carscoop: Scoops

Showing posts with label Scoops. Show all posts

New Mercedes-Benz CLA Compact Four-Door Coupe Caught Undisguised During Photo Shoot!

For the past year or so, spy photographers have been following Mercedes-Benz engineers all over the world to capture a glimpse of the brand's upcoming CLA premium compact sedan, or as the Germans are likely to describe the car in their press material, a four-door coupe.

Naturally, the brand with the shining star has always been careful to keep the prototype and pre-production models of the CLA well hidden under foil wraps and plenty of plastic cladding.

However, with the official presentation of the CLA coming closer every day, at some point, Mercedes-Benz had to remove the camo to complete the necessary photo and video shoots that always take place in remote locations. Little did they know that when they did, someone would be out there to capture the production car in its…birthday suit.

That someone was Bernhard Kohlmeier who was vacationing with his family in Iceland at the Northern Light Inn situated within walking distance of the famed Blue Lagoon (more on Bernhard's experience and first thoughts on the car's looks after the jump).

Spy Shots: Renault Working on Second Sporty Clio, Could Wear the Gordini or GT Badge

If these spy shots are anything to go by, then in addition to the new Clio RS 200 with around 200hp under its hood, Renault is also prepping a "lite" version to fill the gap in the range between the regular models and the RS flagship.

The prototype model entering the Renault facility in Germany featured a restyled front bumper with a larger lower air-intake in a different design than the one seen on the Clio RS test car, along with a new set of wheels, light grey colored mirror caps, a rear diffuser, and an extended roof spoiler.

Spy Shots: 2014 Volkswagen Touran MPV Test Mule Wears New Model's Fascia

The onslaught of MQB-based models has just begun for the Volkswagen Group that has already introduced the new Audi A3, Seat Leon and VW Golf Mk7, all of which share the same modular platform and a brand-new family of diesel and gasoline engines.

One of the first variants of the 2013 Golf family will be the next Touran minivan that was spied in test mule guise while running around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Scoop: 2013 Renault Clio RS 200 Undisguised in White, Paris Motor Show Debut and EDC Confirmed

Only yesterday, we brought you pictures of the new Clio RenaultSport (RS) Mk4 without a single trace of camouflage, but our scoop photographers were fortunate enough to spot a second undisguised prototype, this one finished in a more revealing white instead of black exterior shade.

But that's not the only reason we're writing this post as fresh information landed into our hands earlier today.

What we learned is that the "New Clio RS 200 EDC" will definitely make its first public appearance at this month's Paris Motor Show. If you noticed, we mentioned the name of the car in quotes. This is because that's how the performance version of the new Clio was described to CarScoop.

Spy Shots: New 2014 Range Rover Long-Wheelbase Model Promises More Space for Rear Passengers

For the first time in its history, Land Rover will offer a long-wheelbase (LWB) version of its luxury Range Rover model and we have proof for this in the form of these spy shots of a disguised prototype model undergoing speed tests at the Nürburgring track.

As you see for yourself in the pictures, the upcoming addition to the recently revealed 2013 Range Rover Mk4 lineup sports a longer wheelbase (reportedly around 150mm / 5.9 inches) and longer rear doors.

SCOOP: New Ferrari F70 V12 Hybrid Makes Another Pass for the Camera

As Ferrari engineers ramp up their efforts to complete the development of their new Enzo-replacing hypercar that is currently known by its internal codename F70, the more chances we have of getting a glimpse of the prototype models.

This video footage comes courtesy of the crew at the YouTube channel Speedspot who filmed an F70 draped in black covers while cruising on the roads around Maranello in Italy along with some not-so-happy Ferrari people…

Spied: New 2014 Volkswagen Golf R Sheds All of its Camouflage

The regular versions of the brand-new Volkswagen Golf Mk7 are fine and dandy, but what we really want to see is the performance editions and more specifically, the GTI and of course, the R-branded models of the series.

Just a couple of weeks ago, our spies nabbed a prototype of the next Golf R, but it was armed up to the teeth in camouflage – which was logical since Volkswagen had yet to uncover the Mk7.

