Carscoops

SPIED: 2012 BMW 3-Series Sedan - First Glimpse of the Interior

BMW is continuing the development of the new 3-series sedan, internally called the F30. Captured here by our spy photographers near the Nurburgring race track in Germany, the four-door prototype is still under heavy camouflage, thus revealing little about its exterior styling.

However, buyers should expect an evolution of the current design sprinkled with styling cues from all the latest BMWs, including a protruding kidney grill similar to that of the new 5-Series and 7-Series saloons.

Our man with the long lens managed to snag a few shots of the prototype's interior giving us a glimpse of the new dashboard design with the 1-Series-esque air-vents.

Here's a nice find for all you classic car lovers; a fully restored 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 with only 12,000km [7,462 miles] on the odometer - and it's up for grabs at an undisclosed price by a Japanese dealer.

For those wondering, the Z 423 was a Japan-only version of the Fairlady Z [sold as the 240Z in the States] equipped with the same 2.0-liter inline-six S20 engine producing 160-horsepower and 177Nm as the Skyline GT-R (PGC10). It was built in limited number of units for homologation purposes. The name '432' refers to the 4 valves [per cylinder], 3 carburetors and 2 camshafts.

Along with the GT-R's straight-six that was coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, the Z 432 featured many other upgrades including Magnesium wheels and a unique exhaust system with dual vertical tail pipes. More photos after the break.

These are some of the new print ads that General Motors will use to hype its all-new 2011 Buick Regal [a.k.a. the N.A. version of the European Opel Insignia] to U.S. buyers. The Detroit automaker agency has readied several messages, including one that says "Listen Closely and You May Detect a German Accent" and another one stating "We Didn't Start With a Clay Model. We Started With the European Car of the Year" - both hinting at the Regal's German roots.

Ford has dropped some new teaser footage of a camouflaged 2011 Explorer, with the vehicle's Program Manager, Julie Levine, describing how the new SUV is being put to the test in various on and off-road tests. The new unibody Explorer will be unwrapped in July and go on sale in the States later this year.

It will be offered with the company's new 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-pot and a 3.5-liter V6 engine in both naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged versions.

This just in from the patent office; General Motors has filed these drawings of an unnamed Chevrolet single-cab pickup truck with a Cruze-like split-grille. We're not sure what to make of it since there's no additional information on the filing, but there's a chance it might be a successor to the South American market Chevrolet S10 compact pickup truck.

Another -though less likely- guess is that it's a replacement for the North American Chevrolet Colorado. Of course, we could be wrong in both cases. Either way, follow the break to check out the rest of the drawings and tell us what you think in the comments section.

Borrowing its name from a Japanese holiday island, the Mazda MX-5 'Miyako' is the latest special edition version of the successful roadster to make its way to British showrooms this year.

On sale from July 1 in a limited number of 500 units, the new MX-5 Miyako is available in two flavors, the 126HP 1.8i Miyako soft-top priced at £18,385 OTR and the more powerful 160HP 2.0i Miyako roadster coupe with a folding hardtop priced at £20,885 OTR.

The all-wheel drive Volkswagen Golf R is by no means a slow car, but the folks over at German tuning firm "Sport-Wheels" have decided to further enhance the performance credentials of Wolfsburg's hot hatch.

The tuning shop brings output from the standard 270-horsepower and 350Nm of peak torque to 330HP and 450Nm. The power boost comes from a recalibrated ECU as well as a custom sport exhaust system for the car's 2.0-liter TSI engine.

In Europe, Honda's CR-Z hybrid hot hatch isn't the only eco-friendly sports car available to buyers of average means. One of the most recent arrivals in the category is Peugeot's striking RCZ sports coupe that is offered with a frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine.

Two cars, two different approaches on the same topic. But which one is better? To answer this question, British magazine Auto Express took both sports cars and tested them to see which one comes on top in typical everyday use.

If you read between the lines - or in this case, the tester's words, the RCZ is a better car picking up the title in fuel economy, performance, interior styling and quality, as well as exterior looks. But -there's always a but, isn't there?- the entry-level RCZ Diesel costs £5,251 [about US$7,900 or €6,500] more than the basic CR-Z, which ultimately makes the comparison unjust.

Video and some quick facts we gathered on both cars after the jump.

Carscoops

SPIED: 2012 BMW 3-Series Sedan - First Glimpse of the Interior

Rare 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 with Skyline GT-R Heart up for Sale

GM Plays Up German Heritage in New 2011 Buick Regal Campaign

VIDEO: 2011 Ford Explorer Prototype Testing

Patent Drawings Reveal New Chevrolet Pickup Truck?

New Mazda MX-5 Miyako Special Edition Models

VW Golf R Powered Up to 330HP by Sport-Wheels

Honda CR-Z and Peugeot RCZ in Diesel vs Hybrid Duel [with Video]