Brabus Unveils World’s Fastest Street Legal Sedan at Frankfurt

Brabus Unveils World’s Fastest Street Legal Sedan at Frankfurt:

For over a decade Brabus has been building the world’s fastest street legal sedans. The 1996 Brabus E V12 was the first Brabus-modified Mercedes-Benz to exceed the magical 200 mph barrier, with a top speed of 205 mph.

Today, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Brabus is showing off the Brabus Rocket 800, which has a top speed of 230 mph, although it is electronically limited to 217 mph for highway use due to tire speed-rating restrictions.

The company’s latest rocketship is based on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS and is powered by a Brabus 800 6.3-liter V12 Biturbo engine that produces 800 hp (788 bhp) with a peak torque of 1,047 lb-ft, which in the car is limited to “only” 811 lb-ft.

With that sort of power on tap it’s not surprising to find that the Rocket 800 can accelerate from 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, 0-200 kph (0-124 mph) in 9.8 seconds and 0-300 kph (0-186 mph) in just 23.8 seconds.

In order to keep the enormous performance safely in check at all times, the vehicle’s aerodynamic properties, suspension and brakes were extensively modified. The Rocket 800’s front spoiler and the radiator frame was developed in the wind tunnel and manufactured from ultra-light, high-strength carbon fiber.

The front spoiler features large air inlets and side air vents to ensure optimal air supply to the radiators, oil coolers and front brakes. Just as important, it also minimizes lift on the front while improving drag.

The custom rear wing and rear diffuser also help keep the car on the ground at speeds that are undoubtedly getting close to lift-off. Carbon fiber fenders add 1.6 inches to the width of a stock CLS.

If you want one of these beasts, the built-to-order Brabus Rocket 800 has a sticker price starting at 429,000 Euros ($587,913). Ideally you’d want to buy it in Germany as that’s the only country where you can legally drive the world’s fastest street-legal sedan on a public street anywhere close to its governed top speed of 217 mph!

More: Frankfurt Auto Show News & Photos >>

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A Slice of Americana, 1960—You Write the Caption

A Slice of Americana, 1960—You Write the Caption:

Amid all this news about exciting new cars from the Frankfurt Auto Show, let’s step back and have a little fun with some old cars.

In going through some old GM press materials, we came across this gem of a black & white publicity shot. It features a cute little baby, on the rear parcel shelf of a 1960 Corvair sedan, with this caption typed on the back of the print:

“Spacious area behind rear seat (in this case) acts as a baby crib.”

Can you imagine a shot like this being released today? In these PC (and certainly smarter) times, Chevy would be in trouble if that was the family dog in the photo.

While we’d never condone this action, this photo is charmingly reflective of a simpler time, of 1960s Americana, and it just cries out for a creative caption.

What would yours read?

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A Slice of Americana, 1960—Volume 2…You Write the Caption!

A Slice of Americana, 1960—Volume 2…You Write the Caption!:

Well, response was so good (and clever) to my blog from yesterday, that I just had to post another classic GM press shot that’s worth a chuckle.

What might this well-dressed lady be saying to the camel about her new 1960 Corvair?

Something like this, perhaps? “Like you, my new Corvair doesn’t need much water. In fact, it’s air-cooled.”

Start sending those captions in!

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Video: Audi Urban Concept Revealed at Frankfurt

Video: Audi Urban Concept Revealed at Frankfurt:

From its cycle-fendered layout to the sliding canopy roof, the Audi Urban Concept foreshadows a future of city driving that looks surprisingly like the starting grid for the Indy 500. Here at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Audi has blended racecar design with the eco-friendliness of a pint-sized, electric-powered city car. The result happens to be one the most talked-about cars at this year’s show.

Everything about the Urban Concept is built to a minimum – to boost performance or increase driving range, take your pick. The body is made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer; cycle fenders wrap the 21-in. wheels tightly. Apparently this all helps to save weight, though we think it might have been done to look cool too. The entire car weighs approximately 1100 lbs. (more)

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Video: 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

Video: 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale:

A road-going version of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Cup racer.

Photos: 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale >>

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Video: 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider

Video: 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider:

This stunning 458 Spider is the star of Ferrari’s stand here in Frankfurt. Its retractable hard top is being raised and lowered every so often to wow the crowd, which is kept at bay by a short glass wall. Raising the folding all-aluminum roof panel takes only 14 seconds. When Ferrari released preliminary show information before the show, the Maranello company called this new 458 Spider “the world’s first mid-rear engine berlinetta equipped with a retractable hard top.” And we’ve not found any proof to the contrary.

Compared to a traditional folding soft top, the design for this new 458 Spider is said to save some 55 lb. while also being engineered to fit nicely into the well ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or performance. What’s more, the small amount of space needed for the stored top has enabled the designers to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats.

