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Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse 'Jean Bugatti' recalls La Voiture Noire

Last month in Monterey, Bugatti pulled the wraps off the first vehicle in its series of Legends cars, honoring Jean-Pierre Wimille, one of the automaker's longest-serving test drivers who also happened to win the 24 Hours of LeMans... twice. Now, the next special edition Veyron has made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show: the Legend Jean Bugatti.
But this isn't just some special edition named for any old family member. Jean was the oldest son of founder Ettore Bugatti, and is credited with designing the Type 57SC Atlantic - perhaps one of the rarest, most expensive vehicles ever made. This new Legends Veyron draws upon Jean's personal 57SC, known as La Voiture Noire, or The Black Car.
This Grand Sport Vitesse is finished entirely in black carbon fiber, and Bugatti points out that for the first time ever, the grille surround and badges are made of platinum. New twin five-spoke wheels have been fitted, and the legendary designer's signature is found on the fuel and oil caps in gray.

Opel gets its Regal on with the new Insignia, OPC lineup

If we had to pick an Opel to join the Buick range, it's an overwhelmingly safe bet that it'd be the new Insignia OPC Tourer, a 325-horsepower, all-wheel drive wagon, with an optional six-speed manual and the ability to hit 60 in a (sandbagged) 6.3 seconds. It makes its American equivalent, the Buick Regal GS, look like that limp-wristed cousin you use to beat up at family barbecues.
Of course, being a cool European car, we'll probably never, ever see one. That's why we made a point of taking a look at the refreshed 2014 model on the floor of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was parked alongside the 2014 Insignia OPC Sedan and the standard 2014 Insignia. We've got a gallery of all three vehicles, with the standard Insignia up top, and the OPC variants at the bottom.

James Bond Lotus submarine sells in London for $966,560

With the $966,560 sale ($863,000 plus a 12-percent buyer's premium) of the white 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 submarine used in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, we now know "the Roger Moore discount."
Recall that Sean Connery's silver 1964 Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 was sold by RM Auctions in London in 2010 for $4.6 million. Three years later, the same auction company in the same city has sold the aforementioned Lotus for just under $1 million.
An unscientific poll of those in the room showed that people preferred Sean Connery's Bond to Roger Moore's by a rate of four to one. And thus it translated into the bidding for their respective cars. No word on the identity of the buyer or his plans for what is, in fact, a working submarine.

2014 Kia Soul SUV Styling Pack adds some aggression

Last month, Kia released a few photos of the European-market 2014 Soul ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show reveal, and we happened to notice that the hamster box looked a bit different - a bit tougher. That's because Kia is adding an SUV Styling Pack to the car's options list, which includes the blacked-out lower fascias, wheel arches, side skirts and painted roof seen here.
At the time, we polled Autoblog readers if they thought bringing the optional visuals to SUV-happy North America was a good idea, and the voting split 70.3 percent in favor, 21.4 percent against, and 8.3 percent undecided.
At the present time, Kia representatives tell us that it has no plans to offer the SUV Styling Pack in our market, so you'll have to take a better look at it with our new gallery to decide whether its absence from North American order sheets is a tragedy or not.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG is fast, not furious [w/video]

Now that we've already seen (and driven) the new-for-2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in its standard, S550 form, it's time to set our sights on the rest of the model range. The next iteration to make its debut is this, the S63 AMG, taking the stage here in Frankfurt. No, the S63 isn't quite the top dog in the S-Class lineup - that'd be the S65 AMG, or the upcoming Pullman model - but it still packs a potent punch while offering all the same (and more) luxurious amenities.
The heart of the S63 AMG is Merc's twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8, good for 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, and even with standard, AMG-tuned 4Matic all-wheel drive, the sedan can hit 62 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph. A lot of this performance is thanks to the fact that the 2014 model is some 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor.
As you'd expect, the S63 is lower and meaner than its S550 kin, though its surprisingly tame for an AMG upfit. Of course, the new S-Class' design is already quite strong, so we applaud Mercedes' efforts to not go overboard with the hotter model. This thing looks, and is, the business. Look for it to go on sale in the US this November.

