By Katherine Helmetag

Atomicalex

Brenda Priddy, the ranking goddess of automotive spy photography, has some pretty intense love/hate relationships with research and development engineers around the world thanks to her ability to snap their handiwork before it’s ready for prime time. She’s been sneaking around the desert for the last few weeks, chasing summer and hot weather testing teams. I think the Hyundai peeps like her. The question here is who spotted who first?

Thanks to Brenda for lending us the photo!

By Rich Truesdell

Automotive Traveler

Automotive Traveler magazine contributor Mark Fletcher shows why it’s always a good idea to keep your camera by your side as you never know when you’ll encounter a camouflaged prototype, in this case the US-spec version of Ford’s upcoming 2011 Fiesta.

While we know that the Ford Fiesta is coming to the North America next year, Ford is going to great lengths to keep front and rear details of the domestic version secret while the cars undergo their final validation tests. So while the 100 Fiestas currently taking part in Ford’s Fiesta Movement program gives us a good idea of its overall silhouette, we’ll still be seeking out the detail differences between the European and US versions. Yesterday, on his return trip from Las Vegas, Mark Fletcher hit pay dirt as he was able to capture some exceptionally clear images of Ford’s upcoming B-segment subcompact. Read more about this discovery at Automotive Traveler.

Continue reading "Spy Shots: The US Version of the 2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan" »

By Rich Truesdell

Automotive Traveler

While some websites have reported or speculated recently that MINI’s upcoming 4X4 crossover would be equipped with Clubman-style rear barn doors, the shooters from Automotive Traveler ended the discussion by catching the new cute-ute with its rear hatch opened. Although the guys from MINI apparently went through a lot of effort to give the appearance of side-opening doors—with rear door handle decals and a stripe down the rear window to give the illusion of doors—it was all for naught when one of the engineers had to get something out of the tightly packed cargo compartment in clear view of our shooter.

The MINI 4X4 crossover, as yet unnamed, is expected to make its production-spec appearance at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show in September with first North American deliveries expected in the second quarter of 2010.

For more details and full-view high-res photos visit Automotive Traveler.

A court in Indiana has ruled that a teenager was under the influence of marijuana when he caused a deadly crash, despite the fact that he’d smoked the pot two weeks earlier. Now, I know driving under the influence is a serious crime, but I don’t think that means we should throw out all reasoning when prosecuting offenders. Does anyone really believe smoking pot makes you high for a couple of weeks? Anyway, here’s the news:

• The new McLaren P11 has been spotted in the wild, and though it was wearing some pretty burly camouflage, it’s pretty clear what the Ferrari fighter will look like. What the hell is up with those ribs running across the roof? Auto Express
• Since he probably already has a street named after him, it’s only logical the Michael Schumacher should have a luxury skyscraper bearing his name, right? Construction on the "Michael Schumacher World Champion Tower," will begin around the end of the year in Dubai. Motor Authority
• Did you know that there’s such a thing as a blind world speed record? Because I didn’t, and I was really surprised to learn that anyone would let a blind person drive their Lamborghini. And how exactly was the guy accompanied by an "instructor and a navigator?" Last time I checked, there were only two seats in a Gallardo. BBC News
• The General has released pricing details for the 2010 Camaro, and it seems like the new bow-tie will be a good deal. The 300 horsepower V6 will start around 23 grand, while the V8 SS model will come in around 30 grand. Does this mean we’ll see Mustang and Challenger prices drop? Autoblog

Earlier this week I showed you some new spy shots of the 2010 Mustang. Well, the folks at Car and Driver just scored some great pics of a Shelby GT500 Convertible. These are the best shots I’ve seen yet of the new Mustang–they give a really good idea of what the new car will look like. See the full pics–front and rear shots–and get more details over at Car and Driver.

These shots snapped by a reader over at at Jalopnik are the first I’ve seen without the goofy vinyl body cladding. Ford seems to be trying to make the next Mustang seems simultaneously smaller and more muscular looking. The new Stang has haunches, along with revised headlights and taillights. And in this shot on Autoblog it looks like the antenna has been moved to the rear. I’m glad to see that Ford is being fairly conservative here, since the 2005 design was such a success. But will these changes help the original pony car stay competitive with the new Challenger and Camaro?

Continue reading "New 2010 Mustang Spy Shots" »

What’s cooler than a 50-foot mechanical spider perched on the side on a building? A 50-foot mechanical spider walking down the street! Is this thing insane or what? Anyway, here’s the news:

• Like the old song says, breaking up is hard to do. After speculation that Ford was going to kick Volvo to the curb, it looks like the Blue Oval is going to stick with the Swedish automaker. While there are probably several factors involved in the decision, I think it basically comes down to one thing: meatballs. Detroit News
• While the Chevy Volt spotted on the set on Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is "representative of the production vehicle," it’s not sporting the same sheet metal that consumers will see in the showroom. What else did we learn? The car’s character will be called "Lutzinator," carry heavy cannons, and be able to fly. Jalopnik
• A test mule for Ferrari’s Enzo has been spotted, and while it just looks like a 430 with big rear tires, it apparently sounds amazing. Apparently, Modena is looking at powering it with a  twin-turbo V8. Next Autos
• By 2015, every taxi in Boston will be a hybrid. While I’m all for green machines, I hope Seattle goes with something like the natural-gas Crown Vics, because there’s nothing worse than getting off a cramped plane and having to squeeze into the back of a Prius. Wired
• Our buddy Rich just posted some awesome pics of Jaguar’s new 500 horsepower XF-R testing in Death Valley, and from the looks of them, it seems the engineers have gotten most everything sorted out. Automotive Traveler

At first, looking at the side profile from a distance, I thought that I might have stumbled upon a refresh of the Dodge Avenger. But getting up close, and seeing the Suzuki chase vehicle in the background, I realized that I had encountered the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi, with its engineering teams working on the suntans in the California desert. If you strip away the the camoflauge we’re certain that you will find a production-ready version of the Accord/Camry/Fusion/Altima competitor first shown as a concept at  the 2008 New York International Automobile Show. Continue reading…

Continue reading "Spied: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi Mid-sized Sedan" »

Here it is, folks–spied on the set of Transformers2. More details at GM-Volt.com.

Continue reading "Behold the Volt" »

It wasn’t as hot as it’s been on some of my recent trips to Death Valley—only 119 degrees—but that didn’t stop me from snagging a close-up look at the successor to Mercedes-Benz’s outgoing SLR, which some have dubbed the "SLS." What was so unusual, aside from the Viper-like cladding, was the cloaking around where the roof meets the back window. Strangely, the Mercedes-Benz engineers made absolutely no attempt to evade the camera—it’s almost as if they wanted me to get a good shot of the car! Maybe they just figured the "SLS" has already been photographed extensively on both sides of the Atlantic, and they’re trying to defer some buyers from the Audi R8? More text and pics after the jump.

Continue reading "Spied: Mercedes-Benz "SLS" Gull Wing Super Car" »