Audi has expanded its Sportback lineup, by adding an S5 model directly above the A5 Sportback. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the S5 Sportback is powered by the company’s new supercharged V6 engine rather than the S5 sedan’s 4.2-liter V8.

The new model gets quattro all-wheel drive and makes 333-hp and 325 ft-lbs of torque. Thanks to a seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission, the sprint to 60 mph takes just 5.4 seconds and fuel-economy is rated at an average of 9.4 liters/100km or 24.3 mpg.

Because the S5 Sportback is a performance model, the quattro AWD setup gets a rear-wheel bias. The car’s performance characteristics can be further enhanced through an optional rear differential.

But the S5 Sportback is about more than just performance, as the rear hatch gives plenty of functional space. Cargo room behind the rear seats is listed as 16.9 cubic feet, with a total of 34.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The space seems even larger, however, thanks to a deep trunk.

Sadly, Audi has made no plans to bring its Sportback models to North America.

GALLERY: Audi S5 Sportback

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Lotus displayed its Exige Cup 260 race car at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The race-ready version of the Exige is powered by the same 257-hp supercharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder as the street car, while weighing just 1,958 lbs.

Carbon fiber components include the roof, seats, dash-top, tailgate, center tunnel, front access panels, front splitter, side intake ducts and rear spoiler. Additional light weight components include a lighter motorsports battery, ultra-light wheels, a revised rear engine subframe, alloy u-bend pipes for the supercharger and a lightweight flywheel.

The new Lotus Sport forged wheels are the lightest original equipment wheels in the world, weighing just 5.65 kg (12 lbs) in the front and 7.75 kg (17.1 lbs) in the rear.

GALLERY: Lotus Exige Cup 260

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 l/100 km, 200–208 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission
• E 500: V8, 5461 cm³, 285 kW/388 hp, 11.1–11.2 l/100 km, 258–260 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission

Diesel

• E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cm³, 125 kW/170 hp,5.8 l/100 km, 150 g/km, 6-speed manual transmission
• E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cm³, 150 kW/204 hp, 5.8 l/100 km, 150 g/km, 6-speed manual transmission
• E 350 CDI Blue-EFFICIENCY: V6, 2987 cm³, 170 kW/231 hp, 7.0–7.3 l/100 km, 185–192 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission

An additional three gas options and two diesels will be introduced in early 2010:

Gas

• E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 1796 cc, 135 kW/183 hp,7.7-n/a l/100 km, CO2 179-n/a g/km, 6-speed manual transmission,
• E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 1796 cc, 150 kW/204 hp,8.0-8.2 l/100 km, CO2 185-191 g/km, 5-speed automatic transmission
• E 350 4MATIC: V6, 3498 cc, 200 kW/272 hp, 10.2-10.3 l/100 km,CO2 238-241 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission

Diesel

• E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cm³, 100 kW/136 hp,5.7–n/a l/100 km, 150-n/a g CO2/km, 6-speed manual transmission
• E 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 2987 cc, 170 kW/231 hp, 7.6–7.7 l/100 km, CO2 200-203 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission

The new wagon will have air suspension with rear self-leveling. The E-Class wagon has a load capacity to 68.8 cubic feet.

In addition to the standard models, AMG will, as expected, offer its own version of the E-Class Wagon: the E63 AMG Estate. With a 6.2-liter V8 making 518hp and 465 ft-lbs of torque, the E63 Wagon will get you (and all of your stuff) where you have to go… fast. In fact, the E63 Estate takes just 4.6 seconds to hit 60 mph! And because if you bought a wagon you might actually care somewhat about practicality, Mercedes is pleased to announce that the new 2010 model is now 12 percent more fuel-efficient.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

More on the E63 AMG Estate after the jump:

Continue Reading…

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 sub-compact, is powered by a 75hp 1.2-liter diesel engine. Improving even on the already impressive Polo TDI that gets 56 mpg, this new car gets 71.3 mpg! Equipped with a 12 gallon (45 liter) tank the BlueMotion Polo has a theoretical travel distance of 847 miles (1,363 kilometers).

In total, the all new (and we have to say quite handsome) Polo will be offered with six engine options ranging in power from 60 to 105hp.

But the BlueMotion Polo wasn’t the only hyper-efficient diesel on display, as VW also took the wraps off BlueMotion versions of the Golf and Passat. The BlueMotion Golf gets 61.9 mpg while still producing 105hp and 185 ft-lbs of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph in 11. 3seconds and top out at 120 mph (190 km/h) on the German autobahn.

Finally, there’s the BlueMotion Passat, a mid-sized car that gets 53.5 mpg. It might not get up to speed very quickly, taking 12.5 seconds to 62 mph thanks to the same 105-hp engine as found in the Golf, but with a large 18.5 gallon (70 liter) tank it can travel 989 miles (1,591 km) at a time, which Volkswagen says equates to just seven fill-ups per year.

