Although Volkswagen's design studio would be your best bet to get a glimpse of a future model like the seventh-generation Golf, an official video would be the last place you'd expect to actually see it. But as we all know, gaffes happen all the time. Such is the case with the Golf VII as what appears to be a full-size clay mock-up of the compact hatchback was spotted on the promotional film for the Frankfurt Show L1 concept car.

The clay model, which we beleive shows a possible design direction for the next Golf seemingly inspired by the firm's latest models such as the Scirocco (notice the more pointy nose-job and the more narrow headlamps), can be seen in the background at 4:41 minutes into the video.

The story was uncovered by the folks over German magazine AMS. We had stored the original promotional video of the L1 Concept on our computer during the Frankfurt Motorshow days, but just for the heck of it, we headed over to VW's official press site to download the specific video again.

But guess what; the scene with the clay model of what we and many others reckon is a design proposal for the VW Golf VII, has been chopped and cropped in this version! If anything else, that should count for something...

Via: AMS

In typical Fiat fashion, the Italian automaker took its time to release a full gallery of its cosmetically refreshed and mechanically updated Grande Punto that has been renamed to Punto EVO for the 2010 model year. Unveiled for the first time at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Italian supermini gets newly styled bumpers and lights at the front and the rear while a redesigned three-piece grille and new alloy wheel designs complete the exterior updates.

Meanwhile, the cabin receives a comprehensive makeover with a redesigned dashboard that features a new instrument cluster and center console plus new seats and fabric options.

Beneath the skin, the Punto Evo features a wide range of Euro 5 engines, including a second-generation 1.3 MultiJet diesel that offers an improvement of around 2 percent in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and a new 1.4 MultiAir gasoline unit that utilize electrohydraulic valve management to reduce fuel consumption by controlling air directly through the inlet valves without using the throttle.

Fiat claims that the 1.4-liter's MutliAir system cuts emissions by 10 percent while delivering 10 percent more power and 15 percent more torque than the regular 1.4L engine/

The revamped supermini also gains a new Blue&Me-TomTom infotainment system. European sales of the Punto EVO will begin in the second half of October.

Via listcarworld

Renault revealed a total of four electric vehicle concept cars in Frankfurt including the two-seater Twizy Z.E. mini, the Zoe Z.E. small coupe, the Kangoo Z.E. and the Fluence Z.E. ompact sedan. All of the prototype models use similar technology to the Nissan Leaf EV that was uncovered this past summer. According to Renault, all four cars preview the firm's electric vehicle range which will be released from 2011. One of the first models to be launched into the market will be the electric version of the recently revealed Fluence sedan.

However, unlike its production sibling with the same designation, the Fluence Z.E. concept actually looks pretty good - yes, far too good to make it into production looking like this...

The concept model is equipped with a 70kW or 95HP electric motor that is powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries that give the saloon 100 miles / 160 kilometers driving range.

Renault says that the battery can be charged using three different methods: a standard charge that takes between four and eight hours, a quick charge which is done in only 20 minutes or alternitavely, through the automated 'Quickdrop' system that removes and replaces the batteries in just three minutes.

The new Auris HSD Full Hybrid is a thinly disguised concept model that will be launched at the Frankfurt show next week previewing the production model that is scheduled to go on sale in Europe sometime during the second half of 2010. According to Toyota, it marks a significant milestone in the firm's plan to equip its mainstream European models with full hybrid technology. As anticipated, the Auris HSD Full Hybrid shares its hybrid powertran with the thrid-gen Prius.

This means that it is equipped with a 1.8-liter Atkinson Cycle petrol engine with 98HP, a 60kW - 80HP electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The combined output of the hybrid system is 134 horsepower. Being a 'full' hybrid, the Auris can be driven on petrol engine alone, electric motor alone for up to 1.25 miles (2km) at speeds up to 31mph or combination of both.

Toyota says that the Auris HSD Hybrid accelerates from nought to 100km/h (62mph) in around 10 seconds, while returning a "class-leading" combined cycle fuel economy (no figures were released) and sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.

