mere identical to the bigger Land Cruiser.This third-generation Toyota Prado will get Toyota's new engines. Base model should get a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine, and up-scale model will get a more powerful 4.0L V6. Though expect the first apperence 4.6L V8 with 310 hp in the new 2010 Prado.Now, some pictures were spotted of the Prado, at a dealer inventory lot. So presumably, Toyota Middle East should debut the new Prado very-very soon. We'll keep you posted.

Source : [Al Motor News]

SPY SHOTS : 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano; caught uncovered in production-factory!

Although many may not know much about Alfa Romeo; but soon we will see Alfa world-wide. Mainly because of their new relationship with Chrysler LLC Group, and partly that Alfa Romeo is aiming towards the American and Aisan market.
Well, this is their latest product that will be officially announced sometime next September; the 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano. The new Milano will be a replacement to the current Alfa Romeo 147 hatchback, and will apply Alfa's new design theme.
These pictures were leaked out of Alfa Romeo's production-factory in Italy, though-out Facebook. The 2010 Milano looks to be heavily-inspired by the 8C Competizione supercar in-front, and gets a MiTo-like rear-window. Inside, it's more of the same - center dashboard from C8, and steering wheel from MiTo.

The Alfa Romeo Milano is built on Fiat Group’s C- and D-segment platform which is internally known as the C-Evo. Power should come from a range of 1.4L and 1.75L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines.

The Alfa Romeo Milano is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in early 2010. The Milano will debut worldwide shortly afterwards.

Source : [Facebook]

Live Nurburgring Webcam captures camouflaged prototype models

At Motor Gears, we feature the Live Nurburgring Webcam (click here). For anyone who's bored on a weekend, or at work, this is actually a good way to let time pass. Although it's usually full of high-performance sportscars, this time we caught something special.

Spotted on the entrance, were two camouflaged prototype models. Now, we aren't sure what they are, but it seems to us that the white car upfront, might be the new 2010 Opel Astra. Although it officially debut, but Opel engineers are still developing and improving the chassis before it goes on sale. The other car behind it, we reckon that it might just be the 2011 Buick Excelle, which is Buick's smallest car yet, and will be based on the Chevrolet Cruze.

Got any other suggestions on identifying these cars? Well, post your opinion in the comments.

Official Spy Shots : Production 2011 BMW X1

Back in September last year, BMW came up with the X1 Concept crossover SUV. Nevertheless, the X1 Concept is already on its way to the production line. In fact, BMW wants to tease their fans with 'official' spy shots of the new production 2011 X1, provided by BMW; plus some more information about BMW's smallest SUV.
From the 'official' spy shots, the production X1 seems to look exactly as the X1 Concept. BMW went for a love-it-or-hate-it look for the X1. The oversized kidney-grille that is cued from the new 7-Series, concave body surfacing, and fussy detailing may fancy some, but may look ridiculous to others. In terms of size, the X1 is slightly smaller than the X3, at a length of 4.5 meters, which is about 4.4 inches than the X3.
Although the X1 brandname may sound like it's based on the 1-Series hatchback and coupe, the X1 will actually be based on the 3-Series platform. The 2011 BMW X1 will offer rear-wheel drive in 'S-Drive' model, and all-wheel drive in 'X-Drive' trim.
The X1 will surely get a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines. Petrol engines start with from a an entry-level 2.0L 4-cylinder in 143 hp and 170 hp guises, and a 3.0L straight-six rated at 265 hp. On the diesel side, the initial lineup will consist of a 2.0L 4-cylinder unit available with 143 hp, 177 hp and 204 hp outputs. Yet still, rumors that the X1 may also include the famous 3.0L straight-six twin-turbocharged with 300 hp, in the X1 M trim, like the X5 M and X6 M.
The X1 will officially shed its camouflage covering at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September; with deliveries in Europe and other key international markets, and scheduled to start in October.

Source : [BMW]

SPY SHOT : Mysterious Bentley Continental GT Hybrid Prototype Spotted in Spain !

Bentley nowadays are going towards environmentally-friendly automobiles, but yet still very fast. Best example is the 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports, which runs on green-loving E85 biofuel, but still reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds all the way to 204 mph! Well the spy shot above shows that Bentley could be on to more environmentally-friendliness.

Where this Bentley may look like any other stock Continental GT, the big notice here is at the rear window, where a electric motor / battery pack is clearly visibale. In fact, rumors have been going around for a while that Bentley may come up with hybrid model, that now this Continental GT Hybrid Prototype seems to make sense. However, there isn't any official source to get some information about, so this is all speculations.

SPY SHOTS, BMW Package: 2010 BMW 5-Series Prototype gets pulled over by German Police; 2010 BMW M7 caught uncovered !

It seems nowadays, BMW can't stop releasing new cars. From the all-new retractable hardtop Z4, BMW X5 M and X6 M, till the latest 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. Well, the new spy shots we got, shows that there's more to come from Bimmer.

