Autoblog

The styling of the new Mazda3 is generally pretty good, with one notable and extremely controversial element: that happy-go-lucky smiling face. Still, we've yet to get an official uncovered glimpse of the upcoming 5-door hatch, so there may still be some surprises up Mazda's sleeve. Today we discovered the odd batch of "official spy shots" straight from the horse's mouth, Mazda that is. They show the upcoming hatchback as it sheepishly plays peek-a-boo with its sedan sibling through some beautiful European scenery. From what we can tell, that blissfully chipper visage is alive and well on the 5-door. The rest of the details, unfortunately, are still pretty obscured by all that effective black vinyl clothing.

When it finally is debuted at the 2008 Bologna Motorshow in Italy next month, the hatch's engine options should basically mirror those of the sedan's, which means the U.S. will initially get both a 148-horsepower 2.0L and a larger 167-horse 2.5L version of the MZR four cylinder engine. Could a Mazdaspeed3 be far behind?


[Source: Mazda Via Carscoop]

Take one Audi R8, add a pinch of Satan's dandruff (it's potent stuff) and you get this: the R8 GT3. Spy photographers have caught this racing version of Audi's R8 supercar, which itself is named after the very successful diesel-powered R8 LeMans racer, circling the famed Nurburgring in Germany. As you can see in our gallery below, it looks all business with a Boeing-sized rear wing out back and asphalt-scraping carbon fiber splitter up front. Other mods made for racing include the large vent in the "hood" behind the grille, larger air scoops in the blades behind the doors, a plexiglass rear window and significantly wider track both front and rear. Our sources tell us that the suspension is supposedly entirely stock and the quattro all-wheel-drive system has been ditched in favor of rear-wheel-drive to meet current FIA GT3 regulations. As for the engine, the 4.2L V8 has supposedly been tweaked to produce 500 horsepower (up from 420). For all its wings, vents and fender flares, this R8 GT3 prototype reportedly only managed to lap the 'Ring in 8:41.00 due to slippery-when-wet conditions. Pay attention folks, as this is the turn-key racing R8 that Audi will soon unleash on teams who wish to crash the GT3 class in style.


[Source: KGP Photography]

The redesigned 2010 Nissan Cube will be unveiled in the U.S. tomorrow at the LA Auto Show, but Nissan's boxy little wagon is already making its way to Japanese showrooms, as evidenced by these shots of a transporter loaded with them. What you see here is what you'll see in LA tomorrow, only with one major difference: we'll get a reversed version of the car's asymmetrical layout. Stay tuned.


[Source: Newcar-News via TTAC, Motive]

Development work continues on the new "entry-level" model inbound from Rolls Royce dubbed the RR4. By "entry level" we mean that the new RR4 will cost a cool $100,000 less than the Phantom, which means we should expect a price tag in the $250,000 - $280,000 range.

Spy photographers from KGP have caught a development mule out testing and brought back the first pictures of the RR4's interior. Wood inlay can be seen on the center console and dash, which should be expected for any car costing more than your house. Also snapped were the iDrive-like controller, which we assume will use a reskinned version of the new iDrive system from the 7 Series with a few Rolls-specific tweaks, and the RR4's new steering wheel that features some interestingly integrated switchgear. The RR4 will actually ride on a version of the 2009 BMW 7 Series platform, but don't expect much parts bin sharing between the two in order to keep the Rolls as pure as possible.

The RR4 will be aimed squarely at the Bentley Continental Flying Spur and may also spawn a coupe and convertible to compete directly with the Continental GT and GTC, respectively. We expect our first peek at the production version around the time of the Geneva Motor Show in early 2009.


[Source: KGP Photography]

The new Mercedes-Benz SLC Gullwing supercar has been caught again, and this time, spy photogs have captured what's on the inside. A few grainy shots have surfaced (that look more like magazine scans) showing the dash and console utilizing components pulled straight from the Mercedes-Benz parts bin. The COMMAND knob joins a steering wheel similar to the unit fitted to the AMG SL63, with a flat bottom, three spokes and directional control buttons. The HVAC controls and headlight switch look very M-B too, even if the new supercar won't end up badged a Benz. Rumors hint that the vehicle might simply be badged as an AMG.

