Yet another sighting of the upcoming Proton Preve Hatchback. This time around, two units of the P3-22A were snapped in a jam in front of the Masjid Jamek LRT station in downtown KL. Nothing new we haven’t seen before, though – click the pic above to enlarge.

The most recent sighting was of the Preve hatchback doing some high speed runs on the NKVE, plus a bonus video of it in action. Before that, our colleague William saw a group test with multiple units racking up urban miles together. One of the mules wore smaller steel wheels instead of the big alloys on today’s car – a hint that there will be multiple specs on offer.

You’ve seen the test mules before – in January, on the 6th, 10th, 16th and 28th – so this sighting reveals nothing new, just another sign that the P3-22A is coming soon. No one knows exactly how soon though, so in the meantime, have a look at Theophilus Chin’s renderings here.

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Here are the first pictures of a Volvo V40 Cross Country seen on Malaysian roads, sent in by eagle-eyed reader Mesh Naidu. Thanks mate! The new Swedish crossover was spotted along the Federal Highway nearby Volvo’s assembly plant in Shah Alam.

We can confirm that the V40 hatchback and its Cross Country relative will be launched here sometime in August. Here’s the kicker though: they will both be offered in CKD form, which is an unprecedented move by Volvo considering that it has barely been a year since the V40’s global debut. The Cross Country is newer still!

Volvo Car Malaysia’s entire range, the S60, V60, XC60, S80 and XC90 are all assembled at the Shah Alam plant, which is now the brand’s ASEAN manufacturing hub since it closed its Thailand assembly line in 2011. The S60 was first launched in CBU form before more affordable CKD models were introduced. It looks like the V40 pair is skipping that first step altogether.

The V40 Cross Country caught testing above is a front-wheel drive T5 variant. In most other markets the badge points to a turbocharged 2.5 litre inline-five engine with 254 hp and 360 Nm of torque, but for Malaysia expect it to use the familiar Ford-sourced 240 hp/320 Nm 2.0 litre turbo four seen on other local Volvos.

A 180 hp, 270 Nm T4 1.6 litre turbo option should be available too, mirroring the S60 and V60’s engine line-up. And should Volvo Malaysia choose to have a third and cheaper engine variant, there’s also a 150 hp/240 Nm T3 version of the same engine. All motors will be mated to a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift gearbox.

In T4 or T3 form the V40, if not necessarily the Cross Country, should significantly undercut the S60 T4’s RM220,000 price tag, putting it rather close to the similarly-sized but less powerful Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI. Now that should be interesting. Which European hatchback would you choose then; the one with genuine or perceived premium credentials?

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Here we go again with the next-generation MINI rumours. These latest images from our usual spy photographers in Europe reveal the F56 MINI three-door hatchback’s new body shape and surprise, surprise, it’s set to grow in size again. The long front overhang especially looks very un-MINI like, but the rest of the car follows the same MINI formula we know and love.

The front fascia looks to take some inspiration from the Rocketman Concept from a few years ago, with an upright grille and more angled-back headlamps. The plastic claddings around the car are thicker this time round, and the rear lamps appear larger too. We’re talking small detail changes here of course, as there certainly isn’t much leeway when it comes to designing a new MINI.

There’s supposed to be drastic changes underneath though. The front-wheel drive platform is co-developed and shared with the BMW 1 Series GT (which has been previewed as the Concept Active Tourer), and the engine range will feature BMW’s new turbocharged three-cylinder motors. Four-cylinder Prince engines may live on in certain high-powered models, at least to start with.

We’ve already seen the new MINI’s centre speedo-less interior before, and now we get a closer look at the centre console in low (small monochrome screen) and high spec (larger colour display) forms. The row of toggles below the rotary air-con knobs is particularly interesting, as the red stalk looks like to be the engine start/stop switch. You can also see a new-style automatic gearknob in the high spec test car.

The next generation MINI reveal is still a few months away at the very least, and it will have a longer five-door variant soon after. With more BMW influence in its interior and engine bay, the MINI looks to be growing up both in size and character. We just hope it’ll still have enough MINI in it to attract those wearing miniskirts rather than power suits.

