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1967 L88 Corvette Convertible sells for record $3.2 million [w/video]

The values of collectibles are going up, particularly those of classic cars, the prices paid for which we've seen climb over the years to several millions of dollars, if not (much) more. While many of those high-priced classics have been of the European variety, this past Saturday's Mecum Dallas auction saw the sale of a L88-spec 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible for $3.2 million - a record as far as Corvettes are concerned.
Why so much green for a Corvette? The L88 option code, for all intents and purposes, turned the Corvette into a production racecar, giving it a race motor; heavy-duty transmission, suspension and power brakes; positraction differential and a "stinger" hood scoop. The 430-horsepower race motor (Chevrolet is said to have grossly understated output) required race fuel as indicated per a warning sticker stuck to the center console. On top of that, only 20 L88-equipped C2-generation Corvettes were produced in 1967, when the option was first introduced. The C3 generation came out for 1968, and about 200 C3 Corvettes had the L88 option until it was dropped from ordering forms after 1969.

2014 Peugeot 308 is a dandy Focus fighter from France

It's easy to focus all the attention on the Peugeot 308 R Concept, thanks to its two-tone paint job and 270-horsepower engine. For the more average European, though, we have the standard Peugeot 308. The cleanly styled, five-door is Peugeot's bread-and-butter offering, competing against the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and other C-segment cars.
Being a small hatch for the European market, the 308's engine lineup shouldn't be a shock. Besides the typical range of tiny (by American standards) gas and diesel engines, the 308 range will play host to a new, 1.2-liter, three-cylinder gas engine. Representing an emerging trend of ultra-small-displacement, turbocharged gas engines, Peugeot's two offerings, pack 110 and 130 horsepower, respectively. The engines are lighter, and naturally, more efficient than a four-cylinder with similar power, while boasting 45 percent more torque.
We've got a full lineup of live images of the new 308 from the Frankfurt show, along with a huge gallery of images and a video direct from Peugeot and a press release from the 308's initial debut back in May, down below.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid for fat cats frugal with fuel

Judging by how long we waited to get a clear shot of the Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid, you'd have thought hybrid cars were only driven by Terminators and that the technology arrived only 48 hours ago through a wormhole in the Mercedes stand. The newest member of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class hybrid band - joining the S400 Hybrid and S350 BlueTEC Hybrid, it hits notes like a 5.5-second sprint from standstill to 62 miles per hour, up to 19 miles of ion-powered running and uses three liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in Europe (78.41 mpg US, but our mpg test cycle is different than their mpg test cycle).
The lump up front is a turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6, the lump in back - note the reduction in trunk space - is a pack of lithium-ion batteries that juice an 80-kilowatt electric motor. Other than having four drive options for controlling electric drive and battery usage, it's all S-Class all the time, with leather-covered everything and those mountainous thrones that bring to mind words like "Archduke" and "Papal."
You'll find our hard-earned gallery from the Frankfurt Motor Show floor above, and more words of information in the press release below.

Renault kills the Wind

We wouldn't blame you if you never heard of it, but the Renault Wind was, in areas it was available, one of the more intriguing affordable convertibles on the market. It was based on the Twingo, but shared a couple of vital attributes with the Ferrari 575 Superamerica. One, of course, was the innovative Leonardo Fioravanti-designed flip-top roof. The other was its limited production numbers. But while Ferrari restricted production of the Maranello-based roadster, Renault had apparently hoped more people would buy the Wind. Having fallen short at that, the French automaker has reportedly killed off the quirky little roadster.
This after less than three years of production, which could be down (in part at least) to the minuscule four-cylinder engines it offered. Renault tried to give it a more sporty appearance with the Gordini edition, but despite the racing stripes, it didn't offer anything more in the performance department.
It will be interesting to see if Renault manages a more enticing convertible based on the next Twingo, whose rear-engined platform it's developing in tandem with Smart - which as we all know had a short-lived, high-on-bark/low-on-bite roadster of its own. Here's hoping the next generation has a bit more to offer.

