frankfurt 2009

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Wiesmann MF5 Roadster

Wiesmann is hardly your bread-and-butter automobile. The niche automaker makes strictly limited quantities of its roadster and coupe, so even in its home market of Germany seeing one is a rare sight. But this is likely the only time we'll ever see the MF5 Roadster, because they'll only be making 55 of them. And they hopefully won't all come in this rather bizarre white and red paint scheme.

The bodywork carries over from the standard Wiesmann Roadster, but the engine has been replaced with BMW's award-winning 5-liter V10, as seen in the M5 sedan and M6 coupe and convertible. In the tiny Wiesmann, the 507 horsepower is enough to drop the 0-60 time down below the four-second mark, which is one more reason you're not likely to see one sitting still. Another? The $300k price tag. So take your chance to see it now in our high-resolution photo gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Wiesmann MF5 Roadster

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi e-tron Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

The Audi R8 ranks among the fastest cars you're likely to see on the road, but the German automaker isn't about to rest on its proverbial laurels. After the V8 version came the 5.2-liter V10, and while the turbo-diesel V12 TDI version never made it past the concept stage, Audi has tantalized the torque-happy alternative-energy crowd with the e-tron concept.

Based on the R8 and unveiled last week in Frankfurt, the e-tron replaces the gasoline-burning engine in the existing supercar with no less than four electric motors and an enormous lithium-ion battery pack to supply it with juice. The result? A relatively modest 313 horsepower, but an absolutely bonkers 3,319 lb-ft of torque. And no, that's not a typo: it really does have more than ten times the torque of most of the cars. To go with the alternative power, Audi updated the e-tron's design details. But don't take our word for it: have a look for yourself in our high-resolution photo gallery below.

Gallery: Audi e-tron concept

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Peugeot RCZ

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're in the market for an economical hatchback or family wagon, Peugeot has got a whole range of choices. But if you're looking for something a little more stylish, the French automaker has had to send you elsewhere. Until now, that is. Two years ago in Frankfurt, Peugeot took the wraps off the 308 RC-Z concept that seemed to blend the best elements from the company's Golf-class hatchback with the sleek design of the Audi TT. Public demand grew to such an extent that parent company PSA gave the project the green light, paving the way for the production-ready RCZ which the company unveiled at this year's Frankfurt show.

The stylish design takes the French automaker into another level of design, and is backed up by a solid range of engines. Co-developed with BMW and implemented in the Mini, the 1.6-liter turbocharged Prince engine is available in the RCZ with 156 horsepower or 200, and can be coupled with an electric motor for four-wheel-drive hybrid propulsion, or ordered with a 2-liter turbodiesel. Engines aside, it's the RCZ's style that will carry it through a crowded market, so check it out in the gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot RCZ

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

How do you top the Lamborghini Reventon? The million-euro supercar – itself based on the already-extreme Murcielago – made its debut at the Frankfurt show two years ago, and almost immediately sold out its entire production run. This year Lamborghini returned with an even more enticing proposition: the Reventon Roadster.

The ultimate convertible Raging Bull upgrades on the Reventon coupe's fighter jet-inspired styling with an open-air body style, coupled to the same blueprinted 661hp 6.5-liter V12. Lamborghini will only make fewer than 20 examples, each carrying a $1.6 million price tag, so chances are these photos are the closest you'll ever get to seeing one.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: BMW X1

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

When BMW introduced its first sport-utility crossover, the X5, in 1999, some were excited, while others lamented that the Bavarian automaker had lost its touch. In either case, the company's roster of X series crossovers has continued to grow since to include the X6, the X3 and now this, the X1. The smallest crossover in the line-up, the new X1 is based on the compact 1 Series, and while the dimensions may be somewhat similar to the X3, its styling marks a significant improvement. But don't take our word for it, see for yourself in the photo gallery below, straight from the Frankfurt show floor where the new crossover was introduced to the public for the first time.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: BMW X1

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

German automakers have elevated the crossing of traditional market segments into an art form, BMW arguably chief among them. Joining the X6 – a sort of cross between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports coupe – is the new 5 Series Gran Turismo, revealed in production trim to the public at the Frankfurt auto show.

Combining what BMW claims is the head room of the X5 and the legroom of the 7 Series in a more compact form, the 5 Series GT bridges the gap between a tall wagon and a short sport-ute. A strange concept, to be sure, but one which BMW appears to have pulled off with aplomb. Available with a range of engines starting with a 245hp diesel and topping out at the 407hp twin-turbo V8, the Gran Turismo is slated to replace the 5 Series Touring wagon variant in the American market in the near future, but you can see it now in our high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It may be Mini's 50th anniversary – marking the date that the famous British engineer Sir Alec Issigonis launched the original back in 1959 – but it's only been eight years since BMW relaunched the badge in its own image. And since then, the Mini line-up has expanded dramatically: the original hatch has since been joined by a convertible and the Clubman extended wagon, and there's a crossover utility version on its way. But in Frankfurt this year, Mini unveiled a pair of new concepts that have now been confirmed for production.

