Official Thread: Frankfurt Auto Show 2009

[mikeyb]

MINI Roadster Concept will join Coupe onstage in Frankfurt






















MINI has officially revealed the Roadster Concept alongside the Coupe Concept we saw a couple of weeks ago, and like the rigid top version, the Roadster is a two-seater with a chopped roofline and tilted back windscreen. This is almost certainly the second new model that will be produced at MINI's Oxford UK assembly plant alongside the Coupe.

Also like the Coupe, the Roadster appears pretty much unchanged from the belt-line down compared to existing MINIs. For the Roadster, the roll-bar structure has been shifted forward so it sits directly behind the seats. For anyone who's driven the current Mini Convertible, this should improve the lil' coupe's structural rigidity, making the Roadster a more competent handler in the process.

Another functional advantage of the Roadster is the larger trunk thanks to the missing back seat. The volume grows from 5.7 to 8.8 cubic feet and the opening is now usably large, extending over the rear deck and down to the bumper. A lockable pass-through allows a passenger to reach items in the trunk. The gimmicky Openometer on the current convertible is also replaced by a multi-function display that still offers the open driving time in addition to five new indicators: the Nature Guard (how eco friendly you're driving), Highspeed Shifter (when to shift for maximum power), Gravity Indicator (lateral and g-forces), Heart Beat (engine speed visualized by beating heart) and Buddy Radar (shows where other Mini drivers are).

 

[mikeyb]

SEAT Ibiza ST









SEAT has put the boot into the Ibiza!

And this concept car revealed on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show offers a sneak preview of everything drivers can expect from the new model, which is due on sale in 2010.

James Muir, SEATs new chief, announced the arrival of the newcomer christened the SEAT Concept IBZ.

This production version, likely to be called the Seat Ibiza ST, or Sports Tourer, will offer a similar engine line-up to the five-door hatch and three-door SportCoupe. That includes a 105bhp 1.9 TDI diesel, plus 105bhp 1.6, 85bhp 1.4 and 70bhp 1.2-litre petrol units.

The unveiling of the attractive ST is, however, not SEAT's first entry into the supermini estate segment: it follows in the wheeltracks of the VW Polo-based SEAT Cordoba Vario, which arrived in showrooms back in 1998.

This time around, the compact estate promises plenty of style, comfort and practicality, thanks to the creative efforts of SEAT design chief Luc Donckerwolke.

 

[Kymerik]

holy army of tiny engines lol

 

[TinmanMS6]

I hate to admit it, but that Mini Roadster looks pretty nice. Just keep the top down. Always.

 

[Rogue]

I hate to admit it, but that Mini Roadster looks pretty nice. Just keep the top down. Always.

with the top up, it looks like a 350Z convertible...


Will any of those Ford ecoboost engines migrate to Mazda? Also, won't that force everyone to use premium gas, or will these be tuned to run on "regular"?

 

[TinmanMS6]

with the top up, it looks like a 350Z convertible...


Will any of those Ford ecoboost engines migrate to Mazda? Also, won't that force everyone to use premium gas, or will these be tuned to run on "regular"?

Did you miss the part where Ford sold its share of Mazda? No mas.

 

[Rogue]

Did you miss the part where Ford sold its share of Mazda? No mas.

I didn't realize they sold all their shares.

 

[CantCMe]

*drool*

 

[TinmanMS6]

I didn't realize they sold all their shares.

I guess they still do have 13%.

 

[Kymerik]

I guess they still do have 13%.

I was going to say, they still share some technology.

 

[mikeyb]

Getting back on topic

 

[mikeyb]

2010 Volkswagen CC R



































Oh Volkswagen. How is it that the automaker of the people makes what just might be the sleekest, sexiest sedan in the world? No offense to A-M's Rapide, but the Volkswagen CC is not a two-door coupe with a stretch and some rear-doors grafted on. The CC is clean sheet, or at least as clean sheet as the Passat's hard points allow for. And now with the CC R, it's even better looking. And no, we're still not buying the four-door coupe marketing nonsense, no matter how many times someone quotes Wikipedia at us. The CC R is dreamboat sedan.

Let's get the obvious out of the way: CC R -- tee hee hee. We can't imagine the "there's a bad moon on the right" jokes ever ceasing. That's mindless naming conventions for you. Aside from that, the R badge (or R-line as they call it here in the land of yummy sausage, pickled everything and friendly, frisky fruleins) is very identical to Audi's S-line. So all show and no go. But if you're going to do it...

 

[mikeyb]

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon







More wagons! More wagons! That's sort of the unspoken mantra of us American auto journo types. And honestly, after a day spent wandering the streets of Frankfurt and seeing over a dozen Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagens, our chant grows even stronger. Sadly, it seems that most European automakers prefer seeing us twisting in existential pain and totally ignore the US market vis-a-vis wagons. Except for Mercedes-Benz and their quite fetching all-new E-Class Wagon.

As of right now, M-B is only bringing over the E350 4MATIC Wagon that develops 258 hp from a 3.5-liter V6. But you can bet your carbon offset credits we'll eventually see one of them hot roddy 6.2-liter AMG V8s pushing out well over 500 hp before too long. Probably mostly in a Brentwood elementary school parking lot, but still. As for now, relish the fact a new European wagon is coming our way.

 

[coolmazda5]

Sadly, it seems that most European automakers prefer seeing us twisting in existential pain and totally ignore the US market vis-a-vis wagons.

If the US would buy them a different story of course

Possibly is being a long day, but I see some Bimmer cues on that MB (side pic), looks kind of a 535 wagon (dunno)

 

[coolmazda5]

AutoWeek 2009 Frankfurt motor show Editors' Choice Award winners

For more than a decade, the AutoWeek editors have walked the show floors in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, selecting winners in four categories: Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Significant and Most Fun.

