Autoblog UK

Speaking at the launch of the new Astra, the head of Opel/Vauxhall, Carl Peter Forster, went out of his way to praise Vauxhall. He said that, while the focus in Frankfurt was naturally on the German market, he wanted to point out that Vauxhall is actually the most successful part of the company with the highest domestic market share of any group company. He said Vauxhall was "fighting for market leadership". That is putting it a bit strongly, but at least he is publicly stressing the importance of Vauxhall to "New Opel" as the company is becoming known in Germany.

In an exclusive briefing, at which Autoblog was the only UK representative, Ford gave a warning that prospects for the whole European industry depended on continuing the scrappage incentive programme in Germany.

There have been independent forecasts that sales in Germany could fall by almost 1 million units a year if the scrappage programme is not extended, and Ford said such a decline would kill off the prospects of recovery for all European manufacturers, as well as bankrupting many German dealers.

Conversely, Ford reckons the economic prospects in the rest of Europe are pretty positive for 2010 and there should be a recovery in most markets – but that will count for nothing if the German market falls off a cliff.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

This is the replacement for the Arnage, the last pre-VW era Bentley. The Mulsanne is certainly more distinctive than the smaller Continental Flying Spur saloon, which looks a bit like and oversized Skoda Superb.

Notably, the front of the new car has twin headlights, with the smaller ones outside the larger ones - the opposite of normal design practice. Bentley says the look is, "inspired by the Le Mans era" of the 1920s and it certainly makes the car stand out.

Rather than an evolution of the outgoing Arnage, the luxury British marque was keen to point out that the Mulsanne is a "clean-slate design." Even the platform is new and has been specially developed for this car and each will take 400 hours to assemble at the Crewe factory.

What's not new is the engine. It's Bentley's 6.75-litre V8 whose lineage can be traced back to 1959 -but modern twin-turbochargers give it a whopping 505bhp.

The interior is distinguished by a remarkable acreage of polished wood, meant to give the car 'the feel of a living room' (presumably a wood-panelled one). There are wooden panels running continuously around the whole interior, including a panel under the rear window and a strip in the B-pillar between the front and rear doors.

The Mulsanne goes on sale at the start of next year and will cost a distinctly recession-unfriendly £200,000.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

The new Citroen C3, on show today in Frankfurt, looks a quantum leap ahead of its hopelessly dated predecessor. Sharp and modern, the premium models feature a futuristic panoramic windscreen that curves round the body, finishing over the driver's head. The dashboard also has a real quality feel -although it has been paid for by using very cheap plastics in some of the more out-of-the-way places.

The Citroen stand itself made us smile too. Twenty years ago, Citroen was in denial about its history. It wanted to be a modern car company and all references to classic Citroens were banned, for fear it would remind people of eccentric, unreliable engineering.

One UK employee who came to work in his beautiful 1972 Citroen SM was told he should not bring it into the company car park. It was amusing therefore to see the Frankfurt Citroen stand selling "90 years of design" for all it was worth. On displays all around the stand were photographs of great Citroens of the past - including the SM.

The company's latest concept car - unfortunately christened the Revolte - continues the French history lesson by borrowing design cues and references from the iconic 2CV. But insiders admit that this C2-sized concept car is unlikely to reach production in any form. It's been conceived only "to make an impact at the show," according Carlo Bonzanigo, head of Citroen's concept cars. But it could still point towards a future direction for Citroen design, giving the brand an exciting new direction.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

The covers are off the more stylish, all-new Ford C-Max and seven-seat Grande C-Max, launched at today's Frankfurt motor show. Both are based on the same platform that will underpin next year's all-new Ford Focus and - perhaps even more crucially - both usher in Ford's new EcoBoost engines, technology that will finally stand the Blue Oval in good stead against VW and it's small yet powerful TSI motors.

Ford claims its new 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine offers the performance of a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre with the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a 1.6. It's got direct injection and is turbocharged, with versions of the 1.6 engine varying in states of tune between 150-180bhp yet able to offer a twenty percent improvement in fuel economy compared with the outgoing units. A 2.0-litre EcoBoost will also be launched with power outputs varying between 210-280bhp , while a small capacity 1.2-litre is expected in the future. These new units will roll out first on the latest C-Max before rapidly being made available elsewhere in Ford's line-up.

Both the five- and seven-seat C-Max have been designed be more visually appealing than the previous model, as Ford attempts to broaden the car's appeal. The previous model was bought mainly by older people and Ford is keen to appeal to a younger family customer with this one.

The larger seven-seat Grande C-Max (which sits between the standard five-seater and the S-Max) has also been conceived with a view to conquering the American market. It's got a longer wheelbase than the standard model and electric sliding doors for ease of access, but in the metal it's styling seems a little bland and unconvincing, even if it is neatly packaged. The funkier five-seat C-Max meanwhile looks on first impressions like it could succeed in expanding the model's appeal.

The new engines and both versions of the C-MAX go on sale at the start of next year.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

Mini has wowed the crowds on the first day of the Frankfurt motorshow with its stunning two-seat Roadster - a Mazda MX-5 rival that looks certain to dramatically broaden the brand's appeal.

The Mini Roadster is based on the recently revealed Mini Coupe, itself a re-engineered version of the standard hatchback with a lower roofline and sleeker, sportier proportions. But the difference here is that the Roadster has a lightweight, canvas roof and a steeply raked screen creating sharp styling that seems certain to shake up the value end of the sports car market when it goes on sale in 2011.

Unlike the Mini Coupe - which is powered by JCW Mini's 208bhp turbo engine - the Roadster will come with the smoother and more refined 175bhp version of the 1.6-litre petrol turbo. It'll be built in Britain, at Mini's Oxford plant.

"Its significantly lower, slimmer and more dynamic than the regular production models," said Mini design chiefs, but the interior takes cues from high fashion with designs, patterns and textiles intended to make the Mini Roadster a desirable accessory as well as a sharp driving sports car.

Mini is still some way from confirming prices for the new models, but we expect the range to start at around £25k - pricing that's competitive against rivals likes the Mazda MX-5 and Audi TT Roadster.

If Mini gets the look, price point and driving dynamics right (and there's every reason to believe that it will) then we expect the Mini Roadster to be a massive seller come 2011.

Autoblog's Will Powell reports from the Frankfurt Motor Show

This is the L1, a two-seat roadster concept and the latest super-low CO2 car from Volkswagen. The German giant is determined to bring this idea to the market in some form by 2013, although its likely to have four seats and a coupe like body eventually.

But this concept model will return a staggering 189mpg and has CO2 emissions of just 39g/km.

It's as low as a Lamborghini but only as long as a Fiat 500, and is powered by an 800cc two stroke diesel engine with just 29bhp. The proportions and styling make it incredibly aerodynamic (drag coefficient is just 0.195) and very light (a teeny 350kg).

The modest engine is paired with an electric motor that kicks in to boost torque when harder acceleration is needed. That means the L1 can reach a claimed top speed of 99mph and manage 0-62mph in 14.3 seconds.

"The whole project is being pitched as a possible production car for around 2013," said a VW communications man.

In the past a project like this would have been impossible to bring to production. But Volkswagen's head of concept cars told us that advances carbon fibre construction techniques (a material that is not only very strong but lightweight) has made the potential manufacturing process much more cost effective for mass production. We wouldn't be surprised to see a version of the L1 breaking all economy records in 2013.

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.