With a sportier, more aggressive profile than the iconic Minis on which they're based, the Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept hint at a pair of more performance-oriented two-seaters that will join the Mini range in the near future. The engines and mechanicals will likely carry over from the existing models, as will the lower halves of the bodies. But above the belt, it's all business, with more steeply raked windshields and a sloping roofline for the Coupe and a speedster-style rear deck for the Roadster. Production is already gearing up at the factory in Oxford, England, but it'll likely take a little while before these premium pocket rockets hit the market. In the meantime, we invite you to peruse our gallery of high-resolution photographs taken at the duo's unveiling in Frankfurt.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mini Coupe and Roadster Concepts

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Volkswagen Phaeton Exclusive

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're in the market for a top-of-the-line luxury sedan, chances are you'll be looking at the likes of Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Maybe Jaguar or Maserati, if you're looking for something with a little more flair. But Volkswagen? That's the problem the German auto giant encountered with the Phaeton, a luxurious limousine positioned against its own sister company's Audi A8, but with a less prestigious badge and a more attractive price to compensate.

The Phaeton was, and remains, a flawless piece of engineering – sharing its platform with the Bentley Continental, for crying out loud – but the "people's car" badge didn't do it any favors, and the car was eventually pulled out of the American market. It's still sold overseas, and is due for a complete overhaul by 2011, but for those faithful customers overseas, VW unveiled the new customizable Phaeton Exclusive edition at the Frankfurt auto show, displayed with one of the deepest, blackest paint jobs we've ever seen. Just don't mistake it for an Audi.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen Phaeton Exclusive

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Aston Martin Rapide

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

An Aston Martin is a beautiful thing. Several Aston Martins, however, start to look the same. At least, that's the objection that critics levy. They're all two-door GTs with the engine up front and the driving wheels in the back, with subtly different by largely the same styling. And while the new Rapide may share familiar design cues with the likes of the Vantage and DB9, it introduces a new body style into the Aston catalogue for the first time in decades.

The four-door coupe originally debuted in concept form way back at the 2006 Detroit auto show, and is only now ready to start production. Along the way a couple of small changes have been made, but by and large it's the same car that wowed the industry three years ago. Think of it as a DB9 with a couple extra doors and you're half way there. Check out the images in the gallery below to go the extra distance.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Aston Martin Rapide

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

It's been a long time coming, but the Audi R8 Spider is finally here. The convertible version of Audi's mid-engine supercar debuted at the Frankfurt auto show after months of speculation, finally giving enthusiasts the car they want.

The design is essentially the same as the R8 coupe, but replaces the fixed roof with a folding soft-top. Gone as well are the iconic side blades that characterize the coupe's profile. The structural reinforcement and collapsing roof structure add an extra 476 lbs to the curb weight, but the 525-horsepower V10 engine should have no problem hauling the extra heft in return for the open-air experience and unmitigated exhaust note.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Audi R8 Spyder

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Ferrari 458 Italia

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Any day with a new Ferrari is bound to be a good day. So even amidst all the new vehicle launches and concept car debuts which we've been bringing you from Frankfurt, the new Ferrari 458 Italia stands out.

A complete redesign of Maranello's mid-engine V8 supercar, the 458 incorporates the latest technologies gleaned from the F1 circuit: components like flexible aerodynamic elements, a "virtual race engineer" system, a multi-function steering wheel localizing all the controls, and an all-new 4.5-liter V8 engine that revs all the way up to 9000 rpm. 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque hustle it up to sixty in 3.4 seconds and to a 202 mph top speed. We checked out the pair of Italias which Ferrari displayed at the Frankfurt Messe, and so can you in the gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari 458 Italia

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have a long-standing relationship. The two outfits have won Formula One championships together, and collaborated on the Mercedes SLR McLaren. But while the two continue their collaboration in F1, their road-car programs have gone separate ways. McLaren recently unveiled the new MP4-12C supercar online, and what you see above is Mercedes' answer.

Like arch-rival BMW's now-defunct Z8, the SLS AMG takes its retro cues from the company's history – in this case the iconic Gullwing 300 SL. The SLS has been developed entirely in-house by the German automaker's AMG performance division, and packs the company's ubiquitous 6.3-liter 563hp V8 engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show for the first time, the SLS AMG sits atop the Mercedes range with a quarter-million-dollar price tag.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

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2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Rolls-Royce Ghost

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you want to be driven around in a Rolls-Royce, the Phantom is the car for you. But if you want a Rolls-Royce saloon in which to drive yourself around, you'll want the Ghost. Closely mirroring the 200EX concept car which the most prestigious of motor marques unveiled at the Geneva show this past March, the new Ghost is smaller, more nimble and more powerful than the big limousine under which it slots in the company's range, to say nothing of the two-door Phantom Coupe and convertible Phantom Drophead Coupe variations.

Compared to the Phantom sedan, the Ghost is nearly a foot and a half shorter but offers over a hundred more horsepower than its bigger brother. But don't let its size fool you: the Ghost is all Rolls, and packs all the finest touches you'd expect from Goodwood's finest. It even has the rear-hinged rear doors with the hidden umbrella compartment, opening up on a luxurious cabin of soft leather, thick carpets and lacquered wood veneers. It's the Rolls-Royce for the next decade, and we got a closer look at the Frankfurt Auto Show where the new Rolls was unveiled for the first time in production spec. See for yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Rolls-Royce Ghost

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

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

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