VIDEO: 2010 SAAB 9-5 Sedan Scooped on Film

It won't be long before we see official shots of the all-new Saab 9-5 Sedan that is scheduled to make its global debut at this autumn's Frankfurt Motor Show. But until then, we'll have to be content with whatever spy material we get our hands on. In addition to the uncloaked photos of the new 9-5's rear-end and the first shots of the car's interior, our man also took this video of a bunch of 9-5 prototype models parked next to each other. Enjoy the video after the jump and if you're hungry for more info and photos on the new Saab 9-5 hit the respective link.

2011 Volvo C70 Facelift Scooped Unmasked During Photo Shoot!

These days its seems like we're getting more scoop photos from blog readers and forum members than from professional spy photographers. A pair of completely undisguised 2011MY (or 2010MY) Volvo C70 facelift models were captured on film during a photo shoot somewhere in Barcelona, Spain, by an eagle-eyed member of the Swedespeed Volvo4Life forums. Looking at the camera phone photos it is clear that the redesign of the C70 coupe-convertible was stylistically influenced by the S60 Concept sports sedan that was revealed at this year's Detroit Auto Show.

Up front, the revamped C70 features a completely new fascia with more organic details and softer shapes. Changes include the new swoopy headlamps, the wider and more pronounced grille as well as the newly styled bumper. The new tail lamps, the larger Volvo name on the boot lid and the revised bumper at the back, round up the exterior styling changes - or at least that's what we gather by looking at the shots.

It's also possible that Volvo may have refreshed the hardtop convertible's interior and upgraded the chassis and/or the engine range, but we won't know for sure until the Swedish automaker reveals something official. We imagine that we'll see the 2011 C70 making its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Until then, tell us you're initial thoughts on the C70's redesign in the comment section below.

MINI Roadster said to Debut at Frankfurt Show

This week's grapevine story concerns the possible unveiling of a near-to-production MINI Roadster study at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Britain's Autocar magazine joined the hype today corroborating an earlier report on the matter from French car mag, L'Automobile. The so-called MINI Roadster is said to be a sportier-looking two-seater version of the current 2+2 MINI Cabriolet featuring a steeply raked windshield and a retractable soft top. The reports also suggest that due to the lower gravity of the car, the MINI Roadster will offer improved handling over its Cabriolet counterpart.

Not surprisingly, the Roadster is said to be offered with a similar engine lineup as the standard MINI's including the John Cooper Work model's 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged engine that produces 211 horsepower and up to 280 Nm peak torque with Overboost deployed.

The production version of the Roadster is slated to hit showrooms around the world as early as 2010.

However, what the reports don't say is where MINI plans to produce the Roadster model. As you may have already read before, the firm's Oxford plant is at peak capacity and due to this reason, MINI has made plans to assemble the forthcoming Crossman SUV, which will be revealed in production form at the Frankfurt Show, at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria.

BMW X1 SUV: Mega Gallery with 140 High-Res Photos from Presentation

This past week, BMW invited auto journalists from around the world to the Spanish island of Mallorca to test drive the final prototype models of the X1 compact SUV and these here are the photos from the presentation. The production version of last year's X1 concept study will occupy the space under the X3 which will grow in size and move further upmarket when the second generation model arrives sometime in 2011. The X1 will officially shed its camouflage at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September with deliveries in Europe and other key international markets (sans the U.S.), scheduled to start in October. The latest word is that the X1 will hit U.S. showrooms sometime in 2011.

BMW's forth 'SAV' after the X3, X5 and X6 models, will compete against the likes of the VW Tiguan and the forthcoming Audi Q3. Based on a modified version of the 3-Series platform, the soft-roader will be equipped with the Bavarian firm's 'xDrive' all-wheel-drive system and will be offered with three gasoline and three diesel engines.

The gasoline engine range will include an entry-level 2.0-liter four-pot in 143HP and 170HP guises and a 3.0-liter straight-six rated at 265HP. As for the diesel side, the initial lineup will consist of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit available with 143HP, 177HP and 204HP outputs. You can read more about the X1 by clicking here.