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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
 |  Sep 13, 4:10 PM

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Unveiled today at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Ford‘s Evos concept is more than just a hybrid Aston Martin clone. Beautiful, yes, but it’s also a look at the future of where Ford’s SYNC technology could go, as well as some new “smart” methods of maximizing fuel economy. It is, after all, a hybrid.

Power the car is the same plug-in hybrid system found in the upcoming C-Max Energie model that will go on sale later this year.

But more immediately than these technologies is the car’s design, which previews the next generation of Ford products, perhaps as early as the next-gen Ford Fusion.

GALLERY: Ford Evos Concept

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To find out more, watch the video after the jump:

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 |  Sep 13, 3:48 PM

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The 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show gave us our first look at the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe in the flesh. Despite the ridiculously long name, the car is a certified badass, with a 6.2L V8 packing 517 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. This will likely be the final application for the big 6.2L engine before AMG switches over to its 5.5L twin-turbo version.

19″ wheels, a special aerodynamics package and AMG sport seats are the notable changes from the regular C63 Coupe. One interesting option are the available rear seats, with Mercedes forcing you to pay more for the privilege of being able to carry rear seat passengers. The rest of the interior is all business, finished in black Alcantara, while a tuner-esque aluminum wing lets other plebians know just what they’re dealing with.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

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See video of the C63 AMG Black Series Coupe from Frankfurt after the jump:

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 |  Sep 13, 1:34 PM
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Making it’s world premier at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2012 Lexus GS450h Hybrid follows its conventional counterpart, first seen at Pebble Beach last month.

One of the most highly anticipated Lexus models in recent time; this latest GS450h aims to build on the foundation laid by its immediate predecessor. Although outwardly similar to the standard GS350; embodying what Lexus calls it’s L-Finesse design philosophy, the new 450h is a full hybrid, in this case sporting a two-motor hybrid system and Atkinson Cycle V-6 gas engine,  the first time this combination has been fitted to a rear-wheel drive vehicle. Fuel economy is claimed to be some 30 percent better than the old GS450h.
Other features of the new GS450h include specific headlamp treatment with the high/low beam LED headlights and turn signals aligned in a single row, plus an energy saving air conditioning system shared with other GS models that includes S-Flow and ‘nanoe’ technologies, the latter designed to ‘clean’ the air onboard when the system is turned on.
Also featured is a second generation Remote Touch Interface that’s linked up to the world’s largest on board multi-display screen, as well as a new Mark Levinson sound system, for those that care about that sort of thing.
Thanks to a re-designed rear suspension setup and repackaged battery; trunk volume has increased on the new GS by some 23 percent versus the outgoing GS and Lexus says the new version was conceived as a more fun to drive luxury hybrid sedan, thanks to changes to the suspension and steering, as well as incorporating a more driver focused cockpit with improved ergonomics and seating.
Gallery: 2012 Lexus GS450H
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 |  Sep 13, 1:19 PM

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Despite rumors that Land Rover‘s iconic Defender might go the way of the dodo, increasingly there have been signs that the company is indeed committed to its hard-core offering, as two concepts revealed at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show suggest.

The D100 and roofless D100 Sport (pictured above), are essentially styling exercises to showcase which direction the Defender could go. Indeed not only do they embody some of the design features found on the company’s current offerings (the new Range Rover Evoque comes to mind), they also sport some really traditional Landie features (such as a three-passenger front seat).

Yet as off-roaders designed and conceived for use in the 21st century, there’s some hi-tech stuff going on too; materials from luxury yachts, private jets, even spacecraft are employed in their construction, as is technology for self-cleaning and ‘healing’ of the exterior paint.

An ‘intelligent’ next generation Terrain Response system and even a ‘Wade Aid’ feature designed to assess the depth of potential crossings and advise the driver of the appropriate speed when ‘fording’ hint at just some of the capabilities the next generation Defender could have.

Other features it will likely sport include four-cylinder gas and diesel engines with hybrid and even plug-in capability, plus probably an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The D100 and its Sport counterpart are a far cry from the V-8 powered five-speed Defender 90 that was sold in North America back in the 1990s, but from the looks of things, hint that when it finally does arrive, the next generation hard-core Landie, could easily prove to be just as much fun.

GALLERY: Land Rover DC100 Sport Concept

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GALLERY: Land Rover DC100

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 |  Sep 13, 12:33 PM

Korean automaker Hyundai; continues to push vehicles catered to local market needs in an effort to spur regional growth and it’s new Euro-centric i30, introduced at this year’s Frankfurt show is no exception.

