Straightline

Most of the design work for the Lexus LF-Ch concept that debuted in September at Frankfurt happened at Toyota's Calty studio. Lexus divulged few technical details at the time, other than mentioning it had a "full hybrid" powertrain, but it's obvious a production version of the LF-Ch would fill a much needed gap in the brand's European product offerings -- this would be an Audi A3-BMW 1 Series fighter.

We've reported that the LF-Ch is being studied for the U.S. market as well. If you're curious about it, this slideshow presentation by Calty designers Tom Matsumoto and Edward Lee should be of interest. You won't learn any further product details, but you will learn a bit about how car designers work -- and what they were thinking when they came up with the Lexus LF-Ch.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Lexus

We can't say we were surprised to learn than BMW doesn't plan to build a diesel-electric hybrid like the Vision EfficientDynamics car shown in Frankfurt. It has nothing to do with the far-out styling and everything to do with cost.

"It would not be the most optimal use of finances to put a hybrid system with a highly efficient, three-cylinder diesel engine," said Tom Baloga, vice president of engineering for BMW of North America.

"The Vision EfficientDynamics was a combination of a lot of technologies that we expect to introduce -- a three-cylinder engine, a full hybrid system, battery electric power. We're confident that all of this technology will make its way into our fleet, but more than likely not all in one vehicle."

Categories: BMW,Concept Vehicles,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Hybrids

After decades of development, you would think there isn't much more performance to be had out of the Porsche 911. "Nonsense!" say the engineers in Weissach, there is always another kilogram to cut.

The chart below lays out the differences between last year's Porsche 911 Turbo and the latest 2010 Turbo. Note the lap time from the Nurburgring, a solid 10 seconds quicker. Not bad.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

Categories: Coupes,Frankfurt Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Porsche,Sports Cars

BMW doesn't really do flights of fancy, so upon seeing the company's Vision EfficientDynamics concept with our own eyes at the Frankfurt Auto Show, we knew all these strange curves had to be leading up to something very interesting and production-ready. Today, we got an answer in the form of the 2012 BMW M1.

It's an interesting time for BMW to revive the M1 nameplate (last heard from in 1981), as Mercedes-Benz is readying the reborn gullwing, the 2010 SLS AMG. And coincidentally enough, Benz is working on an electric version of the SLS that would use four electric motors and two transmissions to achieve a 3.8-second 0-to-60-mph time and a 150-mph top speed.

In contrast to the all-electric SLS and the R8-inspired Audi E-tron, the BMW M1 will be a plug-in hybrid. Drivetrain components will apparently come straight out of the EfficientDynamics concept, which had a "mid-mounted" 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbodiesel despite a 2+2 seating arrangement.

The concept also had two electric motors -- one packaged between the diesel inline-3 and a rear transaxle version of BMW's M DCT dual-clutch gearbox, and the other up front driving the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox. Ninety-eight lithium polymer cells provide the power for the electric motors. Peak output of all power sources, according to BMW, would be 356 hp, along with 590 pound-feet of torque.

Another photo and more information after the jump.

Continue reading An Early Look at the 2012 BMW M1.

Categories: BMW,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Sports Cars

This video from Porsche is an odd pairing of subject matter. First, we see Timo Bernhard, a test driver for Porsche and endurance racer, driving a 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo convertible in the rain. Then, we get a walkaround of a static Porsche 911 Sport Classic. The latter segment is understandably less thrilling, but you'll get a good feel for all the 2.7 RS throwback cues on this car.

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Porsche,Sports Cars

We've told you Lexus might build a production version of the LF-Ch hatchback from Frankfurt, but we haven't shown you much of the interior. You can't draw any hard conclusions from a concept car, obviously, but there's some indication of future directions the company might take in interior design.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Lexus LF-Ch Concept

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Hatchbacks,Hybrids,Lexus

The updated 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo appeared alongside the 911 GT3 RS and 911 Sport Classic in Frankfurt. The Turbo gets the direct-injected 3.8-liter flat six, which, with the benefit of twin, variable-geometry turbochargers, provides 500 hp at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque from 1,950-5,000 rpm. And, naturally, you've got your pick of the 6-speed conventional manual or the 7-speed PDK automated dual-clutch 'box.

