Blog

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.

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.