With Christmas just around the corner, let’s look and see what the spy photographers have in their gift bags for us. It’s a special time of year, especially for the engineers charged with testing the latest models. The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is right around the corner, so many new products are just about to break cover, but it’s not quite time yet.
Ford was successful at keeping the 2015 Mustang under wraps, but that secrecy took quite a bit of doing. Other manufacturers have tried just as hard, and had no luck.
Chrysler’s got to be among the most disappointed. The 2015 200 mid-size sedan is set to debut in Detroit, and it was out for an official photo shoot when the spies caught it late one evening. The new 200 shows off lines that seem to have been influenced by Chrysler’s new owners at Fiat, and there’s hope that it will finally shake off the malaise that’s marked Chrysler’s mid-sizer for years. The full story’s over at Autoblog.
Autoblog also has the scoop on what may be the first front-wheel drive BMW in the North American market. Though there’s some doubt as to whether it will be a 1-series or a 2-series, this five-door hatch appears to be U.S.-bound in 2015, to compete with other premium compacts.
Worldcarfans spotted not one but two new MINI Coopers. With the redesigned third-generation 2014 MINI on the ground, MINI is taking the opportunity to update the rest of the lineup as well. This means a new MINI convertible, of course. The topless MINI Cooper was caught, looking pretty much as you might expect.
More surprising is this spy shot of the new Clubman. MINI’s little wagon look like it’s set to grow considerably when it’s reintroduced, with a stretched wheelbase and four doors. The side-hinged barn doors are still used at the rear, to keep things quirky.
You might not think there’s much interest in a redesigned Ford Focus, but the facelift of Ford’s best-seller, seen here at AutoGuide, will be significant for a large number of buyers. Judging by this prototype, the Focus is in for a substantial front and rear facelift in the next year or two.
