As the next generation Global Compact Car platform from GM debuts over the next couple of years, one of the variants that's coming is a compact MPV. Currently, Opel has a Delta-based MPV called the Zafira which will be joined by a Chevrolet version that has now been spotted testing. The Chevy Tacuma will be built in Detroit alongside the Volt at the Hamtramck assembly plant. The Tacuma will be about the size of the Mazda 5 although judging from these photos it doesn't look this one will have sliding doors. It's not known if the Zafira will keep its sliding doors or if it will be offered as part of the Saturn lineup. The Tacuma is expected to be offered in two row, five seat configuration and as a three row, seven seater. If the Tacuma gets the same direct injected 1.4L turbo as the Cruze it should also get great fuel economy in mid-30 mpg range.

[Source: World Car Fans]

The next-generation Opel Meriva has been caught testing on somewhere on public roads. The Meriva is a tall wagon based on GM's European B-car platform which also underpins the Corsa. The new Meriva was displayed in concept form at this year's Geneva Motor Show and the production version doesn't appear to differ too much from the concept. As with other new Opels (and presumably Saturns), the signature scalloped side panels are visible below the camouflage. The side glass shape of the concept is also retained, although it's not clear if the stepped window opening on the rear does survives. Judging by the extra camo panels just below the rear door glass, it appears that it might be there. The camo panel also features false door handles which indicate that the suicide doors of the concept also might make it to production. Since the concept had a B-pillar even with the suicide doors (unusual for a concept) there is a possibility the rear hinged doors will survive. Whether we'll ever see the Meriva on U.S. shores is another question entirely.

[Source: EVO]

Next spring will be a big one for hybrid fans as a new generation of the Toyota Prius will get its most direct competitor yet in the shape of a new hybrid only model from Honda. We've already seen an assortment of spy shots of the camo-covered exterior of the Prius. Now we have our first peak at the interior of the new best-seller. The third (or fourth depending on how you count) generation Prius will officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January along with a Lexus badged hybrid-only model.

Although Toyota is loathe to relinquish details, it's believed the new model will have a larger, more powerful engine growing from 1.5 to 1.8L along with an electric motor with more oomph. The beefed up motor is likely in preparation for the plug-in variant that should go into low volume fleet service in 2010. To make the most out of a plug-in system, the hybrid needs enough electric power to propel the car at least around town without having to start the engine frequently.

[Source: World Car Fans]

The upcoming Saab 9-4X BioPower crossover has been caught out testing again. The 9-4X is expected to debut in production form later in 2009 as the current Trailblazer based 9-7X fades into history. From what we've seen so far the 9-4X will go into production virtually unchanged from the concept version that we saw in Detroit in January. The 9-4X and the new Provoq based Cadillac SRX will ride on a common architecture. The Saab will likely be powered by a choice of turbocharged engines. The concept used a direct injected and turbocharged 2.0L four cylinder optimized for operation on ethanol and generating 245 hp. The turbocharged 2.8L V6 from the Turbo-X sedan may also make an appearance. From these spy photos the interior looks to be carried over virtually intact from the concept.


[Source: AutoExpress]

Click the S400 hybrid prototype for a high-res gallery

An attentive Autoblog reader spotted what appears to be a prototype Mercedes S400 Hybrid in a Houston Texas parking lot the other day. The test car's badges were all taped over, but the S400 and hybrid badging on the trunk lid seems to match the show concept. The S400 was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last fall and will launch into production in mid-2009 at about the same time as the ML450 Hybrid. While the SUV will use the Two-Mode hybrid system developed with GM, Chrysler, and BMW, the S400 will use the mild hybrid system created with BMW. The mild hybrid uses a 15kW motor sandwiched between the transmission and 3.5L V6. The Mercedes mild hybrid system is likely to be the first mass production hybrid with a lithium ion battery. At the auto show introduction, Mercedes claimed that the full-size hybrid luxury sedan will achieve nearly 30 mpg.



