2010 Kia Sorento Shown in Frankfurt, Including Diesel Hybrid

While some early reviews of the 2010 Sorento have hit the web — check out Motor Trend’s thorough testing of a European model — Kia isn’t offering up much information about the U.S. version. However, we do have some images of the new SUV, which will seat seven with an optional third row, and come in four-cylinder and V-6 varieties.

The hybrid diesel concept, which was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show, is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel teamed with an electric motor and dual clutch transmission. Lithium-ion batteries are also part of the powerplant. Overall, the hybrid is 8% lighter than a standard Sorento, and there are aerodynamic under-floor panels  to help with efficiency.  

There’s little chance the diesel hybrid will hit the U.S., but it’s part of a new EcoDynamics range of hybrids, which will likely produce a typical hybrid version of the crossover at some point. Perhaps we’ll hear more at the Los Angeles auto show in December.

Rolls-Royce Ghost at the Frankfurt Motor Show

• Competes with: 2500sf 4BR/2.5BA … OK, a Maybach 57
• Looks like: A smaller Phantom sedan, which isn’t a bad thing
• Drivetrain: 563-hp, 6.6-liter twin-turbo V-12 with eight-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Likely sometime in early 2010

Those who follow the ultra-luxury segment — both fanboys and the people who can actually afford these things — will recall Rolls-Royce’s 200EX concept, which was unveiled at last spring’s Geneva Motor Show. The Ghost is the production version, and it looks much like the 200EX. A smaller, less expensive sibling to the RR’s flagship Phantom, the Ghost should appeal to “customers who have never had a Rolls-Royce before,” Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves told Bloomberg News at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Of course, less expensive is a relative term. With a reported starting price around $338,000, it’s a wee bit pricier — a mere $160,000 — than Bentley’s least expensive sedan, the Continental Flying Spur.  But the Rolls is no Continental lookalike. It looks more like cars of the steel-girded, half-a-million-greenbacks ilk, complete with an imposing upright grille, suicide rear doors and a power-retracting Spirit of Ecstasy statuette.

The Ghost is smaller, to be sure — some 16 inches shorter than a Phantom sedan — but it should prove to be a sizable presence in any driveway. At 5,445 pounds, it packs nearly 1,000 pounds of additional heft versus a Mercedes S600. That won’t weigh it down, though. Thanks to a 563-horsepower, twin-turbo V-12 and an eight-speed automatic, Rolls-Royce says the Ghost scoots to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Inside, the five-seat cabin has a number of influences from Rolls-Royce owner BMW. There’s an iDrive-like controller for the center-dash display, though thankfully, it appears to have the functionality and shortcut keys from the Bavarian’s latest-generation iDrive, which beats iDrive 1.0 like “Top Chef” beats “Iron Chef.” (Oh boy, here come the emails.) As you might expect, wood and leather abound, with cowhides cut from bulls that roamed in barbed-wire-free fields. There are plenty of technological amenities, too:  Front, side and rear cameras provide fish-eye views around the entire car, active cruise control can bring the Ghost to a full stop in traffic and rear passengers can enjoy their own multimedia system displays.

There’s no word on when the Ghost will materialize at U.S. dealerships — a Rolls-Royce representative has yet to return our calls — but we’d expect it to arrive sometime early next year. Stay tuned for more details, and check out the photos below.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon

• Competes with: Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Volvo XC70
• Looks like: Private schoolchildren have a new ride
• Drivetrain: 268-hp V-6 with seven-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Mid-2010

While most of the cars we’re hearing about in Frankfurt are of the fanciful supercar variety, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its most utilitarian of non-SUV models, the new E-Class wagon. The sedan and coupe versions of the E-Class were redesigned this year and are on sale now, but the new wagon won’t make it stateside until later next year as a 2011 model.

Because the new E-Class design — and Mercedes’ design overall — has a lot more hard lines and creases than the competition, the wagon’s wedge shape seems an easy transition for the designers. The profile is handsome and the front looks menacing; only the rear seems to be somewhat staid. It’s a wagon — what are you expecting?

Cargo volume is listed as 68 cubic feet, which would make it larger than the Audi A6 Avant (63.8 cubic feet) and the BMW 535i xDrive Sports Wagon (58.3 cubic feet).  

The E-Class will go on sale in only one trim level to start, the E350 4matic, which has a 268-horsepower V-6 and Mercedes’ new seven-speed automatic. It will also have a self-leveling suspension for the rear to adjust for heavy loads.

Pricing won’t be announced until closer to the on-sale date, but the 2010 E350 4matic sedan is $2,000 less than the 2009 it replaced. The 2009 E350 4matic wagon starts at $57,250. The 2011 will also come with high-tech options like a collision warning system and Attention Assist, which alerts you when you’re drowsy. More photos below.

