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Volkswagen is eager to show off its new Up! range, so the automaker didn’t bring one version of the compact to the Frankfurt Motor Show – it brought six. The Up! platform is clearly a versatile one, and all six Up! concepts on display attest to that fact. Volkswagen has an Up! for people who enjoy a day spent sailing on the water to those who prefer their adventures to be of the urban variety.

The six concept Up! varieties are the Buggy Up! (shown above), Up! Azzurra, Cross Up!, GT Up!, Eco Up! and e-Up! The Buggy and Azzurra are designed for those who want to get close to the ocean. The Buggy is clearly a modern take on the classic VW-based kit cars from the 1960s. It’s a modern Meyers Manx, or perhaps a riff on the old VW Thing. The Azzurra, on the other hand, also likes the beach but prefers to stay dockside while its occupants take to the sea. Penned by Italian designers Giorgetto Giugiaro and VW design boss Walter de Silva, the Up! Azzurra is a roofless, doorless summer time cruiser that’s the perfect land toy for boat lovers.

Volkswagen couldn’t go completely doorless with the Up! family, so a few had to cover up will remaining fun. The Cross Up! is a four-door example that applies lifted CUV dynamics to the Up! platform. Those seeking a more enthusiastic driving experience should turn their attention to the GT Up! concept. VW estimates it can push the standard 74-horsepower Up! engine to produce 100 horses for the GT version. Add in the 17-inch wheels, rear spoiler and upgraded exhaust, and you have a sporty Up! designed to add a thrill to your morning commute.

Since the Up! is an affordable compact designed for life in the city, you would expect Volkswagen to add a few versions that up the green quotient. The automaker has done just that with the e-Up! and Eco Up! The “e” in the name of the former alludes to the fact that this vehicle is an all-electric city car with no emissions spewing out the back. Power is provided by an 18 kWh battery pack, which will allow the e Up! to go 80 miles on a single charge. The Eco Up! needs fuel to get going, but it eschews traditional gasoline for natural gas, a start/stop system and brake regeneration. A 1-liter three-cylinder engine produces 67 horsepower and, when coupled with the BlueMotion start/stop system, achieves a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.5kg/100km.

Check out the entire Up! family by clicking through the gallery and checking out VW’s first Up! promo video after the jump. We would join you, but we have to go find a replacement for our failing exclamation point key.

Continue reading Volkswagen on the rise with a variety of Up! concepts [w/video]

Volkswagen on the rise with a variety of Up! concepts [w/video]

Proving yet again that there’s simply nothing in the automotive world that comedian, late night talk show host and genuinely nice guy Jay Leno can’t get his hands on is the video you’ll see after the break.

This week, Jay welcomes Horatio Pagani into his garage, and the man who heads his own eponymous automaker brought along a brand spankin’ new Huayra for show-and-tell. Perhaps best of all (since we obviously didn’t get to drive it ourselves), we now know the proper way to say Huayra: Why-ra.

Pagani tells us that, while the Zonda was inspired by Le Mans racing cars, the Huayra draws its inspiration from the moment an aircraft leaves the tarmac and begins to take flight. We have to admit, from the way the doors open like the portal into an aircraft to the wing-like splitters at the rear and the airfoil-shaped side mirrors, we can see clear evidence of aeronautical design in the Huayra.

That said, it’s impossible to truly appreciate how special this latest Pagani is until you gaze upon its exquisitely crafted interior. Leather, bare aluminum and carbon fiber surround the driver and passenger in what we think may be the most impressive single element of the Huayra’s look and feel. Well, that and those amazing wheel hubs. Oh, and the sound it makes when the turbochargers kick in. Guess the entire thing is pretty impressive, eh?

Do yourself a favor and watch the entire video after the break, it’s worth it.

Continue reading Jay Leno’s Garage welcomes Pagani Huayra and Pagani himself

Jay Leno’s Garage welcomes Pagani Huayra and Pagani himself

We like the new 2012 Porsche 911 so much that we thought, heck, why not show it to you twice. This time, however, we bring you the more powerful 911 Carrera S from the floor of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s the more powerful sibling to the standard 911, and a German sports car that we’re eager to get some seat time in.