Frankfurt Preview: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Porsche,Sports Cars

A heavily produced film from Ferrari of a pair of 458 Italia on the track. There's a real sense of speed in this video (not to mention a very nice soundtrack), though the speedometer (if it's to be believed) never shows anything quicker than 245 km/h... just over 150 mph. Given enough space, the 458 Italia is said to top out over 200 mph.

Photo gallery from the Frankfurt show floor

Ferrariworld, Autoblog

Categories: Ferrari,Frankfurt Auto Show,Sports Cars

The last of the GM-engineered Saabs, the Epsilon II-based 2010 Saab 9-5, quietly debuted in Frankfurt this week. This is just some running footage from Saab, but it's a chance to see the interior and the car on the road.

We're expecting the new 9-5 to feel a lot like the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, which we've driven in regular and VXR vareties.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2010 Saab 9-5

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Saab,Sedans

Updated

It was pretty clear the Lexus LF-Ch concept from Frankfurt was aimed at European buyers. Sure, it was designed mostly by Toyota's Calty studio in Newport Beach, CA (with some input from the European studio in Paris), but it's small and it's a hatchback.

"It's aimed at the C premium class in Europe," said Nancy Hubbell, Lexus communications manager. "That's the largest luxury category there, and we've never had a player."

But that doesn't mean Lexus wouldn't want to sell a production version of the LF-Ch in the U.S. Existing C premium players like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series have done rather well here. (Ha, well, not really in the 1er's case, but that's why BMW should have imported the 5-door hatchback version, right? Right?)

Although Hubbell says the LF-Ch would be a ways off ("not even in the next year"), she notes that Lexus is "definitely trying to gauge customer reaction."

Since most of you aren't going to hop on a plane to Frankfurt, Lexus has conveniently set up a web site. You can sign up for updates, naturally, or you can take a multiple-choice survey and weigh in on the styling.

Perhaps the most telling question is this one, suggesting a production car wouldn't necessarily even be a hybrid:

Does the Hybrid powertrain feature add to the appeal of this car?
--> Yes, I want MPG with looks and handling.
--> No, the hybrid attribute does not add to the car's appeal.
--> Doesn't really matter.

Of course, there's also a question about your involvement in social networking and Lexus has updated its Facebook page. 

Lexus LF-Ch Survey

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Lexus LF-Ch Concept

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Hatchbacks,Hybrids,Lexus

Remember when Jay Leno and Elle MacPherson unveiled the 2010 Jaguar XJ in London back in July? We got to spend some more time with the 2010 XJ sedan in Frankfurt, its first major auto show appearance. Contributor Alistair Weaver gives you a tour of the XJ's design.

First Look: 2010 Jaguar XJ

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Jaguar,Luxury Cars,Sedans

Imagine the thrill of driving around in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS the night before Frankfurt. Usually, showcars get all kinds of babying, but this one apparently hit 293 km/h (182 mph) on the autobahn at night. This video has been circulating on the Web, and it's worth a watch if you haven't seen it -- well, at least the first minute of it.

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Porsche,Sports Cars

Yes, it's true, this uh...vehicle is capable of returning nearly 170 mpg. That's the kind of number you can achieve when you're only putting out 27 horsepower in a body that weighs 838 pounds.

Impressive on paper maybe, but stand next to the thing and the idea of the L1 as a car seems a bit of a stretch. Only two, shall we say, smaller adults could fit in the thing and their luggage would be limited to a small handbag.

And then there's the whole enclosed canopy issue, not exactly the most comfortable way to travel.

So nice concept, maybe. But a "car" the L1 is not.

Categories: Concept Vehicles,Diesels,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Green Tech,Hybrids,Volkswagen

Yes, this is a 525-horsepower, matte-silver station wagon with carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Is any additional explanation why this is cool really needed?

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Mercedes-Benz,Wagons

You'll remember last week that the Canadian supplier Magna and the Russian bank Sberbank took over 55 percent ownership of Opel/Vauxhall. GM retained a 35 percent stake, with Opel employees taking the remaining 10 percent.

Yet, an updated version of the Opel Ampera, a four-door, plug-in series hybrid based on the Chevrolet Volt, was still in Opel's booth at Frankfurt (the original version debuted in Geneva). Inside Line spoke with a GM official, who confirmed that the Ampera program is still on.

Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Green Tech,Hybrids,Opel