U Spy: Facelifted 2014 Hyundai Equus Luxury Sedan Spotted in California

When CarScoop reader Hunter L. emailed these scoop shots he took of a camouflaged prototype sedan parked in a garage in California, he told us it's likely a 2014 model Hyundai, something we agreed with him, with our first thought going to the new Genesis saloon that we caught off guard testing in Europe earlier this month.

While the two prototypes may look similar, upon a more careful examination of the photos and specific details such as the lights, the dashboard and the window line, we determined that this is not the new generation of the Genesis but the North American market 2014 Equus facelift, which has been announced in South Korea.

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New Mercedes-Benz CLA Already Available in…Die Cast Miniature Form

While Mercedes-Benz is trying to keep a tight hold on the upcoming CLA compact sports saloon, having only released bits and pieces of information along with pictures and videos of camouflaged prototypes, we've already had the opportunity to see official photos of the car.

If that wasn't enough, now, pictures of what is said to be a 1/18 scale a die-cast model of the new CLA have surfaced on the internet!

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Maserati Product Plan Sheet Confirms New Models Including Sports Car Series

According to a new Fiat Group document that outlines the company's European plans through 2016, the Italian carmaker has decided to change its strategy and rely much less on mainstream products like the Punto and Bravo and more on premium and special vehicles, be that the Fiat 500 family, or the re-born Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands.

We've already told you about Alfa Romeo in a previous article (see here), so let's see what the future holds for Maserati.

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Fiat Group Plans to Re-Launch Alfa Romeo…Again, Product Plan Shows 9 New Models

It's a story that we've heard again, and again, and again from the Fiat Group; re-launch and turn the Alfa Romeo brand into a global player in the premium segment.

Whether the Italians will to stick to the program remains to be seen, but given the recent developments with Maserati, including the introduction of the new Quattroprote and sightings of Ghibli prototypes, there's a good chance Fiat means it this time.

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2014 BMW M4 Coupe Rendered: What do You Think?

BMW’s decision to rename the 3-Series Coupe the 4-Series has certainly resulted in a lot of debate. Munich’s reasoning is that the Coupe is different enough to its saloon sibling, upon which it is based, to deserve a new designation.

Moreover, it adheres to the carmaker’s decision to name coupes, convertibles and sportier-looking sedans (think 6 Series Gran Coupe) with even numbers, something that will also be applied to the forthcoming 1-Series Coupe that will be renamed the 2-Series.

Does the name change really matter? You betcha; that’s because it will also affect the M-Division-fettled range topper of the coupe and possibly convertible range, which will no longer be named the M3 (though, the name will continue with the sedan) but the M4.

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New Kia Pro_Cee'd GT with 201HP 1.6-liter Turbo Driven!

If you've been monitoring the news in the automotive world lately, you will probably be aware of the fact that Kia is completing work on its first hot hatch to take on the likes of the VW Golf GTI – at least in theory – in Europe.

In addition to our own scoops, Kia has offered us teaser sketches and preliminary specifications on the GT variant of the five-door Cee'd and the three-door Pro_Cee'd.

As it turns out, though, Kia has done much more than that as we were tipped off about a video shot earlier this month in which a one Vadim Ovsiankin has not only filmed a prototype of the Pro_Cee'd GT inside and out, but he also took it for a spin on the road, where we see the sport hatch hitting speeds of up to 180km/h (112mph) on public roads.

Kia's two new GT models are powered by a new version of the brand's 1.6-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol engine fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger and strengthened internal components. Maximum output is 204PS (201bhp), up 51 per cent over the non-turbo engine, with torque up 61 per cent to 265 Nm (195 lb/ft).

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This is the New Mercedes-Benz CLA Compact Sports Saloon

While some people are enjoying Christmas Eve with their families, others are busy posting on forums and leaking official shots of new cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLA compact saloon.

A total of five images of the new Mercedes entry-level sedan including three of the exterior and two of the interior made their way online.

As was the case with the revealing CLA scoops in Iceland this past September, the car pictured here is a regular model fitted with Mercedes' AMG exterior and interior styling packages and not the CLA 45 AMG, which will feature a similar aero kit but will do away with the "diamond" front grille.

Being that it will be the first member of Mercedes-Benz's extended family of A-Class-based compact models to be offered in the States, the CLA is anticipated to make its world premiere on this side of the Atlantic, possibly as early as next month's Detroit Motor Show.

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2014 Corvette C7 Drawings Appear to be the Real Deal

If you were one of those people who believed that GM won't be able to keep the new generation of the Corvette a complete secret until its scheduled official unveiling on January 13, 2013, you're right.

Adding to the official and leaked documents and drawings over the past few months is a new set of sketches from a member of the Corvette forums named "BlueOX", who had this to say:

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McLaren Shows P1 at NYC Private Event, Says Only the Front Bumper and Rear Vents will Change

When McLaren presented the P1 Concept at this year's Paris Motor Show, it told us that its new supercar was 97 percent production ready in terms of its exterior design.

If you have been wondering what kind of changes that 3 percent represents, then you'll be happy to know that the British carmaker answered that question during a private event in New York City that was attended and filmed by Jason Thorgalsen.

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Scoop: New BMW i3 Prototype Fitted with Final Production Ends

BMW's new urban electric mini has been spied wearing its production front and rear end parts, and in particular, the bumpers and lights. Previously, i3 prototypes were fitted with fake front and rear panels.

While it’s clear that the overall shape and styling will resemble the original i3 Concept car displayed at the 2011 Frankfurt Show, the production model's exterior will be toned down a notch with less fancy detailing.

