Inside Line Auto Show Videos: Recent Episodes
Edmunds' Inside Line
Edmunds’ Inside Line is an online automotive magazine that delivers to you exclusive road tests, spy videos, news, auto show coverage, blogs, and more. Check out www.insideline.com for daily updates.
With a world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, Audi is hoping the A1 will connect buyers to the prestige of high-end models.
Making its public premiere at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, BMW's luxury sport-utility holds few surprises, which include the usual series of exterior styling upgrades as well as subtle revisions to the interior, plus an extended list of standard and optional equipment.
The Mitsubishi ASX, a compact crossover that previews a new entry-level crossover for the U.S.
Porsche has applied its latest hybrid technology to create a spectacular all-wheel-drive racing car, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
The SR1 is powered by Peugeot's new Hybrid4 technology, making a combined 313 horsepower from a 218-hp 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine paired with a 95-hp rear-mounted electric motor. The all-wheel-drive hybrid system is intended to be rolled out on a production model next year, in the 3008 crossover, Peugeot says. Combined fuel economy on the SR1 is 48 miles per gallon, and the concept has a reported top speed of 155 mph and a 0-60-mph time of less than 4.7 seconds.
A surprise star at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show is the Porsche 918 Spyder, an open-top two-passenger plug-in hybrid concept that combines a mid-mounted V8 with three electric motors to achieve a stunning combination of high performance, low fuel consumption and low emissions.
Inside Line takes a look at the Nissan Juke on the show floor at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.
A pure electric version of the Ford Transit Connect small van is debuted at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show
In Chicago Ford unveiled a taxi version of its 2010 Transit Connect utility van that will go on sale in late 2010.
The Alpina B7 is back, ready to make its official debut at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The 2011 BMW Alpina B7, based on the current BMW 750i, goes on sale in the U.S. in the spring of 2010.The last B7 we drove had a supercharged 4.4-liter V8 good for 500 horsepower and and 516 pound-feet of torque. Curiously, the 2011 BMW Alpina B7 achieves exactly the same result with a tuned version of the current 7 Series' twin-turbocharged and direct-injected, 4.4-liter V8. The torque curve is flatter in the new B7, though, with all 516 lb-ft available from 3,000-4,750 rpm.
2010 Chicago Auto Show Highlights: http://www.insideline.com/auto-shows/More Articles: http://www.insideline.comCar Prices & Info: http://www.edmunds.comTwitter Feed: http://twitter.comFacebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ins...
Check out the striking new aerodynamic design of the Kia Ray Concept @ 2010 Chicago Auto Show.What's special about it? After developing a handful of production-ready alternative-fuel vehicles, Kia has looked a little further into the future this time. The result is the Kia Ray, a plug-in hybrid sedan that combines a laundry list of eco-friendly features with a futuristic design that isn't meant to look like just another Prius fighter.
With a little more power, a less weighty engine and new performance upgrades for 2011, the folks at Ford's SVT performance unit continue to turn the once portly, push-pig Shelby GT500 into an ever-more-legitimate all-around performance car.Like its V6 and GT brethren, the GT500, which the company is to unveil at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, gets substantial upgrades for 2011, only a year after a major overhaul for 2010. You can think of it as a preemptive strike against the Camaro Z28 that has long been rumored to be waiting in the wings at Chevy.
The 2010 North American International Auto Show, as it's officially called, will feature the usual lineup of major introductions along with a strong emphasis on the emerging electric car segment. A new "Electric Avenue" display area will showcase the latest in alternative-power vehicles right alongside the traditional show stands.
The 2010 North American International Auto Show, as it's officially called, will feature the usual lineup of major introductions along with a strong emphasis on the emerging electric car segment. A new "Electric Avenue" display area will showcase the latest in alternative-power vehicles right alongside the traditional show stands.
Highlights Smilights! What about "Lowlights" from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show? We all make mistakes, and some automakers at 2010 NAIAS proved that all too well.
Edmunds' Inside Line is an online automotive magazine that delivers to you exclusive road tests, spy videos, news, auto show coverage, blogs, and more.
Edmunds' Inside Line is an online automotive magazine that delivers to you exclusive road tests, spy videos, news, auto show coverage, blogs, and more.
