At this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi plans to stun their audience with plenty of new designs and technology. Among the new models be this new Audi R8 Spider. Just before its debut next week, we managed to get our hands on a set of leaked snapshots of the aggressive styled supercar. It loses the carbon side blades, features a black canvass roof that tucks away behind the passenger compartment, a redesigned engine cover in the rear, twin speedster humps with newly styled air-vents and a powerful grille with surrounding LED daytime running lights. Power wise, the new Audi R8 Spider is expected to debut with the 5.2-liter V10 engine that outputs 525 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Nice little street beast to play with, eh? [via WCF]

Continue Reading

We’re certain that the Bentley Mulsanne isn’t the first Bentley to grace the premises of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. But it certainly is the latest and possibly most impressive. Bentley chose the ritzy locale to introduce journalists to two of its most influential members: COO Christophe Georges and the beautiful 2010 grand tourer. Unfortunately, the full details of the Mulsanne remain off limits until Frankfurt, but a few little tidbits slipped out such as the rich interior leather that makes use of old school tanning processes to subtly enhance the ride of “the purest Bentley ever.” The Mulsanne is also 15% more efficient than the Arnage, a trend that Bentley intends to continue into the future. As far as engine and drivetrain, Bentley has only indicated that it’s a V8-powered affair, but remains mum on all details. Luckily, there’s no shortage of pictures of luxurious car meeting luxurious hotel space to keep us at bay until then. [via AutoBlog]

Continue Reading

Not to be outdone by McLaren’s announcement of its new supercar, Mercedes has wowed us with the release of high-res photos and info on its own highly-anticipated SLS AMG. The captivating, gull-winged coupe features a 6.3-liter V8 that pumps 563 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque onto the rear wheels. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox gives the driver control over all that power. Mercedes is offering up a 3.7-second 0 to 60 time and a 197 mph top speed for its sleek new ride. The SLS AMG will be making its official debut at Frankfurt, but until then, enjoy some more pictures below. [via Jalopnik]

Continue Reading

Fresh for the Frankfurt Motor Show, German tuner Brabus has beefed up the recently-redesigned Mercedes S-Class to create what its calling the world’s fastest most powerful executive luxury sedan. The SV12 R Biturbo 750 houses Brabus’ twin turbo V12 under the hood providing 750 hp and 995 lb-ft of torque. Other modifications include increased displacement (from 5.5 to 6.3 liters), optimized intercooling system and stainless steel exhaust system with high flow catalysts. The substantial tweaking results in a 4.0-second 0 to 62 and a top out at 211 mph. Controlling all that speed is a high performance brake system with 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers in front and 6-piston aluminum fixed calipers in back. Finishing off the package with a little flair are Brabus’ Monoblock light alloy wheels. [via Motor Authority]

Continue Reading

Looking nearly as otherworldly as its name implies, the 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost has popped onto the scene. The new Rolls looks very much like the 200EX concept from Geneva and seeks to meld modern “yacht-like” styling with classic RR luxury. The Ghost’s jet-inspired grill, slim Xenon headlights, optional contrasting Satin Silver finish and broad, powerful lines give it a distinct profile. Inside, the driver is treated to the full Rolls Royce experience complete with plenty of leather, wood trim, chrome, lounge seats with heating, cooling and massage, frosted dials, and “violin key”. Also available are panorama sunroof, lambswool floor mats, veneered picnic table and cool box with included champagne glasses. All that comfort won’t do one much good if the car isn’t moving, and Rolls keeps you on track with a 6.6-liter V12 that puts out 563 bhp and 575 lb-ft of torque for a 4.7-second 0 to 60 time. The Ghost will debut at Frankfurt and will cost $245,000 when it comes stateside. [via World Car Fans]

Continue Reading

With styling inspired by its Geneva iosis MAX concept, the 2010 C-MAX is Ford’s newest addition to the multi-activity vehicle market. The full official unveil, of course, won’t happen until the 15th, but Ford of Europe has provided a couple of pictures and a little background information to whet our appetites. Ford has sought to stray away from traditional MAV offerings with “kinetic design”, which is best witnessed in the C-MAX’s sweeping coupe-style roofline. The C-MAX will feature a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost direct-injection petrol engine. No performance data has yet been released, but Ford offered a few other tidbits such as semi-automatic parallel parking and blind spot detection system. The C-MAX will hit Europe in the second half of 2010 and will be the first in Ford’s new-generation C-Segment platform. [via egmCarTech]

Continue Reading

Making the compact, agile Lotus Elise a little more stylish and fun, Lotus has introduced the Special Edition Elise Club Racer, which will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Borrowing its color schemes from Lotuses..err Loti…of years past, the Club Racer will be offered in Elite Yellow, Carbon Gray, Sky Blue and Old English White. Inside, microfiber “comfort pads” have been added to the stock seats to add a touch of extra plushness, and an anthracite anodized gear knob and handbrake sleeve help the driver get down to business. A small-diameter steering wheel with leather edging allows the driver to quickly aim momentum from the 134-hp drivetrain in whichever direction the track demands. While the engine doesn’t sound very inspiring, given that the Elise weighs in under a ton, it’s all the car needs to hit 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The special edition will go on sale the very same day it debuts. [via Motor Authority]

Continue Reading

Audi has launched a rather cryptic website that appears to foreshadow a previously-unseen release at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Rumors earlier this year indicated that Audi would unveil the electric R8 ePerformance concept at the show, so perhaps that’s what the site is all about, though it doesn’t provide anything explicit one way or the other. What it does provide is a countdown clock to September 15, some viral-type video content and a series of trivial facts and musings about electricity. That coupled with bold statements like: “But on September 15th, 2009, electricity, and all its force and power, will run wild and free and completely untamed”, indicate pretty clearly that Audi has some kind of EV waiting in the wings. While you wait the 11 days and counting to find out exactly what it is, stop by and check out the site for yourself. [via Motor Authority]

We here at MotorCrave love to see when classic cars are reintepreted and put back on the road. At least when they come off as beautiful as this 911 Sport Classic. A nod to the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, the Sport Classic features a classic ducktail spoiler and Fuchs-style custom alloy wheels. Other additions include a double-bubble roof, new front spoiler, bi-xenon headlamps with black surrounds and the Sport Chrono Package Plus. The engine is a 400-hp version of Porsche’s 3.8-liter flat-six. Performance-wise the Sport Classic hits 62 in 4.6 seconds and tops out at 187 mph. Just 250 models of the new Porsche will be offered, and both left and right-hand driving models will be available at the beginning of next year. Before then, the Sport Classic will be making a stop at Frankfurt. [via Motor Authority]

Continue Reading