Who said the life of a spy photographer is easy? Well, ours is not, as he was forced to shoot through tinted windows, hidden in the boot of an SUV, in order to get these photos, making us proud in the meanwhile. Despite the two different masking tapes used, the shape and angle of the roof is clearly visible, making these the first proper photos of the F-Type coupe, as opposed to the patent photos that were supposed to be leaked a few days ago, which turned out to be of the 2011 concept car.

Just like the cabrio version, the Coupe will be available with two V6s and a V8 from the beginning, with an R and an RS version coming in the future. Market launch is expected for sometime in 2014. You can see our full photo gallery after the jump.

Source: [CarPix]

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Posted in: Jaguar, Spy Photos

The segment of the premium urban SUVs is growing rapidly, with the sales of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 growing each year. The GLA is Stuttgart’s answer to the Q3 and X1, and comes with some quite striking looks, which are clearly originated from the recently introduced A-Class. Although the GLA shares the same underpinnings as the A-Class and have an identical wheelbase, it has actually grown in every direction, resulting in 4383mm of length. MB’s new design language, as shown is the recent A and CLA-Class is evident with this concept car, which we suspect that even in its production form, will be looking fabulous.

Under the bonnet the company’s 2.0l turbo-four with 211hp, sent two all four wheels with the help of MB’s AWD system, the 4-Matic, and the 7G-DCT, a dual clutch automatic transmission. An interesting piece of technology that comes with the GLA Concept are the laser-beam projectors fitted in the headlights, which can be used to either, well, light up the road in front, or project pictures and films onto any surface. On top of that, two cameras are fitted in the front roof rail, which can be used to record some driving action.

The production version is expected to launch in the Frankfurt Motor Show the coming September. Also, various spy photos suggest that there will be an AMG version of the GLA, which will feature the M133 2.0l turbocharged four cylinder engine, that produces 360hp.

You can find MB’s full press release and photo gallery after the jump.

Source: [Mercedes-Benz]

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Posted in: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has announced that more than 20 new models will be introduced in the next few years, with one of them being the baby SUV from Stuttgart, named GLA. The heavily camouflaged prototypes that are caught testing in various locations throughout Europe (at the moment) suggest that the production version will have a front end quite similar to the current A-Class. Our spy photographers managed to snap a few photos of the performance version of the model, the GLA 45 AMG testing at the famous Nürburgring circuit, in Germany.

No surprises engine-wise are expected for the GLA 45 AMG, as it will feature the same 2.0l, 360hp engine as seen in the A 45 and CLA 45 AMG that were introduced this year. Nothing less is expected, as Audi has upped the competition with the also recently introduce RS Q3, even though there are no rumours about a performance variant of BMW’s successful mini-SUV, the X1.

Source: [CarPix]

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Posted in: Mercedes-Benz, Spy Photos

Looking at the photos of the X4 one could easily as “Did BMW just shrink the X6″? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because behind the X4 is the same concept, the same principle as behind the X6 – that of the Sports Activity Coupe. What these three words picture, is a vehicle with a high ground clearance and specific off-road capability, yet with a coupe-resembling roof-line and an altogether sporty profile, hinting to a much sportier package than a traditional SUV. On, on the other hand, because the X4 is based on the X3 and designed to cater quite different needs and target a quite different target group than that of the X6. The X4 is a more affordable SAC, designed with urban environments in mind.

But what do we see? Sure, the overall proportions hint to the X3 and the roof-line to the much bigger X6, but the details and execution are distancing the X4 from the other two models. The front bumper, at first, resembles the F30 3 series fascia, with the headlights meeting with the kidney grills and the headlights themselves featuring the latest LED technologies, yet with the evolution of the traditional angel eyes. In the rear, we see a pair of L-shaped taillights that we expect to reach production unchanged. There are quite many interesting details, such as the side mirrors, but sadly this is concept material and sadly will not reach production.

BMW has not published any photographs of the interior so far, but we hope for more material, as the concept will be making its world debut in Shanghai Motor Show in a few days. Until then, please join our forum discussion (link) or click more to see our photo gallery, a video of the Concept X4 and find the official press release.

Source: [BMW]

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Posted in: BMW

Jeremy Clarkson said “The Volvo XC90 is the first SUV for people with children, designed by people who also have children and didn’t read about them in a book”, when he test drove the first generation XC90, almost ten years ago, when it was first introduced. As Volvo’s full-size SUV is very aged compared to the competition, its replacement is on the way. Caught testing in an ice track in Northern Sweden by our spy photographers, the new XC90 is supposed to be unveiled just before the successors of the V70 and S80 and will be the first model of the Swedish brand to use the new, flexible SPA platform. SPA stands for Scalable Product Architecture and is developed independently by Volvo.

As the tough times we are living in demand, the new XC90 will be offered with a turbo charged four-cylinder engine, as Volvo stopped production of their straight five and six cylinder, as well as their V8 engine. A newly developed eight gear transmission will also be offered. At this point, nothing is known about how the car will look, but judging by the spy photos, it will be longer and wider compared to the current XC70. Please note, that the mule of the spy photos features the chassis of the next XC90, yet the body is made with various XC70 parts, in order to keep the final design secret for the time being. The new XC90 is set to launch in late 2014, so we expect to see FEP prototypes towards the end of 2013.

Finally, our spy photographer checked the registration number of the photographed prototype and Sweden’s Transportation Agency gave the following information: Volvo, model not specified, automatic, diesel at 158 kilowatts (ie D5 engine at 215 horsepower), it’s a station wagon / hatchback wagon, model year 2013 and on the road for the first time on January 25 this year and registered length and width is the same as for the current XC70. Users and owners are Volvo Cars in Gothenburg.

Source: [CarPix]

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Posted in: Spy Photos

BMW’s X-Line of SUVs has grown from just the first generation X5, to a large range starting with the urban-SAV X1, going up to the sporty-roofline X6, which is heavily based on the X5. In the middle, there’s the X3, a medium sized SUV. The plans are to unveil the X4, a sporty alternative of the X3, in the next few months, or according to our famous BMW insider, SCOTT27, in the Shanghai Auto Show. It would be interesting to read his own words about the X4 concept:

It is not a question of just product planning but a reaction to growth in the segment. The SUV segment whether in city, compact, entry, mid, large or luxury continue to grow and grow.

BMW’s current line of X1 , X3 , X5 and X6 remaking huge sellers , Porsche sell more Cayennes than the car that defines the brand the 911. And the new Range Rover is eclipsing established luxury sedans in sales. And then look at the X5. Sales are high even though we are not that distant from the third generation X5. The worlds first Sport Activity Vehicle which put dynamics ahead of utility. From the X5 introduction in 1999 to the present combined BMW X vehicles are fast approaching. 3 Million units.

The BMW X4 and the Porsche Macan will be the first vehicles in that segment to offer customers performance , dynamics and style in an exclusive individual sporting body style. X4 is a response to demand for an accessible answer to the successful X6 concept . The first Sport Activity Coupe for the premium segment. There is demand for such a car like the X4 that the car is moving quickly , with the car taking a first look at the upcoming Shanghai auto show in April.

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Posted in: BMW