Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet

Now here's a curiosity. Our legion of spy photographers managed to lay their lenses on a small sedan testing with a bevy of 2011 Chevrolet Aveo hatchbacks. We aren't exactly positive, but our best guess is this little guy is the four-door version of the bottom of the Bow Tie line. If true, this is the best look we've had at the Aveo sedan - save a few patent drawings - but there are a few complications with the theory.

For starters, very little of this car dovetails with what we've seen of the five-door. We could gloss over inconsistencies like vastly different doors, complete with incongruous handles and side view mirrors, but things get murkier when we have a look at the two cars' lug pattern.

This new creation clearly rocks four lugs, while every other camo'd Aveo we've seen uses five. Chances are General Motors probably isn't interested in using completely different spindles, rotors, wheels, etc. just for a different body style of the same vehicle. So what is it? Your guess is as good as ours.

Spy Shots: Are you the next Chevrolet Aveo sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Look what the spies have caught. Fresh from our time in the nothing-else-looks-like-it Cadillac CTS Coupe, comes these furtive shots of what we think is the upcoming Cadillac ATS. We've heard different rumors, but the dedicated BMW 3 Series fighter will either show up in 2013 as a 2014 model, or 2014 for the 2015 model year. Whenever it shows up, the ATS will be riding on a smaller version of GM's new/upcoming Alpha platform, the same basic RWD chassis that will also underpin the third generation CTS as well as the next Chevy Camaro.

We've taken a long, hard look at these spy shots, and have concluded that whatever sits under the CTS shell has had its wheelbase shrunk, leading us to believe this is in fact an ATS mule. The wheels are far too close to the passenger compartment. The other giveaway are the two places to insert fuel. At first we thought perhaps this is an XTS prototype and that the second orifice was (maybe) because of the new big Caddy's plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. However, we think the vestigial door in the photographs is actually there because of the shortened chassis of the ATS. Also, GM will be placing PHEV plugs on the driver's side for convenience. We've also heard nothing about an ATS PHEV, though an ATS Hybrid has been rumored.

As for the mule in these pictures, here's hoping whatever's under there is worthy of all six ducks.

Spy Shots: Cadillac ATS hits the test track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, China, Buick

For years , Buick has produced the GL8 minivan for the Chinese market. It's based on the late-1990s Pontiac Trans Sport. With that van being severely outdated for the better part of a decade now, Buick's just about ready to replace it with an all-new design. The new GL8 (we don't yet know if the name badge will carry over) has been spotted out testing and it looks very much like the Buick Business Concept that debuted last year in Shanghai.

One of the more interesting visual elements of the concept was its dipped beltline, similar to those on the Hyundai Genesis coupe and the more recent Honda Odyssey concept. The interior of the Buick van looks very upscale, in keeping with what we've seen in the new LaCrosse and Regal.

Considering that the prototype in the spy photos still doesn't have completed light clusters, it's likely that the GL8 replacement won't officially debut until next year's Shanghai show.

[Source: auto.163.com]

Spy Shots: China-only 2011 Buick GL8 minivan spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 May 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC

The fate of small pickup trucks in America is rather shaky. There haven't been any major new entries into the segment as of late (save the Suzuki Equator, of course, even though it's not much more than a rebadged Nissan Frontier). And though we've spied Ford Ranger prototypes testing abroad, it doesn't necessarily mean that a new model is slated for U.S. consumption. Small trucks do well in other markets, and the trucklets seem to be a dying trend here in the States.

Today, though, our spies have not only caught a new Ranger mule (above), but a small GM pickup (right) - the replacement for the aging Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins. Both mules look a bit larger than the models currently on the road, though still more manageable than the top-dog F-150 and Silverado.

Still, though, it's unclear what the future has in store for these new trucks. The fact that Ford and GM are testing these new mini-pickups in and around their respective headquarters in southeast Michigan leads us to believe that there may, in fact, be U.S.-spec replacements in the works. Ford has often spoke of a smaller F-100-style F-150 to replace the Ranger, and reports have shown that GM is working on a new truck to hopefully rekindle the success that the original Chevy S10 and GMC Sonoma had.

Spy Shots: Next-gen Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado replacements spotted in the U.S. - but where will they end up? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Buick, Opel

The first images of the new three-door Opel Astra have turned up and the new hatch appears to be shaping up to be even more attractive than its predecessor. The prototype appears to have a more steeply raked windshield than the five-door currently available in Europe and China where it's badged as a Buick and sold under the Excelle nameplate.

Power will come from a range of gas and diesel engines, including the 1.4-liter turbo that debuts this fall in the Chevrolet Cruze, a normally aspirated 1.6-liter and 210 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine for the GSi. The top of the range VXR will likely a get a version of the 2.0-liter direct injected turbo inline-four putting out around 240 hp.

