Stunning Peugeot Coupe unveiled

Peugeot unveils stunning Audi TT rival at Frankfurt, the 308 RC-

The stunning Peugeot 308 RC-Z has wowed crowds at the Frankfurt motor show. The car is a 2+2 coupe and is similar to Audi’s TT. It is made of aluminium, but safety has been paramount as it has two roll over protection bars that separate the passenger compartment and give added shape to the exterior. Powered by a 1.6-litre engine, it has an output of 218bhp letting you do a standing start to 62mph in 7.5 seconds. You can almost hear the Peugeot Lion purring at the sight of its most beautiful car to date.

Fancy a ride in a Fiat 500?

Fiat blows away the Frankfurt Motor Show with giant 50

It was hard to miss Fiat's star of the show - the 500. For a start, there was a hansel and grettle style trail of ladies, styled to within an inch of their lives and sporting white jumpsuits,, to show the way. I just followed these and was confronted with a giant version of the popular new supermini. To give you an idea of the scale...the model's wheels disappeared to reveal real-life 500s inside, which visitors can ride through the supersized version and out towards the gobsmacked crowd.

The showstopper was joined on the stands with the Italian firm's new Panda Aria - an eco version of the five-door hatch that promises up to 90mpg, while producing just 65g per km of CO2.

New software from Microsoft, based on the Blue&Me kit already seen in the family's line-up, was also unveiled. This allows drivers to download emissions and consumption details after each trip - an idea which is designed to make motorists drive more economically.

For more details and pictures on all the launches at Frankfurt, get your copy of the latest Auto Express, on sale at newsagents now!

A new Chrysler Grand Voyager

Frankfurt Motor Show

Chrysler beefs up the minivan

A new Chrysler Grand Voyager shows the future of minivans - it's chunky and full of flexible seating

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The original minivan is back in the guise of the Chrysler Grand Voyager and it looks beefier than ever. The American giant claims that this car features 30 new or improved features inside such as the Swivel ‘n Go seating system which allows the second row seats to rotate 180 degrees. This means if you’ve kids in both rows they can swivel to face each other, there’s also a removable table that can be placed in between these rows so that passengers can chat, play games or even work when on the move. There’s also the nifty looking sliding front console that can be moved between the fron and rear passenger.

For more details and pictures on all the launches at Frankfurt, get your copy of the latest Auto Express, on sale at newsagents now!

X6 concept proves popular as BMW

Frankfurt Motor Show

BMW kicks off the show

X6 concept proves popular as BMW suggests a new class of car - the sports utility coupe

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The cover's been lifted on the very first unveil at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. And fittingly, it's German maker BMW that's kick-started the proceedings - with its stunning new X6 concept. It may have been just 8.30am, but it was already standing room only in the vast exhibition hall BMW had exclusively filled with examples of what looked like its entire line-up.

The eyes of the world's press were firmly fixed on the X6 podium, however - where its arrival was marked with giant pistons pulsating at the mouth of the stand and, of course, a time-honoured smoke screen. When this finally dispersed, it revealed the newcomer in the flesh - and a completely new car category - a Sports Utility Coupe.

And it certainly lived up to its badge. The X6 is an impressive mix of chunky, practical 4x4 styling, with the sleek lines and the dramatic sloping roofline you would expect in a coupe.

Other unveils on the stand included a diesel-powered 6-series, the 635D, with a 3.0-litre 285hp engine promising to deliver around 40mpg. A 1-series coupe was also unveiled, with diesel power. The 123D promises to emit just 138g per km of CO2.

For more details and pictures on all the launches at Frankfurt, get your copy of the latest Auto Express, on sale at newsagents now!

all-new Volvo XC70

It's not that the all-new Volvo XC70, on display Sunday through Tuesday at ispo Sport & Style in Munich, Germany, is really a green ride. In this case, it's what's on top that counts. At the show, Volvo is pushing this year's Volvo Sports Design Forum and the Volvo Sports Design Award, just like its been doing since 2003. The award-winner this year is the Swiss bicycle expert BCM with their Pro Machine SLC01.

The Volvo XC70 that will be displayed at ispo will feature a Pro Machine SLC01 mounted on a special roof rack.
Volvo points out that the Pro Machine SLC01 is easy to get onto the roof, because the bike's frame weighs less than a kilogram (it's heavy on the wallet, though, at about US$3,650).

I'll be more impressed when built-in bike racks like this one are standard equipment, or at least affordable options, on more vehicles

Frankfurt Preview: Renault's new Clio-based station wagon

Frankfurt Preview: Renault's new Clio-based station wagon

Want a small Renault car, but nothing too small? The French automaker would like to introduce you to the latest incarnation of the Clio, this time its a small station wagon that will be unveiled the Frankfurt IAA in September. Just how green this car might be is not yet public information, but any time automakers give small a chance is good news to us.

Automotive News (subs req'd) says that Renault aims to compete with Skoda's Fabia Combi and Peugeot's 207 station wagons. Global Insight's Christoph Stürmer told AN that, "It's a defensive move. The success of the first-generation Fabia Combi was so great that no one wants to miss out on the opportunity. The B segment is highly competitive and you are fighting for every customer."

Seems like a good fight.

