Next to the Mini Coupe Concept, the English automaker Mini has also revealed their Roadster Concept today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Roadster Concept is a two-seated model, with a tight-fitting soft cloth roof and innovative design.
The Roadster concept is powered by a 1.6 Liter twin scroll turbocharged engine, the same power plant that is used in the MINI Cooper S; boasting go fast goodies like direct gasoline injection, the boosted mill generates a maximum output of 175 HP and peak torque of 177 lb-ft that can be briefly increased thanks to the car’s Overboost function, which nets 192 lb-ft of torque.
The new two-seater measures 3.714 millimeters in length and 1.683 millimetres in width. Height of the car is 1.356 millimeters. Up front the Mini Roadster Concept features a hexagonal shaped radiator grille and a pair of large round headlights, that compliment the large diameter wheels and a very racy pair of stripes extending the length of the vehicle.
Press release after the jump.
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If earlier today Audi showed us the Spider version of the R8 V10 version, now is time to see how an electric R8 would work. The new E-tron concept is powered by a purely electric drive system made up of four motors – two at the front and two more at the rear axle. The total output of this electric drive system is 313 HP and 3,319.03 lb-ft of torque, meaning that the car can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1. Who ever said that electric can’t be fun?
Even if it is based on the R8 super car, the E-tron concept features an unique and distinctive design, like a trapezoidal single-frame grille, two large air intakes, special headlamps that adjust the light depending on weather conditions and a large 19 inch wheel and tire combination. The concept has a weight of only 3,527.40 lb, with 58% of the weight pressing down of the rear axle.
The E-Tron’s top speed is limited to 124.27 MPH, as the amount of energy required by the electric motors increases disproportionately to speed. The range in the NECD combined cycle is approximately 154 miles. This impressive value is made possible by the integrated concept: technology specially configured for the electric drive system combined with state-of-the-art battery technology. The battery block has a total energy content of roughly 53 kilowatt hours, with the usable portion thereof restricted to 42.4 kWh in the interest of service life. In order to keep such high tech equipment from over heating, Audi uses liquid cooling for the batteries.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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Volkswagen has just unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show the electric version of the now famous Up! Concept. The new Volkswagen E-Up! concept is believed to make it to production by 2020.
The E-Up! concept is powered by an electric motor with a peak power output of 60 kW supplied by by a lithium ion battery. Fully charged the batteries offer the E-Up! a range of 130 kilometers. The motor of the front-wheel drive car, which is mounted up front and develops a maximum torque of 155 lb-ft from rest. The driver activates forward or reverse gear via a rotary knob in the center console. The fact that the E-Up! will also quite clearly offer driving enjoyment is demonstrated by a look at the car’s classic 0 to 60 MPH sprint of 11.3 seconds. The E-Up! develops even greater responsiveness in the intermediate sprint from 0 to 50 km/h in city driving: 3.5 seconds.
According to Volkswagen the E-Up! concept is the Beetle for the 21st Century: headlights with their facet-like lenses – cut like diamond, the fog lights configured as C-shaped, chrome-trimmed elements in the headlight housings, a circular pattern in the bumper.
Press release after the jump.
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Volkswagen has just unveiled the Golf R - "the strongest Golf produced". Placed above the Golf GTI in Volkswagen’s lineup at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new turbocharged Golf R will replace the current hot hatch Golf R32 when it goes on sale at the end of the year.
Under the hood Volkswagen placed a 2.0 Liter engine that delivers 270 HP at 6,000 RPM and sends the new Golf R from 0 to 60 MPH in just 5.7 seconds thanks in part to the car’s all wheel drive system. The time is up from the R32’s 6.5 second 0 to 60 MPH time, while Golf R’s top speed is still limited to 155 MPH.
The exterior the new Golf R features a new set of Talladega wheels and upgraded brakes as well as a more aggressively designed bumper complete with very large air intakes, standard LED strips, a newly designed R logo in chrome on the right side, Bi-Xenon headlights. While the rest of the car benefits from side skirt extensions in body colour and mirror housings painted in high-gloss black.
On the inside, the Golf R is distinguished by newly designed “Top Sport seat system”, leather contrasting with piano paint and chrome, R gearshift knob, carpet floor mats, aluminum door tread plates with R logo, Stainless steel sport pedals as well as an R-specific instrument cluster.
Press release after the jump.
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With a tradition of more than 60 years, Toyota Land Cruiser is entering today its new generation. The new Land Cruiser will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in both three and five door versions.
The all-new Toyota Land Cruiser will be available with a choice of two engines: a 249 hp 4.0 liter Dual VVT-i V6 petrol engine or a 173 hp 3.0 liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. The new SUV will come equipped with Multi-terrain Select, Multi-terrain Monitor, Steering Angle Display and Crawl Control.
The rigidity of the all-new Land Cruiser’s highly durable body-onframe construction has been increased by 11%, and insulating frame-to-body mounts both absorb engine, drivetrain and road noise, while enhancing road comfort.
The 2010 Land Cruiser will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 11,7 seconds, while top speed will be of 108 mph.
The 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser will go on sale at the end of this year.
Press release after the jump.
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The Frankfurt Motor Show has given the creative French automaker Peugeot the opportunity to unveil the innovative BB1 concept - a "full electric vehicle that reinvents the automobile in every way: architecture, style, interior design, drive, connectivity – while all the time respecting the environment."
Despite its rather small appearance, the BB1 is only 2.5 meters long, it can accommodate up to 4 passengers. The driver takes control of the BB! in a new more upright driving position, made possible through the absence of floor pedals. The rear passengers are then seated in tandem behind the driver. On the right-hand side, front and rear passengers adopt a similar position.