The i30 will be produced as a five-door hatchback at the firm’s Nošovice; Czech Republic assembly plant , with European sales expected to begin sometime early next year.

With emissions reduction currently the big thing in Europe, Hyundai says the new i30 delivers less than 100 grams of C02 per km, thanks to its upgraded 1.6-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine.

Slotting in below the new i40, Hyundai hopes that this second gen i30 will help bolster sales of the brand in Europe. The original version, when launched back in 2007, sold more than 360,000 copies Europe-wide during its production run and with the C-segment poised to swell by some 7 percent in Europe in the next three years to some 2.4 million vehicles sales per annum, Hyundai appears to have timed the launch of it’s second generation i30 rather well. The car will face some tough competition tough, going up against the Ford Focus, Opel Astra and top-selling VW Golf.

Given that Ford is now offering North American buyers an essentially European flavored Focus, it will be interesting to see how the proposed 2013  Elantra Touring (kissin’ cousin to the new i30); will fare in our market (the previous version bombed). That said, with consumers on our side of the Atlantic appearing to embrace hatchbacks more keenly than before, there’s every chance it could do considerably better this time around.

Gallery: Hyundai i30

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 |  Sep 13, 10:52 AM

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Auto shows are known for their wild and wacky concept cars, and while a high-horsepower turbocharged AWD Volkswagen Beetle might sound like the stuff concepts are made from, the Beetle R unveiled today at the Frankfurt Auto Show looks production ready.

While VW didn’t release any hard specs, the German automaker has said the car could use a similar engine to that found under the hood of the Golf R and Scirocco R, which makes 266-hp and 261-hp respectively. Like those two, this concept also makes use of AWD, with fenders front and rear that have been widened by 0.6-inches on each side. Other striking exterior styling changes include large black gloss air intakes on the front of the car, not to mention a sporty rear diffuser. And hard to overlook at the 20-inch chrome wheels.

Perhaps even more impressive is the Beetle R’s interior with some seriously sporty bucket seats and R logos throughout. The rest of the cabin gets gloss black accenting, blue highlights and the sort of high-grade features and quality you’d expect from a real Vee-dub.

Will VW build the Beetle R? Most certainly. While nothing has been confirmed with the launch of the new new-Beetle, Volkswagen emphasized how it wasn’t just a chick car any more. And what better way to get that message across with with the Beetle R.

GALLERY: VW Beetle R Concept

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 |  Sep 13, 10:20 AM

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Ask someone from Volkswagen what their most important reveal is at the Frankfurt Auto Show and the answer will be simple: the Up!, the diminutive city car with a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine. That’s all well and good, but what about a car (another small car we might add) that’s just awesome. We are, of course, talking about the Polo R WRC, the VW brand’s entry into the World Rally Championship.

Shown before in sketches, Frankfurt is the first public showing of hot-hatch on steroids, with massively flared fenders doing a poor job of hiding VW’s all-wheel drive setup. Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine pumped all the way up to 296-hp.

Set to compete in next-year’s WRC season this is at least some indication that VW is planning a Polo R street model with AWD – a full baby brother to the Golf R. We’ll just settle for a Polo GTI.. if only VW would bring the sub-compact to North America.

GALLERY: VW Polo R WRC

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 |  Sep 13, 10:01 AM

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Toyota promised a “lighter, faster and sportier” FT-86 II Concept would debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Is that true? Maybe. No one at Toyota was talking about it so it’s hard to say. Instead the brand’s press conference focused on its continued push of hybrid technologies.

What we can tell you (and what you can see for yourself from the selection of photos) is that the FT-86 II Concept now has a shiny new burn orange paint job. New bodywork? Nope… just the same old FT-86 II Concept from Geneva. But there is something more… there behind the tires. For the first time (to our knowledge) the FT-86 is sporting a set of Brembo brakes, which is certainly good news for driving enthusiasts who are eager to get behind the wheel of this car.

When it finally does debut in production ford at the Tokyo Auto Show, look for a direct-injection 4-cylinder boxer engine with around 200-hp going to the rear wheels with a standard limited slip differential. In the mean time, check out the extensive gallery of photos below.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

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Get more Toyota FT-86 news and info at FR-Sforum.com

Plus, see video of the car from its Frankfurt debut after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 13, 7:32 AM

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It’s not every day you see a red Lamborghini. In fact, it’s likely you’ve never seen one; and for good reason. It seems that “other” Italian exotic automaker has pretty much cornered the market on that particular shade. Unveiled today at the Frankfurt Auto Show there’s good reason for the choice of the Rosso Mars color insists Lambo CEO Stephan Winkelmann, and no, it’s not just to piss Ferrari off. Rather, it’s used because red is the traditional color of Italian racing cars, and the new Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale, is about as close to a race car as any Lambo street machine has ever been.

