Mercedes-Benz may have overestimated its latest commercial shoot’s seclusion and the public’s pension for sharing videos online.

A cyclist sporting a GoPro camera stumbled across a Mercedes-Benz video shoot and started recording right away. The shooter hit the jackpot by spying the all new Mercedes A-class without camouflage.

We saw the A-class concept at last year’s New York Auto Show, and the production version will bow this year at the Geneva Auto Show in early March.

It looks as though the production A-class shed a few of the sporty features we saw on the concept in favor of a boxier more consumer friendly design. The car we see in the video has a body kit and large alloy wheels which would lead us to believe that it’s probably the AMG sports package.

Watch the video after the jump and tell us what you think of the new A-class in the comments section below.

GALLERY: Mercedes A-Class Concept

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Nissan debuted its 2013 Pathfinder Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but didn’t disclose what would be powering the crossover – apart from the fact it would be a V6 engine. Motor Trend is now reporting that the 2013 Pathfinder will be powered by a 3.5L V6, perhaps identical to what the new JX35 will have.

The JX35 features a 3.5L V6 with 265-hp, 248 lb-ft of torque and we could expect the Pathfinder to have similar if not identical specifications under the hood. Fuel economy for the new Pathfinder will be a big improvement, with Nissan claiming that thanks to significant weight reduction, as well as the use of a new CVT transmission, we should expect gains of up to 25 percent.

What is more interesting though is that Nissan also told Motor Trend that it plans to unveil a second, completely new vehicle at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in April. Nissan stated that no outsider has ever seen this vehicle.

GALLERY: Nissan Pathfinder Concept

[Source: MotorTrend]

See AutoGuide’s First Look video of the 2013 Pathfinder Concept below:

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The 2013 Viper SRT is already high in demand – and it’s not on the market yet. If you’re one of the many who can’t wait to buy one, you may be out of luck – unless, that is, you already own a Viper or belong to the Viper Club of America.

Word on the street is that first dibs for the 2013 Viper SRT will go to existing owners – and no, you can’t rush out and buy any old Viper after reading this post in hopes you’ll get on the list. The honor of owning the initial deliveries of the 2013 Viper SRT will go to members of the Viper Club of America. There is no confirmation, but potential purchasers will probably be decided by a lottery comprised of interested members.

The original Viper was produced for 18 years, but in 2010 Chrysler shut down production due to finances and revised safety regulations. The 2013 Viper SRT will make its official debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Hyundai will debut its next-generation Santa Fe crossover at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April, Motor Trend has confirmed.

Little is known about the new CUV, though the third-generation will probably feature the same drivetrain with somewhat improved performance and fuel economy. We’re also guessing the majority of aesthetic updates will be on the inside, keeping in line with the company’s other updated interior designs. Another example is the updated Elantra— you can see pictures-a-plenty of the futuristic design cues in our review.

The Santa Fe got an update in 2010 (pictured above), and the CUV isn’t a poor seller, but it isn’t great either falling into the middle range for overall sales last year with just over 74,000 units sold in North America. That’s a lot better than the abysmal 1,524 Azeras sold last year, or if you really want embarrassing numbers: 18 in December. It’s also nowhere near the Sonata, which capped 2011 off with almost 226,000 units sold.

While a fresh design and a little more horsepower isn’t going to slingshot the Santa Fe to such regal status among the fleet, it could stand to get current Hyundai customers back into the showroom at just the right time, when their 2010 leases are set to expire. Sales have been more-or-less stable since the update, but are on a slow decline, meaning the reiteration is probably a wise choice.

GALLERY: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

[Source: Motor Trend]

Chevrolet will build their 2013 Malibu in China and South Korea before it beings production Stateside, solidifying Chevrolet’s aims for the Malibu to be a “world car”.

South Korea will be the first country to build the Malibu, starting in late 2011. China and the United States will begin building the car in early 2012. South Korean Malibus will be built domestically in order to dodge substantial levies on imported cars, while America will get cars built in both Michigan and Kansas.

Chevrolet notably debuted the car in China in advance of the car’s American introduction, with GM touting strong sales in Asia for the car.

So the new Ford Taurus was only introduced last year. Why, then, did Ford refresh it for 2013 at the New York Auto Show—why go through all that effort now? Because, according to Ford head design honcho J Mays, the new front end is supposed to showcase Ford’s new global look, and the Mondeo and Falcon are gonna nab a piece of it.

Yes, for once the Ford global look sets its standards from America, not Europe or Australia. The new corporate look, said Mays, will still allow these three diverse sedans to retain their own character. The design elements can be altered to create subtle or aggressive looks across a model range. And the trapezoid grille was influenced by those from Audi—where J Mays used to hang his hat.

[Source: GoAuto]

The Chevrolet Sonic actually looks like a good vehicle, and not just in relative terms to the outgoing Aveo that it replaces. In a classic case of misplaced good intentions, Chevrolet decided to take things up a level with their Sonic Z-Spec package, that combines questionable visual patterns with the color palette of a Creamsicle.

In addition to the goofy graphics, the Z-Spec package includes exhaust tip, roof spoiler, mirror caps, grille surrounds and a choice of 16″ or 17″ wheels, while the interior gets a an aluminum door sill kit and aluminum pedals. While the Sonic Z-Spec is supposed to capture the hearts and minds of young buyers, we think that the 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 40 mpg rating are much better ways to sell your product, as opposed to slathering your new car in orange-and-white polka dots.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec

The Mitsubishi i electric vehicle will start at $20,490 after a federal tax credit, coming in at nearly $5000 less than a Nissan Leaf.  The $20,490 sticker price is for a base ES model, while the upgraded SE trim with an 8-speaker 360 watt stereo, leather wrapped steering wheel, 15″ alloys and fog lamps will cost $22,490.

Mitsubishi will also offer an option packing for $2,790 that features a DC quick charging port, allowing the car to recharge to 80 percent battery level in 30 minutes. Other features include a navigation system, backup camera, steering wheel audio controls and a FUSE hands-free system.

Customers will be able to order their i starting on April 22nd via Mitsubishi’s online ordering system. Potential buyers will then have to PayPal $299 for a refundable deposit, and $99.99 for a home inspection fee (waived for the first 2,000 customers) to make sure their home can handle EV charging equipment. Once this process is complete, customers will be able to take delivery of their car as soon as it reaches our shores in November, 2011.

The Chevrolet Volt won the World Green Car of the Year award at the 2011 New York Auto Show, beating out the Nissan Leaf and BMW 320d for the title.

The World Car of the Year award is made up of 66 jurors from 25 countries, who are responsible for selecting the vehicles. This year, the Nissan Leaf ended up taking the honors for World Car of the Year, despite losing the “Green Car” title to the Chevrolet Volt. Other winners included the Ferrari 458 Italia for Performance Car and the Aston Martin Rapide took home top honors for Design. Check out AutoGuide‘s coverage of the New York Auto Show for more.

One of the worst kept secrets at the New York Auto Show belong to Jaguar, which unveiled their revised XF and XK luxury cars, including a 550 horsepower XK-RS.

The XK-RS is billed as the fastest Jaguar ever, with a 550 horsepower version of the 5.0L supercharged V8. Jaguar hinted that their power rating was a bit below what the car’s actually capable of, and we’ll welcome the chance to verify this claim, as well as the car’s 186 mph top speed.

The XF sedan gets minor styling tweaks both inside and out, while the XFR gets a more aggressive bodywork treatment to help differentiate it from the more sedate members of the XF family. A new Jaguar leaping cat badge will also be found on the decklid, giving teenage vandals a new target for their hijinks.

Gallery: 2012 Jaguar XK-RS and XF