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i saw 2 of these driving 1 behind another on my way home from work the other day (ring rd) i thought BMW as soon as i saw the grill. they looked so stealth like driving together because of the matte black steel panels with like rivet holes n stuff in em lol

wasnt quick enough with the phone cam though

It's the new VE. Take a look at the spy photos in last months (?) Wheels magazine, then compare them to that pic in the first post... so it's LHD... testing the export version for UAE etc?

I thought all European makers (hot weather) tested their cars in the US?

I'd say it's most probably Volvo too but where is the trademark Volvo grille? Do you think they would change this aspect of the car seeing as they've kept it for so long? I know that there's a first time for everything though. I reckon the front grille looks a little like a Pontiac GTO.

I'd say it's most probably Volvo too but where is the trademark Volvo grille? Do you think they would change this aspect of the car seeing as they've kept it for so long? I know that there's a first time for everything though. I reckon the front grille looks a little like a Pontiac GTO.

look past the false grille in front, the real grille is behind it.

I vote Volvo too... or maybe the Saturn Aura...

http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/na...01_saturn_aura/

Getting over the fake beemer/gto style nose cone...Looking at it's high waisted sides, door handles, grille position, headlight angle and being a lhd diesel my guess would have to be Volvo.

I emailed Wheels magazine to see if they'd be interested in the pictures. I suggested it was the new VE commodore. This was their reply;

"Thanks for your email and for thinking of us. If the cars are matte black and with BMW-style fake grilles, we already have photographs of the cars from one of our regular photographers. If your car doesn’t match this description, we’d be keen to see it.

Please keep us in mind for any other cars you come across in your travels.

Best wishes,

Chris Gable, Wheels"

They neither confirm or deny it. But in reference to the 'fake grills' makes me think that it isnt a Volvo?

If you look close, that VE Commodore that someone posted up earlier has striking resemblence with the pics I took. Moreover, the projector lights from the pics and the VE drawing seem to be pretty close! Even that new Open concept car?? Hmm!!!

Edited by Busky2k

I believe that the car underneath looks like the VE in wheels magazines spy shots. And perhaps its LHD is because they are testing a Middle East variant. However that doesn't explain the Swedish number plates.

Even if it is a Volvo, it is being driven on Australian roads, so shouldn't it have Australian (NSW or SA) plates? I understand it is obviously not in production yet so it probably can't be registered, but surely they would still have some sort of Australian number plates on it. Or is it the norm for foreign vehicles tested in Australia to bear the plates of their country of origin?

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