Car Sport 2011: Scoops

Showing posts with label Scoops. Show all posts

10/26/10

Busted: 2011 Toyota Prius MPV Picture is an Older Photoshop

Not that we expect the actual production version of the upcoming 2011 Toyota Prius MPV (or whatever else the Japanese maker names the hybrid minivan) to look any more exciting than the vehicle shown in the black-and-white picture above, but just to set things straight, what you see here is an older photoshop created by Japan's Best Car magazine and not the real deal as some hastily baptized. Proof seekers may follow the jump for color shots from the magazine.

We'll just remind you that Toyota has confirmed that the world premiere of the Prius minivan will take place at the 2011 Detroit motor show in mid-January, with sales to follow either towards the end of the same year or in early 2012.

Photoshop: Best Car , Via: Autoblog.it

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2012 Toyota Yaris / Vitz Mini Site Launched in Japan, but Leaked Brochure Shots Reveal All

Toyota is getting ready to present a new generation of its Japanese domestic market Vitz supermini, which we will come to know (with a few changes here and there) as the 2012 Yaris.

For this reason, Toyota launched a mini site teasing the new car through some cropped images and text, which unfortunately, is in Japanese - any help with the translation would be appreciated. From what we understand, the new Vitz / Yaris will either be unveiled or is planned to go on sale in Japan, in December

The teaser shots on the site match the leaked brochure images of the JDM car that have been making the internet rounds these past few days. The catalog pictures reveal a more aggressive and edgier styling language for the new Yaris, while we also learn that the car is 100mm longer in total length and 20 mm shorter in height, compared to the current model. It also gets a 50mm stretch in wheelbase, which should improve interior space.

We'll keep an eye out for any new information and pass it on as it comes.

Link: Toyota Mini Site , Brochure Shots: Minkara & Lo Vitz

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2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible Snapped Without Camouflage?

Those quick fingered camera jockeys over at Motor-Talk.de have got what appears to be an undisguised 2012 BMW 6-series convertible. This could be our first look at the new convertible, which is set to go on sale next year, au natural.

Soon after, the Photoshop magicians over at Autobild cleaned up the picture, taking out the cameraman and other foreground obstructions and removing some of the grainy-ness.

It has to be said, this picture looks very close to the artist's impression by e90post forum member 'Alpince325ci', even down to the shape of the bootlid. Well done, sir.

The 6-series Convertible will the most expensive drop top in BMW's lineup, slotting in above the cheaper 3-series convertible and Z4 roadseter. Oddly, it still retains its fabric top, something the current-gen 3-series and Z4 have done away with. Carscoop will have more details and pictures as they come through.

By Tristan Hankins

Sources: Motor Talk, e90post and Autobild

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2012 Lamborghini Jota / Murcielago: New Spy Photos and Video

We've got another round of spy pictures as well a video of Lamborghini's upcoming Murcielago replacement. Sant'Agata's new hypercar, which has yet to be given an official name (although some sources suggest it will be called Jota), is planned to debut at next year's Geneva Salon.

From what we can tell by looking at the scoop photos and videos, Lamborghini's design team will stick to the 'wedgy' styling language that has been a hallmark of the firm's supercars ever since the introduction of the Countach in the 1970s.

The new hypercar will be the Italian company's first production model to make use of the lightweight carbon fiber materials showcased on the Paris Motor Show Sesto Elemento concept model. Sources claim the baddest Lambo in the range may be as much as 150kg or 330 pounds lighter than today's Murcielago.

We're not sure how much higher Lamborghini can go, but the word on the streets is that the Italian firm's flagship supercar will also be fitted with a more powerful V12 engine than on the current 670HP Murcielago LP 670-4 featuring all the latest technological advancements including direct-injection. An updated all-wheel drive system will also be on the menu.

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2012 VW New Beetle Caught Testing, will get 2.0T and Possible Hybrid

Before you are spy pictures of an all-new second-generation New Beetle. While the test mule appears to still be wearing the current model's nose and rear, the big news here is the appearance of the less "cute" and more "masculine" roof line that seems to be part Beetle and part stubby Chrysler Crossfire or Porsche 356; take your pick.

Volkswagen hopes the larger and lower-slung Beetle, which should get at least a few cues from the Ragster concept, will make the retro compact more appealing for the style- and space-conscious (and men, too, we hear).

Also, the actual production front and rear fascias will likely be more chiseled in order to be closer related to VW's current design language.

Other than the brand new design, power trains should be similar to Volkswagen's Golf/Jetta lineup. That means an entry-level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder, and 210-horsepower-strong 2.0-liter turbo engine in the States. For other markets, the Beetle will also appear with a variety of smaller gasoline mills as well as some TDI diesel units.

We should have more info and pics as we get closer to the Beetle's debut (right now, that's anywhere from L.A. in November, Detroit in January, or Geneva in March). That's also when we should be getting some information on any Cabrio, hybrid, Turbo S, and 4Motion variants.

By Phil Alex

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New Toyota Prius MPV Plays Hide and Seek on Billboard

Just before the grand opening of the Paris Motor Show at the end of September, we brought you the first spy pictures of the Prius minivan (or MPV), which was snagged in California by Carscoop reader Nick K.

Since then, Toyota not only confirmed the car at a dealer conference in Las Vegas last week, but the Japanese automaker also put up this billboard that shows the Prius MPV hiding behind the current Prius liftback with the tagline "The Prius family is getting a whole lot bigger." The billboard picture was uploaded on the company's dedicated Toyota Prius Facebook page.

According to Autonews, Toyota execs told dealers at the Las Vegas conference that the minivan version of the Prius will be joined by a smaller Prius-badged hybrid model, with both cars scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. by 2013.

The report added that within the next 18 months, Toyota / Scion dealers will also see a redesigned Camry, the Scion iQ minicar and the production version of the FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports car making their way into showrooms.

Via: Autoblog , Facebook & Autonews (sub. req)