What's special about it? It's a Buick with a suede-covered flat-bottom steering wheel, dude. How much more special do you want? With the former excitement-bringer Pontiac out of the way, GM is beginning to load the Buick lineup with Euro-engineered product. The LaCrosse, based on the surprisingly competent, designed-in-Europe Epsilon II platform, is the first of the non-flaccid Buicks. This curious turn for the old brand has been further promoted by the recent announcement that the rebadged Opel Insignia would be the next Buick Regal and will be offered with a turbocharged engine and a — gasp! — manual transmission.
Editor Favorite: GMC Granite Concept @ 2010 Detroit Auto Show Video with Alistair Weaver
What a difference seven years make. It was at the Detroit auto show in 2003 that Cadillac last unveiled a full-size luxury sedan concept, the outrageous Sixteen, a fantastical 1,000-horsepower vision intended to evoke the grandest of grand days for the company some 70 years prior.
Put Cadillac's 556-horsepower supercharged V8 into just about anything and chances are we'll like it -but Inside Line Senior Editor Ed Helwig tells us that it's really in the details.
The 2012 Ford Focus, which Ford is unveiling in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, isn't the first time that the company has tried to design one "world car" for all its major markets.The "world car" has been to international automakers what low-fat donuts are to lovers of regular donuts — the impossible dream. So we've been down this road with Ford before with cars like the Contour and the old Fiesta. Hell, even the Model T was something of a world car.But as Ford Motor Company tries to reconcile its bread-and-butter offerings under the One Ford banner, the Focus represents the purest example of the world car ethos yet. It will be the first offering to be designed from the outset with all markets in mind. (The North American
Keeping a lid on details about the 2011 Ford Mustang GT's new 5.0-liter V8 is proving futile for Ford thanks to the magic of the internet. For instance, we now know that the five-oh V8's 412 horsepower come in at 6,500 rpm. And the torque rating is 390 pound-feet -- up from a mere 325 on the 2010 Mustang GT.
With the introduction of its Detroit-show E-tron concept, Audi has taken the lead in electric-powered, chrome-wheeled sports cars. The company is already on its second-generation E-tron since last fall's Frankfurt show.
Because small things are not as good or large as large things, the new 2011 Audi A8 is longer, wider and taller than the 2004-'10 model. And not coincidentally, it's also a little bigger than the standard-wheelbase versions of the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. Plus it's not much smaller than the long-wheelbase luxo-barges. Plus it'll roll on wheels up to 21 inches across.
Fiat unveiled the 500 BEV — which stands for battery-electric vehicle — at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and insiders say the vehicle is planned for sale in the U.S. in 2011. Gasoline-engined versions of the 500 are slated for production in Mexico and should begin reaching U.S. Chrysler dealers in late 2010 or early 2011.
The list of electric vehicles bound for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show grew on Thursday with word that the battery-electric Volvo C30 has been tweaked and will make an appearance in the Motor City. Volvo had announced the car last September but now says the new version "is a much more complete product." "The new battery-electric C30 features a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging," said Lennart Stegland, director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles, in a statement. "The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges without compromising the C30's personality. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product."
The new concept "does without doors, a conventional roof and all other body elements which might possibly limit the intensity of the occupants' encounter with their surrounding world," said Mini in a statement.The
Volkswagen is breaking out of its design straitjacket with the Volkswagen NCC (New Compact Coupe) — a near-production-ready concept with a hybrid drivetrain. High-ranking officials from VW headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany, have confirmed to Inside Line that the NCC will become part of the next-generation Jetta lineup following its unveiling at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The elegant front-wheel-drive coupe has been conceived to fill the hole left in VW's product line for North America following its decision to withhold from importing the Scirocco to these shores. After years of attempting to convince U.S. car buyers that hatchbacks are the wave of the future, the German carmaker has acknowledged that a traditional three-box body style is vital for any car meant to achieve sales success in North America.
Well, we dodged a bullet here with this concept vehicle. We were beginning to suspect that the 2010 Detroit Auto Show would see the death of that oldest of auto show concept tropes, the concept car with suicide doors. Then along comes this nifty little gray box, the GMC Granite concept, and it has rear-hinged rear doors. Whew!Of course, GMC doesn't call them suicide doors, lest that remind people of, you know, suicide. They are now "French doors," like the ones you might have seen on HGTV. (We wonder if the "French" reference might be a little too wimpy for the professional-grade brand. Maybe "Sub-Zero doors," would work better.)
