U.S. to Miss Out on Street Legal SLS AMG GT3, Perhaps Even the E-Cell, But will get the Black Series

If the standard SLS AMG with its 6.3-liter engine and 571-horses is not hot enough for you, you’ll be happy to learn that Mercedes-Benz has told Motor Trend that the company will launch not one, but two hotter versions of its supercar.

“We absolutely have to do a Black Series SLS AMG”, said Tobias Moers who is a member of the board of directors and head of vehicle development at AMG. Although he declined to provide further details, judging from recent Black Series versions such as the C 63 Coupe, we can expect more power and, of course, an impressive aero-kit and race-inspired interior.

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IAA 2011: Opel Envisions an Affordable Urban Commuter with the RAK e Concept

Not to be outdone by its German counterparts, Opel displayed its vision for a low-cost urban commuter with the two-seater RAK e concept car. According to GM's German subsidiary, the study has "production potential".

The battery-operated vehicle with the exposed wheels is based on a steel space-frame structure beneath a skin of conventional synthetic material.

The reason why Opel avoided the use of exotic materials is to keep the RAK e as affordable as possible. Nevertheless, Opel managed to keep the weight down to just 380kg (837 lbs) or about 80kg (176 lbs) less than VW's NILS concept.

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IAA 2011: Volkswagen's Single-Seater NILS EV Concept

The Frankfurt Motor Show is abuzz this week with a variety of small pure electric concept cars. Volkswagen's contribution to the segment is a single-seater urban study named NILS, which the company claims has been "very realistically conceptualized".

"[The] NILS is a vehicle that anticipates the future. It looks as though someone has projected it back from the year 2030 to the world of today," says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management and Head of Development for the Volkswagen Brand.

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IAA 2011: Third Generation of Smart’s Electric ForTwo set for 2012 Launch

Electric cars seem like a perfect means of transportation in the city, thanks to their zero emissions. The problem is that they are usually priced out of the reach of most customers. Smart claims that its third-generation ForTwo Electric displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show is not only Eco-friendly, but will also be available at a "customer-friendly" price. Read more »

Renault Rolls Out Pure-Electric Frendzy Minivan Concept in Frankfurt

At the 64th International Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault lifted the veils off the fourth concept car to demonstrate the brand's new styling DNA, the Frendzy minivan that doubles as both a passenger car and a commercial van. Read more »

IAA 2011: Mercedes-Benz Looks Two Generations Ahead With F 125! Gullwing Concept

Birthdays are special occasions – even more so if it's your 125th. For most people, reaching such an age is unlikely, but for Mercedes-Benz it is a fact this year and to celebrate the event, the German automaker unveiled a gullwing concept named -not too imaginatively- F 125! at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The F 125! is a plug-in hybrid that demonstrates Mercedes’ vision for a large luxury coupe of the not-so-far future. The company claims that while its previous research vehicles have “looked ahead” by one model generation or approximately seven to eight years, the F 125! concept “looks” much further, by more than two generations, beyond 2025.

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IAA 2011: VW Unveils a Handful of Up! Concepts Including GT, EV and Crossover Variants

Making their world premiere alongside the series production Up! in Frankfurt, are six new concept versions of Volkswagen's new city car. We've already shown the you the Buggy Up! that harks back to the 1960's model, so we'll concentrate on the five other Up! studies.

First up! (pun intended), is the sportiest prototype of the bunch, aptly named GT Up!. Volkswagen says a possible production version of the GT could be fitted with a small displacement engine delivering 100-horsepower or 25HP more than the most powerful Up! available at launch.

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IAA 2011: Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS

Joining the regular version of the all-new B-Class in its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show is a concept model of Mercedes-Benz's small MPV. The Concept B-Class E-Cell PLUS is an advanced extended-range plug-in hybrid that combines an electric drive with a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine.

The electric drive generates a peak power output of 100 kW (136HP) and a continuous output of 70 kW (95HP), while the gasoline unit delivers 67-horsepower (50 kW).

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IAA 2011: Peugeot's Futuristic HX1 Minivan Concept for Six

Peugeot wants to bring some sexiness to the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) segment with its new HX1 concept study that made its world premiere at the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt this week.

According to the French automaker, the sleek looking concept is built on an MPV architecture with a unique body as it measures just 1,373 tall, but is 1,990mm wide and 4,954mm long.

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IAA 2011: BMW i8 Sports Concept Heading to Production in 2013

While the i3 is an everyday city car - albeit a very sophisticated one at that, the second member of BMW’s new i series that made its way to Frankfurt is an altogether different concept. Derived from the 2009 Vision EfficientDynamics study, the futuristic-looking i8 will enter production in 2013. Read more »

IAA 2011: BMW i3 Study Previews New EV Premium City Car

BMW chose the Frankfurt Motor Show to tease its upcoming pure-electric model, the five-door i3 city car with a concept study of the same name.

