 Frankfurt Motor Show 17th - 27th September 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia     What's all the fuss about? Any new Ferrari is going to cause a stir, but the replacement for its 'bread and butter' model is about as exciting as it gets. The 458 Italia might be the most junior Ferrari lots of money can buy, but it's by no means a watered down supercar. Its top speed is 202mph and it will get to 100km/h (that's 62mph in old money) in just 3.4 seconds thanks to a 4.5-litre, 562bhp V8 engine and a shape more slippery than Ronnie Biggs. In fact, Michael Schumacher claimed during its unveil that it's quicker than an Enzo around Ferrari's Fiorano test track. Yikes. Any new technology? Ferrari is keen to stress that the CO2 emissions the 458 doles out are the cleanest in the segment. Granted, that's arguably the same as claiming you're the most intelligent Big Brother housemate, but 320g/km of CO2 and 20.6mpg are actually impressive considering the 9,000rpm V8 performance on offer. Inside, traditional indicator stalks are eradicated too in favour of innovative wheel mounted units. And as for the rest of the cabin, we can confirm it's as wonderfully tactile as we'd hoped for - though it's asymmetrical air vents take some getting used to. We'd like the opportunity... When can I buy one? Sometime during Spring 2010 is the suggested release date for the 458 Italia, although Ferrari has put so much time and cost into developing the car that it will justifiably charge more for it than the F430 it replaces - expect around £150,000. Mark Nichol Lamborghini Reventón             Lamborghini Reventon Roadster images leaked ahead of next week Frankfurt. Like the original Reventon coupe that was unveiled two years ago at the same auto show. Powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine with 650 HP, 0 to km/h in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed in 340 km/h (211 mph). It will be limited to just 20 units, The price starts at 1.2 million Euros ($1,750,000 USD) Frankfurt supercar: Lamborghini Reventón RoadsterYou have to envy Lamborghini's President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. With chiselled good looks - like his company's cars - and the opportunity to drive them whenever he wants, he's got a dream job. His role at the Volkswagen Group pre-show event included driving this spectacular 1.1-million Euro Reventón Roadster onto the stage before two stunning models took their places alongside like sentries over the angular 205mph machine. Like its coupé relative the open-air Reventón is based on the Murcielago, though with a built number of just 15 it makes its relative look positively common in comparison.What's all the fuss about? The Reventón Roadster not only makes its Murcielago relative look common, but dull too. And it takes a very special car to do that. With more angles than a protractor the Reventón Roadster is a riot of converging lines that wouldn't look out of place on a stealth fighter jet, the Lambo's performance and price not far off a fighter plane's either. To park this alongside your Reventón coupé you'll need a spare 1.1 million Euros (before local taxes), which gets you perhaps the world's most exclusive roadster. That alone is enough to ensure that a few billionaires step up and put down a deposit - all the coupés selling within a few hours of Lamborghini announcing it two years ago in Frankfurt. Any new technology? You really won't care about technology when you see it, the Reventón Roadster quite the most eye-catching machine we've ever set eyes on. Power comes from a 670bhp 6.5-litre V12 engine that drives through a four-wheel drive system. All that grip and grunt equate to a 0-62mph time of just 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. The structure is already so stiff that Lamborghini claims a weight increase of just 25kg over the coupé. When can I buy one? Right now, but you'll have to be quick, as even in these tough economic times it's likely wealthy Lamborghini fans will be on the phone to the factory. Kyle Fortune Audi R8 Spyder       Frankfurt supercar: Audi R8 Spyder It's always been a case of when, not if, Audi will produce a drop-top version of its hugely successful R8 supercar. That time is now, the R8 Spyder being shown in drop-top guise at Volkswagen's traditional pre-show event on the outskirts of Frankfurt. A real head-turner with its fully electric folding fabric roof, the R8 could hold its own even when parked alongside Bugatti's Sang Bleu special edition Veyron, though with a starting price of £111,995 in the UK it's a lot more attainable than its million-pound cousin. What's all the fuss about? The only engine option at launch is a 5.2-litre V10, which means 4.1-second 0-62mph capability, a top speed of 194mph and 525bhp. That drives through all four wheels via either a standard manual transmission or an R tronic automated manual. Carbon panels help keep the weight increase over the coupé to a minimum, the body itself only weighing an additional 6kg despite all its additional stiffening - the overall weight for the drop-top Spyder being 1,720kg. But forget all that and instead just look at it, and in the roadster market looks are king. Any new technology? The rear glass window in the hood can be raised and lowered with the roof in position and Audi has incorporated microphones into the seatbelts for the integrated mobile phone. When can I buy one? Unusually, you can order it straight away. Drop into your Audi dealer today with a deposit and you can be sure to secure a car in time for next summer. Assuming you've got the necessary £111,995 for the manual car, or £117,155 for the R tronic. Kyle Fortune MINI concept twins      What's all the fuss about? Both the coupé and open versions are still badged 'Concept', but you're looking at virtual production cars here. It's the coupé's roof that's causing the biggest stir, with MINI's CEO describing it as a 'back to