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Peugeot 308 stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Peugeot is going up-market with its new 308 hatchback, making its world premier here at Frankfurt 2013. Quality and sophistication is the target for the new car, with the French firm setting its sights high. Question is, can it deliver on the promise and truly compete with premium rivals, such as Audi and VW?

Volkswagen Golf Estate Bluemotion stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

2013 is the year of the Golf – and at this year’s 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, there’s even more for Volkswagen to shout about with its super-frugal Golf Estate Bluemotion. The current MK7 VW Golf is the 2013 World Car of the Year, and in 2013 Volkswagen has already released the brilliant Golf GTI, practical Golf Estate and ultra-efficient Golf Bluemotion. And alongside the hot Golf R also here at Frankfurt 2013 is this, the Golf Estate Bluemotion.

Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

With the marques in its erstwhile premium brand portfolio having moved on to pastures (and owners) new, Ford looks a little lacking in the options when it comes to challenging at the plusher end of the global car market. Vignale is the Blue Oval’s response. “A unique upscale product and ownership experience” is how Ford was selling Vignale as the covers came off the Mondeo Vignale Concept car at Frankfurt 2013.

Brabus B63S 700 6x6 (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This behemoth is the Brabus B63S 700 6x6, a six-wheel drive G-wagen with 690bhp that’s been revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Is the Brabus B63S just pie-in-the-sky concept car? No, it’s a real Brabus production vehicle, based on Mercedes AMG’s own mad G63 6x6.

Vauxhall Insignia facelift stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ten years on from the very first Insignia concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2003, Vauxhall is showcasing a new, facelifted Insignia here at Frankfurt 2013. Part of the update to the Insignia is a new internet connectivity feature, which should make life on the road for travelling professionals a bit easier – now you can locate your nearest non-VAT qualifying hot food snack retailer in next to no time… We’re also fans of the rationalised trim range, down from 14 grades to eight for the new car. While the Insignia’s updated engine range boasts impressive efficiency (as we’ll see in a minute), we can’t help wondering if this might have been a good time to introduce a hybrid or range-extender powertrain, trumping Ford and its forthcoming Mondeo Hybrid in the process.

BMW i8 production car revealed – costs £99,845: Frankfurt 2013

The new BMW i8 Hybrid (pictured) will cost £100k in the UK The BMW i8 jas finally arrived in production guise at the Frankfurt Motor show, neatly creating the top end of BMW’s new i-brand range after the BMW i3 underlined the starting point. Looking really quite appealing, the i8 uses the same carbon fibre reinforced plastic bodyshell and aluminium chassis construction as the i3, but whereas the i3 is built to be a city car, the i8 is the closest we’re likely to get to a 21st century version of the BMW M1. Similar in size to the Audi R8, the BMW i8 is a 2+2 with a 3-cylinder 1.5 litre engine and generator sitting at the back and driving the rear wheels and an electric motor at the front driving the front wheels, with a petrol tank at the back and the batteries for the electric motor stored in the centre tunnel.

Jaguar Land Rover to create ANOTHER 1700 jobs

1700 new jobs created by JLR to build new smaller Jaguars like the Jaguar Crossover (pictured) We’ve reported on the creation of more and more jobs in recent years by Jaguar Land Rover as Land Rover’s products, in particular, drive forward. But Jaguar is soon to undergo a transformation as a new, smaller range of cars and crossovers join the current lineup of F-Type, XF, XJ and XK to emulate the sales success Land Rover is enjoying, particularly with the Range Rover Evoque. That means yet more new jobs at Land Rover – 1,700 at Solihull – taking the new jobs Jaguar has created in the last few years to 11,000 and an additional  £1.5 billion product creation investment.

Mercedes S-Class Coupe: Frankfurt 2013

The Mercedes S-Class Coupe (pictured) arrives in concept guise at Frankfurt The Mercedes CL was never really the big seller you might expect a coupe version of probably the best saloon car in the world – the Mercedes S Class – to be, But that could change with the new Mercedes S-Class Coupe, revealed today at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept. The Concept S-Class Coupe – which looks pretty much production-ready – comes complete with a new look, a look that reflects Mercedes’ recent design changes with a clear feel of a grown-up CLA in its lines. The long bonnet, raised line running from the front wings to the back wheelarch, no B-pillar, and a nose that takes the good-looking front of the CLA as its cue – but takes it a step further – makes the S-Class Coupe look like a proper Mercedes in its own right and not just a two-door version of the S-Class.

