Recently, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed to USA today that Chrysler was seriously considering a new five-door hatchback for the U.S. market. Here in the states the car would be known as the Chrysler 100 while in Europe it will be sold as a Lancia.
This is an important distinction as Lancia is a luxury brand in Europe. Chrysler could easily have gone low-budget and went Dodge/Fiat, but Marchionne and others clearly see a market for a high-end, A3-like hatch. This car is built on the same platform that underpins the Dart and the Giulietta, but this car has a Chrysler grille, different exhaust and different rear bumper that foreshadows a longer car with more cargo space. This mule also has a higher hood than the five-door Dart mules we've seen.
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Categories: Chrysler,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Spy Photos
It seems like only yesterday that we had four guys sitting on the doors of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class "proving" the superiority of German Engineering and now we've got spy photos of the next-generation, 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
This new C-Class -- codename W205 -- is set to be built at Mercedes' Alabama manufacturing facility which just got a $2 Billion investment. The plant will also handle the GL and the M-Class.
Visually, Mercedes-Benz looks to be taking a step back with this C-Class. The hood is longer, the grille is smaller and the headlights are smaller and more aerodynamic. The whole thing is almost Acura-like. We can't tell what sort of detailing Mercedes will use on the side of this new C-Class, but intricate and bold cut lines and fenders have been their thing lately.
Powertrains are still a mystery, of course, but expect a four-cylinder (250) with an eight-speed automatic to be the volume model.
We're still very early out on this one, don't expect any final details for at least a year.
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Categories: Mercedes-Benz,Sedans,Spy Photos
We are still incredibly in the dark on this one. These are the best spy photos we've seen to date on the 2014 Chevy Silverado and we still know virtually nothing. We're starting to see how the new almost best-selling truck will shape up with a wide, flat front that almost looks like the C/K from the mid 70's (except with a bumper). We've seen retro sports cars hit the mainstream, is it time for a retro truck? All of this, of course, is pure speculation and that camo could be hiding anything.
What we do know is that this truck has to live up to an extremely high bar. The current Silverado is an exceptionally good truck -- especially with the 6.2 -- that still looks fresh. Beyond that, the Ram 1500 has coil springs and a great ride paired with a strong motor, Ford is doing good things with EcoBoost and V6 technology and Toyota, well, they still exist in the truck market. Chevy's also going to have to design this one to work with the tightening fuel-economy regulations that kick in in 2017.
See anything noteworthy we missed?
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Categories: Chevrolet,Spy Photos,Trucks
At the 2012 LA Auto Show, Hyundai took home award for the 2012 North American Car of the year with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
At the Chicago Auto Show next month, Hyundai isn't simply going to sit around showing off trophies. Instead, they'll be lopping two doors off of the Elantra and debuting this, the 2012 Elantra Coupe.
Visually, it's very similar (surprise) the the Elatra sedan. The main difference is the side detail which morphs into the rear wheel arch -- that doesn't exist on the sedan. The crease looks sharper here, but that's likely a visual trick cause by it not being broken by the rear door handle. We're anticipating the powertrain to be the same with a 148-horsepower 1.8-liter I4 hooked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. (California cars which are SULEV/PZEV only make 145 horsepower.)
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Categories: Coupes,Hyundai,Spy Photos
After catching numerous C7 powertrain prototypes, this is our first look at the 2014 Chevy Corvette in, roughly, a production body. The shape, as you should have guessed by now, is an evolution of the C6 but this one appears to be wider with a smaller grill opening and, at least visually, slightly shorter. We've still got quad tail lights, but these ones are small and possibly LED. This tester is also sporting quad tail pipes that are more Jegs than production Corvette. (Also, we've mentioned it before on other pre prod cars, but these unfinished painted prototype wheels kick ass.)
Power is still coming from a 5.5-liter direct-injection, OHV V8 with variable valve timing and the transmission is a seven-speed uit. But this we know from our 2014 Corvette C7 Intelligence Report.