Ford Mondeo classes up with premium Vignale trim

Back in the day, Vignale was a carrozzeria of the highest order, alongside the likes of Pininfarina, Bertone and Zagato. But like Giugiaro-ItalDesign and Ghia, it has since been subsumed into a larger auto group. Ford ended up with it under its umbrella when it took over De Tomaso, and has since used the moniker for a number of concept cars. Now the name is back in the form of a new upscale sub-brand for the European market.
The first new model to receive the Vignale treatment is the Mondeo, which Ford unveiled here at the Frankfurt Motor Show in both sedan and wagon forms. Positioned above the Titanium trim, the Vignale model gets such special touches as chrome trim and a quilted leather interior, Vignale badges replacing any mention of the Mondeo on which it's based. It also gains an ownership experience - including free car washes for life! - to befit the upscale positioning.
Under the bright spotlights above the show floor, the Nocciola metallic brown paint might not be the most photogenic, but will likely give the Vignale edition a more premium look when it hits European dealers and roads in 2015. Whether it'll be worth however much Ford asks for it, however, remains to be seen. Scroll down below for the official press release.

Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo burns all the midnight oil

We've got good news and bad news for you, boys and girls, from the floor of the Frankfurt Motor Show. The good news is that the BMW M3 has come early, with a diesel, in wagon form - albeit with a different name. The bad news is that it will in all likelihood never make it to America. Which is a shame, because it's awesome.
What we're talking about, of course, is the new Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo. BMW's wickedly talented but lesser know stepchild has created a 3 Series with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel six packing 345 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. You - and by "you," we mean overseas buyers - can choose between sedan or wagon, as well as rear- or all-wheel drive. But the bottom line is a 4.6-second 0-62 time and a 173-mph top speed... from a diesel.
We scoped out the rear-drive wagon Alpina brought to the show, decked out in its signature blue. And you can, too, in the gallery of live shots above, along with the freshly assembled stock photos of both sedan and wagon versions in the gallery below.

Senna's McLaren drives Honda up the wall

Honda is getting excited for its imminent return to Formula One with McLaren. So excited, in fact, that it got its new/old friends from Woking to loan it one of its old F1 cars. But not just any old F1 car...
On display at the Honda stand in Frankfurt this year is the 1988 McLaren MP4-4 in which the legendary Ayrton Senna drove to fifteen out of sixteen grands prix that season to take the championship in spectacular style.
Honda provided the engine for that car, a 1.5-liter turbo V6 with upwards of 600 horsepower to propel less than 1,200 lbs. Of course this being a static display car, it's likely been stripped of its engine, gearbox and most other internal mechanical components. But that doesn't make the sight of it any less memorable.

Opel Insignia Country Tourer is the Buick crossover we really want [w/video]

Opel brought out its entire Insignia range for the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, with particular attention paid to each new models refreshed features. Like its colonial cousin, the Buick Regal, the Insignia has gotten a fairly standard mid-cycle freshening that's designed to tide customers over until the next-generation model arrives.
One of the models we've been rather curious about since its debut a few months back was the Insignia Country Tourer - a sort of competitor for soft-roaders like the Subaru Outback and Audi Allroad - that will only be sold in Europe. The lifted, five-door Insignia is distantly related to our Regal, but strikes us as a much more capable, better driving vehicle than the lumbering beast that is the Buick Enclave. Certainly, we'd have no qualms about the Insignia Country Tourer coming to the US and slotting in between the Encore and Enclave. Wishful thinking we know, but do you really blame us?
Take a look up top for our full suite of live images, while photos and a press release on the Insignia Country Tourer are down below. We've also got video of the Country Tourer, which looks like b-roll footage from an episode of Top Gear. Scroll down for more.

Smart jumps Fourjoy in Germany [w/video]

