SPY PICS: Toyota Corolla sedan snapped

The next-generation Auris hatchback – better known in our market as the Corolla hatch – was captured by spy photographers in October 2016. Now, it's joined in the camo-clad world of auto cloak and dagger by its booted sibling, the Corolla sedan.

Undergoing winter testing, the small sedan's styling details are concealed by heavy disguise, although we do at least see the turret shape and window-lines, as well as suggestions of the tail light layout.

These tell us the next-gen Corolla, although it is to be based on the new NGA-C platform shared with the Prius and the recently-launched C-HR mini SUV, won't' diverge too far from the current aesthetics – although suggestions that the next-gen Corolla might see an increase in some body dimensions could prove correct.

More interesting is that Toyota is expected to gift the Corolla with a more enticing base engine: the new 1.2-litre turbo-petrol that powers the C-HR. This will however need more than the current 85kW/185Nm outputs to compete not just with the Mazda3, but also with Hyundai's new-generation i30.

It would reasonable to expect the engine is capable of being cranked-up to produce better than the ancient atmo 1.8-litre's 103kW/173Nm.

Carrying over for sure will be the current car's transmission lineup that includes a six-speed manual and a CVT. Word is that the 12th-generation Corolla will appear late this year, or early in 2018.

Also out and about in the snow fields of the northern hemisphere is this new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, a car expected to reveal its slightly pumped-up proportions at a major Euro car show – logically Frankfurt in September this year – in preparation for a launch in 2018.

It seems likely the next generation of front-drive Benz small car will give rear-seat passengers a better deal, via a slightly stretched wheelbase and an extended roofline – with, maybe, a bit of a fiddle with body width as well.

Certainly it appears the new model won't share much, if any, of its sheet metal with the current car, although it will continue the same styling themes. The spy photos suggest the windscreen is deeper at the base, which could improve forward visibility, while the C-Pillar, reflecting the longer roofline, looks super-thick.

The A-Class Mercedes-Benz is expected to get an all-new interior too, taking its cues from larger Benz models including the C-Class and E-Class and doing away with the current rotating-knob control system and replacing it with a more Benz-generic touch-pad arrangement.

Another pre-production vehicle back for an encore is the next generation of Jeep Wrangler. Although there's no question the next-gen Wrangler will remain as identifiably Jeep as ever, the macho off-roader is in line for a bit of softening-up to improve its aerodynamics and, dare we say, its modernity.

These latest photos provide a clearer picture of what will change and what will stay the same when the new models go on sale in the US later this year. The Wrangler won't change much visually: Rather it will be more of the same, but with a general, cleaner look and some judicious use of aluminium to trim the weight and improve fuel efficiency. Jeep officials also say the off-roader will be even more capable in the bush. It's not possible to be definitive, but the Jeep's track seems to have been widened.

A look at the spare wheel mount in the latest pics also reveals the Wrangler will get its first rear-view camera.

Powertrains are likely to include the current 3.6-litre petrol V6, plus the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel from the Grand Cherokee and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder "Hurricane" turbo-petrol engine with 220kW. There are also rumours of a hybrid Wrangler to improve the big off-roader's general fuel economy ratings.

As revealed in these spy photos taken somewhere near the Arctic Circle, Audi is working on its new S8 performance flagship and appears to be on track for an unveiling that will follow the new A8 sedan launch in the second half of the year.

Although it will undoubtedly throw down the gauntlet to the likes of the S-Class AMG Benz, the S8's means of doing that is a moot point: Will it be a development of the 445kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 powering the current car, or will Audi front up with a twin-turbo V6?

Based on the Volkswagen Group's MLB Evo platform, the new S8 can be expected to be lighter than the present car too, showing benefits not just in performance and handling, but also in fuel economy and exhaust emissions.

Big news is that the S8 is expected to come with fully autonomous driving capability at speeds up to 60km/h, as well as the next generation of Audi's MMI infotainment system.