New Saab 9-5 SportCombi Spotted Strolling Out in the Open

Saab recently gave us our first taste of the new 9-5 SportCombi with the release of a single teaser photo, but today, Saabsunited member Djup Strupe spotted the station wagon model out in the open, apparently somewhere near the firm's headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden. The specific example is said to be an Aero TTiD model, which probably means it's powered by the same 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine found on the sedan version. The more practical and dare we say more Saab-ish version of the 9-5, which will also be known as the SportWagon in some markets, will receive its world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon before it arrives in dealerships this Fall.

Source: Saabsunited

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Artist's Rendition of 2013 Porsche Cajun Small SUV

It's no secret that Porsche is working on a new model to further expand its range in the SUV segment. In fact, the German sports car maker not only confirmed the vehicle but also announced that it is being developed under the working name "Cajun". Further details remain unknown including of course the Cajun's styling direction and whether or not it will be a three-door (most likely) or five-door model.

Nevertheless, Teamspeed member and rendering specialist Wild-Speed has come up with a styling proposal for the Cajun. The artist designed the crossover as a three-door model with a sloping roofline incorporating styling elements from the latest Cayenne, Panamera and the 918 Spyder (notice the head lamps). You can check out the renderings in high resolution after the jump.

Source: Teamspeed & Facebook/Wildspeed via Worldcarfans

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Smart Four-Seater Prototype Scale Model Scooped at R&D Facility

It's no secret that Mercedes-Benz plans to give its Smart brand one more chance to extend its vehicle range after the not so-successful Mitsubishi Colt-based Forfour and the Roadster series. Last April, the German automaker signed a deal with the Renault-Nissan Group, with the two parties announcing the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform to be used on the successor of the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

Now, one of our spy photographers managed to sneak close enough to the firm's R&D facilities in Germany and scoop these photos of a scale model of a five-door Smart. The prototype appears to be based on the next generation Fortwo with the engine mounted at the back, which would make sense since both vehicles will be based on the same architecture. The difference is the five door model features a longer wheelbase and a much taller roof to accommodate the rear passengers.

While there's no way of being sure if the model seen here is an early or an advanced prototype, it definitely gives us an idea of Smart's plans.

We'll post an update on Smart's forthcoming four-seater model as soon as we find new photos and/or details.

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Leaked Magazine Shots Overshadow Fourth Pagani C9 Video Teaser

Only a few hours after Pagani released the fourth teaser of the upcoming supercar codenamed C9 – and dubbed Huayra by an increasing number of sources –, a set of allegedly official magazine scans surfaced online. The pictures are said to be sourced from the upcoming February edition of the Spanish-language Car Magazine, featuring several shots of Horacio Pagani's new supercar.

There’s no way of telling if the photos are indeed real and not some skillfully done photoshops, but we have to say that the car shown is not what we expected. Sure, the gullwings are nice additions, but the rest is just a mild makeover of the Zonda, which in this case is a turn off.

According to the magazine, the new model will cost €1 million (US$1.36 million), while the annual production will be limited to just 20 units. Once again, we can’t confirm this, but the price sounds about right.

As for the teaser, it presents a sketch being drawn with Horacio Pagani himself providing the voiceover. “We wanted to give shape to the wind”, Mr. Pagani said. “And Huayra is our wind”. Only time will tell if that sketch has anything to do with the Zonda replacement and if it’ll be called Huayra after all.

By Csaba Daradics

Sources: Autoblog.es via WFC

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SCOOP: European Hyundai Veloster Coupe Shows its Face, will get 1.6-liter Turbo with 208HP

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know by now that Hyundai unveiled its Veloster coupe at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show. So, what's with the 'scoop' title of our post, we here you ask? Well, this here example is the European spec Veloster and it was caught undisguised by our spies in Germany ahead of its debut at the at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March.

