Frankfurt Motor Show,09

Coming to America!!

To put it lightly, the 2009 auto show circuit has been a collective disappointment. The worldwide economic meltdown, which started just over a year ago, has prompted automakers to buckle down, scrutinize every penny spent and, thus, go light on new vehicle reveals. Some noted manufacturers have even skipped big shows altogether.

2011 BMW X1

BMW revealed the X1, a new compact SUV to compete with the likes of the Acura RDX and Land Rover LR2. In size and price the X1 will slot below the X3 as BMW's entry-level SUV (or, in BMW-speak, Sports Activity Vehicle). Worldwide, the X1 will be offered with four engines, including three turbocharged four-cylinder diesels. In the U.S., we will only get the xDrive28i model, which features all-wheel drive and a 3.0-liter straight six-cylinder engine making 258 horsepower. BMW says the xDrive28i can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. The 2011 BMW X1 is scheduled to go on sale in early 2011.

Maserati GranCabrio

Maserati introduced what it calls the "Trident's third prong," the 2011 GranCabrio. The company's first-ever four-seat convertible, the GranCabrio features a canvas top and a body by Pininfarina. Maserati says the GranCabrio has the longest convertible wheelbase on the market, allowing for a rear seat with enough room to make rear seat passengers "co-stars of the journey," meaning they will actually be comfortable. Like the S versions of the GranTurismo on which it is based, the GranCabrio uses a 4.7-liter V8 that produces 433 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque. Maserati says the GranCabrio will go on sale next spring.

Jaguar XJ

The big news for Jaguar this year is, of course, the unveiling of the all-new XJ. Company boss Mike O'Driscoll has already boasted that the automaker is "not in the transportation business, [but] in the entertainment business." The XJ's styling is certainly entertaining, with most of the attention focusing on its radical rear-end design, complete with "hidden" D-pillars and twinkly LED lights arcing over the rear wings. It's certainly a big step up from the outgoing XJ, whose retro styling downplayed the cutting edge aluminum construction beneath. The new car shares this high-tech build and boasts a healthy weight advantage over rivals, which will help enhance the performance potential of the normally aspirated and supercharged versions of Jag's new 5.0-liter V8s that pump out 385 and 510 horsepower, respectively.

MINI Roadster Concept

As if the cool little Coupe Concept wasn't enough, MINI also showed an even cooler two-seat Roadster Concept. Both cars share much of the same sheetmetal from the beltline down, but the Roadster gets a manual-folding soft-top that ends farther forward than the Coupe's roof, creating a notchback look. Powering the car is the 177-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder from the Cooper S. The production model will likely have a range of engines, including the Coupe's 211-horsepower turbo four.

2011 Saab 9-5

Saab may be on its way out of the GM portfolio, but that doesn't mean the new product pipeline is dry. Saab took the cover off the next-generation 9-5 sedan in Germany, calling it the most technically advanced Saab ever. Sharing the front-drive Epsilon II platform with the Buick LaCrosse, the new 9-5's exterior features "progressive Scandanavian design" with a wrap-around window graphic courtesy of blacked-out front and center pillars.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

While the all-new 2010 911 Turbo doesn't look much different than the one it replaces, there is one big difference: the direct-injection, twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six that resides under the hood. It develops 500 horsepower (that's 20 ponies more than its predecessor), but is more fuel efficient and produces fewer noxious emissions. It also boasts a respectable 500 lb-ft of torque. The standard Turbo gets a six-speed manual transmission, while the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is available as an option

2010 Hyundai Tucson ix

Hyundai unveiled the successor to the Tucson compact SUV. To be called the Tucson ix in the U.S. and the ix35 elsewhere, the new SUV is slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model. It also sits lower, but not to the detriment of headroom. The Tucson's "fluidic" styling most likely signals a new direction for Hyundai design and a company representative said the front end kicks off a new corporate face. The Tucson will be offered with 2.0- and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines, but no horsepower numbers were available. Front- and all-wheel drive with be offered. Look for the new Tucson ix late this year.

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon

Mercedes showed the next step in its revamped E-Class lineup, the 2011 E350 4Matic wagon. A 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 will be the only engine initially, but others are likely to follow, including a V8 and perhaps a diesel. The most notable development is the class-exclusive third-row seat that folds into the floor and expands passenger capacity to seven. Nine airbags, a self-leveling rear air suspension, and a seven-speed automatic transmission will be standard. For the first time, the E-Class will be offered as a Sport model with 18-inch wheels, aggressive exterior cues and sportier suspension setting.

Volkswagen Golf R

This is the GTI on steroids. Sure, it's got the same 2-liter turbo under the hood. However, VW has managed to up the power to 270 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque. (Spectacular!) To handle all that power, the Golf R gets all-wheel drive and a choice of DSG or traditional six-speed manual transmissions. It runs from zero to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds. Visually, the R isn't much different from the standard Golf. It does get LED marker lights in the front bumper, a rear bumper with centered tailpipes, a side skirt upgrade, and bi-Xenon headlights.

Ferrari 458 Italia

This is a truly hardcore Italian Stallion. It combines aerospace alloys with a Pininfarina design. Although the cockpit provides the height and space of the preceding F430, the 458 Italia's bodywork is much lower and sleeker. The 458 is a bit lighter, too. Look close and you'll see the small "aeroelastic" winglets upfront. These deform as the Italia's speed increases, shrinking the size of the radiator inlets and lowering drag. This type of active aero technology is unique; it is even banned on the F1 racing circuit. The Italia's monster V8 develops 570 horses.