Spy Shots

The second ground-up sports car from AMG, following the SLS gull-wing, the compact GT is gradually losing its camouflage to reveal a car with visual ties to the Benz SL of the 1950s.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

There are strong rumours that it will become front-wheel drive with a switch to the UKL platform also used for the latest Mini and upcoming BMW 2 Series.Expect more rear legroom with the body change, as well as more efficient new engines.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

The ix35 gets a complete overhaul for the first time since its introduction in 2010, but the basic layout looks much the same on the 2015 version.It will also become the new Sportage when Kia drops its own body on the package.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

ForTwo is coming up soon and Daimler is testing the two-seater city tiddler while it also develops a stretched four-seat model for the first time.The second-generation ForTwo is more cute and curvy than the first, with engine choices that will include a fully-electric model. The new Smart is also being cloned into the new Renault Twingo, which means a switch to rear-wheel drive for the French bebe. 

The final Falcon and Territory have been caught testing on the road. These are the best pictures yet of the final Falcon with a see-through car bra revealing the shape of the production car's grille.We also snapped the first shots of the facelifted Territory, confirming there will be some minor facial work but no significant revisions to the rear.Ford will launch the last Falcon in November, weeks before the updated Territory goes on sale. Production of both ends in late 2016.Despite plummeting Falcon sales and the accepted wisdom that it will be ditched early, Ford is carrying out significant body revisions to its former hero. The model, known internally as the 201X Falcon, will have a fresh bonnet and bumper, a new bootlid and rear guards, as well as narrower headlights and flatter tail-lights that spread into the bootlid.There will be daytime LED running lights at the front and a fresh Ford family grille, more prominent than that of the current FG II as well as new-look alloy wheels.The mechanical changes are minor, except for the return of the eight-cylinder XR8. Most of the work has gone into driving down the fuel consumption of the base car from 9.9L/100km to 9.5L/100km. A key impetus for this is that Ford Australia was given a $34 million Federal Government grant in 2012 and promised to hit that target.The last Falcon and Territory models, except the XR6 Turbo and XR8, will use a lighter Chinese-built ZF six-speed automatic tuned for economy. The German-made ZF high-torque gearbox, used for the two Falcon performance models, ceases later this year leaving Ford to stockpile those it needs to get through to the end of the Falcon's life. The diesel Territory sticks with its Ford developed six-speed auto. Other economy gains will be made through the introduction of tyres with less rolling resistance.There will be no extra power and torque across the Falcon range and the suspension settings will not change. Carsguide understands the Falcon's interior upgrades will be restricted to minor trim changes and graphic upgrades for the centre info screen.Limited changes will be made to the Territory, including the front end and interior. 

Jaguar is preparing to launch the XE -- a completely new sedan -- next year, and until now we've only seen the car testing with body mules based on the XF. But Carsguide's spy photographers have just snapped the XE production prototype during winter testing in Sweden, giving us a first look at the car's proportions. A teaser image issued by Jaguar last week showed just the face, with styling cues echoing the XF, but we now also see the car's proportions, although some of the lumpy rear is likely to be cladding intended to disguise its lines.The XE will be underpinned by Jaguar's new aluminium iQ(A1) platform -- also to be used by the next generation of the XF -- and will feature a more compact body and shorter front and rear overhangs.The new sedan will be powered by a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder engines dubbed Ingenium in both petrol and diesel, with a strong focus on fuel efficiency while still offering performance. But the newcomer is also a candidate for the 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre V6 that powers the F-Type, to make for a range-topping variant.The transmission across all models is likely to be an eight-speed auto, driving the rear wheels as standard but with an all-wheel drive option -- choices to arm it against key German rivals: the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.The XE is tipped for a debut later this year, followed by a roll-out into overseas showrooms early in 2015 and arrival here later that year. Expect it to be strategically priced against the rivals, which have entry points starting as low as $53,000.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

...and Hyundai has no intention of being left behind. It is working hard on an ix25 that should be ready later this year. Based on the next-gen i20, but slotted into an earlier production program than the updated small car, the ix25 is expected to be unveiled at the Beijing motor show in April.It will be built in China as the South Korean maker spreads its manufacturing footprint further around the world. Hyundai Australia says it knows nothing of the ix25 but that is likely to change. Fast. Especially once it goes public and its customers clamour for inclusion in one of the world’s fastest-growing car classes.The Subaru XV was the first of the super-small SUVs to hit and Australia and now we have the Ford EcoSport, as well as the coming Renault Captur and other planned contenders.Our Carparazzi pictures from winter testing shows an angular body for the ix25 but the youth focus is obvious in the car’s funky alloy wheels.There are also visual ties to the i20, including the tail-lights. There appears to be a rising beltline that will give some style to the slab sides, as well as useful boot space behind the rear seat.Hyundai’s plan for the ix25 also raises the prospect of a clone car from related brand Kia, which shares all the major model development work at the “blue team” but adds its "red team" twist to styling.The new Kia Soul shows how a compact shopping trolley SUV could easily fit into its line-up, provided the junior partner in the South Korean conglomerate is allowed to play with what could become a key model for Hyundai in the next few years.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover 

...as the i20 gets its first total renewal since the start of Australian sales. The full body swap promises more comfort, class and refinement in a similar size at a similar price.The new i20 is already set to compete in the 2015 World Rally Championship. Expect to see it here late in 2014 with prices starting under $15,000.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

...with a five-door Cooper included in the mix. Carparazzi caught it in winter tests and says it's not the new Countryman, but a car that's closer to the basic three-door hatch with some added practicality from a longer wheelbase.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

...but it's not the Pullman that will take over the unloved Maybach's role at Daimler. The S-Class XL pictured during winter testing has a 2+2 cabin with lots of luxury thanks to an extra 200mm of rear-seat space.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover