While out testing Dodge’s 2009 Durango Two Mode Hybrid in the Mojave Desert, Rich Truesdell spotted three new BMWs:  the 2010 7-Series, the 2010 Z4, and a twin turbo V8 version of the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe. More over at Automotive Traveler.

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The best shots yet of the upcoming baby Ferrari surfaced today. It’s still unclear what it’s gonna be called–maybe Dino, maybe F149, maybe California GT. The front engine, rear drive car will reportedly be powered by a 480-500 hp 4.7 liter V8 and will be priced south of the F430. Two more pics at Jalopnik.

I always enjoy hearing about the next big thing that will take on car makers like Ferrari and Porsche. It puts a smile on my face knowing that someone may actually come up with something better, and Lexus’s LF-A super car might just do it. The LF-A isn’t exactly ground breaking news—after all, it was 2005 when it made its debut as a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show. However, it looks like the sexy beast is finally going to get some serious testing ahead of its 2009 release by running in the 24 hour race at Nurburgring in May. Powered by a V10 engine that produces 520 hp, the rear-wheel drive LF-A looks like it could give some serious competition to the other supercars. Get the full story here and check out some cool spy video of the car on the track on CarDomain.

Ferrari is keeping its lips sealed about the newest addition to its stable—code named F149—but some footage of it on the track has made its way to the web. The thoroughbred is slated to be a replacement for the Dino, and signs suggest it will be a 2+2, sport a V8, and feature a retractable hardtop. Specs aside, in this video, it sounds pretty dope. Enjoy. YouTube via Autoblog

While it lacks the in-your-face street-racing action of the spy video we showed you on Tuesday, this set footage from Hollywood spy site X17video gives some interesting clues about what’s going on in the new Fast and Furious film. Paul Walker and Vin Diesel hop out of their rides and act like they’re gonna throw some hands. The Skyline gets a thorough dousing with a smoke machine at around 2:30, and the Chevelle appears to have sustained some body damage. We’re wondering if Brian still owes Dom a ten-second car.

Autoblog has just posted these shots of Lamborghini’s new Murcielago in action, and while I don’t think the massive rear wing improves the styling, it’s hard to argue with the stats. The weapons-grade version of Lambo’s prized fighting bull will add an additional 40 ponies to the current V12′s already impressive 640, weigh a solid 200lbs lighter than the LP640, and lose the AWD in favor of a traditional RWD layout. Oh, and it doesn’t come with a radio, which says volumes about what Sant’Agata expects customers to do with this puppy. GT2 anyone? Two more pics after the jump.

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Auto Express just posted a couple of new shots of Lotus’ new Eagle, and the pictures kind of have me scratching my head. Just what’s hiding underneath all the super square—literally and figuratively—body cladding? I imagine there will some family resemblance with the Elise, but since the Eagle will be a two-plus-two, it will have to be a little longer. As with the Elise, power will come from a Toyota-sourced motor, but this one will have two extra cylinders and a displacement of 3.5 liters. I can’t wait to see it in production trim. Four more pics after the jump.

This one, grainy cell-phone photo of a car that’s rumored to be the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus isn’t the kind of thing that’d normally attract more than fleeting attention… until Ford’s legal department contacted a number of sites and asked them to pull it down, which kind of implies that, yes, this most likely is the all-new 2010 Ford Taurus. The photo first surfaced on the Taurus Car Club of America forum, then got picked up by a handful of blogs. But things really picked up after Ford laid the smackdown, sparking off a massive freak-out within the automotive blogoshphere, and a pissing contetst of epic proportions. Great strategy on Ford’s part!

Auto Express just posted some spy shots of Aston Martin’s Rapide, and while the car is better looking than Porsche’s Panamera, that’s really not saying much. The V12 sedan is set to drop sometime in 2009, and even though it’s not embarrassing style-wise, in my opinion, it’s not anywhere near as hot as Maserati’s absolutely gorgeous Quattroporte. I do like the glass roof though. Four more pics after the jump.

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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.