Citroën C5 Airscape is a green executive cabriolet with new UrbanHybrid system

Citroën C5 Airscape is a green executive cabriolet with new UrbanHybrid system

Citroën's latest announced concept car, the C5 Airscape, is coming to the Frankfurt Motor Show next month and the green side of this muscular convertible (excuse me, cabriolet) is presented first and foremost as Citroën tries to build up interest in this car. From the carbon fiber roof to the aerodynamic design to the new "UrbanHybrid" powertrain, Citroën is trying to make the executive cabriolet a greener cruiser.

Here's what Citroën says about the UrbayHybrid system:

Fuel economy is managed by an 'UrbanHybrid' system that includes a reversible alternator-starter and super capacitors. This system allows onboard equipment, such as the air conditioning or audio system, to be powered by energy recovered during braking and deceleration, while engine torque can be temporarily boosted when required.

The 'UrbanHybrid' system, which helps reduce CO2 emissions by 24g/km on the combined cycle, also switches off the engine when the vehicle is at standstill, before starting it again instantly once the accelerator is pressed. The fitting of a refined, bio-diesel compliant 208bhp 2.7HDi V6 engine, complete with particulate filter, further minimises any impact on the environment.

A biodiesel hybrid with lightweight parts? That gives the C5 Airscape a solid combination of green tech and an exterior look that should appeal to those who desire an elegant silver Sunday driver. It'll be interesting to see how much of this concept makes it to future Citroën models. Aside from the green side of the C5 Airscape, Citroën seems to be excited about the automatic folding top and other high-end features. You can read about those in the press release after the jump.

BMW becomes world's biggest-selling premium automaker

BMW becomes world's biggest-selling premium automaker

BMW outdid compatriots Mercedes and Audi to sell the most cars in August, taking the cake with the number one spot and probably the Benjamins as well. Compared to Audi's 66,400 cars and Mercedes' (and smart's) 96,200, BMW (with MINI) rolled 99,755 cars off dealer lots.

BMW couldn't have done it without the success of the MINI, and we can debate whether it's fair to include it in a shootout. Minus the little British lifestyle accessory, BMW only moved 85,003 units. Nevertheless, as long as its in there, it bodes well for the blue-and-white propeller, with the X5 and MINI (which is up 24%) still doing very well. All three makers have new and refreshed models on the way shortly, but BMW also has the brand new -- and certain to be popular -- volume-selling 1-Series and MINI Clubman in the works.

And not that they will add too much to the tally, but while we're throwing things in, there's the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe that will probably outsell Maybach all by itself. If it isn't already, the question soon will be: can you get too much BMW?

Mitsuoka Orochi specs, pricing announced

Mitsuoka Orochi specs, pricing announced

Japanese automaker Mitsuoka has revealed the production version of it's unique-looking mid-engined Orochi sports car, along with the car's production plans, pricing, and specifications. The Orochi, named for an eight-headed serpent out of Japanese folklore, first appeared as a 2001 concept car, and from the looks of things, the production vehicle stays very true to the concept. The Orochi was introduced at a press conference that opened with a Kabuki show (above right), during which a white example of the sports car was driven onstage.

In the past, we've seen the Orochi referred to as a supercar, but while it looks as (if not more) exotic as just about any limited-production vehicle on the planet, it lacks the performance credentials (on paper, at least) to put it in supercar territory. In fact, the powertrain will be familiar to many. The 3.3L V6 mounted aft of the passenger compartment is Toyota's well-known 3MZ-FE, which sees duty in the Camry, Solara, Sienna, Highlander, and Lexus RX (hybrid and standard versions). It makes around 230 horsepower and is connected to a Toyota 5-speed automatic. The decision was made to place efficiency and ease of use ahead of high performance.

Speaking of performance, no numbers were released along with the technical specifications, but don't expect anything earth-shattering. The car's average power, combined with a weight of approximately 3,400 pounds (around 100 less than a Solara), is not a recipe for big-time track numbers. In Japan, though, exclusivity seems to trump all, and that's a commodity the Orichi has in abundance. So what if it has just 230 horsepower? In Japan, arriving anywhere in one of these will bestow instant superstar status upon the driver.

400 Orochis will be built over the next four years, each costing ¥10,500,000 (around $89,000 USD). Orders can be placed beginning today with the first deliveries taking place in January 2007.

(Photos, tech specs after the jump)

[Source: Carview (translated)]

Production Version:



2001 Concept:


Technical Specifications:

Total length / Width / Total height = 4560mm / 2035mm / 1180mm
Wheelbase: 2600mm
Ground Clearance: 130mm
Vehicle weight: 1580kg
Passengers: 2
Engine: 3.3L V6DOHC (Toyota 3MZ-FE)
Max output: 233ps (172kW) at 5600rpm
Max torque: 33.4kg-m (328Nm) at 4400rpm
Fuel capacity: 60 liters (unleaded premium)
Transmission: 5-speed AT (Toyota)
Drive system: Mid-engine/rear drive
Suspension: front and rear double wishbone
Tires: Front: 245/45ZR18, Rear: 285/40ZR18
Body: hand made FRP make body
Door: side impact door with built-in steel beams
Chassis: handmade steel space frame

Equipment:
Low-beam side HID, motorized door mirror, airbags, automatic A/C, the Panasonic HDD Navigation, power windows, immobilizer, and full leather interior all standard