When the 458’s top goes down, a vertical rear window serves as a wind block. It is said to diffuse cockpit air enough to allow conversation at speeds in excess of 125 mph. And with further regard to airflow, the back of the new 458 Spider has some attractive shapes and buttresses that are designed to optimize flow to the engine intakes as well as the clutch and gearbox oil radiators. (more)

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Giddy Up, VW Buggy Up!

Giddy Up, VW Buggy Up!:

Who doesn’t still love classic old fiberglass-body dune buggies, particularly the VW-based Meyers Manx creations made by our pal Bruce Meyers? Well, VW certainly still does too, as revealed by the fun Buggy Up! Concept just unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The Buggy Up!, revealed along with five other Up! Concepts, clearly is all about fun. In short, VW sees it as a 21st century buggy. Instead of fiberglass, though, this open 2-seater is made of lightweight high-strength steel. The chassis has been reinforced, but the running gear is straight from the Up! production car. That means the front-drive Buggy Up! has 1.0-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine with either 59 bhp or 74 bhp.

We like the position of the Buggy Up!’s headlights, and how the front bumper creates a bit of a smile. The hood is fairly flat, and the roof looks like it could have been pulled off a small convertible sports car. Although there are no C-pillars, the Buggy Up! is immediately recognizable by its rear lights, which are like a reflection of the headlights. (more)

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The Swedes Get Serious About Luxury

The Swedes Get Serious About Luxury:

Volvo’s Concept You takes the previous Concept Universe, shown in Shanghai last year, and evolves its into a nearly production-ready luxury sedan designed to compete with the best in the industry. Gone away are the crazy concentric grille squares, which have been replaced with a more familiar Volvo production grille. That, though, is where the most apparent design similarities end. The oversize wheels and suicide doors remain, but the coupe-like silhouette (with Jaguar and Fisker influence) makes for a car that rolls with prestige and purpose, if not absolute beauty.

Should the Concept You become a future flagship, we’re hoping that Volvo comes up with an engine befitting such a vehicle. The silky smooth Yamaha-developed 4.4-liter V-8 unfortunately just won’t cut it if Volvo expects to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW or any other premium brand. (more)

Keep Reading: Volvo Concept You at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show >>

Photos: Volvo Concept You >>

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Ford Fiesta ST Concept – A New Killer B

Ford Fiesta ST Concept – A New Killer B:

The B-class of subcompacts will get a noticeable boost in performance options with the introduction of a Ford Fiesta ST. The car shown at Frankfurt was only a concept, but we can easily see a Fiesta ST reaching production in about a year.

Like its larger Focus ST sibling, the Fiesta ST has aggressive looks, a lower ride height and more power underhood. Its turbocharged 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 boasts 178 bhp and 177 lb.-ft. torque. Ford estimates that the ST can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 7 sec., while having a top speed of 136 mph.

In talking about this latest addition to the ST (Sport Techonologies) family of vehicles, Derrick Kusak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development, had this to say: “The Fiesta has a rich history of high-performance models, so a new ST performance model is a logical next step in our performance vehicle strategy for our global small cars. With a racing silhouette inspired by the global Fiesta race and rally cars currently competing on the world stage, the new Fiesta ST Concept is an exciting demonstration of the road-going Fiesta’s future potential.” (more)

Keep Reading: Ford Fiesta ST Concept – Auto Show News >>

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Pricing Starts at $212,800 for the Second-Generation GTC

Pricing Starts at $212,800 for the Second-Generation GTC:

The masses attending the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show witnessed the unveiling of the new 2012 Bentley Continental GTC. This second-generation model takes the opulence found in the first GTC and sprinkles in a healthy dose of sportiness. The result? A 195-mph convertible rocket.

The new Continental GTC’s powerplant is a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W-12 engine producing 567 bhp at 6000 rpm and 516 lb.-ft. of torque at a lowly 1700 rpm. A new 6-speed automatic ZF transmission equipped with Quickshift helps cut shift times by up to 50 percent and enables orchestrated downshifts. Combine the torquey engine and quick transmission with a continuous all-wheel-drive system, and the hefty 5501-lb. Continental GTC is said to haul from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and from 0-100 mph in 10.9 sec.

Boasting wider front and rear tracks, grippy 275/40ZR-20 Pirelli P Zero tires (optional 275/35XR-21), sharper steering, a retuned double-wishbone front and trapezoidal multilink rear suspension and a rear-biased awd system splitting power 40/60 front/rear (compared to 50/50 in the first GTC), the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC promises less understeer and an exhilarating driving experience. EPA fuel economy figures for the new GTC have it burning 11 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway, surprisingly decent considering it’s a boosted 12-cylinder hauling close to 3 tons. (more)

Keep Reading: 2012 Bentley Continental GTC – Frankfurt Auto Show News >>

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