We've been waiting... and waiting... and waiting... for something new from Smart. Not another special edition of the Fortwo - even one with wings - can slake the brand's need for some fresh iron. Spy shots tell us that a couple of new models are on the way, but for now, we have this Smart Fourjoy concept, a buggy-like showcar that's said to preview the next-generation Forfour. Of course, unlike this concept, the production four-seater will come with full bodywork, but you're probably looking at a thinly veiled take on the the 2015 model's face and general proportions.
And while the production Forfour figures to come to market with gas and perhaps diesel offerings overseas, the Fourjoy borrows its motivation from the Fortwo Electric Drive - meaning a 55-kW electric motor backed by a 17.6-kWh lithium ion battery pack. We wouldn't be surprised if the next Forfour eventually gets a production EV model, but we wouldn't look for that at launch.
We're fine with all of this production-minded stuff, of course, but there's still something intriguing about the concept seen here. The Fourjoy sparks a latent curiosity within us that longs to see a fun-minded open-air beachmobile offered by a major automaker - something like a Fiat 500 Jolly or a Volkswagen Thing. Indeed, VW has been making noise about producing its Up! Buggy, but even if it doesn't, perhaps the company bold enough to produce the Smart ForJeremy will take a chance on getting some sand between its toes - provided it can negotiate crash testing.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse isn't mellow, comes in yellow

Normally, this is the part where we remind you that the Lamborghini Gallardo is about to be replaced, and that this LP570-4 Squadra Corse is the swan song for the model range. That first part may be true, but at this point, we'd be shocked if yet another special edition Gallardo didn't debut before the car's successor is unveiled. Gotta make that money, honey.
But back to the Squadra Corse. This latest Lambo shares the majority of its components with the Gallardo Super Trofeo, which itself is based on the Superleggera, meaning that car's 570-horsepower V10 carries over, as does the carbon fiber rear wing and removable engine hood. Massive weight-saving methods have been employed here with the Squadra Corse, and thus, the big coupe tips the scales at just 2,954 pounds - that's less than a Volkswagen Golf.
Of course, with that little weight and that much power, performance is pretty staggering. Hitting 60 miles per hour takes 3.4 seconds and the car will rocket to 124 mph in 10.4 clicks. Top speed: 199 mph. Just couldn't muster up that additional mph, we guess.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class hits the matte

The Mercedes-Benz stand here in Frankfurt was indeed buzzing following the debut of the swoopy S-Class Coupe Concept, but another big debut from the German automaker came in the form of this, the 2015 GLA-Class compact crossover. As its nomenclature would suggest, the GLA is essentially a high-riding version of the A-Class (or CLA-Class) compact, and thus, a lot of the architecture and powertrain offerings are carried over.
For the US, that means power will come from a turbocharged, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, good for 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Mercedes-Benz estimates a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds for the GLA250 with 4Matic all-wheel drive. A front-wheel-drive version will debut after the 4Matic model's launch, and while the company hasn't officially confirmed it, a hotter GLA45 AMG is expected to follow, as well.
We like the look of the GLA - the curvaceous design language of the CLA sedan translates nicely to this raised-up hatchback version. To our eyes, it's certainly prettier than the BMW X1, but not as avante-garde or stylishly refined as a Range Rover Evoque. And the matte paint seen on this show car is pretty darn cool, if overplayed these days. In any case, we're sure it'll find a nice home in the Mercedes lineup beneath the GLK when it goes on sale in 2014.

Kia Niro Concept is the miniature Soul of the future

The Kia Niro Concept has officially made its Frankfurt Motor Show debut, and aside from the product specialist who would not get out of our photographer's way, this was our first in-person look at the Niro Concept, which first broke cover near the end of last month. The compact, rough-and-tumble crossover would slot in below the Soul were it to enter production, with Kia calling it a B-segment competitor.
The Niro sports neon accents, although both the trim and the actual color of the car itself are far lighter than they appeared in the original press photography. The cabin, meanwhile, looks like it was completely crafted from a single piece of rubber. We suppose that'd make it easy to clean out, sort of like a Jeep Wrangler.
Kia claims the Niro was designed "in Europe with European tastes" in mind, and that its production options will be based on the response of the general public. Take a look above for a full gallery of live photos, and then down below for the press release and images from Kia.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan is a tall order

VW is using the Frankfurt Motor Show to trot out a concept version of the next Golf Plus. Dropping the 'Plus' with this next iteration, the compact mini-minvan will henceforth be known as the Golf Sportsvan, and this concept is about as close to production as concepts get.
With a length that slots neatly between that of the shorter Golf hatchback and larger Golf Estate (wagon) in Europe, the Sportsvan concept combines those sharper, sportier styling elements we've seen debut across the entire line of new seventh-generaiton Golfs with a more upright greenhouse. The resulting shape is similar to the Ford C-Max hybrid in the US, offering an upright seating position and loads of cargo space and flexibility.
Indeed, with its interior configured for maximum stowage, the Sportvan Concept can swallow 1,512 liters of cargo. Xenophiles will note that is 53.4 cubic-feet of space (more than the C-Max's 52.6 cubes), and the Sportvan can still handle 17.6 cubic feet of cargo with its seats in their upright and locked position.

