After two full days of covering all the corners of the Frankfurt Motor Show, our eyes are in need of a break from all the production debuts, supercar introductions, and concept unveilings.
So we’re turning our attention towards another pretty important element of the world’s biggest auto show, one that doesn’t involve sliding doors, carbon fiber, and V12 engines. No auto show, no matter how big or small, isn’t complete without the alluring presence of beautiful models standing beside their auto presentations.
We won’t lie; we’ve found ourselves more attracted to the models than to the cars they’re presenting on some occasions. So as a tribute to those sparkling eyes, beautiful smiles, and heart-pounding bodies, we’ve compiled a photo gallery of some of the most beautiful women at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
If you happen to be around during the festivities, you might recognize some of these faces. But whether or not you’ve seen them before, these photos are definitely worth more than just one look.
Maybach is celebrating its 125th anniversary with the unveiling of a one-off Edition 125! at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt. According to the manufacturer this special edition model "presents exquisite new possibilities for individually styling the high-end saloons."
The Maybach Edition 125! was created as a celebration of the 125 years of the automobile and it also honors the ingenious designer behind the brand, Wilhelm Maybach. The 125! is painted in a newly created Tahiti Black/ Patagonia Silver combination that works well with the lavish contour lighting and laser-engraved light motif in the front armrest. Other features for this special one-off model include a glove compartment lid that has been embroidered with the signature of Wilhelm Maybach, silver-colored top-stitching, silver carbon fiber and black piano lacquer trims, 20" matte black wheels with high-sheen spokes, and a newly styled radiator grille.
Along with the new Edition 125!, Maybach also brought the restyled versions of the 57 and 62 that debuted earlier this year. These models received a new chrome radiator grille, a new front bumper, a redesigned hood, re-styled side mirrors, new rear light clusters, and new-look 21-spoke, 19-inch wheels for the standard models and 12-spoke, 20-inch wheels for the S variants. The 57S and 62S models are powered by a 12-cylinder engine that develops a total of 630 HP. The 57 and 62 models get a 6.0 liter V12 supercharged and turbocharged engine that develops 542bhp.
Volkswagen took the wraps off of their completely restyled Beetle at the beginning of 2011, and they’ve come to the Frankfurt Motor Show to show off one of the new car’s variants. Well, in concept form anyway. The new Beetle R Concept provides a glimpse of the future production model and is the "sportiest Beetle ever."
The new Beetle R concept will be distinguished by completely redesigned front and rear bumpers that gain an extra 30mm from the standard Beetle. The front bumper is designed as a motorsport-inspired splitter and houses three air intakes in a contrasting “Black High Gloss", one supplies the engine with oxygen and the other two cool the brakes. The hood also offers ventilation with its own air vent. The rear bumper features air exhaust vents, a diffuser integrated in the lower bumper area, a rear spoiler that is significantly larger than in the production model, and an exhaust system with two sets of dual chrome tailpipes.
The entire car is covered in a "Serious Gray" color which find its way into the interior, in the form of accents like the brushed aluminum pedal caps. The motorsport shell seats are upholstered in black Nappa leather combined with "Space Blue" on the seats seat seams and piping. The dashboard accents and decorative elements around the gear shift grip are finished in "Black High Gloss" and the entire central instrument cluster has been designed in the Volkswagen’s R-specific: tachometer in the middle, in the style of a sports car. The "R" logo also appears to illustrate that the Beetle R is the more powerful version of the Beetle.
One of the big models unveiled on Ford’s booth for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was the Ford Focus ST, but in the ST’s shadow is the race-tweaked, production-based Focus ST-R. The Focus ST-R is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America and will be available for racing teams soon.
The production based Focus ST-R features stock body panels and production parts where possible. The company is insistent that it is a fully-prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and decals to head to the track.
"We’re thrilled to be taking the Focus ST-R from concept to reality for motorsport enthusiasts initially in North America and potentially around the world," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "The previous turn-key race cars we developed for North American racing have been hugely successful, so we are hopeful that the ST-R will be the first such vehicle for global series and as a direct result of the company’s global platform strategy and our technical support program for motorsport applications of Focus and Fiesta models."
