Autoblog

Up until now, the Fisker Karma hasn't really been much more than a pretty face to go along with a promise. That changes today, thanks to a spy photographer who was lucky enough to catch the upcoming plug-in hybrid sedan out testing in California. Lawsuits often seem to have a dampening effect on enthusiasm, so it's good to see the Karma out and about. We can clearly see that the body is the same shape as what we all saw at its introduction earlier this year in Detroit. What we don't know yet is what's powering those shapely curves down the road. The first inclination from Autocar is that a Volkswagen 1.4-liter four-banger will provide power to the lithium ion batteries via a generator, but we really can't be sure what's being tested. Still, given the amount of electric know-how that Quantum Technologies, the electric powertrain supplier to Fisker, already has, we wouldn't be too surprised if something close to final-spec components were being run through their paces.

UPDATE: For what it's worth, these photos were not captured by a photographer hiding in the bushes. They were apparently actually put out by Fisker's Beverly Hills PR agency Rogers & Cowan. We still don't know anything about the mechanicals of the car in question, only that Fisker is trying to generate some buzz.

[Source: Autocar via AutoblogGreen, Autoweek]

Click the Soul for high-res images

Earlier this year, Kia confirmed that the Soul crossover introduced at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show would be going into production. A camo laden example of the production version has been spotted in the Detroit area not far from the Hyundai-Kia Tech Center. The production version looks like it sticks pretty close to the concept on the outside. The main visual differences are the rear suicide doors being replaced with conventional types and frames around the side glass. The shape of the vehicle with the slight downward sloping roof-line and the boxy front remains true to form. We'll probably see this one make its public debut during the coming auto show season, perhaps as soon as the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The new Epsilon II based replacement for the Opel Vectra is now expected to make it's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, and the first interior shots have now surfaced. A pretty much camo free prototype was nabbed while testing in Colorado and the photographer managed to get some shots of the interior. Judging from this mule it looks like the new Opel will have an interior almost identical to the GTC concept that was shown at Geneva this year.

In addition to a whole new look, the Vectra is also likely to get a different name. The new sedan will probably be called the Insignia, although it's likely to retain the Aura name when it shows up at Saturn dealers in 2009.

[Source: Car]