Auto Mobile U Spy: Land Rover Prototypes Snapped Running Around Death Valley

While travelling through Death Valley in Eastern California, Carscoop reader Perry D. stumbled upon a convoy of Land Rover prototypes including the compact five-door Range Rover Evoque and the full-size 2013 Range Rover luxury SUV.

We're not sure what the camo'ed up Evoque test cars with the swirly-whirly disguise were doing in Death Valley as the five-door model was unwrapped at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show and is bound to go on sale in the States in October.

However, unless they had a supporting role, one possible explanation is that Land Rover's engineers were testing the baby Range Rover with a different powertrain setup.

Things are clearer when it comes to the 2013 Range Rover, which we've spied in several occasions with the same exact camouflage while testing in Europe.

The British firm's flagship model is expected to land towards the end of 2012 or early 2013 and will be significantly lighter than the current model thanks to the aluminium chassis and an alloy body shell.

The new Range Rover will be offered with a revised engine lineup of V6 and V8 diesels, and V8 petrol units, the latter in both naturally aspirated and supercharged formats, matched to Land Rover’s 8-speed automatic transmission.

More importantly, Land Rover is said to be developing plug-in hybrid variants paired up with diesel and gasoline engines, as previewed by the Range_e concept shown earlier this year.

Along with the Land Rover models, Perry also spotted a couple of Chevrolet Volts (one of which had a "press" sticker) that don't look any different than the ones that are for sale.

Thanks go to Perry D. for the scoop!

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Eagle Eye: New 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe / iX45 SUV Takes to Dead Darkness Then To New Dawn

We really love it when our readers go (literally in this case), the extra mile to snap some pictures of future models testing out.

Today, we're happy to share some excellent photos of the next generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe, which will be renamed to iX45 in Europe and other markets around the world that follow the South Korean maker's alphanumeric nomenclature.

The man behind the camera was Carscoop reader Landoni Corrado from Italy, who during a visit to the USA, caught a bunch of 2013 Santa Fe prototypes hot-weather testing in California's Death Valley.

Albeit still in heavy camouflage, the prototypes suggest that the new Santa Fe will sport a more daring and sharper design with styling influences from the most recent crop of Hyundai vehicles including the Tucson/ix35 as well as the European market i40 and i30 hatchback.

The photos also reveal a prominent front grille with layered bars that resemble the one found on the Hyundai Genesis and Equus saloons.

It's still a bit too early to know precise details about the engine range, but it is expected that the Santa Fe will launch with a new generation of four-cylinder engines, with Hyundai possibly offering the choice of both naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants.

The South Korean automaker is expected to show the new Santa Fe next year with sales to starting either towards the end of 2012 or early 2013.

Grazie for the scoop photos Landoni Corrado!

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