I was driving on the 605 freeway Saturday morning and happened to spot this camoflaged vehicle driving on the road. Anyone have any ideas as to what it is and who the manufacture is? After reading the other thread about the MB GST, I thought that it might be that, but upon further examination, I didn't think the porportions were right.

So let's here some opinions.

 

Pretty sure its an SUV, but its really hard to tell from the back. Do you have a closer shot of the front or side?

 

two tailpipes... Can't be a minivan...

 

Well...it's not the GST. I know that for sure. I helped with spy pictures of the GST (see them on www.thecarconnection.com) four years ago. Caught them testing near Keystone, Colorado.

My opinion is that it could be a Lexus or next generation MDX. It's too tall for a GST. It's too long, also. Looks a lot like a Lexus though...maybe a long wheelbase RX330? Their new crossover? The exhaust looks like something by Lexus.

I'd say you NEED to send those pictures to Brenda Priddy, an autospy. You could get some money for those shots (seriously!) PM me for her email address. I made a nice chunk of money for spy pics

 

Damn, and I see cars like that here all the time passing through on I-10. Next time I see one, I'll take pics. Need to start carrying my camera more!

 

My guess is that rear bumper smells like Mazda. Otherwise, I couldn't say more.

 

how the frick did you take rear shot pics while you were driving

 

I am pretty positive that is a 400H. THey are testing the living crap outta it, pushing the release back to May 2005. Lexus wants to ensure the reliablity is the same as a regular RX.

 

Had a friend take them. He was in the car with me. Would have been a hell of a feat otherwise.

 

It looked more like a minivan or a Pacifica-like cross over rather than the 400H. But of course, as soon as the camera came out, the guy slowed way way down and got off at the next exit. He was definitely trying to protect it, whatever it was.

 

kinda looks like the 400H, but that front being so far away and being masked so bad, I can't tell...

CG, post that pic at http://carspyshots.proboards2.com/index.cgi?board=spy , and see if anyone can help you over there.

The sides are what throws me off... looks too bulky to be the 400H, doesn't it?

Junkster, whose probably being fooled by the tape

 

My guess would be a re-skinned Aztek, but that might just be wishful thinking.

 

heheh i say it b4 and i'll say it again, a car called "GST" will never sell in Canada LOL....

 

It will probably do well in Ottawa, but yeah, I'm not sure about the rest of the country.

 

CGTSX, check your PM again

 

kinda looks like a minivan even with the two exhaust pipes

 

IMO, it looks to be that MB minivan/wagon tourer.

 

This was my guess as well

 

Thats something I can do without a passenger beside me.

 

Wow, nobody even thinks it could be the new MDX?

MDX = dual exhaust
MDX = wide stance
MDX = SUV styling with room for 3 rows
MDX = due for redesign for MY 2006?

Just a guess? Obviously its well disgused and the front shots are too far away.

Surprised nobody guessed it first.

 

Lexus RX 330 has single exhaust with narrow round muffler on the right. Don't think they would put in another on the hybrid.

 

98Accord, read all of the posts next time :P

But that is actually a probable guess...it seems to have the characteristics.

 

BTW--the RX400h (the hybrid RX330) is not simply for better fuel mileage. It is the performance version of the RX330. Because of this, there would most likely be a dual exhaust system, to emphasize it's not simply for greenies...it's for someone who is a horsepower junky.

 

I might have guessed this except the license plate number is wrong. When a test car from the Honda facility in Torrance goes out on the road, it wears DST plates that always have the same number, starting with a 3. The plate on this thing had a 5 as the first digit. Not a Honda/Acura product.

 

Except the 400H doesn't have dual exhausts. At least not the one I saw at the auto show.

 

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/show...hreadid=106556

Pics of the 400H. I agree with SPUDMTN though.

 

Could actually be the new Mercedes B-Class... They are also testing it (masked) on the Nurnburgring...

 

I just saw an SUV in a parking lot that looks very similiar the new Ssangyong Rexton (designed by Merc built in Korea)

http://www.smotor.com/en/showroom/rexton/main.jsp

 

It's a Subaru.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&sid=178&n=158

 

congrats on 2k phile

 

:ultraghey: :bigclap:

 

Looks like the Gen II Aztek to me...

 

The bumper seems to ride on the car too low to be the 400h, and the taillights dont exactly look the same as the one shown in the picture. also the lights on the bumper arent there, i dont believe its the 400h

 

Nice work, phile.

 

Ah ha!! Excellent work phile!! and Congrats!!