Mini Roadster Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show

• Looks like: A sportier Mini convertible
• Defining characteristics: No rear seats
• Ridiculous features: Bentley-esque backside
• Chance of being mass-produced: 100%

BMW has already confirmed that this Roadster concept and the Mini Coupe concept we showed you a few weeks ago will go into production in the near future. We’ll guess that the finished products won’t look radically different from the concepts that are sitting underneath the auto show’s lights.

You might be asking — like we are — why on earth does Mini need slightly smaller versions of the current Coopers we all know and love. The answer is not an easy one, but we’d guess these two cars are meant for driving enthusiasts who already covet the Mini’s handling and performance characteristics. These two shorter, lighter cars should be thrilling to drive.

Both will likely be powered by only the top engine in the Mini lineup, a turbocharged four-cylinder that’s good for 172 horsepower. Mini’s press release says 175 hp, so we’re not sure if the engines will get a minimal increase across the line or if it’ll strictly be for the new models.

Regardless, Mini fans will be ecstatic to have more cars to choose from. However, most car shoppers are more likely to consider the long-awaited Mini crossover. More photos of the Roadster concept are below.

Ferrari 458 Italia at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Competes with: Lamborghini Reventon, Maserati Gran Turismo
• Looks like: Ferrari is actually getting adventurous with its design
• Drivetrain: 562-hp, 4.5-liter V-8 engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
• Hits dealerships: 2010

Ferrari has been on an unusual tear of releasing new models. Last year, we were treated to the California convertible, and now we get the 458 Italia. This new mid-engine two-seater is radical looking no matter which angle you view it from. From the front, the trailing headlight LEDs and strange eyelit vents are completely original and quite outrageous. While they’re unique looking, they still speak to the Ferrari faithful.

Far more provocative, however, is the rear and its voluptuous fender. The profile — it’s hard to find a good profile image from the manufacturer — is probably the shot that’s most distressing to Ferrari fans because the back half looks enormous compared to the car’s hood. From straight on, the back’s protruding taillights and trio of exhaust pipes are also slightly bizarre. 

Pentastar wheels are the only traditional touch we can see.

Of course, it’s still a Ferrari and that means it can perform as well as strain gawkers’ necks. The V-8 engine is good for 562 horsepower and a zero-to-62 time of 3.4 seconds, which is about as fast as anyone can expect to go in a car today that doesn’t shoot flames out the back. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is controlled only by paddle shifters on the Formula One race-inspired steering wheel, and dual electronic gauges frame a center tachometer, which says this is a serious performance machine.

Because the engine sits behind the seats weight is balanced 42/58 front to rear, which should make for fun days on the track. More photos below.

2011 Ford C-Max at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Competes with: Mazda5, Kia Rondo
• Looks like: Ford is truly going global
• Drivetrain: Turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder
• Hits dealerships: Late 2011

On one hand, we want to be excited that Ford is bringing its European offerings to the U.S. On the other hand, how excited can you get about a car no one will be able to buy for more than two years?

The Ford C-Max, the company’s small minivan that’s currently available across the pond, gets a redesign for next year, and Ford has officially announced they’ll finally bring it to the States, sliding rear doors and all. As we reported earlier, the new C-Max will be the first vehicle based on the next-generation Focus platform. That new Ford Focus will debut at the Detroit auto show in January 2010, which sounds like it will go on sale in the U.S. before the C-Max.

We’re not sure what will power that Focus, but an all-new turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder will get the C-Max going. This is part of the company’s EcoBoost engine offerings. While the company hasn’t released specs yet, rumors have the engine’s power around 180 horsepower and returning gas mileage numbers that are similar to the current Focus’ high numbers.

Only a seven-seat version of the C-Max will go on sale in North America. It’s actually larger than the five-seater, which is available only in Europe, and that allows for the seven-seater’s sliding rear doors. The interior looks upscale for the class, a trait of most of Ford’s European products.

The performance, mileage and utility of this little van should be a big hit if consumers continue to downsize. It’s too bad we’ll have to wait so long to get this for a test drive. More photos below.   

Audi e-Tron Concept at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Looks like: R8 meets A5, with an extension cord
• Defining characteristics: Battery-electric with four motors
• Ridiculous features: Wire-wheel look on a 21st-century car
• Chance of being mass-produced: Some aspects are sure to emerge

Audi, a purveyor of clean-diesel technology, has given hybrids the slip and tried its hand with a pure battery-electric sports car, the e-Tron Concept . Equipped with an electric motor for each of its four wheels, the e-Tron provides a new approach to all-wheel drive, which Audi has long championed with its Quattro system. The company says the lithium-ion battery pack provides a range of 154 miles in combined city/highway driving.