Honda Civic Tourer reminds us why we love wagons

It was the early 1990s when the last Honda Civic Wagon graced our shores, looking more like a squat five-door hatchback with an extra dose of charm. Well, Honda debuted the newest Civic Wagon Tourer at the Frankfurt Motor Show today, but, as we reported last month, it's a European model that will go on sale there early next year. There's still no word of it coming to the US.
The Civic Tourer was designed by Honda's European studio, and its overall look comes across as more muscular, sporty and stylish than both the sedan and two-door coupe, with bulging fenders and revised windows. Adrian Killham, large project leader for the Civic Tourer, has commented on the styling, saying, "Recently launched cars have tended to follow a similar style. The Civic Tourer has a different balance and appeal." We appreciate the sentiment, and the Tourer's shape is a big reason why we like it.
But we also like the 22 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, which grows to a gargantuan 59 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The big Civic will be powered by either a 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with i-VTEC or a 1.6-liter Earth Dreams i-DTEC diesel engine. Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered.

BMW X5 eDrive Concept is utilitarian plug-in hybrid

Bridging the gap between internal combustion engine-powered vehicles and electric vehicles are plug-in hybrids, and BMW has made one out of its biggest sports utility vehicle, even if it's just a concept car at this point. The plug-in hybrid X5 eDrive Concept debuted today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and it sits attached to a charge port on the show floor.
As we reported in August, the X5 eDrive Concept combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine of unknown output with a 95-horsepower electric motor, to achieve longer range and lower emissions. The X5 eDrive can drive up to 75 miles per hour and 19 miles on electric power alone, manage about 62 miles per gallon (3.8 liters per 100 kilometers) and accelerate from 0-62 mph in under seven seconds, according to BMW.
Three drive modes are offered: one that automatically operates the hybrid system, an all-electric mode and a Save Battery mode that operates the vehicle using the engine only.

Watch onboard video of the Porsche 918 Spyder's record 'Ring lap

"Pics or it didn't happen!" You could almost hear the Internet shouting this when news started to trickle in about a sub-seven-minute Nürburgring lap by the new Porsche 918 Spyder. Well, after an official press release, which we ran earlier today, we have your "pics." Moving pics, to be more exact. Porsche has released on-board footage of the 6:57 lap.
The video, which runs about eight-and-a-half minutes, and shows the 918 from inside the car on a flying lap of the German track. Perhaps what's remarkable is just how undramatic it all looks. Sure, there's some sawing at the wheel from test driver Marc Lieb (one of three testers, including legendary rally king Walter Röhrl), but he makes wrangling the Martini-liveried 918 look kind of easy.
Take a look down below for the full, on-board video, and then click over and read our initial write-up from earlier this morning and take a glance at the more stylized video that Porsche originally posted.

Bentley Continental GT V8 S is just a little bit more excess [w/video]

Bentley has given its new, uprated Continental GT and GTC a live debut in Frankfurt, after a world debut on the interwebs, last week. The new models, which now wear the "V8 S" moniker, share their 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 with the standard GT/GTC V8, but pack an extra 21 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque.
There's also a few suspension and aesthetic tweaks to improve the Continental driving experience. Otherwise, this is just a slightly improved version of an already solid, entertaining and luxurious grand tourer. Scroll down for the official images and a video from Bentley, or hop up top to view our live images from the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. You can also click over for the full story on the newest members of the Bentley family.

Ford S-Max Concept proves minivans aren't always minivans [w/video]

Ford's latest don't-call-it-a-minivan is called the S-Max Concept, and it's a looker. As you can see, the conceptual overgrown hatch makes good use of Ford's latest design language, especially at the very front of the S-Max, which bears a striking resemblance to production models that include the Focus, C-Max and Fusion.
Powering the S-Max Concept is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, and while Ford doesn't actually list power figures for the concept, previous estimates put the mill at 133 kW of power (about 178 horsepower) and 240 Nm of torque (about 177 pound-feet). Inside, there's room for seven passengers and at least some of their luggage.
As you'd expect, the S-Max is loaded up with all of Ford's latest infotainment technology, including Sync and MyFordTouch. More interestingly, there are also onboard heart and blood glucose monitors that we doubt will be seeing the light of production anytime soon. On that topic, don't expect to see any S-Max-shaped vehicles hitting the US market from Ford, either. Scroll down below for the press release, but not before checking out the high-res image gallery above.