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As everyone is busy picking up their jaws off the floor at the sight of the new W222 S-Class, here’s a preview of its two-door cousin, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. This is essentially the new CL-Class but with a new name, following the trend set by the C and E-Class Coupes.

Our European lensmen CarPix took these photos of the car undergoing tests with is sleek new profile in full display. The shoulder line looks unusually high, leaving just a sliver of room for the glasshouse. Expect the deep sides panels to carry complex curves seen on S-Class.

While the front end looks to be a copy of the sedan bar the addition of a centre-mounted star, the rear appears to be a completely unique design. The light clusters are set in a horizontal orientation, unlike the sedan’s vertical units.

Traditionally the S-Class-based coupe is offered exclusively with the sedan’s top V8 and V12 engines, i.e. S 500 and S 600, plus more hardcore S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG models. In any case, this will be more of a boulevardier than a track weapon; a cruiser not a bruiser if you must. There’s always the SLS AMG GT if you find this too blunt for your taste.

Technology wise, expect it to have all the fancy bits from the sedan, dressed in a more coupe-appropriate interior. We’ll likely have to wait till the Geneva Motor Show next year to see the new S-Class Coupe in full, sparing the Bentley Continental GT of misery for a few more months.

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My my, what a surprise – our spy photographers CarPix have snapped the upcoming BMW M235i Coupe almost completely undisguised, save for a bit of black cloth covering the rear. Looking at the amount of people as well as the jig arms around this red M235i, I’d say there was some kind of photography or videography session going on.

Even though the 2-Series range will replace the 1-Series Coupe and Convertible, the new 2-Series looks like it shares nothing in common with the new 1-Series on the exterior. This is not a 1-Series with a boot – the headlamps are slimmer, and the front end is sharper. It does share a similar interior with the 1-Series though, as we’ve seen in a previous spyshot.

This is the top of the range BMW M Performance M235i version of the car, which will share what’s under the hood of the M135i, a 320 horsepower version of BMW’s turbocharged 3.0 litre 6-cylinder N55 engine. You can spot the blue-painted big calipers behind the spokes of the M alloys.

It’s turning out to be a good looking car. We also notice it’s missing some of the latest BMW design elements such as that feature where the exposed sides of the kidney grilles meet the headlamps. There’s a little M badge on the fender instead of an air vent as seen on the 4-Series and the 3-Series GT.

If they’re already taking professional shots of what looks like a production car, the launch must be just around the corner.

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Here are some good hi-res spyshots from reader Daniel Tay, who spotted this mystery car clad in black tape in Melaka. It’s a big sedan, which he thought was the new Honda Accord, but upon closer inspection, we can reveal that it’s the new Nissan Teana testing in Malaysia. Here’s why.

In July 2012, Nissan unveiled the 2013 Nissan Altima for the North American market, before the L33 appeared as the new Nissan Teana in China earlier this year. This means that Nissan is streamlining its D-segment offerings into one “world car,” but with different trim and powertrains for different markets.

Paul then got up close and personal with the Altima/Teana at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show, and you can see the live gallery here.

Compared to the showcar from Seoul, this test mule wears the same wheel design, and the general shape of the disguised car, including the outline of the rear lamp cluster and boot, are similar too.

Another clue is from the sole interior shot here – it shows the top part of the centre stack, which has a “tiered” surface. Conveniently, there’s a current Teana “clearing the way” for the car in black.

Besides the design, which is more dynamic now with cues from the new Sylphy, the new Teana is powered by a QR25DE 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine, not the VQ series V6 in today’s car. It’s Nissan, so expect a smooth CVT doing transmission duties.

This sighting comes very soon after the Teana’s launch in China. Is Tan Chong already preparing the groundwork for local assembly of the D-segment sedan? Click here to see a live gallery of the new Teana and here for official videos and studio shots.

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It’s been a long time coming, but come it will. Tomorrow, in fact. We’re of course talking about the long-overdue arrival of the new Isuzu D-Max on Malaysian shores. But before we get the full details, here’s another short peek at it through reader Ibrahim Ismail’s camera.

