frankfurt auto show

Maserati Releases New GranCabrio Ahead of Frankfurt Show

Italians can do little cars. They can do big GTs. They can do extremely fast supercars. But if you wanted a four-seat convertible to cruise around in what you'd think would be typical Italian style, you had to look elsewhere. Until now, that is, as Maserati has unveiled the first four-seat convertible in its history.

Called the GranCabrio, it's based on the gorgeous GranTurismo, only with the roof replaced by a retractable fabric contraption. The standard engine is the higher-end 4.7-liter V8 from the GranTurismo S, mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. The longest wheelbase on the market should ensure that four passengers can cruise in comfort, and the GranCabrio is set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show next month.

Gallery: Maserati GranCabrio

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Citroen Releases New Premium DS3

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Small doesn't need to mean less luxurious. Not anymore. But while BMW's Mini had the premium hatchback market pretty much all to itself for years, today the market is bursting with new contenders. If British isn't your thing, Italy offers the Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo, but now France is entering the fray with the new Citroen DS3.

Previewed at the Geneva show as the DS Inside concept, Citroen has now released the production DS3 in advance of its debut at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show. And in the transition from concept to production, the French automaker has stayed pretty close to the original. The DS3's big selling point is its bespoke customization options, giving buyers a choice of colors for the roof, mirrors, dashboard, wheel hubs and more in addition to the usual exterior and interior choices. A range of high-tech and premium equipment rounds out the package, available with a variety of diesel and gasoline engines. Sadly for fans of French design, however, Citroen doesn't market in the United States, making this one more enticing choice that remains out of reach for North American buyers.

Gallery: Citroen DS3

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Tags: 2009 frankfurt, 2009Frankfurt, citroen, citroen ds, citroen ds3, CitroenDs, CitroenDs3, ds, frankfurt, frankfurt auto show, frankfurt motor show, FrankfurtAutoShow, FrankfurtMotorShow

Exclusive New Wiesmann MF5 Roadster to Debut in Frankfurt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's easy to get caught up with all the new mainstream sportscars hitting the road every year, but some of Europe's jewels come from the niche manufacturers. Like Spyker, which just unveiled its new C8 Aileron Spyder. Or Veritas, which just released pricing for its first product – the RS III – and is reportedly working on more to follow. Or Wiesmann, whose latest we're reporting on here.

Based on the existing MF4 Roadster (pictured above) with the mechanical bits from the exclusive MF5 GT, the MF5 Roadster will be built in extremely limited quantities: 55 overall, each priced at a healthy €189,500, or approximately $313,000. For all that cash you get an exclusive, retro-styled, exquisitely crafted German roadster with the award-winning 507-horsepower V10 engine from the BMW M5. That's enough to drive the little machine to sixty in 3.9 seconds and top out at an Autobahn-crunching 310 km/h (192 mph). Nice work if you can get it.

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Million-Euro GTbyCitroen Reportedly Approved for Extremely Limited Production

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Looking for another way to spend seven figures on a new exotic sportscar? Sadly, we're not either, but if we were, we'd be excited by the prospect of getting our hands on the GTbyCitroen. Oddly named, quirky styled, but unrivaled presence are what characterize the concept car that epitomizes art imitating life. Initially designed as a fantasy for the Gran Turismo video game series, Citroen put one real-life example on display at last year's Paris Auto Salon, where it garnered so much interest that the French automaker has reportedly decided to put it into production.

We initially reported on the prospect earlier this month, but rumor has it that Citroen has finally given it the green light. Only six examples are said to be in the pipeline at a very exclusive price of £1.1 million (or about $1.83 million in American terms). Interested parties will be able to see the solitary existing prototype drive up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed under the auspices of the Earl of March in a couple of weeks, with a production version tipped to bow at the Frankfurt auto show this coming September.

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