2013 Nissan e-NV200 taxi will carry Catalunians quietly beginning next year

The Nissan e-NV200, currently in the final phases of testing with FedEx fleets in various countries, will be getting more demanding cargo next year in Barcelona when it goes into service as a taxi. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show by Carlos Ghosn and with the mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, in attendance, the e-NV200 is the van slightly reworked into a unique design and resting on a Leaf electric powertrain.
The NV200 van is built in Barcelona, and when the electric version goes into production there next year it will begin its public beta will as part of a set of initiatives the Spanish city has for zero-emissions transportation. Nissan will be helping with the build-out of infrastructure such as charging stations, while the city elders get to work on allocating privileges and special spaces for the e-NV200 taxi drivers.
After the Catalonian debut Nissan says the electric hauler will make its way to other parts of the world. Nothing's been said yet about whether it will join our combustion-engined NV200 taxis in New York. You can take a look at the fare-driven future in the high-res gallery above, and read more about it in the press release below.

Ecurie Ecosse vintage racing stable up for auction

Scotland may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of motor racing, but maybe it should be. Dario Franchitti, Jackie Stewart and Allan McNish - all of them three-time champions in their respective disciplines - hail from Scotland. But back in the 1950s and '60s, Ecurie Ecosse represented the country well in sportscar racing.
The team ran a variety of cars - most notable among them the Jaguar D-Type - in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, wearing the dark blue and white of the Scottish flag in what became an iconic livery. Ecurie Ecosse won at Le Mans twice in a row in 1956 and '57, the latter in a one-two finish. Not bad for a privateer, and it only goes to show how prominent the team was in its heyday. And now a whole garage full of its cars - restored classic transporter included - is up for auction.
The stunning collection includes a number of classic racing Jags: a 1952 XK120, '53 C-Type, '56 D-Type and '59 Tojeiro-Jaguar. There's also a 1960 Cooper T49, '61 Austin-Healey, '62 Tojeiro-Buick and that iconic transporter, a 1959 Commer that can carry three cars and packs an onboard workshop.

Mansory La Revoluzione shows at least a little restraint

Mansory has, yet again, taken a supercar and turned the dial up to 11. Or maybe 12 or 13. This time the base car is none other than the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, a V12-powered GT car. Compared to Mansory's previous Ferrari GT-based creation, the Rambo-inspired Stallone that had used both the 599 and 612 as its base, the new La Revoluzione is a welcome departure.
While the Revoluzione isn't what we'd call subtle, especially from the very front- and rear-most views, we appreciate the small amount of restraint Mansory showed when styling this deep red carbon fiber-bodied car, at least on the outside. As you can see in our image gallery above, the interior of this creation is quite loud and perhaps a little bit obnoxious.
We can't argue with the results seen underhood - claimed horsepower sits at over 1,200 from a twin-turbo 6.3-liter V12 engine. That many ponies pays the expected dividends in performance, with a 0-62 run of 2.9 seconds and a top speed listed at 230 miles per hour. See it yourself in our high-res image gallery above.

Fiat Freemont Black Code is about as Italian as apple pie

We're going to go ahead and give the marketing wizards at Fiat the benefit of the doubt, and say that they didn't have some regrettable American history in mind when they dubbed the latest iteration of the Dodge Journey Fiat Freemont "Black Code." Suffice it to say that such a special edition sobriquet wouldn't fly here in The States.
Risqué names or no, Fiat claims that the Freemont has been somewhat of a hit in Italy to date, with the automaker telling us that the crossover has led it's segment in the country for two years running now. The Black Code looks to build on that success by adding a top trim level to the basic formula.
The Black Code has got plenty of black accents, don't you worry; the CUV boasts new noir on the front grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, mirror covers and headlight frames. Standard three-zone climate control, heated leather seating, parking sensors and a navigation system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen highlight the list of standard features.

