Rendered Speculation: Mazda RX-8 refresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've been seeing spy shots of the upcoming facelifted Mercedes-Benz SLK for some time now, awaiting its unveiling to see what those zany Germans have been up to on the baby SL, and now the first factory-released images have surfaced on the internet.

The most prevalent changes have been made cosmetically to the front end, where Mercedes seeks to capitalize even further on its ties with Formula One - not only does Mercedes partner in the McLaren team, but the SLK itself can often be seen pulling duty as safety car at grands prix. The F1-style nose and front bumper are accompanied by new tail-lights out back and a refreshed interior with redesigned seats and a more subdued center console.

The updated SLK also benefits from a revised 3.5-liter V6 with an anticipated 10 extra horsepower over the current version. More details will be made available as we close in on the car's official unveiling in the spring, but we'll be on the look-out in the meantime, so watch this space. Mercedes-Benz does not yet have the images up on its press site, so enjoy these branded pics courtesy of AutoExpress in the meantime - check out the gallery below.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

First look at facelifted Mercedes SLK originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Daihatsu Copen is another example of a fun little car offered overseas that we wish would make the journey over the Atlantic to American shores. To sweeten the bitter-sweet pill, Daihatsu's British importer has coaxed the Toyota subsidiary to introduce a number of revisions that make the quirky little roadster even more desirable.

For 2007, the Copen has received an engine transplant. Replacing the previous tiny 660cc turbo engine is the 1.3-liter twin-cam engine from the Sirion hatchback, producing just 86 horsepower, a 19hp increase over the outgoing engine plus an extra 15 lb-ft of torque. It's mounted transversely up front and features the world's first self-regenerating catalyst with temperature-sensitive palladium crystals. The innovative engine is good enough to drop a couple seconds off the 0-60 time, bringing the sprint down to 9.5 seconds while returning an average 47 mpg on the combined cycle. It's a tiny motor, but it's powering a tiny car that weighs in at just 850 kg, despite the power hardtop. The only visible additions for the new model are a new lip spoiler on the rear decklid under which the roof disappears and a new choice of colors.

The revised roadster comes with a bigger engine, producing more power while returning better fuel economy and producing lower emissions. Not enough? The new Copen sells in the UK for 1500 less than the previous model, retailing in old Blimey for just 10,995. Designed to fit into the Japanese Kei-car category, the Copen continues to offer a power aluminum roof that disappears in just 20 seconds, gas shocks and a host of other goodies. We hope the people at DaimlerChrysler are paying attention, because they've been beaten by Toyota yet again: this is what the Smart Roadster should have been from the get-go.

Hungry for more? Follow the jump for another pic and the full press release.

[Source: Daihatsu]

Continue reading Revised Daihatsu Copen gives buyers more for less

Revised Daihatsu Copen gives buyers more for less originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Saab 9-3 is not scheduled for replacement until 2009, but rumors are circulating the web that a facelift is in the cards for next summer. The revised styling is expected to draw on the design of the Aero X concept car shown in Geneva.

While the all-new 2009 9-3 will be based on the upcoming Epsilon 2 platform, the facelifted 2008 version will continue on the current Epsilon base, but possibly offer a new all-wheel-drive option.

Given that none of the current Epsilon-based GM products currently offer all-wheel-drive, and that the new Epsilon 2 platform is just a few years away, it seems an odd move for Saab to put all-wheel-drive in a car right before it's scheduled for replacement. But then again, Saab is a bit of an odd company, so we'll see what they have in store.

[Source: Trollhattan Saab]

Facelift for Saab 9-3 next summer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.