Autoblog UK

Mercedes-Benz UK chief Dermot Kelly has added his name to the list calling for a scrap extension... but there's a twist!

Not only would the UK managing director like to see the scrappage scheme continued but he'd also like to see it revised to be fairer on all manufacturers.

'Our preference would be for it to be on a sliding scale compared to price,' he told AutoBlog at the Frankfurt Motor Show. 'VAT increases as the price of cars increase and that's the way I'd like to see the scheme run – so that there's more contribution the larger the car's price.'

Effectively what he's saying is as the price of the car bought under the scheme goes up, the contribution from the government and carmaker goes up too.

'At Mercedes we did not anticipate we'd do a high level of volume under the scrappage scheme, but we've even sold an SL63 on the scrappage scheme,' he added. 'But there is a tendency for it to benefit smaller cars, from Kia and Hyundai for example, and less so for brands like us. A sliding scale would help.'

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

ASTON Martin finally took the wraps off its four-door Porsche Panamera rival, the Rapide at Frankfurt.

Thankfully the addition of rear doors hasn't ruined the traditional AM look, with the new car jaw-dropping in the metal.

The car features a 48-valve, 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470bhp and 600Nm of torque. That's enough to transport you and your three passengers to an expected top speed of more than 175mph.

Performance figures are yet to be confirmed, but expect a 0-60mph time of around 4.5 seconds.

'Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide's rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look,' were the words uttered by Aston Martin director of design Marek Reichman, in a way only car designers can.

Looks wise, the Rapide has stolen a march on the recently launched Panamera, but only just...

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

MINI bosses confirmed that its two smart Frankfurt concept cars WILL go into production at its Oxford plant.

BMW board member Ian Robertson said: 'The best news for MINI fans is that we will produce both of these cars.'

Robertson was referring to the Roadster two-seater and Coupe concept cars that wowed crowds at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

'I can't give out full details, but they will both be built at Oxford,' said Robertson. 'The MINI product family will now grow to six!'

The concepts are based on a platform that is ready to be integrated at the MINI Plant in the UK now – meaning production will be easy to ramp up when the final detail of the new cars is in place.

The Coupe features MINI's most powerful engine – the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit from the John Cooper Works model – and the Roadster will come with the powerplant out of the Cooper S. Both are said to have startling performance and handling.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

SCRAP scheme big players Kia unveiled three new models at the Frankfurt Show.

The manufacturer, which has taken a lion's share of sales under the UK scrap scheme, continued its push for dominance with an updated cee'd, a new Sorento SUV and an all-new compact MPV called the Venga.

Kia president Hank Lee told press at the Frankfurt show that despite the recession the marque has continued to invest in new models and marketing.

'Our sales are up worldwide 8.5 per cent,' he said. 'And with these new models we will continue our offensive.'

The revamped cee'd has revised styling, lower C02 than outgoing models, a six-speed gearbox and still comes with the famous seven-year guarantee.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

ROLLS-ROYCE will hand a number of lucky customers the best Christmas present ever – their new Ghost!

Rolls-Royce chief Ian Roberton revealed the manufacturer will be delivering the first £200k Ghosts before Christmas.

'There are going to be a number of very happy customers,' he told a packed press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

'New Rolls-Royce models don't come along very often so the launch of this new car is very important. It's an important milestone in the history of this brand.'

Chairman of Rolls-Royce Tom Purves added the economic downturn HAD hit the brand.

And he hinted that sales might not be as strong in 2009 as they had been in the last two record-breaking years. In 2007-2008, Rolls Royce went from selling 300 cars to more than 1,000.

'It would be a tall order to match the sales figures of the last two years in 2009,' he said. 'But we remain confident. We've balanced production with demand this year and kept staff on in the downturn.'

What is clear is the fact the Ghost represents a very big opportunity for the manufacturer - Purves revealed that 85 per cent of buyers expressing an interest in the model were completely new buyers to Rolls-Royce.

'We're continuing to expand our worldwide dealer network and take a proud heritage forward into this new chapter in our history,' he added.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

MERCEDES' UK managing director Dermot Kelly has told Autoblog the UK allocation of the SLS Gullwings is nearly sold out – months before it hits the road.

Speaking moments after the wraps had been pulled off the new supercar, the UK chief said: 'We've already sold nearly all our allocation of cars and are working on getting more.'

