Autoblog

Corvette Stingray Convertible images mysteriously appear on web, so we add our own

Chris Tutor — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

It was inevitable that we'd see the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray topless at some point, but that didn't make us any less interested when a pair of supposedly leaked official images showed up on theautoinsiderblog.com last week. We posted them on our Facebook page, but held off reporting on them here until we could get a little more information.

Those images, which feature a dark red car on a sterile black studio background, supposedly first appeared on the website of diecast model maker Maisto. A Chevrolet spokesman has been reported saying that they are "not official images released by Chevrolet PR," which isn't a denial they're the real deal, but neither is it a confirmation.

Close examination of the photos suggest they could be official shots of the Corvette Stingray Convertible, and while some have doubted their authenticity due to a lack of vents (which were seen on the C7s that debuted in Detroit last week), it could be that the images are of a base model car without the Z51 package that doesn't require the extra venting and cooling.

While we've waited to learn more, we had some artist friends of ours work up our own exclusive renderings that place a silver 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible in a more natural, wind-in-you-hair (or not, in the case of our cue-balled driver) outdoor setting. Now in addition to imagining the topless C7 sitting in your all-black garage, you can visualize yourself blasting down a country road with the wind whipping through your, uh, eyebrows.

Corvette Stingray Convertible images mysteriously appear on web, so we add our own originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2012 Toyota Camry leaked in Canadian auto guide

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Toyota, Canada

Trying to keep a floodgate closed is no easy task. Just ask any automaker releasing embargoed images of a new car coming out. When it's something as prolific as a new Toyota Camry, it's bound to get out like water through cracked concrete. And in this case, it's gotten out of our French Canadian neighbors to the north.

While Toyota has been releasing tightly-cropped teaser images of its new bread-and-butter family sedan, showing little more than the head and tail lights, the new annual auto guide has come out in Quebec, complete with full-frame shots of the new Camry for all the poutine-slurping, hockey-watching world to see.

We could go on about the edgier styling of this latest rendition of the longstanding best-selling vehicle in America, but we'd just as soon let you see it for yourself. So click on to view the scans of the guidebook in our high-resolution image gallery, courtesy of our astute reader James, whom we thank for the tip.

2012 Toyota Camry leaked in Canadian auto guide originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Peugeot 508 leaked well ahead of Paris debut

Noah Joseph — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot

Peugeot 508 - Click above for high-res image gallery

While some automakers are diversifying, others are consolidating. Like Peugeot, for example, which is preparing to replace both the 407 and 607 with an all-new 508. The big sedan is set to debut in a couple of months at the biennial Paris Motor Show, but after spy shots found their way to our desks a couple of weeks ago, this first batch of official-looking images have already leaked their way out and are circulating the interwebs as you read these words.

Previewed by the 5 by Peugeot concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and based on sister-company Citroën's C5 sedan, the new 508 has appeared in both sedan and wagon formats. Full details will undoubtedly be released sometime in the next couple of months as the Paris salon approaches, but in the meantime Francophiles can check out the images in the gallery below for a closer look. Thanks for the tip, Mono!

Gallery: Peugeot 508 leak

[Source: OmniAuto.it - translated]

Peugeot 508 leaked well ahead of Paris debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Citroën

Citoen DS3 Racing leaked - Click above for image gallery

Think of a road-ready rally machine, and what pops into your head? Likely the Subaru Impreza WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, right? Well Subaru hasn't won the World Rally Championship in seven years, Mitsubishi in eleven. In fact, neither is even trying anymore: Both have withdrawn from the championship. No, that territory is Citroen's to claim. The French automaker (with its star driver Sebastien Loeb) have been the reigning champs since 2004, but Citroen hasn't really capitalized on its gravel-drifting prowess with anything even approaching what of the WRX and Evo. Until now.

Although the current C4 Loeb has won the past three world rally championships in remains in active duty for another season - with former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen taking the wheel in the junior team - after that the new rally-spec DS3 (previewed in a batch of spy shots a few months ago) will take its place. From the looks of things, however, Citroen isn't waiting around for the DS3 to match the C4's dominance before they roll out the street version.

Following an earlier report last month hinting at the hot DS3's arrival, a handful of photos showing what insiders suggest is the finished product have leaked onto the interwebs. Brought to us by our compadres over at Autoblog Spanish, these shots were recently confirmed as the real deal (and not as photochops as originally suspected) when the same car showed up in other images released (and since retracted) by the factory.