The BB1 is powered by an electric motor placed inside the rear wheels, designed in association with Michelin the unit delivers 20 HP and accelerates the BB1 from 0 to 30 KPH in 2.8 seconds, and from 30-60 KPH in 4. The power needed to turn the electric motor is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack that gives the passenger car an autonomy of 120 km.
Thanks to its electric propulsion, the BB1 is an environmentally friendly vehicle emitting no loud noises outside the vehicle as well as zero emissions. The lack of pollutant emissions is due to the fact that it consumes no fossil fuels at all. However this eco-responsibility isn’t limited to just wasting gas, the BB1 is so efficient that at a standstill, the passenger compartment is continuously ventilated thanks to the solar panels placed on the roof of the vehicle.
Press release after the jump.
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It’s finally official: the long waited and highly anticipated Audi R8 Spider has made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As previously reported, the drop top R8 will only be available with the 5.2 Liter FSI V10 connected to Audi’s patented quattro all wheel drive system. Sales in Europe will begin in the first quarter of 2010 and retail starting at $227,000. Details for the U.S. market version will be announced at a later date.
The 5.2 Liter FSI V10 in the R8 Spider delivers a maximum output of 525 HP at 8,000 RPM and has a rather high compression ratio of 12.5:1 in order to get the most out of the high revving naturally aspirated power plant. With a weight of only 3,792 pounds, the R8 Spider is able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 4.1 seconds; go from 0 to 125 MPH in a little over 12.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 194.49 MPH, all while consuming 15.79 MPG in the manual transmission version, or 16.92 MPG in the R-tronic variant.
The all new Audi R8 Spider is being offered with a cloth top that weighs only 66.14 pounds; chosen as a solution by Audi to keep the rag top’s total weight and center of gravity lower in the vehicle. The electro hydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, and operates even while driving at speeds of up to 31.07 MPH.
Audi will offer the unit in three different colors, while the car will be available with eleven different paint options, with metallic and pearl effect finishes standard. Like all of Audi’s luxurious convertibles, the reinforced windshield frame is covered with anodized aluminum.
Press release after the jump.
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While the entire auto world is drooling with anticipation for the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, those who’ll be participating at the year’s biggest car fest are putting in the finishing touches on what cars are going to make this year’s trip to Germany.
One automaker who’s making a comeback of sorts in the spotlight of Frankfurt is Abarth, and if their promises are any indication, we just might all be bitten by the return of the Scorpion.
As it stands, Abarth is scheduled to unveil three special-edition vehicles: the Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”, the Abarth Grande Punto “Super Sport” and the Abarth 500 “Assetto Corse”.
The car that’s getting the most attention from auto scribes the world over is the limited edition Abarth 695 “Tributo Ferrari”. The car, as you can probably notice by its name alone, was co-created by Abarth and Ferrari with the intention of celebrating the Italian racing tradition, passion for performance, attention to detail and technical innovation that both brands express. Suffice to say, it’s the ultimate collaboration of two Italian racing icons.
Click after the jump for the press release.
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Skoda will bring at the Frankfurt Motor Show the station wagon version of the Superb model. 4,838 mm long, 1,817 mm wide, and 1,481 mm high - the new Skoda Combi continues a tradition of more than 80 years in producing "combined cars" (hence the name "Combi").
Initially the car will be offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, all with direct fuel injection and low consumption and emissions. Diesel line-up includes: 2.0 TDI PD DPF diesel engine that generates power of 140 hp, 2.0 TDI CR DPF with 170 hp. Petrol line-up includes: 1.4 litre four-cylinder TSI engine with 125 hp, 1.8 TSI, offering power of 160 hp and 3.6 FSI V6 with 260 hp. All the engines are mated to a six-gear manual transmission or the six-gear direct shift gearbox (DSG).
Like the Superb sedan, the station wagon version can be fitted with HHC (Hill Hold Control), ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and also TSA (Trailer Stability Assist) for use with factory-fitted towing equipment. On the interior the car can be ordered with two different 2 DIN car radios with CD/MP3 players, a touchscreen Amundsen system enabling the driver to operate all functions intuitively, a top-of-the-range touchscreen Columbus navigation system, an Aux-In socket, an MDI (Mobile Device Interface) in the Jumbo Box between the front seats to connect external storage media, and a CD changer.
Press release after the jump.
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Back in April of 2002, Volkswagen shocked the world when they unveiled the 1 Liter, the world’s first automobile that consumed only 1 liter of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers it travels. Well at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the German automotive conglomerate will take fuel efficiency to the next step in hybrid production car technology by unveiling the L1 hybrid concept. This three wheeled machine weighs in at only 837 pounds and uses only 1.38 liters of diesel fuel for every 100 kilometers. The best part is that if everything goes according to plan, the L1 should become a reality by the year 2013.
The L1 concept is powered by the hybrid combination of a TDI engine and an E-motor. The 0.8 Liter TDI power plant develops a maximum output of 27 HP at 4,000 RPM; while in “Sport” mode, a setting that is used to reach the vehicle’s top speed, power rises all the way up to 39 HP at 4,000 RPM. The hybrid E-motor is supplied with go juice from a lithium ion battery pack that is located at the nose of the L1 for optimum weight distribution while the diesel mill is mated to a 7 speed DSG gearbox.
The concept was constructed with very lightweight and very strong carbon fiber reinforced body (CFRB) using multiple layers of the high strength material laid out in a complex matrix for the upmost in structural rigidity. The two passenger monocoque, including the tubular frames of both the driver’s and passenger’s seat as well as the exterior body skin, all consist of the black wavy stuff. The 1L features no doors, instead the driver and passenger climb into the L1 through the electronically actuated canopy similar to a fighter jet. The 1L has been designed with efficiency in mind at every turn with details like headlights and taillights made with LED technology, in order to consume a lot less energy.
Press release after the jump.
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