BMW will be giving its 3-Series droptop a modest, mostly cosmetic, refresh for the 2011 model year and we have the latest photos of a thinly-disguised prototype running the streets of the automaker’s home country, Germany.

We’ve already seen both the Korean and European versions of the new Hyundai ix35/Tuscon, but these images show what is believed to be the 2011 U.S. spec model. Take a close look and you’ll slight changes to the front fascia, as well as modified taillights -– as compared to the other versions. As far as its name, we wouldn’t be surprised if it the “Tucson” name was dropped, replaced with the ix35 designation –- as it’s known elsewhere.

When the summer of 2010 rolls around, Cadillac will have a seriously fast, two-door sports cars roaming the streets — the CTS-V Coupe. Testing is underway and we’ve just spied this very production-looking prototype cruising the rural roads of Michigan.

Though the all-new 5-Series GT hasn’t even been made available to the public yet, the German automaker says it is planning to create a cargo-hauling small brother based on the next-generation 3-Series.

Audi appears to be progressing with development of the upcoming, lightweight R8 Clubsport model, as there are some obvious changes to this prototype since the last time we saw it back in August.

Earlier this week we brought you photos of Audi’s next-gen A8 covered in psychedelic camouflage. We’ve caught up with it again, but this time, all of the mind-numbing camo has been removed and only a few pieces of black tape remain.

Though it was only sold in limited quantities over a handful of sporadic years in North America, Land Rover’s Defender – a direct descendant of the first 1948 Land Rover – continues to thrive in many markets across the world. The distinctly dated workhorse will give way to a thoroughly modernized variant reportedly codenamed Project Icon for the 2012 model year

After a ten month hiatus, our spy photographers have once again caught up with Porsche’s forthcoming Boxster Speedster. Final testing has apparently begun on the latest Boxster variant, with the Speedster now undergoing Nurburgring tuning.

Our spy photographers have just grabbed the best images yet of Mahindra’s U.S.-bound pickup truck. Sitting on Mahindra’s Scorpion platform, we’ll be seeing 2-door and 4-door trucks in both two-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive versions arriving on our shores in early 2010. And a Mahindra SUV will follow about a year later – likely for the 2011 model year.

BMW will be updating the X5, and these latest photos from Germany show the changes. This light mid-cycle freshening update – basically and nip tuck here and there – will include new front and rear bumpers, and modest updated headlight and taillights.

Information is still sketchy, but this not-quite-right-looking Lotus Exige is actually powered by the 3.5-liter V6 engine right out of the Evora. This crafty camouflage is hiding the next Exige – but nothing was able to hide the evidence of the 3.5-liter V6 from our spies.

Infiniti may have “revealed” the new M in 3D virtual reality earlier this year, but never mind that, we have the real thing! Our spies unexpectedly stumbled upon two pre-production testers on Thursday. No clay models here — these were as real as it gets. Sporting cues from the Essence Concept, nothing is left to the imagination with this test car as only a few poorly placed pieces of tape cover the badges.

Audi’s all-electric e-tron concept has officially taken to the show stage at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Rumors about an electric R8 first surfaced in May, but Audi denied the claims. As it turns out, Audi picked its words carefully — that’s because the e-tron is not an R8, but instead something entirely new.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volkswagen debuted its ultra-efficient L1 Concept, which serves as a followup to the One-Liter Concept from 2002. Like the One-Liter, the L1 derives its name from the fact it takes around one liter of fuel to propel the car 100 kilometers (62 miles).

The Lexus LF-Ch has officially broken cover at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car serves as a showcase of Lexus’ latest hybrid technology, plus offers a sneak peek at the styling direction for a future luxury hatchback model.

Volvo officially introduced its revised C70 convertible earlier today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Though almost identical to the outgoing model mechanically, the revised C70 features a new, more dramatic look outside and some revisions to the interior.

Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled its E-Class wagon earlier today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although only the E350 4Matic variant will make it to North America, the German automaker showed off everything from entry-level versions to a top-shelf, matte-finish E63 AMG wagon at the show.

After months of rumors and speculations, MINI has finally taken the wraps off its Coupe Concept. Debuting earlier today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Coupe Concept celebrates MINI’s 50th anniversary, which happened to coincide with the concept’s unveiling today.

BMW finally allowed the public to view its upcoming X1 small SUV earlier today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Set to bow in the United States during calendar year 2011, the X1 slots below the X3 in BMW’s lineup.

Based on the third-generation Toyota Prius, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept previewed today at the Frankfurt Motor Show promises to be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the planet.