Is this the 2013 Toyota RAV4?

The third generation Toyota RAV-4 was unveiled back in 2005 and since then, the model only received a mild refresh in 2009. Now, it’s preparing to enter its fourth generation and, apparently, these are the first images of the real deal.

These shots were taken by a forum member of a Toyota fan club in Saudi Arabia. The prototype is covered in a white plastic wrap which makes us think this model is from a Toyota dealer, but we’ll need to wait a little while longer to see if this is actually the new RAV4.

The 2013 RAV4 will be built on the same platform as the Camry and will feature the same exterior design as the 2013 Auris. As for the engine line-up, it will be offered with the same four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines found in Europe, while the American market will receive a new four-cylinder engine. There is no information on whether the V6 engine will still be offered, but we’ll keep you posted!

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Mercedes Brings Car-To-Car-To-Object Communication to the U.S. for Testing

Autonomous driving is on the tips of all of our tongues at any given moment, as it is the most likely “next generation” step in the automotive world. One of the key components of perfecting automated driving is the introduction of car-to-car-to-object communication – communication between cars and traffic-control devices. Think of it as a Facebook for the automotive world. Every car needs to update its status and plans to all of the other cars and the traffic controls “in its network” (in the area), so that they know how to plan accordingly.

Sure automated driving works okay via a series of sensors, but that only allows so much. This social networking allows car to plan routes, avoid traffic, avoid accidents, and so forth, ahead of time. Germany has taking the driver’s seat in this matter, by introducing the Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany (sim TD) - which allows controlled testing of these communication systems. Mercedes-Benz is one maker that will provide Germany with cars for this testing program and has now chosen to do some of its own car-to-car-to-object testing at its own facility in Palo Alto, California. During its infancy, this system will utilize the network of cars to sense a line of stopped cars over the peak of a hill or around a blind turn, helping prevent a rear-end collision because the driver and automated sensing devices couldn’t see the stopped cars.

In the long run, this system may end up being the basis that automated driving on a regular basis spawns from. Using sensors alone to eliminate the driver’s need to control a car is pretty dangerous, as the sensors can only see what the human eye can see. This automotive network, on the other hand, allows the car to see things well in advance, making automated driving the safest driving method. That sounds like a good plan to us.

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BMW M3 Concept to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Show

BMW is buying itself a little more time to organize intel about the next generation BMW M3 sports sedan by presenting a concept version of the sports sedan at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show before unleashing the production model later in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Apparently, all of the intense testing the M3 has undergone is still not enough to satiate BMW’s need for releasing a model that will meet or exceed the expectations of the market. Either that, or BMW is just trying to build up an exceptional amount of momentum before letting us have it.

The concept version of the BMW M3 should still offer a close look at the future M3’s general appearance and mechanical package which has been in the speculation ring for months. The next M3 is said to feature the same design language as the larger M5, including a front bumper with large cooling ducts, a lightly altered kidney grille, wider front fenders with the signature air vents, a subtle trunk-lip spoiler, and a special M exhaust system.

The area in which the most rumors have circulated is the engine. Rumors have been going around stating that the next M3 will feature a turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine with an output of about 450 HP, making it more powerful and more fuel efficient than the current M3. Whether this is with the help of a bi-turbo or a tri-turbo is still unconfirmed.

The future BMW M3 will be offered exclusively as a sedan and will show up on US dealerships in the winter of 2014.

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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Sportster by G-Tech

Over the past few months, we’ve learned that the Fiat 500 Abarth has become more than just a token cute little car. If you put it in the hands of an aftermarket company that knows what its doing, impressive things can come out of it.

We learned it from Lazzarini Design, and now German tuner G-Tech is proving that they can make a rocket out of the Abarth 500 too. Armed with a host of aesthetic and mechanical improvements, the Abarth 500 Sportster - as it has come to be known - is far from a standard 500. Far, far from it.