Powered by the same 562-hp 5.2-liter V10 as the rest of the Gallardo range, the Super Trofeo Stradale is inspired by Lambo’s Trofeo spec racing series in Europe and sports custom carbon fiber aerodynamics that produce three times the downforce of the standard Gallardo coupe – due mostly to a massive (adjustable) rear spoiler.

Put on a diet, the Stradale weighs just 2,954 lbs, and promises a 0-62 mph time of just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph.

Oh, and one last thing. Not a fan of red Lambos? No problem. The most hard core version of Lambo’s most popular model ever will also be available in Grigio Telesto or Bianco Monocerus (black and white). Act fast though, only 150 of these beauties will be made.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo

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Plus, watch video of the new Lambo from its Frankfurt reveal after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 13, 5:26 AM

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After years of hype (and delays), Fisker finally delivered its first shipment of production models to customers this Summer. The next obvious step would be a concept, followed by several more years of teasers and production hickups. Not so, says CEO Henrik Fisker, unveiling the new Surf model at the Frankfurt Auto Show today.

A five-door shooting brake design, the Surf is intended to bring the Karma’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain to a more functional (yet still very luxurious) segment. Built alongside the Karma on the production line the Surf uses the same platform and engine as its sedan counterpart and will go on sale mid 2012 said Fisker during the press conference.

So if you’re in the market for a 402-hp hybrid that can travel emissions free for up to 50 miles, plus you’ve got kids and a dog, Fisker has your wagon.

GALLERY: Fisker Surf

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 |  Sep 13, 5:10 AM

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Having been cut from the Lotus lineup only recently Lotus hasn’t wasted any time in bringing back it’s hard-core track superstar, the Exige. Looking remarkably similar to its predecessor, the new Exige S is a solid 10-inches longer and 2-inches wider than that car.

Perhaps the biggest change, however, is under the hood, with the Evora S’s supercharged 3.5-liter V6 making 345-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the Evora S to 60 mph in a seriously quick 3.8 seconds. Such an impressive speed is also as a result of an ultra light 2,380 lb targeted curb weight.

Known for a return-to-basics type of driving, the new bosses at Lotus have added some high-tech wizardry to the Exige. And while purists might gasp, they should be impressed. Unique to the Exige is a new Lotus DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) switch that allows the driver to switch between three different driving models: Touring, Sport and DPM off. Plus, when equipped with an optional Race Pack (which includes Launch Control), a Race setting helps deliver maximum possible traction in corners.

GALLERY: Lotus Exige S

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 |  Sep 13, 3:48 AM

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Alongside a new Exige S street car, Lotus has unveiled its proposed entry into rally racing, the Exige R-GT, today at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Weighing in at around 2,600 lbs this race car trades the old Exige’s 4-cylinder for something close to what can be found out back in the Evora S – a supercharged 3.5L V6. Power makes it to the rear wheels using a sequential 6-speed transmission with paddle shifters.

All the necessary equipment is in place to meet FIA racing regulations (plus a few extra driving lights up front), although Lotus does point out that it has yet to get approval to officially campaign the car in motorsports. That’s is certainly the plan though.

GALLERY: Lotus Exige R-GT

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 |  Sep 13, 2:23 AM

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Toyota is keeping quiet ahead of the car’s reveal today at the Frankfut Auto Show, but it has released two pictures of the latest FT-86 II Concept. What’s new? Other than some new paint it’s not entirely clear, although Toyota did promise a “faster, lighter and sportier” version of the car.

When it does officially debut in production form at the Tokyo Auto Show later this year, the FT-86 (sold in America as the Scion FR-S) will be powered by a direct-injection 4-cylinder boxer engine, putting torque to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission with a limited slip differential as standard. In Tokyo, Subaru is also expected to debut a version of the car, called the BRZ.

Look for more details and live photos later today at AutoGuide’s official Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

Get more Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ news and info at fr-sforum.com and subarubrzforum.com.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

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 |  Sep 12, 6:00 PM

Using the Mercedes-Benz E220 BlueTec, as a foundation; noted German tuning house Brabus has unveiled its latest Hybrid Project, powered by a direct injection diesel engine with Brabus ‘Eco’ technology and dual electric motors housed in the rear wheel hubs.

