Mercedes-Benz has been teasing us with camouflaged pics of the 2013 SL-model for the last few weeks, telling us about its nearly all-aluminum structure, and if they could have had it their way, would have revealed their latest convertible model at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI, in January.

What you are looking at here are the first leaked images of the 2013 SL-series, and these seem to be scanned from its official brochure.

While there are no shortages of hoaxes on the net, these pics do seem to be the real deal, and gives us the first, unobstructed view of the sixth-generation model of the much-loved SL-class.

While the full technical details are not available at the moment, but we can tell you that this new model will be 308 lbs. lighter than the out going model, and will most likely be offered with the new 4.6-liter, twin-turbo V8 motor found in other new, big Benzes. This engine produces 429-hp and 516 lb/ft of torque. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic gearbox.

Styling-wise the new SL-series looks very similar to the new SLK-series from the front, and also quite similar to the outgoing model from the rear. The interior looks similar to the SLS, which is not a bad thing.

If you want to park one of these new SL-models in your garage, you’ll have to wait at least until the middle of next year, so for now, enjoy these (leaked) pics.

[Source: Carscoop]

Lexus will reveal a new concept car at the 2012 North American International Auto Show…and that’s all we know. Lexus sent a brief press release, two sentences in length, stating “Lexus will unveil a new concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012. Designed by Calty, the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the concept showcases the new design direction embraced by Lexus.”

No other details were given, so you’ll have to wait another few weeks to get any kind of info on the car. Real smooth, Lexus.

If you were one of the unfortunate kids who never got a Power Wheels for your birthday, you might be in luck thanks to Smart.

No it’s not a joke, though it is just a concept car. Smart sent out a press release today detailing its new For-Us pickup truck. With the most serious face you can muster, picture this: Smart’s latest attempt to grab U.S. attention is small enough to fit inside an average pickup truck bed. The little thing measures a miniature 11.6 feet and features a bed just big enough to squeeze a couple of bikes with their front wheels removed.

Smart said in their release that the ultra-compact pickup could be useful for accessing areas traditional trucks cant fit into, like small trails. Despite the obvious limitations around owning a pickup smaller than some golf carts, the Smart For-Us might have a sliver of merit: it’s an EV. Perhaps if the company sees its way to marketing this little utility buggy, the world might have it’s first zero-emissions pickup truck. Just try not to go too far out into the bush. You wouldn’t want to run out of battery power on the “isolated trails” Smart suggests taking the For-Us on.

If you’re still curious, more details are set to emerge on this curious creation at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

Dodge revealed teaser shots of their Dart compact car, designed to replace the wretched Caliber crossover, and so far it looks to be the first hit of Alfa Romeo-inspired product for North America.

Using the underpinings of the lovely Alfa Giulietta compact, the Dart will use a 1.4L turbocharged Fiat MultiAir engine – good for 168 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque while returning a reported 39 mpg. Other engines include a 2.0L and 2.4L “Tigershark” 4-cylinder, mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A 9-speed automatic is said to be available at a later date.

Other features include a dual exhaust and 4-wheel independent suspension. The Dart will be built at Chrysler’s Illinois plant, and will get a proper reveal at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

Discuss this story at DartForums.com

The North American version of the rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ sports car will bow at the North American International Auto Show in January, 2012, but what exactly that means is anyone’s guess.

No details regarding changes between the North American version and the rest of the world were announced. The car’s basic layout and 2.0L Boxer 4-cylinder with direct injection will remain, as well as the available 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. We’re guessing that some trim and equipment may be different – Japanese market vehicles have been known to offer a plethora of trims and options while North American versions generally get one or two distinct trims and option packages, to make ordering easier for dealers (versus the built-to-order phenomenon in Japan).

AutoGuide will be on hand at the Tokyo Auto Show as well, where the first glimpse of the production Subaru BRZ will be available.

Discuss this story at SubaruBRZForum.com

Toyota will add another vehicle to the Prius lineup shortly, with the upcoming Prius c subcompact. Intended to be the entry point into the Prius range, the Prius c will supposedly get over 50 mpg in the city.

Technology will also be at the forefront of the Prius c, which comes with an integrated app suite for use with websites like Bing, MovieTickets.com, Pandora and OpenTable, along with Bluetooth integration and a host of safety features.

Expect the Prius c to be about the size of a Toyota Yaris, but positioned as a more premium product. Performance details have not been announced, aside from the obvious use of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid system mated to a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. The Prius c will get its official unveiling at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Gallery: Toyota Prius c

Nissan and Infiniti, Detroit has missed you! And to return the favor, the Japanese carmaker is bringing both barrels to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, after a two-year absence.

