The next-generation Opel Meriva has been caught testing on somewhere on public roads. The Meriva is a tall wagon based on GM's European B-car platform which also underpins the Corsa. The new Meriva was displayed in concept form at this year's Geneva Motor Show and the production version doesn't appear to differ too much from the concept. As with other new Opels (and presumably Saturns), the signature scalloped side panels are visible below the camouflage. The side glass shape of the concept is also retained, although it's not clear if the stepped window opening on the rear does survives. Judging by the extra camo panels just below the rear door glass, it appears that it might be there. The camo panel also features false door handles which indicate that the suicide doors of the concept also might make it to production. Since the concept had a B-pillar even with the suicide doors (unusual for a concept) there is a possibility the rear hinged doors will survive. Whether we'll ever see the Meriva on U.S. shores is another question entirely.

[Source: EVO]

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Blogger extraordinaire Mickey Kaus recently spied the above SUV innocuously parked in Santa Monica and sent us the photos, wondering if we had any clue what it is. As luck would have it, we do. The truck is a SsangYong Actyon SUV, but it's also more than that. You see the Actyon, in both SUT and SUV body styles, is the basis for Phoenix Motorcars' electric SUT and SUV, which are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2010. The white example Mickey snagged had been de-badged, which lends it an air of mystery, but we know SsangYong's not coming to the U.S. market.

As our esteemed colleague Sam Abuelsamid points out, Phoenix is based in Ontario, CA so it's basically a lock that this is one of their EV development mules. Using the SsangYong trucks as the basis for their electric utility vehicles has two distinct benefits for Phoenix. First, they offer proven, practical and usable packaging that'll work fine in the real world. Second, their front-end styling is bizarre enough that the unwritten rule which states that EVs have to look weird will surely be upheld. Obviously, those Tesla guys, with their sexy-spiffy Roadster, didn't get that memo.

You can check Mickey out every day at Kausfiles, and, on occassion, at Bloggingheads.tv as well. Thanks for the photos!

[Source: Mickey Kaus]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the new Honda Hybrid

Honda has acknowledged that not having an instantly-recognizable hybrid-only model since the demise of the Insight (still modern-looking today) has taken a toll. While the company offers the Civic Hybrid, that car lacks the green cachet that Toyota has very successfully cultivated with the Prius. So, Honda made no secret that a new hybrid-exclusive model was coming, and wouldn't you know -- it's very reminiscent of the Prius!

The spies at KGP snagged the car out testing, but there's no denying that its teardrop shape brings Toyota's car to mind. We assume this is the result of Honda going for the most aerodynamic shape possible, which resulted in a profile that can't help but be similar to the Prius. A look at the FCX Clarity shows that Honda's new weapon shares much with its big brother, too. In front, the grille slats solidly carry the family resemblance forward from the new fuel-cell car, and when the new hybrid is ultimately shown without the cladding and cover-ups, we have a feeling that it'll look a bit like a downsized Clarity. The Toyota Prius is a major success story, and Honda wants a piece of that action. You know the saying: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And so, it appears, they are.


[Source: KGP Photography]

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A super-double-secret source deep within the bowels of the Tesla Motors engineering operation in San Carlos CA, has risked life and job to provide you, the readers of AutoblogGreen, with an early look at the upcoming Model S. While Tesla claims that unlike the Roadster, the Model S is a new, from-the-ground-up design. Nonetheless, the Model S clearly draws design inspiration from other cars, although those elements have been blended in a remarkably seamless fashion. Like the Dodge Magnum powertrain mule we saw a few days ago, the Model S appears to have a very long wheelbase. Overall, its shape is very aerodynamic, but judging from the large front air intakes, the latest battery pack still requires quite a bit of cooling. While the design has reportedly been approved for production in 2010 by Elon Musk and the board, some additional tweaking is still possible before Job 1. It sure would be interesting to see how Henrick Fisker's proposal compared to this one. Follow the jump for more secret details on Model S.

[Source: Wouldn't you like to know!]

We noticed the Mini was getting a little bigger but we never expected this. Car Magazine has several spy photos of a Mini 4X4 SUV - well, a "lifestyle 4x4" SAV, which means sports activity vehicle, is what the marketing department is going with to hide the fact they are butchering the star brand of small car market. The Mini SAV is based on the Clubman but it's a little taller, has tail lights form an SUV, a new drive train in the rear that makes it all wheel drive and, I almost forget: It's 13 feet long (4000mm)! It's rumored they might call it Monte or Colorado and release it in 2009 for a wooping £20,000, making it the most expensive Mini as well as with the largest. In the article, Car Magazine asks "is this Mini marketing gone mad?" What's your answer?

[Source: Car Magazine via 4wheelsblog]

The first decent spy photos of the production version of Ford's new B-Car have turned up on the interwebs. The 2009 replacement for the Ford Fiesta which may well be renamed the Verve after the concept car that will appear on stage in Frankfurt this week has turned up in camo. Unlike the test model, the prototype is a four door hatchback but elements of the Verve can be seen.

The belt-line sweeps upward toward the back and the headlights stretch back along the fender line almost to the base of the A-pillars. The air intake in the front bumper appears almost as large as the concept but a good chunk of it is blocked off by the license plate mount. The production model will probably take to the stage in Geneva next March and go on sale in Europe later in the year, followed by availability in the US.

[Source: Jalopnik]

For some time now, small British specialist car maker Connaught has been showing a sport coupe that they intend to produce in both internal combustion and hybrid forms. At the AFVI show Sebastian interviewed Tony Martindale of Connaught about their Type-D Syracuse hybrid coupe. Until now we have only seen renderings and photos of the coupe.

Now AutoExpress has captured images of the conventional version testing on the open road for the first time. The Type-D Syracuse is expected to start production early next year. Hopefully the hybrid version will follow close behind.

[Source: AutoExpress]