Making its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA); the Brabus Hybrid project was developed by the firm’s ZERO EMISSION business division which, in conjunction with Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Environment, works on alternative drive technologies.

On this new Hybrid, in ‘Eco’ mode, each of the wheel hub mounted electric motors produces 50 kW of continuous power, while in ‘Sport’ mode, output is increased to 80 kW.

With a total (combined) peak power output of 160 km and 1,180 lb-ft of torque, the twin electric motors are designed to supplement the 2.2-liter CDI BlueTec diesel, which is equipped with a Brabus PowerXtra DE (V) performance tuning kit, that includes an auxiliary control unit and revised engine mapping, designed to optimize fuel economy and reduce emissions.

Although power on the BlueTec diesel is up slightly as a result of the Brabus tweaks (220 hp versus 197); the biggest goal was a bump in torque, which now stands at 330 lb-ft (up from 295). This provides better throttle response no matter whether the car is in hybrid or conventional (diesel mode).

Despite the added weight of the electric motors and the car’s Lithium-Ion battery pack, the Brabus Hybrid still boasts fairly spritely performance. According to the company, it’s able to sprint from 60 to 120 km (37 to 74 mph) in 5.6 seconds, decent statistics for a relatively heavy mid-size sedan.

Other features on the car run to typical Brabus exterior upgrades,in this case a unique front fascia, aluminum front fenders and rocker panel extensions, along with 19-inch Brabus Monoblock alloy wheels, shod in Continental low-profile tires. There’s also a height adjustable suspension with premium Bilstein shocks and upgraded brakes.

Inside, an upgraded instrument cluster, special drilled foot pedals and Brabus LED illuminated sills are among the unique touches added to the Benz E-Class cabin.

GALLERY: Brabus Hybrid

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 |  Sep 12, 2:30 PM

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Ahead of a more official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show tomorrow, Audi has revealed its new city car concept twins, the Audi Urban Sportback and the Audi Urban Spyder.

These 1+1 seaters put the driver ahead (and slightly to the left) of the passenger and as city cars (not to mention European ones) are powered by electricity. Two electric motors power the rear axle through a single speed transmission, giving roughly 20-hp and 35 lb-ft of torque. Energy is stores in a 200 lb lithium ion battery behind the rear seats, which can be charged completely in just one hour using a conventional household outlet or approximately 20 minutes with a special fast charger. Acceleration isn’t exactly brisk, despite some rather sporty looks from these two concepts, with a six second time to 37-mph and a 16.9 second time to 62 mph. Both Audi’s have a range of roughly 45 miles.

Allowing the cars to achieve many of their “performance” and range goals is an ultra light weight chassis, weighing a total of just 1,058 lbs thanks to a structure comprised of both aluminum and carbon fiber, with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body panels.

At 126.72 inches the Urban concepts are about two and a half feet longer than a smart car. Despite it’s diminutive size, at each corner are some sizeably Donk 21-inch wheels with ultra-thin 125/60/21 tires up front and 145/50/21 tires in the rear.

GALLERY: Audi Urban Sportback, Spyder Concepts

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 |  Sep 12, 1:45 PM

Details on the new Brabus 800 ‘Rocket’ have been released, just ahead of the car’s official debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this week.

Based on the current Mercedes-Benz CLS, the ‘Rocket’ apparently boasts a a V-12 under the hood that develops approximately 800 horsepower and a whopping 811 lb-ft of torque (1,100 NM in Euro parlance).

According to German automotive source Motorvision.de, that’s enough to enable this four-door leviathan to do the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) dash in just 3.7 seconds, while a top speed of some 370 km/h (230 mph) is apparently possible.

Of course being a Brabus, besides the outrageous performance, the exterior has naturally been tweaked, an in-your-face front fascia sports massive air intakes on the lower valance; while a forward thrusting grille with a big ‘B’ logo; along with bulging front and rear fenders plus a rear deck spoiler and diffuser complete the ensemble. Massive, yet ultra-light Brabus Monoblock F-Platinum Edition cross spoke rims, fill the wheel wells in true Brabus style.

Inside, cabin upgrades are par for the course, though with official details from Brabus not yet revealed we can’t say exactly what they are. Nevertheless, for a projected MSRP of some € 429,000 (roughly $592,800) for the car; excluding taxes, they ought to be rather special.

Weighing in at around two tons, the 800 ‘Rocket’ promises to be the fastest four-door sedan in the world when it goes on sale. If you want one, you’d better contact Brabus as soon as possible.

