VIDEO: F1 Star Nico Rosberg gets a Taste of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster

There’s nothing wrong with using your assets, so we don’t blame Mercedes-Benz for trying to build some hype around the upcoming 2012 SLK by inviting Formula 1 pilot Nico Rosberg to take the hardtop roadster for a spin. However, the entire happening feels much too scripted, from the way the camera ducks just when the front fascia is almost revealed to what Rosberg says. Luckily, we already know what the German roadster looks like, so we won’t shed unnecessary tears. The highlight of the video is clearly the demonstration of how the Magic Sky Control panoramic roof works. Hit the jump to watch the clip.

AutoLeaks: Lamborghini LP700 Murcielago Successor Dealer Order Guide Reveals Specs

This has been a good week for Lamborghini fans. After we saw a lightly camouflaged prototype of the Murcielago’s successor a couple of days ago, the official dealer order guide of the upcoming Italian supercar made its way onto the internet via the Teamspeed forums.

As expected, engine specs remained unchanged, but the guide does reveal plenty of new information. First, let’s get the performance figures out of the way. Tipping the scales at 1.575 kg (3.472 lbs), the LP700-4 is a whopping 230 kg (507 lbs) lighter than a Murcielago LP640-4 coupe and has 60 more ponies. So, not surprisingly, it can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds or half a second quicker than the outgoing model. It also has a higher top speed, reaching 350 km/h (217 mph), compared to the LP640’s 340 km/h (211 mph).

Stopping power comes from 400 mm 6-caliper front and 380 mm 4-caliper rear discs. And what about the wheels? Well, the LP700-4 comes with standard 19-inch alloys up front and 20-inch sets at the back, shod in 255/35 and 335/30 tires respectively.

The automaker said before that the robotized ISR (Independent Shifting Rod) gearbox is fast, but didn’t disclose any numbers. Now we know that as well: the seven-speed ‘box needs just 50 milliseconds to change a gear, which is inconceivably fast.

At launch, buyers will be able to chose from 13 exterior paint jobs, two of which are brand new (Argos Orange and Estoque Grey), and 12 interior colors. The standard equipment list includes -among other things, that is- electronically controlled rear spoiler and side air intakes, multimedia system with 7-inch screen, navigation, xenon lights and air conditioning.

SCOOP: 2012 BMW 5-Series Hybrid Spied on the Roads of Munich

It's no secret that BMW is preparing a hybrid version of its latest generation [F10] 5-Series sedan as the Bavarian automaker teased the model at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show with the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid study. And even though the prototype model seen in our latest spy pictures carries the 535i badge, the "Hybrid Test Vehicle" label on the boot pretty much explains everything.

Being a test mule, the prototype doesn't feature any of the (few) unique styling cues of the concept model, such as the LED strips, different front apron and special alloy wheels, but we assume these details will make it into the production car.

Underneath the body work, we expect to see a similar setup to the concept vehicle, which made use of BMW's straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo technology (same as the one found in the 535i), an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an electric drive capable of delivering up to 54HP (40kW). Given that the 3.0-liter turbo is rated in the U.S. at 300 hp, the combined system output should be around the 340 hp mark.

According to BMW, the hybrid powertrain reduces both fuel consumption and emissions by more than 10 per cent over the conventional version, while it also allows all-electric, zero-emission motoring at low speeds.

The production version of the 5-Series Hybrid could be introduced at a major international car show as early as next year with sales most likely to follow in 2012.

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Mazda Working on Small Roadster Model Based on the Mazda2

The latest gossip from the Japanese front is that Mazda is working on a new two-seater roadster model based on the underpinnings of the current generation Mazda2 supermini (see gallery after the jump) which is sold in Japan as the Demio. If true, the roadster would fit right under the MX-5 / Miata in Mazda's sports car range competing in Europe against the likes of the forthcoming Renault Twingo CC, the Opel Tigra and the Peugeot 207 CC.

No word on the roadster's top, but we gather that a retractable metal roof is the most obvious choice for a model of this sort.

The proposed two-seater is said to use the same front-wheel drive layout as the Ford Fiesta-sized Mazda2 with power coming from a similar engine line-up that in Europe includes 1.3-and 1.5-liter gasoline units as well as 1.4- and 1.6-liter turbo diesels.

Japan's Best Car magazine also came up with a preliminary computer generated rendering of the proposed roadster model which looks quite interesting sans the quirky headlight arrangement.

And while we have no way of confirming the report from Best Car, we believe that a roadster version of the Mazda2 is not only plausible but it also makes sense for Mazda to add such a version in its range.

Mad-Max Like 2010 Jaguar XJ Prototype Scooped During Testing

What appears to be in these spy photos a rejected proposal for a Mad Max movie car is in fact a prototype model of the forthcoming 2010 Jaguar XJ luxury sedan. The British firm plans to publish the first official photos of Jag's Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival in the second week of July but the company will most likely continue the final development tests during the summer as the car won't go on sale before the end of the year.

These photos don't tell as anything about the new XJ's design, but Jaguar's people are talking about a reinterpretation of the XF's styling in a larger package, meaning that the new XJ will look as much as the current model as the XF did with the S-Type.

While we don't have the details, the single teaser picture that Jaguar released in April does show an unusual styling treatment for the rear column that seems to house a wraparound glazing adorned with trim chroming.

The next XJ is said to use a re-engineered version of the current model's all-aluminum chassis riding on a similarly sized wheelbase as the current car. Once again, Jaguar will offer the XJ with a choice of standard or long wheelbase models while the engine range will include a 3.0-liter V6 diesel in 240HP and 275HP specifications and three gasoline units, a 238HP 3.0-liter V6 and a 5.0-liter V8 available in naturally aspirated and supercharged forms with 383HP and 510HP respectively.

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.

Mysterious Bentley Continental GT Spied in Spain: Could it be a Hybrid Prototype?

To be completely honest, we were quite hesitant to post these photos of a mysterious Bentley Continental GT coupe that was snapped by one of our spy photographers in western Spain, close to the borders with Portugal. Our man claimed that the Continental GT was equipped with some sort of electric motor / battery pack, visible from the rear window. While it looks like there's something present in the trunk, unfortunately, the photos aren't clear enough for us make a positive ID.

So why did we decide to post these photographs then? Well, thing is that we have been hearing rumors about a gasoline -or diesel- electric hybrid model from Bentley for quite some time now. So even though the positioning of the electric motor/ battery pack (whatever that is in the photos) might seem weird, it could be a prototype model used to test the system.

But without any additional info from a credible inside source, all this is just pure speculation, and we're definitely not in the business of making stories up.

And yes, the thought that the alleged test driver might have been just carrying some sort of equipment in the trunk, did pass through our mind. So for the time being and until we discover something new, just consider this article as a sort of a 'think-out-loud' post. As always, if you have any thoughts -serious or humorous- don't keep them to yourselves, scroll down to the comment section and share them with us.