Kia has already released two images of its 2011 Optima [Magentis] family sedan before its world premiere at the New York Auto Show later this month, but thanks to an amateur spy photographer in Korea we now have a few extra shots. These new angles confirm the Optima’s handsome good looks, especially as the car still manages to look stylishly European, even without the help of a pro photographer.

The 2011 Optima is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, which should result in a more comfortable ride, better handling and more interior room. Based on the same platform as the newly released Hyundai Sonata, the Optima doesn’t have quite the coupe-like look, with a rather high Lexus IS-like rear end. It features Kia’s “tiger” front end design with a flat nose and large grille, while LED lights are used on the bumper.

While no powertrain info has been provided, it’s safe to assume that much like the Sonata (reviewed here), it will receive a GDI (gasoline direct injection) 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 198-hp and a six-speed transmission. In the Sonata that engine gets 22/35 mpg (city/highway). With Hyundai set to unveil a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged Sonata and a Hybrid at the NY show, it’s likely that Kia will do the same either in NY or soon after.

Kia claims the new Optima will have class-leading safety and luxury equipment.

AutoGuide will be on hand in New York for the official debut, with live coverage starting March 31st.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima [Magentis] Spy Photos

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima [Magentis]

[Source: TheCarBlogger]

We’ve already seen a few spy photos of the updated Dodge Charger, but a selection of new images now reveals some impressive updates to the big sedan’s interior. Likely a high-end trim level, the photos show an impressive two-tone interior with leather door inserts, stitched into patterns. The instrumentation looks nicer overall and the new gauges have a retro feel with plenty of aluminum color trim. There’s also a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a push button ignition.

These updates, along with a revised exterior with a more sloping rear roofline, should arrive for the 2011 or 2012 model year. The updated car is also expected to get a new standard 3.6-liter V6 with more power (280-hp most likely) and much improved fuel economy, while the HEMI 6.1-liter V8 will be replaced by a 6.4-liter V8 with cylinder deactivation and Fiat’s MultiAir variable valve timing.

We’re interested to get a closer look when these much-needed updates make it to market. In the mean time, See more Charger spy photos here

[Source: Autoblog]

Thanks to a citizen journalist, or should we say citizen spy photographer, we now have several images of Pagani’s upcoming Zonda replacement, the C9. These photos of the car were shot by an Autoblog reader who passed by the transport rig parked on the side of the highway in near the airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Most likely this isn’t a very accurate idea of what the C9 will look like and it appears as though this test mule is using a modified Zonda body to cover up the important parts underneath.

According to the now-amateur spy photographer, many automakers test vehicles in South Africa, using large areas of unused public road – hence the stickers.

What we do know about the C9 is that it will be built of carbon and titanium and will also be powered by a V12 engine. The new V12 will displace 6.0-liters, however, and make 690-hp and 737 ft-lbs of torque. Company owner Horacio Pagani has said that the new model will meet U.S. crash test and emissions regulations, meaning that unlike the Zonda it will be sold in the U.S.

GALLERY: Pagani C9 Spied

[Source: Autoblog]

Several amateur spy photos have appeared online showing what appears to be the upcoming Hyundai Veloster out testing in Korea. While the body cladding certainly covers up the details, the overall shape of the car is undeniably like the Veloster Concept. As it should; after all, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik did say the sub-compact would look a great deal like the concept version, calling it both “Accent sized” and like a,” four passenger Honda CRX.”

Thought by many to be the replacement for the Tiburon, the Veloster will be in a different class, with no Tiburon-type model in Hyundai’s future product plans. Instead, much as the Genesis Coupe is a slightly larger, more powerful and more expensive model, the Veloster will sit at the other end of the scale, undercutting the Tiburon in most areas.

Reportedly, the Veloster will be powered by a direct-injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that will get over 40 mpg on the highway.

The Tiburon’s sporty-CRX-like successor is due out as a 2012 model at dealers by late 2011.

GALLERY: Hyundai Veloster Spy Photos

GALLERY: Hyundai Veloster

[Source: bobaedream.co.kr]

Thanks to a quick thinking amateur spy photographer, we now have a single photo of what the upcoming 2011 Buick Regal will look like. Caught outside the Grand Rapids Art Museum in Grand raids, Michigan, the car was reportedly being photographed for future editorial or advertising images. A gentleman who goes by the name Nathan, snapped the pic and quickly posted it on Buick’s facebook page.