Buried in the tail is a 3.8-liter flat-six engine that produces 400 horsepower, and can be paired with either a PDK or the new seven-speed manual gearbox. A 911 Carrera S equipped with the auto-shifting unit can run from 0-62 miles per hour in just 4.3 seconds. If you opt for the Sport Plus package, that time drops to just 4.1 seconds. Seeing as this is a Porsche, the Sport Plus package is just one of many things you will be opting for.

Regardless, the new 911, while looking similar to all past examples, offers subtle styling cues that reveal it as the latest member of an iconic family. The wheelbase is 100 millimeters longer and the height of the car has been reduced. Both of these factors give the 2012 911 Carrera S a slightly sleeker profile.

Are you in the market for the latest 911? You’ll need at least $96,400 to put a Carrera S in your driveway. That’s $13,771.43 per gear.

Continue reading 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S is seven shades of awesome [w/video]

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S is seven shades of awesome [w/video]

Not as easily spotted as its Spyder relative, the Audi Urban Concept Sportback more closely matches the renderings we saw before the start of the Frankfurt Motor Show. That’s not to say we were totally prepared for the quirkiness of either version, but at least the Sportback’s carbon fiber reinforced plastic body was somewhat known to us.

Under the CFRP, the Sportback and Spyder share the same all-electric powertrain. That means two electric motors with a combined output of 15 kW (20 PS) of continuous power and 47 Nm (34.67 lb-ft) of torque as well as a li-ion battery that has 7.1 kWh of usable energy (total size unknown) and offers a range of 45 miles. Getting from zero to 62 mph (the concept’s top speed) takes a gentle 16.9 seconds, which would be fine if Audi ever releases this vehicle for sale in its intended environment: the city.

Perhaps even more appropriate for a city getabout, the battery pack can recharge in just an hour from a standard (in Europe) 230-volt household current. If you have access to a 400-volt, three-phase current fast charger, that drops to approximately 20 minutes. Both concept vehicles are also ready with Audi Wireless Charging (AWC) technology, which uses contactless induction from a 3.6kW primary coil installed into a parking spot, say, to automatically start refilling the battery pack when you pull the car into place. Audi didn’t say how long this wireless charging takes, just that it “is comparable to that of other charging technologies.”

Get more details on Audi’s new 1+1 seater in the press release after the jump and check out detailed pictures in the gallery above.

Continue reading Audi Urban Concept Sportback ready for wireless charging in the city

Audi Urban Concept Sportback ready for wireless charging in the city

A more engaging driving experience should always be considered a wonderful thing, and it’s clear from the Astra GTC that Opel agrees. The compact hatchback has its sights set squarely on the Volkswagen Scirocco, and it’s clear the two cars share a common design ideology. Low and sleek, the Astra GTC has been styled to provide enthusiasts with a sneak peek of the driving experience waiting once they strap in behind the wheel.

The key to getting the Opel Astra GTC to play nice with twisty roads lies in the changes made beneath the car’s skin. General Motors engineers took the HiPerStrut setup from the front suspension of an Opel Insignia OPC and applied them to the Astra. Opel says this upgrade reduces the amount of unwanted front-tire movement felt during cornering and other high-grip situations.

Out back, the Opel Astra GTC gets more suspension-related attention. The Watt’s link rear setup now sports revised roll-stiffness and a lower roll-center height to keep things more composed. Additionally, the entire three-door compact was 15 millimeters compared to the standard Astra, and the wheelbase and front and rear tracks have grown as well.

Opel has plied a lot of handling know-how and upgraded styling into its Astra to turn it into the Astra GTC. If you like what you see, keep your fingers crossed. Rumor has it that General Motors could bring the Astra GTC stateside as a more entertaining brother for the Buick Verano. A convertible version is reportedly also in the works. Want to learn more? Check out the video after the jump and the official release.

