Spied: 2013 Citroën C4 Picasso

Citroën has begun testing the second-generation C4 Picasso in Northern Sweden.

Despite the check-board disguise covering the vehicle from head-to-toe, the newcomer’s styling won’t be as avant-garde as the 2011 model as smooth surfaces and straight lines dominate the side profile.

Spied: 2013 Vauxhall/Opel Astra facelift

Spies have caught the 2013 Vauxhall/Opel Astra facelift undisguised outside the marque's German R&D facility.

Updates to the popular compact car will be minor but easily recognisable. Up front, there's a new bonnet, revised grille with chrome bar, black plastic insert on lower grille, and restyled fog light housings. The rear sports a restyled bumper with a chrome highlight and updated tail-lights with a clear-lensed reversing light.

Spied: 2013 Volkswagen XL1

After confirming the XL1 concept for production last month, Volkswagen has already begun testing the eco-focused XL1 in Northern Sweden.

The two-seater supermini is free from any heavy disguise, allowing spectators to see the production model in its full glory.

Trapped: Audi R8 Coupé snowed under

Russian winters are known to be ferocious, leaving no stone unturned.

Caught in the path was this Audi R8 Coupé in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod. Whether the owner was unable to free the car from the snow, deliberately neglected the vehicle, or lost it under 3ft of snow remains a mystery.

Spied: Subaru Forester

The third-generation of the Subaru Forester compact SUV has been spied testing on public roads for the very first time.

The new Forester, due in 2014, will sit on the same platform as the XV - itself underpins a modified Impreza platform – and as such, will borrow design cues off the compact crossover. Up front, the trapezoidal grille is partially disguised, while the greenhouse sees the A-pillars placed further forward for increased interior room.

European car sales fall 10%, hits French, Italian, and Japanese companies

New car sales have dropped by nearly 10% in February, hitting mainstream European manufactures the hardest.

Epic losers in the worst single month for European sales since Autumn 2010 were PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault, Fiat S.p.A, Suzuki, and Mazda. On the astir were Mini, Chevrolet, Mercedes, Kia, Jaguar, and Land Rover, all making remarkable sales gains.

Video: Youths attack Ferrari F430 Spider during carnival, Porsche Panamera driver retreats

If there's a crowd of wild people around, it's always wise to exercise caution, even more so in an expensive car like a Ferrari F430 Spider.

This particular incident occurred somewhere in Brazil during a local carnival, when the driver of the Italian exotic was cruising down the street and was abruptly enclosed by a crowd of frantic youngsters running around with foam sprays, which they naturally used on the Ferrari...

Daimler accused of tinkering with Wikipedia page

A new year, a new scandal.

Following Volkswagen's alleged meddling with German carbon dioxide graphs, Daimler has come under heavy fire for reportedly tinkering with information.

Volkswagen CEO nearly doubles yearly income

If Volkswagen is contending to become the best-selling car manufacture globally by 2018, it needs to pay its CEO top-dollar to keep him happy. So, it's unsurprising to hear that the head of the Volkswagen Automotive Group, Martin Winterkorn pocketed $23 million (£14.6m/€17.6m) in fixed salary, bonuses, and profit incentives, nearly doubling his wages from the year prior.

According to Bloomberg, Winterkorn was paid around $12.2 million (£7.8m/€9.3m) by VW in 2010.

Teaser: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Updated: 21/03/2012

Hyundai has released a series of teaser photos of the upcoming Santa Fe mid-sized SUV, ahead of its world debut at the New York International Motor Show in April.

The Santa Fe's styling debuts an evolution of the “Fluidic Sculpture” theme, called “Storm Edge”. The third-generation Santa Fe features svelte and refined lines, which are in harmony with bold and large surfaces, giving a more aggressive look than its forerunner.