Update: 12 Photos of the 2014 Corvette Prototype Testing in Canada
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Categories: Chevrolet,Spy Photos
In 2014 Mini is expected to launch the next generation of Mini Cooper. The new hatchback will, no doubt, feature retro Mini style in a package that some will describe as "cute." We don't have a ton to work with from this batch of spy photos, but we do get a shot of the interior which is very, very BMW-like. As in, they yanked the interior out of a 1-series and put it in here. The gauges, stalks, radio and dash layout are so boringly efficient they can only be from a BMW. We're not fans of the giant central gauge in the current Minis, but we dig the toggle switches and the quirkiness. Can Mini get away with being this...bland?
The other possibility here is that this is the interior of the BMW 1 Series GT wearing Mini skin to throw us off the trail / to test on a more developed platform. BMW is relatively mum on the issue, but will certainly be bringing a front-drive sub-1 Series hatchback/wagon thing to market in the next few years. We've heard plans of 13 new FWD BMWs in the next five years and have seen spy photos of a front-drive MPV as well. This interior (see it after the jump) makes sense in a BMW, not so much in a Mini.
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Categories: Hatchbacks,MINI,Spy Photos
At least that's what this camouflaged four-door looks like. Actually, it just looks like a big giant sedan, but look closely at the interior and it's clear that this is a Chevrolet. And a Chevrolet sedan this big is mostly likely the next Impala, no?
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Categories: Chevrolet,Detroit Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Sedans,Spy Photos
The last time we saw the 2013 Nissan Altima it was covered in baggy camo and thick tape. Today our spy photographers have nabbed a vehicle without the heavy camo that gives us a much clearer look at the next-gen Altima.
Without the headlight tape you can see that the Altima is getting a version of the Maxima's multi-angle headlights and a slick foglight/driving light combination. The Altima's also adopting a grille more in line with that of the other Nissan cars.
Again, we don't expect big changes in the drivetrain department with 2.5 and 3.5-liter engines and, yep, the CVT.
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Categories: Nissan,Sedans,Spy Photos
Following the engine revamp in 2011, it looks like the Ford F-150 is due for a styling update for 2013. As it stands the truck isn't exactly old, it got a full redesign in 2009.
The new look we're seeing here has a less blocky front end with smaller slats that appear to be trimmed in chrome. Sort of like the Accord Crosstour. Currently, the Harley Davidson edition and the XLT offer similarly slatted grille designs indicating that this is either going range-wide, or that we're looking at an XLT.
Beyond that, camo over the headlights shows that they're working on the Tetris-block look of the current lights.
A slightly tweaked Ford SVT Raptor was also caught...
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Categories: Ford,Spy Photos,Trucks
You'd hardly know it from looking at one, but the current Buick Enclave is getting a little long inn the tooth. It was back in 2007 that we bought our long term car and now, in nearly 2012, we're finally looking at the next generation of Enclave.
The first think to notice from these prototypes is the size: The Enclave is not downsizing. Fuel economy standards or not, there's always going to be a market in America for something that will seat 7 comfortably and Buick doesn't appear to have an interest in giving up that market.
Beyond that we're looking at a restyled grille with longer, thinner grille slats spaced further apart than on the current Enclave or on any other Buick vehicle. Out back we're looking at, well, mostly just a much better job with camo than in the front.
While we didn't get any photos of the interior we have to assume it will get many of the same materials upgrades as the rest of the Buick line. In 2013, the Enclave is getting Buick's Intellilink system which will certainly make its way to this vehicle the following year.
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Categories: Buick,SUVs,Spy Photos
Our spy photographers have just grabbed their best look yet at the interior of the new C-Segment Dodge Sedan that we used to call the Hornet.
The most obvious thing here is the center console with its three knob (Yey!) layout. One for volume, one for fan speed and one to tune the radio. Okay, fine, it's not the three-knob design we prefer and the dual-zone temperature is controlled by small buttons flanking the fan speed selector. Oh and then there's that screen. is that...portrait? In a world of widescreen, that non widescreen display sure does stand out. Chrysler's been on a roll with the functionality of the new Uconnect system, how well they manage to integrate it into a lower priced car will be something to watch.