For starters, the car’s roof has been lowered by 14cm. The front fascia’s also been revised and a new set of alloy wheels have been added. Inside, there’s the addition of a pair of a carbon fiber trim and the addition of sports seats. While these enhancements do look good on paper, the highlight of G-Tech’s program are three different engine modifications that include two road-ready versions and one that’s ready for some race track action.

The first two involve base 230CV variant upgrades on the car’s 1.4-liter engine, resulting in an output of 230 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. Impressive, right? Not as much when you add an adjustable rear wing, bigger wheel arches, and a G-Tech INOX Le Mans exhaust system with electronically-operated exhaust valves into the mix. With these in tow, that’s an output of 260 horsepower and 258 lb/ft of torque.

Then there’s the track version, which has been dubbed the Sportster GT/R. With a completely new 2.0-liter engine, the 500 Sportster is now capable of producing a stout 350 horsepower and 332 lb/ft of torque.

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2013 VIA VTRUX Suburban

Recently, we introduced you to the VIA VTRUX, an electric pickup truck with a range-extending gasoline engine. Now we are set to bring to you the SUV variant from the same company.

VIA is headed up by former GM executive, Bob Lutz, so these all-electrics are based on Chevy models. The VIA VTRUX SUV, which is also dubbed the Suburban, is based on the 2011 Chevy Suburban, but with a vastly different drivetrain underneath it.

With all of the hybrid SUVs hitting the marketplace, we honestly wonder if there is room for an electric SUV of this nature. Sure, we have the Tesla Model X SUV showing up at some point in the coming years, but it is not your "typical" SUV. The VIA VTRUX Suburban is a traditional SUV that simply lacks the traditional gasoline power.

So, how doe this VIA SUV hold up to its hybrid competition, some of which comes from its own donor company, GM?

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2012 Lamborghini Aventador by Capristo

German tuning firm Capristo specializes in aftermarket modifications and the Lamborghini Aventador is the epitome of a performance supercar. Put these two together and you have the recipe for a perfect collaboration. While not in the same vein as Mansory when it comes to audacious packaging, Capristo knows how to dress up a supercar with aesthetic enhancements. For this program, the tuning firm opted for subtlety, stripping down the Aventador and its plastic components in favor of carbon fiber.

These external components include the central front lip, the front and side air intakes, the rear vents just below the taillights, and the diffusor. In addition, the Italian supercar also gets a new mirror finish 1.4828 stainless steel exhaust system that comes with remote-controlled adjustable flaps.

After taking out 40 kg/88 lbs of excess weight, Capristo was able to shave off a tenth-of-a-second from the supercar’s 0-62 mph acceleration time from 2.9 seconds to 2.8 seconds. On top of that, the car’s top speed also increased to 220 mph, up from the standard 217 mph top speed of the standard model.

Capristo did all of that without tweaking the engine, making the whole program more impressive. With a 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces 700 horsepower, this Capristo-tuned Aventador is a true high-powered beast on wheels.

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette already for sale on eBay

While we are still waiting for some official details from Chevrolet for its seventh generation Corvette, you can already bid for one on eBay. This may be the perfect chance for someone to be the very first owner of the upcoming Corvette C7, or the first person to be scammed into sending money to an unknown source for the Corvette. Also, don’t get fooled by the current bid - it’s only $4,250 - because this is just a deposit for the car. The full amount will have to be paid upon receiving it and if you decide to back out, they get to keep 10% of your deposit.

While the summary on eBay doesn’t offer many details on the next C7 Corvette, it does reveal that the future sports car will keep its usual V8 engine, mated to either a six-speed manual or an automatic gearbox. The specific Corvette on eBay is only the base model, but the winner of the bid can add any options he wants once it is paid for.

The Chevrolet C7 Corvette is set to arrive in mid-2013 and rumors say it will be powered by a 5.5L small block V8 engine that will deliver about 440 HP.

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