The concept, formerly known as the Megacity, features a 170 HP electric motor placed over the rear axle that is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack.

It generates 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque and drives the rear wheels, providing a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of under 8.0 seconds while its top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h (93 mph).

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IAA 2011: New Fisker Surf adds a Shooting Break Twist to the Karma

As it turns out, Fisker's shadowy teaser sketch of its Frankfurt Motor Show debut was somewhat deceiving as the Surf turned out to be five-door version of the Karma sedan with a shape that is more shooting break than it is station wagon.

Nevertheless, the California based automaker that is headed by former BMW and Aston Martin designer Henrik Fisker, says that the Surf combines the performance, luxury, economy and style of the sedan model with increased space and practicality.

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Electric Vehicles, Frankfurt Motor Show, Infiniti, New Cars, Reports

The 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt isn't only about uncovering the latest concept models and production cars but also about announcing future plans.

Infiniti on its behalf used the motorshow to release a new teaser sketch of its first pure electric model that will arrive in global markets in 2014.

The Japanese automaker described the as-of-yet unnamed production car as "a stylish, high performance five-seat luxury vehicle with zero emissions technology" but did not disclose any more details.

Infiniti Outlines New Pure-Electric Sedan Model, will go on Sale in 2014

The 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt isn't only about uncovering the latest concept models and production cars but also about announcing future plans.

Infiniti on its behalf used the motorshow to release a new teaser sketch of its first pure electric model that will arrive in global markets in 2014.

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Official Video of New Mercedes F-125! Gullwing Concept Car

One of the highlights of the Mercedes-Benz booth at this week's 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt will be the new F-125! concept model.

Created as part of the celebrations for the Stuttgart-based brand's 125th anniversary, the F-125! demonstrates how Mercedes-Benz's designers and engineers envision the future in the luxury car segment.

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Mercedes F125,Official detailsMercedes F125,

We don't know if we were supposed to see Mercedes-Benz's new concept car before the grand opening of the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13, but whatever the case, an Italian website has unleashed a gallery of photos along with some initial information on the hydrogen-powered model.

It is named the Mercedes F125, with the number apparently representing the German firm's 125th birthday. The impressive study with the gigantic Gullwing-style doors sports a futuristic design that follows on from the F800 Concept sports saloon shown at last year's Geneva Salon.

The experimental model is said to be powered by four electric motors with a combined output of 231-horsepower that draw energy generated by fuel cells. The coupe model completes the standard 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 220km/h (137mph), while it has a driving range of 1,000km (622 miles).

Official details are expected to be released soon.

Story sources: Omniauto via Jalopnik

PHOTO GALLERY

IAA 2011: Mercedes-Benz F 125 Gullwing Door Coupe Concept Leaked

We don't know if we were supposed to see Mercedes-Benz's new concept car before the grand opening of the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13, but whatever the case, an Italian website has unleashed a gallery of photos along with some initial information on the hydrogen-powered model. Read more »

How Google Is Putting the “G” In Green

As previously reported, when it comes to going green, search engine provider and global megacorp Google is deeply committed.

With bio-diesel fuelled shuttle busses, “bike-to-work” programs and one of North America’s largest corporate electric vehicle (EV) fleets, Google takes environmental sustainability more seriously than most world governments.

Here are some statistics to mull over while drinking your free-trade coffee and eating your dolphin-safe tuna:

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IAA 2011: Radical New Opel Concept "Has Production Potential"

The wait for the Opel's Frankfurt Motor Show surprise concept is almost over as General Motors' European subsidiary has just published the first photos of the as-of-yet-unnamed study.

The ultra-compact model from GM's Opel and Vauxhall divisions is very similar in philosophy to Audi's duo of Urban Concept cars that will also have their world premiere in Germany next week.

The rakish study seats two people in a tandem layout with power being provided by an electric motor and a battery that offer a driving range of around 60 miles (96 kilometers) and a top speed of 75mph (120km/h).

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Audi Drops First Photos of A2 Concept

Less than a week after publishing the preview renderings of its Frankfurt Motor Show-bound A2 Concept, Audi today issued the first (computer-enhanced) photos of its pure-electric hatchback that will inspire a production version scheduled to go on sale within the next two years.

The new study comes six years after Audi terminated the original A2, which was the first high-volume production, aluminum-bodied car. It’s conceptual successor does away with the costly aluminum build but adds an electric powertrain to the mix.

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