New Porsche 911 Shows its Panamera-Style Snout in South Africa

Once again, Carscoop's photographers have caught the all-new generation of Porsche's 911 sports car series testing. However, this time, they snagged a barely camouflaged prototype not in Germany, but in South Africa. And even though our man with the camera wasn't able to capture a crystal clear shot of the front end of the 2012MY 911, it's fairly obvious that the styling is heavily influenced by the Panamera.
From there on, despite some changes here and there such as the exterior mirrors that are mounted on the doors instead of on the window frame, the redesigned tail lamps and a slightly lower roofline, the basic silhouette and proportions remain the same. An extensive aerodynamic package with an active front spoiler and variable air-intakes, is believed to be in development. 


We expect more differences inside the cabin with some fresh bits and pieces borrowed directly from the Cayenne and Panamera parts bins.
The new model, codenamed '991', may look eerily similar to today's generation of the 911, but underneath the body there's a revised platform that has grown a few inches in length and width. Furthermore, Porsche's engineering team is also said to have made good use of exotic and lightweight materials to reduce the sports car's overall weight. 

The 911's engine lineup will be revised with upgraded six-cylinder boxer units boasting the latest technological advancements including direct injection and start/stop systems for gains in power as well as reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At launch, Porsche will offer two variants - the Carrera and more powerful Carrera S models, with the Turbo and other versions such as the GT2 and GT3 to follow down the line. 

Delivering power to the rear or to all four wheels will be a standard six-speed manual gearbox (depending on the model) joined by an optional seven-speed PDK (Porsche Doppel Kupplung) twin-clutch transmission with shift paddles behind the wheel.
Chances are that Porsche will choose its home show in Frankfurt, Germany, next year to present the world premiere of the new 911.

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China Market 2012 Volkswagen NMS Unwrapped?

Chances are you've already seen a set of pictures, supposedly depicting the U.S. market version of the 2012 Volkswagen New Midsized Sedan (NMS), floating around on the web-o-sphere this week. As always, we looked around and tried to find the original or one of the original sources of the photos. Turns out that these pictures originated from a Chinese car site called Autohome. If we are to believe the report, what you see here is the China-market version of the NMS. Even so, we would like to note that we're not entirely convinced of their authenticity as the photographs could very well be fabricated.
Either way, it won't be long before we find out what the North American market spec NMS looks like as Volkswagen recently confirmed that the car will get its world premiere at next month's Detroit Motor Show, with U.S. sales to begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Source: Autohome

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2012 Buick Verano Pricing Estimates, Preliminary Engine Specs and Trim Levels Leaked

The last time we heard about General Motors' forthcoming Buick Verano was back in October when the company teased the U.S. version of the already revealed in China, Excelle GT, with a single cropped picture. Now, the folks over at GM Inside News forum managed to get their hands on the car's preliminary specs through a leaked online order study destined for Buick dealers.
 
According to the official document, the Verano will be available with the 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Peak output will be 180 hp and 172 lb-ft (233 Nm) of torque. Customers will have the option to choose between four trim levels, each building up on the previous version.
The base version is codenamed “1SB Cloth Base” and comes with a cloth interior. It has an estimated MSRP ranging from $20,900 to $21,500.


Next up is the “1SD Cloth Mid-Level” that adds a variety of features such as remote start, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and sound system with Bluetooth connectivity. The MSRPs range between $22,100 and $22,700.
The third variant is the “1SG Cloth Mid-Level”, which ups the luxury ante with power adjustable driver seat, heated mirrors, rear park assist and dimming inside rear view mirror. Base price for this variant is estimated to be in the $23,300 - $23,900 range.

Last but not least, Buick will offer the range topping “1SL Leather Up-Level”, boasting heated seats and steering wheel, keyless entry system, premium Bose sound system and 18-inch alloys. This version is estimated to cost up to $26,200.
If true, Buick will be charging mid-size sedan money - think Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata- for a car that belongs in the subcompact category along with its Chevrolet Cruze twin and the Ford Focus. Of course, being that we're still more than six months away from the Buick Verano's market launch in the States, one should take these prices for what they are: estimates and not final prices.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: GM Inside News , Via: Worldcarfans

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Spy Video: 2012 New Beetle Caught Testing on the Road

We've shown you the spy shots and told you about the Oprah gig where the famous TV host gave away 275 examples of the yet-to-be-revealed New Beetle to her audience. Now, the 2012 model was caught on video towing a pretty big trailer during a series of tests carried out in Europe. VW has promised that the new generation of the retro-styled hatch, which will arrive in May next year, will be a “driving machine" but did not elaborate further. Video after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Autoblog

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The Many Patterned World of Automotive Spy Shots

Spy shots are the freelance automotive photographer’s bread and butter. Like the paparazzi who snap Bruce Willis’ beer gut hanging over his Speedos or Jessica Alba stuffing herself at McDonald’s, it’s the photos the stars don’t want us to see that rake in the big bucks.
Who are these “stars”, you ask? Why, none other than the latest and greatest models from the world’s carmakers. And, like celebrities behaving badly, these are the photos the manufacturers don’t want you - or their competitors - to see.

The New York Times has an article on the supposedly new trend of covering test mules in slick, artsy vinyl. The bulky rubber bumper extensions and tape on the headlights and windows are gone, replaced with swirls, triangles, checks and other, more curious shapes rendered in black and white.


There are a few good reasons for doing this. For one, vinyl is much cheaper and more easily removed than rubber and tape, and are just as effective at disguising those little tell-tale details like headlights and grilles on pre-production mules. According to BMW designer Adrian van Hooydonk, many of these way-out patterns are created by the very designers who penned the cars underneath.

And it’s not just the mainstream manufacturers who are into this: McLaren did the same with their horridly named MP4-12C supercar, covering it in what looks like a bunch of animal scratches. So there you have it: automotive art for secrecy’s sake. What’ll they think of next? Disguising Toyotas as Aston Martins?
Oh, the Cygnet. Right...

By Tristan Hankins

Via: NYT, Photos: Carscoop

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