2010 Citroen C3 Hatchback Scooped Uncovered During Dealer Presentation!

There's a reason why automakers don't permit cameras or modern mobile-phones at private presentations. Or at least they try not to allow because more often than not, someone will manage to sneak in a camera and take a few pics. And that's exactly what happened during a private showing of the all-new Citroen C3. These photos that where sent by an anonymous reader over to our colleagues at Worldcarfans, reveal the new C3's looks in detail.

The French automaker's new proposal in the supermini category that will compete against the likes of the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Renault Clio and Fiat Grande Punto, preserves the basic lines of the outgoing C3 but borrows several styling cues from Citroen's latest models such as the DS3 concept's fascia and the C5's tail light design.

The new C3 shares the same platform architecture and mechanical hardware with the DS3, but the latter will be positioned more upscale rivaling cars like the MINI Cooper.

The lineup will most likely include a 1.6 HDi turbo diesel with 90HP and 110Hp, and two gasoline units, a 1.4-liter with 95Hp and a 1.6-liter with 120Hp.

We'll see the new Citroen C3 in the metal at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2009, before it goes on sale across Europe before the end of the year.

Via: Worldcarfans

Audi A5 Sportback Caught Unmsaked at Photo Shoot in California!

While 'das' Germans at Audi are playing hide and seek with the new A5 Sportback releasing only one cryptic teaser shot of the five-door coupe, a member of the Audi enthusiast forum at Fourtitude captured the sleek-looking sports sedan during a photo shoot on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. The pictures aren't of the best quality but they clearly outline the shape of the A5 Sportback that is set to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.

Even though the front-end of the car is masked in the photos, it is evident that the styling will be similar if not identical, to the A5 Coupe. From the B-pillar and back, the Sportback gets its own unique styling highlighted by the swoopy roofline.

When the A5 Sportback goes on sale thorough Europe this September, it will be available with two gasoline and three diesel engines with prices in Germany set to start from €36,050. For the full Monty on Audi's sport sedan click here to read our detailed report.

Photos via: Fourtitude

VIDEO: Audi R8 Spyder Spied Barely Camouflaged on the Nurburgring

Ever-expanding Audi is adding the final touches on the R8 Spyder (could be named Spider though) that is expected to premiere at the Frankfurt motor show in September. A thinly disguised prototype model of Ingolstadt's drop-top supercar was captured on film during testing at the Nurburgring race track. Despite the fact that only the rear window seems to be covered, the dark finish does not allow us to view the design in all its glory. What is clearly visible though is the R8 Spyder's fabric roof.

If we're not mistaken, the prototype seen in the spy footage appears to be equipped with Audi's 5.2-liter V10 FSI that churns out 525HP at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 530Nm or 390.91 lb-ft. Unverified reports from both sides of the Atlantic suggest that the R8 Spyder will initially be available only with the V10 engine, though we find it hard to believe that the German firm won't offer the smaller 4.2-liter V8 engine in the near future.

2010 Opel Astra Interior Unveiled: New Gallery with 45 High Res Photos

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall have published the first interior photos of the all-new, sixth generation Astra, which is due to make its world debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show and reach European showrooms by late this year. Along with the interior shots, the German automaker also issued a new set of studio photos as well as sketches of the Astra that show the evolution of the exterior and interior styling of the car.

As anticipated from the various spy shots, the 2010 Astra's cabin is a fresh reinterpretation of the Insignia's design, which isn't a bad thing at all. Highlights include the recurring wing and blade motifs, the wraparound instrument panel with deep set gauges and the ambient lighting that provides illumination from above the centre console and within the door handle recesses.

The company says that the interior also stands out due to the high quality of the materials which can be seen in areas like the grained, soft-touch surfaces, the textured panels, the chrome trim elements, and the feel of operating buttons and switches.

"Our goal was to make the perceptual quality in the interior of the next generation Astra as great as that of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia," says Peter Hasselbach, in charge of Design Appearance Quality. "This is in line with Opel/Vauxhall's mission to bring innovations and quality to the compact class."

Opel claims that with the new Astra it has addressed one of the most common complaints on the previous model, that of limited storage areas in the cabin. The company said that it has created a raft of "clever storage solutions" like a shelled sunglass case inserted above the door opening on the driver's side, coin slots and pen holders moulded into the inside edge of the glove box lid while the glove box itself has two removable compartments.

There's also a second mini-glove box below the light switch, an under-seat drawer beneath the passenger seat which is big enough to hold a pair of shoes while the centre console can accommodate nine CD cases, as well as having a small storage area and an insert for two cup holders.

"It was important for the team not only to find places for the items to fit, but for the new Astra's interior to still look great, and maintain high quality standards throughout the cabin," says Max Kuncl, Performance Integration Manager.

For more details on the 2010 Opel / Vauxhall Astra click here.