The car pictured features wider wheel flarings housing bigger hoops and riding on a dropped suspension. Sources peg it at 15 millimeters stouter than stock, with NAFTA four-pot brakes front and rear. Under the hood, the 1.6-liter turbo four is tipped to produce between 200 and 210 horsepower, driving through a six-speed manual (the jury's still out on the presence of a limited-slip differential) and likely to the front wheels to propel the DS3 Racing to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The Halloween livery may be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but this is likely what we'll see, if the reports prove accurate at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. For our part, we'll take ours in deep blue, with a big red leaping bull on the side and our names printed above the doors.

Gallery: Leaked: Citroen DS3 Racing

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Leaked Lexus brochure reveals updated LS sedan

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Lexus, Luxury

Leaked 2010 Lexus LS brochure - Click above for high-res image gallery

To say that Lexus designs tend more toward the "evolutionary" than "revolutionary" would be like saying that Rasputin had a bit of a violent streak. Case in point: The new LS sedan, which the Toyota luxury division has apparently updated for next year in typical Lexus style. That is, incrementally different from the model it replaces, with styling tweaks barely visible to the naked eye. At least, not at first glance.

Early images of the redesigned flagship sedan come courtesy of The Lexus Enthusiast, which has managed to get hold of what looks to be a leaked JDM brochure for the vehicle ahead of its official launch. Visible changes made to the LS 460 and the gas-electric LS 600h include new front and rear bumpers and lights, turn signals integrated into the mirror housings, and of course, new wheels.

Inside, the cabin gets a mild refresh as well to integrate a night vision system into the instrument cluster, right in the middle of the speedo. There's also a customization program called L-Select, and the anticipated LS-Sport "Version SZ", characterized as an aggressive take on the luxury yacht with a more assertive aero package, wheels and grille treatment. That's about all we've got for now, but you can check out the scanned brochure in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus LS leaked brochure

[Source: The Power Weblog via The Lexus Enthusiast]

Leaked Lexus brochure reveals updated LS sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Leaked Ferrari document reveals details of project FX150

Noah Joseph — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Ferrari

Click above to view the letter

An internal document has apparently gotten lost somewhere along the information super-highway leading from Maranello to Beijing. The letter, bearing the signature of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, contains vital information on a new supercar coming from Ferrari.

The successor to the Enzo and beneficiary of the FXX program is labeled as prototype "FX150". According to the document, the supercar will be powered by a mid/longitudinally-mounted twin-turbo V8 producing 794 horsepower and 772 Nm of torque (approximately 570 lb-ft) hooked up to a version of the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission already launched on the California codenamed SF3 (presumably for the third-generation SuperFast gearbox) with shift times down to 50 milliseconds. The carbon fiber construction is said to keep weight down to 1300 kg (~2866 lbs), which, when coupled with the nearly 800hp on tap, is anticipated to propel the FX150 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a blisteringly fast 2.7 seconds en route to a top speed of 390 km/h (242 mph). Testing is stated to begin next month with an eye towards releasing the car sometime next year with a price tag between 1.2 and 1.3 million euros, which is even more than the Bugatti Veyron. It's not that hard to fake an official document, however, so click above to check it for yourself.

UPDATE: We've received correspondence from some fellows who claim responsibility for creating the fake "leaked" document from Ferrari. Turns out it was all just a spoof.

[Source: FerrariChat.com and euro car blog]

Leaked Ferrari document reveals details of project FX150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pics and Details Aplenty: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:04:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, BMW

click above for 31 high-res images of the BMW M3 Convertible

BMW wasn't planning on releasing the M3 convertible just yet. It had its hands full with the production X6 crossover and those new-fangled turbodiesels the company unveiled at the Detroit show. The M3 drop-top wasn't supposed to debut until March at the Geneva show. But the Bavarian automaker evidently took a decidedly un-German "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude when initial images and details leaked out. Rather than trying to hold the dam together, BMW has decided to join us for a swim and let the floodgates open on its new V8 hard-top convertible.

As exciting and versatile package it is, the real news here is BMW's new M DCT twin-clutch gearbox that stands in for the previous SMG transmission, which had its fair share of haters. The rest we already know from the M3 coupe and the more plebian 3-Series convertible. Unfortunately, the glorious M-tuned V8 is bogged down by an extra 450 lbs. of folding metal and electric motors, but that's the price you pay (on top of what promises to be a heart-attack-inducing sticker price) for the option of taking in the sunshine and that delicious exhaust note without sacrificing the security of a tin top. Swapping cogs at lightning speed, though, should help mitigate the half second the convertible loses on the coupe.