Although the new generation BMW 5-Series came first as a crossover, as the GT model, we're actually waiting for the mainstream sedan version. Well, believe it or not, a fully-covered 2010 BMW 5-Series sedan test mule was pulled over by German police on the Autobahn and the incident was briefly filmed by a camera woman from 'TVnews Hessen' that happened to be at the right place, at the right time. This 5-Series which was caught was a 535d diesel model. Nevertheless, through out the video, TVnews Hessen also got a closer look at the interior. Although everything is pretty much covered-up, but the new 5-Series sedan should look similarly close the 5-Series GT inside and out. Expect the all-new 2010 BMW 5-Series sedan to be released soon with lots of engine variants, including the twin-turbocharged 3.0L in-line six-cylinder, and the twin-turbo 4.4L V8.Speaking of engine, BMW's M division hasn't ever spread its high-performance modifications to the big BMW 7-Series luxury limousine. Well, with Mercedes' S63 AMG looming around without a rival, and the new 7-Series actually has a sporty character, the M division might actually come through the 7-Series. The source of the spy shot above actually claim that this is a high-performance M7 prototype luxury super-sedan. The spy shot clearly shows that the front spoiler has been reworked to provide better cooling to a more powerful engine and braking system. There is also a tiny bulge in the hood that hints at a larger engine. Rumors that the engine is probably the reworked twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8, which is available in the X5 M and X6 M, that develops 555 hp.

Source : [YouTube and AutoExpress]

SPY SHOTS : 2010 Honda Accord CrossTour CUV

This camouflaged prototype at the picture above is none other than Honda's forthcoming crossover-liftback wagon, newly called "CrossTour". The car was spotted by forum member GoVdubSPEEDGo aka "M. Balinsky" who came upon two prototype models while vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Not to be mistaken for Acura's upcoming ZDX model that follows in the lines of BMW's X6 sports SUV, the so-called CrossTour seems to be a fast-back wagon version of the Honda Accord, with higher springs than the sedan.
So while the upcoming ZDX is a direct rival to the X6, the Accord CrossTour CUV appears to be surprisingly close in philosophy to the new BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo.

Source : [VWVortex via Temple of VTEC]

Teaser + Spy Shots : 2010 Jaguar XJ

Jaguar's biggest cat, the XJ, has been in the same design for over ten years now. So it's really time to change, specially that the Jaguar XF has caught people's eyes. Well, Jaguar announced through a teaser video, that the all-new XJ, will be fully presented on June 9th.However, it's also just about time to see it in the streets wearing camouflage for final testing. This spy shot was caught by KGP Photography. The new Jaguar XJ seems to be a lot more sportier, sleeker, and more modern than the current XJ. A lot of its design cues are inspired by the XF. This prototype is sporting a split-kidney grille that's common at BMW, just to hide its true identity. Engine options come starting as a V6, V8, and ending with a supercharged V8 with 510 hp. So the new XJ won't be that classical British luxury sedan. This is now a sporty rival to the BMW 7-Series.

We'll keep up-to-date when the debut of the new XJ comes. For now, watch the teaser video below.

Source: [Jaguar, KGP Photography, YouTube]

Spotted! 2009 Ford Focus RS found hanging out in Michigan, U.S.

Hermann Salenbauch, FoMoCo’s director of advanced product creation and global performance, said earlier last month that Ford is considering bringing the European-built 2009 Ford Focus RS to the United States. That was some great news, as the 300 hp hot hatchback is making a huge success in Europe.
Well, just days ago, FocusFinatics spotted a lovely Frost White '09 RS in the side of some road in Royal Oak wearing American plates and was nice enough to take pictures. Now, it could be either that Ford is final-testing the new RS in the states just before sale, or it might be just someone who imported it individually.
So, if Ford is really going to ship the Focus RS overseas, then we will finally see how does the 300 hp 2.5L turbocharged 5-cylinder engine in the RS would fare against the 315 hp 4.6L V8 in the Mustang on the drag strip! Both got the Blue Oval's badge, but two totally different cars!

Source: [FocusFinatics]

SPY Video : Ferrari F450 test-mule spotted on track

The next generation mid-engine Ferrari was caught before wearing its full body. However, not to risk seeing it fully naked on the track, Ferrari has adopted a yellow F430 Scuderia body to the reportedly called F450 test-mule around Ferrari’s Fiorano race track. Yet still, WorldCarFans.com took a video, so we can hear the roar of that new engine.

Visually, the 4.5L engine seems to need more cooling than the 4.3L in the F430's body. Because this test mule has more intakes, and more vents around the body. The new engine also has more power, as the "F450 test-mule in a F430 body" has bigger wheels for more grip.

We move on the sound. The new 4.5L V8 engine has a tougher sound than 4.3L. Listen it from low-rpms, and it rumbles. At high revs, it actually sounds a lot like the Ferrari California roadster. Another thing to note, listen to how fast the gear changes are. They're actually faster than the Scuderia's shifts. That's why we are adamant that the new F450 will surely have Ferrari's new 7-speed dual clutch transmission, which was also adapted in the California, to give that instant shift. Packing over 500 hp, the F450 is expected to launch to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and top at over 200 mph.

Look for the successor to the F430 at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year.

SPY SHOTS : 2010 Audi A5 Sportback

Audi just announced that they're unveiling an all new model July 16th. In the coincidence of the day, this new Audi was spotted with barely any cover. It's a 4-door edition of the A5, or so called 'A5 Sportback'. It's also the production version of the A7 Sportback Concept that debuted at Detroit's Auto Show last January.The new A5 Sportback is supposed to be a rival to Mercedes-Benz CLS, and maybe the Porsche Panamera. Looking at it, the A5 Sportback really does look like an A5, with two extra doors at the back for easier entry passenger, because the A5 already has great rear space for the rear passengers. As for engines, the new supercharged 3.0L V6 that packs 333 hp should come to place. If there's a RS model, it's probably the 420 hp 4.2L FSI V8's job to do that.

So if we're right, this is the model that Audi will reveal at July 16th. So expect it to see it in showrooms later this year.