Now that it did, however, VW engineers made away with the swirly wraps giving us an unobtrusive view of the prototype Golf R.

Scoop: Mercedes-Benz CLA Compact Sports Saloon Filmed with Less Camouflage

One of the most eagerly anticipated new Mercedes-Benz models is the CLA, which is the toned down, production version of the Concept Style Coupé (CSC) presented to the world this past spring.

In the months following the debut of the concept, we saw several prototype models including the performance orientated CLA 45 AMG variant, but all of them were heavily disguised.

Scoop: New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell Sheds its Camo and Gets Caught By Our Lens

When Mercedes-Benz displayed the SLS AMG E-Cell concept at last year’s Detroit Motor Show, company boss Dr. Dieter Zetsche boldly stated that it is “the most technically advanced sports car in the 125-year history of the automobile” and confirmed that a production version was on its way.

This year, the three-pointed star announced that the SLS AMG E-Cell would hit the market in 2013. While 2012 still has some way to go (assuming the Mayas were wrong and the world doesn’t end…), the production version has been caught completely undisguised.

Spy Shots: New Renault Clio RS Mk4 Caught Completely Undisguised!

Even though Renault hasn't made it clear it yet if the regular fourth-generation Clio supermini will be joined by its performance brethren, the Clio RenaultSport (RS), at the brand's the Paris Motor Show stand, there's a good chance it will.

Those of you who just can't wait to see how the 2013 Clio RS Mk4 looks like, we have good news as for the first time, our spy photographers nabbed the hot hatch completely undisguised at Renault's Nürburgring facility.

The frisky French supermini will take on the likes of the also new Peugeot 208 GTi and the Volkswagen Polo GTi when it goes on sale in Europe next year.

On the outside, the RenaultSport variant obtains a rather discreet styling package, which includes a newly styled front bumper with enlarged air vents, a honeycomb grille insert surrounded by a body-colored strip (instead of the regular model's chrome finish), side skirts, a larger roof spoiler and a twin-exhaust set-up in the rear apron that hosts a diffuser.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7: A Different Design Perspective

Ladies and Gentlemen, what you see here is in fact NOT the much talked about 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7. Though don't worry as there is one coming; Chevrolet is about to unleash its next installment of hyper transport to the world by 2013.

Now, some of you may or may not have seen the many C7 Corvette CGI drawings and videos floating in cyberspace. Supposedly, some of the renderings were based on leaked sources revealing the real thing, although being fair; they all show a nice evolution of the current C6 Vette.

All this has me slightly worried; the current car has been with us since 2005 and deserving of a major design overhaul. Would a simple evolution go far enough?

Scoop: Listen to the Turbocharged Sounds of the 2014 BMW M3 Sedan

A new BMW M3 is coming. But you already know that. Perhaps then, we can pique your interest with a short film of an F80 M3 prototype filling the Caracciola Karussell at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the racy sounds of its new turbocharged inline-six engine, courtesy of YouTube user 'Nurburgdale'.

Replacing the 414hp unforced induction V8 engine of the current model, the heavy-breathing straight-six is pegged to deliver somewhere around 450-ponies.

U Spy: What's Mercedes-Benz Doing with an A-Class Prototype in Prague?

Within the next couple of weeks - if not days, Mercedes-Benz will begin European deliveries of the spanking-new A-Class compact hatchback.

The premium model has already racked up more than 40,000 orders in Europe alone and as a result, Mercedes-Benz turned to Valmet Automotive, which it hired to build an additional 100,000 units or so from 2013 through 2016 to cover the demand.

Given that the regular A-Class has already been presented, we were somewhat surprised to see that CarScoop reader Radek V. spotted a heavily camouflaged prototype of the VW Golf-sized model earlier today on the picturesque streets of the Czech Republic's capital city of Prague.

U Spy: Looks Like the 2014 Kia Cadenza will Receive a Facelift for North America

We are approaching the three-year mark since Kia released the K7 sedan in its home market of South Korea and in other regions as the Cadenza, and even though the mid-size saloon was slated for a North American launch at the end of 2011, it has yet to reach U.S. and Canadian showrooms.