Put Cadillac's 556-horsepower supercharged V8 into just about anything and chances are we'll like it. We loved it in the CTS-V sedan. And there's no reason to assume that we won't love it just as much in the CTS-V coupe that the company is to unveil at the Detroit auto show. Hell, bolt that thing to an Aztek-bodied CTS-V variant and there's a good chance we'll like it just fine. Nothing tricky here; Cadillac has kept the powertrain and suspension specs essentially identical to the sedan, because, well, why wouldn't it?
BMW will publicly unveil the new 2011 Z4 sDrive35is roadster in early January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The range-topping Z4 sDrive35is features a new M Sports package that also will be offered on other Z4 variants when the Z4 sDrive35is reaches U.S. dealers in spring 2010.
WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey — The BMW Concept ActiveE will make its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January, as the German automaker strives to get an electrically powered vehicle into production under a "sub-brand of BMW in the first half of the next decade," it said in a statement. The rear-wheel-drive Concept ActiveE, which is based on the BMW 1 Series Coupe, appears to have a lot of promise, judging from the advances spelled out by BMW.
The all-new 2011 Bentley Mulsanne — the "Grand Bentley" that has been teased for several months— was shown @ the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid was named the 2010 North American Car of the Year as the 2010 Detroit Auto Show kicked off media preview days.
The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, shown at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, gets a modest exterior freshening and a choice of new powertrains.
Some might consider the 2011 Lincoln MKX the "MyLincoln Touch" edition, as it will be the first Ford product to offer the new driver interface technology. MyLincoln Touch is essentially the latest version of Sync packaged with extra features and controlled by a slick, iPhone-style touchscreen. A bit gimmicky maybe, but high-end crossover buyers love that kind of stuff; at least that's what Lincoln is counting on.
Toyota said it is developing a "Prius family" of hybrids for North America and plans to introduce eight all-new hybrid models over "the next few years," including a production version of the compact FT-CH concept that is debuting this week at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Sales of the 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid are scheduled to begin in August.Inside Line says: A 122-horsepower sport coupe with a torsion-beam rear end? Doesn't sound very sporty to us.
The 2011 GMC Acadia Denali, a high-end trim level usually reserved for GMC SUVs, will arrive in showrooms in the third quarter of 2010, GM announced on Thursday. Pricing has not yet been announced.
It is the concept-ized version of the next Chevrolet Aveo. And, yes, Chevrolet is keeping the Aveo line going, even after it introduces the yet-smaller, Korean-conceived Spark. Stranger still, the company is going to keep the Aveo name and try to rehabilitate it in the minds of small-car buyers instead of just making up some other name, such as Nutria or Dengue or Flatus.
Porsche rolled out a new open-top version of the Boxster, the Boxster Spyder, at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The new model is slated to begin going on sale worldwide alongside its Boxster and Boxster S siblings next February.
Honda's Personal-Neo Urban Transport, which made its world debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, offers a vision of urban transportation beyond such mighty mites as the Smart Fortwo.
"Minivan" apparently is a bit of a dirty word to Toyota. The Japanese automaker rolled out its 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, emphasizing how sedanlike the redesign has made this people hauler.
On the heels of its global debut last month in Korea, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is being introduced to U.S. customers this week at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.
If Ford manages to follow through with its plan for the 2011 Ford Mustang V6, these jokes could all go away, as massive powertrain improvements could not only lift the lesser Mustang out from the land of ridicule but also actually put it in direct competition with the excellent 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6.
Two years after its launch in China, Europe and other major global markets, the Ford Fiesta is finally coming to the U.S. in 2010 and will be on display at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The subcompact Fiesta was last sold here in 1980.Ford introduced the sixth-generation Fiesta in early 2008, following the car's unveiling as the Verve concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Fiesta is currently built in Spain, Germany and China and will go into production next year in Thailand.
Check out the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze @ 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show Video on Edmunds' Inside Line.
Check out the 2011 Buick Regal at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show Video on Edmunds' Inside Line.www.insideline.com
The ultra-performance-oriented 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Special Edition will be priced at $33,690, including a $695 destination charge, when it arrives in dealerships in the spring. The special model debuted at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.Subaru noted that the new model is "priced $2,000 lower than the base price of the 2010 WRX STI." Compared with the standard 2010 WRX STI, the WRX STI Special Edition gets halogen rather than HID headlights; a single-disc CD player with a four-speaker audio system instead of the six-CD player with 10-speaker system; manual air conditioning instead of automatic climate control and side mirrors without integrated signals.
