Autoblog

Honda is set to release the fourth-generation of its City subcompact and these newest spy shots show that development is well underway. The previous generation had been based on the Honda Jazz, known in the U.S. as the Fit, but the new model moves away from that platform and grows slightly larger in the process. Expect to see either a 1.3- or 1.5-liter i-VTEC SOHC engine underhood, along with either a standard manual tranny or a CVT automatic with seven preset ratios controlled through steering wheel-mounted paddles. Although Honda has no plans -- as far as we know -- to bring the City to the States, the Fit model has managed to post a huge 73% increase in sales this year. Considering how hot fuel-sipping little cars are these days in the U.S. market, Honda could certainly do worse than to offer this attractive new subcompact car in the States.

[Source: paultan.org]

Never underestimate a car guy on holiday. That's the lesson to be learned by Maserati, which apparently left a Gran Turismo Spyder mule in a lot somewhere in Modena.

An eagle-eyed tourist snapped off a handful of pics showing the two-piece roof and articulating trunk in its earliest stages of development. Expect the Gran Turismo Spyder to make its debut in Paris later this year, with sales beginning in early 2009.

[Source: AutoGespot]

Only a few days after Ford officially confirmed that the seven-seat crossover everyone already knew was coming was indeed coming, a preproduction mule of the Lincoln MKT has been spotted in the wild. Ford promised that the MKT would look nothing like its Ford Flex sibling, and a quick glance at these spy pics prove that to be the case. In fact, the well-covered MKT development vehicle looks an awful lot like the MKT concept from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.

Up front the new Lincoln split grille is visible under the bra, along with the same headlight shape as the concept. The concept's love it or hate it belt-line also appears to be carry over to production, as well as the curvy C-pillar. The production MKT also appears to have a glass roof, though it doesn't look as dramatic as the concept. One thing the MKT appears to have in common with the Flex is its relatively low ride height and massive wheels, which helps the Lincoln crossover keep the retro Ford's wagon-like stance.

Spy photographers also got a shot of the MKT's interior, which shows off some good looking blonde wood and the familiar Lincoln center stack. Its material quality should be at least as good as the Flex, if not better.

The MKT is expected to hit production next year with power coming from Lincoln's exclusive 3.7L V6 that also does duty in the new MKS sedan. Ford has also announced that the MKT will receive an Ecoboost engine, which should give the unique-looking crossover upwards of 340 horsepower.

[Source: Automobile Mag]

A forum member at VWVortex caught a mildly disguised Nissan 370Z on the freeway, and the two shots give us clearer glimpse of what to expect when the new Z debuts in Los Angeles this November.

It's been widely reported that the 2010 370Z will be shortened by four inches and will ride on a slightly widened track, but without a profile shot, it's hard to tell. The rear three-quarter view shows reworked rear windows that are slightly smaller, with the bottom edge angling steeply towards the roofline. The rear glass of the hatch is sunken in, and incorporates a small spoiler into the trunk lid, while the fenders appear wider than the outgoing model and the tail lamps are equipped with LEDs.

Up front, the restyled headlamps are obscured by the camouflage, but the redesigned front fascia is easily identifiable, as is the tweaked hood, which features a slight power bulge flanked by two accent lines stretching from the windshield to the bumper.

It's nothing radical, but it should be interesting to see how Nissan implements some of its new styling cues from the Maxima and GT-R into new Z.

Thanks for the tip Ross!

[Source: VWVortex]

As Alfa Romeo prepares to launch its next all-new model, dubbed the 149, test mules have been spotted, details have come into focus and speculations have been rendered.

The five-door hatchback will join the MiTo in replacing the aging 147. Sources suggest that the 149 moniker could be dropped before the car is unveiled next year, only a few telling months after the Volkswagen Golf VI is due for its debut. Borrowing styling cues from the 8C Competizione and MiTo, the Alfa 149 is expected it to include a new three-arm rear suspension and Alfa's trick Q2 differential, with the eventual availability of Q4 all-wheel-drive remaining a question mark. Diesel and gasoline engines are anticipated to range between 120 and 250 horsepower, and the 149 is tipped to be complying with the upcoming six-star EuroNCAP safety rating, and more tellingly, new U.S. crash requirements as well.

Some still maintain that the Alfa hatch will be based on the same platform that underpins the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta, although Alfa representatives have asserted that the 149 will spearhead its own unique platform. Either way, the platform could underpin the replacement for the 159 sedan and wagon, as well as the replacements for the Brera and Spider, while Alfa executives continue to deliberate over the possibility of a crossover model as well.