front baseball cap', and despite that not being cool since about 1993, there's no doubting the two-seat Roadster's visual impact. MINI unveiled the pair amid the razzmatazz of (yet another) 50th birthday celebration, complete with American Cheerleaders... That's not sounding very British, is it? Any new technology? The engine line-up will be familiar, but as ever MINI has opted for some quirky newness, so as well as the 'Openometer' that appeared in the latest Convertible, the Roadster gets a 'Buddy Radar' that alerts drivers when other Roadsters are close. It can also measure the driver's heartbeat as a measure of how much fun is being had behind the wheel. Or warn of an imminent cardiac arrest. And unlike the Convertible hatch, the Roadster's roof is stowed away behind the front seats, leaving the boot more or less unmolested. From a dynamic perspective, both cars are lower, shorter and lighter than the equivalent hatch, which should improve handling characteristics. Will it ever see the light of day? It will indeed. MINI's Oxford plant has been the green light, with production starting towards the end of the year for sales in 2010. Mark Nichol Tesla hands over 700th car     What's all the fuss about? Tesla handing over its 700th car is very significant, it being one of a handful of companies that can really claim to be producing electric production cars with performance to rival and beat conventionally fuelled vehicles. The company is growing quickly with a dealership now open in Germany and the UK along with its US sales outlets. Speaking about his purchase Hennig said: "I'm a socially responsible customer who considers the environmental impact of my purchases." With zero tailpipe emissions the Tesla can certainly claim to be that, but as Musk also said: "some customers simply buy it because it will beat a Porsche 911 or Audi R8 off the line every time." Anything that stands out? That performance is impressive, as is the fact a student can afford the near £100,000 car. We're assuming he's got a parking place where he can also get an extension lead out to. The new Roadster S brings with it an improved interior and a push button 'gearshift' and has a 400-kilometre (250 miles) range. Tesla's Model S saloon was also on the stand, Musk claiming a production version will be offered in two years, costing half the price of the Roadster, but having twice the range. When can I buy one? Like Hennig, if you've got the money you can buy a Tesla Roadster now, but you'll be in for a wait if you're after the Model S. It should give you plenty of time to pay off that student loan if you decide you want one now, though. Kyle Fortune Vauxhall Astra     Frankfurt news: Vauxhall Astra This is the new Vauxhall Astra, which takes the design theme started by the Insignia and filters it down into one of Britain's most popular cars. In fact, its maker is so pleased with the result that it's talking about the car as a genuine VW Golf rival. What's all the fuss about? A new Astra is a big deal, especially over here in the UK where it enjoys its largest chunk of sales - the Astra is a mainstay in the top five sellers list month on month. Particularly at the moment, with talk of job losses at Vauxhall's two UK plants rife, confirmation that the sixth-generation hatch is to be built at the Ellesmere Port plant is reassuring for UK industry. Anything that stands out? We've already seen pictures of the cabin and its exterior, but in the flesh the Astra exudes the same kind of quality and dynamism as the Insignia did when it was first launched, albeit in a slightly less surprising way. It's probably not going to bowl anyone over like Vauxhall thinks it will, but at least the maker has kept the prices in check. Partly, that is... Prices kick off at £15,675 for a 1.4-litre petrol, which is £270 more than the outgoing equivalent. Fair enough, except that the range tops out at a staggering £23,695 for a 2.0-litre CDTi automatic. That's Audi A3 TDI S-Line, BMW 120d M Sport or Golf GTD money. We can't be sure yet, but we'd suggest the Germans will enjoy better residuals too. It does feature some clever technology and convenience features though, including an adaptive chassis, real-time speed limit recognition and flexible flooring for the boot. When can I buy one? You can order one now, and if you do you should expect to get your car in December. Mark Nichol Fiat Punto Evo   Saab 9-5    Skoda Superb Estate    Volkswagen Golf R     Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari     Ford C-MAX      Jaguar XJ         Frankfurt debut: Jaguar XJ Jaguar was so itching to get the new XJ into the public sphere that it had its own little motor show in Chelsea, complete with a bevy of celebs, to launch it. Frankfurt is its first proper show debut though, giving us another look at it, this time alongside some of its competition. What's all the fuss about? Post-XF saloon, a new Jaguar is definitely something to get excited about, and the new XJ's looks might have divided opinion, but the car certainly hasn't disappointed. What's surprising is how keen Jaguar is to stress the driving credentials of its luxury limo, and to that end the cockpit is a far more cosseting thing than we might have expected. Equally, head and legroom in the back of a standard wheelbase version are tighter than in, say, an S-Class - and even a new BMW 5 Series GT for that matter. However, we've still no complaints about the cabin ambience. Anything that stands out? There's nothing here that we haven't already seen, but some of us are still undecided on the XJ's quirky, almostCitroen-esque rear detailing. It's a million miles away from last-generation's XJ though, which followed a design blueprint laid out decades ago, and that's a good thing. Inside, the blue accents might be evocative of the VWGolf, but they still work a treat, and the three engines (3.0-litre V6 diesel and a 5.0-litre V8 either with or without a supercharger) will all