[Source: Chris N]

Click above image to enlarge

Blogger extraordinaire Mickey Kaus recently spied the above SUV innocuously parked in Santa Monica and sent us the photos, wondering if we had any clue what it is. As luck would have it, we do. The truck is a SsangYong Actyon SUV, but it's also more than that. You see the Actyon, in both SUT and SUV body styles, is the basis for Phoenix Motorcars' electric SUT and SUV, which are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2010. The white example Mickey snagged had been de-badged, which lends it an air of mystery, but we know SsangYong's not coming to the U.S. market.

As our esteemed colleague Sam Abuelsamid points out, Phoenix is based in Ontario, CA so it's basically a lock that this is one of their EV development mules. Using the SsangYong trucks as the basis for their electric utility vehicles has two distinct benefits for Phoenix. First, they offer proven, practical and usable packaging that'll work fine in the real world. Second, their front-end styling is bizarre enough that the unwritten rule which states that EVs have to look weird will surely be upheld. Obviously, those Tesla guys, with their sexy-spiffy Roadster, didn't get that memo.

You can check Mickey out every day at Kausfiles, and, on occassion, at Bloggingheads.tv as well. Thanks for the photos!

[Source: Mickey Kaus]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the new Honda Hybrid

Honda has acknowledged that not having an instantly-recognizable hybrid-only model since the demise of the Insight (still modern-looking today) has taken a toll. While the company offers the Civic Hybrid, that car lacks the green cachet that Toyota has very successfully cultivated with the Prius. So, Honda made no secret that a new hybrid-exclusive model was coming, and wouldn't you know -- it's very reminiscent of the Prius!

The spies at KGP snagged the car out testing, but there's no denying that its teardrop shape brings Toyota's car to mind. We assume this is the result of Honda going for the most aerodynamic shape possible, which resulted in a profile that can't help but be similar to the Prius. A look at the FCX Clarity shows that Honda's new weapon shares much with its big brother, too. In front, the grille slats solidly carry the family resemblance forward from the new fuel-cell car, and when the new hybrid is ultimately shown without the cladding and cover-ups, we have a feeling that it'll look a bit like a downsized Clarity. The Toyota Prius is a major success story, and Honda wants a piece of that action. You know the saying: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And so, it appears, they are.


[Source: KGP Photography]

Ford's eagerly-anticipated new Fiesta is still around 18 months from its US launch, but Ford is already testing the cae here in the States. The initial plan was to only offer Americans the four-door sedan, but Ford recently announced that the three- and five-door hatchbacks would be offered as well. Fiestas for the North American market will be built at Ford's Cuautitlán, Mexico assembly plant beginning in early 2010. The other day, a reader let us know that he spotted one of the prototype Fiestas tooling around on I-75 in southeast Michigan and was lucky enough to have a camera handy. Keep in mind that this particular car is covered in heavy camouflage to prevent all the non-car nuts from seeing what it is. The production model will look very much like the Verve concept that appeared at auto shows earlier this year. Thanks to Andrew for the tip!

The upcoming BMW 335d has been spotted again being tested here in the U.S. This time the car was spotted sitting at a diesel pump somewhere in the southwest. The engine in the 335d, as well as the X5 diesel that is launching at the same time, is based on the existing dual turbo 3.0L in-line 6 used in several European models. For it's U.S. debut, the diesel 6 gets a urea injection system in addition to the existing diesel particulate filter. The new calibrations drop the power output from 286hp to 265hp but increase the torque from 413 to 425 lb-ft. The 335d will debut this fall along with a general mid-cycle refresh of the 3-series. That will bring some mild tweaks to the shape of the front fascia as well as the new iDrive interface that debuted this week on the new 7-series. For a preview of what to expect from the 335d, check out the ABG Garage review of the current European 535d we did a few months back.

[Source: Autoblog]

Over at Auto Fiends they have some new camera phone pics of the Volvo XC60 crossover out on a test drive in the Los Angeles area. While in and of itself, that is no big deal, the photographer noticed something unusual about this particular vehicle. Above the fuel filler door was the the tag "Diesel Fuel Only." Since Volvo hasn't offered a diesel-powered car in North America since the mid-eighties, this is an unusual sight. Just because Volvo was testing a diesel in the U.S. doesn't necessarily mean they will sell one here, but we can certainly hope. Over in Europe, Volvo offers the XC60 with a 2.4L inline five cylinder diesel at two power levels, 163hp and 185hp. Either of those would be adequate for the XC60 if they choose to make one of the engines Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant. More importantly, perhaps, is that if they do federalize the diesel it could appear in some U.S. market Fords as well.