We’ve already seen plenty of the second-generation D-Max, first in the JPJ carpark back in March, then on public roads a month later. Just two weeks ago ads of the new pick-up sprouted on our sister auto classifieds site oto.my. This final round of spyshots gives us the best view of the local car yet.

The vehicle above looks to be the top-spec variant with its large wheels, chromed wing mirrors, fog lamps, roof rails and sports bar, though what’s underneath the hood is still unknown. It’s either a 3.0 litre turbodiesel engine with 177 hp, 380 Nm or a 2.5 litre VGS lump with 136 hp and 320 Nm. There’s also a base iTEQ 2.5 in 116 hp/280 Nm tune but that’s more likely to feature in lower variants.

That’s enough for now we think. Stay tuned for our comprehensive launch report with full details and complete live gallery tomorrow night.

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It looks like it’s going to be a double Subaru blast from Motor Image in the not-too-distant future. The Subaru BRZ and new fourth-gen Forester have been spotted undergoing evaluation at JPJ Putrajaya – reader Harfizi Abu Hassan sent in this snap of the twinkly twosome together.

Ads for both the BRZ and Forester have of course popped up on oto.my, with that for the BRZ listing a RM239,800 price tag, and that for the Forester touting an indicative retail price of RM198,800, as well as pre-owned price of RM178,800 and a pre-launch price of RM189,800. As always with ads, the actual pricing might be different than that stated early on.

The arrival of the Forester comes not too long after its regional launch in Taiwan, back in December. Meanwhile, the introduction of the BRZ is more than well due – we were told back in 2011 that the car would be set for Q2/Q3 2012, and during a first impressions drive in Singapore in April last year this was pushed to Q4. Looks like this is it then.

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Last week we showed you patent filings of what was thought to be the coupe version of the Jaguar F-Type; a Jaguar spokesman has since told Autocar UK that they were from 2011, depicting the C-X16 concept instead.

But the 2011 Frankfurt show debutant is meant to strongly preview the production F-Type Coupe, and now with these spyshots from our European spies, you can be the judge of how much has been carried over in terms of looks.

Getting these shots weren’t easy – according to CarPix, owing to the many security guys in the area, the photographer had to hide in the boot of his SUV and shoot through its tinted windows!

Expected to surface next year, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe could be powered by the same engines as its drop-top sister, i.e. a V6 with two power outputs and one V8, all supercharged. It has also been reported that hot R and R-S variants of the Jaguar F-Type are likely to happen, although when these will arrive is still unknown.

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BMW’s Concept Active Tourer will go into production as BMW’s first front wheel drive car, and here’s a spy video of a disguised test unit being tested on the Nurburgring. The car will be called the BMW 1-Series GT, and it will compete against cars like the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Ford C-MAX and the VW Golf Plus.

So far the production car shape looks to be sticking pretty true to the concept. Because of the front wheel drive architecture, the BMW 1-Series GT will have better interior space compared to other similiarly sized BMWs. The new front wheel drive platform will be shared with next generation MINI cars.

The post SPY VIDEO: BMW 1-Series GT on test at the ‘Ring appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

It looks like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is very close to its launch date, with Lucaz Koh sighting these trailers ferrying a load of A-Class and B-Class on the KESAS Highway.

There are two different variants of the A-Class to be seen here on the trailer – the black car at the back of the top deck of the trailer above is most likely the A200. Curiously it sports a different alloy wheel design compared to the red A200 that we saw at JPJ Putrajaya. These new alloys look more interesting than the ones on the JPJ unit though, so it’s probably a good thing.

The silver A-Class at the rear of the top deck of this trailer is the A250 Sport, which has a more powerful 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder mill compared to the 1.6 litre in the A200.

Other than the sportier-looking bodykit, it also has a different alloy wheel design, which is identical to the sole A250 that we saw on a transporter earlier. Click here for indicative pricing based on classifieds ads that have been published so far, but keep in mind that actual launch pricing may differ.

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Mazda is on a roll these days. The new Mazda6 and CX-5 are both in contention for class supremacy. Even the aging Mazda3, despite its lack of dynamic ability compared to more contemporary European rivals, is much loved among the online community, though less so the buying crowd. A brand new 3 is imminent however, and we have an early scoop!