The motors, which are affixed to axle half-shafts — two in front, two in back, produce a maximum of 313 horsepower and 3,319 pounds-feet of torque (yeah, we had to read that a few times ourselves). The zero-to-62 mph time is a claimed 4.8 seconds. As a backup to the regenerative braking that's common among hybrids and electrics, Audi uses a single hydraulic brake on the front axle and two electrohydraulic components on the rear.

2011 Audi R8 Spyder at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Competes with: Ferrari California and F430 Spider, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Porsche 911 Cabriolet Carrera 4S
• Looks like: A droptop R8 from the front and rear; a sweet convertible from the side
• Drivetrain: 525-hp, V-10, six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automated manual
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2010…in Europe 

Lucky Frankfurt Motor Show attendees will be the first to see a convertible version of Audi's phenomenal R8, called the R8 Spyder. Foregoing the proliferating retractable hardtop, Audi has gone with a soft-top to keep weight in check and maximize cargo space (and really, when the engine's behind the seats, there's little choice). Due for production in the first quarter of 2010, the Spyder will come only with a 5.2-liter V-10 engine, which is a new option on the hardtop R8 for 2010.

Much of the added weight in convertible versions of coupes comes from structural reinforcements, but Audi claims the Spyder's aluminum space frame is only about 13 pounds heavier than the coupe's. The fully automatic top itself adds about 66 pounds, Audi says.

The Spyder lacks the coupe's characteristic side blades, however, the air intakes remain on the flanks behind the doors to cool the midmounted engine. Available photos only show the car with the top down, so we can't tell how it matches the coupe's silhouette. It definitely looks good, and it's unmistakably an R8 when viewed from the front and back.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Competes with: Audi R8, Ferrari California
• Looks like: A classic shape with a modern front end
• Drivetrain: 420-hp, 6.3-liter V-8 with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
• Hits dealerships: Mid-2010

Mercedes’ last gasp in the supercar game was the SLR McLaren, which ended its run of wowing car-show patrons last year. Although it was a gorgeous car, it had been around for six years, and Mercedes wanted to break away from the McLaren partnership to build the $500,000 car. The all-new SLS AMG was designed completely in-house, and it features some retro aesthetics, namely gull-wing doors.

To get to those gull-wings, you first have to get past the front end with its flattened grille and gigantic Mercedes emblem. It’s easy to pick apart a grille these days — it’s the blank canvas that automakers feel free to deface. However, the SLS AMG’s profile and rear are much more minimal in design and would even be considered understated by some. The interior is supposed to evoke the feel of an aircraft cockpit, and the numerous buttons on the center console certainly help with that.

Performance isn’t neglected for style as the 6.3-liter V-8 is a terrific engine, and teaming it to a lightweight body — 3,571 pounds — leads to a zero-to-60 time of 3.6 seconds. Weight is distributed in a 47/53 front-to-rear ratio, and the transmission is a dual-clutch with seven speeds.

The big question is how many of the SLS AMGs — believed to be around $250,000 — will we ever see. The very limited SLR McLaren  sold around 3,500 units in its lifetime, and it looks like the price of the SLS will put it in more rarified air than the likes of the Audi R8.

Toyota Prius Plug-In Concept at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Looks like: The 2010 Toyota Prius we see in extravagant TV commercials
• Defining characteristics: Plug-in capability
• Ridiculous features: Can only go 12 miles on electric power
• Chance of being mass-produced: Starts testing next year, so chances are good

Plug-in hybrids will go on sale at a real dealership near you in the next few years. That fact seems inevitable now. We don’t doubt Chevy will start actually selling the Volt plug-in late next year, or Ford will sell its electric Focus after that. But now that Toyota has officially joined the game with its Prius Plug-In concept, the electric era seems inevitable.

It’s only called a concept here because Toyota is not putting it into full production. Otherwise, what you see here is fully operational and will go into testing in 2010. 

500 test vehicles will roll out worldwide next year to see what the user experience is really like. The hybrid powertrain is identical to the new Prius, except for the batteries. The plug-in will have lithium-ion batteries while the standard Prius still packs nickel hydride.

This Prius can be plugged into a normal household outlet and recharge in just one and a half hours. Its maximum range on purely electric power is just 12 miles, after that it will run on gasoline just like any traditional hybrid. That’s far less than the Volt’s claims of a 40 mile range on just electric power. However, the Prius’ hybrid system allows for average fuel economy of 50 mpg, while the Volt will likely be less, perhaps under 40 mpg. Top speed is also limited to 62 mph in electric mode.

Toyota says these test vehicles need to complete an evaluation period before they’re considered for commercial release, but we highly doubt Toyota is going to wait for that before readying a more capable version for sale to compete with the Volt. A few more images are below.