[Source: Auto Fiends]

Back in January at the Detroit Auto Show, BMW spilled the beans that they would launch clean diesel versions of the X5 and 3-series later this year for sale in all fifty states. The X5 xDrive 35d and 335d will use the dual turbocharged version of BMW's 3.0L in-line 6 six cylinder diesel engine and be equipped with a diesel particulate filter and urea injection system to meet US Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions requirements. My friend Jonny over at AutoFiends has now come up with some photos of what appears to be the 335d testing out in the Nevada sunshine. Of note in these photos is that circle just behind the rear wheel. Apparently that is the cap for re-filling the urea tank. The tank will likely hold about 7-8 gallons of urea solution and will only need to be refilled about every 15,000 miles or so. Given the infrequent refill intervals, it would seem likely that BMW will integrate that filler better on the production model, perhaps even putting inside the trunk. Hopefully they don't leave it like this prototype.

[Source: AutoFiends.com]

Toyota's entry in the growing micro-car segment, the iQ, has been caught testing on the road for the first time. The diminutive iQ was first shown as a concept at last fall's Frankfurt Motor Show and then in production form at Geneva this year.
The iQ utilizes a 3+1 seating arrangement where the passenger side of the dash board does not extend back as far as the driver side. This allows the passenger seat to sit further forward than the drive leaving room for an "adult to sit behind. The +1 seat behind the driver is strictly for the smaller of stature.

The prototype doesn't appear to have changed from the production model shown at Geneva and even with the extra seating capacity it doesn't look much larger than the Smart ForTwo. Toyota has not given any indication yet about whether they will offer the iQ to U.S. consumers although if gas prices keep rising, this could be a good alternative to the Smart.


[Source: Winding Road]

Ford's upcoming baby, the Ka, won't be making its public debut until October's Paris Motor Show, but it seems to be turning up all over the place these days. The latest sighting of a new Ka was outside of the Tychy, Poland factory where the Ka and its platform mate the Fiat 500 are built. This latest batch of photos shows the Ka wearing nothing but duct tape. Perhaps now that F-150 sales are in free-fall and the decision has been made to offer American consumers the option of the Fiesta hatchback, the Dearborn product planners will see fit to offer us the Ka as well. The powertrain options in the Ka should be more palatable to most Americans than the engine in the Smart ForTwo - and the Ka at least has a back seat. Come on Ford, bring us the Ka.

[Source: World Car Fans]

At last year's New York Auto Show, the Chevrolet mini car triplets were the stars of the show, particularly the lime green Chevy Beat. Later in the year at the LA Auto Show, GM announced that the Beat would indeed go into production around 2010. The first spy shots of what appears to be a Chevy Beat wearing the usual camo suit of vinyl and tape have now surfaced. Interestingly although the Beat was designed and engineering by GM's Korean team at Daewoo, this particular car was snapped in China. This of course raises the obvious question of whether in fact this is a genuine GM prototype or a premature knock-off from Chery or some other Chinese builder. Given that the Beat has been around for a year now and has made the rounds of all the auto shows, it would be pretty easy for someone to gather enough information to create a pretty realistic-looking replica. Only time will tell if this one is the real thing. We'll be watching for an introduction at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show.


[Source: China Car Times]

Ever see a car smile? It sure looks like that's what this redesigned Prius is doing testing out in Death Valley, as captured by KGP Photography and posted to Jalopnik. The vehicle as seen is not all that different from the current Prius model, just with a grinning grill and some changes to the headlights. Toyota is working on a redesigning the current model before the (delayed) next-generation Prius hits the streets.

While this smiling tester gives us a glimpse into the near future, ABG reader David has give some thought to what the next-gen Prius will look like. Click on the photo at right to see Jalopnik's gallery of new Prius spy photos.

[Source: Jalopnik via Auto Future h/t to David]