The  Land Rover Defender concept is set to make its debut at the 2011 Franfurt auto show next month as Land Rover decides whether the vehicle will be produced or dropped. With ever tightening emission requirements and a need to broaden market appeal, it may be difficult to produce a new Defender.

Land Rover and Indian-owner Tata understand that the Defender is an iconic member of the family but the vehicle is at a crossroads in its life cycle. The current defender meets emissions standards through 2016, but Colin Green, managing director of Land Rover UK,  said that building a new Defender will be a tough act to follow. “If we get it wrong we are messing up one of the industry’s biggest icons, and in that sense it’s a tremendous responsibility.” Land Rover would need to sell between 60,000 to 80,000 units annually to meet target sales and to be worth while. Regardless of the final decisions, the concept will be present at the show. Land Rover will most likely gauge how effective the model is and whether it garners any popularity.

Gallery: Land Rover Defender

[Source: Autoblog]

Some believe that if you are a true petrol-head, you have to have owned an Alfa Romeo at least once in your life. Taking a look at their history, its easy to see why. This Italian brand has produced some of the most gorgeous automotive designs ever, like the Montreal, GTV6 coupe and the 8C Competizione.

Now Alfa fans will soon have another model to lust after, the 4C. Previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in concept form, now it seems that Alfa Romeo will be unveiling a near production model at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show.

To start us drooling, Alfa Romeo has released a teaser picture of the new 4c. The head-on shot reveals that it’ll look very much like the concept version, which is no bad thing.

Mechanically, it will use a 1.75-liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder motor that is capable of producing 230-hp. Since the car is expected to weight just over 1,900 lbs., it should be a rapid car.

European sales for the 4C are expected to start next near, although US-sales will like commence in 2013, along with a full range of other Alfa Romeos. We cant wait.

GALLERY: Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Jaguar has plans to reveal a new sports car in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show next month. The British automaker said the new concept was “likely” to form the centerpiece of its show booth. A spokesman for Jaguar said that a concept car is likely to be revealed at the show. Nothing has been kept secret regarding Jaguar launching a car to rival the Porsche Boxster. The new sportscar will likely be code named the XE and will probably be powered by a single or twin turbo charged V6.

Jaguar is also planning to expand its range, ”We are investigating other areas of the market past the current XF, XJ and XK ranges,” said the spokesman. Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director said a small Jag is also a possibility to rival the BMW 1-series. “We won’t have a 1- series sized car for five to 10 years, but we’re working on some compelling alternative bodystyles that are anti-German luxury car establishment,” he said.

[Source: Automotive News]

Set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show in September are BMW‘s X5 and X6 Exclusive Editions, sporting a unique Orion Silver Metallic paint finish and Nevada leather interior cribbed from the 6-Series. In addition, both the X5 and X6 will receive special wheels and dark bamboo interior trim as accessories.

Unfortunately those are all the details that have been released on the Exclusive Edition X5 and X6 so far, but we’re expecting more news as we get closer to the Frankfurt Auto Show.

GALLERY: BMW X5 and X6 Exclusive Editions

[Source: BMW Blog]

BMW is working on a new engine for its diesel cars, and it’ll be packing three turbos for the X6 and the 7-Series—just like the next M3.

The Tri-Turbo will be a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with more turbochargers than BMW’s twin-turbo models, but less than Bugatti’s quad-turbo engine. Combined, power of these pinwheels will be between 350 and 400 horsepower.

The engine is currently being tested in the 750d and 750ld flagships, which will be introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, and Europeans will be able to three-ball it starting next spring.

[Source: BMW Blog]

De Tomaso is planning to show a new Pantera, one of the most legendary cars ever built, at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Will it live up to the original’s badass demeanor?

Sticking to tradition, the new Pantera will feature American power with a Corvette V8, in the middle somewhere. With a curb weight of 2,645 pounds and more than 600 horsepower, the new Pantera should move like cowboys from hell. De Tomaso is banking on sales of the Deauville crossover—apparently somebody actually paid real currency for one—to fund development of the primal concrete sledge.

Of course one of the Pantera’s most famous owners, a legend befitting a legend, was Elvis. So will the next Pantera be more young Elvis, scandalous and sexy, or Vegas-era Elvis, gaudy and bloated? We hope it’ll be “Hound Dog” and not “Viva Las Vegas,” but judging by its last efforts, we may start booking shows at the Hilton.

[Sources: Autoblog, Carstyling.ru]

The next generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, with the car moving towards a hatchback body style rather than the current pseudo-minivan design.

A full range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines will be available, along with a start-stop system for improved fuel economy. Mercedes’ main goal for the new car was to preserve the interior space of the current car while retaining the usual Mercedes characteristics. The new B-Class will be on sale at the end of 2011, although the vehicle hasn’t been confirmed for North America.

[Source: Carguide Blog]

The lightweight version of the BMW M3 sedan, first shown last week, will be known as the M3 GTS Sedan, and serve as a bridge between the standard car and the more hardcore M3 GTS Coupe.

