MINI is celebrating its 50th birthday with the release of the first official photos of the Coupe Concept that is set to make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. In essence, it’s a MINI John Cooper Works hatch that had its rooftop cutoff and replaced with a coupe-like greenhouse and a steeper front windshield.

The details like the headlamps,  front and rear bumpers, front grille and evidently, the rear-end design have been reworked but that’s basically it.

The Coupe model divert the hatchback’s rear seat bench which helps increase luggage space from 160 liters to 250 liters (8.8 cu ft). The designers of MINI made the hatchback’s cabin with a unique color scheme and higher quality materials such as leather upholstery and carbon fiber decorative trim.

The Coupe’s unique feature  is the addition of two Chronoswiss clocks adjacent the rev counter.
The two seater is motivated by the MINI John Cooper Work’s 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that cranks out 211 horsepower and a peak torque of 260Nm (192 lb-ft) increasing through the Overboost function for a short while to 280Nm (206 lb-ft).

Our sources tell us that the Coupe will be joined in Frankfurt by a roadster concept, details of which will be revealed closer to the show.
The question is whether MINI will actually go ahead and produce the coupe (and/or the roadster model for that matter), but unless the car receives mixed or bad reviews from the press and public alike, we really can’t see why not.

Hyundai’s new Tucson will be officially revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Hyundai’s new compact crossover has been renamed to ix35 for the European market and Tucson ix for South Korea.

The new ix35 carries over much of the ’swoopy’ styling of the 2009

Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study and overall, it’s a step forward in terms of design from the current generation model. The Korean automaker said that the design cues seen on ix35 including the pronounced hexagonal grille and the dramatic front-end styling will used on future Hyundai models.

Even though Hyundai only published a single image of the ix35 (above), we found a complete gallery of the Korean-spec model that you can check out below. The models’ cosmetic differences are limited to the body trim, the shape of the front fog lights and housings, the headlamp crystals and the absence of turning signals on the exterior mirrors on the ix35 (they’ll make their way on the 2013MY facelift model…).

Hyundai said that the new model will deliver “markedly better” fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions than rival SUVs and compete head on in terms of running costs with mainstream hatchbacks.

The KDM Tucson ix will be available with a choice of a 2.0-liter diesel or  184 horsepower producing gasoline engines and 166 horsepower respectively. Buyers will be able to opt between six-speed manual and automatic transmissions as well as front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions.

The European-spec model is expected to be offered with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing around 170 horsepower.

More information on ix35  will be released at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

At last we can present the convertible version of Maserati’s beautiful GranTurismo coupe, the GranCabrio – not the best choice of names in our book… It’s the first-ever four-seater convertible if the Italian automaker and it will make its worldwide debut on September 15 at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show with international sales set to start in the spring of 2010.

The convertible model (like the coupe variant) has been styled by Italian design house Pininfarina and at least with the top down, we can say that the GranCabrio looks the part.

Maserati tells that the GranCabrio has the longest wheelbase on the market of any convertible, promising to offer”proper seats” for all four passengers.

The GrandCabrio has the same powerhouse as the GrandTurismo S, which means a 4.7-liter V8 engine that cranks out 440HP at 7,000 rpm and 490Nm (362 lb-ft) of torque at 4,750 rpm. The rear wheels gain power through the firm’s dual-clutch, electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the transaxle layout.

The Italian company did not disclose any performance figures but we expect the GranCabrio to be a tad slower the lighter GranTurismo which goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.9 sec and achieves a top speed of 295 Km/h or 184 mph.

The Italian auto manufacturer Ferrari has taken the wraps off of its latest mid-engine model, the 458 Italia, ahead of its Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling in September. The company has recently released a promotional video clip, which is designed to highlight a number of technical details of the new 458 Italia in this promotional video clip. The promo is presented by Ferrari Senior Vice President, Dany Bahar, and his colleague, Technical Director, Roberto Fedeli.

Designed to replace the 430, the 458 Italia features a 4.5-liter V8 engine, which can not only boasts increased power over its predecessor but also has improved efficiency and fuel consumption. The new engine features direct injection, with the output of 570 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm. Due to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, which will be standard, the vehicle reaches from 0 to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, while the average fuel consumption is 13.7 liters per 100km.

According to Ferrari the all-new aluminum chassis features advanced alloys and aerospace industry manufacturing and bonding techniques. The vehicle also features a more direct steering ratio than its predecessor, a twin wishbone/multi-link suspension, and E-Diff that works with a more advanced traction control system. The ABS has also been upgraded.

A German magazine has leaked photos of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon on its Web site six weeks ahead of it’s official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The E-Class wagon is code-named W212, the is set to join the already launched E-Class Sedan and Coupe.

The photos reveal a few surprises. They reveal that the E-Class’ rear end is a bit more conventional than its predecessor was.

