frankfurt auto show

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volvo C30 and C70 Updated for 2010

Volvos are known for a lot of things. Safety is one of them. Design is not. But they're not about to resign themselves to boredom, and so the Swedish automaker unveiled facelifted versions of its sportiest models at the Frankfurt show. The updates are mostly cosmetic, and work to varying effect on the different models. The updated C30 hatchback, for example, which goes up against the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, looks even better than the stylish model it replaces. But the new C70 convertible – a hard-top cabrio to compete with the likes of the BMW 3 Series convertible, Lexus IS C and Infiniti G37 convertible, to name just a few – has some rather awkward proportions. See for yourself in the photo galleries below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volvo C30

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volvo C70

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Maserati GranCabrio

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

If you're looking for an alternative to the likes of the Bentley Continental GTC, Aston Martin DB9 Volante or BMW 6 Series convertible, Maserati figures they've got just what you're looking for. Called the GranCabrio, it's based on the GranTurismo and was released a couple of weeks ago ahead of its debut last week at the Frankfurt auto show.

Exquisitely crafted with a Ferrari-designed 4.7-liter V8 engine, the GranCabrio offers the longest wheelbase on the market for a true four-seat cabin where many of its competitors are smaller 2+2s. It's been a long time in the making, and is finally here. Click on the thumbnail images below to browse our high-resolution photo gallery from the car's launch in Frankfurt.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Maserati GranCabrio

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Who said driving a hybrid had to mean ugly Japanese hatchbacks built with the same quality as a lunch box? Certainly not Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker already offers a hybrid version of its top-of-the-line S-Class luxury sedan. But it's not about to stop there. Building upon the existing S400 Hybrid, Mercedes unveiled the S500 Vision Plug-In Hybrid concept at its home-ground Frankfurt Auto Show last week.

While the conventional S500 sedan uses a V8 engine, the S500 Vision hybrid concept uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as the existing S400 Hybrid, only paired to a larger battery that enables the big limousine to accelerate to 60 in only 5.5 seconds while offering nearly 20 miles of electric motoring before the gasoline engine needs to even kick in. At the moment it's just a concept car, but it's fully functional and hints at the next development from Mercedes. See for yourself in the high-resolution photo galleries below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S 500 Hybrid

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen CC R-line

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It was a highly unlikely candidate from the company that brought us the Beetle, but the Volkswagen CC was voted the most beautiful luxury sedan in the world. And with good reason: the Passat-based four-door coupe is one of the sveltest designs on the market. And it just got a bit more enticing with the debut of the new R-line version at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Unfortunately the R-line package, like the S-line offered by sister-company Audi, is purely cosmetic, so don't go looking for any giant V8s or turbochargers under the hood. But it does give the sleek sedan an aggressive edge to it, which is no mean feat for the world's prettiest luxury sedan. See for yourself in the photo gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Saab 9-5

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: all-new 2010 Saab 9-5

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Saab's entering a new era. After twenty years under the General Motors umbrella, the Swedish automaker has been sold to the supercar-maker Koenigsegg. And this is its first new product.

The result of several years of development, the new 9-5 shares many mechanical components with other GM products, but will be assembled entirely in-house at Saab's own factory in Trollhattan, Sweden. And the design is uniquely Saab, drawing from the company's background in aviation. Turbocharged engines include a 220-horsepower 2-liter four and a 160hp diesel, available with Saab's proprietary XWD torque-shifting four-wheel-drive system. Whether it will help Saab sink or swim in today's competitive premium auto market remains to be seen, but you can have an early look in the photo gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Saab 9-5

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

The Ultimate Driving Machine. That's the tag which BMW has ascribed to itself. And while the Bavarian automaker offers several sporty models, it lacks what industry insiders refer to as a "halo vehicle". That is, one model that sums up with the brand stands for. But they're said to be working on a new supercar – to rival the likes of the Audi R8 and Mercedes SLS AMG – and this could hint at the direction they could take it.