Continue reading 2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]

2012 Opel Astra GTC gives us Buick-tinted hope for the future [w/video]

There were a lot of things to love about the 4C Concept when Alfa Romeo unveiled it – now half a year ago – at the Geneva Motor Show. And one of them was its finish: Decked out in matte red, it was both flashy and understated at the same time.

A tough act to follow, then, so we were a little apprehensive when Alfa announced that it would bring the pint-sized sportscar to its Frankfurt Motor Show stand, albeit in a different finish. But as we found on the show floor, the Milanese automaker didn’t pull out the vinyl or spray it with just any color out of the Pantone swatch book.

Instead Alfa has given it a “fluid metal” finish (similar to the Alubeam finish on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG) that looks like what ordinary metalwork dreams about when its on vacation – neither polished nor brushed, neither chromed nor varnished. Just bare metal, only nicer. See what we mean in the gallery of live images from the show floor.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept bares its metal in fluid redux

Despite the on-again, off-again rumors about its potential voyage to the United States, the Suzuki Swift still remains a tasty piece of forbidden fruit. A shame, too, especially since this new Sport version sounds like it’d be quite the enjoyable steer.

The Swift Sport was first previewed by the S-Concept that debuted back in Geneva, but now packs 134 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque routed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Those aren’t earth-shattering numbers, but in a vehicle this tiny (and lightweight), we imagine it to be pretty engaging from behind the wheel. Think Mazda2, but more powerful.

Other enhancements to the Swift Sport include a stiffer suspension and more aggressive stance, rounded out by a handsome set of 17-inch wheels. All in, we’d gladly throw the Sport around an autocross course or some curvy canyons… if it ever comes to the U.S.

2012 Suzuki Swift Sport sure looks like fun… for someone else

The thing about scorpions is that they pack a mean wallop in a small package. And the same can be said of the auto marque that hoists the scorpion as its emblem. As promised, Abarth rolled into the Frankfurt Motor Show three cars deep. Or three new versions of their existing lineup, which is essentially centered around two cars, anyway.

Replacing the sold-out 695 Tributo Ferrari is the new 695 Competizione. Based on the 500 hatchback, it’s essentially the same as the Maranello homage, only it replaces the former’s striped bright paint and Prancing Horse emblems with a slick matte finish. The 500 Cabrio Italia, meanwhile, celebrates 150 years of Italian unification with a special package that encompasses Abu Dhabi blue paint (huh?), tan leather, folding roof panel and 160-horsepower turbo four. Finally, the new SuperSport is based on the Punto decked out in pale gray with matte black stripes, 18-inch alloys, 180-horsepower engine and Koni suspension.

Each one is a little bit of awesome in its own right, so check ‘em out in our high-res image galleries live from the show floor. Just watch your step… lest you get stung.

Abarth brings out trio of special scorpions

At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota peeled back the sheets to finally reveal its 2012 Prius Plug-in production model.

Toyota describes the plug-in hybrid as the “greenest, most technically advanced Prius yet,” and with an electric-only driving range of 14.3 miles, fuel consumption targeted at 112 miles per gallon equivalent and CO2 emissions listed at 49 grams per kilometer, we’re inclined to agree with the Japanese automaker’s bluster.

Unlike currently available Prius hatchbacks, the plug-in version is rechargeable using an electrical connection, rather than only from electricity generated while the vehicle is in motion. Toyota says that after the Prius Plug-in’s 4.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is depleted, the vehicle seamlessly switches to hybrid mode. The Prius Plug-in can be fully recharged in less than 1.5 hours.

On the performance front, the plug-in Prius cranks out 134 horsepower, which Toyota says is sufficient to propel the hybrid hatch from nought to 62 miles per hour in a leisurely 10.7 seconds and onward to a top speed of 112 mph.

Toyota says sales of the Prius Plug-in will start in early 2012 – mainly in Japan, the U.S and Europe – and anticipates annual volume of 50,000 units. The Japanese automaker has yet to announce pricing for the 2012 plug-in, but some reports claim the automaker is targeting a sub-$30,000 price tag.

Hit the jump to read Toyota’s zillion-word release detailing the world’s most technically advanced Prius and be sure to check out our live shots from Frankfurt in the high-res image gallery.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid returns 112 MPGe

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid returns 112 MPGe

Here’s the thing about the Audi A8 lineup: When you reach above the standard and long-wheelbase 4.2-liter car, you have choices. You can go up to the glorious $133,500 A8L W12, or you can choose a more enthusiast-minded route – the S8.

You see, while the A8L W12 may produce 500 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque from its 6.3-liter 12-cylinder engine, the S8 uses a pair of turbos mated to the company’s new 4.0-liter V8 to pump out an impressive 520 hp and 479 lb-ft. That means the absolutely massive all-wheel-drive sedan can sprint to 62 miles per hour in a scant 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited, of course).

We’re sure the 6.3-liter W12 is a lovely engine, but in this day and age, turbochargers are an increasingly fitting replacement for displacement – especially when you can still have enjoy a throaty V8 snarl. Have a look at the S8 in our high-res image gallery above, then watch (and hear) Audi’s big daddy hustle around the track in the videos after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Audi S8 suggests eight is more than twelve [w/video]

2012 Audi S8 suggests eight is more than twelve [w/video]

For a while there, we were worried that inane unboxing videos were going to completely take over the internet. Thankfully, that eventuality has not come to pass… but there’s still the occasional product so looked-forward-to, so unbelievably awesome, that its very first reveal into the world simply must be shared.

You know, like the 2012 Toyota Yaris.

Uh-huh. As you’ll see, the latest Yaris comes tightly packed in multiple protective containers, and there’s an appropriately huge user’s manual to go along with it. We’re especially fond of the honkable horn and the burrito-sized glove box. You just never know when you need an extra burrito…

Check out the complete unboxing video from Toyota after the break. Oh, and be sure to discard that gigantic silica pack… those things aren’t safe for consumption.

Continue reading How to unbox the 2012 Toyota Yaris

How to unbox the 2012 Toyota Yaris

When one of Volkswagen’s higher-end marques unveils a new version of one of its core products, you know one thing for certain: the debut is just the beginning. Because after the first new version rolls out, there will be a veritable landslide of variants to follow.

That’s the case with the Porsche 911, that’s the case with the Lamborghini Gallardo and that’s certainly the case with the Bentley Continental. The GT coupe was the first to be updated, the Flying Spur sedan is sure to follow in due course, and we can presume to see Speed and even Supersport versions as well. But before they come along, the Crewe has official lifted the veil on the GTC drophead.

The convertible model follows the lead of the updated Continental GT, only with a folding fabric roof. That gives the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 and all its 567 horsepower ample opportunity to fill the cabin with its silken rumble and gracefully tousle the hair of its occupants.

We’ll be driving the new model within a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, this is our first look, so check it out from the Volkswagen Group pavilion here in Frankfurt in our gallery, or watch some B-roll after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Bentley Continental GTC wafts onto stage [w/video]

2012 Bentley Continental GTC wafts onto stage [w/video]

Lotus has been teasing a tuned-up Evora for a few months now, as rumors flew that the automaker was planning a hardcore version for the street. Finally, however, the rumors have all been confirmed as Lotus pulls back the wraps on the production Evora GTE Road Car. This is similar to the white and gray concept concept car we saw in Monterey, except the car now wears a matte yellow paint scheme, different wheels and a glossy carbon fiber lid.

Lotus says this Evora GTE Road Car is the automaker’s most powerful production vehicle to date. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 434 horsepower, which is transferred to the forged alloy wheels by way of an automated manual gearbox.

Originally, the Evora GTE was planned as a China-only special edition. The original allotment sold quickly, though, so Lotus has apparently decided to expand production and bring the GTE to a greater number of markets.

Continue reading Lotus Evora GTE is a refined racer for the road

Lotus Evora GTE is a refined racer for the road

The smallest roadster in the automaker’s lineup is all-new for 2012, and hardly in need of more power, but that hasn’t stopped Mercedes-Benz from shoehorning its AMG-tuned 5.5-liter V8 under the hood. The naturally-aspirated M152 engine, featuring direct injection, is rated at 415 horsepower at 6,800 rpm with 398 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. The standard gearbox is AMG’s Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic with three electronic modes. Rev-matching on downshifts is also standard. According to Benz, the two-seat SLK55 AMG will launch itself to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

As expected, the range-topping SLK arrives with AMG sports suspension with Direct-Steer system, Torque Vectoring Brakes and three-stage ESP. The AMG high-performance braking system includes four-piston front calipers and drilled rotors at each corner.

In addition to the standard upscale SLK equipment, including a power-operated retractable hard top with available Magic Sky Control sunroof panel, the AMG is visually differentiated by its SLS AMG-inspired bodywork and aerodynamics package. The cabin also gets the full AMG treatment, with unique cosmetics and upholstery designed to match the performance.

The 2012 SLK55 AMG won’t arrive in U.S. showrooms until early 2012, but we say get your deposit in early. Pull up a chair, get comfortable, and watch (and hear) the SLK55 AMG in motion in the video after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will seriously tatter your toupee [w/video]

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG will seriously tatter your toupee [w/video]

Apparently, even with a proven script, replicating the success of the most beloved automotive show on television isn’t as easy as it sounds. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian version of Top Gear has been canceled.

After the initial report, host Steve Pizzati sent out a confirmation via Twitter stating the following:

It’s true – as of next week, TGA will be on at the special time of not at all. Sorry to the open-minded people that gave it a go and enjoyed!

For those keeping track, Top Gear in the Land of Oz lasted for four seasons spread over two different networks before finally succumbing to poor ratings. There were also six separate presenters used over different time frames, along, of course, with The Stig.

We can’t say that we ever really watched the show, but we’re sure at least a few Aussies will miss it. Here’s hoping the U.S. version of the series finds enough enough homes to avoid the same fate.

Top Gear Australia cancelled

Spanish automaker Seat has chosen the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show as the venue where its future styling direction will be shared with the world. The vehicle upon which these styling cues have been implemented is called the Seat IBL Concept, and it’s a modern minimalist language that incorporates lines familiar to the automaker in a forward-looking (if conservative) way.

The IBL is the latest in a line of Seat concepts car shown to the world, starting with the IBE concept shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The automaker feels that the IBL represents a blend of sedan and coupe appeal through the combination of its spacious interior and sporty exterior appearance. We feel that the anything with four doors is a sedan, plain and simple. Still, that doesn’t mean a sedan can’t have strongly styled lines that work to evoke the mental notes of a coupe.

Despite our issues with automaker jargon, we think the IBL provides a touch of subtle muscle with its pushed out wheel arches and strong shoulder line. The lower fascia is aggressively angled to mimic the powerful tone, and the fascia lines are nicely complemented by the angular LED headlamps and daytime running lights.

Seat has paid serious attention to the interior details of the IBL, too. A one-piece glass cover sits over the instrument panel, and the digital driver’s display is programmable, and it can be switched to show an analog or digital readout. Two touch pads on the steering wheel allow the driver to control the features of the infotainment system, while the central display offers up navigation views sourced from Google Earth and real-time traffic information. Check out the gallery, then watch a video of the concept’s live unveiling in Frankfurt after the jump.

Continue reading Seat IBL Concept is a glimpse into the automaker’s future [w/video]

Seat IBL Concept is a glimpse into the automaker’s future [w/video]

When was the last time a high profile police chase caught by television cameras ended with the driver getting away? Thankfully, we can’t think of any examples, but most bad guys don’t have a stolen Porsche Boxster at their disposal. A 23-year-old on Australia’s Gold Coast had just such an escape vehicle, and a TV news helicopter caught all the drama from 1,500 feet above the ground.

