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In contrast to the futuristic, otherworldly details of the F-125!, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class makes a here-and-now statement about the present. The sheetmetal language that Benz has been rolling out for years finally makes its debut at the B-Class party, in hopes of proving that a stubby hatch doesn’t need to look exactly like a stubby hatch. Mercedes also claims the aerodynamics “set a new benchmark in the segment.”

Motive effort comes courtesy of a new pair of direct-injection gasoline engines, that technology also gaining entry to the B-Class segment for the first time. The 1.6-liter B180 will have 122 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, the B200 will put out 156 hp and 183 lb-ft, those torque figures coming from 1,250 rpm. A 1.8-liter and common-rail diesel and rounds out the options, coming in 109 hp/183 lb-ft and 136 hp/221 lb-ft flavors. Transmissions will be either a 7G-DCT dual-clutch or a six-speed manual.

Piling more firsts into the slight package, the B-Class will get safety systems like Pre-Safe, Blind Spot and Lane Keeing Assist, and Distronic Plus, among others. We won’t know for another couple of years if this is enough to make the B-Class a viable option for American audiences, but for Europeans the changes should make the popular little car even more popular-er.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes B-Class gets big-car features

2012 Mercedes B-Class gets big-car features

Some cars reach the end of their production cycle, and we miss them when they’re gone. But then some we won’t. The Wiesmann MF3 Roadster falls into the latter category.

You see, it’s not that we don’t like the Wiesmann. In fact we think it’s one of the coolest cars out there, if you’re into the retro thing. But the MF3 variant specifically – one of several engine options available on the roadster – is being phased out in favor of more potent powertrains. But not before the niche German automaker gives it a fond farewell.

For the special task, the company brought in fashion house Sieger to prepare 18 unique special models that are collectively called the Final Edition. We caught up with a rather striking and deliciously striped example here on the floor of the Frankfurt Motor Show, and are glad to present you with the results.

Wiesmann and Sieger show us how stripes are done with MF3 Final Edition

Eterniti Motors has chosen the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show as the stage upon which it will make its global debut. The British automaker has one model ready for review, and it’s a sport-utility vehicle that is light on the ‘U’ and heavy on the ‘S’. It’s called the Hemera, and Eterniti plans to have it fighting in the same space that’s soon to be occupied by the likes of Aston Martin, Bentley and Maserati.

Under the reshaped skin of the Hemera sits a Porsche Cayenne that’s been given a new heart and upgraded interior. Beneath the hood lies a 4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 620 horsepower, and the seating area comes complete with heated and cooled reclining rear seats, a pair of iPads with wireless keyboards and a drink chiller.

Eterniti says it will begin production of the Hemera in early 2012, and customers can expect to take delivery by the summer. Those customers will need to shell out £150,000, or nearly $240,000. That price includes the three-year warranty, and a “flying doctor” service to pick up and return the car when needed.

Continue reading Eterniti Motors arrives in Frankfurt with exotic Hemera SUV

Eterniti Motors arrives in Frankfurt with exotic Hemera SUV

Nice as it may be, the BMW 6 Series convertible doesn’t really make our heart beat any faster. It’s a soft, plush open-top tourer, and though the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 underhood certainly doesn’t skimp on the power, it doesn’t really make for an enthusiastic driving experience.

Enter Alpina, the BMW tuning house that has given us the 7 Series-based B7 here in the United States, not to mention creations like the B5 abroad. Like the rest of its work, the appropriately named B6 Biturbo Cabriolet adds more power to the 650i engine – 507 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, compared to 400 hp and 450 lb-ft in the standard car. What’s more, the suspension geometry gets tweaked slightly, and the car features new styling touches like a more aggressive front fascia, Alpina’s iconic blue paint, and – of course – the tuner’s signature 20-spoke wheels.

Nice, yes, but we think we’ll stick to the B5 wagon that bowed in Geneva back in March. Still, see the B6 for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery.

Alpina unveils 507-hp B6 Biturbo Convertible

The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is shaping up to be one for the ages, as you can see from the display of new vehicles and concepts that we covered today.

