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Lately, we’ve seen many examples of updated BMWs coming through the espionage pipeline. These latest spy shots, though, aren’t just another appearance update.

Take a close look at the sticker on the window and under the license plate. It reads, in plain English, “Hybrid Test Vehicle.” Caught in Munich, the 1-series appears to be following in the tire tracks of the 7-Series and X6 ActiveHybrid models we have already seen.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted with any more news on the 1-Series hybrid.

Click through the gallery above to see the BMW 1-Series hybrid prototype, or scroll down for the shooter’s comments.

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As we’ve been seeing lately through spy photos, BMW has been refreshing the looks of their lineup. The BMW X5 is the latest to be caught in our crosshairs.

We see here that the air intakes are on the front are different, as well as foglight placement. The rear bumper has been reshaped, too, as we can see from the side-by-side photo in this gallery. The exhaust tips also have a new shape.

See the new look of the BMW X5 in the gallery above.

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These are the latest spy photos of the BMW 6-Series convertible in testing. Our sources now tell us that it will not get a retractable hard top, as we once thought. The 6-Series will be offered as a soft-top convertible, seen here, and as a coupe.

The new 6-Series will have a wider grille and headlights, and will share most engines with the 7-Series, except for the V-12. The M6 will go the same route as the M5, and drop the V-10 in favor of BMW’s twin-turbo V-8

Click through the gallery above to see the BMW 6-Series convertible, or scroll down for the photographer’s notes.

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From some wintry part of the world, we have received these spy shots of a four-door version of the Volkswagen Polo. Because of its size and fuel economy, we expect the Polo sedan to appear in the US as part of the 2011 lineup.

It will probably see some more changes before it becomes available, and we’ll post any updates or images as its unveiling draws near.

Check out the Polo sedan in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s comments.

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These are the most recent spy shots of the BMW 5-Series Sports Wagon. It’s still wearing all the camouflage it was wearing back in April, but it’s good to see it out on the road again.

We’ll be sure to keep you up to date as updated models across the BMW line shed their disguises.

Check out some other recent BMW spy photos here and here.

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We’ve just be handed what appear to be the first ever photographs of the next generation BMW 3-Series, albeit in heavily camouflaged form.

Hardly able to hide from our shooter’s lens while riding on the back of a transporter, the new 3 seems to be following suite with the recently revised 7-Series and Z4 by showing much simpler, cleaner body surfacing, and tidied up lines. We won’t be able to say for certain until at least some of the cladding is removed, but this seems to be somewhat of a return to the crisp, straight-edged 3-Series we last saw in the E46 sedan.

Front and rear fascias, lighting, and mirrors all appear to be revised on this new car, though the full-length ambers on the side-view mirrors seem likely to be revised before the production version hits.

We’ll keep you posted about new 3-Series developments as we know them (including any word from our spy photographer about further details). Until then, take a close look at our gallery of images above, and let us know what you think about the updated 3er in comments, below.

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Here, we see the successor to the Ferrari 612, which we saw once before earlier this year. This test mule has a longer wheelbase than the 612, which could mean more passenger volume, or Ferrari could be making room for a KERS system. It also has the over/under style tailpipes.

Our photographer also offers the possibility of Ferrari’s four-wheel-drive system, compatible with front- and mid-engine vehicles.

Interestingly, the stickers on the steering wheel warn that the engine should only be started with the hood closed.

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Our spy photographer sent us these newer shots of the updated Mercedes-Benz CLS AMG, which will be based on the current E-Class. We should see it with direct-injected V-6 and V-8 engines, including a 435-horsepower twin-turbo V-8. Then there will be the line-topping CLS63 AMG with 544 horsepower.

Our photographer speculates the possibility of a CLS 400 BlueHybrid, an interesting thought, indeed. 

Check out the CLS AMG test mule in the gallery above, and make sure to scroll down to read what the shooter has to say.

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Our spy photographer sent over some shots of a hotted-up version of a BMW M3 on the Nürburgring. Could it be a production version of the GT4 racecar?

From the photos, we can see the huge rear wing and the lower lip in front. The car also looks lower to the ground. We can assume it has lost some weight, and has been fitted with some of performance racing parts. It looks right at home on the 'Ring.

See it in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s notes.

