These are the latest shots of the 2010 Opel Astra taken by regular cameras and not the automaker’s own glitzy press shots. While other cars might not look as great on non-official photos, the 2010 Opel Astra really does look every bit as dashing and attractive as it had been made out to be.

The new Astra’s interior furnishings are truly a major improvement from the current model’s boring styling. Fans might be disappointed to know that the 2010 Astra won’t be coming to the US as a Saturn like the previous model; however, GM has promised to bring the latest Delta-based car to American shores (most likely in sedan form) wearing the trademark Buick badge and chrome waterfall grille. These plans are not expected to change now that GM has offloaded a majority stake in Opel to Magna. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 frankfurt motor show live photos, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2010 astra iaa live photos, 2010 opel astra, 2010 opel astra frankfurt, 2010 opel astra iaa, 2010 opel astra iaa live photos, 2010astra, 2010opelastra, Opel, opel iaa
No Comments »

This is the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari - a limited-edition Fiat 500, which was launched today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Fiat hopes that the car will appeal to Ferrari owners who want a small everyday car, tapping a similar market that Aston Martin is eyeing with its Toyota iQ-based Cygnet. However, the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari will have more performance than the Cygnet, as it is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged T-Jet engine with more than 177bhp.

This is linked to an electromechanical paddle-shift gearbox.The suspension and braking systems have been strengthened to cope with the extra power; 284mm Brembo discs with four-piston calipers provide stopping power.More details and photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 frankfurt motor show live photos, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2009iaa, abarth 695 tributo ferrari, abarth 695 tributo ferrari frankfurt, abarth 695 tributo ferrari iaa live photos, car news, Fiat, fiat 500 by diesel, fiat iaa
No Comments »

For its debut into the electric car segment, Volkswagen created the E-Up Concept. It will be launched at the end of 2010. Charging the 18kW batteries can be done in five hours and gives a range of 80 miles. A specially designed crash structure is effective at protecting the batteries in the concept car.

To keep it cool, a series of heat exchangers were installed. Because the electric system is compact, more space is freed up for the passengers. The E-Up weighs only 1085kg while the batteries alone weigh 240kg. Solar panels that are sized 1.4 square meters help to power the system. While the Up is shorter than a Fiat 500, it has the same wheelbase, with minimal front and rear overhangs. The car has a three-plus-one seating arrangement, allowing two adults to sit on the passenger’s side and a child to sit behind the driver. The total load space is 80 liters, rising to 320 liters when the seats are folded. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 frankfurt motor show live photos, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2009iaa, car news, e-up concept, e-up concept iaa live photos, volkswagen e-up concept, vw, vw e-up concept, vw e-up concept frankfurt, vw e-up concept iaa, vw e-up concept iaa live photos
No Comments »

This is the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 that is presently being showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is powered by the BMW M5/M6-derived V10, which has 500bhp, 383lb ft of torque, gets to 60mph in 3.9sec and has a top speed of 192mph. The body is mostly unchanged from the standard MF5 except for the cloth roof. It still retains the standard equipment which includes dual airbags, ABS and stability control. It is priced from EUR 189,500 and will only have 55 units built. Photo gallery and press release after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2009iaa, car news, roadster mf5, Wiesmann, wiesmann mf5 roadster, wiesmann roadster mf5, wiesmann roadster mf5 frankfurt, wiesmann roadster mf5 iaa live photos, wiesmannmf5roadster, wiesmannroadstermf5
No Comments »

The facelifted Volvo C70 has been given the look of the S60 concept launched this year. Currently on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Volvo C70 has been fitted with redesigned front wings to give the car a wedge shape. New headlamps are angled upwards.

Giving the front end a more aggressive shape are larger intakes and larger recesses. According to Fedde Talsma, exterior chief designer of Volvo Cars, Volvo has redesigned the front and rear of the car so that they “harmonize” better with the bigger Volvo models. At the rear, clearly seen is the larger lettering across the boot. LED lamps also prominently show. Newly introduced is a Flamenco Red Pearl color. Aside from the redesigned instrument panel, another improvement was the use of better-quality materials. Engines range from a 134bhp 2.0 diesel to the 227bhp T5 petrol. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 frankfurt motor show live photos, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009iaa, 2010 c70 facelift, 2010 c70 facelift frankfurt, 2010 c70 facelift iaa live photos, 2010 volvo c70 facelift, 2010 volvo c70 facelift frankfurt, 2010 volvo c70 facelift iaa, 2010volvoc70facelift, car news, Volvo
No Comments »

Audi’s new S5 Sportback made quite a big splash at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show. The car is confirmed to be entering production in the spring of 2010. It uses the same 328bhp supercharged V6 as the S4 saloon. The S5 Sportback likewise gets quattro permanent four-wheel drive and a seven-speed twin-clutch S-tronic gearbox as standard.