fire the big cat forward with gusto. When can I buy one? The XJ's order book has been open for some time already, but deliveries will start early next year with prices kicking off at just over £52,000 and rising to around £90,000 for a long wheelbase supercharged V8. Mark Nichol Aston Martin Rapide        What's all the fuss about? The Rapide is only the second of a new breed of 'supersaloons' to emerge in production form (that's despite it actually being a hatchback). Following thePorsche Panamera, the Rapide offers a racier alternative to the luxury barge or premium SUV for deep-pocketed family buyers. It is expectedLamborghini will follow with something similar when the Estoque concept becomes a reality at a later date. Then Ferrari, perhaps? Anything that stands out? Nobody is claiming this is a full-blown luxury saloon - a pair of properly proportioned adults will find life in the back of the Rapide slightly difficult after a while - but an Aston with proper chairs in the back is something to get excited about. And it's got TVs in the front seats and a 301-litre boot, stretching to 750 with the seats down. It might not break the design mould, but it will certainly please its driver: there's a 6.0-litre V12 under the bonnet generating 470bhp and driving the rear wheels. The 'swan wing' doors are a nice touch too: they swing slightly upwards to avoid scraping the bottom on low things. When can I buy one? From early next year, but you can order one now and it will be built at Aston's Graz factory in Austria, a place you can visit and have a team of experts guide you through the 2.5 million possible trim, paint and options combinations available. That's the type of thing someone spending circa-£150,000 on a saloon might expect. Mark Nichol Rolls-Royce Ghost     What's all the fuss about? A new Rolls-Royce is always worth sitting up and taking notice of, but when it comes with so much power and performance, it's madness not to pay attention. The Ghost is aimed at those who want to drive their Rolls rather than lounge in the back, though it still offers almost as much interior space as the Phantom. There are Rolls-Royce's now trademark rear-hinged back doors, while the rest of the cabin is as opulent as you could hope for. Anything that stands out? Well, the looks follow Rolls-Royce's present thinking, which is said to be inspired by luxury yachts. Not everyone will be so inspired by the front-end appearance, though there's no doubting it has serious presence. The other stand-out feature is the performance. For a company that used to consider power worthy of no more a mention than 'adequate', Rolls seems very pleased with the Ghost's 563bhp power output and 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds. We imagine owners will be too. When can I buy one? If you have the requisite bank balance, you can stroll on down to your nearest Rolls-Royce dealer and order a Ghost now. You'll need the best part of £200,000, though. The Ghost is also set to be a slightly less exclusive model than the Phantom as Rolls expects to sell around 1,000 units per year of the Ghost saloon, with coupé and cabriolet versions to follow. Alisdair Suttie Renault's four electric cars  Renault hopes to lead the way by unveiling an electric car to suit every motoring need; by the look of the teaser shot, the four-car range stretches from city car to full-sized saloon. It's reported that the cars will be ready for sale by 2012, priced similarly to their conventionally powered counterparts. And Renault is so confident of its technology - which is based on cutting edge lithium ion battery power - that it reckons one third of its sales by 2015 will be electric cars. We'll report further when Renault spills the beans at Frankfurt. Mark Nichol http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/motorshow/frankfurt/  Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing The new car's AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine has a power output of 571bhp at 6,800rpm with a maximum torque of 479lb-ft, and it's capable of 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 197mph.       2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Coverage 2011 Aston Martin Rapide  Audi E-Tron Concept  2010 Audi R8 Spyder  2010 Audi S5 Sportback  2010 Audi A5 Sportback  2011 Bentley Mulsanne  BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept  2010 BMW 5-series Gran Turismo  2010 Ferrari 458 Italia  Fiat Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari  2012 Ford Grand C-Max  2010 Ford C-Max  2011 Hyundai ix35  2010 Jaguar XJ  2010 Lamborghini Reventon Roadster  Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid Concept  2010 Lotus Elise Club Racer Special Edition  2010 Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racer  2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260  2010 Maserati Gran Cabrio  Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept  2011 McLaren MP4-12C - The Really Big Mac  2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon  2010 Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-In Hybrid  2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG  2010 Mercedes-Benz BlueZero E-Cell Plus  2009 Mini Coupe Concept  2010 Mini Roadster Concept  2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup  2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic  2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS  2010 Porsche 911 Turbo  2009 Renault Electric Vehicle Concepts  2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost  2011 Saab 9-5  2010 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid  2010 Volkswagen Golf R  Volkswagen L1 Concept  Volkswagen E-Up! Concept  2011 Volvo C30  2011 Volvo C70  http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/03/2009/frankfurt/index.html   |
Frankfurt Motor Show 17th - 27th September 2009
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Wish You Happinessss 
