Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota Mark X Zio.

Toyota's JDM Mark X Zio has been caught testing in the arid climes of Death Valley, and while a Japanese-only vehicle running on U.S. soil is nothing new this time of year, the pseudo-crossover has made the switch from right-hand to left-hand-drive.

Despite its size, the Mark X Zio is actually capable of seating four, six or seven passengers by using a flexible seating layout that can accommodate either a 2-2-2 or a 2-3-2 arrangement. Essentially, it's a glorified minivan/crossover wearing wagon sheetmetal, and has the potential to slot in between the Toyota Venza and the tanking Highlander.

For consumers downsizing their SUVs, the Mark X Zio has the potential to fill a niche between niches, and with a LHD arrangement, we could see the Zio on U.S. shores before the close of the decade.


[Source: KGP Photography]

Our ever-vigilant readers have struck, proving yet again that in the age of the camera phone, almost anyone with a mobile device can emulate Jim Dunne, Brenda Priddy or Hans Lehmann. The latest capture we've received comes from reader Charlie Hung, who recently spotted this black roadster on a Southern California freeway. A quick inspection of the images reveals it to be the next-generation BMW Z4 that's been spotted periodically for some time now. The bodywork on BMW's latest offerings would suggest that the current Z4's flame surfacing will probably be radically toned down. Much of the contouring we see on this prototype is likely just camouflage. Underhood, we'll probably get the same powertrain lineup as the 3 Series, with the next M Roadster getting the M3's V8. Judging from the size of the rear window, the Z4 will probably pick up a retractable hard top as well. When the new Z4 debuts, BMW will move production from its current home Spartanburg, SC to Germany. Spartanburg will take over production of the X3 crossover.


[Source: Charlie Hung]

Saabs with the latest Haldex bits tucked underneath are a hoot to drive, as we found out the two times we sampled the Turbo X. That hardware will also be available on the 9-3 Aero, and Saab's got another trick up its sleeve in the form of the 9-3X. Rather than go the lowered, Vaderized route of the Turbo X, the 9-3X is angling for the table scraps left over by the Audi Allroad, Volvo XC70, and even the luxed-up versions of the Subaru Outback. Raised suspension and skid-platey accents butch it up, along with extra cladding and exhaust tips big enough to flank some bumper nutz. The official unveiling will most likely be in Paris in October. With the pending 9-4 and tweaks to the 9-5, it's going to be a busy few months for Saab. Thanks for the tip, Swade!

[Source: Trollhattan Saab]

The current Ford Taurus is a safe and reliable vehicle with plenty of space for a family of five. The Taurus is also completely invisible in the large car market, due mostly to its vanilla appearance. The Blue Oval is hoping to correct this issue with the next generation Taurus, which is due in 2010. We've already seen a blurry photo of a handsome clay model back in April, and now the future Ford flagship has been spied on the street as well.

Spies have caught a well-camo'd Taurus mule undergoing testing on public roads, with a new grille and modern-looking headlights that are exactly like the model we saw earlier in the year. The test vehicle also displays the same basic shape as the model we showed you back in the spring, which carries a more subdued version of Ford of Europe's Kinetic design theme. Gone is the odd-looking bulbous greenhouse from the current model, giving the future Taurus a more modern appearance.

According to MotorTrend, front- and all-wheel-drive variants will be available, and power will be provided the new EcoBoost engines, with a possible SHO revival packing the same turbocharged mill found in the Lincoln MKR concept.

[Source: MotorTrend Photo: Priddy]

Boy howdy does that camouflage make it difficult to suss out what's underneath! BMW's cooking up a new X3, expected to drop in 2011, and the changes don't look to be huge. The smallest SAV – BMW's acronym for Stupid Ass Sports Activity Vehicle – will get rhinoplasty to bring some Concept CS cues to the X3. The heavy camo on the rear windows suggest that BMW might be addressing some of the awkwardness that afflicts the current model, a definite plus. Word is that much sweat will be expended over an updated interior in order to keep up with competitors. A less-hideous X3 that retains its chassis moves while coddling you with a better interior? Sounds good to us, even though we'd still rather have an M3 wagon.

[Source: BMW blog, Photo: Priddy]

With the release of the California, Ferrari can turn its attention towards developing its next hyper car, and apparently things are well underway. Spy shooters have caught a Maranello mule wearing the trappings of an F360, but what lies beneath could be the next iteration of the F430 or even a successor to the Enzo.