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The Volkswagen Tiguan, following the lead of other VWs, appears to be undergoing a facelift. It’s a bit different than what we’ve seen on other Volkswagens, though.

The new Tiguan gets a new bumper and air intakes, a new grille, headlights, and LED running lights.

Other than that, we don’t see any other visible changes yet, but there’s still plenty of time before the new Tiguan makes its debut in Geneva next year.

See it in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s notes on the updated Volkswagen Tiguan.

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These spy photos show what may be a prototype of the Subaru-powered Toyota FT-86. The FT-86 Concept was recently announced, and will show up at the Tokyo Motor Show.

This test mule, seen here on the Nürburgring, is likely a prototype for the eventual production model. If the FT-86 is any indication, this “Toybaru” will be a rear-drive sports coupe, powered by a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter flat-six engine. With a low weight and low center of gravity, Toyota may finally be making a car drivers like us can get excited about.

See the supposed Toyota/Subaru in the gallery above, and feel free to make any speculations of your own in comments.

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We’ve seen versions of the Volkswagen Up concept at auto shows, most recently as the electric E-Up in Frankfurt.  Today, our spy shooter offers these photos of an Up mule (badged as a Polo) testing on public roads.

The Up should appear on the market as a 2012 model, and, as our photographer points out, it may end up being called Lupo. It will likely house Volkswagen’s clean diesel and gasoline engines, and perhaps we’ll also see the fully electric version come to fruition. Expect a five-door version down the line.

See the diminutive VW Up in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s own words.

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The 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class, as seen in these spy photos, has received quite a makeover. It has a new face, including grille, hood, bumper, headlights, LED running lights, and side mirrors. In back, it gets a new bumper, LED lights, and exhaust.

It still looks like a rolling loaf of bread, but now in a good way.

According to the shooter, it should get an engine update too, to comply with regulations. Look for the new R-Class at the Detroit show in January.

Can’t wait until January? Lucky you, there’s a gallery above. The photographer’s comments follow.

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The new Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, with its 525-horsepower V-8 propelling it along looks good (from what we can see) as it lurks near the Nürburgring. From these photos, we can see that it will have two sets of two tailpipes. Most of the other features are covered by that thick camouflage Mercedes-Benz uses on their test cars.

Find the gallery above. The photographer’s comments follow.

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Our spy photographer just delivered these shots of Volkswagen’s re-entry into the pickup segment, called the Amarok. Expect to see it in South and Central America, before it begins to show up elsewhere. Is it too early to start a pool to see if it ever comes to the U.S.?

Diesel engines will power two- and four-wheel-drive versions of Volkswagen’s new truck.

See the Amarok in the gallery above, or scroll down for more details from the photographer.

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Spy Shots: Porsche 911 Convertible

These spy photos show the new 911 Convertible doing some hot weather testing, showing off its new taillights. It also looks like it has been lengthened to provide a more usable rear seat.

As with the coupe, the convertible will get the PDK gearbox, direct fuel injection, and two- and four-wheel-drive versions.

Click through the gallery above, or scroll down for the shooter’s comments.

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Our spy shooter spotted these two Volkswagen mules, and he found some clues as to what they are. Upon closer look, the cars are marked with stickers that help to identify them.

He suggests the white one is the next generation of Volkswagen Golf VII, which won’t go on sale until 2012. The black one could be a smaller new coupe based on the current Golf VI.

We’re confident the mystery will unravel as more spy shots show up. Click through the gallery above to see the two little Volkswagen mules. The photographer conjectures about them, below.

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Some speculate that the new Volkswagen Touareg will drop several hundred pounds. Others suggest a third row may be added. Rumors of a hybrid version are also floating around. We’ll probably have to wait until the Detroit Auto Show in January for all the details. In the meantime, we’ll post spy shots as they surface.

Photos above, photographer’s comments below.

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Our spy shooter spotted this Citroën C4 testing under heavy camouflage. We expect the five-door hatchback to be lighter, and less fuel-thirsty. We may even see a diesel-hybrid powerplant in it down the road.

It should show up next year at the Paris show.

See the C4 in the above gallery, or scroll down for the photographer’s comments.

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Yesterday, we showed spy shots of the updated BMW M5 testing. Today, we have even more revealing photos, as the M5 shed some of its camouflage to reveal more of its front fascia.

Click through the gallery above, or click here for yesterday’s photos and more details on the new M5.