For Audi, the Frankfurt Motor Show was not only about performance cars, but also about fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. Next to the three S models released, the company’s stand also included the luxury A8 hybrid sedan. The new hybrid sedan will go on sale in 2012 and combines a 2.0 TFSI and an electric motor for a total output of 245 HP and an impressive fuel economy of 36.75 US mpg.
The new Audi A8 Hybrid is one of the few large hybrids on the market, but unlike its biggest competitor - the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 - the A8 features a much more elegant design. And thanks to its ASF (Audi Space Frame) body made entirely of aluminum, the A8 will also be lighter.
The Audi A8 Hybrid will go on sale later in 2012. Prices will be announced at a later date.
Hit the jump to read more about the Audi A8 Hybrid.
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Following the recent passing of Hamann Motorsports founder, Richard Hamann, the company is abiding by his wishes of continuing with business as usual by releasing their first tuning package for the recently launched BMW 6-Series Convertible. This new package was just debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and comes with exterior and interior modifications, as well as a massive engine update.
Hamann dressed up the exterior of the new 6-Series with sporty-dynamic front and rear spoilers, new LED daytime running lights, new side skirts, and a set of Hamann’s EDITION RACE ANODIZED and ANNIVERSARY EVO wheels available in different sizes and designs depending on the customer’s request. The interior also received a transformation with components made of the finest black anodize aluminum, personalized foot mats, and pretty much anything else the customer so chooses.
The best part, though, comes as part of the engine setup. Hamann has juiced up the 6-Series’ 4.4-liter V8 engine by adding a sport exhaust system with four stainless steel tail pipes, as well as an ECU upgrade to increase the total output from 400 to 510 HP. Then they added a special suspension that drops the cabriolet’s center of gravity by up to 30 mm.
It’s not unusual for Bugatti to show up to a major auto show with some rendition of their Veyron supercar, and Frankfurt’s model is a special edition Veyron Grand Sport slathered with red exterior paint. It seems Bugatti brought the Grand Sport along because they’re having a bit of trouble selling the powerful convertible. Both the Veyron Coupe and Veyron Super Sport are sold out, but there are still 108 units Grand Sport available, from a total of 150.
So in an effort to move the Grand Sport right along in sales, Bugatti has graced the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show floor with this sultry red model. Everything about this car is red; the exterior, the interior, and the partially red wheels. It’s a fitting color considering there’s a fiery hot 8.0L W16 engine with 1001 HP under the hood.
Along with the beautiful Grand Sport on display, Bugatti also chose the Frankfurt Motor Show to officially confirm that an even more powerful Veyron Grand Sport has been prepared for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. This definitely smells like the Grand Sport Super Sport we caught testing just last month!
There’s always a fine line between ultra luxury and just being extravagantly over-the-top. British automaker, Bentley, knows a thing or two about luxury and at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the company showed off exactly what it’s all about with the new executive interior concept for the brand’s flagship model, the Mulsanne.
Turning the Mulsanne into an Apple multimedia connective hub, Bentley went completely bananas in outfitting it with just about every product Apple has on the market these days, save for an actual fruit basket of the doctor’s best friend. There are Apple iPads with Bluetooth keyboards, a Mini Mac in the boot compartment, and an Apple Media Center. The concept interior also carries ’W-Lan’ internet connectivity, and a 15.6" High Definition LED drop-down monitor. There are also two electric-powered, foldable wood veneer picnic tables, an illuminated center console, individual armrests for the rear seats, various new storage areas, and a Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) and audio system.
If your head’s spinning from all the features included in the Executive Interior Concept, you’ll have to sit down, take a deep breath, and keep on reading. They’re not done. The final list of additions for the whole interior concept include a Tibaldi pen, a cooler, a Privacy Telephone handset, and numerous lights set-ups, as well as other ports and connectors.
According to Bentley, the whole set-up takes up to 170 hours, which means that all that hours spent working on the interior will warrant charges that will be beyond absurd. Bentley hasn’t announced how much it will cost, but you only need to read all the elements included to determine that it’s going to cost more than you can afford.
Two months after checking out the A5 DTM concept, Audi has whipped out the production model at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Codenamed the "R17," the A5 DTM replaced the old A4 DTM and is scheduled for homologation on March 1, 2012. Until then, engineers will be busy putting it to some extreme testing.
The A5 DTM is 5.01 meters long, 1.95 meters wide, and 1.15 meters low, and is completely made in carbon fiber. It is powered by a V8 engine mated to six-speed transmission, now pneumatically operated using paddle shifters in the steering wheel. The shifting events are more precise compared with conventional manual gearshifts and allow the mileage of the unit to be quadrupled to up to 24,000 kilometers. The whole setup delivers a total of 460 HP. The race car has also received a safety fuel tank with a capacity of 120 liters integrated with the carbon fiber cell of the Audi A5 DTM that allows the current distance of a DTM race to be covered without a refueling stop.
"In the past, Audi has had very innovative solutions particularly in the area of aerodynamics in the DTM," says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Engineering at Audi Sport. "Since these areas have been subjected to severe restrictions good detailed solutions will now be crucial to achieving advantages over the competition."
