Mercedes-Benz is expanding its E-Class family of vehicles with a new wagon. Called the Estate in European markets, the wagon will be available with ten different engine options. The new wagon will launch in November with two gas options and three diesel options: Gas E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 3498 cm³, 215 kW/292 hp, 8.6–8.9...
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Volkswagen made a big splash at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show with a total of nine new vehicles, including two new ultra fuel-efficient concepts that will one day see production. Included in the list of “normal” premieres was the 2010 Polo with a BlueMotion option that delivers futuristic fuel-economy right now. The ultra-efficient BlueMotion Polo...
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Debuting alongside the 170mpg L1 concept car at the Frankfurt Auto Show was the zero-emissions E-Up! concept. As the name suggests, this is a pure electric vehicle and it is based on a chassis that will form the basis of a new line of VW city cars starting in 2013. As a 3+1 seater the...
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After first debuting a concept version at the North American International Auto Show back in 2007, Aston Martin chose the Frankfurt Auto Show to debut what it calls “the most elegant four-door sorts car in the world.” The Rapide joins the Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte in an emerging segment of performance-oriented sedans. The Rapide...
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Lotus displayed its Evora Type 124 endurance racer at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Type 124 (the 124 was the next number in line in Lotus’ naming sequence, but coincidentally, the 24 also represents 24 hour endurance racing) will make its racing debut at the 2010 Nürburgring 24 Hours in May. Lotus engineers tuned the...
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Hyundai introduced its new Tucson SUV at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The new Tucson, named the ix35 in Europe, is an example of what Hyundai calls its new “fluidic” design language with its sweeping, curved lines. Hyundai lowered the overall height of the new Tucson while still promising extra legroom and headroom. A new dual-panel...
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A company in turmoil with a less than certain future, Saab is hedging its bets on the all-new 2011 9-5 luxury sedan, which launched today at the Frankfurt Auto Show. In total, the 9-5 will be offered with five different engines, all of which will be turbocharged and relatively small, meaning fuel-economy should be quite...
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Looking more like something that might roll out of one of the many Porsche tuner shops in Germany, than off the production line, the new 911 Sport Classic marks Porsche’s return to building limited edition models. And while these ultra rare cars will make for excellent collectors items, as Porsches they are also incredible driving...
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Looking more like something we might find parked in front of the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai than at the booth of a serious German automaker at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Audi had on display an R8 coated in chrome paint. This was no regular R8 either, but the 525-hp V10-powered model capable of...
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The second of two production-destined hybrids unveiled by BMW at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the ActiveHybrid 7 Series joins the X6 ActiveHybrid to expand the German automaker’s focus on electric-assisted engines. The ActiveHybrid 7 uses the same twin-turbocharged V8 as found in the 750i, but pairs it with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery...
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AutoGuide was one of the few media outlets that posted live coverage of the Bentley Mulsanne’s unofficial debut at the Pebble Beach Concour d’Elegance, but the regal British automaker wasn’t willing to cough up any details. Now that the car has been officially unveiled, we have some info – but not all of it. Bentley...
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Alongside several other “Efficient Dynamics” models that were officially unveiled at today’s Frankfurt Auto Show was the X6 ActiveHybrid with no less that 480hp. Using a 400hp twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the X6 and combining it with two electric motors the X6 hybrid achieves a massive 480hp and 575 ft-lbs of torque, enabling it to...
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MINI is celebrating its 50th birthday with the release of two special edition models. The MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden were announced at the MINI United Festival but they made their public debuts at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Mayfair comes in the “Hot Chocolate Metallic” paintwork available on the Clubman and Convertible....
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As Germany’s largest automaker, Volkswagen had big news at the Frankfurt Auto Show today with numerous new models that boast impressive fuel-economy. But even the BlueMotion Polo has nothing on the fuel-economy of the L1 Concept, a tiny two seater that uses just 1.38 liters of diesel per 100 km – that’s 170 mpg. And...
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Hyundai introduced a futuristic crossover concept model, the ix-Metro, at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Drawing inspiration from NASA, science fiction and pine cones (yes, pine cones), the Hyundai ix-Metro was the result of an internal design competition. Design features such as faceted surfaces and triangulating lines along the bonnet, side and rear panels are a...
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Maserati debuted its first ever four-seater convertible, the GranCabrio at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The GranCabrio joins the Quattroporte sedan and the GranTurismo coupe in Maserati’s product line-up, giving the company what it calls the three prongs of the Trident. The GranCabrio will be powered by the company’s top-level 4.7-liter V8, making 433hp. This seems...
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Kia pulled the covers off the Venga, its new B-segment MPV at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Based on the No. 3 concept shown at the Geneva show earlier this year, the Venga will be sold across Europe with Kia’s seven-year drive train / five-year whole car / 150,000 km warranty, as well as a ten-year...
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Toyota is planning to offer hybrid versions of all of its vehicles by 2020 and the next step in that process is a Hybrid Synergy Drive version of the Corolla-based Auris hatchback sold in the U.K. Toyota unveiled a prototype of that vehicle, the Auris HSD Concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show today. The Auris...
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Mazda unveiled its MX-5 Superlight concept roadster at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Though pictures were leaked ahead of the show, seeing the Superlight version of the MX-5 in person was still impressive. Created by Mazda’s European design team to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first MX-5, the Superlight version weights 2,194 lbs (995 kg),...
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Until now we weren’t overly impressed with Toyota’s idea for a plug-in Prius hybrid, along the lines of the Chevy Volt. There’s still a lot we don’t know (including, hopefully, a lower price point), but today at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Toyota announced that the Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept would be able to recharge fully...
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Despite a strong presence on this side of the Atlantic, Lexus has yet to penetrate the European market. But they folks at Toyota’s luxury arm are hoping that a premium level hatchback in the compact segment – that also just so happens to be a hybrid – will help them win over a new (younger)...
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Lotus is returning to Formula One racing with a team run by the Malaysian government and a group of Malaysian investors. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile selected the Lotus F1 Team to replace the withdrawing BMW team in the 2010 season. Lotus will be the 13th team, restoring the brand as an F1 constructor for...
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At long last, its here; Audi’s R8 Spyder. With rumors of the car emerging almost simultaneously with the launch of the original V8-powered R8, it’s been a long time coming. Powered by the Lamborghini sourced 5.2-liter V10, the Spyder makes 525hp, allowing it to hit 62 mph in 4.1 seconds and blast on to a...
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For 2010 the Porsche 911 Turbo gets a long list of improvements including an all-new, larger 3.8-liter engine. Possibly more important, however, is the fact that the clumsy bush-buttons have been replaced with paddle shifters with the addition of Porsche’s impressive 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. As for that engine, it’s the first entirely new one...
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