We know the sedan version of the Astra is joining the Buick lineup here in the U.S., but Buick officials declined to comment on whether this model will join the four door model.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Spy Shots: Sporty Opel Astra three-door spotted, coming to Buick? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, China, Buick, Beijing Motor Show

The next step in Buick's plan for Chinese world domination is a new small sedan based on the Opel Astra called the Buick Excelle. Following what's likely to be its debut for the Chinese market later this month at the Beijing Motor Show, Buick plans to bring the compact sedan to the United States in 2011.

So, with introductions out of the way, let's take a closer look at what will be the smallest car in Buick's completely revised stable. Naturally, the expected toothy, chromed waterfall grille is present and accounted for, flanked on either side by rounded-off, rhomboid headlights. Note, too, the twin vestigial chrome portholes on each side of the mostly flat hood.

Judging from these images, the rest of the car looks much less interesting. The wheels appear small and the profile seems derivative, though not unattractive. Out back are large taillamps with extremely overstated chrome eyelash-like trim pieces. But that's just our opinion. See for yourself in our image gallery below, courtesy of autohome.com.cn.



[Source: Autohome.com.cn via Carscoop]

Chinese-market Buick Excelle sedan caught without camo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Chevrolet, Electric

We've still got about six and a half months until the official Job One production date for the Chevrolet Volt, but GM's plug-in savior is popping up on the streets around Detroit. Most of the Volts spotted in public are from the fleet of 80 IVER prototypes GM built last summer; cars with unpainted black bumpers and primer gray finishes. A few of those mules have been completely trimmed out for use as demonstrators such as the one we drove last December.

This weekend a camera crew from Detroit's Channel 7 News spotted one of these finished cars. We can't tell from these photos if this is one of the IVERs or one of the new production validation cars that started rolling out of the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant a couple of weeks ago. Either way, every time we see a Volt in the wild, it feels a bit more real. A tip of the hat to Vince!

Update: Volt chief engineer Andrew Farah checked the plate number on the car in the pics and verified that it is in fact one of the first vehicles built off the Hamtramck assembly line.

[Source: WXYZ.com]

Spotted in Detroit: Pre-production 2011 Chevrolet Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Buick, Beijing Motor Show

What is purported to be a new GT version of the Buick Excelle has been spotted out and about in China. The Excelle, you may recall, is a four door version of the Opel Astra. Buick has already said that the car will be coming to North America at some point, although we don't know exactly when or what badge it will wear. The current top engine in the Excelle XT is a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four that pumps out 184 horsepower.

The new Excelle GT may be getting the 2.0-liter direct-injected turbo from the mid-sized Regal in 220-hp trim which would make the compact sedan quite the little stormer. Now, if Buick sell this one here and Ford puts the 2.0-liter EcoBoost in the upcoming Mercury compact, we could have quite the battle of lower-premium small cars in America.

The Excelle GT make get a public announcement at the Beijing Motor Show later this month. A tip of the hat to Hanif!

[Source: China Car Times]

Spy Shots: Buick Excelle GT spotted in China, 220 hp 2.0L turbo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Chevrolet

We've seen patent drawings of the Chevrolet Malibu, and now spy shooters have captured the real thing cruising the hinterlands like a Yeti. Additional styling elements will be added to the bodywork, giving the current car's graceful bulk a few more angles and a bit more finesse.

The prototype's better-looking than the patent sketches indicate, which is no surprise, but we're still looking forward to how those front and rear lights will evolve. At least in back, it looks like they won't be true dual units, as envisioned on a couple of sketch-based renderings, but will have single lenses outboard and another set on the trunk.

Inside, which is where we think the Malibu can really step up its game, "vastly improved" materials are said to be on the way. A significantly better ride will come courtesy of the HiPer strut system on the car's new Epsilon II platform.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Spy Shots: 2012 Chevrolet Malibu prepares to shake up mid-size segment originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet, GM

GM's obviously thrilled with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro's success, as it's pretty much owned the Ford Mustang on the sales charts to this point. Now, the retooled Mustang hopes to bounce back with new powertrains aimed at erasing any performance advantage the Camaro model has. File that battle under "To Be Continued." The other thing the Mustang has going for it, however, is that sunseekers can opt for a ragtop variant. As in, today. Chevy fans? Not so much.

The waiting game continues apace, however, as the Camaro Convertible inches closer to showrooms. The latest good news comes from Camaro5.com, where a contributor nabbed the droptop Camaro out testing with its roof down - the first such sighting. We think it's a looker, just like its fixed-roof sibling, and better still, with the top stowed, all the visibility compromises the coupe has to make in the name of its wicked curb appeal are summarily erased. This is one ride we're definitely looking forward to. For additional photos, make tracks over to Camaro5.com.

[Source: Camaro5.com]

Spy Shots: Chevy Camaro Convertible spotted top-down originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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