The most stunning cars at Frankfurt Auto Show
FRANKFURT, Germany — Maybe we can’t buy — but we can look. The best thing about an auto show is the chance to gawk at and sit in cars most people can’t afford. So here’s a look at eight of the most striking and expensive new vehicles on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
The show opened to the public Saturday and runs through Sept. 22.
Ÿ Ferrari 458 Speciale: Should you need to accelerate to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 3 seconds flat and go twice as fast again in another 6.1 seconds, this is your car. The Speciale, flaunting Ferrari’s most powerful V-8 engine ever, has spoilers that swing out to increase downdraft and keep it pinned to the road above 93 mph. Top speed is above 202 mph. Ferrari is also proud of how quickly it can stop: in 400 feet (122 meters), from 124 mph. The price in Italy starts at 238,000 euros ($315,000).
Ÿ Aston Martin CC100: The first thing you’ll need to drive this racer is a helmet — and a sunny day. Modeled on the 1950s DBR1 race car, the CC100 has no windscreen, no roof and cutouts in the sides. The 100 stands for Aston Martin’s 100th anniversary and is embossed on the car’s long, elegant hood, just like a racing number. It looks ready for the track, but it’s entirely street legal. The V-12 engine can go from rest to 62 mph in a little over four seconds. Top speed: 180 mph.
Ÿ Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport: Bugatti declared this the world’s fastest roadster after it reached a speed of 408.84 kph (254.04 mph) on a German test track. The 16-cylinder engine, visible in the back of the car, packs 1,200 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 2.6 seconds. At Frankfurt, the car was shown with two different exteriors: one aluminum-clad for 1.96 million euros ($2.6 million) — and one black carbon fiber for 2.28 million euros.
Ÿ Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse: A street version of the company’s Super Trofeo racing machine, the low-slung Squadra Corse shows its pedigree with an aerodynamic rear spoiler to keep it on the road at high speed. It has the same V-10 engine as the race car. On sale for anyone with 191,100 euros ($254,300) to spare, not including tax.
Ÿ Rolls-Royce Celestial Phantom: This special edition is meant to commemorate the 10th anniversary of production at the company’s Goodwood plant in England. So the ceiling lights up with the exact pattern of the night sky on Jan. 1, 2003, astronomically verified. The interior is made with different fine leathers, a wool carpet, and door compartments smoothly lined with cashmere. A beverage cooler keeps the champagne cold in back, and the clock in the partition between you and your chauffeur has four diamonds in it.
Ÿ Smart Fourjoy concept: No roof, no doors, no back window — but a place to hang a skateboard on top. This whimsical, not-for-sale design study from Daimler AG’s Smart is intended to introduce design elements for a future Forfour four-seat model. The company says the Forfour expected next year will in fact have doors and a more conventional look, though the concept car’s front and rear end likely reflect the eventual production model.
Ÿ Porsche 918 Spyder: Porsche calls it the supercar of the future: a plug-in hybrid with a monstrous 887 horsepower from a V-8 internal combustion racing engine and two electric motors. Drive carefully and it can get mileage of up to 3.0 liters per 100 kilometers, or 72 miles per gallon. Or, go zero to 100 kph in a blazing 2.8 seconds. Your choice. 768,026 euros in Germany including sales tax ($1.02 million).
Ÿ Bentley GT V8 S: This smoothly contoured coupe with a big grille was presented in dazzling white at Frankfurt. Its 4.0 liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 puts out 528 horsepower for an exhilarating but still smooth luxury ride. The car has “a little bit more power, a little bit more performance” for fans of the luxury brand, says Kevin Rose, Bentley’s marketing director. There’s a convertible version. They’re taking orders for early next year: In the US: $194,600 coupe, $214,000 convertible.