Hit the jump to watch a humdinger of a police chase. It should come as a surprise to nobody that the alleged thief was caught by police, but only after the bright yellow Boxster’s right front wheel was ripped off and fire shot out of the exhaust. Heck, even after the Boxster was rendered unusable, the young man jumped out of the Porsche, took off on foot, got chased by dogs, stole an SUV and knocked over a tree before finally getting caught. Eat your heart out, O.J.

Continue reading Porsche thief leads Aussie cops on crazy car chase

Porsche thief leads Aussie cops on crazy car chase

Toyota has pulled back the sheets on its 2012 Avensis here in Frankfurt, and we’re a bit impressed with the shape of this sedan. The Avensis is essentially Europe’s Camry, but under the skin, it’s very different, as it actually rides on a platform it shares with the Scion tC. In this case, the new Avensis can be had in either sedan or wagon bodystyles.

Up front, the Avensis gets a revised face that includes a reworked grille and stretched-out headlamps. Under the puffed-up fenders, buyers can opt for either 16-inch steel wheels with covers or 17-inch alloy rollers. Toyota will also offer additional 17 and 18-inch styles featuring a darker finish.

Inside, the cabin of the new Avensis has been updated with the automaker’s optional Touch and Go Plus infotainment system. This unit incorporates an 11-speaker audio system, 3D landmarks and city models for the nav system, email, calendar support and advanced voice recognition and audio search capabilities.

The 2012 Toyota Avensis will be offered with a choice between three four-cylinder engines:A 2.0-liter turbodiesel, 2.2-liter diesel or a 1.8-liter gasoline powerplant. All three come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but the 2.2-liter diesel has the option of a six-speed automatic while the other two can be equipped with a CVT. Check out our gallery and then move past the jump for an official video and press release.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Avensis is a Japanese people’s car for the European masses [w/video]

2012 Toyota Avensis is a Japanese people’s car for the European masses [w/video]

Under design guru Gilles Vidal, Peugeot is starting to show off its an adventurous maturity, as seen in the HX1 six-seat concept revealed today at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Powered by the Peugeot’s through-the-road HYbrid4 technology and using a 2.2-liter HDi diesel instead of the automaker’s 2.0-liter oil burner, the HX1 combines good power – 299 bhp – with astonishingly low fuel consumption of 73.5 miles per gallon equivalent (U.S.) and CO2 emissions of only 83 grams per kilometer. And with its plug-in capability, Peugeot says the HX1 features a useful electric-only range of 18.6 miles.

Design-wise, the HX1 concept features a windscreen pulled so far to the front that it’s more “cab-in-the-next-country” than “cab forward.” Add in a quartet of unusual scissor doors and the HX1 takes most elements that make up a typical MPV and, well, reinvents them.

What’s truly ingenious in the HX1 are its second-row seats, which literally pull right out of the back side of the front seats.

Outside, trick aerodynamic elements deploy at speed, off the rear of the HX1 and from the wheels. Follow the jump for more details on the HX1 including a video, then check out the concept’s wizardry in our high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Peugeot HX1 concept is one unusually sleek plug-in MPV [w/video]

Peugeot HX1 concept is one unusually sleek plug-in MPV [w/video]

What might the 2013 Lexus GS 450h add to the additional performance goodness delivered in the 2012 Lexus GS 350? More power and more fuel efficiency, for starters. The second-gen hybrid system boots out 338 total horsepower for a 5.6-second sprint to 60 mph. That’s 32 hp more than the GS 350 and a 0.1-second improvement on the stoplight run.

Fuel economy gets an “expected” 30 percent improvement – the quotes meaning the sedan’s fuel use hasn’t been officially certified, but anything in that ballpark will be a tremendous gain. If it’s a GS 350 with instant torque, that would be enough for us, but we’ll look forward to driving it soon and finding out ourselves. A press release lays out the particulars and our gallery of high-res photos shows them off.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus GS 450h does the electric slide

2013 Lexus GS 450h does the electric slide