IAA 2011: New Stratos Makes its Motorshow Debut in Frankfurt

While the Fiat Group has more or less cut ("neutered" would probably be a more appropriate word…) Lancia from its past, a dedicated fan of the Italian brand with a lot of money to spend, decided to resurrect one the most famous sports cars of all time.

We are talking of course about German businessman Michael Stoschek and his one-off New Stratos that made its first public appearance at a major automotive event in Frankfurt.

The Stratos was designed and engineered by Pininfarina. The Italian design house based the sports car on the chassis of the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, albeit with a shortened wheelbase, while power comes from a 4.3-liter V8 engine sourced from the same model that delivers 540-horses and over 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque.

Even though Stoschek had pondered building a limited production run of the New Stratos since he owns the copyright to the design and build, Ferrari blocked his efforts stating that it "does not consent to construction of the planned limited run by either Pininfarina or any other Ferrari-dependent suppliers.”

 

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New Fisker Surf Concept Outlined Ahead of the Frankfurt Show

The teaser sketch you are looking at previews the new Fisker Surf concept that's scheduled to make its first public appearance at next week's 64th IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.

The company of former BMW designer Henrik Fisker reveals very little about the Surf study expect that it is an electric vehicle with extended range (EVer) capability, much like it’s stable mate the four-door Karma sports saloon.

"The Fisker Surf delivers a bold new twist and is sure to ‘wow’ global audiences with its combination of Uncompromised Responsible Luxury and head turning design," the company said in a short statement.

The sketch outlines a shape that suggests the Surf may feature a three-door shooting brake body style, but we'll have to wait until September 13 to find our more.

 

 

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Toyota to Debut 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid with up to 107MPG at the Frankfurt Motor Show

The final production version of Toyota's long anticipated Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle –or PHEV for short- will make its first public appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show on the 15th of September.

The Japanese automaker has been field-testing the Prius PHEV for quite some time now, but starting from next Spring, it will go on sale in Europe as well as other markets including select dealerships in the U.S. with a nationwide launch to follow in 2013.

The addition of a compact lithium-ion battery with plug-in capability increases both the efficiency as well as the car's all-electric driving range to around 13 miles or 21 km at speeds of up to 62mph (100km/h). Once the battery is depleted the PHEV reverts to its hybrid mode and operates as a regular Prius.

According to the automaker, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle can be fully charged in approximately three hours from a standard 110-volt electrical outlet, and in 90 minutes with a 220-volt connection.

Toyota said that based on the European homologation cycle, the Prius PHEV returns up to 128.4mpg UK (equal to 106.9mpg US and 2.2lt/100km) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 49 g/km, almost half the standard model.

"While some debate the relative merits of electric cars, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers drivers the best of both worlds; extended EV driving range for shorter journeys in towns and cities, while the efficient hybrid petrol engine gives the car uncompromised long range capability and the very low fuel consumption of the standard Prius," Toyota said in a statement.

In Europe, the new Prius Plug-in will join an expanded Toyota hybrid range consisting of the Prius, the British-built Auris hybrid, the new, seven-seat Prius+ and the soon-to-be-released Yaris hybrid.

 

 

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First Official Photo of 2012 Renault Twingo Facelift

Renault has given the smallest model in its range, the Twingo minicar, a mid-life facelift to keep it alive and fresh until its replacement, which will be based on a brand-new rear-wheel drive platform shared with Smart's future four-seater model, arrives in the market.

The French car firm released a single photo of the faclifted Twingo that is scheduled to make its first public appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show in September.

We only get a three-quarter view of the car, but it seems that if not all, most of the styling changes took place up front, which looks more sharper now.

Renault said that the revised Twingo is the first mass production vehicle to be inspired by the new design identity of the brand as seen in its recent concepts like the Frendzy van and the R-Space MPV.

More details on the refreshed Twingo will be released closer to the Frankfurt Motor Show.

 

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