Spy Shots

Aussie shoppers have been crying out for the X3 rival since it first hit the road, but only with left-hand drive. The new GLK is longer and wider than the existing car and that will mean a roomier cabin when it lands in 2015 for less than a X3.  

The size and shape is much the same as the existing seven-seater with the emphasis on improving quality and refinement for passengers. 

This time it's the upcoming X4 being pounded around the Nurburgring ahead of sales in the second half of 2014.  

Volvo's S60 Polestar got worldwide applause when it arrived earlier this year, even though it was a limited edition of 50 examples and only available in Australia.And now it looks like Volvo is preparing an encore, with what appears to be a Polestar version of the new V60 wagon caught testing at the Nurburgring recently.Dressed in the unmistakeable Polestar blue livery beneath mild camouflage, the V60 mule uses the body of the freshly-updated 2014 model, and sports a new twinned-spoke wheel design on top of Brembo brakes, an R-Design front fascia with added lip spoilers, roof spoiler and rear diffuser flanked by twin single exhausts similar to the existing Polestar flagship.The existing Polestar model makes do with the brakes from the volume T6 R-Design Polestar model, so the Brembos on this mule suggest that we’re in for more than the current flagship’s 257kW/500Nm and 4.9 second 0-100km/h performance.This power is likely to come from a version of Volvo’s upcoming Drive-E 2.0 litre turbocharged and supercharged direct-injected petrol four, which Volvo has already confirmed as being capable of more than 225kW. There’s also a chance of plug-in hybrid assistance, with the new engine being designed to work in tandem with electric motors.Such a hybrid twin-charged unit could approach 300kW, considering Volvo's Powertrain vice president Derek Crabb’s confirmation that such an engine "will reach power figures in the V8 territory" when speaking to Carsguide earlier this year.Considering AMG manages to screw 265kW from the 2.0 litre engine in the A45 and CLA 45 twins with just one turbocharger, 300kW from the new Volvo engine with an extra supercharger and electric motor is well within the realms of possibility.It’s fair to assume that the current Polestar and T6 models’ Haldex all-wheel drive system would be carried over to a more powerful Polestar model, while the upcoming eight-speed Aisin-Warner automatic transmission with paddle-shifters would likely handle shifting duties. However, speaking with Carsguide today, Volvo Australia managing director Matt Braid was unable to confirm that a Polestar performance flagship version of the 2014 V60 or S60 was in the works. "We would certainly hope so, but I cannot confirm any mode plans or timing at this point."When asked about the Nurburgring mule, Braid admitted that he’d only seen those photos himself today. "Australia was the test case for the Polestar brand. We've had a positive response so far, so that bodes well for future models," he added.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

It's taking the basics from the 500X to create a new crossover in a similar program to the one for the latest Cherokee, which is built up from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.This 'Jeep Junior' prototype is clearly cannibalised from the 500L and the Carparazzi picture shows the extra ground clearance - if little else - that will carry through to production, most likely in the back half of next year with Australian sales in 2015. It is likely to be priced under $30,000.

It shares its mechanical package with the next Smart ForTwo, which could trim the price enough to be competitive down under following an official reveal at next year's Paris motor show.

The luxury brand plans to use its FAST car - the Family Activity Sports Tourer - as the bait below the existing 1 Series and X1.

The upcoming Peugeot 308 sedan is planned to give the French maker a big lift in the mid-sized ruck.It could even get a 408 badge, says Carparazzi, before its unveiling next year - most likely at the Geneva motor show in March. 

The Lamborghini Gallardo is about 10 years old and is well due for retirement and a replacement. Cue the Lamborghini Cabrera. That's the working name of the car that will replace the Gallardo, and the latest images -- snapped while the Cabrera was testing at the Nurburgring circuit in Feb -- show it's echoing the long lean lines of the Aventador.The new entry-level supercar is tipped to be powered by an updated version of the 5.2-litre V10 engine found in the current model, but with extra output extracted to hit 447kW -- a hike of about 40kW over the current base model Gallardo and 28kW over the top-spec version. Following Lamborghini's naming convention, that could also the a LP 600-4 added to the eventual moniker.You can depend on it having standard all-wheel drive, although it's likely a rear-wheel drive version will continue to be offered. A new seven-speed dual clutch transmission is set to replace the aging e-gear automated manual, but there's little chance of a pure manual shifter.Aluminium and carbon fibre will largely comprise the construction to help save weight, with a drop expected from the Gallardo's tare mass of 1600kg (1470kg for the rear-wheel drive).The Cabrera is tipped to arrive late in 2014, and Volkswagen Group-owned brand will be sharing the Lamborghini platform with stablemate Audi for its second-generation R8, which should arrive about a year after the Lambo.This reporter is on Twitter: @karlapincott

The prototype was sighted near Chrysler’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and given Alfa’s relationship with Chrysler, it’s likely we’re seeing the Alfa half of the project.Mazda’s half of the bargain will yield the next generation MX-5 roadster, and Alfa Romeo will build a uniquely styled version with Alfa drivetrain components – tipped to be badged 2C Spider.The images clearly show the new model will grow in wheelbase between the doors and the front wheelarches, creating overall proportions similar to the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins.Also visible are headlights that protrude beyond the current body, suggesting the front overhang will also grow – likely to suit European pedestrian safety standards.The doors look to have been lengthened, and pumped up rear wheelarches suggest track widths will also grow. The exhaust outlets are also slightly different to the current MX-5, and their finished appearance could mean we are looking at the Alfa’s production tips.The Alfa is likely to use a version of its MultiAir 1.4 litre turbo four cylinder engine, while the Mazda is expected to use a 1.3 litre turbo Skyactiv unitBoth versions are expected to undercut the current folding-hardtop MX-5’s 1167kg weight, with Mazda targeting 1000kg through its Skyactiv weight reduction strategy. The new MX-5 is set to appear some time in 2015, with the Alfa version appearing soon after.