Nissan left the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) two years ago to focus on larger debuts in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. But for 2012, Nissan will be present for both press conference days, on a stage in front of 5,000 journalists from 41 states and 60 countries (who attended 2011′s press days). But unlike 2011, blogs around the world won’t post their horror stories of covering a single 16-hour day of press previews: major manufacturers like Nissan, Ford, GM and Chrysler have supported the two-day press conference schedule. No more passed-out journalists or media room fighting.

“We’re thankful that NAIAS is, once again, an important part of Nissan’s international auto show strategy,” said NAIAS chairman Bill Perkins. ”NAIAS remains one of the most important motor events in the world, and our manufacturer partners know that we do everything possible to create an exciting, supportive venue.”

After a three year hiatus, Porsche is returning to the Detroit Auto Show for 2011. With porsche sales up nearly 25% and a host of new vehicle launches slated for the upcoming calender year, including a rumored redesign of the 911, Porsche is likely seeking a high profile platform for their new vehicles.

“We’re very excited about it,” said Bill Perkins, co-chairman of the 2011 North American International Auto Show. “The demand for space is very strong. People see the market coming back.”

Perkins also alluded to the return of manufacturers like Nissan, Suzuki and Mitsubishi, but declined to comment on specific car makers.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Toyota will debut an all-new hybrid concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in just a few weeks. This new concept will be a dedicated hybrid model, meaning that like the Prius, it will only be offered as a hybrid. Toyota has said that it will offer hybrid versions of all of its models by 2010, but it is also working to increase its lineup of dedicated hybrids as they help to promote a strong “green” identity” as a brand.

There are several rumors as to what this new model would be. The color and flat-nose front seem to indicate it may be a version of the iQ (which Toyota showed as a Scion model at last year’s New York Auto Show). There is also a strong possibility that this could be the long-awaited Prius Coupe.

We’ll be sure to bring you details as we get them, with full coverage of the Detroit Auto Show starting January 11th.

GALLERY: Toyota Dedicated Hybrid Concept

Official release after the jump:

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***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

One of the highlights of the Detroit Auto Show will be a new concept vehicle by Mercedes-Benz that is intended to give the world a glimpse at what the future of Mercedes design will look like. In an interview with the U.K.’s AutoCar, Merc’s design boss Gordon Wagener said that he intends to promote Mercedes as a a leader in design – something rival Audi has been pushing hard at for several years now.

Wagener didn’t give many details on the car, other than it would be a pure concept and would be both long and exaggerated. In other words, its one of those truly wild creations that never makes it to production – which can some times be a good thing.

It is likely that the first model to receive this new design direction by Mercedes is its most progressive design, the CLS, which is due for a full remake late next year for the 2011 model year. After all, it was the Vision CLS, which debuted back at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2003 that has inspired the sheetmetal of so many Mercs over the past several years.

GALLERY: Mercedes Vision CLS

[Source: AutoCar]

Set to officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show in a few weeks time is a new higher-performance version of the BMW Z4. A step above the sDrive35i, the sDrive35is gets some special body work, a revised suspension and more power.

Under the hood is BMW’s impressive twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine, which has been modified with a larger air intake and higher boost pressure to bump-up power to 335-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque. For the record, that’s an 11 percent increase. In addition, an overboost feature will provide an additional 37 ft-lbs of torque for a total of 369 ft-lbs! That’s just 11 ft-lbs shy of the M5′s V10 motor.

BMW claims that with the added torque, this sDrive35is can now hit 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, thanks also in part to the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is standard.

In addition to the engine upgrades, this new model gets M Aerodynamics and an adaptive M Suspension that uses electronically controlled shock absorbers as well as a ride height which has been lowered by 10mm. A set of 18-inch wheels come standard with light-weight 19s optional.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on the sDrive35is with live coverage from the Detroit Auto Show starting January 11th.

GALLERY: 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

Official release and VIDEO after the jump:

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Volkswagen is hell-bent on cracking the U.S. market and has decided to follow a production plan that will see it essentially follow in Toyota’s footsteps – for better or worse. Now that plan seems to include a possible entry-level sports car designed to compete against cars like the upcoming Toyota FT-86.

In an interview with Car & Driver, VW of America boss Stefan Jacoby stated that a concept sports car will be shown in the near future (possibly as early as the Detroit Auto Show in January). It will be a two-door coupe with a notchback design and will be targeted specifically at the U.S. market – much how the FT-86 has been described. The only other detail we have it that will likely be over 180-inches in length… again, roughly the size of the FT-86.

VW’s plan to crack the U.S. market will also include a new compact car (which will retain the Jetta name), as well as a New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS). Both of these will be built at VW’s new Chattanooga, Tennessee plant with the new Jetta arriving next year and the family sedan the year afterward.

[Source: Car & Driver]