First, the chocolate-colored car seen here is the 5.2 FSI model, powered by the same 525-horsepower V10 that motivates the R8 5.2 FSI coupe. The "V10" badge is clearly visible on the front fender. Other trim details are carried over from the V10 coupe as well, such as the twin oval tail pipes, chrome-trimmed front grille, shiny black trim and -- wait, are those chrome wheels?! They might be polished cast-aluminum wheels instead. It's hard to tell. Either way, they're flashy for an Audi.
The 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show takes place December 4-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, right in downtown L.A. This is the first large-scale domestic auto show of the season and you can expect to see the full range of 2010 production cars (not to mention more than a few 2011 models), many of which are appearing in public for the first time.
Finally, after two rounds of international auto shows in Frankfurt and Tokyo, it's time for the 2009 L.A. Auto Show. It's the first big American show of the season and it's already shaping up nicely thanks to a few notable world debuts that have already been announced.The 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder got the ball rolling when it appeared in early November. A high-performance version of the standard Boxster, the Spyder adds horsepower while doing away with the standard model's convertible roof.For those looking for something a little more mainstream, the 2011 Buick Regal will make its first auto show appearance in Los Angeles. A smaller, more performance-oriented sedan, the new Regal is hoping to once again reshape Buick's image. If that's still not enough practicality for you, the 2010 Toyota Sienna minivan is making its world debut in L.A. as well. It's one of the few true minivans left and Toyota is determined to keep it around for some time to come.Our coverage starts on December 2 when we'll have photos, blog posts and videos from the show floor.
The 2009 SEMA Show Highlights Video on Inside Line showcases the big newsmakers and the noteworthy odd-balls at the annual convention for aftermarket manufacturers and tuners.
The aftermarket parts industry might be reeling a little from the recession, but the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, an annual trade show held in Las Vegas, isn't going to be any less ridiculous this year. The world's largest-diameter chrome wheel contest will no doubt continue and the booth babes will be out in full force as well. Oh and there will be cars, trucks and anything else with a motor and wheels, too.www.InsideLine.com
Honda unveiled the Honda CR-Z sports hybrid coupe at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, as the small, fun-to-drive machine moves one step closer to production. Read the full story on Edmunds' InsideLine: http://www.insideline.com/honda/cr-z-concept/honda-cr-z-confirmed-for-2010-us-debut-2009-tokyo-auto-show.html
By now you've probably already read our first drive of the 2011 Lexus LFA. It's the Lexus supercar that has finally appeared in the flesh after years of forced hibernation by one Toyota executive after another. It's quite the impressive piece, and most of those in attendance at today's official unveiling at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show seemed impressed. Good thing, too, as the new head of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, said during the Toyota press conference that he feels sad about the fact that the company no longer makes exciting cars like the Supra. Yes, he really said he feels sad. Lexus LFA @ 2009 Tokyo Auto Show: http://www.insideline.com/lexus/lf-a/videos/lexus_lf-a_09-to-as_111.html
It may be smaller, but don't count it out. There's a lot to see at this years Tokyo Auto Show, including the Lexus LFA, Toyota FT-86, Honda CR-Z, and more. 2009 Tokyo Auto Show Highlights: http://www.insideline.com/auto-shows/tokyo/2009/
In what has been one of the most drawn-out striptease campaigns ever, Rolls-Royce will finally take the wraps off the 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost next week at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/2011rollsroyceghostfrankfurtpreview.html
Volkswagen Group did their now-standard pre-show unveil of vehicles the night before the Frankfurt show opened, unveiling such highlights as the Audi R8 Spyder, Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, Bentley Mulsanne, and more. Inside Line at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/index.html
A preview of the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Ferrari Italia, Audi R8, Mercedes SLS, Mini Coupe Concept, and More. Check out Inside Line on September 15 and 16 for full coverage: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/index.html
Turns out Porsche will unveil not one, but two fresh editions of the evergreen 911 at the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. In addition to the new 911 Turbo revealed recently , the company is updating the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which it describes as "the definitive track-ready, street-legal 911." A new normally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-6 kicks out 450 horsepower, an increase of 15 hp over the standard GT3. The six-speed manual gearbox has shorter ratios and shorter gearshift travel — ideal for the track. The engine also sits on dynamic mounts that automatically adjust damping and stiffness to speed and driving conditions and exits through a titanium exhaust system. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/porsche911gt3rsfrankfurtpreview.html