UPDATE 11/07/2011: The Focus ST-R made its North American debut in Las Vegas at the 2011 SEMA Show, giving us the perfect opportunity to get some fresh images of the vehicle. Check them out in the picture gallery!
UPDATE 12/15/11: Ford has officially announced the pricing details of the race-spec Ford Focus ST-R and we must advise those that are interested in the car: hold on to your drinks, fellas. The Focus ST-R has been priced at $98,995. Wow.
UPDATE 01/20/12: Global RallyCross Champion and founding member of the Octane Academy Tanner Foust spent a day at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week testing the racing prototype Focus ST-R. Check out the video of his experience!
Mansory is making it a trifecta as far as tuning debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show is concerned. On top of their new programs for the Audi R8 Spyder and the Bentley Continental GT, the German tuning company has prepared a separate project for the Mercedes SLS AMG.
Comprising of both aerodynamic and performance upgrades, Mansory’s program for the SLS AMG has all the makings of a can’t miss, even for the lofty standards the Mercedes supercar belongs in. Among the aerodynamic additions done include a number of carbon fiber components to the chassis as a way to improve on the SLS AMG’s already superb handling. As far as cosmetic body kits are concerned, the SLS AMG has been fitted with a new carbon bonnet, illuminated gills, new side skirts, a new rear spoiler, an optimized diffuser, and a set of 20" lightweight forged wheels. The interior of the SLS AMG can also be dressed based on the preferences of the customer with plenty of high-end options to choose from.
Performance modifications were also a top priority given to the SLS AMG. In this instance, the power boost comes from a high-performance compressor unit that has been added to the car. Together with a new sports air filter and a stainless steel sports exhaust system, Mansory was able to take the supercar’s 6.3-liter V8 engine and bump up the output from 563 horsepower and 480 lb/t of torque all the way up to 732 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 609 lb/ft.
The only concern we have with this project is that it looks strikingly similar to the SLS AMG by Hamann that is also present at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Of course, the package by Hamann produces far more power than the 636 HP from the Hamann Hawk.
Noted Mercedes tuner, Brabus, may be famous for all their high-powered tuning programs, but their penchant for power doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have eco-friendly bones in their bodies.
Somewhat surprisingly, Brabus is tapping into their inner affinity towards the environment with the introduction of the new BRABUS Technology Project HYBRID. The vehicle hybrid program is based on the Mercedes E 220 CDI, but instead of its usual powertrain, this particular car has been fitted with four electric motors. There’s one motor on each wheel and each carries 50 kW (67 horsepower) apiece in Eco mode and up to 80 kW (107 horsepower) each in Sport Mode. The four electric motors are then joined by a 56 kWh lithium-ion battery that further increases the car’s total output to 320 kW (435 horsepower) and - prepare yourself - 2,360 lb/ft of torque. Whoa.
The numbers translate to performance figures that include a 0-62 mph sprint time of 6.9 seconds, an ECO-mode top speed of 118 mph and a Sport-mode top speed of 137 mph. As a hybrid, careful attention has to be paid on the car’s driving range and the BRABUS Technology Project HYBRID returns a very impressive 217 miles on the dot with the battery taking 90 minutes to recharge at a 380 V three phase grid and up to five hours through a normal 220 V AC outlet.
Major auto shows like Frankfurt don’t come by without the participation of renowned tuning firm, Mansory. This year’s no different as the German tuning company has rolled out plenty of programs for some of the most expensive exotics on the market.
One of Mansory’s offerings for Frankfurt is for the Bentley Continental GT and it comes with plenty of aerodynamic and performance upgrades. Speaking about the former, Mansory dressed up the Continental GT with a plethora of items made from lightweight autoclave carbon, including a new front and rear apron that’s been integrated with a new side skirt set. There’s also a spoiler lip, a redesigned engine hood and front fenders, and a new set of 22" alloy wheels. Interior improvements are also available as part of the package with customers getting free reign to design it according to their preference.
In addition to the aforementioned aerodynamic modifications, the Continental GT also gets an impressive power boost courtesy of a reprogrammed engine management system, a sports air filter, and a new sports exhaust system. All these additions took the Continental’s 6.0-liter bi-turbo W12 engine output from the standard 567 horsepower and 516 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 672 horsepower and 575 lb/ft of torque.
For a company that knows their aftermarket programs really well, Mansory’s new program for the Bentley Continental GT doesn’t disappoint.
Lotus promised a trio of sports cars occupying their space at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and, next to the new generation Exige S and the Exige R-GT, that promise has been delivered with a new addition to the Elise lineup: the Elise S. This new model will replace the existing Elise SC which just displayed its final hoorah with the special edition Elise SC Final Edition.
The Lotus Elise first appeared about 15 years ago and promised the performance of a supercar, but the fuel economy of a city car. That idea is still going on strong today with a new 1.8 liter super charged engine delivering a total of 217 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque. The great thing about the new Elise S is that it has a comparable power output to the Elise SC - it actually has a higher peak torque (184 lb-ft to the SC’s 156 lb-ft) - but it has answered the fuel economy and CO2 emissions issues brought on by the change of regulations.
Want to know more? Hit the jump for details on the Lotus Elise S.
The Frankfurt Motor Show plays host to all sorts of vehicles. Whether they’re production debuts, concepts, exotics, or aftermarket works, there’s plenty of room for vehicles of all shapes and sizes for the world’s biggest auto show. And yes, that also includes race car prototypes such as the Formula Ford Racer.
Scheduled to compete in the British Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship next year, the quirky little single-seat race car is being built using a tubular steel frame that meets the FIA’s safety standards. It also carries plenty of safety features, including front and rear carbon crash structures, side intrusion panels, wheel tethers, a removable seat, and last but not least, an FIA approved head restraint system.
Talking about the engine that makes the race car run, the 2012 Formula Ford Racer will carry a 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost direct injection turbo engine mated to a six-speed sequential transmission with a mechanical shift mechanism. The output generated by the engine hits 165 horsepower and 162 lb/ft of torque, which isn’t overwhelming, but is right in-line with FIA standards.
More details about the Formula Ford Race Car will be unveiled at a later date. For now, you can check out the photos of the eccentric-looking racer.
Maserati was already late in the sporty SUV game when it first debuted the Kubang Concept back in 2003, and now the Italian luxury car maker is hoping we forget about the eight year long hiatus their SUV has taken to reintroduce the Kubang at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Tsk, tsk, Maserati. It’s one thing to bring about a second concept of the same vehicle (look at Toyota’s FT-86), but it is quite another to ignore the laid back attitude taken in developing it.
Regardless of the misguided marketing ploys, the new Kubang Concept is here again with a more modern interpretation and a promise that, this time, the concept previews a new sport luxury SUV that will be used to enlarge Maserati’s product range and strengthen its presence in the sport luxury market. The new Kubang was created by the Maserati Style Center headed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti and despite its Jeep platform, is supposed to be all Maserati. Everything from the style, engine, suspension, brakes, handling, and performance is said to be in continuity with the brand’s core values of sportiness, style, elegance, luxury, performance and craftsmanship.
Maserati has also promised that the production version will be powered by a new-generation high-tech Maserati proprietary engine designed in Modena by Paolo Martinelli and produced in Maranello by Ferrari. The SUV will also receive a new AT 8 speed automatic transmission and specific performance settings set to the configurations of the suspension, brakes, and steering exclusively developed in Modena by the Maserati Product Development Department.
Updated 09/28/2011: Maserati has unveiled a first official video for the Kubang concept who made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A production version will be built in Detroit and will be put on sale sometime in 2013. Until then enjoy the concept in action!
Updated 04/27/2012: In a recent interview with Automotive News, Maserati CEO Harald Wester announced that the Beijing Auto Show has been the last appearance of their Kubang concept. Next time we will see a Maserati SUV will be in 2014 at the Detroit Auto Show when the company will bring it in a production version and with a different name. Sales will begin in the first half of 2014.