2014 Citro"en C4 Picasso proves MPVs can be beautiful

Jelly-bean shape aside, the Citroën C4 Picasso is one people mover we wouldn't be ashamed to drive. It looks like a concept car, except it isn't - it's just a five-passenger MPV that's meant to get a family about as quickly and comfortably as possible. The stylish new Picasso first arrived in April, representing the second generation of the French MPV, and packing a range of small four-cylinder gas and diesel engines. We won't dig into all six engines, but we can promise you this: there's not a hot version of this Citroën.
With it being shown on the Frankfurt show floor, these photos represent the first live look we've had at the C4 Picasso since it arrived at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as the Technospace Concept. The production form has largely stayed true to the concept's sleek, stylish design. The C4 is far more successful at the twin headlight design that Jeep is trying to make work, while the aerodynamic figure is as flattering as a little, black dress.
The C4 Picasso has just the sort of design flair that we appreciate about French cars, and is one of the big reasons we wouldn't mind seeing them on US roads. Take a look up top for a full gallery of live images from Frankfurt, and then scroll down below for the gallery provided by Citroën, along with a press release and a video staring the new C4 Picasso.

Citro"en WTCC C-Elysee Racecar leaves the dirt behind

On top of the funktastic Cactus Concept, Citroën showed its new C-Elysée racecar, which will campaign the World Touring Car Championship with Sebastian Loeb and Yvan Muller at the helm. The C-Elysée racer debuted back in July packing a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four with 380 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
We stopped to take a few snaps of the new WTCC challenger while making our rounds on the Frankfurt show floor. Take a look up top for the live gallery, and then scroll down for the press release and stock imagery. You can also click over to our full coverage of the C-Elysée WTCC from July.

2013 Fiat Panda Antartica is crossover dressed as a penguin in a tuxedo [w/video]

If the results of our totally informal, completely unscientific poll are anything to go by, Americans are eager to get their hands on small utility vehicles like the Fiat Panda. And it's easy to see why - accessibility, relatively low price and 4x4 capability are traits that ought to work in America just as in the rest of the world. Indeed, Fiat has sold 500,000 or so Panda models over the past 30 years all across Europe.
Based on the Panda 4x4 Rock and updated with a special white, black and orange color scheme (called a tuxedo and inspired by a Penguin, apparently), fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels, the Panda Antartica will soon hit European dealerships in limited quantities powered by either an 85-horsepower 900cc TwinAir engine or a 75-hp 1.3-liter diesel.
Take a look at it in our high-res gallery above, and be sure to scroll down below for a press release and the complete Fiat press conference from Frankfurt on video.

2014 Renault M'egane gets a nose job [w/video]

The 2014 Renualt Mégane is on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, flaunting its nose job as the latest vehicle in Renault's lineup updated to reflect new brand styling, which can be seen in cars such as the Clio and Twingo. All versions of the Mégane are receiving the new, bigger grille with gloss-black vent slats and a bigger Renault logo: Hatch (pictured), Sport Tourer, Coupé, Renaultsport and GT models. Pretty soon all Renaults will adopt similar front-end styling cues.
The Hatch, Sport Tourer and Coupé will share front bumpers, hoods and new elliptical headlights with daytime running lights that stretch around the side of the car, though Renault says they'll maintain unique identities. The Renaultsport and GT versions will get new headlights with gloss-black "eyelids," according to a previous press release, but it's not mentioned if they will share any other parts.
The Mégane also is now available with a dual-clutch automatic transmission if paired with the TCe 130 petrol engine, which Renault says has been tuned to have faster throttle response by upgrading engine and transmission control software.