On the IP front, we've got a 6,000 rpm redline, a way-too-fast speedometer, and a nice looking stitched cover to protect it from the horrible glare that this particular mule is prone to.
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Categories: Dodge,Sedans,Spy Photos
Volkswagen released the 2012 Beetle at the New York Auto Show last year. I was at the release and was interviewed by a local non-automotive publication about the new car. The reporter was particularly interested in the "tough" new look. She asked if I thought the car would sell better to men now that it doesn't look as girly and if the convertible would look as masculine as the coupe.
I managed to avoid laughing at this new car being considered masculine long enough to give a satisfactory answer, but I couldn't give her any specifics on the convertible other than no, it probably wouldn't sway male audiences. (Beetle R Concept? Maybe.) And now that we've got some spy photos of the upcoming 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, I think my answer was spot on.
The convertible looks to maintain the squared-off roof line of the coupe which does wonders in reducing bubbliness. The remaining question is what the folded top will look like. Look closely and you can see this top has five (maybe six, but I think five) small sections as opposed to the old New Beetle's larger sections. This may mean a folded top that has a much smaller profile hanging off the back of the car, or one that hides completely.
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Categories: Convertibles,Spy Photos,Volkswagen
You didn't think Nissan would let Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota have all the midsize fun did you? No way, the Altima is getting a redesign, too, and this prototype is our best look yet at what it might look like.
Looks like there are plenty of styling cues borrowed from the Versa here although the Altima is certainly a little more muscular overall. For the most part, this prototype doesn't look much bigger than the current Altima which is probably a good thing. We don't expect huge news in terms of powertrains either as this sedan will probably continue to offer both four- and six-cylinder engine options.
We have yet to see any signs of an Altima coupe although it would likely come later if it sticks around. Expect to see a production version of this new sedan early next year with a sale date sometime next fall.
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Categories: Nissan,Sedans,Spy Photos
From the looks of these spy photos of the 2013 Ford F-150, it would appear that Ford is well aware of what year it is and how long it's been since Chevy released a new Silverado.
Yesterday we had the first spy photos of the 2014 Chevy Silverado, a new truck we'll see sometime in 2013. Ford doesn't want to give up the sales lead anytime soon, though, and one of the ways they'll be competing for your attention is with a facelift of the F-150.
This new look is a slightly less brawny clone of the heavy-duty Ford trucks and includes the big, bold bars across the grille and what looks to be more chrome in the headlights. People love chrome.
Compare this F-150 against the 2011 F-150 and the 2011 F-350 after the jump.
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Categories: Ford,Spy Photos,Trucks
The current Chevy Silverado debuted in 2007 and is still a favorite with truck buyers. Strong powertrains (we especially like the 6.2-liter, 403-horsepower V8 hooked to the 6AT), great ride and a good-enough interior have kept the Silverado in the running while the other trucks got complete redesigns more recently. Both Ford and Dodge stepped up the game with strong motors, near-luxury interiors and serious strides in ride and fuel economy. EcoBoost? Coil Springs?
But now it's Chevy's turn to be the newest kid on the block. These images prove that Chevy is hard at work on the 2014 Chevy Silverado. The biggest difference we can spot is the new greenhouse. Beyond that, all we have are rumors. GM engineers are apparently unhappy with the look of the current truck, saying that it looks too feminine compared with the other trucks. More chrome and a beefier front end are the rumored fixes.
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Categories: Chevrolet,Future Vehicles,Spy Photos,Trucks
Our spy photographers are doing double duty today catching both the 2013 Ford Mustang GT and the 2013 Ford Mustang V6 testing in minimal camo. The triangles break up the finer details, but the thin adhesive wrap leaves little to the imagination.
The most striking new detail is the front of the GT. Gone are the round foglamps and center-mounted pony. The fogs have moved down and outboard while the horse has moved onto a red, white and blue badge off to the driver's side of the grille. The headlights, too have been tweaked with some LED light piping. We've also got a GT500-inspired lip spoiler and grille opening. Out back we've got a new pedestal-mounted wing and a slightly revised bumper. We say ditch that wing and throw on the GT500s.