These photos, supplied by our European spyshots regular CarPix, reveal the car in its entirety months before it’s expected to debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September. There’s camouflage abounds but there’s more than enough detail in these pictures to work out the new Mazda3’s final shape.

As expected, it takes heavy cues from the Mazda6, as it’s penned around same Kodo design language. Mazda was even kind enough to have the larger car follow the test mule around for easy comparison.

Don’t be fooled by the white tapes; the grille is shapely and upright, much like the Mazda6’s. The far edges of the opening, likely to be chromed in production trim, elegantly connect to the bulging headlights. The side profile has a more modern hatchback shape, with tapered down window lines neatly matched by a sloping rear hatch.

One shot also shows the next Mazda3’s dashboard with minimal disguise. Again, much is shared with the Mazda6 and CX-5 but as it’s bound to carry a lighter pricetag, that’s hardly a complaint. The instrument cluster is entirely new though, as is the freestanding LCD screen on the dash top.

The Mazda3 will be launched in European-friendly hatchback form first, with a sedan variant to follow at a later date. No technical details as of yet, but you’ll know more when we do. Like what you see so far?

The post SPIED: Next-gen Mazda3 looking good inside and out appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

The E70 BMW X5 M and it’s sibling the X6 M were BMW’s first M SUVs, and the X5 M nameplate will continue with the new generation F15 X5.

These spyshots snapped by our European spy photographers show the X5 M with less disguise on, and you can see that behind the big black wheels, the X5 M is showing off it’s big M calipers which are painted blue on this car, paired with large brake discs which are now cross-drilled.

We expect the 4.4 litre twin turbo M motor to continue with this car, but the question is what transmission? The X5 M and X6 M used a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission, while the same engine in the M5 and M6 was paired to an M DCT twin clutch transmission. Will the 6-speed auto continue, or will an 8-speed auto or the M DCT be used?

The post F15 BMW X5 M SUV sighted with less disguise appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Here’s yet another sighting of the soon to be launched Proton Preve Hatchback. However, this time around we get to see the P3-22A doing some high speed runs on the NKVE, plus a bonus video of it in action, thanks to alert reader Farhan Akmal.

As a recap, the previous sighting was by our colleague William in Damansara last week, showing a group test with multiple units racking up urban miles together. One of the mules wore smaller steel wheels instead of the big alloys on today’s car – a hint that there will be multiple specs on offer.

You’ve seen the test mules before – in January, on the 6th, 10th, 16th and 28th – so this sighting reveals nothing new, just another sign that the P3-22A is coming soon. No one knows exactly how soon though, so in the meantime, have a look at Theophilus Chin’s renderings here.

The post VIDEO: Proton Preve Hatchback doing highway runs appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

We’ve already seen the BMW 2-Series Coupe a couple of times, but with the weather in Munich warming up now it’s time to bring out the convertibles! Here’s the new BMW 2-Series Convertible on test, a new model in the 2-Series family which will replace the old 1-Series Convertible.

Unlike the new 4-Series Convertible which uses a hard top, the 2-Series continues with the soft top design of its predecessor. It looks like there will be greater design differentiation between the new 1-Series and 2-Series now – the headlamps on the 2-Series look much slimmer and sleeker than the big eyed look of the new 1-Series.

The post BMW 2-Series Convertible spied with the top down appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Land Rover isn’t just adding smaller models to their series of Range Rover luxury SUVs, it appears they’re also adding bigger models, undoubtedly driven by China’s appetite for long wheelbase models. With the new Range Rover now being up to a massive 350kg lighter model for model, it opens up room for the platform to be enlarged for an even bigger interior room.

Pictured here is a long wheelbase version of the Range Rover, wearing heavy disguise. You can see the difference – thanks to the extended wheelbase, the rear door is longer – the easiest way to observe how much longer is to just measure the length of the top line of the rear window in the comparison picture above.