The Porsche 911 Sport Classic will join several new 911-based siblings on the German automaker's stand at the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. The limited-edition 911 Sport Classic, which will not be marketed in North America, will be built in a run of only 250 cars and will go on sale in January, priced from $240,500. The 911 Sport Classic is the creation of the Porsche Exclusive special department and is based on the rear-drive Carrera S, with the wider rear body of the Carrera 4S. In addition to the wider rear track, visual cues include a SportDesign front apron with lip spoiler, a fixed "ducktail" rear spoiler, a new double-dome roof and custom five-spoke 19-inch wheels with black-painted centers. The exterior is finished in Sport Classic Gray. Porsche 911 Sport Classic: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/porsche911sportclassicfrankfurtpreview.html
The face-lifted 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo will debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, the German automaker confirmed on Friday. Porsche, uncharacteristically, is putting the emphasis on the 911 Turbo's fuel economy, saying in a statement that it "continues to create more from less." However, the car's actual fuel economy remains a mystery, since neither Porsche nor the EPA have released any official numbers. The EPA says the 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo with a five-speed automatic transmission returns 15 miles per gallon in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway. In Europe, the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo averages 21 mpg under the EU5 standard. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/facelifted2010porsche911turbodebut.html2007
BMW's "purist" Mini Roadster Concept will be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show alongside a Mini Coupe Concept, as part of the brand's 50th-anniversary celebration. The two-seater has a soft top and a family resemblance in front, with a distinctive notchback rear-end design to help distinguish it from the current Mini convertible. Its chrome grille is the same as the one on the Mini Cooper S, but includes body-color bars on the inner section. Mini Roadster Concept @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/miniroadsterconcept.html
The 2009 Mini Coupe Concept is a kind of birthday present, as the Mini brand celebrates 50 years since it began on August 26, 1959. And we'll all get to enjoy this present, because it will be presented in public for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. At a secret location near Munich, Mini's Design Director Gert Hildebrand tells us about his newest creation. "The idea to do a Mini coupe was born in our design center," he says. "New ideas never come from the board offices; they come from the floor of the design studio. BMW does trend analysis a lot and every three months we talk to Mini representatives from all over the world to discuss the needs of our clients. But we were never asked to do a coupe. We're close followers of blogs and so forth, and we just felt that people would like the idea of a car like this." Mini Coupe Concept @ 2009 FAS http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=155786
It's amazing what happens when the psychodelic camouflage comes off a long-awaited Mercedes-Benz production car. Here's the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the reborn Gullwing, the modern-day successor to the 300 SL. We've driven it, savored the uncommonly sharp throttle response from the 6.2-liter V8 (563 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque) and marveled over the handling -- which is more direct and communicative than any other Benz in recent memory. 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Unveiled at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show: http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2009/09/frankfurt-preview-2011-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-in-the-metal.html
Mazda was kind enough last month to send us a teaser image or two of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight ahead of the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, which opens this week. Now, a whole raft of images, plus full specs, have been revealed ? unofficially ? in advance of the show, compliments of Carscoop and other Web sites. Mazda MX-5 Superlight @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show (IAA) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/mazdamx5superlight.html
Previously, the marque had enlisted a cadre of local carrozzeria, including Frua, Vignale, Ghia, Zagato and Italdesign, to create such notable soft-top Maseratis as the 1950 A6G Spyder, the 1960 3500GT Spyder, the 1964 Mistral Spyder, the 1968 Ghibli Spyder and the 2001 Spyder. The new GranCabrio was designed by Pininfarina, which also created the current Quattroporte and GranTurismo. It will be assembled at the Viale Ciro Menotti factory in Modena. The GranCabrio gets a soft canvas top and will be powered by a 433-horsepower 4.7-liter V8. It will reach European dealers this winter and begin shipping to export markets next spring. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Maserati GranCabrio - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/maseratigrancabriofrankfurtpreview.html
2010 Jaguar XJ Impresses @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Spy Footage: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=147746
Without revealing specific production plans for the full hybrid concept, Lexus on Thursday teased out more details about the LF-Ch, which is slated to make its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Lexus called it the automaker's "first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment." Lexus distributed inside and out photos of the LF-Ch, including images of a spaceship-looking cabin with "Remote Touch" controls borrowed from the RX 450h. "Using a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch works like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customize a range of information, entertainment and vehicle setup programs," Lexus said in a statement. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Lexus Continues LF-Ch Tease http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/lexuslfchfrankfurtpreviewtease.html