Check out full coverage of the Frankfurt Auto Show here

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

 |  Sep 12, 12:59 PM

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Kia has been changing what people think about Korean cars for well over a year now thanks to some impressive designs, and now the automaker is looking to add some performance to its lineup with the new GT Concept – the first ever rear-drive vehicle by Kia.

Set to be unveiled tomorrow at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the GT Concept is a rear-drive coupe-styled sedan that we can now confirm is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injection 3.3-liter V6 making 395-hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Helping get power to the ground in a smooth and fuel efficient manner is an 8-speed automatic transmission.

“This concept allows us to explore exciting new design directions, as using a rear-drive layout creates very different proportions compared to a front-wheel drive car,” says Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer.  ”The classic front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout of a performance saloon has distinct appeal not just for the domestic Korean audience, but also for the European and American markets.”

Said to be inspired by iconic GT cars of the 1970s, the GT also takes design cues from the Kia Kee concept that debuted in Frankfurt back in 2007. Measuring 185-inches in length this 4-seater is roughly a foot shorter than the Hyundai Genesis sedan (on which it is believed to be based), putting it right in the same size category as the BMW 3 Series.

Will Kia build the GT Concept.. or something like it? You bet! “One of the great things about working on this project was that this is a very real car,” says Schreyer.  “It felt good to be working on a car that could roll down the road tomorrow.  Yes, it would be a dream to put this into production – it has a logical layout, with four seats, and good luggage space, and it’s also engaging and dynamic and makes a strong statement.  It’s exactly the kind of car Kia should be making.”

Look for more details and live photos tomorrow at AutoGuide’s official Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

GALLERY: Kia GT Concept

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 |  Sep 12, 12:15 PM

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After the success of the limited edition DBS Carbon Black model, Aston Martin has revealed two new “Carbon Edition” versions. While essentially just the same set of add-ons but with two new exterior color options, any DBS news is news because, well, the car is stunning.

Now available in Flame Orange and Ceramic Grey, the new models get the same unique paint treatment with seven layers that are then hand polished for 25 hours. In addition, Aston will now also offer a “satin lacquer” finish.

Other upgrades include 10-spoke black diamond wheels, black brake calipers (yellow, orange, red or gray are optional), a new black grille, carbon headlight backings and smoked rear lights. Other Carbon Edition upgrades include carbon fiber on the dash an on the magnesium paddle shifters. More impressive is the upgraded leather (in either obsidian black or maranello orange), while the headliner is a quilted leather pattern. And finally, one should not forget the carbon fiber special edition plaque.

Pricing for the new DBS Carbon Edition models starts at $287,576 and a shocking $302,576 for the Volante convertible.

Look for live photos from the reveal at AutoGuide’s dedicated Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

GALLERY: Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition

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 |  Sep 12, 10:45 AM

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As a brand Suzuki has had limited success in North America, selling rebadged GM crossovers when it probably should have been pushing the types of cars it knows best – small cars. While the Swift used to be offered here, its days passed long ago (apart from the rebadged old Daewoo offered in Canada).

The Swift soldiered on in other markets, however, and has evolved into a solid machine. And now Suzuki is adding more style and performance by introducing a new Swift Sport model for 2012 at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt. This new model, which is just an update to the current Swift model sold in Europe and Asia, gets a larger grille in the front, and ground effects and spoilers which according to Suzuki “suppress lift and give the car a lower visual center of gravity.” You also get new 17-inch alloy wheels wearing 195/45R17 tires. HID headlamps and new tail lights complete the fresh new look.

Sporty seats and a five-dial instrument cluster add to this cars sporty character on the inside. However, the changes under the hood are what enthusiasts will be lusting after. The Swift Sport gets Suzuki’s new M16A motor, which produces 8% more power while also improving fuel consumption by 11%. This 1.6-liter, four-cylinder unit produces 134 hp and 118 lb-ft of torque.

Power goes to only the front wheels via a new six-speed manual gearbox which features a triple-cone synchromesh for a more sportier feel.

To keep you safe, electronic stability control is standard along with 7-airbags.

So if you’re moving to Europe and are looking for a fun new hatchback to drive around in, the new Swift Sport will be on sale very shortly. Just don’t look for it at your local dealer… pity.