Last week Buick announced the Regal name would return to North America as a new entry-level Buick model that will slot in below the LaCrosse – which lists for $27,085. Currently sold in China and based on the Opel Insignia (which uses a slightly smaller version of the LaCrosse’s platform), Buick is expected to debut the Regal as a 2011 model. Two engines will be offered initially, including a 180-hp 2.4-liter four-culinder, as well as a more powerful 220-hp turbocharged 2.-0-liter four-cylinder. According to recent reports a sporty GS trim level may also be offered with a 280-hp V6, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels, and a six-speed manual transmission.

[Source: Facebook]

A rather unique looking M3 has been spotted on the Nürburgring and the photos seem to suggest that BMW is prepping a CSL model. BMW execs have denied a light weight and even more performance-oriented M3 is on the way, but with the recovering economy, the demand for such a car and the fact that the idea behind it fits nicely into BMW’s “efficient dynamics” philosophy, the car almost seems like a sure thing.

The spy photos, captured by the U.K.’s AutoExpress show a lower car with a new front lip spoiler and a significantly sized rear spoiler. There is also the matter of the CSL-styled wheels.

If BMW does go through with it, expect the CSL model to come with many of the upgrades fund on the previous (E46) CSL. This would include items like a carbon fiber hood and front bumper, a lighter exhaust, stiffer springs and roll bars and light weight racing seats. Under the hood there should also be some light-weight carbon fiber components (like the intake manifold), some new engine software and possibly a new set of cams could bump up horsepower even higher.

See all the photos here:

BMW M3 CSL Spy Photos

[Source: AutoExpress]

With the expected launch of the LF-A grand touring supercar at the Tokyo Auto Show in two months time, Lexus was out recently doing some last minute tweaks at the Nürburgring. The folks over at AutoCar snapped these photos of what appears to be an undisguised production ready version of the LF-A.

Lexus recently revised its expectations for the LF-A, saying that it wouldn’t make 500, but 550hp from a 5.0-liter V10 engine that will rev all the way to 9000 rpm. According to AutoCar the LF-A will have a carbon-composite structure, and will also use carbon-composite brakes with big 20-inch wheels.

Just 500 LF-As are scheduled to be built with a price of almost $500,000. Owners will reportedly be flown to a private track in Spain to be acquainted with their cars, with driving instruction being given by famous Toyota racing drivers.

GALLERY: Lexus LF-A Spy Photos

[Source: AutoCar]

Thanks to a budding spy-photographer with a cell phone camera we have these images of the next Infiniti QX. Reportedly taken at a private event in the middle-east, the photos show a significantly revised look with much of the old luxury SUV’s odd proportions smoothed over.

Looking a lot more like it’s Lexus LX competition, the QX gets an imposing grille and what appear to be smaller windows, giving the SUV a more serious look. It also gets a massive set of wheels and some fender vents.

There’s no official word that it will continue to be called the QX56, but its unlikely Infiniti will have an all-new engine for such a low volume vehicle. We’ll be sure to bring you updates once Infiniti makes an official announcement on the 2011 QX.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti QX

[Source: VWVortex]

Ahead of its official debut, we now know what the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will look like, thanks to a selection of spy photos taken during the car’s pre-release photo shoot.

On the image above we get a great idea of what the new front fascia of the Sonata will look like, and we also get a glimpse at how the official images show such a wide angle of the interior of a car – by chopping the roof off.

Hyundai has continued to promise the new Sonata would be a class-leader in terms of design and while we have to admit we doubted that statement after seeing earlier spy photos, these images certainly show an impressive four-door coupe profile. From the back, the design of the trunk certainly seems reminiscent of the Mercedes CLS.

There are even interior shots which show an interior that looks significantly more premium than you would expect for a mid-sized family hauler.

GALLERY: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Spy Photos

[Source: Hyundai-Blog]

Thanks the the prying eyes and quick fingers of one amateur spy photographer in Sydney, Australia, we have this single image of the upcoming second-generation Hyundai Tucson. Driving alongside a truck with a full camera rig, Hyundai was apparently filming either a commercial or some promotional video.

And while we now know what the SUV looks like (at least from one angle), what still isn’t clear is what the crossover will be called. It’s known as the ix35 is most markets, but Hyundai might keep the Tucson name for North America.

With an overall shape that reminds us of the Nissan Rogue, the front end design is much nicer with Hyundai’s new hexagonal grille. This optioned-out model also has a sizable set of wheels and chromed roof rack bars. Overall, it’s actually quite close to the ix-onic concept that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show last March.

Details of the powertrain are exciting as we’ve already learned the next-generation Tucson will get a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. We just don’t know if that engine/transmission combination will be offered in North America.

The production model as shown here is expected at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show as either a 2010 or possibly a 2011 model.

[Source: Ausmotive]