Finally, a worthy B-segment competitor! The 2011 Chevy Aveo captured in Death Valley

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A sharp-eyed Automotive Traveler reader caught the next HiPo Charger in Southern California, far from Death Valley

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A good day's shooting in Death Valley with the mercury touching 125 degrees

In the past, if a spy shooter caught a disguised Hyundai prototype, no one got too excited. But with Hyundai on a roll, every new introduction is important. Arriving at my favorite hunting grounds, I encountered a trio of 2012/13 Hyundai prototypes. The one seen here is obviously a five-door, B-segment entry, possibly the replacement for the current Accent and which might be called the Verna (shown in Beijing earlier this year as a four-door sedan). What's interesting from these shots is the blanket covering the hood. Might Hyundai be extending its Blue Sport hybrid technology two segments down from its über-popular mid-sized Sonata? Time will tell, but with their bold claim to meet a fleet average of 50 m.p.g. in 15 years, nothing can be discounted from the South Koreans. They are now a contender in every mainstream category in which they compete.

It was a good day's hunting when we caught the next Mercedes-Benz SLK in the wild

There have been extensive and numerous sightings of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK as the engineers finalize the package, pealing back the camo in anticipation of its expected unveiling next March in Geneva. This morning Car magazine in the UK posted shots of the the twin turbo SLK55, the AMG version, testing at the Nürburgring while yesterday in California I got up close and personal with what I believe to be the top non-AMG version, the SLK 350 (although it might get a different designation if there are turbo and non-turbo models using the 3.5-liter V6). Judging by the 17-inch wheels on this version--I encountered three different SLKs yesterday--it is most likely powered by the expected turbocharged version of the 3.5-liter V6 with around 350 horsepower, almost as much as the outgoing AMG version. Note the side-view mirrors and the deeply scalloped door handles, clearly a departure from the outgoing SLK.

With its normally-aspirated 306-horsepower V6, the SLK continues to directly compete with both the BMW Z4 and the Porsche Cayenne and Boxster. The AMG version, with an expected 450 horsepower, will tread into 911 territory in both price and performance when the new SLKs reach Mercedes-Benz showrooms in the summer of 2011.