Look for more details tomorrow at AutoGuide’s official Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

GALLERY: Suzuki Swift Sport

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 |  Sep 12, 10:00 AM

Ahead of its Frankfurt Auto Show premiere of six new models, Lotus has released a perplexing video teaser of one of these new sports cars. But wait, the above screen shot, taken from the boxer-on-a-race-track Lotus Films production, hints that perhaps Lotus will reveal an all-new Exige in Frankfurt.

Don’t expect a production model, but rather a concept, likely powered by either the same non-existent 2.0-liter 4-cylinder as found in the Elise concept, or perhaps the 3.5-liter V6 shared with the Evora.

Previous reports have also suggested the Exige will be a race car intended for use in rally racing.

In addition, Lotus has promised a new Elise S supercharged model, an Evora S IPS (automatic transmission) model, as well as an Elise SPS – using some type of automated manual gearbox. The remaining two cars are expected to be the production version of the Evora GTE Road Car concept, as well as the special Evora S Freddie Mercury Edition.

Look for more details tomorrow at AutoGuide’s official Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

Watch the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

 |  Sep 12, 8:16 AM

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Celebrating 125 years of Mercedes-Benz, the appropriately named F125 is set to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show tomorrow. Ahead of the planned reveal, however, photos and details of the Hydrogen Gullwing concept car have been leaked, giving a look at the future of Mercedes design, not to mention the German automaker’s plans to push ahead with hydrogen fuel cell technology.

With a less than stunning jellybean profile, the new concept does have some nicer angles, with an almost art deco look to the massive front grille. Much of the design cues are an evolution of the F800 Style Concept first shown at the Geneva Auto Show last year – although that car was arguably the better looking machine.

Power for the concept comes from a hydrogen fuel cell stack with four electric motors (one at each wheel). Generating 231-hp it is said to be able to hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Total range is around 620 miles. In addition to all this, there’s a lithium-ion battery pack capable of offering 31 miles of non-hydrogen travel.

Look for more details tomorrow AutoGuide’s official Frankfurt Auto Show page here.

GALLERY: Mercedes F125 Hydrogen Gullwing Concept

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[Source: OmniAuto.it]

 |  Sep 11, 5:30 PM

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Think there’s a lot of build-up for a car like the Toyota FT-86? Just be glad you’re not waiting for an electric Audi R8. First introduced two years ago at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the German luxury automaker has now come full circle and will be unveiling the next version of the R8 E-tron in Frankfurt this week.

With Audi having announced plans to bring the car to market in 2012, this latest “technology demonstrator” is expected to be quite close to the production model. When it finally does arrive, the R8 e-Tron is set to use four electric motors (one at each wheel) to create a total of 308-hp and 3,319 ft-lbs of torque (collectively) with a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. Range is expected to be roughly 155 miles, with a charge time of 6-8 hours on a conventional outlet or 2.5 hours with a rapid charger.

This latest E-Tron concept will bridge the gap between several Audi debuts in Frankfurt, with the green Audi Urban Concept and A2 Concept on one hand and the high-performance S6, S7 and S8 on the other. Look for full details with AutoGuide’s Frankfurt Auto Show coverage starting here on Tuesday, September 13th.

GALLERY: Audi R8 e-Tron

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 |  Sep 11, 1:00 PM

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The Smart car has sold reasonably well around the world, but it has hardly been the sales success its maker wishes it was. To keep the interest of car buyers, every now and then, it comes up with a special edition model.

At this years Frankfurt Auto Show, Smart will show a model that it has developed with the street fashion brand WeSC. This special “Tailor Made” model is being prepared by Mercedes-tuner Brabus and will feature a special gold paint that is gloss in some areas and matte in others. Special jet black wheels and custom leather interior also sets this fortwo cabrio model apart from the regular smart.

The people at Smart also designed a new set of headphones, which will be sold through WeSC shops and Concept Stores around the world.

This special Smart with a 100-hp turbocharged motor will be on display starting September 13 at the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the new Forvision concept. Look for live photos from AutoGuide’s coverage here.

GALLERY: Smart WeSC

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Watch the video after the jump:

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 |  Sep 10, 9:00 AM

Hamann is bringing a trio of Germany’s finest to the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, unveiling the Porsche Panamera Paragon program, a new tuning program for BMW‘s 6-Series Cabriolet, and rounding off the big German three will be a new version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Hawk. While this isn’t the first time Hamann has brought the SLS AMG Hawk out to play, it is the first time we’ll be presented with this configuration, featuring a white exterior and black wheels.

While the 6 Series program is expected to be tame, Hamann has a history of some wild creations and with a short list of products already available for the Panamera, the Paragon could be something special, or especially strange.

[Source: GT Spirit]