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 hitting 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Standard equipment on the new R8 5.2 FSI includes a rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive system Audi magnetic ride, navigation, a 465-watt Bang & Olufsen Sound System, Audi parking system with backup camera, and 10-way heated sport seats.

Audi’s chrome R8 was made specifically for show purposes and the automaker has no plans to offer a chrome version for sale.

GALLERY: Chrome Audi R8 5.2 V10

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 pack to make 455hp and 516 ft-lbs of torque. And while the X6 ActiveHybrid may lay claim to being the world’s most powerful hybrid, the ActiveHybrid 7 is most likely the fastest with a 0-60 sprint in just 4.8 seconds.

Impressively, while BMW is using its ActiveHybrid system to improve performance on the 7 Series, it is also (as you might expect from a hybrid) improving fuel economy. Fuel-consumption is rated at 9.4 liters/100km (25 mpg) average, a 15 percent improvement over the 750i.

Due to the use of a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack, the unit measures just 14.6 x 8.7 x 9.1 inches and only weights 59.5 lbs, making it just slightly heavier and larger than a conventional car battery. BMW has located the lithium-ion unit under the trunk floor, keeping an adequate amount of trunk space

The new ActiveHybrid 7 also features regenerative braking, as well as a start-stop system. Impressively, even when the engine is shut off at a stop light, the air conditioning continues to run as is it powered electronically, not by the gasoline engine.

BMW plans to offer the ActiveHybrid 7 in the Spring of 2010. Both a conventional wheelbase and an extended wheelbase hybrid 7 Series will be offered.

GALLERY: BMW ActiveHybrid 7

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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 has hidden all the tasty tid-bits of info about the Mulsanne deep in its press release, preferring to boast about how there are 114 different paint colors to choose from and how it takes nine weeks to complete a car.

But we know you want the hard numbers, so here goes. The Mulsanne, like the Arnage it replaces, uses a 6.75 liter V8 engine. The new engine has, however, been completely reworked with light weight pistons, con-rods and a forged crankshaft. Power is an expected 505hp, while torque rises impressively to 752 ft-lbs – which is available from just 1800 rpm.

Bentley has made big promises in the fuel economy department (even if its customers don’t care), and has equipped the Mulsanne with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Fuel-consumption is down by 15 percent – in part due to the engine’s ability to run on just four cylinders while cruising.

Actual fuel consumption numbers have not yet been provided. Nor has the flagship Bentley’s curb weight.

Additional highlights include an air suspension with variable dampers four settings: Bentley, Sport, Comfort and Custom.

As for wheels, the Mulsanne comes with 20-inchers but we’re certain most owners will opt for the 21-inch set.

We’ll be sure to update you when more info is available, but in the mean time take a gander at the second Mulsanne to roll our of the Crewe factory. Not only are we liking the car more each time we see it, sitting amongst pedestrian vehicles from VW, Skoda and Seat, we really had a chance to appreciate just how enormous this new model is.

GALLERY: 2010 Bentley Mulsanne

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While BMW had plenty of items on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show, just two were official new model premieres. The first was the X1 crossover and the second was the the 5 Series Gran Turismo (GT). BMW has shown a near-complete version of the car several times, but waited for Frankfurt to give full details.

Looking by all accounts identical to the concept, BMW claims it is the first in this new segment – which is true, because BMW beat Audi and its new S5 Sportback, to the punch by just a few hours.

BMW says the 5 Series GT combines the best of a classic Grand Tourer with a modern day Sport Activity Vehicle. With four seats, the interior is spacious with headroom equal to an X5 and legroom equal to a 7 Series. Rear seat space is particularly plentiful thanks to rear seats that more fore and aft by 4-inches.

Cargo room is equally large thanks to the GT’s two-mode trunk layout. Trunk space is 15.4 cubic feet, which can be expanded to 20.7 cubic feet b moving the rear seats forward and by removing the hatch divider. There is even the option to flip down the rear seats for a total of 59.5 cubic feet.

The 5 Series GT will be available in three different models: the 535i, 530d and 550i. The 535i model uses BMW’s twin-turbocharged inline-six to produce 306hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph in 6.3 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 8.9 liters/100 kilometers, or 26.4 mpg, thanks in part to the 8-speed automatic transmission that is standard on all GT models.

The 530d makes 245hp and 398 ft-lbs of torque for a 0-62 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an expectedly good fuel economy rating of 6.5 liters/100 kilometers, or 36.2 mpg.

As for the flagship 550i, it produces 407hp and 442 ft-lbs of torque, for a 0-62 mph time of just 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy is, however, rated at just 11.2 liters/100 kilometers (21 mpg).

The 5 Series GT is not scheduled to go on sale in North America but we have heard rumors that it could replace the less-popular 5 Series Touring/Wagon model.