Last year, two eagle-eyed CarScoop readers each spotted a completely undisguised version of the Cadenza on U.S. highways. While Kia officially remains silent about the car's North American debut, Autonews recently reported that the Cadenza will go on sale next summer as a 2014 model.

This brings us to these photos of a disguised Cadenza prototype nabbed on camera by CarScoop reader Sach M. in Colorado.

Scoop: BMW 4-Series GranCoupe is the Sportier Looking Alter-Ego of the 3-Series Sedan and GT

You would think that, with the already launched 3-Series sedan and Touring (estate / station wagon) and the upcoming 4-Series Coupe and Convertible, and 3-Series Gran Turismo (GT for short), BMW would be done with its 3- and 4-Series range lineup.

Well, that's not the case as the ever-expanding Bavarian carmaker is plotting one more body style for its most popular model range, the 4-Series Gran Coupe.

Think of it as a smaller, 3-Series based iteration of the larger and more expensive 6-Series Gran Coupe that is a hybrid between the 6-Series Coupe and the 5-Series Sedan.

We won't blame you if you confuse the appearance of the prototypes of the 3-Series GT with the 4-Series Gran Coupe, but if you take a closer look and compare the test cars we have spied in the past, you will see that the Gran Coupe has a lower and more slanted roofline, along with a longer trunk.

Fresh Spy Shots of Suzuki's New SX4 Crossover Replacement

While Suzuki has already prepared us for the world premiere of a new concept model called the S-Cross at the Paris Motor Show on September 27, behind the scenes, the company's engineers are hard at work finishing the development of the actual production version that may replace the current SX-4. Read more »

2013 VW Golf MK7: The Don't Believe Everything You See and Read Edition

Being one of the most popular models in the world, it's only natural that the next generation of the Volkswagen Golf has captured the attention of readers/consumers and the motoring press.

Volkswagen itself has not yet officially shown the Golf Mk7, but the automaker has confirmed that the global reveal will take place on September 4 at the Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery) of modern art in Berlin, Germany, before we have the opportunity to see the car in detail at the Paris Motor Show on September 27.

With only a few days left for the unveiling of the Golf Mk7, the online motoring world is scrambling to break the news and, let's be honest, to win readers – truth, integrity and ethics be damned in some (select) cases, proving that some people are practicing the wrong line of work in others...

U Spy: Watch Opel's Engineers Thrash the New Convertible Around the Nürburgring

This isn't the first time that Opel's as-of-yet, unnamed, Convertible model has set foot onto the Nürburgring, but up until now, we had only seen pictures of the production ready prototypes pushed around the famed race track in Germany.

This freshly filmed footage from the 'Ring shows the brand's engineers trying out a couple of Convertible test cars with their fabric tops in both up and down positions.

Spied: Peugeot 2008 is a Small Crossover Based on the New 208 Supermini

French carmaker Peugeot is looking to expand its range of crossover and SUV models that currently includes the 3008, 4008 (based on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport / ASX), 4007 and 508 RXH with a new entry level model, likely to be named 2008 or 208 RXH.

This small crossover is based on the recently launched 208 supermini and will compete with the likes of the Volkswagen CrossPolo and possibly the Nissan Juke.

Scoop: Volkswagen's Super-Efficient XL1 Diesel-Electric Hybrid Getting Ready for Production

Volkswagen is moving ahead with the development of the production version of the XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) diesel-electric hybrid concept, which we first laid eyes on at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show

Set to be one of the most radical production cars ever to wear the Volkswagen badge, the XL1 was confirmed for launch late last year by VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn. "We will start small series production by 2013 – in Germany," he told reporters.

Our spies captured two prototypes of the XL1 on separate occasions while testing in Spain. The only difference between them was that one vehicle was fitted with exterior mirrors and had an unpainted body.

The styling of both the exterior and interior has remained true to the concept, including the 'Gullwing' style doors – though, both prototypes were missing the rear wheel cover and were fitted with different rims for testing purposes.