Volkswagen is planning on bringing the Polo to North America but it is likely to be a slightly larger model than the one sold in Europe.

GALLERY: 2010 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

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 E-Up! is about the size of a SMART fortwo or Toyota iQ. It has a peak output of 60 kw with 210 Nm of torque (80-hp and 155 ft-lbs of torque). With a curb weight of 1,085 (2,392 lbs) the E-Up! Concept can hit 62 mph in 11.3 seconds and drive a total distance of 130 km thanks to stored energy in a lithium-ion battery pack.

Volkswagen is boldly declaring the car is the Beetle of the 21st Century and says this electric Up! model will go on sale in 2013.

GALLERY: VW E-Up! Concept

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 is powered by a front-mounted V12 engine, which Aston says is 6.0-liters, but it really closer to 5900ccs. Power is rated at 470hp at 6000 rpm with 443 ft-lbs of torque coming on strong at 5000 rpm. And if we know Aston, it probably sounds like a wicked beast at about 4000 rpm.

The Rapide will be offered exclusively with a six-seed automatic transmission.

As for the design of the car, it’s all Aston up front and even the rear maintains Aston’s signature subtle duck-tail spoiler, which is integrated into the rear hatch. And of course, all four doors flip slightly upward, just like the rest of the Aston fleet. The cabin of the car seats four with 10.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats or 26.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

“Rapide is the culmination of the Aston Martin range of sports cars, a car that seals the revival of a truly admired marque,” said Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez. “There is now an Aston Martin for every taste and for every use. With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment.”

GALLERY: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide

GALLERY: Official Aston Martin Rapide Photos

Official:

Continue Reading…

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 Toyota-produced V6 engine to produce up to 394hp. The car has been lightened to less than 2,646 lbs, though both power and weight may be subject to race regulations.

Other racing components on the car include a full roll cage, 18-inch wheels with Pirelli racing slicks, a new suspension setup as well as AP Racing brakes with six-piston calipers.

Gallery: Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racer

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 panoramic sunroof with ultraviolet blocking also works to create a feeling of spaciousness.

North Americans will have a choice of two engines,  a 2.0l Theta-II plant rated at 161hp and weighing 22 lb less than the Theta-I. A 2.4l Theta-II will also be available. European regions will have the option of a new diesel engines, a 2.0l and a 1.7l plant, as well as the 2.0l Theta-II and a 1.6l GDI engine with ISG stop-start technology.

Gallery: Hyundai Tucson

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 good. Also helping in the fuel-economy department is the fact that all five engines will be paired with six-speed transmissions.

When the car first goes on sale three of the five engines will be available: a 160hp 2.0-liter turbo diesel, a 220hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a range-topping 300hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 - the same engine found in the Cadillac SRX.

And despite Saab’s split with General Motors, that GM sourced engine isn’t the only GM part of the 9-5. The actual chassis of the car is shared with the Buick LaCrosse. That being said, like the LaCrosse, the 9-5 will be available in AWD.

Later on, Saab will also offer a 180hp 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine as well as an E85-capable 2.0-liter motor.

The car’s proportions are somewhat awkward, but the interior is definitely luxurious and original.

Notable features on the new 9-5 include a heads-up display driver information system, adaptive lighting, adaptive cruise control, Saab DriveSense adaptive suspension, keyless entry and starting, tri-zone air conditioning, dynamic parking assistance and the option of AWD with Saab’s impressive eLSD system.

Saab has yet to set ricing and while a secific on-sale date has not been set, the car will be release some time in 2010.

GALLERY: 2011 Saab 9-5

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

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 machines for the genuine enthusiasts.

The 911 Sports Classic, which debuted today at the Frankfurt Auto Show, is based on the rear-drive Carrera S platform, but gets a wider rear track by 1.73-inches. Power comes from a 3.8-liter flat-six motor with direct-injection, but thanks to a new intake manifold with six vacuum-controlled switching flaps, power has been increased 23 hp for a total of 408hp.

Built by Porsche Exclusive, a department dedicated to creating the company’s most highly customized vehicles, the Sport Classic unmistakable sets itself apart from the rest of the 911 lineup. Included in the long list of custom features are the Sport Classic Grey paint, custom 19-inch wheels, Espresso Nature natural leather and plenty of soft Alcantara, a custom front lip and the classically Porsche ducktail spoiler reminiscent of the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7.

Other standard features include PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, a mechanical rear differential and Porsche’s PASM suspension system which lowers the car by 20 mm (0.79 inches).

Just 250 versions of the 911 Sport Classic will be made.

GALLERY: 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…