Just how many that was, he refused to say, but the fact buyers are prepared to order before they've even seen the car in the metal is testament to the draw those special doors have!

The number of cars the UK are getting – and in fact how many Mercedes will make in total – is still under consideration with Kelly refusing to comment on either. The new SLS AMG is set to arrive in the UK in the summer (2010).

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

FORMULA 1 legend Michael Schumacher has revealed the new 458 Italia is quicker around Ferrari's Fiorana test track than the legendary Enzo!

The seven times World Champion was on the Ferrari stand to help unveil the 458 supercar at Frankfurt and told press he was 'astonished' at what had been achieved with the new car.

Schumacher said: 'Our points of reference for this car have been very high, those being the cars that have gone before it.

'With the 458 we have achieved targets that as a former F1 driver I never thought we could achieve. That it is quicker than the Enzo around Fiorana says a lot.

'I thoroughly enjoy my development role for Ferrari in my retirement and am looking forward to the future developing even more cars.'

The 458 Italia is the successor to the F430 and is available to order now. It is set to go head to head with the McLaren MP4-12C road car in what is likely to be the most exciting supercar battle in decades.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

AUDI has taken the wraps off its stunning R8 Spyder at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Powered by the firm's mighty V10 engine, the £111,995 model will be available to order from November in the UK.

The fully-automatic hood opens at speeds up to 31mph and has a lightweight construction to help keep the overall weight of the car down.

The 5.2-litre powerplant pumps out 518bhp and will dash to 60mph in 4.1 seconds, only a two tenths slower than its hard top stablemate. The plus side, of course, will be an even better sound track! Top speed is pegged at 194mph.
Clever technology that makes a debut on the new model includes seatbelt mounted microphones – so your callers will be able to hear you above the roar of the wind, and that V10!

An R tronic paddle shift model will also be available costing £117,155.

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

MERCEDES' latest supercar - the SLS AMG - 'winged its way into the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The stunning Gullwing packs a monstrous 6.3-litre front-mid engine V8 packing 571bhp and 650Nm of torque.

That's enough to power the £150,000 machine to 60mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of nearly 200mph. It features a seven speed semi-automatic gearbox with paddle shifts.

Mercedes chairman Dr Dieter Zetsche told the hundreds of journalists watching the car's Frankfurt unveiling that the new Gullwing was the 'realisation of a dream'.

'It is 55 years since the last Gullwing arrived,' said Dr Zetsche. 'And that car was rightly named the sportscar of the century. Now we're in a new century and have a new contender.'

The Merc boss also revealed the manufacturer was planning an electric version of the car for 2013. This will be able to accelerate to 60mph in four seconds – just two tenths shy of the petrol version!

Autoblog's James Baggott reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

VAUXHALL'S new Astra will debut a host of clever technology when its
hits the road later this year.

The new car, unveiled officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show today, will
feature a clever 'Opel Eye' system that reads the road ahead.
The camera, mounted on the front of the dashboard, can tell drivers when
they stray out of a lane and even read speed limit signs and display
these on the dash.

The new Astra, which is available to order now, is the 10th generation
of the vital model. It has been consistently in the top three best
selling models across Europe throughout its production run and remains
vital to the marque's future.

At the launch, Opel's Carl-Peter Foster said: 'The new Astra is a very
important model for us. The new version will play a key role in our
future.

'We intend to work alongside GM as we go forward and can only be
successful by drawing on the economies of scale that partnership offers.
To the doubters I would say let us get on with it and prove we can be
successful.'



The new Astra will be launched in five door guise but an estate and
feisty three-door are coming soon. Fuel usage has been improved by 12
per cent and although there won't be a sub-100g/km car at launch, the
maker is working on getting a model in that free road tax bracket soon.

VAUXHALL's star electric car, the Ampera, will feature a four-cylinder
petrol 'generator' to help boost its range.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Opel chief Carl-Peter Foster confirmed that
it will have an 'on-board generator' to extend the range to 500kms.
At present, the electric Lithium Ion batteries - which are recharged
using a normal household plug - can power the saloon for 50-60kms.
Vauxhall believes this will be more than enough for the average daily
commute. However, to satisfy longer distance journeys the generator will
kick in to charge the batteries.

The Ampera - seen at the Frankfurt show in all but production ready form
- is still being road tested by the manufacturer, but is in the latter
stages of development.

Look out for more news from Autoblog's James Baggott at Frankfurt Motor Show