As a successor to the SLR McLaren, the SLC is expected to be powered by an AMG 6.2L V8 producing upwards of 550 hp and will share similar proportions to the Ferrari F430. Project C197, as the Gullwing SLC is internally known, is expected to make its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, with a cloth-roofed convertible R197 version to follow a year later. While much of this could change between now and then, one thing seems certain, the car will be a true successor to the iconic Gullwing, at least in terms of the doors.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi made it clear last March that the baby R8 was dead. Despite numerous rumors that Audi would get its own version of the upcoming Porsche Boxster/Cayman replacement, the decision was made to nix plans to create the mid-engine Audi R4 over fears that it would cannibalize sales from its Porsche-badged brethren. An Audi spokesperson went so far as to say that, "It was never in our product planning." Well, AutoExpress is reporting that tales of the R4's demise have been a bit premature.

Apparently the new mid-engined R4 is a go. It will occupy a slot in the Audi lineup above the TT and below the R8, with prices starting around £35,000. Like the R8 it will be a two-seater only, available as either a coupe or roadster. AutoExpress even has an image of the car showing a strong familial resemblance to the big-brother R8. To distinguish it from its Porsche siblings, the Audi is said to be getting Quattro AWD and aluminum construction. Powerplants should include the full range of TFSI engines, from the 2.0L turbo, all the way up to the new supercharged and turbocharged 335-hp 2.5L five-cylinder from the TT RS. A high-performance diesel and a gas V6 are also said to be in the mix. Expect a traditional six-speed manual as standard and a seven-speed, S-tronic twin-clutch, semi-automatic as an option.

The R4 won't appear until 2011 at the earliest, allowing Porsche time to launch the Boxster/Cayman first. If that's not enough good news for Audi fans, AE is also reporting that the company is planning an R6 to go head-to-head with the Jag E-Type replacement as well as the Porsche 911. The R10 has also been green-lit, giving Audi a full range of R-badged sports cars for just about any budget. However, AE failed to mention anything about the supposed R3 and its Volkswagen counterpart.

[Source: AutoExpress]

AutoObserver is showing pics of a face-lifted Lincoln MKZ prototype that looks to be taking on more of a familial facade. With the relative (very relative) success of the new MKS flagship, Lincoln has apparently decided that grafting the MKS mug onto the mid-size MKZ can only help, as well. Not that the old nose really needed rhinoplasty, but the entry-level luxury sedan would look out of place lacking the brand's new "Winged Grille" that debuted on the MKS and will also be seen on the upcoming MKT three-row crossover. We don't know if a new grille is going to do the trick on its own, though we expect the MKZ to also benefit from the same across the board engine updates as the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, sans a hybrid version. All three vehicles will be unveiled at the 2008 LA Auto Show next week, and we'll be sure to bring shots from the show floor.

[Source: AutoObserver]

After a year of renderings, rumors and spy shots, Nissan finally provided an official glimpse of the new 370Z. Unfortunately, the only images released were a few computer-generated stills and a handful of screen captures from the next Need for Speed game. Now, we've gotten our hands on the first live pics of the Nissan 370Z, captured at an undisclosed event ahead of its reveal at the LA Auto Show later this month.

While the CG images give us a general idea of the shapes employed on the new Z, it's not until you lay eyes on a few live shots (or better yet, see it in person) to let the details sink in. The new head and taillight treatments are sure to be divisive, but the new 3.7-liter V6 – rumored to put out around 330 hp – can't be argued with. Thanks for the tip, Matt!


[Source: the370.com via 370Ztech.com]

If this is what the next E-Class is really going to look like, we think we prefer the lightly camo'ed prototype better. Still not exactly a beautiful proposition, it could just be that the car looks better in silver and black than it does in purple. If that's the final grille, it loses a crossbar from the current E-Class. And frankly, we wouldn't mind seeing it with that whopping emblem on the new C-Class front and center for some aggression. This could be a car where wheel choice -- and AMG package -- make all the difference. Not that it matters much, because it's an E-Class. It's going to sell like crazy no matter what.

[Source: Global Motors]

Ford's agonizingly slow reveal of the 2010 Mustang continues today with the fourth last teaser image revealed to be the lower part of the center console and full view of the gear shift. The short shifter with the metal ball grip can be seen rising from its leather boot in a chrome-trimmed rectangular recess, while buttons for the trunk release, traction control and hazard lights are embedded close by. We also see the HVAC controls are situated at the bottom of the center stack (seat warmers, yay!) below the stereo controls. There are only three more locked slots left to reveal on Ford's mini-site for the 2010 Mustang before the car itself is revealed in full at the LA Auto Show next month. Spy shots have mostly given up the goods on both the new exterior and interior (see after the jump), but we still want to see the damn thing in person and some high-res glamour shots of its best angles. Stay tuned, they're coming.


[Source: Ford]