2013 Hyundai i10 gets Frankfurt showing, official engine lineup [w/videos]

Hyundai strutted its tiny but fashionable i10 onto the Frankfurt floor today, showing off the new, second-generation city car to the assembled media. The i10 was originally unveiled in August, although at the time, we didn't have much info on powertrains or other items.
Europe, where the i10 will be sold, gets a pair of gas-powered engines from Hyundai's Kappa family, displacing 998cc and 1.25 liters, respectively. The smaller, three-cylinder engine is limited to just 65 horsepower and 69 pound-feet of torque. It's also available with an LPG option, which adds one hp at the cost of three lb-ft of torque. Opt for the 1.25-liter, four-cylinder mill and you'll get a positively reckless 85 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are available with the driver's choice of a five-speed stick or a four-speed automatic.
Lack of thrust aside, can we all agree that the i10 is a sharp looking city car? It's compact dimensions belie a reasonable amount of cabin space, all in a wrapper of the stylish, fluid lines that Hyundai is known for. We'd argue it looks even better in these pictures than it did the first time we saw it. Hop up top for our live images from Frankfurt, or scroll down to the bottom for an official press release and images from Hyundai. The company's European arm as also assembled quite a number of Q&A style videos about the new car, for your edification.

Peugeot RCZ R brings more than just an extra consonant to Frankfurt [w/video]

Peugeot, being a French company, is a bit weird. Take the RCZ coupe, for example. It's a car that's as subtly handsome as an Audi TT, with a certain slickness that only French cars can pull off. Still, it's never been an outstanding performer, resting more or less as a style icon atop the Peugeot lineup. With the RCZ R, which was unveiled at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, France's oldest automaker is trying to add some kick to the RCZ formula.
It's the most powerful production car to ever wear the Peugeot badge, which is far less impressive if you know it only pumps out 270 horsepower from a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder. Still, it'll hit 60 in under six seconds and will climb to a limited 155 miles per hour if given the room to run. We made a point of getting up close and personal with it at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, and as usual, have a full gallery of live images at the top of the page. Scroll down, and we've got the stock gallery from the car's debut, along with a press release and a video.

Updated Nissan Micra gets fresh look, more tech and 'New' name

A few months ago, Nissan gave the Micra (which is not for US consumption) a substantial styling update that included new front and rear fascias, and stuffed more technology into the interior, such as USB ports and auxiliary inputs for audio and a new media touchscreen. Though it's still based on the same fourth-generation architecture, Nissan now calls it the New Micra.
Overall the New Micra - also known as March in some markets - looks similar to but more taut than the vehicle that launched in late 2010, thanks to more angular headlights, a new bumper, a sculpted hood and a revised grille with the Nissan logo sitting inside a chrome V, which establishes a stronger link to Nissan's "corporate look." The rear end receives less-drastic changes, such as a new bumper, LED taillamps and a new infill panel at the bottom of the tailgate.
For all of the details on Nissan's five-door city car, take a look at the press release below, and be sure to check out our live gallery from Frankfurt.

Mercedes-Benz CLA gets personal

With a starting price of under $30,000 in the US, one might be wondering how Mercedes-Benz plans to eke out a profit on its new entry-level CLA-Class. The answer, as with most other German offerings, will almost certainly be found on its long options list. And while there will be typical creature comforts like moonroofs and uprated stereos on the list, Mercedes is evidently also keen to cash in on the personalization craze that has been padding the bottom lines of brands like Mini and Fiat.
Thus, the Three-Pointed Star will offer an array of accessories for the model, as demonstrated by this CLA200 decked out in items from the Mercedes-Benz Sport Equipment catalog at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Aside from this car's "Road & Track" decal kit (no relation) in Mercedes-Benz racing colors, this sedan features the Styling Package Night, which is composed of black window and shoulderline trim, along with black and red 18-inch alloys, painted calipers, a unique lip spoiler and carbon-look mirror caps. Inside, this CLA is accoutered with a sports steering wheel, stainless pedals, backlit sill plates and Sport floor mats.
This is likely just the tip of the iceberg for the new CLA, which is being targeted at the young and affluent buyers who otherwise might have purchased something like a Mini. We'll know more as the car hits dealers in our market soon.

