SEMA News - April 2010 

The images and information provided in “Spy Photos” are supplied by the spy shooters at Brenda Priddy & Co. “Spy Photos” are included each week in SEMA eNews, the association’s electronic newsletter. To receive your copy of SEMA eNews, e-mail enews@sema.org.

Audi A7 When It Hits: The 2011 A7 will go into production during the second half of 2010, according to Priddy. What Priddy Says: Priddy’s shooters caught the 2011 Audi A7 powersliding on a frozen lake and noticed a new feature—an automatic spoiler. Priddy says that the A7 is riding on a version of the next-gen A6 platform, and she expects Audi’s 300hp, supercharged V6 and a 4.2L V8 as the engine options in the United States.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee  When It Hits: The new Jeep Grand Cherokee is expected to hit dealerships in September 2010. What Priddy Says: Chrysler is already taking some stick at Jeep headquarters for making the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee look like nearly every other “soft-roader” SUV on the market. But a 280hp base V6 and an available Hemi V8 making 360 hp provide additional grunt to placate the faithful. If these spy shots are any indication, though, the Grand Cherokee looks to be able to handle itself off-road just fine.
Lamborghini Jota  When It Hits: Priddy said not to expect to see this Italian’s debut for at least a year.  What Priddy Says: One photographer in Priddy’s spy network caught these shots of ice-track mule testing for what Priddy said is the Lamborghini Murciélago’s replacement—likely to be called the Jota. A direct-injection V12, aluminum space-frame chassis and extensive carbon fiber are likely to form the heart and body of the new bull, and Priddy speculated that a Haldex all-wheel-drive system will anchor the powertrain.
Porsche 911  When It Hits: The 2011 Porsche 911 is expected to go on sale in May in Europe. A U.S. release is expected later this year. What Priddy Says: The next-generation Porsche 911, internally called the 998, has begun winter testing. Earlier reports in some media suggested that this was the 911 Turbo, but Priddy noted the fake side air intakes in front of the rear wheels and the huge rear wing hiding the smaller spoiler typical of standard 911s to disprove those assumptions. Judging from the quad tailpipes on this prototype, Priddy said that this is most likely one of the “S” models.