Check out the images in the gallery below and the full press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible

Continue reading Pics and Details Aplenty: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible

Pics and Details Aplenty: 2009 BMW M3 Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LEAKED! Audi TT-S breaks cover

John Neff — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Audi

click above for 20 more high-res images of the Audi TT-S

Spanish website Motorpasion somehow got its hands on 20 official-looking images of the soon-to-be-debuted Audi TT-S that some are guessing will be revealed next week at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. They say it will be sporting a 272-hp version of Audi's 2.0 TFSI engine and be available as both a coupe and convertible. Other features include LED daytime running lights and brushed nickel sideview mirrors like on other S models (the S5, S6, S8, etc.), quad exhaust tips and special TT-S badging. In these pictures (sorry about the obnoxious watermarks) we can clearly make out a revised front fascia with larger air inlets, a sharp chin spoiler and more polished accents on the vertical elements of the grille. The wheels, which must be at least 18-inches in diameter, fill out the wheel wells with little room to spare.

Rumor has it that the TT-S will be the production car that Audi has promised to debut in Detroit next week, while the "something stunning" is pegged to be a version of the Audi R8 powered by V12 diesel TDI engine.

UPDATE: Official high-res images from Audi added to the gallery and press release after the jump.

[Source: Motorpasion]

Gallery: Audi TT-S

Continue reading LEAKED! Audi TT-S breaks cover

LEAKED! Audi TT-S breaks cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alfa Romeo 'Junior' teaser images leaked

Noah Joseph — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo

Before its highly-anticipated unveiling at the Geneva show in March, Alfa Romeo has been leaking mere glimpses at its upcoming entry-level hatchback. Tentatively known as the "Junior" after Alfa scrapped its own online naming contest, the hatchback is based on sister company Fiat's Grande Punto platform, but with even more sumptuous Italian styling and a range of engines.

These latest images appear to have been prepared for its brochure, but have somehow found their way out of the factory and into cyber-space. None of the images, which can be seen after the jump, reveal anything more than some close-up details, but the when Alfa takes the wraps off its latest, it should give the Mini a run for its money.

[Source: Progretti955 via Carscoop]

Continue reading Alfa Romeo 'Junior' teaser images leaked

Alfa Romeo 'Junior' teaser images leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2008: facelifted Mazda RX-8 leaked

Noah Joseph — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Mazda

As more and more artists' impressions of the anticipated Mazda RX-9 surface online, images have leaked showing us what the interim facelifted version of the current RX-8 will look like. The image, as you can see, comes from a scanned Japanese magazine.

The changes appear to be exclusively cosmetic. Up front, the grille has been revised to feature higher-mounted fog lamps under new, wider headlights. Around back the taillamps have been updated with four round LED rings. That's pretty much the extent of it, although the car pictured is a new RS version featuring 19" wheels, Recaro racing buckets and Bilstein shocks.

The facelift is reportedly targeted mainly towards American customers, and may not even make it to other markets. We'll bring you more from the updated RX-8's anticipated launch at the fast-approaching Detroit auto show.

[Source: Mazda-Madness.nl via World Car Fans]

Detroit 2008: facelifted Mazda RX-8 leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Leaked: facelift for Mercedes CLS

Noah Joseph — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

We've been seeing camouflaged test mules of an updated Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class sedans driving around for some time now, but the German automaker apparently can't keep it under wraps anymore. On Saturday the online motoring press worldwide lit up with two pictures of the facelifted "four-door coupe", reportedly leaked by someone inside Mercedes ahead of its intended debut.

The pictures show an updated top-of-the-line CLS 63 AMG. What we can tell from the images is that the newest AMG rocket gets a new grille split in three sections instead of four; upgraded wheels from 18 to 19 inches, with a style similar to those on the Porsche 911 Turbo; led tail-lights; a carbon fiber rear spoiler; a new rear diffuser; and updated exhaust outlets.

Whether any mechanical changes have been made has yet to be revealed, but we'll be sure to keep you posted. A shot of the rear is included after the jump.

[Sources: Carscoop and Motor Authority]

Continue reading Leaked: facelift for Mercedes CLS

Leaked: facelift for Mercedes CLS originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Volvo C30 official production shots leaked

John Neff — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Volvo

According to Autoblog Spanish, Volvo had originally planned on releasing official details and photos of the C30 hatchback on July 25th, but you know how the internet works...

We did a double take at first seeing these pics of the production version of the C30 hatchback that first debuted as the C30 Concept at the 2006 Detroit auto show. The production version and the concept on which it's based vary little in appearance, right down to their fetching double-spoked wheels.

The front end is the typical Volvo fare found on the S40 and V50, and the rear reveals the same hatch found on the concept that is inspired by the legendary P1800 ES. The only changes of note are a new bumper out back that adds reflectors at the corners and more traditional round exhaust tips instead of the concept's triangular ones.

Hopefully Volvo will be forthcoming with more info on the C30 now that the cat's out of the bag.

(More official pics of the C30 can be found after the jump)

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading Volvo C30 official production shots leaked

Volvo C30 official production shots leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments