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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz
If you're Mercedes-Benz, then what you have here is a failure to keep your photo shoots under wraps. First Autobild came out with bare naked shots of the 2009 E-Class, and now German magazine Auto Zeitung has more shots of the car getting some fresh air.
With a minimal front end and a profile that rises seemingly without arc to a chunky back end, the car is reminiscent of a stretched Alfa Romeo Milano. We aren't sure how big these wheels are, but the car's increased upright stance makes them look exceptionally small. As usual with the launch of revolutionary E-Class designs, the car could take some time to get used to, but by the time E-Classes are clogging roads worldwide they will look perfectly natural.
There will be some excitement in the engine choices, including a 204 hp turbodiesel Bluetec, a BlueHybrid lump shared with the S400, and a 550 hp V8 in the AMG. The new E will also benefit from closer association with its spin-offs. Now that the CLK is no more, the E sedan will receive more of the spotlight that shines on its coupe and convertible siblings. If Mercedes doesn't get tired of the clandestine attention, we'll see the sedan for the first time at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, with the other variants to follow at Frankfurt that same year.
[Source: Auto Zeitung]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Alfa Romeo, Rendered Speculation
European customers have been eagerly anticipating the replacement for the aging Alfa Romeo 147. Tentatively referred to as the 149, the new five-door hatchback, tipped to receive a new nameplate outside the three-digit numeric designation, will be positioned slightly above the three-door MiTo hatch. As with the new MiTo, styling is expected to borrow the themes laid out by the 8C Competizione, which should translate better to the increased dimensions of the 149/Giulia over the more cartoonish looks of its smaller sibling.
Expect a range of gasoline and diesel engines, which could be topped by a 265-horsepower GTA version. Sources now suggest the 149 will be unveiled in a bit over a year from now at the Frankfurt show for market roll-out anticipated in late summer 2009, and will spearhead the new "C-Evo" platform based on the underpinnings from the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta.
[Source: OmniAuto.it]
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, GM, Saturn, Opel, Vauxhall
Click above for high-res gallery of fourth-gen Astra sneak peek
We just told you about Bob Lutz' comments that the Saturn Astra is too expensive and not making any money in the U.S., but that may change when the next iteration arrives. Of course, the next Astra will debut in Europe first as an Opel (and Vauxhall in the UK), but we suspect that GM will offer it in the U.S. again, especially if the automaker can build it locally so that it's not dogged by a weak currency exchange like the current model. Though not scheduled to debut until late next year at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the fourth-gen Astra is making an appearance today in a couple of sketches released by General Motors Europe. The design is said to take direct inspiration from the new Insignia, which itself will become the next-gen Saturn Aura. The all-new Astra will be based on the Delta II platform with vehicles like the Chevy Cruze and Volt and feature a new range of fuel efficient engines, clever packaging solutions and trick technology like the Insignia's Front Camera System that recognizes road signs. Check out the sneak peeks in our gallery below.
Gallery: Fourth-Gen Astra sneak peek
[Source: GM]
Continue reading GM gives very early sneak peek at next-gen Astra
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Euro, Hyundai
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Velostar concept.
Hyundai's replacement for the Tiburon (aka the "Coupe" outside the U.S.) will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next September. As expected, the new Coupe will be inspired by the Velostar concept that debuted in Seoul last year and will be built atop the Hyundai i30/Kia Forte's front-wheel-drive platform. Hyundai insiders suggest that the Coupe will be approximately the size of the last generation Toyota Celica, smaller than the upcoming Genesis Coupe, and will feature a shooting-brake body style.
The new Coupe will go on sale abroad shortly after its unveiled in Frankfurt, and there's no word yet on when Hyundai will import the new two-door to the U.S. to replacing the aging Tiburon.
Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Concept
[Source: 4Car]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupes, Mercedes-Benz
A Quarter Pounder with cheese isn't exactly Schupfnudeln and Kölsch, but some Mercedes-Benz engineers decided to slum it while putting the new CLK through hot weather testing. That stop at the Golden Arches put Stuttgart's camouflaged efforts under the scrutiny of the Automotive Traveler's long lenses. The CLK, or at least that's what it's believed to be, looks like an awful lot of energy has been expended in the area of the C-pillar and rear quarter panel. The vigorous coverup in that particular area is fueling suspicions that the CLK will be getting the CLS banana-boat treatment, complete with the "Coupe" moniker. Most of the details have been carefully obscured, but we're not expecting to have our hair blown back when the wraps come off. AT thinks that the camo indicates a car that's 12-18 months away, and that the debut will likely be at the 2009 Frankfurt show, where brats and brew are more readily available.
[Source: Automotive Traveler]
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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Euro, BMW
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 BMW M3.
The rumormongers at AutoZeitung are reporting that BMW plans to unveil a stripped-out, track-ready M3 at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The E90-based M3 CSL will use many of the same tricks BMW employed on the E46 model in an effort to shave the coupe's curb weight. Luxuries like air conditioning, stereo and navigation won't be included, while the hood, bumper, trunk and fenders will all be swapped out in favor of carbon fiber pieces.
In addition to keeping the pounds down, BMW will reportedly boost the output of the M3 CSL by an additional 50 horsepower, for a total of 470 bhp. That should allow the E90 CSL run to 60 in around four seconds, on its way to a top speed of around 185 mph.
Production of the 2010 BMW M3 CSL will be limited to 100 units and pricing is estimated at 90,000 euro, or just over $140k.
Gallery: 2008 BMW M3
[Source: AutoZeitung via EGMCarTech]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, Mitsubishi
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Concept-cX
It comes as no surprise that Mitsubishi will be making a production version of the Concept-cX SUV first shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. The design was well received and will slot right beneath the Outlander in size and price. Equipped with a new 1.8-liter, Euro 5-compliant Clean Diesel four-cylinder turbo engine, the cute 'ute will be the new flag-bearer for Mitsu's green efforts. Borrowing the twin-clutch SST transmission and all-wheel-drive platform from the latest Evo aims to put the 'sport' back in the Sport Utility Vehicle.
While the new SUV and Mitsubishi's line of Clean Diesel engines is a lock for the European market, we are still waiting for an announcement regarding what other markets the cX will be headed to and what other engine options will be available.
Gallery: Mitsubishi Concept-cX
[Source: Car Central]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Convertibles, Audi
Audi gave the world a preview of its new A1 mini-car last fall in the form of the MetroProject and the production version of the new A1 is expected to debut in 2010 with a lineup that should include a drop-top version to take on the MINI Cabriolet. As usual, Audi will likely bring all the bells and whistles to the A1 Cabrio, including a power top that descends fully into the back end of the car. That would give the A1 and advantage over the MINI which stacks on top of the hind-quarters. And, unlike the MINI that maintains a diminutive replica of a rear seat, Audi won't bother with the rear quarters, keeping it strictly a two-seater. In the rendering from AutoExpress the car looks more like a miniature version of the RS4 Cabrio, but the little machine won't bother with quattro all-wheel-drive. Instead, the front wheels will be powered by 1.4L TFSI engines with mated to a DSG gearbox. The A1 Cabrio should debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
[Source: AutoExpress]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW
The BMW Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS or possibly V5) is on its way, whether the world wants it or needs it. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the 5-series based sedan will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, and is expected to be very reminiscent of the recently released X6, with plummeting C- and D-pillars, a hatchback, a higher ride height (think Audi's Allroad) and measuring in at approximately 4.9 meters (192 inches), about an inch longer than the X6. There's no indication about which markets the PAS will be sold in when it arrives in late 2009 or early 2010, but it's safe to assume that the success of the X6 will be a factor in the PAS' distribution.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Autotelegraaf via Egmcartech]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Geneva Motor Show, Misc. Auto Shows, Peugeot
Click above for high-res gallery of the Peugeot 308 RC Z Coupe Concept
Originally expected to be announced a while back at the Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot has finally officially announced today at the Lisbon Motor Show that the attractive RC Z concept will go into production. Using styling cues from the Audi TT and the classic Karmann Ghia, we think that Peugeot could have a winner on its hands with its new sporty coupe. While Peugeot has not yet announced details on what will be offered underhood of the production machine, the concept used a version of the Mini's 1.6 liter turbo four. We'll be getting all of the details within time, as the official production version will be unveiled in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. European buyers will have first crack at the RC Z when it goes on sale in the sprint of 2010.