Suzuki iV-4 Concept is a personalized 'ute for everyone but US

It's with some sadness that we present to you the Suzuki iV-4 Concept - there's absolutely no way we'll ever see a production Suzuki based off this conceptual design in the States, despite the fact that the brand has quite a small-SUV heritage on our shores. Of course, we won't be seeing any new Suzuki passenger cars or trucks in the US at all...
For the rest of the world, Suzuki's push with this concept is personalization. According to the automaker, the name is broken down as such: "i" stands for "individuality," "V" for "vehicle," and "4" for "4 wheel-drive." A tad convoluted, perhaps, but we'll roll with it.
As far as its styling, the iV4 doesn't break any new ground for Suzuki, recalling its past and current production models with details that include a clamshell hood and a five-slot grille. Suzuki promises a production variant of this concept, and the "individuality" part will be accomplished through a selection of exterior components, colors and textures, though we're not clear what exactly that means or how it will differ from the accepted practice of ordering a unique car through a dealership.

Porsche 959 Prototype started it all

While Porsche was unveiling the new Nürburgring-dominating 918 Spyder downstairs in Hall 3 here at the Frankfurt Messe, there was another Porsche supercar quietly and discretely on display upstairs in the same hall. That, of course, was the 959. But not just any 959: this was the original Gruppe B prototype.
The 959 was first developed as a rally car in the early 80s to compete with the likes of the original Audi Sport Quattro S1, Ford RS200 and Lancia Delta S4. But Zuffenhausen soon saw its potential as a production road-going supercar, emerging as a technological marvel to challenge the decidedly linear approach of the Ferrari F40. It still stands as a groundbreaking supercar in its own right, but also lead to the first all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo and set the stage for the Carrera GT and aforementioned 918 Spyder that followed to cap the top of the evolving Porsche range.
This original Gruppe B prototype, which presaged the production 959, packed a 450-horsepower 2.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six into an even sleeker form than the final version that followed. We caught up with it on display as part of a display of 80s German classics, of which this 959 prototype immediately stood out as the pick of the proverbial litter. Check out the hotness in the high-resolution image gallery above.

Maserati Quattroporte suits up with Ermenegildo Zegna [w/video]

You know what no one has ever said? The Maserati Quattroporte needs more Italian style. Just the same, Maserati has teamed up with Ermenegildo Zegna to give the QP just that.
Revealed here at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the (deep breath now) Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition Concept. And by "concept", Maserati means it intends to put it into production, likely with very few tweaks over what you see here.
So what do you see here? A QP in a business suit, to sum it up. It's got a beautifully deep bronze paintjob and an interior with the finest wool textile and soft leather upholstery. The lustrous paint repeats on the wheel spokes, and of course some discreet Zegna badges inside and out. The fashion house also worked up some special fitted luggage, as you can see from our gallery of high-resolution photos from the show floor, along with the stock shots, a video and a press release below.

BMW shows up-armored X5 concept and we can't get near it

BMW has brought a slightly different concept vehicle to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Rather than something that foreshadows a future product or a new design direction, the Munich-based manufacturer has brought an X5 that's designed to be shot at. It's called the Concept X5 Security Plus. The Concept X5 name is a bit misleading, though. It's based on the 2014 X5, while BMW already builds an armored CUV, called the X5 Security. The concept tag has to do with the "Security Plus" part.
Engineered to be compliant with VR6 security standards - the current X5 Security is for VR4 standards - the Concept X5 will quite happily shrug off direct attacks from an AK-47. Thanks to sealed joints, high-strength steel moldings, high-performance steel body panels and special, polycarbonate-coated security glass, Kalashnikov's finest, whether used as a firearm or as a melee weapon, would be useless against this X5.
Built alongside the standard X5 in BMW's Spartanburg, SC factory, the X5 is shipped to a BMW facility in Toluca, Mexico for installation of the armor and security features. The company claims this delivers a more thoroughly engineered protective solution than aftermarket retrofitting.

Peugeot 308 R Concept does that super-hot hatch thing

Peugeot showed a hot, concept version of its new 308 at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The C-segment offering that does battle with the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf in Europe, is called the 308 R Concept. It's basically all the good stuff about the RCZ R - 270 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque from a 1.6-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine - with a more family friendly body on top. A six-speed manual is on hand to distribute the thrust to what we imagine are a pair of overtaxed front tires.
That's not really news, though. With the 308 R Concept, it's the aesthetics that matter. Peugeot started by dropping the suspension and fitting a set of 19-inch wheels on low-profile tires, to give it that sporty stance. The body has been fettled with, adding a dose of aggression, while the rear third of the car is finished in matte black paint. As of right now, there's no mention as to whether Peugeot will end up putting this hot hatch into production. For our European friends, though, we certainly hope it gets built.
Live images from the Frankfurt show floor are available up top, while the stock images and press release provided by Peugeot can be found down below.