The 2009 AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award winners for the Best of Frankfurt are:

BEST IN SHOW: Ferrari 458 Italia
It is rare when there are more than a few in the race for this coveted title,
but that was the case at Frankfurt when no fewer than eight manufacturers had vehicles in the final. When the scrapping was over, Ferrari's 458 Italia
triumphed. The 458 wears voluptuous, organic shapes tied together with
technical and efficient lines. No matter when you see this car in the future
-- in five years or 50 years from now on a concours lawn -- it will always be
the one that debuted at Frankfurt in 2009.

Other Finalists Considered: Maserati GranCabrio, Mercedes-Benz SLS, Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Mulsanne, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Lamborghini Reventon Spyder, Audi R8 Spyder.

BEST CONCEPT: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics
Maybe the most pure concept car at this year's Frankfurt show, BMW's glimpse into the performance sedan of the future uses technology, and design cues, that we'll see in production BMWs in the near future. Powered by a three-cylinder turbodiesel with a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle and a full-hybrid system at the rear, this 2+2-seater also reveals some hints as to the exterior design features we'll see on future BMW passenger cars. With a top speed of 155 mph, this car shows that the future emphasis on fuel efficiency can offer a lot of fun as well.

Other Finalists Considered: Peugeot BB1, Citroen REVOLTe, Volkswagen E Up.

MOST SIGNIFICANT:Renault EV family of four production electric cars
To think about which manufacturer was making the greatest impact and statement with their exhibit, it had to fall to Renault (and by default, though not exhibiting, its Nissan sister company.) With no fewer than four vehicles
destined to come to market in three short years, Renault is putting an
electrified stake in the ground and showing the rest of the world that while
it might not be all in with this bet, it is not leaving much on the table.

Other Finalists Considered: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, Jaguar XJ, Opel
Astra, Saab 9-5, Ford Grand C-Max.

MOST FUN: Porsche 911 Turbo
As is the case with all of the categories this year, a number of strong
contenders vied for the title of Most Fun. When the smoke cleared, the new
Porsche 911 Turbo came out on top as the one car whose keys we all wanted for a spirited ride. Surely it would brighten the sourest disposition. How can anyone argue with a choice like this?

Other Finalists Considered:Maserati GranCabrio, Peugeot BB1, Mini Roadster,
Mazda Superlight, Volkswagen Golf R, Alfa-Romeo Mito Cloverleaf and
Lamborghini Reventon Spyder.

​

Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS183498+16-Sep-2009+PRN20090916
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090916/FRANKFURT/909169985

 

[Newf]

the new CC reminds me of the acura rl from years back. I really like it when it's fitted with the ground effects and spoiler. But....another automatic pos

 

[mountjonas]

the new CC reminds me of the acura rl from years back. I really like it when it's fitted with the ground effects and spoiler. But....another automatic pos

CC sport comes with a 6spd manual. i don't know if that's available in Canada, though.

 

[Newf]

nope, at least not that I could find

 

[mikeyb]

2010 Audi 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro would make an excellent gift to the U.S.




































The 3.0-liter, 240-hp diesel that first served in the Audi Q7 has been assigned to duty in the Audi A4. We drove the 3.0 in the Q7 during last year's Audi Mileage Marathon, and both mileage and power didn't disappoint. Put into the A4, the oil burner with 369 lb-ft should shine like Alpha Centauri.

Audi says it will get you to sixty in 6.2 seconds with the six-speed Tiptronic and return 35 mpg at the same time as it already meets the Euro 6 standards coming in 2014. It's unlikely we'll get the treat in this corner of the Western Hemisphere, but that doesn't mean we won't keep looking out for it... especially as an Avant... with those wheels...














RESS RELEASE

The Audi A4 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro Highly efficient and extremely clean

* The world's cleanest diesel technology now also in the A4
* Midsize sedan consumes only 6.7 liters per 100 km (35.11 US mpg)
* Powerful engine with 240 hp and 500 Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque

Using the world's cleanest diesel technology, the 3.0 TDI clean diesel already meets the Euro 6 emission standard not scheduled to enter into force until 2014. Having debuted in the Audi Q7, the innovative engine is now coming to the A4. The powerful TDI is not only extremely clean, it is also highly efficient, using only 6.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (35.11 US mpg) in the EU cycle.

The technology package of the 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro comprises the engine itself and the highly efficient exhaust gas after-treatment system. A new common rail injection system that develops pressures of up to 2,000 bar, innovative combustion chamber pressure sensors and an ultra-high-performance exhaust gas recirculation system ensure highly efficient combustion which produces minimal raw emissions.

A novel DeNOX catalytic converter at the end of the exhaust system reduces nitrogen oxides. Just upstream of it, a pump injects an aqueous additive named AdBlue into the hot exhaust flow, where this solution decomposes into ammonia, which splits the nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water. The tank is large enough that the driver never has to refill it. This is done instead by the Audi dealership during scheduled maintenance.

Using the world's cleanest diesel technology, the Audi A4 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro meets the Euro 6 emission standard announced for 2014. It is also very fuel-efficient, averaging only 6.7 liters (Avant: 6.8 liters) of fuel per 100 km (35.11 and 34.59 US mpg).

The innovative V6 TDI engine makes the A4 a powerful performer, needing only 6.2 seconds (Avant: 6.3 seconds) to go from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph). Top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). The combination with the six-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive ensures a high degree of comfort and superior traction.

The equipment and data specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.

 

[CantCMe]

I would just ditch the wheels but that Audi is niiiiiiiiice