Spy Shots

It will come with a slightly modified grille, new lamps, more eco-friendly engines, improved infotainment package and the Flexsteer system already on the Cerato.It's being given hot-weather runs in the USA before the final sign-off for production.

We'll have to get used to it as the South Korean carmaker sharpens the edge on its new models

But work is already underway to keep sales ticking along, with a European facelift - headlined by a giant new grille - coming next year.It takes its lead from the new mid-sized Mondeo, but that's even further in the future as Ford switches production to Spain. Here in the second half of 2014 for about the same pricing as today.  

It's likely to have a smoother nose with a boost to the cabin, perhaps picking up some directions from the recent revisions to the 2014 Panamera.

There are Audi wheels and a bit of striping and trim work, but this is how the Macan will look at its official preview next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. But no-one outside Porsche knows if it will have a four-cylinder engine.

 The big change for 2014 is the five-door body, since the car is being developed and built in the UK, but the rest is predictable stuff including big spoilers and wheels, grippy seats and a blaring exhaust. The big question is if the Type-R goes turbocharged for the first time. It arrives in 2014 for less than $40,000.

Rumours and reports about what to expect of the 2015 Ford Mustang -- the one we'll see here in Australia -- have flown around the web in a flurry for months, if not years, and whatever the hype may lack in accuracy, it makes up for in spirit. Today, we have our most revealing spy shots of the upcoming muscle car.They show the sixth-generation Mustang, or the S550 as it’s referred to internally, hitting a race track in prototype form devoid of the heavy camouflage seen on earlier prototypes -- and revealing the face of the 2015 Mustang for the first time.The prototype is far from complete, so many of the details may change before production. However, we can clearly see a family resemblance with other Ford overseas products. The shape of the headlights and grille, in particular, are very similar to those found on the latest Ford Taurus.The look is aggressive and shares traits with both the modern Evos concept of 2011 and the current Mustang. Though the rest of the prototype remains camouflaged, the shots confirm, at least, that the 2015 Mustang will feature familiar pony car proportions. The prototype has a sleeker and more planted stance, however, and both its roof and shoulder line appear to sit lower than they do on the current car.As has been reported in the past, the car's styling should maintain distinct Mustang cues but with some influences from the Evos. Losing the retro flavour is a key strategy in widening the car’s global appeal. Yes, Ford has confirmed the 2015 Mustang will be sold globally in accordance with its 'One Ford' policy, and for Australia backed that up with the recent announcement in Sydney that it would definitely arrive in Aussie showrooms.Under the sheet metal lies a brand new platform with an independent suspension setup in the rear instead of the live axle that’s been traditionally fitted to the Mustang. Combine this with an expected lighter curb weight, possibly to the tune of 181kg less, and the 2015 Mustang promises to improve on the current model’s performance and handling substantially.As for the 2015 Mustang’s model lineup, we expect the Mustang GT to remain, still with a 5.0-litre V-8 under the hood, while the base Mustang with a V-6 should also carry over. A new turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder model is also expected, possibly to fill the gap between the base Mustang and Mustang GT and provide an option for buyers in markets (read Europe) where fuel prices are significantly high.A range-topping SVT model to succeed the Shelby GT500 is a given, but it may no longer carry the Shelby name or even come with a supercharger. Reports claim Ford will dig into its long list of storied nameplates for the new top dog, with Cobra looking most likely at the moment.Dates for the 2015 Mustang, like the details, are still far from certain. We expect it to hit dealerships sometime between spring and summer, 2014, with a reveal most likely taking place in the lead up to the Mustang nameplate's 50th anniversary on April 17 of that year. The 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January looks like a prime setting.www.motorauthority.com  

Spy photographers over in Europe have captured the upcoming Civic Type R, a high-revving hot hatch with race-inspired looks, taut suspension and impeccable handling. With the release of a brand new Civic in the European market recently, performance fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of its Type R variant.   The latest spy shots show a prototype for the new Civic Type R testing at Germany’s Nurburgring. Clear giveaways that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill Civic are the huge rear wing, pumped fenders, Brembo brakes, quad-exhaust tips and sporty body kit. Like the previous Civic Type R, the new car should stick with a four-cylinder engine delivering more than 150kW to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. We hear output may reach as high as 225kW, by way of turbocharging. This is said to be necessary for the car to set a new front-wheel-drive lap record of the Nurburgring, which is one of the goals for the car’s designers. The current record stands at 8:07.97, as set by the Renault Megane RS Trophy in 2011. As the spy shots confirm, the new Civic Type R will feature a five-door body instead of the three-door body used for the previous generation. There’s also the possibility that a dual-clutch transmission may be offered as an alternative to the regular manual, this time around. And if that wasn’t enough, we may even see an active suspension setup fitted. We may also see Honda’s in-house tuner and motorsport partner Mugen involved with some of the development. Given Mugen’s deeper integration with Honda’s road car program of late, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Honda offer some official, factory-installed upgrades for the Civic Type R as well as other models in the near future. Stay tuned for updates as development advances, and look for a debut in the first half of 2014. Key competitors for the car will be next-generation versions of the Ford Focus RS, Renault Megane RS and Volkswagen Golf R. Sadly, there's no hint we'll be seeing it on Australian roads yet. Honda has promised the Type-R only for Europe so far, and says it will be part of a model assault that includes a new mini SUV based on the next Honda Jazz platform, a small open sports car, a fuel-cell car, and a hybrid all-wheel drive Legend. www.motorauthority.com  

The X4 is spun from the mid-sized X3 and continues BMW's drive into new market sectors with a coupe-style five-door body.The X4 is expected to go public in the final quarter of the year and Carparazzi says the showroom model will be displayed at the Detroit motor show in January, 2014. It will arrive here late in 2014 and be priced slightly more than the X3.

The nose is getting a tweak with LED running lamps and a look that's closer to the all-new Range Rover and Sport, but it's the new engine - from Jaguar's F-Type sports car, and replacing the existing V8 - that's the big news for 2014.