Ferrari 458 Speciale is our Frankfurt fantasy [w/video]

This is the Ferrari 458 Speciale, and while its name might underwhelm, its performance and lineage more than make up for it. The successor to the proud line of hot, higher-performance, mid-engined Ferraris like the 360 Challenge Stradale and 430 Scuderia, the 458 Speciale is blessed with a 596-horsepower, 4.5-liter V8 and the ability to skip to 62 miles per hour in three seconds. It also comes with a not-so-subtle racing stripe, which we like.
Thanks to a scarcely believable curb weight of 2,844 pounds, special Michelin Pilot Sport cup 2 tires, and a few tweaks to the electronic diff, the Speciale is quite a dancer as well. Naturally, Ferrari is showing off the newest member of the scuderia at Frankfurt, and we made it a priority to see it in person. We've got a full gallery of live images above, a video and stock photography from Ferrari down below, and our original coverage of the car, from August, right here.

Mercedes CLA45 AMG Racing is ready for a spot on the grid

Mercedes-Benz trotted out its CLA45 AMG-based racer at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. We first showed you the sedan in the deluge of news and reveals that precedes most good auto shows, and were blown away by the car, formally known as the CLA45 AMG Racing Series.
We were strolling by the Mercedes stand, and figured we'd pop in and take a look at the new racer and its carbon-fiber body panels, gutted interior, and race-sourced aero parts. It's a looker, both as a road car and a track weapon. It's not clear what series the CLA45 AMG will qualify for, although it does seem like a shoe-in for the World Touring Car Championship. Let us know what you think of the CLA racer down in the comments. In the meantime, we've got a full gallery of live images up top, along with the stock images that were posted last week on the Mercedes-Benz Facebook page.

2015 Volkswagen e-Up! shows EV commitment at Frankfurt this season

We finally have some shots from the show floor of the Frankfurt Motor Show of the Volkswagen e-Up!, one of two new electric vehicles from the German automaker. The e-Up! comes equipped with a 18.7 kWh lithium ion battery and 60 kW electric motor (81 hp) with 155 lb-ft of torque, a combination that gives the little five-door hatchback a range of 99 miles.
Along with the e-Golf, it represents the first foray by Volkswagen into high-volume EV production. According to VW, the e-Up! takes the honors of being the most efficient EV, consuming just 11.7 kW of electricity per 62 miles. It's definitely not the quickest form of electrified transportation, crawling from 0-62 miles per hour in 12.4 seconds, or the fastest, with a top speed of 81 mph, but that's besides the point.
With three drive modes, Normal, Eco and Eco+, one can tailor the EV to use progressively less energy per mile. Eco and Eco+ ramp down the electric motor's power and other functions, such as air-conditioning, to extend mileage. Drivers also will have a choice of four regenerative braking levels, D1, D2, D3 and B, the first of which offers the least amount of power recovery and the last of which recuperates the most. Of course, the slowing effect of the electric motor (similar to engine braking) increases as regeneration levels increase from D1 to B, which not only will recover more energy, but also will change how the car drives.

Hamann Nervudo is an angrier Aventador

Hamann Motorsport made a big splash at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show with a modified Lamborghini Aventador. The metallic orange monster has been rechristened the Hamann Nervudo, and packs an extra 60 horsepower and 34 pound-feet of torque, thanks to a few tweaks to the ECU. The other big mechanical change is an optional exhaust, which we're told exists solely to spit fire. Doesn't the Aventador do that already?
The big changes that transform the Aventador to the Nervudo, though, are on the surface. Hamann has made some significant aerodynamic adaptations, starting with a massive rear wing and a reformatted diffuser, with the latter made of unpainted carbon fiber.
Up front a two-piece, carbon-fiber spoiler creates a more aggressive fascia, although the overall effect is somewhat lessened, as Hamann has fitted what can only be described as flared nostrils to the Nervudo's front end. While we aren't crazy about the nose, the new side skirt and engine vents are both nice touches, particularly the scoop on the roof. Not surprisingly, the body enhancements are all available in carbon fiber. A set of multi-spoke whees from the Hamann Professional collection has been chosen to replace the stock Lamborghini items, with 21-inch hoops out back and 20-inchers in front shod in the requisite, ultra-sticky Pirelli tires.