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We’ve seen spyshots of the regular BMW 4-Series Coupe as well as the BMW 4-Series Coupe M Sport before on this website, but today our European spy photographers have snapped the top dog of the 4-Series range – the BMW M4 Coupe.

The formula looks the same – big thin-spoke wheels that showcase large cross-drilled high performance brakes, an aggressive front bumper with an upside down V shaped air intake, quad exhausts at the rear, wider wheel arches compared to the regular 4, and a small hump on the hood. A quick peek inside the headlamps also reveal LED light sources rather than xenon proejctors.

What’s going to be completely new is what’s under the hood – many have spoken of reverting to 6 cylinder power for the new BMW M4, with turbocharging added to the mix. The question is how many turbos, and what new trickery will BMW introduce to their M motors?

We’ll definitely miss the high revving 4.0 litre V8 for sure.

The post SPYSHOTS: BMW M4 Coupe on test at the ‘Ring appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

The BMW 2-Series Coupe has been sighted again, this time on the Nurburging. The unit being tested looks pretty similiar to the unit that was photographed the last time we featured the BMW 2-Series, in which we got a peek at the interior as well, which proved to be pretty much similiar to the 1-Series.

These race track shots snapped from a distance allow us a better view of the shape of the 2-Series, while the previous set was more close-up. The twin exhausts on the rear, the bumper shape and the wheels indicate these red and blue cars are most likely 235i M Sport coupes. The 2-Series Coupe will replace the 1-Series Coupe in the BMW line-up.

The post SPYSHOTS: BMW 2-Series 235i on the Nurburgring appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

We’ve already seen the next generation W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class stark naked without any exterior disguise once before. That particular unit was finished in sleek grey paint, which showed off the character lines of the car very nicely. This time our European spy photographers bring you a white W222, with minor disguise on the front and rear.

There’s a lot more variety of angles in this photo set, which allows you to judge the proportions and shape of the car a lot better. This white car also wears a different alloy wheel design, though the bumpers and grille are the same design. You can refer to the previous set of the grey car for details like the headlamps and taillamp, which are disguised on this white car.

Word is that the new S-Class will be unveiled at a special event in Hamburg in about a month’s time. The launch must be very close as Mercedes-Benz has already unveiled a few studio shots of the W222 interior.

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We have these pics of a mystery truck, thanks to reader Ahmad Afifi who saw the black pick-up roaming in Taman Subang Mas in Shah Alam. After some cross checking, we think it’s the new Isuzu D-Max, which was recently spotted in JPJ’s carpark.

The new D-Max is not so new over in neighbouring Thailand, where it has been around since September 2011. Sitting on a canggih sounding Isuzu Gravity Responsive Intelligent Platform (i-GRIP) platform, the truck is available with a choice of three turbodiesel engines in the Land of Smiles.

A 177 hp and 380 Nm 3.0 litre heads the list there, above the iTEQ 2.5 litre in two output tunes, 116 hp/280 Nm and a VGS version with 136 hp and 320 Nm. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual and five-speed auto. Also sold in the Kingdom is a kitted-up range called the D-Max X-Series as seen at the Thai Motor Expo last year.

Click here to view last month’s set of undisguised spyshots from the JPJ carpark. It’s about time, Isuzu!

The post SPIED: Mystery truck, are you the new Isuzu D-Max? appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Here are some fresh spyshots of the Proton Preve Hatchback, captured by our colleague William in Damansara. Like the previous set we showed you last month, this isn’t a solo sighting, but a group test with multiple units racking up the miles together. There’s also a mule wearing smaller steel wheels instead of the usual big alloys – a hint that there will be multiple specs on offer.

You’ve seen the test mules before – in January, on the 6th, 10th, 16th and 28th – so this photo set reveals nothing new, just another sign that the P3-22A is coming soon.

No one knows when exactly, so in the meantime, have a look at Theophilus Chin’s renderings here.

The post SPIED: Proton Preve Hatchback testing in Damansara appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Other than the Coupe and the GranCoupe body styles which we have already featured before, the BMW 4 Series will also get an F33 convertible body, which will replace the E93 3 Series Cabriolet. These spyshots by our European spy photographers show us that the 4 Series Cabriolet will continue with a hard top roof, and the overall treatment of the roofline is pretty similar to the E93 Cabriolet.