The only visible styling changes over the North American model concern the use of clear indicators up front, all-red tail lamps at the back and the newly styled alloy wheels. Unfortunately, our spies couldn't get close enough to the prototype to snag the interior, but don't expect to see any significant modifications other than trim and color options.

Up until now, we were in the dark about the engine lineup of the European model. However, we just learned from an official source that the Veloster will be offered with two gasoline engines including a flagship turbocharged four banger.

The Veloster will launch in Europe with the same 1.6-liter direct-injection four-banger as the NA-spec model, producing 140-horsepower and 167 Nm of peak torque for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of under 10 seconds. Power is transferred to the front wheels through a standard six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional dual-clutch transmission.

Europeans will also get a Blue Edition version that pairs the 140-horse motor with a start-stop system and some additional fuel-saving features, which help drop CO2 levels from 138 g/km to 129 g/km.

The crown jewel of the Veloster lineup will be a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology and an output of 208-horsepower, allowing the car to complete the standard sprint in around 7 seconds. We don't know if or when Hyundai will offer this engine in North America.

The naturally aspirated models will go on sale in most European countries this April, with the UK following later in the year. The Veloster 1.6 Turbo will be added to the range in early 2012.

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SCOOP: New Opel Zafira Grows up but Doesn't get FlexDoors

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall are pushing ahead with the development of the next generation Zafira minivan, which was caught here testing by our scoop photographers. The new seven-seat model is expected to grow in dimensions offering improved passenger and luggage space. Unlike the latest Meriva that boasts a pair of suicide doors, the new Zafira will continue to use conventional rear doors.

The sleeker shape of Opel's newcomer can easily be seen beneath the harlequin camouflage, while the pictures suggest that the minivan takes styling cues from both the Insignia and new Astra, including the wing-shaped head lamps.

The interior design will also be more or less inspired by the Astra, while the car's flexibility is reported to have been improved by a revamped three-row flexible seating system providing independent seating for all seven passengers.

The new Zafira will use hardware from the Astra range, so expect a suite of turbocharged diesel and petrol engines, including more eco-friendly and frugal EcoFlex versions and possibly even a sporty OPC / VRX variant.

Look for the next generation of Opel's people mover to make its world premiere at a major international motor show this year with European sales to start in late 2011 or early 2012.

There's no official word about a North American variant, but given that the Zafira is essentially the minivan version of the Astra (which itself forms the base for the new Buick Verano), as well as the fact that Ford is preparing the U.S. launch of the Focus-based C-Max, we wouldn't completely rule out the possibility.

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2014 Cadillac ATS and ATS-V Spec Sheet Makes the Internet Rounds, but is it Real?

A supposedly official preliminary spec sheet of Cadillac's forthcoming new small luxury sedan surfaced on the internet today. We're not going to call it a leak just yet as we're not at all certain for its authenticity. That said, we'd advise you not to take anything you read on the paper after the jump for granted.

Labeled as the 2014 Cadillac ATS, the spec sheet says the Detroit firm's BMW 3-Series rival will be offered with three engine options including a 270HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-banger and a 330HP 3.6-liter V6 for the standard versions, and a 470HP 6.2-liter V8 for the M3-challenging ATS-V. The four-and six-cylinder models are said to be hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the flagship V8 comes with a 6-speed auto.

While we can't vouch for the numbers and data shown on the spec sheet, we can tell you that the ATS, or whatever else GM decides to name its new entry-level sedan, is expected to hit the market within the next two years.

Via: Cheers and Gears & Atsforums

VIDEO: Pagani Teases the Exterior of its Upcoming C9 Supercar

For the third week in a row, Pagani is teasing its upcoming C9 supercar. Compared to the previous videos, the literally dark atmosphere of the clip makes it harder for the viewer to discern the details of the curvaceous body, including the tail lights, exhaust tips and front bumper. An added bonus is a clearer shot of the steering wheel and instrument panel. Hit the jump to watch the teaser and screenshots.

By Csaba Daradics

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