But wait, there’s more! Tomorrow is a new day, and our intrepid scribes will be coming to you live from the show floor before you even wake up in the morning with a whole ‘nother steaming plate of auto show goodness. Stay tuned!

Kia GT Concept	2012 Subaru XV	VW Beetle R Concept
2012 Audi S7	Citroen Tubik Concept	2012 Hyundai i30
Fisker Surf Concept	Audi Urban Spyder	Gallardo Super Trofeo
Infiniti FX Vettel edition	2012 Honda Civic (Euro)	Yo-Auto Concept
2012 Lotus Exige S	Skoda MissionL Concept	Maserati Kubang
Volkswagen Nils Concept	Ducati Diavel AMG	Land Rover DC100
2012 Volkswagen Up!	Ford Focus ST-R	Mercedes-Benz F-125!
2012 Porsche 911	2012 Honda Insight	Ford Fiesta ST Concept
Aston Martin V12 Zagato	Lotus Exige R-GT	Audi A2 Concept

Day One of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (obsessively covered)

Aston Martin makes beautiful cars. There’s no argument there as this is an automotive fact. The Milan, Italy-based Zagato design house, however, can take any car and make it mobile art. It’s done just that with the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, a limited-edition show stopper that makes our hearts hurt here in Frankfurt.

Why the heartache? We don’t have the necessary £330,000 to buy one. That figure works out to roughly $522,000 U.S. greenbacks, and once you hear the noise this car makes you’ll feel a bit better about the pricetag. It also helps that Aston Martin and Zagato will only build 150 examples in total. Production is slated to start in the summer of 2012, which means we have an awful lot of lawns to mow to get ready.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato is modern mobile art

Lotus has continually stated that it has big plans for the future. One of those being a return to the rallying world, and it will do just that with the all-new Lotus Exige R-GT. Sitting on the Frankfurt floor, the R-GT evokes visions of classic rally cars while also providing a showcase of Lotus’ current and future styling.

The car will compete in the FIA R-GT class, and it tips the scales at 2,646 pounds. Some of that weight comes in the form of class-mandated underside and side protection for driver and passenger, as well as the steel rollcage.

The Exige R-GT is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine, which produces 302 horsepower. That energy is routed to the wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission. The engine is the same as the one found in the standard Exige, however 34-millimeter air restrictors have been put in place to control the power, as is required by the FIA rulebook for R-GT racing.

Lotus will first offer the Exige R-GT to motorsports customers rather than dive into rallying with its own factory team. Either way, we’re happy to see the Lotus name once again applied to a rally race car. Feel free to read the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Lotus Exige R-GT looks Group B fantastic for the modern era

Lotus Exige R-GT looks Group B fantastic for the modern era

The jump from teaser rendering to metal was kind to the new Audi A2 concept, which debuted in Frankfurt today. The sketch looked good, but the real thing is even better, with elegant lines that flow from the headlights and then around the side. Of course, we know that what’s really important here is the laser…

Audi acknowledges that the A2 is nothing more than a “concept technology study,” which meant that the designers were able to go a bit crazy with this all-electric vehicle. This includes a built-in internet connection, steering and braking by-wire systems and, yes, a rear fog light laser that projects a warning triangle on mist behind the car when visibility is compromised.

Anyone who knows a little something about electric vehicles will tell you that for Audi to pack a 31-kWh lithium-ion battery into a car that weighs just 1,150 kilograms (2,535 lb), some sort of wizardry needed to happen. Sure, only 24 kWh of the pack is usable to give the car a claimed range of 200 km (124 miles) on the European driving cycle, but 31 kWh is a heavy pack.

To take weight out of the rest of the car, Audi uses tricks like “cladding technology” to make the 18-inch wheels, dispensed with hinges for the non-existent hood and put lightweight graphite foam cooling elements behind the grille. The full details are available in the press release after the jump, but the takeaway points remain: laser, lightweight and li-ion. We fear how much this would cost if it were to ever go on sale.

Continue reading Audi A2 Concept is an utterly fantastical electric car, with lasers

Audi A2 Concept is an utterly fantastical electric car, with lasers

Lexus design has never been very flashy, and many might say (including us) the automaker’s entire current lineup is a bit bland-looking (LFA supercar excepted, natch). But that visual conservatism may be about to change: Automotive News is reporting that the Japanese juggernaut plans to change that by taking more risks and striving for more character.

Toyota Design Chief Tokuo Fukuichi tells AN that the brand will build on the design language first introduced in the HS 250h and refined in the GS, but with more emphasis on the fighter jet-inspired grille. Lexus says the eye-catching grille draws from the hourglass shape of a spindle, but it’s more than just an expressive face. Fukuichi adds “The spindle grille is not just a design matter; it also has to have a good functional performance in bringing in air.”

In short, Lexus is looking to push itself to create more dynamic new models, even if some models don’t exactly come off as focus-group friendly. We’re all for a sexier Lexus with a personality implant, but a new grille won’t be all that’s needed. Only time will tell if Toyota’s premium marque can shed its conservative tendencies and come up with something more dynamic that still sells.

Lexus vows bolder design, won’t “always stay in the middle of mainstream”

The black-and-white Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition is a lump of two-wheeled mean that takes cues from both the bikemaker and tuning house. The five-spoke wheels are derived from AMG, as well the aluminium radiator grilles, exhaust and Alcantara seat. What’s more, the Desmodromic cam-timing system is set by hand and signed by the responsible engine technician, just as an AMG engine is built and signed by one man.

During a roundtable discussion, Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio said each bike would be numbered and the model would be a limited edition, but he didn’t indicate how limited. It has already been priced in Europe at €26,000 to €27,000. It doesn’t have a U.S price yet, but will be presented to dealers in the U.S. later this year and is expected to go on sale in spring of 2012. Even if you can’t afford to buy it, you can’t certainly afford to ogle it in the gallery of high-res photos.

Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition

Ford Focus ST, Three-cylinder EcoBoost, Frankfurt anticipation, Jaguar C-X16

Episode #247 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week Chris and Dan are joined by Damon Lavrinc to talk about the Ford Focus ST, a three-cylinder EcoBoost, mull the excitement starting in Frankfurt and ogle the Jaguar C-X16. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #247:

• Ford Focus ST
• Three Cylinder EcoBoost
• Frankfurt anticipation
• Jaguar CX-16

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Ford F150 XLT 4X4 Supercab
Long-term MINI Countryman

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #247

Autoblog Podcast #247

Ford sure is packing a hot hatch punch here at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First came the production-ready Focus ST five-door and Europe-only ST wagon, then came the pint-sized Fiesta ST concept, and finally, the automaker unveiled the Focus ST-R – a turn-key racecar available to order through the Ford Racing catalog.

That’s right – you can order the full Focus ST-R package from the Ford Racing catalog, word that should come as welcome news to weekend racers around the world. Ford has prepped its new Focus for touring car racing, adding things like a FIA-spec rollcage and a full host of track car enhancements.

It may not be something you can drive day-in and day-out, but then again, that’s what the forthcoming street-legal ST is for.

Continue reading Ford Focus ST-R is ready for touring car battle

Ford Focus ST-R is ready for touring car battle

The original Acura NSX was an enthusiast’s dream car come true. It had supercar looks, a lightweight aluminum chassis and a big chunk of Honda engineering soul. Unfortunately, the original NSX went through life without many adjustments, and Honda’s supercar dream died quietly in 2005.

To be more accurate, the dream may only have been deferred, since Honda announced in 2008 that a next-generation NSX would arrive with a pavement-punishing V10 nestled under the hood of a far more contemporary shape. But just as we started to get our hopes up, the market for new premium sports coupes collapsed, and the NSX was shelved when it was reportedly very close to production-ready.

Rumors have persisted that the NSX was still under consideration for future production, and Autocar now claims that Honda President and CEO Takanobu Ito confirmed the speculation. Ito reportedly pointed out that the forthcoming NSX would focus on power-to-weight performance, adding “we don’t want to copy Ferrari for power, but to also chase efficiency as well.”