Inside the vehicle is equipped with the usual fine leather, multimedia gadgetry, and other creature comforts as in the sedan and coupe. Safety of the car is ensured by air suspension, active head restraint, belt pretensioners, and an army of airbags. Unlike its siblings, the E-Class wagon’s party-pieces are its folding rear seats that can be laid flat, a new cargo area nestled within the trunk and a set of rear-facing jump seats bound to make the kiddies car-sick on the Autobahn. The Wagon will feature all-wheel drive standard.

Outside the car features S‑Class’s wheel-arch extensions, rising character line below the door handles, massive bumpers, and greenhouse.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon is expected to offer a wide range of gas and diesel engines, including both 292 hp and top-shelf 388 horsepower petrol engines. Pricing in Germany could be around 55,200 euros for the low-end and 70,200 euros for the high end models. Diesel offerings should range between 170 and 231 hp, with retail price starting at 44,800 euros, on up to 54,200 euros. The only engine available for the U.S. market will be the 268-hp 3.5L V-6 E350 4MATIC Wagon.

The sales of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon are expected to start late next month.

BMW officials, in addition to confirming their decision to pull out from Formula One racing at the end of the 2009 season,  also revealed today that the Bavarian automaker will swipe the covers off an all-new ‘green’ sports car concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The announcement was made by the Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development, Klaus Draeger, at the press conference on the realignment of the German firm’s motor sports activities.

“Sustainability is becoming very important,” said Draeger in his speech. You will see a sustainable development product at the IAA in Frankfurt in a few weeks in the form of a concept car. The BMW EfficientDynamics Vision will show how efficient a sports car can be.

“Anyone who takes a closer look at this concept car will understand the direction in which we are developing ourtechnology. And it will become evident that we will have to dedicate more human and financial resources to this type of development work,” Draeger concluded.

It was reporterd that the concept sports car study may very well act as a teaser for a production model that could hit the market as soon as 2012 rivaling the likes of the Audi R8 and Porsche 911.

It has also been reported that ‘green’ supercar of BMW’s will be a two-seater mid-engined coupe equipped with the latest fuel-saving technologies from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme including direct injection, brake energy regeneration and stop-start systems plus enhanced aerodynamics.

Volvo has released new images and details about it’s sporty 2010 XC60 R-Design. R-Design package offers no mechanical upgrades, except a sports suspension. However the XC60 R-Design adds a unique and aggressive look inside and out the vehicle. The designers of the car tried to provide a better driving experience, due to the improvement of the steering response that is now more direct and communicative with the road.

The exterior of the car will receive a unique front grille with “silk metal” finish. The car will also be equipped with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, but the 20-inch alloy wheels will be available as an option. Some of the other details of the vehicle include skid plates, trim moldings, dual chrome tailpipes, front fog lamp décor in silk metal finish, and color-matched lower body moldings. The chassis has not been lowered but because of the bodywork it looks like it has.

The interior of the car has also undergone some changes. Now it is more stylish while sporty. The most significant features are sports seats, embossed R-Design emblems on the front of the back head rests, sports pedals in aluminum, unique leather upholstery, blue gauges in typical R-Design and a unique R-Design centre stack.

The new XC60 R-Design is expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

The reworked Hyundai 2010 model features some modest cosmetic changes along with the introduction of a new pair of turbo diesel engines. On the outside, changes seem to be reduced to a lightly altered front end with a redesigned bumper and grille, reshaped exterior mirrors with turning signals and new alloy wheel designs.

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe benefits from the addition of Hyundai’s new ‘R’ range of diesel engines, consisting of two four-cylinder engines weighing in at 2.0 and 2.2 litres, the first developing 392N and m137kW of torque, while the second produces 149kW and 436Nm of torque.

Both engines are paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission that Hyundai claims will improve fuel economy by more than 12 percent. Hyundai is the third manufacturer in the world to develop its own six-speed automatic transaxle, with Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture rounding out the trio.

The new transmission, which weighs in at 12kg lighter and with 62 fewer parts than the company’s current five-speed automatic, has been developed for transverse engine application in passenger vehicles.

The Santa Fe European version will most likely make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the North American variant following shortly after.

General Motors has officially unveiled pictures and details of the 2010 Opel Astra ahead of its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show coming September.

According to GM the new Opel Astra will feature eight Euro 5 compliant engines including four gasoline engines and four diesel engines. The gasoline engines range from a 1.4L to a 1.6L with outputs ranging from 100-hp to 180-hp. A new downsized 140-hp 1.4L Turbo replaces the 1.8L. The diesel lineup includes a range of CDTI turbo-diesel units with outputs ranging from 95-hp to 160-hp. Besides the lowest entry-level model, all 2010 Opel and Vauxall Astras are mated to a 6-speed transmission.

The design of the new 2010 Astra is inspired by the Opel Insignia. The exterior features of the car include all-new “wing and blade” design, Advanced Forward Lighting bi-xenon headlights and Opel’s FlexRide system. The interior features of the car include new Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns drivers if they veer out of their lane.

Sales of the five-door Astra are expected to begin towards the end of 2009, while a four-door sedan, three-door hatch and a two-mode hybrid variant are expected to debut in 2010. No pricing and availability details have been announced yet.