Called the Vision EfficientDynamics, we initially brought you details of the concept car a couple of weeks ago in the ramp-up to the Frankfurt Auto Show, where BMW finally took the wraps off the enticing new concept. But while its competitors continue building bigger and more powerful performance machines, BMW's concept takes a different approach. The engine is a tiny 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo-diesel, coupled to an electric motor for hybrid propulsion. Lightweight construction helps the Vision get up to sixty in just 4.8 seconds while returning 62.6 miles per gallon on the European cycle, figures which, combined, its rivals can only dream of. And so can we, but in the meantime we've got photos from the concept's debut in Frankfurt. Just click on the thumbnails below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

The heat is on among the world's automakers to produce hybrid vehicles. And since they're all the rage among the trendy crowd, it should come as no surprise that luxury brands are getting in on the action in a big way. Foremost among them is Lexus, which has made hybrid drivetrains its cause-du-jour, offering gasoline-electric versions of many of its luxury sedans, in addition to the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid, the HS250h. As promised, Lexus rolled in to Frankfurt with a new concept called the LF-Ch.

Hinting both at a competitor for the likes of the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 while previewing its design direction for upcoming models, the LF-Ch drew mixed reviews at the show. Viewed from some angles, the concept car had some interesting lines, but it looked bloated from others. We'll let you make up your own mind: just click on the thumbnail images below to enlarge in our high-resolution photo gallery.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch concept

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Porsche 911 Turbo, GT3 RS and Sport Classic

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Porsche has made a veritable science out of spinning off various variants from its iconic 911 range. The rear-engine sportscar can be ordered with two-wheel-drive or four; coupe, cabrio or targa; naturally-aspirated or turbo; and just about every permutation and combination thereof, to say nothing of special editions and the performance-oriented GT models. Since revising the entire range, Porsche has released new Turbo, Turbo Cabriolet, GT3 RS and Sport Classic models, all in the ramp-up to the Frankfurt Auto Show where the new models made their debut, and we were on hand to see them up close.

The Turbo coupe and Turbo Cabriolet pack a 3.8-liter engine with direct injection and variable turbochargers to offer up 500 horsepower at all four wheels. The GT3 RS is one of the most extreme variants in the 911 catalog, the GT3 RS drives 450 horsepower to the rear wheels in a track-oriented package with neon-colored wings and graphics, while the exclusive Sport Classic produces 403hp in a retro package. Even the largest Porsche dealers aren't likely to stock all three, so have a look in our high-resolution photo galleries below to see them each from all the angles.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Porsche 911 Turbo

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Porsche 911 Sport Classic

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Alfa Romeo Showcases Special MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde in Frankfurt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Alfa Romeo's badge has enough clout as it is. But to Alfa enthusiasts, the Quadrifoglio Verde carries even more prestige. The clover-leaf emblem symbolizes the pinnacle of the company's racing history, and is used sparringly on road cars to distinguish some of its most aggressive, performance-oriented models.

In this case, the new MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde boasts a new 170-horsepower MutliAir engine that uses the latest technologies developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies. The system optimizes airflow into the combustion chambers, thereby simultaneously improving both performance and fuel economy. The engine and new six-speed transmission are showcased in the Quadrifoglio Verde, and help the sportiest of MiTos get up to sixty in little more than seven seconds while returning an impressive 50 miles per gallon on the highway. Impressive.

To further set the Quadrifoglio Verde apart from ordinary MiTos, the special edition carries 17" wheels and trim in dark satin chrome, with an all-black interior offset by sporty white instruments. Plus, of course, the famous Quadrifoglio Verde emblem.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde

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Lexus Teases new LF-Ch Concept Hybrid Premium Hatchback for Franfurt Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Lexus is leading right out of the gate in the luxury hybrid market, but it's not about to rest on its green laurels. The Japanese luxury brand is set to unveil the new LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt show next month, and has given us a couple of glimpses at the form it will take.

Unlike most of its line-up, which appears rather staid and conservative by comparisson, the LF-Ch has an aggressive look that could find its way into future Lexus models across the range. The show car is targeted at the likes of the BMW 1 Series, Volvo C30 and Audi A3 in the premium hatchback segment, but packs a hybrid drivetrain. We hear that a production version is destined for the European market, but we can only hope Lexus decides to bring it over to this side of the ocean, as well.

Gallery: Lexus LF-Ch concept preview

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Mercedes' latest Flagship Supercar SLS AMG Appears Online Ahead of Frankfurt Debut

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's been a long time in the making, but the first details and images of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG have finally emerged in advance of its scheduled debut next week at the Frankfurt auto show.