VW Golf R gets super serious with near 300 HP [w/video]

The VW Golf R has always been a GTI on steroids. But even with a bigger dose of performance-enhancing power than the GTI, every generation of R has left us wanting more. Until now, we think. The fourth generation Golf R, based on the seventh-gen Golf, has officially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and under its hood is an increase in power that dwarfs the prior three generations.
Recall that the first Golf R32 produced 237 horsepower, and the one that followed made 247 hp. The outgoing third-gen model offered 261, which means the latest Golf R, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI four-cylinder engine now producing 296 hp, has received the biggest bump in power by far. In fact, the 36-hp bump is more than the R-line has seen in its first three generations combined.
That engine also makes 280 foot-pounds of torque, which can be carved up by either a six-speed manual or dual clutch transmission. As before, a Haldex all-wheel-drive system sends power where its needed most among the four contact patches. Those wheels can now be ordered in 18- and optional 19-inch sizes, the latter of which fit snugly in the fender wells of a body that's been lowered an extra 0.2 inches compared to the GTI. The Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system now also offers a Race mode, which stiffens the dampers and quickens shift times, as one of its four settings.

Abarth 595 50th Anniversary Edition is a birthday present worth waiting for [w/video]

Props must be paid to the people at Abarth, who could've celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 595 - the model that put this performance brand on the map back in the 1960s - with a special edition appearance package and called it a day. But no, that's not how Abarth does things. Instead, it is producing 299 units of this 595 50th Anniversary Edition model that debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, and it's received much more than a new suit for its big 5-0 celebration.
In addition to the matte white finish and historical livery that reinterprets the original car's look, this progeny of the original 595 also receives a substantial bump in power - an increase of 20 horsepower over the standard 500 Abarth for a new total of 180. The upgraded engine is paired with an "Abarth Competizione" transmission, and the sizzling hatchback rides on 17-inch alloy wheels that hide larger Brembo brakes sized 12 inches in diameter. Not that the standard 500 Abarth sounds wimpy (quite the contrary, actually), but the 595 receives a new "Record Monza" variable back-pressure dual-mode exhaust for an even more stirring soundtrack above 3,000 rpm. The interior, meanwhile, is adorned with red leather seats featuring white inserts and red stitching, and a black leather steering wheel with red inserts, as well as its own assortment of historical logos.
The 595 50th Anniversary Edition will be available to order on September 15th, though we expect the entire lot to go quickly and haven't been told yet if any are earmarked for sale in the US. Our fingers are crossed.

Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo 'iBusiness' is, in fact, the business

During my time here in Frankfurt, my gracious Volkswagen hosts have been shuttling me to and from the Messe in the very excellent (and very European) Multivan. But not just any Multivan - the top-of-the-line plush-tastic Business model, complete with six-passenger seating and the ability to turn the second-row seats a full 180 degrees, forcing allowing me to have face-to-face conversations with the other passengers in tow. Jokingly, a colleague and I have been referring to these vans as "The Business," or simply, "The Bidness," but after seeing this Brabus creation here on the show floor, our Business looks pretty lame by comparison.
According to Brabus, this 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness is the "fastest and most powerful luxury sedan in the world." And holy cow, these specs look good. Based on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Biturbo increases the Merc's 5.5-liter V8 displacement to 5.9 liters, and thanks to increased bore, more powerful turbochargers, and a host of other engine massaging treatments, total output is rated at 850 horsepower and - wait for it - 1,069 pound-feet of torque. But don't get too excited. In order to keep the seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission from, well, exploding, the torque output has been electronically limited to just 848 lb-ft. Still, this is enough to move the big sedan to 62 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds, and the car will top out at an autobahn-approved 217 mph. That's Brabus for you.
The "iBusiness" part of the equation is found inside the Merc. The car's rear compartment has an iPad Mini situated in a newly designed center console, installed between two individual rear seats. The iPad not only allows you to socialize and connect with the world around you, it also houses controls for the S-Class' COMAND system. What's more, that iPad is connected to a Mac Mini computer via the car's wireless hotspot, with the Mac serving as the system's mainframe, housed inside an electronically operated drawer in the sedan's trunk. Slick. A whole lot more Apple integration is found in the iBusiness, with a 15.2-inch color TFT display serving as the central monitor for the iPad systems, and an iPod Touch with 64 GB memory permanently hooked up to the car's audio system.