To be offered as optional is Audi’s Sport differential, which actively distributes drive between the car’s rear wheels. Audi claims that the S5 Sportback would be able to accelerate to 62mph in 5.4sec and achieve 155mph maximum speed. The car is slated to arrive in the dealerships at the beginning of the next summer. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2009iaa, Audi, audi s5 sportback, audi s5 sportback iaa, audi s5 sportback iaa live photos, audis5sportback, car news, s5 sportback, s5 sportback frankfurt, s5 sportback iaa, s5 sportback iaa live photos
No Comments »

With a three-meter turning circle that makes it one of the most maneuverable vehicles on the road, the Renault Twizy certainly piqued a lot of interest at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The two-seat Renault Twizy is an urban runabout in the mould of the Smart EV. A 20bhp motor attached to the Twizy is said to deliver performance equivalent to that of a 125cc scooter.

Set for launch in 2012, the Twizy was displayed beside four Renault electric concepts. It will preview the manufacturer’s range. The Twizy ZE is slender due to the 1+1 configuration even as it has a four-wheel chassis. Many particularly applauded the wraparound bodywork that gives first-class protection for both the driver and the passenger. Urban mobility is an issue that the Twizy is designed exclusively for. It will be the third concept to arrive at showrooms when it goes on sale late 2011. Renault says the four wheels and low centre of gravity provide stability and excellent handling. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2009iaa, car news, Renault, renault iaa, renault twizy ze concept, renault twizy ze concept iaa live photos, renaulttwizyzeconcept, twizy ze concept, twizy ze concept iaa live photos
No Comments »

Renault’s Zoe ZE Concept is the last of a quartet of battery cars that Renault seeks to introduce to Europe within three years. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, it took center stage for everyone to clearly view the four-meter all-electric supermini. The Zoe is one of two models designed from scratch as all-electric.

The other one is the Twizy city car. While introducing the car, Renault Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed that the Zoe is due on sale in mid-2012. He described it as an “ideal, zero-emissions second car perfect for the school run, or tackling the daily commute to work.” Powering the Zoe Z.E. concept is a 94bhp, 166lb ft electric motor, enabling the car to go 100-miles on a single charge. Going from 0-62mph takes 6.7sec and top speed is 88mph. An 80% charge of its batteries would be possible from a three-phase socket in around 20 minutes. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, car news, Renault, renault zoe ze concept, renault zoe ze concept frankfurt, renault zoe ze concept iaa, renault zoe ze concept iaa live photos, renaultzoezeconcept, zoe ze concept, zoe ze concept iaa, zoe ze concept iaa live photos, zoezeconcept
No Comments »

A special edition version of Peugeot’s RCZ made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Only the first 200 customers of the 2010 Peugeot RCZ will get this exclusive model. The number 200 signifies Peugeot’s 200th year as an industrial brand. The 200 models have the pearlescent white color and its double bubble roof is made of carbonfiber.

It has Nappan black leather heated seats. Equipment includes bi-xenon headlights and rear parking sensors. A 154bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, which it shares with the Mini Roadster Concept, is where the car gets its power from. It is mated to a six-speed manual ‘box and it rides on matte black 19-inch alloy wheels, which sit in chrome wheel arches. It goes on sale next year and will be priced from 35,500 euro. Photo gallery after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 frankfurt motor show live photos, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009frankfurtmotorshow, 2009iaa, car news, Peugeot, peugeot iaa, peugeot rcz limited edition, peugeot rcz limited edition iaa, peugeot rcz limited edition iaa live, peugeotrczlimitededition, rcz limited edition, rcz limited edition frankfurt, rcz limited edition iaa live photos
No Comments »

Set to go on sale in 2011 is this two-seat Roadster, the second of Mini’s new models. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mini Roadster is the sister car to the Mini Coupe. It will attempt to encroach on the market share of the Mazda MX-5 and Audi TT Roadster. The car will be manufactured in the UK at Mini’s Oxford plant.

It is based around the same re-engineered Mini Convertible bodyshell as the Coupe and as such, the Roadster concept shares that car’s rakish A-pillars and lowered roofline. The silhouette in itself is admirable. The front pillars slope back an extra 16 degrees on the concept, giving it a sportier look but is actually an expensive feature to re-engineer. More details and photos after the jump!

(more…)

Tags:2009 frankfurt motor show, 2009 frankfurt motor show live photos, 2009 iaa, 2009 iaa live photos, 2009iaa, car news, mini cooper, mini cooper roadster concept, mini roadster, mini roadster concept, mini roadster concept frankfurt, mini roadster concept iaa, mini roadster concept iaa live photos, miniroadster, miniroadsterconcept
No Comments »