The V6 car (the one without tape over a 5.0 badge in the photos) gets a similar front treatment but with a smaller lip and no fogs. It does, however, get a chrome ring around the grille that makes it look like a last-gen Challenger. That better bet an option.
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Categories: Coupes,Ford,Sports Cars,Spy Photos
Confirming both the statement and timing made back in March of this year, Fiat is hard at work on the fully electric Fiat 500 EV that is set to hit the road sometime in 2012.
At first glance it would be easy to think that this is simply a Fiat 500 with a slightly tweaked front end, but in a lucky twist of fate, someone at Fiat forgot to close the filler door that now clearly contains a U.S. spec 240-volt charging plug port. And then there's the issue of the "EV" sticker on the rear window. Almost like they wanted people to see this.
No real information has slipped out on the 500 EV beyond the initial statements. Pricing is, of course, the big question after Marchionne's comments that the 500 EV could be three times the cost of a base 500 and that Fiat was willing to take a $10,000 hit on each 500 EV sold. Three times the price of a base 500 minus $10,000 would put the 500 EV right around $35,000 -- the same price as the Leaf and about $5,000 more than the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
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Categories: Electric Vehicles,Fiat,Future Vehicles,Spy Photos
Well, we appear to be going backwards in the spy photos-to-production car progression. It was just at the end of September that we caught a prototype of the upcoming Dodge Hornet almost completely undisguised. It had some flat black paint and a sheet over the windshield, but other than that, we could see everything except the rear.
These new spy photos provide us with that ever-important view of the back of the car, but unfortunately they've done a far better job of camouflaging the new sedan. We can see see is that the sedan does have the very short deck that was teased in the first sedan shots. It's a look that Chrysler likes and has used previously on the 200/Sebring.
Another thing we get from these (apart from the tiny, tiny wheels which we're cool with -- we miss the ride quality provided by sidewall) is the new taillights. Our spy photogs say that the lights have a bright neon quality to them during braking that's preferable to the harsh individual lights provided by LED brake lights. We'll certainly hear more about these as time goes on, especially if they provide any energy savings or have a quick response time.
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Categories: Dodge,Sedans,Spy Photos
Lincoln is, finally, moving away from the fat vertical slats that has dominated its "waterfall grille" for the past few years. The waterfall grille certainly has a place in Lincoln history, but with the large bat-wing grille openings they're using, it all winds up looking more like a poorly made fence than the front of a high-end luxury vehicle.
Even partially camouflaged, this new grille is worlds better than the Jack-o-lantern it replaces. Look for the official reveal sometime early next year. Of course, no official release date or pricing has been announced, but Lincoln cut the price of the MKT by $3,005 for the 2012 model year.
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Categories: Lincoln,SUVs,Spy Photos
Yesterday we brought you spy shots of the Toyota FT-86 all speced out for racing duty by Gazoo.
Today our spy photogs have managed to hop behind the wall and get shots not only of the FT-86 testing, but also of the team working on it in the pits.
The last batch of photos also brought a good comment, Velocity_X saw the photos and asked, "Am i the only one who has noticed that this car has front/forward mounted brake calipers?" No, sir, you were not!
We don't have any specific answers to this question, so we have to once again wade into the arena of the educated guess (with the help of one of our brighter engineers). The best answer we could come up with was this: packaging. Because the FR-S/FT-86/BRZ has the engine mmounted so low and nearly directly over the axle line (a setup that also prevents the car from being AWD), mounting a steering rack forward of this would be a problem. According to him it's also problematic for a carmaker to try to put the steering pieces through the engine block. Rear mounted steering may not be as good, but it fits and that makes it better than nothing. (Those of you who saw the Subaru BRZ Prologue concept from Frankfurt will notice that that car did have rear-mounted brakes, unfortunately, that car didn't have any steering parts so that brake location was likely just visual.)
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Categories: Motorsports,Spy Photos,Toyota