Citro"en Cactus Concept declares an end to door dings [w/video]

This is the Citroën Cactus Concept, a car we previewed almost two weeks ago, which was then unveiled last week. Now, we have a full gallery of live images. You'll recall that Citroën opted to split its line, with the C-Line models like the C2, C3 and C4 being remodeled to play in the bottom of the market, and the DS models, like the DS3 and DS4, representing a more premium experience.
The Cactus is our first hint of the C-Line's future, as it will likely evolve into a production C3 or C4, considering its size. Powered by PSA's innovative Hybrid Air drivetrain, the Cactus pairs a small, gas-powered engine with compressed air and hydraulics to deliver over 94 miles per gallon without battery packs or electric motors. It's claimed that the system can cut down on urban fuel consumption by 45 percent.
Besides the powertrain, the most obvious talking point is the appearance of the Cactus. The Airbump system on all sides of the vehicle use soft, air-filled bladders to keep away the dings and scratches that come with commuting in our crowded urban world, while the floating roof adds to the airy feeling of the interior and is a great styling detail. We've got live images of the Cactus up top, while photos, a press release and a video from Citroën can be found below.

VW unveils e-Load Up! to electrify the commercial crowd

Large delivery vans might make sense in American cities with broader boulevards and ample parking day or night, but crowded European city streets demand something a little smaller. And so Volkswagen has unveiled the e-Load Up!
Based on the existing Up! five-door, the e-Load Up! stands out not only for its panel-van cargo conversion, but also for its electric powertrain borrowed from the passenger-spec e-Up! also released here in Frankfurt. The electric motor produces 81 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, juiced by an 18.7 kWh lithium-ion battery under the floor to run from 0-62 miles per hour in a positively pedestrian 12.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 81 mph, traveling up to 99 miles on a single charge.
What sets the e-Load Up! apart from the passenger version, however, is its cargo capacity. Whereas the passenger Up! can take up to 951 liters (33.6 cubic feet), this version can swallow up to 1,400 liters (49 cu ft) and 306 kilograms (675 pounds) of stuff - enhanced by the fold-up passenger seat next to the driver's. Volkswagen, for whatever reason, chose not to display the car during press days here at the show, but you can check out the few images we did scrounge up, in the gallery above, along with the press release below.

Kimi Raikkonen returns to Ferrari

The so-called "silly season" in Formula One conjured up all kinds of rumors, and most of them revolved around Kimi Raikkonen. Would the 2007 World Champion stay at Lotus? Would he switch to Red Bull to replace Mark Webber? Would he return to Ferrari?
Well now we have the answer. Ferrari has confirmed that the Finn is heading back to Maranello, where he will partner with Fernando Alonso starting next season in a two-year deal. That means Felipe Massa, who has been at Ferrari since 2006 but has struggled to keep up the pace since his catastrophic crash in 2009, will need to find a new seat.
The announcement opens up a series of questions as a game of musical chairs commences. Where will Massa go? Who will fill Raikkonen's seat at Lotus? And will Alonso tolerate the team bringing in another former champion and serious contender to challenge his position as number one at the top team? We'll just have to wait and see, but the move in and of itself demonstrates a certain businesslike lack of personal emotion on Kimi's part, having been unceremoniously dumped by Ferrari three years ago to make way for Alonso. Head on down below for the rather Raikkonenly brief announcement.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R is road-going version of brand's racing technology [w/video]