Slotting in above the SL63 AMG Black Series and effectively replacing the SLR supercar which Daimler made in conjunction with its Formula One racing partner McLaren, the new SLS AMG sits at the pinnacle of the Silver Star's performance range. The gull-winged supercar packs the company's signature 6.3-liter V8 engine offering up 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, giving the 3500-lb supercar an anticipated 3.7-second sprint to 60 with a top speed just under 200 miles per hour. Available carbon-ceramic discs keep all that speed in check, packed into a retro design evocative of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

It's available in any color you want, as long as it's silver: the catalog includes two shades of grey, silver and red for the truly extroverted, with a price tag in the neighborhood of $250,000. Tune in next week to see what it looks like from the floor of the Frankfurt show.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

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Officially, official: 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost [w/VIDEO]

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Rolls-Royce Ghost - click above for a high res image gallery

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost serves to demonstrate that everything is relative. While the Ghost is less large and massive then the Phantom, at 17.7 feet long it is by no means small. In spite a slightly smaller displacement at 6.6-liters, the Ghost's all-new V12 engine takes advantage of the latest technology that it afforded to it by being part of the BMW family to produce far more power than the Phantom. Two turbochargers and direct fuel injection allow the new engine to produce 563 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque.

A look inside tells that unlike the Phantom this is a car meant to appeal as much to the driver as the rear seat passengers. The more supportive front seats and thicker rimmed steering wheel imply a driver might actually want to take advantage of the 4.7 second 0-60 acceleration.

But this is of course a Rolls so rear seat occupants are still coddled in a lounge style seat with power closing coach doors. Within the doors themselves, the Ghost retains the umbrellas found in the Phantom so that no one ever has to get wet. The Ghost is expected to be priced between €200,000 and €300,000 before taxes when it goes on sale.

The full press release is after the jump.

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

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Continue reading “Officially, official: 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost [w/VIDEO]”

BMW Shows the Way Forward with New Vision EfficientDynamics

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Who said that loving mother earth and fast cars were mutually exclusive? Certainly not BMW, which has staked its reputation on its EfficientDynamics initiative. Asserting that efficiency and performance can go hand in hand, BMW has been actively researching – and producing – cars that deliver the kind of driving experience for which the Bavarian automaker has become famous while utilizing less resources than ever before. And the company will unveil its new centerpiece for the program – called Vision EfficientDynamics – at the upcoming auto show in nearby Frankfurt.

The space age design speaks for itself, but under the hood BMW has paired a 163hp 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel with a plug-in electric motor and a dual clutch transmission. The result, according to the Bavarian engineers, is a 4.8-second run to 60 while returning 62.6 miles per gallon. Talk about the best of both worlds. Unfortunately it's just a concept car at the moment, but the show piece gives us an advanced look at what to expect from BMW in the years to come.

Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

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Tags: bmw, bmw concept, bmw vision, bmw vision efficient dynamics, BmwConcept, BmwVision, BmwVisionEfficientDynamics, efficient dynamics, EfficientDynamics, frankfurt, frankfurt auto show, frankfurt motor show, FrankfurtAutoShow, FrankfurtMotorShow

Porsche to Unveil Limited Edition 911 Sport Classic in Frankfurt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Now that Bugatti has finished its run of special-edition Veyrons, it's Porsche's turn. The German sportscar-maker has a long history of creating special editions of its iconic 911 especially, and has followed up on its heritage with the new Sport Classic.

Characterized by a special paint job with tone-on-tone racing stripes, special wheels and a retro "duck-tail" spoiler, the 911 SC also packs an extra 23 horsepower for total output of 403. The suspension has also been lowered, and carbon fiber brakes promise to keep the driver out of trouble. Porsche has also given the 911 Sports Classic a special interior of woven and piped brown leather for an extra special touch. Porsche will unveil the new model at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show, and will only make 250 examples, each selling for €169,300 ($240,702 USD).

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic

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Mini Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Coupé Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Today is the Mini's 50th birthday. Half a century ago, the original Mini was unveiled, and to mark the occasion, BMW, the company responsible for its revival as a premium brand, has unveiled the Mini Coupé Concept. Based on the iconic hatchback, the Mini Coupé Concept cuts a strikingly slick silhouette with room for two inside. At the moment it's purely a show car, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt show next month, but word on the street is that they could put it into production. The Coupé Concept is also likely to spawn a convertible Roadster version, with a swept-back windshield and a more sporty attitude than the existing Mini Convertible.

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