A new SUV has hit the Nurburgring and it’s causing quite a stir. With its Cayenne bodywork it appears to be a smaller, compact version of Porsche’s SUV. We’re not so sure, however, as Porsche has said repeatedly that it’s not interesting in going into cheaper segments of the SUV market.

So what it this prototype then? It could be nothing more than a leftover test mule for the Audi Q5. There’s also the possibility that this is a prototype for an even smaller Audi SUV that will slot below the Q5. Audi has made it public that it intends to boost its worldwide volume substantially in the next few years, so yet another SUV could be in the cards.

Anyone got a hankering to be an auto spy photographer? There is a new job slot open, now that Hans Lehmann is calling it a day; or perhaps better put, calling it a "career."

Lehmann, along with another super sleuth Jim Dunne who also recently retired, were the bane of the auto industry for decades, snapping images and feeding them to news outlets well before the vehicles were to be released. In fact thanks to Lehmann, Dunne (and Brenda Priddy, etc.), the auto companies spent tons of time, energy and money doing everything in their powers to hide these vehicles in any way they could from these folks.

Full story here at Autoblog (via AutoWeek).

The 2009 Chevrolet Camaro has arrived at the Nurburgring. These pictures were just shot at the famous German test track, so expect to see video of it burning up the Nordschleife shortly. Note the Brembo calipers up front. Could this be the often rumored SS version? We’ll know soon enough.

It looks like it won’t be long before the 2010 Cadillac CTC hits the road. These shots taken recently in Michigan reveal some very production looking bodywork. From the detailed grille to the quarterpanel vents, this looks more like an early prototype than a test mule. As we reported months ago, the 2010 Cadillac CTS coupe will go into production in the spring of 2009. It will share mechanical components with the CTS sedan, so expect a range of V6 engines and several different suspension setups. There’s no word yet on whether a V-Series version is in the works.

We’ve seen the Mazda 6 that the rest of the world will get before, now the check out the 2009 Mazda 6 that’s headed for the U.S. Caught during a logistical swap in the Detroit area, this Mazda 6 looks like a full production spec model right down to its odd looking headlights. The rear end isn’t so bad, although it looks as though it uses a pair of exhaust “covers” like the Lexus IS-F. Hopefully we’re wrong on that one. Although the 3.7-liter V6 now used in the CX-9 would make the Mazda 6 one of the more powerful sedans in the segment, a slightly smaller 3.5-liter V6 is the more likely powertrain. Look for the official debut of the 2009 Mazda6 in the next few months with sales beginning this fall.

After the reveal of the Audi RS6 Avant, we figured it was only a matter of time before the sedan version would show up. Good thing it has too, as the chances of us getting the Avant in the U.S. are slim. Now that the existence of the RS6 sedan has been confirmed, expect to see it either late this year or in early 2009. No changes are expected under the hood, so the same 580 horsepower, twin turbo V10 will send power to all four wheels. Audi claims the RS6 Avant will go from 0-to-60mph in 4.6 seconds, so expect the sedan to be a tenth or two faster.

Images of a lightly disguised 2009 Infiniti FX are up on the Net. The vehicle is to be introduced at the Geneva auto show next month.

The vehicle is slightly longer than the current model, and like the Nisaan Murano, is clearly is an evolutionary step in terms of design. It's believed that the base model will get the larger 3.7L V6, and will be called the FX37. The V8 version may also get a larger engine, probably 5.0L or maybe even a 5.5L unit.

Full story here.

Here's Inside Line's take: Spy Photos: 2009 Infiniti FX and 2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: Infiniti Confirms Debut of Second-Generation FX

It has been long known that VW would love to have a piece of the pickup market, and now we have a couple of spy shots of said truck.

What's surprising is that this may not be a pure VW effort, but rather a re-badged Toyota Hilux pickup. Apparently this is not the first time VW has colaberated with Toyota, as they did this back in the '80s as well.

However... it may indeed be a "real" VW, but using a Toyota body to help disguise the test mule. If it is a real VW, what I find surprising is that it uses a solid rear axle. Then again maybe not surprising if it's designed to have the 1.5 ton payload that's being reported. If true, that's a lot for a mid-sized truck.

Full story here and here.

It’s been rumored for years, but these are the first conclusive spy photos of the smaller Rolls Royce sedan codenamed RR4. Tucked in between a couple next-generation BMW 7 Series mules, the RR4 prototype has a unique front fascia that is clearly influenced by the larger Phantom sedan. When the mule pulled out for a test drive, its overall size suggested that it was riding on the same chassis as its 7 Series companions. At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Rolls Royce CEO Ian Robertson confirmed that the RR4 will go on sale in 2010 and feature a newly developed engine. 

We’ve seen spy photos of what looked like the 2010 Mini Crossman before, but these latest shots confirm the existence of its all-wheel drive hardware. The engineers in this prototype didn’t seem to mind the attention as our spy shooters were able to snap multiple angles of Mini’s upcoming soft-roader. Although adding all-wheel drive and a new suspension doesn’t seem like a major undertaking, we’re not expecting to see this Mini start production until 2010.