If a new NSX does see the light of day, we’re guessing Honda would need to improve upon the original’s 290 horsepower, but a 500-horsepower V10 is probably out of the picture, as are looks like the 2007 Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept shown here. Assuming that’s the case, we’d happily take a lower sticker price and curb weight in exchange.

Honda confirms NSX, again, again

Skoda has taken its place on the floor of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and Volkswagen’s Czech arm has brought a new concept sedan along for the ride. Called MissionL, the crisp but conservative Skoda four-door concept is an almost-ready peek at the upcoming production model.

The Skoda MissionL is expected to slot in the lineup between the Fabia and the Octavia, models North Americans know best Volkswagen Polo and Jetta derivatives. The automaker plans to launch its MissionL first in India, with units arriving there by the end of 2011. After that, Skoda will provide the MissionL to markets in Europe, Russia and China sometime in 2012.

Skoda is using the MissionL concept to provide hints at the styling direction for future Skoda models. These new models are stepping stones that the automaker will have to land on as it attempts to hit a heady 1.5 million global sales by the year 2018.

Continue reading Skoda MissionL concept provides glimpse at Czech automaker’s future

Skoda MissionL concept provides glimpse at Czech automaker’s future

The Audi Urban Concept came out from behind its many renderings today, and yes, it is just as funky in person. In fact, it might be more so – the renderings simply can’t prepare you for the soapbox-racer proportions of this dinky 1,000-pound open-wheeler. And even though there are but two seats, we’re still intrigued by the thought of gaining ingress through the back of the car.

Underneath the slight skin of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, two e-tron electric motors propel the 1+1 with ‘powerful’ acceleration, which is just what you’d expect from a motorized water strider.

Interestingly, Audi had promised us a hardtop version of the Urban Concept, the Sportback, but we’ve scoured the German automaker’s massive stand and have yet to find it. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and let you know if it shows up tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the flyweight Spyder in our gallery.

Continue reading Audi Urban Concept Spyder redefines “Like nothing else”

Audi Urban Concept Spyder redefines “Like nothing else”

The Infiniti FX has always been a bit of a wild child in the premium crossover segment. It has a polarizing exterior style, and it’s capable of reaching illegal speeds rather quickly. Infiniti has partnered up with Formula One racer Sebastian Vettel to make it even more extreme, and the result is the (rather blandly named) Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version.

What does it take for a F1 star to apply his moniker to anything other than a sports car? Money. Serious upgrades to the overall performance of the vehicle. Vettel worked with Infiniti engineers to transform the FX50 into a lower, sleeker machine. The vehicle sits 20 millimeters lower and wears aero bits that help improve its coefficient of drag by 30 percent.

Those changes are rather welcome because Vettel wanted the FX bearing his name to hit a pretty impressive speed target. The goal was 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour), and this Infiniti FX Vettel Version is capable of achieving that mark.

Engineers were able to squeeze an additional 30 horsepower out of the 5.0-liter V8, bringing total output up to 414 horses. This was done by way of a new exhaust system and reflashing the the engine’s computer. Still, 186 mph is a tough task for a bulky vehicle like the FX, so taller gearing was called for. Despite this, Infiniti says the Vettel FX manages to run from 0-60 miles per hour quicker than the standard FX50.

For the moment, the special FX is considered a concept car, though the rumormill has suggested for some time that Infiniti is working toward premium performance models with their cohorts from Red Bull Racing, so a production derivative isn’t entirely out of the question. Read more about the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version by checking out the full press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version unveiled by… Sebastian Vettel

Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version unveiled by… Sebastian Vettel

The 2012 Honda Civic has long since made its American debut, and we’ve scored seat time in a variety of versions. Our Civic is different than the one our European friends get to drive, however, and the updated Euro-market Honda Civic has been revealed to the awaiting crowds at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Differences between the U.S. and European Civic models become immediately apparent with just a quick glance. The face of the European car is much more assertive than the North American variety. Fender flares are more pronounced, and the entire exterior package looks far more sporty than the version we can buy here.