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Most Revealing Spy Shots of 2014 BMW X5 SUV Yet

BMW is one of many carmakers that gradually ease up on the camouflage on their prototype models as they edge closer to revealing the production version.

Such is the case with the next X5 that's due to launch next year, possibly at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, though we wouldn’t rule out an earlier reveal.

In these fresh scoop photos, the third generation of the X5 has done away with many layers of foil wraps allowing us to see the sharper and more protruding nose with the production headlamps, the elongated shape of which bring to mind those found on the F30 3-Series, and the more upright double kidney grille.

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Spy Shots: Meet the All-New BMW 2-Series Coupe, the 4-Series' Smaller Sibling

At the end of November, our trusty spies caught up with a prototype model of the upcoming 2-Series Convertible with a traditional canvas top. Now, they’ve managed to meet up with the coupe version of the series,  about a year ahead of its market launch.

The 2-Series, which is to the 1-Series what the new 4-Series is to the 3-Series, will be the second model in BMW's range to adopt the firm's new nomenclature that calls for the use of an even number for sportier looking body styles, and an odd number for traditional saloons, hatchbacks, estates, crossovers and SUVs.

While covered in camouflage, we can still see that the 2-Series Coupe test car is bigger than the current 1-Series Coupe and sports a less pronounced booty.

Good news for those of you who don't like the second generation 1-Series hatchback's ginormous headlamps, as the prototype coupe appears to feature a sleeker set of lights. Like the 4-Series Concept, the 2-Series also gets a prominent hockey-stick-like vents right behind the front wheels.

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Scoop: MQB-Based 2013 VW Golf Estate or 2015 Jetta SportWagen

This fresh spy video from Spain shows the station wagon version of the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf that will be named the Golf Variant (Estate in Britain) when it is introduced in Europe in 2013, and Jetta SportWagen when it arrives in North America within the next two years. Read more »

U Spy: Reader Nabs 2014 BMW X5 in Munich

BMW is hard at work developing the next generation of its X5 SUV that was captured here in prototype form by CarScoop reader Peter S. from Hungary while he was visiting the Bavarian capital city of Munich in Germany. Read more »

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Patents Updated Design for Gumpert Tornante

Remember the Gumpert Tornante concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show? To refresh your memory, Gumpert joined forces with Italian design house and coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera for the creation of the Tornante study powered by a reworked Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 biturbo engine pushing out 700-horses.

In the time that passed between then and now, Gumpert was ready to file for bankruptcy after failing to find a new owner but managed to come back to life and has already begun building vehicles.

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Spied: Maserati to Challenge BMW 5- and 6-Series Gran Coupe with New Ghibli Sports Sedan

If you find the new Quattroporte too big, too Grande, and too expensive, but still want to drive something with the Trident logo, which for many buyers, has a higher cache than Germany's BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi brands, then Maserati is preparing just what the doctor ordered.

It's name is Ghibli, and unlike other pompous plans from the Fiat Group (see Alfa Romeo), this one is for real and it will make its world premiere either at the Geneva Motor Show in March or at the Shanghai auto show in April.

A heavily dressed prototype of the Ghibli sports sedan was nabbed undergoing winter testing in Europe. The camouflage hides the design details of the car, but it is clear that the Ghibli will be more compact than the 5,263mm (207.2 inches) long Quattroporte featuring shorter front and rear overhangs and wheelbase.

Despite the difference in size, with the Ghibli measuring just under 5 meters (~196 inches) in length, it will ride on a modified version of the Quattroprote's platform, which itself, is loosely based on the Chrysler 300 chassis having received a number of updates.

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U Spy: New BMW M3 F30 Sedan Nearing Closer to Production

CarScoop reader Michael G. from Germany dropped these spy pictures of a prototype BMW model that he captured earlier this week in our mailbox.

"I think this might be the new BMW M3 Saloon," he tells us. "These photos were shot in Munich." Well done Michael, and thank you for sharing these shots with our readers.

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Convoy of 2014 BMW X5 and Possibly X5M Prototypes Filmed in Georgia

A YouTuber who goes by the name Frank Steele stumbled upon a convoy of five 2014 BMW X5 prototypes in the city of Chamblee in Georgia, this past Sunday.

We can't be 100 percent certain because of the quality of the video and the fact that the cars were on the move, but there's a good chance that the first model seen in clip may be an M Performance model or an X5 fitted with the M Sport Package, while the fourth test car looks like it could be the new X5M.

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Scoop: Upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA Compact Crossover Filmed on the Road

Two weeks ago, we brought you spy pictures of the newest and smallest member of Mercedes-Benz's growing family of SUV and crossover models, tipped to be called the GLA.

Now, French car magazine L'Automobile brings us more details of the GLA in the shape of new spy footage nabbing a prototype wearing varying levels of disguise while testing in Spain.

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Oh, Oh, Someone Just Ditched an Alfa Romeo 4C Prototype…

It's been a year and nine months since Alfa Romeo pulled the covers off the impressive 4C Sports Coupe concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show, and even though it had been initially suggested that we could see the final production model on sale this year, obviously that never happened.

Alfa Romeo officials have said that this may happen sometime in 2013, but with the Italian brand, one can never take these statements for granted – Alfa's on and off return to the U.S. market is a prime example…

Well, while we're waiting for the Italians to give us a date on the only interesting model it has in store for us , a driver in Italy spotted a camouflaged prototype of the 4C coupe -ahem- stranded on the side of a road.

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