Speculation is that the drop-top companion to the Revent?n coupe will feature a 641-horsepower 6.5-liter V12 driving all four wheels through Lambo's six-speed e-gear transmission, with 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Also rumored are carbon fiber body panels, 18-inch wheels and tires and a cockpit trimmed in carbon fiber, leather and Alcantara. According to Worldcarfans, production likely will be held to 20 units, with prices expected to start at about $1.75 million. Lamborghini Reventon Roadster @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/lamborghinireventonroadsterleaked.html
The redesigned Ford C-Max, which goes on sale in the second half of 2010, will makes its public debut later this month at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Ford says the new C-Max is the first model off the company's revised C-segment global compact platform, which also will spawn the next-generation Ford Focus that will be unveiled in late 2010. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2011 Ford C-Max http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/2011fordcmaxfrankfurtpreview.html
Enthusiasts craving more information on the new Ferrari 458 Italia ahead of the car's official debut next month at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show can check out a raft of new images and information on Ferrari's Web site. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Inside the Ferrari 458 Italia http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/ferrari458italiafrankfurtpreview.html
BMW has finally ended its striptease for the X1, releasing official images and details of the new compact crossover ahead of its formal launch in September at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. The BMW X1, however, won't make the Atlantic crossing until calendar year 2011. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show 2011 BMW X1: http://www.insideline.com/bmw/x1/2011/2009-frankfurt-auto-show-preview-2011-bmw-x1.html
Bentley on Tuesday filled in some of the blanks on its 2011 Mulsanne flagship at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. But up in the air are such critical details as final U.S. pricing and fuel-economy numbers. The Mulsanne made a showy debut last month at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. As promised, Bentley in Frankfurt released a raft of technical specifications on the car. The V8 engine, an update of the existing motor that includes cylinder deactivation, displaces 6.75 liters and is mated to an eight-speed transmission. The engine churns out 505 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/more2011bentleymulsannedetailsrevealed.html
With a little less than a week to go before its official unveiling at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Audi R8 Spyder has been exposed with a number of photographs. Audi is still not officially releasing information about the R8 Spyder, but based on our previously gathered spy information and close examination of the images seen here, we can say a few things about the upcoming convertible version of the sports car from Ingolstadt. 2010 Audi R8 Spyder: Exposed! http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/2010audir8spydeexposed.html
Tantalizing rumors have been floating in the media for months that a possible electric version of the Audi R8 might surface at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Audi itself has fueled the fire in recent weeks with a teasing reference to its new e-Tron concept. Turns out they may be one and the same, judging from the images that leaked Monday on World Car Fans, Autocar and other Web sites. Although details are still forthcoming, the Audi R8 e-Tron looks set to play in the same arena as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG eDrive and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, among other green supercars from Europe. The Audi concept looks like a cleaned-up version of the standard R8, with a new front fascia and grille, LED headlamps, new wheels and a restyled rear end. The cockpit is considerably revamped as well. We'll find out in a day or so whether the drivetrain is pure electric or hybrid. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi R8 e-Tron http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/audir8etron.html
If there is such a thing as a four-door coupe, the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide is it. There are rear seats, but they're of the barely inhabitable type you might typically find in a true two-door. Of course, the Rapide has rear doors, too, but they, too, are a bit on the small side. Watching full-size adults crumple themselves into the backseats is almost comical and once they get in they are clearly not pleased to be there.
Trust us. Nothing quite like the stunning and awkwardly named BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept has ever been seen at the normally staid 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. For this year's German show, the Bavarians have conjured up a vision of future transportation that is not only visually arresting, but boasts the performance of an M3 with the environmental impact of a Prius. In other words, a truly "sustainable sports car," as so characterized by one BMW executive (and numerous bloggers). BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: http://www.insideline.com/auto-shows/frankfurt/2009/
With the reduced interest in Tokyo this year, the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show will be the place to be this fall. As usual, the German automakers will be there in full force, but there will be some notable debuts from around the world as well.