With the 2009 Honda Pilot receiving its official debut in just a week, these spy photos might seem a little late in the game. Luckily, they show the new crossover with no disguise, effectively giving us an early look at the redesigned model.

The new Pilot was previewed with a concept version at the Detroit auto show in January. Based on an entirely new platform, the eight-seater offers more legroom and overall occupant space for all passengers. It also has more cargo space and easier access to the third row.

The 60/40 split second row, now more spacious, slides further forward for increased ease of access to the third row. The 60/40 split third row, now supplies enough knee room for an above-average-sized adult male to fit comfortably. Each side of the second and third row independently folds down for cargo. A flat floor is created when the second and third rows are folded down.

The 2009 Pilot’s new body features the most extensive use of high-strength steel in any Honda product to date. This provides enhanced collision safety and better off-road durability.

The Pilot originally debuted as a 2003 model in July of 2002. Design and development of the 2003 Pilot and the 2009 Pilot were carried out at Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio, and Torrance, California. The Pilot is assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln.

A new V6 engine introduces the latest generation of Honda fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology that operates in 6-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3-cylinder modes for efficiency, an improvement compared to the existing Pilot’s available VCM system that works exclusively in 6- and 3-cylinder modes. More photos at Left Lane News.

Development of BMW’s next-generation 7-series is apparently coming right along, and spy photographers managed to get some revealing pictures of the new sedan near BMW’s Munich headquarters on Thursday. This is the first time that the Mercedes-Benz S-Class competitor has been seen without heavy camouflage.

With its huge twin-kidney grille and the wrap-around headlights, the car mimics design elements of the X5 and X6 but keeps the exclusive character the 7-series is known for. Though still disguised with a fake rear spoiler, it is clearly visible that the rear end–especially the trunk lid–will become much more elegant compared to the current car’s back. Twin integrated exhaust outlets also give the big sedan a sporty yet sophisticated look.

The next-generation 7-series will also make do with a more conventional roofline, rather than the coupe-like roof seen on the Concept CS. In addition to the exterior updates, BMW will be introducing a new iDrive system and, rumor has it, an eight-speed transmission. The new 7-series will make its first public appearance at the Paris Motor Show in September and will hit the market shortly thereafter as a 2009 model. More photos at Left Lane News.

It’s been a while since BMW engineers have been seen out testing the next-generation Z4, but apparently the sports car’s development is still on track–despite being hidden for the last few months–as spy photographers spotted a Z4 prototype out testing on Wednesday. The latest photos don’t give too much away as the car is still heavily clad in camouflage, but we’ve got an illustration of what the final product will likely look like after the jump.

Since the new Z4 rides on the same platform as the 3-series, look for the Z4′s engine lineup to mirror that of the 3-series. A high-performance Z4 M will once again be offered and, for the first time, it is believed that BMW will offer a diesel-powered Z4. Unlike the current model, look for the next Z4–due out in late 2009–to sport a retractable hardtop roof to better compete with Mercedes-Benz’s SLK roadster. As we have reported before, the Z4′s production will shift from the U.S. to Germany when the new model bows. More photos at Left Lane News.

Continue reading "Spied: 2010 BMW Z4" »

Spies have snapped photos of an SRT-badged Dodge Nitro prototype running around downtown Detroit. The undisguised Nitro was spotted pulling out of the famous Detroit Firehouse–the favorite Chrysler-sponsored hospitality spot for journalists covering the Detroit Auto Show.

As the Nitro pulled into traffic and stopped at a red light, the SRT badge came into view, and our spy was able to get out his camera and start shooting just as the light turned green and the Nitro drove out of sight. The view of this Nitro SRT8′s nose was very fleeting, so we can’t reliably comment on the prototype’s front-end styling treatment. Overall, this Nitro doesn’t appear heavily modified.