European customers will have a choice between three engine options; a 1.4-liter or 1.8-liter gasoline four-cylinder, or a 2.2-liter diesel unit. All three are available with a six-speed manual transmission and the 1.8-liter is also available with a specially prepared five-speed gearbox. The aforementioned diesel engine is good for 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

Read the full press release posted after the jump to learn more about the car your European counterparts will have the chance to buy.

Continue reading 2012 Euro Honda Civic is more hatch hotness we won’t get

2012 Euro Honda Civic is more hatch hotness we won’t get

Combining performance, luxury, style, utility and economy with an enduring concern for the sustainable use of resources, the Fisker Surf is a treehugger’s dream machine. That basically sums up the Fisker’s station wagon, which was unveiled today at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Surf is Fisker’s vision of a plug-in hybrid that slots in between a sedan and crossover and shows how Fisker is expected to expand on it its Karma platform with additional models that fill a niche.

If you see a bit of Ferrari FF in the Surf, that’s apparently intentional, as Fisker execs have already been quoted as saying, “The shape is a bit like a Ferrari FF. But with four doors!” And, as Fisker says, the Surf will check in at around one-third the price of Ferrari’s shooting brake. Neat as it is, we don’t see a lot of cross-shopping going on here, do you?

Despite increased quantities of glass and bodywork, Fisker says the Surf weighs just 66 pounds more than the Karma sedan, but the real bonus comes in terms of cargo space, which grows from inadequate to almost acceptable. Fisker says the Surf will launch in 2013 and we’re guessing that its price tag will be a bit above $100,000.

In other news, Fisker has confirmed a new partner in wheelmakers Claus Ettensberger Corporation, who will provide various alloy wheel patterns and “aerodynamic components” as optional extras for the Karma’s newly formed Reserve program.

Check out live pics of the Surf in our high-res gallery as well as the press release after the jump, then let us know what you think of Fisker’s latest in Comments.

Continue reading Fisker Surf concept is plug-in family-minded luxury

Fisker Surf concept is plug-in family-minded luxury

Lotus may have gone off the reservation with its plan to be all things to all people (again), but at least a few engineers back in Hethel still seem to have their heads on straight. And here’s proof.

The next generation Exige gets a reworked body and tweaked interior, but the real news is under the clamshell. Lotus has pulled the 3.5-liter, supercharged V6 from the Evora S and slotted it into the back of the Exige S to create a 2,380-pound, 346-horsepower track sled designed and engineered to be, in the words of CEO Dany Bahar, “the ultimate Lotus experience.”

Although the 200-plus pound weight increase isn’t something Lotus founder Colin Chapman could get behind, the performance should be more than enough to make even hardened Lotus aficionados temporarily forget the “add lightness” edict.

Specially-developed Pirelli P-Zero Corsas are fitted at all four corners, while the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) system allows drivers to switch between Touring, Sport and DPM Off traction control modes. Option up for the Race Pack, and “Race” is included in the settings, along with Launch Control and a reworked suspension.

Two interior packages – Premium and Premium Sport – will be offered when the Exige S goes on sale next year, but Lotus isn’t giving out performance figures just yet. But considering the current Exige S does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, it’s safe to assume the added grunt will bring that figure down deep into the threes, and have the handling chops to match. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Lotus Exige S gets supercharged six and pays the price in pounds

2012 Lotus Exige S gets supercharged six and pays the price in pounds

The Hyundai i30 isn’t just any ordinary Euro-market compact hatchback. Flash back to 2009 and remember that the i30 was brought over to the United States as the Elantra Touring, and while it didn’t make an enormous splash, Hyundai officials tell us they are still committed to offering the Touring model here in the States. And with a stylish new i30 ready for the importing, the rakish Elantra sedan will now have an attractive five-door counterpart to do battle with the Ford Focus and Mazda3.

Up until now, the rear end of the i30 had been a mystery, and now that we’ve given the car a full walk-around, we’re quite happy with the way Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language has been presented on this hatchback. The rear fascia gets the same sort of mildly aggressive look as the front, and the whole package looks nicely rounded-out. See for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery, and look for the i30 to head Stateside before you know it.

Continue reading 2012 Hyundai i30 says, “Call me Elantra Touring”

2012 Hyundai i30 says, “Call me Elantra Touring”