Compared to the conventional Auris that has replaced the hatchback versions of the Corolla in Europe, the hybrid model features some subtle styling changes to improve aerodynamic efficiency as well as to differentiate it from the rest of the range. These include the new front-end fascia with a different grille and LED headlights, the new bumpers with flat corners, the LED tail lamps, the addition of a rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler.

Other changes include the 20mm lower ride height, the underbody panels and the bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels that are designed to cut air turbulence in the wheel arches and are shod with low rolling resistance tyres. These changes result to a drag coefficient of 0.28 - for comparison, the latest Prius has a Cd figure of 0.25.

The hybrid model has also been fitted with solar panels on the roof as well as on top of the dashboard that generate enough energy to recharge mobile phones or portable music plays mounted in purpose-designed charging trays.

Being a concept and all, the car's cabin gets a special makeover as the seats and upper dashboard are finished in blue Gaucholino leather with light blue accent stitching while the centre console and side air vents have a pearl white finish. Furthermore, the instrument cluster gets 'hybrid blue' illumination while other upgrades include the flat bottom steering wheel and ambient illumination of the footwells and headlining.

The Auris HSD Full Hybrid will be built by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) at the firm's Burnaston factory, near Derby, with sales of the production model set to start across Europe in the second half of 2010.

Via Listcarworld

This year's Frankfurt auto show saw Citroen taking the wraps off three distinct model; the C3 five-door hatchback and the production version of its more upscale three-door sibling, the DS3, as well as the REVOLTe concept, a distinctively modern interpretation of the iconic 2CV. You've already seen the pics and read the details but now it's video time as the French automaker has cooked up a series of promotional films for all three models that you can check our right after the break.

We know that many of you weren't exactly thrilled about the cocoa bean color of the R8 Spyder in the press shots, but in Frankfurt, Audi displayed two examples of its stunning topless sports car finished in white and red respectively. We wouldn't mind either color, though to be honest, what we'd really like to see it in is a deep metallic black finish. At launch, the R8 Spyder will be available exclusively with the Lambo-sourced 5.2-liter V10 engine that cranks out 525 horsepower and can be combined with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Audi says that acceleration from zero to 100km/h (62mph) comes after 4,1 seconds instead of the coupe's 3,9 seconds while the two-seater can reach a maximum speed of 313 km/h (195 mph). First deliveries are expected sometime in the first quarter of 2010. For the 'Full Monty' on the R8 Spyder, click here.

The Lexus LF-Ch, the centerpiece of the Japanese firm's stand at the 2009 Frankfurt motorshow, is concept model for a new baby Lexus that will compete in Europe with entry-premium hatchbacks such as the Audi A3 / Sportback, BMW 1-Series and the recently freshened up Volvo C30. As anticipated, Lexus confirmed the development of a production version based on this concept. "Let me stress that you are not looking at a market study … or hearing about vague intentions" said Andy Pfeiffenberger, vice president of Lexus Europe during the presentation of the car in Frankfurt.

"This LF-Ch concept is a clear indication of our entry plans for the compact premium segment in the near future, with the world's first ever premium compact, full hybrid. That distinction will make this dynamic car stand out in what will be Europe's largest premium segment," Pfeiffenberger added.

Though Lexus did not give a specific launch date, media reports suggest that the five-door compact hatch should be on the market within the next two years. Besides the gasoline-electric full hybrid version, the production model will most likely be offered with conventional gasoline and diesel engines as well.

Yes, we're preparing a full gallery with the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show babes (be patient...), but we couldn't resist from giving you a taste of the curvalicious femme-fatales that were on display alongside the Reventon Roadster at Lamborghini's stand. Definitely a match made in heaven... If you must insist to know, the €1.1 million Lambo special is motivated by a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine that pushes out 670-horsepower to all four wheels. Less than 20 examples of the roadster model will be built with first deliveries expected to take place in October. Follow the jump for the gallery.