Did you know that the Yaris is Toyota's best-selling vehicle in Europe? That may help explain to us Americans why the car that's lowest on the company's totem poll here in the US got turned into an all-wheel-drive hybrid track monster for the 2013 Frankfurt Monster Show.
Called the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R, this three-door pocket rocket isn't just a hybrid making a lot of horsepower - it incorporates technology from Toyota's TS030 Hybrid racecar that competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship series, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Yaris Hybrid-R packs a 300-horsepower, turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood, which should be enough for most speed freaks, but Toyota pairs it with two 60-hp electric motors at each rear wheel (the same ones used in the production Yaris Hybrid that's sold in Europe). That makes total system output an insane-for-this-size 420 hybrid horsies.
But that's not all, as the Yaris Hybrid-R forgoes the traditional battery pack below the rear seats in favor of a supercapacitor, which can both hold more energy and has a much faster power charge/discharge speed than traditional batteries. Paired with the supercapacitor is a third 60-hp electric motor/generator positioned between the engine and six-speed sequential transmission. Its job is to feed the super capacitor energy during deceleration and direct its power to the rear electric motors when more grip and oomph is needed.

Renault Initiale Paris Concept furthers the French MPV luxury dream [w/video]

When it comes to European auto shows, your intrepid Autoblog coverage staff is always keen to see what the French have to offer. That's because Gallic companies let their designers off the leash more often than the rest of their global counterparts, freeing them to produce the sort of moonshot, future-think concept cars that we used to associate with the US and Japan.
Even when their showcars are seemingly more rational and production-minded - as is the case with the Renault Initiale Paris concept shown here - they still employ fantastical details. In the case of this Frankfurt Motor Show debut, said details include things like an aluminum and plexiglass roof that proudly displays a map of Paris (complete with the city's districts, roads, and the River Seine), color-shifting paint and and headlamps with eyelash-like blinking mechanisms. Did we mention the 32-speaker Bose audio system? This Renault concept may further the brand's obsession with selling the idea of a luxury car wrapped in a minivan body (see also: Vel Satis, Avantime), but it's really said to presage the next-generation Espace MPV, while showcasing where the company's new high-line Initiale brand may go.
The automaker hasn't provided much in the way of powertrain details, other than to say the engine for this people mover is a modest dCi 130 - Renault-speak for a 1.6-liter twin-turbo diesel four - with 295 pound-feet of torque paired to a shift-by-wire dual-clutch gearbox. That powertrain might just be the most down-to-earth aspect of this whole concept, and we wouldn't be surprised to see it survive intact on the production Espace. Let's hope the claimed 250-kilogram weight loss versus to the current production Grand Scenic - around 550 pounds - also makes it to the production model.

Jeep Wrangler Polar is a tasty frozen treat

Perhaps it's because we've seen so many kitted-out examples over the years, but it seems to us that the Jeep Wrangler tends to wear its special-edition duds better than most models. It might be the icon's familiar rectilinear proportions or the inherent bolt-on look of its extremities - bumpers, mirrors, lighting, and step rails - but we've seen precious few factory specials that look anything but excellent.
Case in point: this new Jeep Wrangler Polar unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This European-market limited-edition model is said to be a celebration of winter driving, which evidently works out to a body-color hardtop, black-accent seven-slot grille, 18-inch gloss black wheels, Trac-Lok limited-slip differential and a hard hat for the spare tire. Finished here in Hydro Blue (Billet Silver Metallic and Bright White are also available) and a black interior with Polar White accents, the Polar edition features badges displaying 78° S and 106° E longitude and latitude coordinates for Vostok, Antarctica.
This new Jeep will be available in both standard and Unlimited formats with either the 3.6-liter Pentastar gas engine or the still-not-for-US 2.8-liter turbodiesel when it bows early next year. For further details, check out our gallery above and the press release below.