Section: Frankfurt Auto Show
Written By: Evan McCausland
January 30th, 2008 1:15 PM
.
Toy companies are no strangers to designing their own cars (Hot Wheels’ Deora, anyone?), but one German model maker may take things to a new scale. Herpa Miniaturmodelle, based in Dietenhofen, has designed their interpretation of a modern Trabant - that infamous East German econobox - and may push it into limited production.
Originally shown as a conceptual design in 2007, the model maker has since formed a partnership with IndiKar, a Saxony-based automotive supplier, to move their Trabant dream into reality. Herpa’s since bought the rights surrounding the Trabant marque and plans on actually moving the car into production. Although assembly would likely be handled by an outside firm, Herpa still plans on controlling the NewTrabi’s marketing and physical design.
A full-sized concept, which may use powertrain purchased from BMW, is slated to appear at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Production plans are still up in the air; if the NewTrabi does enter series production, up to 5000 examples could be built annually. More certain is the production of NewTrabi models; Herpa will begin producing 1/87th scale replicas in February.
+Deutsche Welle: German Firm Plans to Launch Revamped Trabant
Written By: Seyth Miersma
December 10th, 2007 1:15 PM
.
A possible follow-up to the darkly mysterious SUV-shaped sketch that Land Rover showed at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, this image purports to be the first official image of Land Rover’s upcoming small SUV. Sent by a reader to CarScoop, the word on the street is that the concept is going to be called the LRX, and that it will make its world debut at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January.
The LRX would slot into the popular Land Rover lineup just under the Freelander, with a production version possible as early as 2011. This plan view of the concept reveals a further movement towards a youthful, sporty product, which nicely dovetails with the Frankfurt sketch.
Initial thoughts on the potential LRX? Leave them for us in comments.
+ CarScoop: Land Rover LXR Concept: Compact Off-Roader Set For Detroit Debut
Written By: Phil Floraday
December 7th, 2007 12:40 PM
.
CarPix captured these clear shots of Ford’s Kuga CUV from this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
We’re still not sure why Ford won’t bring the Kuga to the U.S. That 2.0-liter diesel engine and all-wheel drive would be a great combination for U.S. drivers who want the security of all-wheel drive and some better fuel economy than products like the Edge or Escape currently offer.
Europeans will begin taking delivery of this handsome CUV in 2008. We’re happy this vehicle will head to production virtually unchanged from the vehicle shown at Frankfurt. The looks are hip and it certainly looks like it belongs in Ford’s European portfolio.
Check out these new photos and beg Ford to bring the Kuga to the States in comments.
Written By: Phil Floraday
November 26th, 2007 12:09 PM
.
We’re pretty sure what the marketers at Austin and Mini and Morris did back in the early 1960s when they needed to popularize the idea of buying a Countryman, Clubman, or Traveller—the three names given the original stretched micro-Brits. They searched the kingdom for shorter and smaller-featured men and women as advertising talent to stand next to and sit in the cars. We bet that entire environments—shop fronts, cities, forests—were built to two-thirds scale just to make the cars seem oh-so-practical. Cheeky monkeys.
Click here to continue –>
Written By: Phil Floraday
October 11th, 2007 10:37 AM
.
We were sent some interesting spy shots this morning that we originally thought might be the unnamed baby Land Rover that was hinted at in Frankfurt and slated to debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
Upon further examination, the prototype could very possibly be the Kia Soul which has been spied a few times. Still, we’re wondering why a Kia prototype might be hanging out on a flatbed in a Land Rover dealership. Your guess is as good as ours, so tell us which vehicle you think this is.
(Click the photos below to launch a high-res gallery and follow the jump to share your thoughts on this prototype in ‘comments.’)
continued →
Written By: Peter Nunn
September 25th, 2007 10:00 AM
.
Toyota’s tiny iQ concept which recently starred at the Frankfurt motor show is set to go on sale in Europe in 2009, reports Japan’s influential Nikkei business newspaper.
The normally well connected Nikkei says Toyota will mildly restyle the iQ before production in Japan starts, with an estimated first year build run of 100,000 units.
The radically tiny, three-seat iQ – just short of ten feet long, making it some two-and-a-half feet shorter than a Yaris, will reputedly get 1.0-liter gas power and a 1.4-liter diesel is also rumored.
While the iQ’s mission is that of a futuristic and fun city commuter, it’s also very much about bringing down Toyota’s CO2 emissions, as the EU commission’s demand for drastically reduced 120g/km emissions continue to spook the industry.
Written By: Phil Floraday
September 24th, 2007 2:09 PM
.
Ford is considering building cars in China for export around the world, according to an Automotive News report. There are two Ford assembly plants in China and a new research and engineering center is due to open next month.
The Mazda2 production is currently underway at the Nanjing plant, which has an annual capacity of 160,000 units. A Ford-brand small car will also be produced at the plant by mid 2008. Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he could see the Verve concept being produced in China.