The only thing that tipped-off spies was the central mounting of the exhaust pipes, which usually reside on the far ends of the bumper. Camouflage is covering the side sills and front bumper, but more importantly, Ferrari engineers saw fit to black out the rear window to keep prying eyes away from the mule's mid-mounted engine.

Details are scarce at the moment, but as the summer testing season continues, we expect to hear more about Ferrari's next big thing.

[Source: NextAutos]

The Porsche Panamera has been caught testing in Stuttgart and on the 'Ring for some time, and now you can add the Arctic Circle to the list. The forthcoming sedan is undergoing cold weather testing in one of the world's most most inhospitable places in an effort to ensure the family man's Porsche's engine will still purr even on your worst winter morning. The car's appearance looks essentially the same as it has prior spy shots, which is to say that it's still ugly, yet it's still A Porsche. With possible plans for a diesel, hybrid, V6, V8, and turbo V8 model on the table, the German automaker will likely be hanging out with Santa and Frosty for quite a while. Hit the jump to see the V8-powered Panamera as it traverses the white stuff.


[Source: Inside Line]

Click above for high-res gallery of refreshed Pontiac G6 spy shots

The Pontiac G6 is one of those alright-looking cars that isn't begging for a total redesign, so General Motors is planning a mid-cycle refreshening of the car's nose instead. The updated design was recently photographed by spies, actual spies, around Detroit, and the changes to the G6 schnoz are clear. Pontiac designers will be adding some creases to the new front end giving it some angularity that's lacking on the current model, while the twin air intakes of the current car that mirror the grille shape will be replaced with one central lower air intake flanked by two smaller ones and requisite fog lamps. There may be some tweaks to the rear taillamps as well, but we're told those will be minor. Thankfully, the 2009 G6 comes available with GM's new six-speed transmission for the first time, making the overall package much more enticing. Some minor plastic surgery should only sweeten the deal for this very competent car in Pontiac's lineup.


[Source: KGP Photography]

You've got about $130,000 to buy a luxury sedan. We know, it's a terrible situation to put yourself in, but bear with us. You could get the same Audi A8, BMW 760i or Mercedes S-Class as everyone else at the country club. The Jaguar XJ doesn't do it for you and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is outside your range, so where do you look? The Maserati Quattroporte would be our choice over any of the above, holding down territory as the only four-door exotic on the market. But with newcomers like the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera – both from sportscar-makers as reputed as Maserati – the Italians will be keen to hold down their territory. So with an all-new Quattroporte expected around 2012, Ferrari's kid brother is preparing a mid-cycle facelift for its four-door masterpiece.

We've brought you spy shots of camouflaged test mules accumulating development miles, but photos of the revised Maser have now surfaced in cyberspace. From the images – reportedly obtained right from the factory headquarters in Modena – we can see that the physical changes will be kept minimal, but side by side with the outgoing version we're expecting to see new headlights, bumper and grille up front, all subtly reshaped, along with similar revisions to the caboose. What we don't know at this point is whether this facelifted Quattroporte will stick with the same rev-happy engine or swap it out for either the GranTurismo S/Alfa 8C version or the direct-injected variant developed for the upcoming Ferrari California, or if the Trident marque will keep that card up its sleeve for the all-new version to follow. One way or another, the Italians aren't likely to give up to the Germans or the English without putting up a good fight.

[Source: Autospots.nl via World Car Fans]

As our First Drive suggests, the new Jaguar XF is the most fun you can have behind the wheel of a modern-day Jag, but that doesn't mean that Coventry is resting on its laurels. An XF-R prototype has been spotted undergoing testing and judging by the exterior mods alone, Jaguar has Germany's super sedans set in its sights.

The cloaked from fascia appears to get a set of larger air intakes on either side of the bumper, along with hood vents that hint at the beast that lies beneath. Car is speculating that Jag will use a direct-injected, supercharged 5.0-liter V8 to put out over 500 hp, while simultaneously keeping emissions in check. Other exterior changes include color-matched side sills (in favor of the chrome vents on the standard XF), a new 20-inch wheel design, quad tailpipes, a subtle rear spoiler and possibly a rear diffuser. Expect the Jaguar XF-R to make its debut sometime next year.

[Source: Car]