Spied: 2013 BMW 3-Series GT

Underneath this disguised 3-series are the mechanicals of the forthcoming 3-series GT. BMW hopes the new model will broaden the appeal of the 3-series in the same way that a hatchback variant has widened the scope of the 5-series.

However, the new car won’t just be a smaller version of the Five GT. This time BMW is aiming to produce a fastback 3-series rather than the business express limo that is the Five GT. The 3-series GT will be more of a rival to Audi’s A5 Sportback, which is halfway between a fastback A4 and a four-door A5.

Not only would a GT variant help to make the 3-series more profitable, but it would also go some way to insuring BMW against a drop in SUV sales by offering a more socially acceptable alternative to vehicles such as the X3.

The car in our scoop pictures is testing the GT’s mechanical make-up. It’s clothed in a current 3-series saloon bodyshell and the top half of the mule, from the doorline up, is from that car. But from the waistline down the body has been altered to accommodate the new car’s chassis.

The extended rear passenger door, which has extra disguise around the rear of the window, points to a longer wheelbase than the current 3-series to give more room inside. Further disguise around the rear window indicates that BMW’s engineers are experimenting with a new boot opening, too.

The test car also has wider front and rear tracks than the regular 3-series, which fits with the idea of a wider, longer version of the saloon. The extended wheel arches look capable of accommodating bigger wheels, too.

At the moment it’s unclear if the 3-series GT will be launched before the new saloon, although the presence of this test mule suggests that, like the 5-series, the fastback will be launched before the saloon; that could be in 2012.

Thanks to: Autocar

Sneak Peek: GMC Urban Utility Concept

We're less than a week away from the opening days of the Detroit auto show, and GM has released two new images that could foreshadow a concept we'll see at Cobo Hall. Stashed on GM's "The Lab" blog and dubbed the GMC "Urban Utility Concept" is the crossover-like vehicle shown here.

Very little is known about the crossover, but the one image -- a line drawing that compares the profiles and seating positions of the concept, a Terrain, and, of all things, a Scion xB -- possibly reveals the most. The "UUC" is much smaller than GM's current Theta-platform crossovers, and is virtually the same size -- and shape -- as the compact xB.

Playing in the compact hatchback segment would be a new endeavor for GMC (which typically sticks to trucks, SUVs, and crossovers), but the styling, however, seems quite familiar. GM released only one image showing exterior detail, and the front fascia seems to incorporate cues from the Terrain, along with the Denali XT concept shown at the 2007 Chicago auto show.

Hopefully, we'll learn more about the "UUC" in a few days time, when we hear GM will unveil a show car in Detroit along these lines.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

Sneak Peek: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo

The next Chevrolet Aveo will have a wheel, a tire, and maybe a rear quarter panel, if the latest teaser image from General Motors provides any indication. GM PR posted the image today on the social media Baphomet that is Twitter. We understand the photo was taken at an event where GM's Orio, Michigan, Assembly employees saw the car.

As we've reported, GM has hailed the next Aveo as a radical departure from the current model. We hear four round headlamps, a wedged body shape with an angled shoulder line, and hidden rear door handles are in store for the exterior. Check our spy report from May, here.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Hot News: 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo SuperVeloce

After completing the stunning Gallardo LP 560-4 and 550-2 Valentino Balboni, you would think Lamborghini would take a break. A series of renderings on Lambocars.com, a Lamborghini enthusiast Web site, may prove otherwise.

Pouring gasoline on the latest rumor firebed, the renderings depict a Gallardo bearing white paint, a massive rear wing, carbon fiber bodywork, and a two-letter moniker well-known to Lamborghini diehards: SV. Lambocars.com believes a SuperVeloce edition of the Gallardo is in the works, estimating 570-hp from a 5.2L V-10. The Web site even ponders the existence of a rear-drive Balboni edition, based on the success of the most recent special edition Gallardo.

The Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce, which we tested in last year, boasts a 661-hp V-12 and all-wheel drive. It reached 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and the quarter mile in just 11.4 seconds at 125.8 mph. If such a Gallardo SuperVeloce is in the works, you might expect it to debut at the Geneva auto show in March.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Concept Car: Buick Regal GS

Confirming rumors, Buick is using the Detroit auto show to debut a higher-performance derivative of the Regal sports sedan. Although the Regal GS is officially a concept car, it won’t take much to bring this one to market, since it’s very similar to the Opel Insignia OPC already on sale in Europe. The regular Regal hits U.S. streets late this spring.

Externally, the GS is differentiated from the stock Regal by a 0.4-inch-lower stance accented by 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, as well as twin ports on the hood, unique rocker panels, dual exhaust outlets, additional front air intakes, and satin-finish metallic accents on the window surrounds. Inside, it gets Recaro sports seats, a squared-off steering wheel, and metal pedals.

However, unlike the OPC, which is fitted with a 325-hp, 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6, the GS concept features a tweaked version of the Regal’s 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo four making 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine drives through a six-speed manual transmission in the show car, but expect an automatic option when the GS goes into production. According to Buick execs Craig Bierley and Jim Federico, the reasons for the four-cylinder versus the V-6 are many: The bigger engine doesn’t make as much power when tuned to meet U.S. emissions regulations, and because it weighs more, there’s not a lot of difference in power-to-weight ratios. The V-6 also guzzles more gas than the turbo four, and the latter provides better weight distribution.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

New Car; 2010 Toyota Yaris

These are the first official images of Toyota's updated Yaris, which gains a range of minor cosmetic tweaks, along with improved spec levels (at least in models offered to European buyers).

The company hasn't gone overboard with the external mods, which are limited to a redesigned headlight cluster, matt silver door handles and new alloy wheels (or new wheel caps in cars with steel rims). The derriere is distinguished by mildly revised tail-lights.

Meanwhile, the colour palette gains two new additions -- hues dubbed Light Purple Silver and Blue metallic.

Toyota boasts the new Yaris represents five per cent better value than before as automatic air-conditioning and front foglights become standard in Euro-spec cars.

The company's European arm has also introduced a new model variant -- the 'Yaris 2010' -- which comes equipped with analogue instrument dials, a perforated leather steering wheel and gearshift knob and higher-grade upholstery trim.

Euro buyers can choose from three powerplants -- 1.0-litre VVT-i and 1.3-litre Dual VVT-i petrol units and a 1.4 litre D-4D (turbodiesel). Each engine features Toyota's Optimal Drive technology, which is said boost fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

As a result, all three engines generate under 120g/km, with model range fuel consumption averaging below 5 litres/100 km, according to Toyota. Moreover, Yaris whole-fleet CO2 emissions will be reduced from 130.8 g/km in 2008, to 117.4 g/km in 2010.

Toyota Optimal Drive focuses on lightweight, compact design, enhanced combustion efficiency and low-friction components. The company claims the petrol engines have been enhanced via a high-efficiency intake port, a high compression ratio and "long reach" spark plugs.

The 1.3-litre petrol engine features Stop & Start technology, while the 1.4 litre D-4D oiler is equipped with new Piezo injectors, variable nozzle turbocharging, a de-coupling generator and new electrical Exhaust Gas Recirculation.

Thanks to: Car Point

New Concept Car: Maruti-Suzuki R3 MPV

This is the Suzuki R3 MPV concept, which is being evaluated for the Indian market.

Unveiled at the Delhi motor show today, the six-seater is based on a stretched SX4 platform, and was conceived as a smaller rival for the ultra-successful Toyota Innova.

The production version - which is reported to be 18-24 months from reality - is expected to be built on a monocoque so that it is more car-like in its driving characteristics than a typical body-on-frame design.

The R3 is expected to be powered by Maruti Suzuki's K-series petrol engine in 1.2 and 1.4-litre variants, while a Fiat-derived 1.3-litre diesel is a possibility.

However, VW’s recent purchase of a 20 per cent stake in Suzuki raises the possibility of engines from the German car maker finding their way into the R3.

Thanks to: Autocar