BMW i8 (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the new BMW i8, unveiled this morning at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. It’s BMW second ‘i’ model (after the i3 city car) and thanks to lightweight carbonfibre construction and a new downsized turbocharged engine, the new i8 is a sports car that offers the performance of an M3 and over 100mpg. The supercar of the future?

Bugatti Jean Bugatti debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

Bugatti has revealed the second in its ultra-exclusive series of six ‘Bugatti Legend’ cars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – with Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean being the latest hero to be honoured. The Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse Jean Bugatti will be limited to just three vehicles, guaranteeing it will become one of the most exclusive vehicles on the planet. Click on the image above to read more about the new Bugatti Jean Bugatti…

CAR interviews Ian Callum (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

With XK, XF, XJ and F-type, design boss Ian Callum has transformed Jaguar from a brand unable to shake off its retro past into something edgier, cooler and altogether more modern. Now his C-X17 concept promises to take things a step further, breaking Jaguar into the crossover SUV market for the first time ever. CAR caught up with Callum ahead of the concept’s official unveil for an in-depth Q&A session.

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante opens up at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Aston Martin has revealed the wonderfully elegant new Vantage Volante here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. If you thought the Vanquish coupe was a beauty, wait until you see this… It’s the first Aston Martin drop-top Volante to have a body made entirely from carbonfibre – and it is the use of this high tech material that’s enabled Aston to make it as alluring as it is.

All new Nissan X-Trail for 2014: Frankfurt 2013

The All new Nissan X-Trail for 2014 (pictured) revealed at Frankfurt 2013 Nissan has finally brought their X-Trail SUV up to date with an all new X-Trail debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Gone are the boxy looks of the old X-Treail to be replaced by a much more modern looking package that takes many of its styling cues from the Juke and Qashqai, promising much more appeal to buyers in the process. Despite its cosmetic makeover that moves it closer to its soft-roading siblings, the new X-Trail still promises to fo the rough stuff with a decent amount of aplomb.

Suzuki iV-4 Concept revealed: Frankfurt 2013

The Suzuki iV-4 Concept (pictured) has been revealed at Frankfurt The Suzuki iV-4 Concept was teased by Suzuki ahead of its reveal today at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And it’s a convincing looking urban SUV. Aiming to take a piece of the market from the Nissan Juke and its like – the ‘Funky Urban Warrior – the iV-4 is scheduled to be an addition to the Suzuki family, rather than a replacement for the Jimny or Grand Vitara, and fits below the new SX4 S-Cross in size.

Porsche 918 Spyder sets Nürburgring lap record

The new Porsche 918 Spyder has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6min 57sec, a time that’s 14 seconds faster than the existing 'Ring record. Such a quick lap was only possible because of the 918 Spyder’s hybrid powertrain, says Porsche, and the new Nürburgring record is claimed to prove the potential its new supercar. Who is the new Nürburgring lap record holder in the Porsche 918 Spyder?

Alfa Romeo MiTo facelift revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Alfa Romeo MiTo has been refreshed for the 2014 model year here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – a subtle facelift that the Italian maker will be hoping is enough to see off the challenge from the forthcoming all-new MINI. There’s still no five-door variant but revised engines and updated trims make the smallest Alfa feel just that bit more modern.

Renault Initiale Paris concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

The Renault Initiale Paris concept previews the next-gen Espace, with a view to shifting the new MPV upmarket. Whether a Renault people carrier can be taken seriously as an upmarket proposition is up to you, but there’s no arguing with some of the exceptional attention to detail dotted around the Initiale Paris. What’s under the Renault Initiale Paris’s bonnet?