2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet cleans up the Messe [w/video]

If we're being honest, the outgoing Audi A3 Cabriolet never really flicked our Bic. That was just fine, of course, because Audi never brought it to North America. This new model, however, might have a different future.
And while Audi has yet to officially decide on this car's North American future, this Frankfurt Motor Show debut clearly has a better sense of proportion and aggression to it, and we're excited about its powertrain solutions, too. For the European market, Audi is promising TFSI gasoline engines in either 1.4- or 1.8-liters, along with a 2.0-liter TDI diesel, all being available in front- and all-wheel drive. Audi has also confirmed its first-ever S3 Quattro Cabriolet, which figures to combine a quick 18-second top drop and its hard-hatted sibling's even quicker 296-hp 2.0-liter turbo.
Even though Audi has been better about bringing its high-performance models to North America and has a new emphasis on growing its A3 business in our territories (including a US-minded sedan bodystyle), we would still be a bit surprised to see an S3 Cabriolet popping its entry-level top in dealers in a couple years' time. Having said that, we do think this A3 Cabriolet is almost a lock. Be sure to take a good, long look at our gallery, video and the official press release below.

2014 Nissan X-Trail is the Rogue's identical twin [w/video]

Up until now, the Rogue and X-Trail were two different compact crossovers that competed in the same segment for Nissan, except one was sold only in the US and the other Europe. So why, Nissan asked, aren't they exactly the same? Thus, with today's reveal of the redesigned 2014 Nissan Rogue, our team on the ground at the Frankfurt Motor Show also met its new identical twin, the 2014 Nissan X-Trail.
Unlike the Rogue, the former X-Trail was a boxy thing that put on the airs of an SUV, so this new look is likely a larger departure for Europeans than it is for us 'Yanks. From what we can tell comparing their press releases, these two crossovers are practically identical save for the badge on their rear liftgates, both now offering an optional third row of seating and a slew of infotainment and active and passive safety features.
The one thing that may differ between the two are the engines on offer. While we know the Rogue has a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, Nissan's remaining mum on what will motivate the X-Trail. The prior model offered both gas- and diesel-powered models, which we feel safe in assuming will continue (perhaps opening the door for a diesel-powered Rogue in the US some day). Nissan says we'll know more closer to the X-Trail's on-sale date, which is stated simply as being "next year," whereas the Tennessee-built Rogue will be going on sale in the US this fall.

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf is ready to battle the Nissan Leaf

Volkswagen has never been one to put all its eggs in one basket, be it brands, models, bodystyles or powertrain technologies. Germany's largest automaker is a major player in both gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines, but it has also dabbled in hybrid powertrains more recently, and it's cranking up its pure-electric campaign as we speak. A key part of that initiative is the new e-Golf that has just rolled out on VW's show stand here at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The e-Golf is powered by an 113-horsepower motor that generates 199 pound-feet of torque with juice supplied by its 24.2-kWh battery. VW board member Christian Klingler tells Autoblog that the hatchback is slated to come to select North American markets in early 2015, but declined to confirm whether the car will be available for purchase or a lease-only scheme.
Either way, when it arrives, the electric Golf should bring with it VW's first set of LED headlamps and blue-line trim through its headlamps and grille. More importantly, it will also whir into dealerships with a 0-62 mph time of 12.4 seconds, a top speed of 87 mph and a 118-mile range. It will also feature two different driving modes and no less than four regenerative braking modes. For more information, scroll down to view the official press release.