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We’ve already seen a fully undisguised regular BMW 4 Series Coupe when it was photographed in the US back in March 2013. Now our spy photographers are back with something different.

These two cars that have been sighted on test in the Nurburging are wearing the M Sport package, with some of that funky camouflage put back on. It’s definitely not an M4 because of the right side up V shape of the front bumper (M cars typically have an inverted V shaped main intake), the lack of wide body or quad exhausts, and the diffuser-less rear end.

We might be wrong, but the headlamps of the grey car also look like low spec version with halogen-powered reflector lenses instead of xenon projectors. The configuration of the tail pipes at the rear of the grey car which show two small pipes on one side of the car indicate a four cylinder engine, unlike the design on the blue car which showed a tail pipe on each side of the bumper, which is likely a 435i.

The post BMW 4 Series with M Sport pack on the ‘Ring appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

It looks like we’re scrambling all of BMW’s deepest and darkest secrets this week. This new set of photos show the BMW i8 hybrid supercar in near-production trim pounding the Nurburgring getting ready for its big unveiling alongside the i3 citycar later this year – the Frankfurt Motor Show in September seems the likely target.

Our European spyshot specialist CarPix has delivered a fantastic set of photos here, revealing much of the production car’s fine points. It’s no surprise that a lot of the original i8 Concept‘s wild elements have been toned down for production – you didn’t think the glass doors were for real, did you? – but there’s no denying that BMW’s attempt at making an eco-friendly supercar is dressed to impress.

From the looks of it, the i8 has spent far more time in the wind tunnel than it has doing track evaluations, as much of the car’s design elements are dictated by aerodynamics. It’s as sleek and wind-cheating as it can be, for the benefit of both efficiency and performance. Note the blanked-off grille, various turning vanes between the wheels and the flying buttresses above the rear lights.

Word is there’s a highly-tuned turbocharged three-cylinder engine running the rear wheels with a powerful electric motor driving the front. 0-100 km/h should be done in less than five seconds, with economy figures that would impress a Prius owner. As for the BMW i8′s price, think more Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG rather than the Audi R8.

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We know what you’re wondering: haven’t the new Range Rover Sport been unveiled at the New York Auto Show already? What’s this one doing all taped up then? That got us thinking too.

A closer look at the lower bumper reveals that this test vehicle is running a different set of air intakes compared to the standard car’s. It’s bigger, deeper, more squared-off and subtly more aggressive, which leads us to believe that there’s a hotter version of the Range Rover Sport underneath that camo.

The RR Sport’s top 5.0 V8 Supercharged variant already offers 510 hp so it seems silly to think that it may need more performance. But don’t forget that Jaguar Land Rover already has a more potent version of the same engine, tuned to 550 hp, that’s used by its ETO (Engineered To Order) division.

ETO has been responsible for exclusive JLR models such as the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate, Jaguar XKR-S and the GT, XJ Ultimate and the XFR-S. Each offers additional luxury, performance and capability, exploring different facets of the brands’ personalities. Looks like the Range Rover Sport will be getting the same treatment.

The post SPIED: Is a hotter Range Rover Sport in the works? appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Remember the stunning Subaru WRX Concept from the recent 2013 New York Auto Show? That car previews the next-gen Subaru Impreza WRX (could be just called WRX), but running test mules have been spotted testing on the world’s most famous circuit, the Nurburgring.

As expected, the disguised test mule here looks less dramatic than the NYC concept car. That new hexagonal grille is present, as is the must-have WRX hood scoop, but the concept’s showy “hawk eye” headlamps and foglamps have been toned down for production. The rear end follows the trend – conventional tail lamp clusters have been ordered.

What it does have over the WRX Concept is a traditional big spoiler, handle-style. Look closely at the grille, and you’ll find a taped-up emblem on the bottom right corner. While the concept car had a WRX badge here, the outline of the italicised emblem here leads us to believe it’s an STI logo underneath.