GALLERY: BMW 5 Series GT

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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 hit 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.

As a two-mode hybrid system, the X6 ActiveHybrid will be able to travel on pure electric power up to a speed of 37 mph. Unfortunately it can’t drive on electric power long, just 1.6 miles at speeds up to 37mph, before the gasoline engine kicks in.

Interestingly the X6 ActiveHybrid makes use of a 7-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted by the driver. BMW says the tranny is “based on” a CVT transmission and works in two separate modes. There is one mode for around town where one electric motor operates and when the speed is increase or more power is called for the second electric motor kicks in an engages the gasoline engine. That second electric motor then powers the vehicle’s electric systems (power steering, radio, etc.).

BMW says the X6 ActiveHybrid will provide a 20 percent fuel consumption improvement over a similarly powerful non-hybrid engine. The sporty SUV is rated at an average of 9.9 l/100km – or 23.8 mpg. That isn’t likely to please Green Peace, but it is an impressive number for such an incredibly powerful AWD vehicle.

The X6 ActiveHybrid will go on sale in the U.S. later this year.

GALLERY: BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

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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. The radiator grill is equipped with added headlights.

The Camden comes in White Silver, Midnight Black or Horizon Blue metallics with a white roof and will run on 17-inch wheels.

Both special edition models will be available in either Cooper or Cooper S trims with their 120hp and 175hp engines, respectively. A 110hp diesel will also be available in Europe.

The Mayfair and the Camden will only be available during MINI’s 50th anniversary.

Gallery: MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden

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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 for some reason it doesn’t look as dorky in real life as VW’s promo photos suggested.

The car is a two-seater, although the passenger sits behind the driver.

The engine is an 800cc diesel motor mated to a hybrid drivetrain and a seven-speed DSG transmission. It makes 27hp in ECO mode and 39hp in a more powerful mode. Torque is rated at 74 ft-lbs.

Along with this motor the L1 Concept gets a start-stop system, a light-weight carbon fiber body that is just 838 lbs and a drag coefficient of just 0.195.

Volkswagen calls the L1 Concept a “near production vehicle,” and says a production version is expected by 2013.

GALLERY: Volkswagen L1 Concept

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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 departure from other recent Hyundai models, both production and concept. Hyundai says the high beltline provides a protective feeling while the 20-inch wheels and flanged wheel arches give the ix-Metro a muscular stance.

Interior designer Sandy Hartono compares the interior to a pine cone with seats, cargo area and other surfaces separated by light-filled gaps, creating an appearance that seems both organic and futuristic.

The ix-Metro uses a hybridized drivetrain, producing 123 hp out of a 1,000cc three-cylinder engine . This was accomplished through the use of continuously variable valve-timing, turbocharging and direct injection. Additional torque assistance is provided by the starter motor-alternator with power stored in an electric, double-layered ultracapacitor, and a 12V battery.

Gallery: Hyundai ix-Metro

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 to indicate that unlike Maserati’s other models, the 405-hp  4.2-liter V8 will not be offered. What this also may indicate is that a GranCabrio S model could make even more power. After all, with the added weight of the necessary chassis stiffening required in a drop-top, the 433hp model will likely be about as fast as the base-engine coupe.

The GranCabrio has a completely re-engineered body. At 2,942 mm (115.8 inches) in length, the GranCabrio has the longest wheelbase in its class. As it lacks a top frame, Maserati paid special attention to increasing the GranCabrio’s rigidity, using a flat aluminum base. According to Maserati’s testing, the GranCabrio claims the top static rigidity of its class (75,000 DaN/m/rad.  Maserati says the aluminum base reduces the Cx aerodynamic coefficient by six points to 0.35, giving the convertible the aerodynamic performance of a coupe.

Gallery: Maserati GranCabrio

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 corrosion warranty.

“Venga will certainly deliver all the practicality and versatility that a European family could require. It will also provide them with the most stylish transport this segment has ever seen,” says Benny Oeyen, Director Marketing & Product Planning, Kia Motors Europe. “On the road, its performance and agility will surpass the class norm. Venga will ensure that rewarding, fun-to-drive motoring is now available to drivers whose lifestyles demand an MPV.”

The Venga has a 103-inch wheelbase, longer than most cars in its class. Kia says the interior will also be  roomier than its competitors with space typical of a larger class vehicle. For comparison sake, it has a footprint roughly the size of a sub-compact Ford Fiesta, but interior room closer to the compact Focus.

The sliding 60/40 rear seat folds flat into the floor for larger cargo space while some models will have a tilt-&-slide all-glass panoramic roof.

The Venga will be powered by 1.4 and 1.6 gas and diesel engines, producing between 74 hp and 113 hp. All models will feature Kia’s Idle Stop & Go (ISG) technology.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the Kia Venga will make it to North America.

Gallery: Kia Venga