BMW i8 stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Four years after it first appeared at Frankfurt as the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, the BMW i8 super-hybrid has finally been revealed in full production at the 2013 show. Is it enough to spoil the Porsche 918 Spyder’s debut? Er, no.

Suzuki iV-4 concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

The Suzuki iV-4 – and the production-ready SUV it previews – reveal Suzuki’s plan to marry two of the most popular recent automotive trends: customisable small cars and trendy urban compact crossovers. What’s the Suzuki iV-4’s name all about? A lower case ‘i’ has become a modern naming cliché thanks to Apple, but here it stands for ‘individuality – a nod to the iV-4 concept's potential for personalisation.

Smart Fourjoy concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Smart is here at Frankfurt 2013 with an intruiging and innovative new car, called the Fourjoy concept. Unusual name, yes, and an unusual design as you’ll see – but the technology underpinning this car could be pushed forward as the basis of the next generation Smart Forfour due in 2014, including the all-electric powertrain.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Frankfurt 2013 is all about efficiency for Toyota, celebrating 16 years and more than 5.5 million worldwide sales of its hybrid vehicles. So the Japanese firm has gone crazy to applaud its own technical innovation over the years, dropping a 414hp hybrid powertrain into its Yaris supermini this, is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept. Please click on the image above to read more on the Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept

Suzuki iV-4 concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Suzuki has recognised the importance of the compact crossover, rolling out its new iV-4 mid-size SUV here at Frankfurt 2013. This new car almost certainly previews a rival to the Nissan Juke scheduled for release in 2015, and could replace Suzuki’s ageing current generation Grand Vitara SUV. If it looks like this, Nissan could well have a fight on its hands.

Kia Soul stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Soul: you've either got it, or you haven't, man. And in the case of the Kia Soul - there's an updated version on show here at the Frankfurt Motor Show - you'll either get it, or you won't. The Kia Soul is one of those 'Marmite cars', with proper 'love it or hate it' styling.

Honda Civic Type R (2013) details at Frankfurt motor show

The new Honda Civic Type R will, for the first time in Type R history, be powered by a turbocharged engine. That’s the news confirmed today at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show by Honda's European president, Manabu Nishimae, who announced the new hot hatch would employ a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. What has Honda officially announced about the Civic Type R at Frankfurt?

Volkswagen Golf R stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Many landmarks have been established here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – and Volkswagen is one manufacturer that’s stealing headlines with its new Golf R. This is the most powerful production Golf ever, packing 300hp and four-wheel drive. Amazingly, it’s also more efficient than its predecessor.

Honda Civic Tourer stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

It’s been a long time coming, but the production-ready Honda Civic Tourer has finally broken cover, here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Offering decent efficiency (probably) with masses of space and practicality (definitely), as well as what Honda is claiming will be a “class-competitive” price, this family-focused compact estate car seems to tick all the boxes. Please click the image above to read more about the Honda Civic Tourer at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ferrari 458 Speciale stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

This is the Ferrari 458 Speciale, debuting here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – and it’s the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 model the iconic Italian supercar builder has ever produced. It’s not just the 458’s engine that’s received some attention though, a new trick traction control system and interior details to die for carve this out as potentially one of the greatest Ferraris of all time.

Nissan X-Trail (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the new Nissan X-Trail, which goes on UK sale in 2014. By offering a seven-seater option and an adaptive four-wheel-drive powertrain, Nissan is sounding the death-knell for its Qashqai+2 model: there’s to be a new, five-seater Qashqai next year. So, it better be good, the new X-Trail.

Kia Niro stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

You sense from the press material accompanying the Kia Niro, on show here at IAA, that Kia is just a tiny bit pleased with its latest concept. And to be fair, it has every reason to be. Just look at it - this thing is magnificent.

Mazda 3 and Mazda 3 Fastback star at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Three is a magic number for Mazda at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor show. The new Mazda 3 is the third car from the Japanese manufacturer’s ‘Skyactiv’ line-up, joining the CX5 crossover and the 6 saloon and estate. This time around, the regular Mazda 3 hatchback is joined by a larger ‘Fastback’ saloon model, offering even more practicality should you need it.