Automotive News

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Hyundai

Click the pics above for a gallery of high-res images of the Hyundai i-Blue Concept.

Hyundai, like practically every other automaker in Frankfurt, is showing off its green-wares. The i-Blue is the poster-child for the automaker’s environmentally focused future, with a 100 kW motor powered by a fuel cell. Developed by Hyundai’s Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan, the i-Blue’s platform shares the concept’s name, and will likely underpin future D-segment crossovers with a 2+2 seating arrangement.

The styling is certainly futuristic, with expansive front fenders, a dramatic fascia, heavily sculpted sides and a rear spoiler that culminates in a sharp point and houses a reversing camera. Inside, it’s all flowing shapes, all the time, with plenty of space for its occupants and technology that only Data could wrap his head around.

All the details are available in Hyundai’s press release after the jump, and we’ve assembled a gallery of live and press pics for your viewing pleasure.

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: Hyundai i-Blue isn’t blue, it’s green

 

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click image for photo gallery

Nobody knows what this Lamborghini is, other than “really, really, hot.” It’s an LP640 with a fighter jet-style camo paint job, complete with rivets and warnings like an arrow reading “HEAT” that points to the exhaust. There’s also a red star painted on the hood, which is intriguing because that was used to signify the Russian “Migs” way back when in Top Gun.

A VW Vortex poster claims it’s a one-off paint job done on a Lambo in Singapore. The car is right-hand-drive, has a license plate that could be from Singapore, and looks to be sitting in a garage with a couple of Lotuses. Unfortunately, whoever took the pictures seems to have had full access to the car yet neglected to take one pic of the interior. The car even has a call sign written just above its rocker panels. It is, of course: LP640. Can anyone fill in the blanks?

[Source: VW Vortex]

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Chevrolet

Ladies and gentlemen, the new Chevy Aveo for the European market is proof positive the grass is not always greener on the other side (at least for now). Previously known as the Kalos in Europe, the new Aveo five-door should vaguely remind you of the same car sold in the U.S. as the Aveo5. Except, that is, for the hyperbolic front end with its gargantuan grille. When we first reported on the car prior to the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, there were actually many readers who commented on how much they liked the car’s new looks. These people are more than welcome to move to Europe, as far as we’re concerned. (I’m into my fourth stein at the moment, so excuse me for my frankness). The cherry on top of the Aveo’s design is surely its fender vents, which tie with those on the 2008 Ford Focus for most useless.

What’s worse, the Aveo is powered by your choice of a 1.2L producing 84 HP or a 1.4L producing 98 HP, neither of which is powerful enough to whisk you away from the pointing and giggling you’ll encounter while behind the wheel. Chevy calls the interior “high-class”, though we think you’ll agree after seeing it in pictures that the wide expanse of unadorned black plastic says otherwise.

We said earlier that the grass isn’t greener on the other side for now because, well, this car could be coming to the U.S. At the moment, both the U.S. and Europe are sold similar version of the Aveo four-door sedan. While Chevy still offers us the current gen Aveo5, there’s a good chance it will be replaced with this one soon. Sigh…

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: Chevy Aveo falls down ugly tree in Frankfurt, hits every branch

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, BMW

Will the M5 get a twin-turbo and be joined by an M7? Mr. Lehmann and Co. have caught an M5 and a 7-Series with extra ventage. It’s hypothesized that Audi has understated the RS6’s pony count, telling the world it’s 580 when it’s actually 600. And now with both Mercedes and Audi outdoing the M in the horsepower war, the theory is that that’s an insult BMW simply cannot allow. Hence the addition of double-barrel blowers to equalize the equation.

As for the possibility of an M7, all there is to see are a large scoop at the front of the hood and two smaller scoops at the rear. With years of AMG S-Classes and Audi S8’s behind us, if there is an M7 on the way, all we can say is: it’s about time.

[Source: World Can Fans]

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res images of the DB9 LM.

It’s obvious that Aston Martin’s new owners are proud of the marque’s racing heritage, particularly its recent outings in both the Nürburgring and LeMans 24-hour enduros. Like the N400, the DB9 LM is a tribute to Aston’s victories, but this time, it’s for an outright class win in the Le Mans race this past June. More a showpiece rather than an outright racer, the LM gets a revised exterior that includes a Sarthe Silver paint job, new mesh treatments in the front grille, and red calipers. On the inside, the Tertre Rough trim may be a bit much to discerning eyes, but we’re sure it’ll find favor with the nouveau riche. However, the individually numbered sill plaques and LeMans-track badging bring things back to class and let all who enter understand that they’re sitting in something special.

There are more pics for you viewing enjoyment below, so click on.

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Ford

click above image to view a full high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga

In North America, one could argue that Ford has gone bonkers for CUVs. Just try counting on one hand the number of CUVs badged with a Blue Oval that are on sale or will be in the next year. Ford of Europe, however, has just introduced its very first proper CUV (SUV looks, unibody construction) in the Kuga. Again a host for Martin Smith’s “Kinetic” design philosophy, the Kuga looks sharp, like how we now expect European Fords to look. Picture a Mondeo and U.S.-spec Escape having babies - they would look like the Kuga. This pre-production model was obviously inspired heavily by the Iosis X Concept CUV that Ford showed in Paris last year, and you’ll even be able to order the concept’s 19-inch wheel design as an option on the Kuga.

Set to go on sale sometime the first half of 2008, the Kuga will be available with a 2.0L Duratorq TDCi diesel engine connected to a six-speed manual. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will also be available. Ford tells us more engines and transmissions will be available, but those details are still being sorted out.

The interior features a smart and clean layout comprised of what appears to be high quality materials, and customers will be able to choose the same panoramic roof shown on this vehicle.

Check out Ford’s official press release after the jump, and take a gander at our live shots of the Ford Kuga in the gallery below.

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Aston Martin

Click the image above for more high-res, desktop-ready pics of the N400 Vantage.

Our lottery ticket fantasy garage just got a bit bigger. Aston Martin unveiled the N400 version of its V8 Vantage, a road-going tribute to its time around the ‘Ring in 2006. Like every other Aston product, it will be built by hand in Gaydon, but this particular Vantage comes packing a modified 4.3-liter V8 producing 400 HP at 7,500 RPM, an addition 20 HP over the base model. Those extra ponies are freed up by the extensive use of lightened materials within the engine, including the crankshaft, conrods and pistons, along with a free flowing exhaust system and air filters. Dry-sump lube makes sure things stay moving under high cornering loads, as the driver rows the gears on a six-speed manual ‘box, the only tranny available.

We’ve got a host of pics below for your viewing enjoyment, and click here to view Aston’s original press release.

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Maserati

Click image for high-res gallery of press and live shots of this hot new Maser

We just got information about this new version of the Q-Porte, the Quattroporte Sport GT S, a couple of weeks ago and now we have a few live shots and our personal reactions to add. First off, it’s really hard to even notice that this is a new Quattroporte, when there are three GranTurismos ten feet over from it. Not that the Q-Porte isn’t a fine vehicle, but OMG that GT is sex on wheels. The QP is a great sedan (especially in Sport GT guise) and this new Sport GT S has a few minor but important upgrades over already improved Sport GT that should make this an even better driver’s car. The problem is that there are very few exterior differences to tip you off that this is the all-new sportiest version. Or rather, they are too subtle to really notice. Not that there’s anything wrong with the shape (or the details for that matter), but it’s not like the jump, say, Ferrari made in taking an F430 and turning it into a Scuderia.

And in case you’re wondering, the Sport GT S actually differs in a number of little ways. The programming of its 6-speed automatic gearbox has been reset for quicker responses. The car has been lowered 10mm in front and 25mm out back. It has stiffer springs and shocks. It features those new dual-cast brake discs developed with Brembo, which use cast iron and aluminum to help improve overall performance and reduce fade. It wears slightly larger rear tires (295/30-20) to improve handling and acceleration. It also features a more aggressive fascia with a black-chrome mesh front grille, body color door handles, new window trim, and twin exhaust tips at the rear too. Just a few of the more obvious (or not) things to help you identify this new sportiest Maserati.

Maserati’s full release is after the jump and we’ve updated the gallery with live shots below.

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: Maserati shows off the new Quattroporte Sport GT S

 

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Economy, Hatchbacks, Ford

click above image to view full high-res gallery of the new European Ford Focus

Ford of Europe’s Executive Designerer Martin Smith has seen his “Kinetic” design language sweep across the company’s product line ever since it debuted on the Iosis Concept two years ago in this very city. That design has finally reached the Focus, which will soon be wearing new “Kinetic” design cues like its siblings the Mondeo, S-Max and many others. What this means is a new front end with Iosis-inspired headlights, a larger lower air intake and more sculpted hood. From our perspective on the show floor, it looks fantastic. Normally you can tell when a car receives a mid-cycle enhancement; it’s just obvious the new design cues weren’t part of the original plan. The new Focus, however, looks whole, like it was meant to look this way from Day 1.

The Focus also gets a new interior that appears significantly upgraded in both design and the materials used to make it. But that’s not all, just like with the Dodge Journey, the new Euro Ford Focus will also be available with a six-speed double-clutch transmission when ordered with the 2.0L Duratorq TDCi diesel engine that produces 134 HP.

Finally, Ford also revealed the Focus Econetic (it’s the blue Focus in the gallery), which is basically for customers who want a Focus but also desire driving a greener car. Using off-the-shelf technology, Ford has managed to engineer the Focus Econetic to emit 115 grams/kilometer of CO2. It’s powered by a squeaky clean 1.6L Duratorq TDCi diesel producing 107 HP and exhaling through a diesel particulate filter.

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: European Ford Focus goes Kinetic

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

We’ve seen spy shots of the 2009 Chevy Traverse, the bowtie brand’s upcoming large Lambda-based CUV. Whether those spy shots are of the same vehicle we see above is a matter of debate. The image you see here, while grainy and potentially a photoshop experiment, appears to be an official image of the ‘09 Traverse that made it’s way out GM’s hands somehow. Being a stablemate of the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Rendezvous, you can see that the Traverse pictured shares its doors and perhaps its roof with those vehicles, but everything before the A-pillar is all new, as well as the C-pillar out back, which features an upkink not seen on the other Lambdas. The other thing that suggests to us that this picture may be real is the background, which appears to be one of the many standard backdrops against which GM photoshops its press shots. While there’s no conclusive evidence this is the production 2009 Chevy Traverse, we can’t imagine the real deal will look much different.

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

 

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