Showing posts with label Frankfurt Motor Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frankfurt Motor Show. Show all posts

Monday, September 14, 2009

Frankfurt 2009: Audi S5 Sportback unveiled. No, you can't have this one, either.


If you're annoyed that the Audi A5 Sportback isn't going to be made available in the U.S., you might as well stop reading now, because this will probably be upsetting to you, especially you Shawn Forbes. Audi has just formally announced the S5 Sportback, which, as you likely gathered, kicks things up with the blown 3.0L V6 that's standard kit in the S4, available in the A6, and will shortly replace the V8 as the motivator under the S5 coupe's hood. Quattro is standard, as is the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox; a sport differential can be added at extra cost.

Other standard S-car bits include the metallic-finished mirrors, quad pipes, snazzy S-design wheels (dubs are optional), and polished vertical grille slats. Basically, it's the S5 with two extra doors and a hatchback. It's probably a blast to drive, and it demonstrates that you can turn a standard model into a sporty hatch without going all Crosstour.

Power from the six is 333 horses and 324 lb-ft – good for a 5.4-second run to 62 mph (100 km/h) and an electro-nannied 155-mph top end. Audi says that the powertrain's good a smidge over 24 mpg – with whose grandmother behind the wheel, we have no idea. Inside? You know the deal – it's nice. Starting price when it lands in Deutschland Audi stores this spring will be €57,900, demonstrating that sensible fun doesn't necessarily come on the cheap.

VIDEO: Bugatti offers up promotional video on Galibier concept sedan



We've seen the pics; we've read the details. Now, it's time for video, and Bugatti seems to have released exactly what we're looking for. The looks of the French supercar maker's Galibier concept are nothing if not striking and controversial, but at the level Bugatti's playing at those descriptors are certainly vastly preferable to boring and staid.

Bugatti says the Galibier's unique dark carbon fiber skin shines blue when illuminated, and you can see that effect much better on video than with static images. Pay special attention to the hood, which features twin side-by-side portals to access the front-mounted, ethanol-burning W16 engine. We could do without the breathless narrator, but as promotional material, we've come to expect nothing less.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Mansory Bentley Vitesse Rose isn't really all that rosy


As a testament to its range, the same company that brought you the evil blackness of the Vincero would like you to focus your attention here, on the Bentley Vitesse Rose. The full-on Mansory kit itself is fine. The pink-a-licious color its draped in, matched with the carbon fiber hood, is best digested before you eat solid food. And wait until you see the inside: a color combination we don't think you'll be seeing from the Series 51 program comprising diamond stitched pink and purple leather.


Depending on your take, you might be gratified that Mansory only plans to build three of them. If you want to be one of those... proud... owners, then call Mansory and have a check ready for €269,000. The rest of you can check out the roseate goodness.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG leaks out


Despite an achingly long roll-out, the first cracks in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG dam have begun to appear, courtesy of CarPoint.

Due to be revealed at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, the 300SL-inspired "Gullwing" is packing a front/mid-mounted version of the venerable 6.3-liter V8 fitted to the majority of AMG's offerings, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox channeling 563 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Weight is pegged at around 3,500 pounds, allowing the SLS to run from a rest to 60 in 3.7 seconds. Top speed is 197 mph and optional carbon ceramic discs should bring the party to a halt with supreme authority.

Although we've seen an endless string of spy shots of the SLS over the past year, we finally get a clear view of its upright fascia, drawn headlamps and curvaceous rump that draws a few cues from the departed McMerc and modern M-Bs.

Color choices will include Alubeam Silver, Syvanite Grey, Alanite Grey and red, complimenting the leather and alcantara interior and ten-spoke forged wheels. Production will begin in late 2010 with sales starting the following year, and early pricing suggests a €177,310 MSRP in Germany. Get your first eye-full in the gallery below before all the official details are delivered next week.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Frankfurt Preview: In lieu of warp drive, Brabus drops 750 HP under SV12 R's hood


When Brabus one day announces that they've developed a G-Wagen that can simply teleport from place to place, we won't be the least bit surprised. After all, getting there faster is the company's mission, and the Mercedes-Benzes it works its black magic on are certainly capable of that. Take, for instance, the latest ride to emerge from the skunkworks in Bottrop: the S600-based SV12 R.

The Brabus SV12 R is a car for drivers who feel that the 612-horsepower S65 AMG is lacking underhood. Fret-not, deep-pocketed speed freaks: Brabus has your back. The SV12 R features a 6.3-liter twin-turbo V12 that shovels out 750 horses and a completely insane 995 lb-ft of torque. How do we know it's insane? Because the Brabus folks – who aren't exactly shrinking violets when it comes to the gonzo power numbers – electronically cap it at 811 lb-ft to protect the transmission. (Somewhere in Germany, there must be a shady character named Klaus with a flash tuner doing back-alley torque liberations.) Regardless, that much twist going to the rear wheels ought to put you on a first-name basis with your local tire retailer, as you're likely to be in there every 45 minutes or so for new rubber. Brabus says that zero to 60 takes just four seconds, and that the SV12 R's top speed is an electronically-limited 211 mph.

What else? The de rigeur aero kit is in play, as are a variety of wheel designs for maximum curb appeal. Inside, the car can be outfitted with "BRABUS Yachting precious-wood" accents and a fully-equipped backseat office, allowing you to finalize that corporate takeover PowerPoint deck while your retired DTM-racer chauffeur breaks every traffic law ever written in a bid to get you to your meeting on time. The car will make its debut later this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Move Over Bugatti: Make Way for the Citroen GT Supercar ($2.4 million)


There were several talks regarding the production of the GTbyCitroen Concept but today it was officially confirmed: the supercar will be built! According to our sources, the concept received green light from company’s product boss Vincent Besson and will receive a price tag around €1.3 million.

Regarding the production version, this will keep most of the features showed by the concept and this includes: carbon-fiber construction and eccentric interior details. Under the hood, we will have a V8 engine manufactured by GM or Ford and capable to deliver over 500 hp. The official debut of the production version will be made in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show!

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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz E-Class convertible


The engineers at Mercedes-Benz are working tirelessly to get the all-new E-Class cabrio ready for its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. So much so that they appear to be bringing dates along for a ride in the chop-topped mules.


These newest shots of the
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible are the first we've seen with the cloth top stowed away, and they reveal an interesting detail: a retractable wind deflector mounted on the top of the windshield.

Like Audi, Mercedes has opted to forgo the folding hard-top treatment for the new E, allowing the automaker to retain the coupe's hard-edged style and keep the curb weight in check. When the E-Class Convertible arrives in dealerships early next year, expect a range of six- and eight-cylinder powerplants, including the range-topping E500.

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Friday, June 19, 2009

World's Most Expensive SUV Goes on Sale for $300,000



One of the very first models of the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris, the world's most expensive SUV, is being offered for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $300,000. Made by the Dutch supercar company, the Peking-to-Paris was originally styled the D12 and featured a V12 engine in concept form, but will be fitted with a V8 for production.

The vehicle is being offered for delivery shortly after the Frankfurt Motor Show in September where the production version will make its long-awaited debut. The custom-built four-wheel drive four-door is styled a "Super Sport Utility Vehicle" or SSUV, with supercar performance. The Peking-to-Paris model commemorates Spyker's participation in the 1907 cross-country race of that name. The incredibly luxurious interior is completely fitted out in glove-soft leather. Luxist