2015 Audi A8 rises to meet the challenge [w/video]

It's turnover time in the extra large premium sedan segment. With Mercedes having stuffed HAL 9000 in its new S-Class, other luxury marques are quickly updating their own super sleds to keep up with this persistent march of technology. While far from a full redesign, the Audi A8 has changed enough for 2015 in terms of styling, powertrains and new technology to keep it in the conversation.
For starters, the A8's exterior design has been redone, with the most noticeable changes happening up front. The trademark 'gaping maw' grille is a little less gaping, while the headlights now feature a straight lower edge of LEDs, excising the old model's droopy-eyed look. Speaking of headlights, Audi now offers optional Matrix LEDs, the latest in headlight tech, with 25 individual elements per side that can be turned on or off and dimmed as the situation demands. The rear of the A8 has also been resculpted and looks very much inspired by the derrière of the A7, with a single chrome strip connecting the new LED taillights.
The A8's full suite of powertrains has also been upgraded, with the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 now producing 310 horsepower (up 20 according to Audi, though down 23 compared to the US-spec 2013 model). The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 is now rated at 435 hp, a solid 20-horse increase that lowers the car's 0-62 time to just 4.5 seconds. That's within spitting distance of the 520-hp S8's time of 4.1 seconds. That aforementioned super sport sedan's engine remains unchanged, as does the 6.3-liter 12-cylinder powerplant in the A8 L W12, but Audi's two diesel engines have both improved, with the 3.0-liter V6 producing an extra eight horsepower (256 total) and the 4.2-liter V8 gaining an extra 34 hp (385 hp) to go along with its more-than-adequate, though unchanged, 626.93 foot-pounds of torque.

Lexus LF-NX Concept takes aim at the small crossover herd [w/video]

Lexus is drawing crowds with its sharply styled LF-NX Concept, a car that previews a competitor for the likes of the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLK (also debuting at Frankfurt) and Audi Q3. We previewed the LF-NX last week, but we've since gotten a bit of in-person time with the compact crossover on the Frankfurt show floor.
There's a lot of show-car tinsel here, but the makings of a production model are fairly visible. That trademark Lexus face, with the separate headlight and running light arrays and an even more extreme version of the "spindle" grille, is present and accounted for. The styling is sliced and carved, like the Lexus IS, although it's difficult to tell if the production model will be quite so extreme in its looks. We'll bet yes.
Take a look above for the full set of live images from Frankfurt, then scroll down for video and some of the stock images from the original, online unveiling. Finally, click over for our complete coverage of the LF-NX from its debut, last week.

2015 BMW i8 offers you a fast ride to the future for $135,700* [w/video]

BMW's long-form teasing and rollout of its incredibly cool i8 has put us in a unique position to report from its world debut here in Frankfurt. Typically, an auto show debut marks just the start of the information dump about a new vehicle. The i8, however, is a car that we've already driven and reviewed, so perhaps the biggest news from the show floor is the official price of the thing, as well as getting to see it live and in person, of course.
Arriving in US showrooms in the spring of 2014, the i8 performance plug-in hybrid will carry a price tag of $135,700 (*not including $925 for destination and handling charges). That kind of cash puts the i8 near the very top of the BMW range (slotting just under the top-trim 7-Series models), and will buy a massive amount of new technology.
The four-seat i8 has the look of a true supercar, and its new-tech drivetrain will offer up the performance of a stirring sports car, at least. A TwinPower Turbo, three-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine will make 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque that's gets sent to the rear wheels, while a 96-kilowatt electric motor doles out 131 hp and 184 lb-ft of maximum torque to the fronts. Total system output of 362 hp and 420 lb-ft allows the i8 to sprint to 62 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds with all-wheels-driven handling, and it still returns an astonishing 94 miles per gallon US.

Opel Monza Concept soars into Frankfurt [w/video]

Opel has a handful of debuts hitting the stage at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, but the most significant is the sleek Monza Concept. Reviving the Monza name, Opel says this concept will inspire future models for the brand, but between the styling, technology and powertrain, it isn't clear which of these will make it to production. We're hoping for all of the above.
From a styling standpoint, the Monza Concept blends the look of a coupe and shooting brake. The front end of the car is defined by its LED headlights, the low grille and its long hood. In profile, Opel's signature hockey stick body crease is obvious, but this is also the cut line for the large gullwing doors, which when open make the Monza look like it is ready to take flight.
The doors also provide a wide opening through which to view the cabin's 2+2 seating configuration. The crown jewel of the interior - and perhaps the whole car - is the instrument panel. Spanning the entire dash is an LED projection display for the car's infotainment system.