Launched Hyundai EQUUS Stretch Edition

Hyundai certainly has come a long way in the past two decades. Here they are now competing with the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-series.
The Korean automaker has released an extended-wheelbase version of the Equus full-sized sedan. The stretched Equus is 30 centimeters longer than the standard model and outsizes the competition in most of its dimensions.
The Equus Limousine measures in at 5.460 meters in length, longer than the Mercedes S500L, the BMW 750Li and the Lexus LS460L - each a stretched version of those respective brand's flagship models. At 1.495 meters in height, it is also the tallest.
Under the hood, the ambition is just as great. The Equus limo comes with two engines, either the Lambda 3.8 liter 6-cylinder or the Tau 5.0 liter V8. The latter sports a healthy 400 hp that is the equal in strength of the competition too.
The Equus limousine will distinguish itself with its looks as well, just in case one's eye cannot gauge the extra 30 centimeters. The stretched Equus comes with a new grill featuring horizontal bars and a special emblem in the middle.
Still, with a price tag starting at 135 million Korean won ($113,000 or €77,200) it may just be a 'stretch', pardon the pun, to convince consumers that this Hyundai is a deserving rival to those premium German brands.

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Ferrari 458 Italia Initial Design Renderings by ASI

Japanese tunere ASI is used to taking on risky projects. They have attacked many already-high priced cars, and tried to make them better. Previous cars they have modified include the Bentley Continental GT, called the ASI Tetsu GTR, and the Ferrari 430.

Company CEO Satoshi Kondo has announced that his team of engineers are hard at work on their latest project: an aerokit for the Ferrari 458 Italia. Kondo authorized the release of these sketches, well in advance of the final prototyping, in effort to prevent future accusations of design theft.

A new front end is amongst the expected design changes, featuring with a new nose, larger hexagonal air intakes, and vents in front of the blacked-out wheels. The sketches also show a new wing mounted at the back.

If the company's mods on the F430 are any indication, do not expect a retuned engine. Instead, look for the new body parts to shave weight when compared to the old parts. The ASI F430 received a 27kg weight reduction when it was introduced in June.

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Audi RS3 Frankfurt Debut Rumors Getting Stronger

More chatter is emerging about a possible premiere for an Audi RS3 at the Frankfurt motor show next Tuesday (when the show begins for two press days before being open to the public on September 17).

This tip comes from an Audi dealer in Cape Town, South Africa care of Jalopnik and GermanCarBlog.

Here is the quote:

"Looking forward to the unveiling of the new Audi RS3. 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged engine, 4WD & 335Bhp. See it at Frankfurt Motor Show."

We have previously reported on the rumor/speculation of an RS3 debut for Frankfurt and what that dealer quote says seems to be in tune with what Auto, Motor & Sport Sweden had gleamed from their source in Ingolstadt.

Namely, that is, that the RS3 will be an all-wheel drive (Quattro) fitted with the 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with 340 hp and 450 Nm of torque from the TT RS.

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2009 Frankfurt Show with Hamann Presents Insane Fiat 500 Largo 265HP

The Fiat 500 Abarth has certainly caught the attention of the tuning world in Europe. Making its world premiere at the '09 IAA in Frankfurt, the Hamann Largo is one of the most impressive tuning proposals for the Fiat 500 Abarth yet, putting to shame the official 180HP+ Ferrari-badged Abarth 695 special with its heavily modified 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that makes a jaw-dropping 265 horsepower at 5,630 rpm and 348Nm pr 257 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Pretty impressive if you consider that the base model makes a mere 135HP and 206Nm.

Hamann has yet to disclose performance figures, but we reckon that 265 ponies in a car the size and weight of the Fiat 500 should a spectacle worth seeing - don't know about driving though...

A sport exhaust system that includes an end muffler with four pipes, a pre-muffler with a metal catalyser and a sport manifold along with a high-performance brake system with internally ventilated brake discs and 4-piston callipers up front and optional 257mm discs at the rear, as well as a sport suspension that lowers the car's centre of gravity by up to 60 mm complete the list of performance mods.

True to Hamann's nature, the Largo features an aggressively styled bodykit with new fender extensions that broaden the car body by 30mm at the front and 35mm at the back, beefy side skirts, front and rear aprons and a diffuser at the back.

The Largo rides on 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance sport tires measuring 215/35 ZR18 or optionally, 225/35 ZR18.

As for the interior, changes include but are not limited to, an aluminium pedal set, a door mat set and embroidered logos. Pricing and more details are to be announced at a later date.

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Frankfurt Show Lexus LS600h Compact Battery Pack

Making their world premiere in Frankfurt alongside the rest of the revised 2010 model year Lexus LS range, the LS600h hybrid and its long-wheelbase sibling receive a gentle facelift with mild cosmetic tweaks that differentiate them from the petrol models, updated equipment, a new ECO driving mode, more powerful brakes and a repackaging of the battery pack. The 2010 LS600h and LS600h L are distinguished visually mainly by a new four-bar grille and front bumper with redesigned air intakes and foglamps.

Other details include the new one-piece rocker moulding and new door mirrors with chrome highlights that now incorporate twin LED turn signals and puddle lamps, while the range of exterior colours has been increased.

In the cabin the instrument panel has been redesigned and now includes a new full color, TFT LCD display and the upper air vents have been set apart from the instrumentation on the centre console. Furthermore, there's a new navigation system and the EMV multi-display touch screen has large switches and rearranged layout for the audio controls while both front seats are equipped with new, inflator operated active headrests.

Changes to the hybrid system include the introduction of a new ECO mode, which modifies the throttle action and performance of the air conditioning system to support fuel-efficient driving, and the repackaging of the battery pack into two sections of six and 14 modules that has reduced its overall size and freed up more luggage space in the boot.

Lexus says that the Hybrid Drive system has also been revised to meet Euro V exhaust emissions standards, but with no change to the car's performance with the 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine and 165kW electric motor producing a combined output of 439bhp and 520Nm of torque, giving a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration in 6.3 seconds. CO2 emissions are 219g/km and combined cycle fuel economy remains at 9.2lt/100km (25.3mpg US or 30.4mpg UK).

Finally, the Japanese firm's flagship hybrid has been fitted with with larger, 380mm ventilated front disc brakes with six-piston callipers, rotors and pads jointly developed with Brembo.

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Hyundai i10 Electric Unveiled in Frankfurt

Hyundai introduced an advance into alternative fuels in Frankfurt, by unveiling the Hyundai i10 Electric. The zero emissions commuter car will get a test production run domestically in Korea beginning next year.

Hyundai kept the weight of the small car to about 1,000 kilos, giving it a range of 160km on a full charge. Using an industrial 413V charger, the Lithium Ion Polymer battery can be recharged to 85 percent capacity in about 15 minutes. On a normal 200V household outlet, a full charge takes place in about five hours. By using LiPoly batteries, Hyundai engineers built a pack that is 20 per-cent smaller than a more common Lithium Ion pack.

The i10 Electric uses a 49 kW electric motor, and is powered by a 16 kWh battery. It achieves a maximum torque rating of 210 Nm at 2,670 RPM. Top speed of the Hyundai i10 Electric is 130 km/h. The car reaches 100 km/h in about 15 seconds.

Also featured on the car is a steering-by-wire system, and brakes powered by an electrical vacuum pump, helping to eliminate the need for hydraulics. An electric water pump keeps the motor and battery running cool, too.

We expect pricing for the Hyundai i10 Electric to be announced closer to its 2010 market launch. Hyundai did not state how many untis would be produced.

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Frankfurt Motor Show Girls 2009

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