Chrysler announced plans to have Chery produce a small car in China, for sale in the U.S., earlier this year and Honda is already producing a small car in China for sale in Europe.
Producing cars in China allows manufacturers to save money in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Critics of the idea point to numerous quality issues with Chinese products. Will the quality issues be ironed out by the time Chinese built cars are sold in the U.S.?
+ Automotive News: Ford may export cars from China (subscription may be required)
Written By: Phil Floraday
September 21st, 2007 9:15 AM
.
No, we didn’t forget about the model report from Frankfurt. Enjoy these photos of our favorite girls from the stands at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show.
P.S. - Don’t forget, you can download your favorite high-resolution images from WINDING ROAD’s galleries by clicking on the button in the lower left-hand corner below the image of your choice.
Written By: Phil Floraday
September 19th, 2007 10:40 AM
.
More crossovers, a sports car and a high-end car are on the top of Infinit’s list for expanding the current model line according to an Automotive News report. Carlos Tavares, Nissan Motor Corporation’s executive vice president for product planning, hinted at expansion efforts during an interview with Automotive News at the Frankfurt auto show.
Expanding the reach of the Infiniti brand is key to increasing global sales numbers. To this end, the brand will appear in Western Europe next fall. The brand already has a presence in South Korea, China, and Russia, but the goal is to reach 90 percent, or more, of the luxury market around the world in 2010.
The brand’s offerings will expand by 50 percent in the same timeframe. Currently, Infiniti has six models, including the new EX35 which is scheduled to go on sale in December.
+ Automotive News: Infiniti line to grow to ‘10 or so’ models (subscription may be required)
Written By: Seyth Miersma
September 18th, 2007 1:40 PM
.
Instead of debuting their new handbuilt masterpiece, the GT MF 5, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Wiesmann took the opportunity to show off their newest showroom and newest auto all at once.
Bowing just down the street (we hear, our navigation of Frankfurt left a little to be desired) from the IAA, the new Wiesmann super-coupe certainly pulls no punches as far as its appearance. Shown for the first time in a love it or hate it Tiffany Blue, the MF 5’s exaggerated wing, along with blacked out grill and wheels, are bound to divide the opinion of enthusiasts.
Beyond debate are the performance numbers of the Wiesmann. Using the 507 horsepower (European spec, of course) V-10 from BMW’s M6, the killer coupe will sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.9 seconds, and top out at an eye watering 193 mph. The lower and wider MF 5 is able to hang on at those outrageous speeds, using its aero modifications to generate downforce and aid high-speed stability.
At € 178,900 (that’s $248,000) Wiesmann will be more than happy to custom fit seats and interior, or throw in a selection of super-lightweight carbon bits for just a modest premium. We’ll just ask for a black paintjob and some huge sun glasses, thanks.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a high resolution gallery of MF 5 images or on the jump to read Wiesmann’s official press release.)
continued →
Written By: Peter Nunn
September 15th, 2007 5:50 PM
.
Nissan has already announced that it will launch a new diesel-powered Maxima for North America in 2010.
This new “clean” 3.0-liter V-6 dCi was just introduced in concept form at the Frankfurt Auto Show and has been fully engineered (together with Renault) from the outset to meet America’s rigid Tier2 BIN5 emissions standards, acknowledged as the toughest in the world.
As an indication of how seriously Nissan seems to be taking the coming diesel move into America, the Japanese press is now reporting that Nissan is looking at building the new V-6 diesel at its Dechard, Tenessee plant. Nissan though, has dismissed these reports as “total speculation.”
Looking further ahead, the paper also says that Nissan will drop a clean 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel into the Altima and assorted SUVs. But again that’s “to be confirmed.”
Still, it makes a lot of sense considering Nissan’s hybrid situation in the U.S.…
Written By: Seyth Miersma
September 15th, 2007 12:32 PM
.
Though not turned up to the same volume as some of Frankfurt’s debuts, Volvo’s C30 Efficiency nonetheless represents an important development for the brand.
Green tech is all the rage at this year’s show, and though it might have been upstaged visually by its sister car on the Volvo stand, the plug-in ReCharge concept, the C30 Efficiency represents a real world step forward for environmental concerns.
By using simpler solutions and efficient technologies (high mileage diesel, low coefficient of drag, etc.), Volvo has created a mid-range solution to the question of lowering a vehicle’s environmental footprint. Most importantly, Volvo will begin selling a 1.6-liter diesel C30 in 2008 (that consumes less than 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers), giving concerned European consumers a real “green” option, instead of just another promise.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch live and stock galleries of the Volvo C30 Efficiency)
Next >
Cadillac CTS-V Laps Nurburgring in Sedan Record 7:59:32
Opel Insignia Hatchback Spied Undisguised 
The Rise of Hyundai: From Mitsubishi Borrower to Possible M-B Supplier
First Look At Possible New MG TF
So Long Super Aguri: Financial Woes Cause Formula One Team to Call it A Day