It’s clear that this car’s stance is more athletic than before. The concept is 4,521 mm long, about the same length as the current WRX STI sedan, although it’s nearly 100 mm wider at 1,889 mm and much lower than today’s car (1,389 mm v 1,470 mm).

Looks like the next chapter in the WRX STI story will be coming soon. Click here for more pics of the WRX Concept and here to watch a video of it.

The post SPYSHOTS: Subaru Impreza WRX STI at the ‘Ring appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

As the BMW 4 Series is to the 3, the 2 is to the 1 – under Munich’s new naming convention, all coupes are to be even-numbered; so the 2 Series family will effectively replace the coupe versions of the 1 Series, with Convertible and Gran Coupe versions also likely.

The 2 Series Coupe is expected to launch sometime this year and the Convertible next year, while the 1 Series will continue in hatchback form. It’s rumoured that the 1 Series may switch to FWD in the future, giving BMW room to price the 2 Series higher.

The car you see in these spyshots, courtesy of CarPix, could well be the hot M235i, which reportedly began production late last year at BMW’s Leipzig facility. Indications include the aggressive lower front bumper, M Sport steering wheel, twin tailpipes, boot lid spoiler as well as the same kind of wheels worn by the M135i.

Click to enlarge

At its heart is the same 320 hp/450 Nm 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six, and transmission should be taken care of by an eight-speed auto. This one, though, has a six-speed manual gearbox. 18-inch alloys shod in 255/40 front and 245/35 rear tires are also said to be offered.

The BMW 2 Series should carry over the 1 Series’ four-cylinder engines, including a 2.0 litre petrol in 150 hp, 177 hp and 218 hp guises. A 214 hp 2.0 litre turbodiesel is also said to be on the menu, while xDrive could be available as an optional extra.

The post SPYSHOTS: BMW 2 Series Coupe, including interior appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Here are the first shots of a completely undisguised next-generation W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class on winter testing in northern Scandinavia.

The W205 C-Class is probably very close to production now since it’s been spotted completely undisguised, and perhaps Mercedes-Benz thought the car would be safe from the prying eyes of our European spy photographers, but a super telephoto lens, perfect timing and a perfect position provided the opportunity for these shots.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class could make its motorshow debut sometime towards the end of this year or early 2014. An additional photo in this set (shown below) shows the layout of the front lamps which mimic the new W222 S-Class and the recently facelifted W212 E-Class.

As far as our market is concerned, for engine options we’re expecting the new 2.0 litre turbo CGI engines in the E-Class facelift to power the new C-Class replacing the old 1.8 litre CGI units.

We might also see a C-Class Hybrid be made available for the first time, though it’s unclear if it will make it’s way to Malaysia with an attractive price tag due to uncertainties whether hybrid tax incentives will be continued past the end of this year.

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We’ve shown you spyshots of the facelifted F10 BMW 5 Series in both standard and M-Sport forms. Even the F07 GT hatchback didn’t escape our lenses. Now comes the turn of the ultimate 5 Series, the BMW M5 facelift to be scooped by our European spyshot supplier.

A large portion of the front fascia is covered, but only the lights and grille are new. The headlamps now feature BMW’s latest flat-bottomed Corona Rings and they also appear to be full-LED units, which are expected to be an optional extra on the updated F10 range. The rear lights have updated graphics too.

The new kidney grille is interesting. It gets new M-specific ‘double-line’ vertical elements bearing the M5 badge, both of which debuted on the latest M6. The rest of the car, both front and back, look identical to the current model, which isn’t uncharacteristic of M-car facelifts.

No pictures of the interior just yet, but expect it to sport the sleeker steering wheel with thinner spokes first seen on the M6. Mechanically, well, with 560 hp from its 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 it doesn’t need any more power now does it?

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Here’s a first sighting of the upcoming facelift for Audi’s flagship A8 sedan, brought to you by our usual European spy photographers. The Audi A8 facelift is mostly camo-ed with black and white camo tape but we can see that there’s a new tail lamp design with new internal graphics.

Along with other more minor changes, the front grille has also been revamped, now featuring a 7 bar design – the bars look thicker as well. We’re expecting the Audi A8 facelift to debut in 2014.

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