[Sources: Autocar and Projetto 940]

The market for oversize and jacked-up minivans parading as crossovers hasn't exactly set the world on fire, as Chrysler's Pacifica and Mercedes-Benz R-Class have ably proven. Still, Hyundai is set to throw its hat into the ring with the upcoming Portico, which is based on the concept vehicle from 2005 with the same name. To its credit, the Portico does manage to have a few new features that its competition doesn't. Seating for up to six is standard, though there are only two rows. Each row is a long bench, with the center spot on each row also able to fold down, allowing the option of converting the Portico into the world's largest and least efficient four-seater. Expect to find one of Hyundai's V6 engines underhood with a hybrid option rumored to follow. As a minivan replacement, the Portico could find a few buyers, but the Korean automaker had better find a way to squeeze every mile out of each drop of gasoline, otherwise the Portico will take residence right next to the ill-timed Kia Borrego on dealers' lots across the country.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Mercury Milan spy shots

It seems like the Mercury Milan's lot in life is to follow the Ford Fusion, go wherever the Fusion goes and do whatever the Fusion does. Thus it's no surprise that when spy photographers happened upon prototypes of the 2010 Ford Fusion out being tested, the 2010 Mercury Milan was not far behind. Comparing the two sets of spy shots, the Milan appears to be making a bigger departure from its previous look than the Fusion. Its grille retains vertical slats, but the grille itself is much wider pushing the new headlights farther out towards the corners. Just like the Fusion, the Milan also gets a new front bumper, but its lower air intake and fog lamps have been incorporated into the same space rather than being separated into three distinct elements. In these spy shots we also get a clearer view of the Milan's new taillights, which, while retaining the same shape as those found on the current model, appear to have new covers with new elements inside. All the new Mercury Milan spy shots can be found in the gallery below, so get to browsing.


[Source: KGP Photography]

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Fusion spy shots

Our spy photographers have caught the 2010 Ford Fusion wearing nothing but an ugly paint job, which means we get a crystal clear view at what Ford has in store for its midsize sedan. While things between the wheel wells appear to carryover, the front end is getting big a big makeover. The Fusion's new face features a larger three-bar chrome grille and a complete re-sculpting of its lower air intake. Gone are the two chrome bars in the lower grille and the fog lights that flanked them. In their place is a more traditional central lower air intake and new, larger foglamps the mimic the shape of the new headlights. The Fusion's new mug definitely appears more aggressive than the non-threatening visage worn by the current model, and we like it. The sedan's rear taillights are also being changed, though they're covered too well in these spy shots to see what those changes are.

The Fusion is a solid seller for Ford, which no doubt hopes the sedan will grow in popularity even more with a new front clip. We can't wait to see this thing badged as the Fusion GT with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 under its new hood. Check out all the new spy shots in our gallery below and let us know what you think of the partial redesign in the comments.


[Source: KGP Photography]

Following the market debut of the new Lancer and EVO, Mitsubishi appears to be preparing a mid-cycle facelift for its junior Colt hatchback that's sold in Japan and Europe. The photos, which were snapped at an apparent promotional photo-shoot in Berlin, Germany, indicate that the Colt will get the new face of Mitsubishi that incorporates the same style of shark nose from the larger Lancer, as well as a new rear end with a revised bumper and darkened taillights. Sources suggest that the updated Colt will make its debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October, so watch this space as the car's unveiling approaches. As small, fuel efficient cars become increasingly popular with the public, we could see a return of the Mitsubishi Colt on our own shores in the not-too-distant future.

[Source: AutoWeek via CarScoop]

Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 Cadillac SRX spy shots

Our inside sources tell us Cadillac is very close to officially debuting its 2010 SRX crossover, but they can take their sweet time now that we have these new spy shots of the Wreath and Crest CUV in nothing but some checkered tape. With all the baggy covering gone from this prototype, we can clearly see its styling closely mimics that of the Provoq Concept, which Rick Wagoner introduced at CES last January. There are a couple of areas where the realities of production have toned down the concept's flair, but the vehicle's overall shape and detail remains. Built on GM's Theta Premium platform, the new SRX replaces the old model that was larger and a surprisingly poor seller. It was surprising because the old SRX was an athletic CUV that seemed to offer on paper what buyers wanted. This new model appears to be a smidge smaller and will likely offer more fuel efficient engines and a smoother ride. Look for its official debut in the coming days and weeks, but for now glance at our gallery below.


[Source: KGP Photography]