Gallery: Peugeot 308 RC Z
[Source: Peugeot]
Continue reading Officially Official: Peugeot production of 308 RC Z Coupe
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, New York Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, Suzuki, Tokyo Auto Salon
Click above to view videos
Suzuki is said to be unveiling the Kizashi 3 at next week's New York Auto Show, so we thought we'd refresh our memories about the Manga-styled Kizashi 1 and 2 concepts we saw at the Frankfurt Motor Show and Tokyo Motor Show. There's still no information about what powertrain (we've heard talk of a V8) or platform any car derived from the Kizashi concepts would ride upon, but we like where Suzuki's going with the idea. We expect that the Kizashi 3 may be nearly production-feasible, from what Suzuki has to say. Does this mean there's a sports sedan in the offing for Suzuki? Possibly. Or not. For a taste of what it might be like to see one of these cars actually out in the wild, we've turned up some videos of the concepts riding around in a digital world, posted after the jump.
Gallery: Suzuki Kizashi Concept
Gallery: Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept
Continue reading VIDEO: Suzuki Kizashi concepts in the round and on the road
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Economy, Etc., Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
The trio of Up! concepts foretell Volkswagen's re-entry into the ultra-affordable transportation business, and the interweb car lovers at World Car Fans may have cracked the name code of the cute mini. While Up! is catchy and adorable, the Germans may be playing mind games here, just like when the IROC concept became the Scirocco. The middle two letters of the currently defunct Lupo subcompact are obviously "up." Very clever, we guess.
World Car Fans also penned the production date to be 2011, with a potential grand entrance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. VW has already announced that the Up! will be produced in India, and the factory is expected to come on line by 2012. Both the three door Up! and roomier Space Up! will be produced, along with a possible miniature "off-road" version. We're all for really cheap, rear-engined cars that get phenomenal fuel economy arriving on our shores, but we may only get the larger van version because we're fat.
Gallery: VW up!
Gallery: VW space up! blue
[Source: World Car Fans]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Frankfurt Auto Show, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW
When the BMW X6 concept was revealed in Frankfurt in September, we had mixed reactions to its oversized hatchback proportions. BMW made no bones about the fact that the sleek CUV was close to its production reality, and after seeing the motion pictures on YouTube, we tend to believe them. Video of the freshly-unveiled X6 in production trim is sitting out there for everyone to see, and from what we can tell, it's almost a dead-ringer to its Frankfurt forefather. As the scribes over at Carscoop pointed out, the b and c-pillars are now predictably visible, the side view mirrors are now larger, and the tail pipes have been modified. The high-end crossover shown in the video carries XxDrive35d badging, which means an oil-burner sits underhood. On the other hand, the start-up audio in the video sounds decidedly petrol-powered.
It's difficult to say if an expensive, less practical four-seat crossover from any other automaker would be a hit in the US, but BMW buyers tend to snap up whatever the Bavarian automaker dishes out. We look forward to taking in the X6 in Detroit next month. The complete video is available after the jump.
[Source: Carscoop]
Continue reading VIDEO: Production version of the BMW X6
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Euro, Peugeot
The 308 RC-Z concept was unveiled just a few months ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show and showed the world what the French automaker can do with the 308's new platform, all the while teasing us with its arrogant air of production feasibility. If the buzz around the French motoring press is to be believed - and we certainly hope it is - Peugeot has decided to put the shapely 308 RC-Z concept into production. Magnifique!
The TT-esque 2+2 is based on the underpinnings of the 308 hatchback but with some revised bodywork, including lines highly reminiscent of Audi coupés (that's a good thing). While the show car used the 218-hp turbo four out of the race-prepped 207 RC, the production version could offer any number of powertrain options to our lucky friends across the pond.
Insiders expect the production 308 RC-Z, tipped to be built by Magna in Austria, to hit the French countryside sometime in 2009. We'll start saving our Air France air miles to check it out now.
[Source: MotorLegend.com via Le Blog Auto]
Gallery: Peugeot 308 RC Z
Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Minivans/MPVs, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen
click above image to view more pics of the VW Space up! Concept
That's right, Volkswagen thinks Americans are fat. At least that's what we take away from comments made by executives indicating that the second and larger up! concept that debuted last week at the Tokyo Motor Show could be sold in the U.S. because it's larger than the first one that debuted in Frankfurt. The first up! concept was a small three-door hatch, and by small we mean very small. The Space up! meanwhile is like a small four-door minivan of the concept on a longer chassis. Basically, we hear VW saying that the smaller three-door hatch version just wouldn't play well with our pudgy selves. That said, the up! van isn't a sure thing either, as VW states it will take the next three months to evaluate whether or not to produce a lineup of rear-engine up! vehicles. One last test for the cars will be in mid-November at the LA Auto Show where a third concept will be revealed. This one, likely to have an equally silly name, will be powered entirely by electricity.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Gallery: Volkswagen up! Space Concept
Gallery: VW up!