2007 Hyundai Arnejs On Test

Hyundai's competitor in the C-Segment market in Europe has now been spied for the first time. The Arnejs concept (pronouced Ar-nez) made its world deubt at the Paris Motorshow this year.

Hyundai said the concept will be hinting at the production model. The concept was also caught parked outside the Paris motorshow venue.

This is only a prototype vehicle but a pre-production model is definatley hinted at the concept was caught alongside with the Kia Cee'd SW in Eastern Europe.

Although numerous prototypes are now circulating Europe, this is the first close up picture and if you look closely you can just about make out the interior.

The Arnejs and Cee'd will be taking on the crowded small family car catagory in Europe. The Cee'd is priced around £11,000 and the Arnejs should be priced around £11,000 aswell.

2007 Mercedes C-Class Sedan Snapped

We've already seen some production ready 07 Mercedes C-Class in its factory in Germany and now we have a pre production test car on the streets of Germany. Underneath all this thin disguise is a executive sedan ready to take on the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Saab 9-3/Cadillac BLS.

2008 Jaguar XJ Facelift Snagged

It looks like the 2008 Jaguar XJ sedan will be getting a few styling updates as it undegoes cold weather testing in England. Although most of the bodywork on this prototype appears unchanged, the front airdam has a slightly different shape compared to current models. It's also clear that this test car is wearing the side vents currently used only on the top of the line Portfolio model. Changes in back look as though they'll be nothing more than a slightly reshaped bumper valance.

2008 Mini Cabriolet Spied!

Spy photographers have captured the first photos of the second-generation Mini Convertible, caught testing on the streets of Munich. As with its hard-roofed counterparts, the new drop-top Mini doesn't stray far the design of the current model. The larger dimensions of the Gen-II Mini should certainly help to accommodate the folded soft top when in open-air mode, and rear passengers should benefit, too.

As on the current Mini Convertible, this new model maintains the bottom-hinged tail-gate. Comapring this prototype to the current cabrio suggests that the new Mini's soft-top has a slightly smoother profile, thanks to reduced intrusion from the top's understructure.
BMW revealed the new 2007 Mini Cooper in August. The new Mini Convertible will arrive in 2008 as a 2009 model. BMW may preview it at the Detroit Motor Show this January.

2008 BMW X6 Crossover Spied!

Judging from this prototype we photographed in Germany, it appears that BMW has started development work on the X6–a new model spun off from the recently-released X5. This new performance-minded crossover appears to have taken the philosophy of the Mercedes CLS four-door- coupe, utilizing a sloped roof-line and and tauter packaging in the name of style. Sober concerns such as functionality and cargo capacity have been left to the X5, which has grown larger and more versatile in its recent second-generation redesign. From the looks of it, this X6 has been styled to match the bravado of cars like the Range Rover Sport, which take the SUV in a decidedly athletic direction.

The heavy camouflage obviously hides the nuances of the design, but the prototype’s smooth profile, steeply raked windshield, high waistline and slim greenhouse are readily apparent. The sloping roof arc is expected to continue straight into a coupe-like hoffmeister kink, bringing a little of the Z4 coupe into the crossover zone. One look at the chiseled ground-effects between the wheels also hints at some pronounced fender swells that should add to the sporting look.

When we first shot this prototype, speculation began on the exact identity of this vehicle, since another X5 spin-off–the V5–is said to be in the works. But the V5 is supposed to be a uniquely space- efficient vehicle in the guise of Mercedes’ R-Class, and this prototype doesn’t seem to fit that description. Given the success of the Range Rover Sport in the marketplace, and the lukewarm launch of the R-Class, BMW appears to be making the right move in putting the X6 ahead of the V5 in the development cycle. The X6 is likely still two years away from showrooms. The fact that it will share elements of the X5, that time-frame could be accelerated a bit.

2007 Hyundai Equus/Dynasty

Ok, Hyundai is now saying that this large luxury sedan will not be sold in Europe although Hyundai did test the sedan in Germany, but it should make it in the US by 2008 with both a 3.8 litre V6 and a 4.5 litre V8.

Hyundai is also claiming to compete with the Lexus LS, BMW 7 series and Mercedes S Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Cadillac DTS (US maket), Audi A8 etc. Prices should be around $50,000

2007 Ford Escape Undisguised for the first time!

Well here it is in full production trim, the 2008 Ford Escape. We've seen various prototypes of this lightly redesigned SUV over the past year, but now the refreshed Escape looks ready for its debut at the L.A. auto show later this month. Changes to the exterior are obvious while the interior upgrades are harder to spot. Not surprisingly the cabin looks similar to the already unveiled Mercury Mariner although the Escape has less brightwork and cheaper looking black plastic trim. Look for the 2008 Ford Escape to go on sale early next year.