Sources familiar with Chrysler’s current inner workings have stated that the majority of the company’s engineering resources have been directed toward improving the current product range to improve and enhance the vehicles currently in showrooms–which could apply to this addition to the Nitro brand. Given Cerberus’ cautious reassessment of the Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge model lineups, however, we’re not sure that the notion of a Nitro SRT8 makes much sense. But there is no arguing with the SRT8 badge on this Nitro tester. We’ll stay on the case to see if any more Nitro SRT8 evidence surfaces. More photos at Left Lane News.

Is this the most pure out-of-the-box dedicated track car you’ve seen or what? I really want to drive this car. After putting it through its paces on two different tracks, Peter Egan of Road & Track writes in the March issue that the 2-Eleven is "perhaps the most fun, balanced and just plain easy-to drive car I’ve had on a track, like a dream of racing without the usual annoying alarm clocks." Lotus has built 40 of these cars so far, with another 160 orders taken. The car goes for $80,000. Not cheap, but if you are rich and want a fun weekend track toy, why even consider anything else? Full gallery at Left Lane News.

Spy photographers have spotted a prototype of the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe while doing some cold weather testing in Northern Sweden. Although Hyundai has already shown a concept version of the coupe, these spy photos reveal some interior details to expect in the production model. The automatic transmission will have a manual shift mode, but it doesn’t appears as steering wheel mounted paddles will be available.

The car’s center stack looks to be nearing production-ready and features a large LCD screen atop the stack. The coupe’s gauge cluster appears to have a futuristic, two-pod design. Shots of the car’s back seat reveals that the Genesis Coupe will have a 2+2 setup, with cup holders separating the rear buckets. Despite only having two doors, rear seat legroom looks surprisingly ample.

The rear seat spy shots also reveal that the production car won’t have the dramatic window treatment aft of the B-pillars as seen on the Genesis Coupe Concept. We’ve also include a couple of earlier spy shots that show the car’s base four-cylinder engine. A V6 will also be offered but a V8 is a long shot at this point. More photos at Left Lane News.

Alfa released photos of the 8C Spider, which they will show off at the Geneva Motor Show next month. They are only going to make 500 of these beauties, and expect them to cost even more than the 8C Coupe (which should list for somewhere in the neighborhood of $240,000). And no word if they will ship any over here. Cool car, but I’m still waiting for word on a more affordable Alfa Spider. More pics at Left Lane News.

Spy photographers have caught the first ever images of the redesigned Nissan Maxima, a month ahead of its New York Auto Show introduction. With sales expected to begin this fall, the seventh-generation will be badged as a 2009 model. A Renault-Nissan diesel powerplant is expected to follow the initial engine offerings, arriving in a couple years as a 2011 model. In addition to the diesel motor, a Toyota-developed hybrid system may also be offered, and we’re expecting this as early as the 2010 model year. More photos at Left Lane News.

Ford is refreshing the Mustang for 2010 to make sure it stays competitive with the new Challenger and Camaro. I think Ford pretty much nailed it in 2005, but the interior wasn’t exactly the car’s strong point. Judging from these interior spy shots, it doesn’t look like the changes will be terribly dramatic. More at Left Lane News.

Spy photographers have once again spotted a prototype of BMW’s "Progressive Activity Sedan" while out testing. The car appears to be a pure hatchback with no room for a rear deck-lid–as our rendering below shows. Overall styling appears to be similar to the X6, but the vehicle spied has a taller roofline arc–allowing for more headroom in back–and the rear hatch looks more cargo-friendly.

Earlier reports said BMW’s next MPV would go head-to-head with Mercedes’ R-class, but BMW instead decided to build a sedan-like crossover. This is probably a good decision for BMW, as it better suits the automaker’s values and the R-class has been met with a lukewarm reception at best. As you can see from the illustrations, the PAS won’t fit into one specific segment. The body is more sedan than wagon, but will offer more cargo room than a typical sedan. The PAS will also ride slightly higher ride, giving the car the look of a CUV. Overall, the PAS should combined all the best features from a wagon, CUV and sedan. More photos at Left Lane News.