The same suite of lightweight parts and a specially calibrated dual clutch gearbox will be carried over from the GTS Coupe, but the sedan looks to be more subtle aesthetically, lacking the tuner-style wing and aggressive bodywork, not to mention the day-glo orange paint. The M3 GTS Sedan is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Audi will apparently produce an R8 GT Spyder, defeating the purpose of the lighter, more performance-oriented R8 GT, but opening up a whole new market for their supercar, and those more concerned with looking fast than going fast.

The Spyder will likely pack the same 552-horsepower 5.2L V10 as the coupe, but be limited to 193mph, as opposed to 199mph in the hardtop. The Spyder will also likely be limited to 333 units. Roughly 220 pounds will be cut from the car’s weight thanks to an abundance of carbon fiber parts, thinner glass and a revised braking system. Audi will preview the car at Le Mans in June, with a proper unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

[Source: Autocar]

The long awaited next generation BMW M5 will get its first showing in (lightly disguised) concept form at the Shanghai Auto Show. With China becoming a rapidly important market for BMW (read: sales are booming), the new car, codenamed the F10, will surely be a hit with performance-minded buyers in China and the world over.

The sublime V10 is expected to be jettisoned in favor of a new twin-turbo V8, as seen in the X5M and X6M. Rumors state that the car will also feature ceramic brakes (a first for any BMW), and we can similarly expect to see some kind of dual clutch transmission. The new V8 makes 555 horsepower and 510 lb-ft in the SUVs, and a bump in power wouldn’t be unreasonable for what is arguably BMW’s flagship M car. The most significant development of course, is that BMW chose to reveal the car at Shanghai, but this still leaves the door open for an official production unveiling at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show, which is of course, BMW’s home turf.

[Source: 4 Wheels News]

Along with a redesigned version of the C30 hatchback, Volvo also debuted a facelifted C70 model at the Frankfurt Auto Show. While the retractable hard-top convertible isn’t entirely new for 2010, the redesign shows a noticeably different body with design cues from the S60 Concept and the new XC60 crossover. Volvo will also offer the C70 in a new Flamenco Red Pearl paint. Out back, the C70 now also gets LED tail lights.

Inside, a slight dash redesign helps keep things modern and luxurious.

“The Volvo C70 has classic convertible lines and a strong identity of its own,” explains Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars. “We’ve carefully redesigned the front and rear with a more aggressive presence that more closely mimics the new XC60. Inside, we’ve upgraded the materials to enhance the C70’s atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car.”

As expected, the C70 is incredibly safe. Included in the vehicle’s long list of safety features are roll-over bars that deploy when necessary. Volvo’s Rollover Protection System (ROPS) even uses metal spikes on the bars to break through the car’s rear glass. In addition, side curtain airbags are included, which have been mounted to the doors in the absence of a roof structure.

The C70’s roof opens and closes in a lengthy 30 seconds. One great feature, however, is that the trunk can be opened separately of the roof compartment. This is ideal as so many hard-top convertibles require you to life the incredibly heavy rear clamshell to access the trunk.

As for the engine, it continues to be Volvo’s turbocharged five-cylinder with 227hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque.

Gallery: 2010 Volvo C70

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

Kia is unveiling its new MPV, the Venga, at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Based on the No. 3 concept model Kia displayed at the Geneva show, 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.

The Kia Venga will be available across Europe later this year. There was no mention as to whether the Venga will make it over to North America and considering the existence of the Rio and Rio5, we don’t expect it.

GALLERY: Kia Venga

[Source: Autocar]

Brabus will introduce what it calls the world’s “fastest and most powerful office on wheels” at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 15th.

The Brabus SV12R is based on the latest Mercedes S600 facelifted model. Brabus designers gave the SV12R a custom-tailored aluminum sport fenders with clear-coated carbon air vents.

The SV12R is powered by a Biturbo 6.3-liter twelve-cylinder engine that Brabus says can produce 750 hp and a peak torque of 995 ft-lbs. With those stats, Brabus says the SV12R can go 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds and reach 124 mph in 11.9 seconds. The SV12R is electronically capped to a top speed of 211 mph.

The SV12R comes with a 3 ghz tablet notebook computer that docks in a drawer hidden in the trunk. A 15.2 inch monitor inside the car is fully integrated with the interior leather. Internet access is provided by a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

We’ll have more details when the car is introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show, starting Sept. 15.

GALLERY: Brabus SV12R

According to the reputable sources at the U.K.’s CAR Magazine, Volkswagen is planing an even meaner version of it’s famed GTI. This even higher performance model, to be called the GTI-R, will make use of VW’s 2.0T engine and create a maximum of 266hp – roughly 60hp more than the upcoming MKVI GTI. The big news, however, isn’t the power but that it will be all-wheel drive.

The lighter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will help offset some of the weight added by the all-wheel drive system, however, VW engineers apparently want to take it a step further. The GTI-R will apparently feature a more basic interior to keep weight at a minimum. At this point it is not known if the car will feature light-weight composite body panels or carbon-fiber bucket seats (but we can hope, can’t we?)

Expect an official reveal at the Frankfurt Auto Show in the Fall.

[Source: CAR]