Highlights of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show: International Automobile Austellung (IAA)
All Photographs and Text by
Rene Zamora
Photographer
P.O. Box 777925
Henderson, Nevada 89077
2012 Ferrari 458 Spider: First Patented Folding Hardtop Roof
Ferrari officially unveiled the 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider at the 2011 IAA in Frankfurt on 13 September 2011. Ferrari claims this is the first mid-engine car equipped with an automatic folding hardtop roof. In earlier Ferrari spiders, a traditional fabric hood such as the one seen in the earlier 430 Spiders has been replaced by a patented folding hardtop roof that Ferrari claims will fold and hide behind the engine bay in a total of 14 seconds with a press of a dashboard button. As an added advantage over the fabric roof, the hardtop roof is made of aluminum and weighs 55 lbs. less than its fabric predecessor. What makes this a very clever engineering design is the Ferrari adapted its rotating roof concept from the 575-based Superamerica introduced in the 2010 Paris Auto Show. The key difference between the 458 Spider roof and the Superamerica roof is that the former’s rotating roof hides under a double-hump rear deck when stowed and the latter lies on top of the rear deck when folded. Included is an independent rear window which acts as a wind blocker at speeds over 125 mph which allows for a normal conversation at high speeds. The hard top roof mechanism is compact enough that Ferrari was able to keep a shelf behind the rear seats. Two buttresses incorporated into a tonneau cover opens and closes instantaneously to hide the hardtop roof and at same time preserve aerodynamics and exterior styling. Otherwise, the 458 Spider shares the same engine and performance compared to the 458 Italia Coupe: 4.5L V8 562 bhp at 9000 rpm with 398 lb-ft of torque at 6000 rpm, mid-engine and rear-wheel drive, mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with F1-Trac traction control and anti-lock brake system and a run to 62 mph from standstill in 3.5 seconds. Ferrari also claims that the 458 Spider is only 100 lbs heavier than its coupe counterpart. Finally, due to losing its lid, Ferrari had to make some structural enhancements (a Maranello secret), alteration of throttle mapping, suspension tuning and engine sound, so that the customers who have made advanced orders can fully enjoy topless motoring.
2012 Maserati Kubang: First Luxury SUV in the Italian Sports Car Market
Maserati unveiled its Luxury SUV called the Maserati Kubang on 13 September 2011 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. This is a Jeep Grand-Cherokee based SUV intended to extend Maserati’s range similar to what Porsche did with the Cayenne SUV about five years ago. This was unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. The plan is to build the Kubang in the same Michigan assembly line as the Jeep Grand Cherokee; however, the engine and the powertrain will be unique to this Maserati luxury SUV. Paolo Martinelli, formerly of Ferrari and the Scuderia Formula 1 Team with over 30 years of experience, will develop the Kubang engine, most likely a V-8, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Similarly, the distinctive Maserati interior and exterior style will be developed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, head of the Maserati Style Center. Also included in the Kubang are Modena inspired and engineered brakes, steering and suspension. While the Kubang shares its grille exterior with the Maserati Quattroporte and GranTurismo and chassis with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, its lower sloping coupe-like profile is unique to its line and separates itself from other SUVs in the current market. Maserati created a discountinuity by entering a new segment of the car market while maintaining its DNA in the new Kubang SUV: an interpretation unmistakably, Maserati.
2012 Bugatti Grand Sport L’Or Blanc: Ettore’s (Bugatti’s Founder) Legacy
Bugatti appeared in the 2011 IAA for the first time in eight years. Based on its reputation of producing the world’s fastest and most exclusive vehicles, two grand sport vehicles were debuted in Frankfurt: a one a kind, L’Or Blanc, the first car to feature porcelain in both body design and interior of the vehicle. Second, an open roadster with striking scarlet paintwork. The Grand Sport L’Or Blanc is a vehicle comprised of porcelain made in collaboration with the Konigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin (KPM); the impressive exterior paintwork is based on the actual roads on the Stelvio Pass in Italy. This abstract art work incorporated to this roadster is in tradition with Bugatti’s founder, Ettore, who was well known to experiment with new materials. The L’Or Blanc with its blue and white paintwork and the second red Grand Sport roadster reflect Bugatti’s Tricolore concept. With the polycarbonate panorama roof open, the Grand Sport has a top speed of 217 mph and with the roof closed, a top speed of 253mph: a world record for top speed making these roadsters the fastest sports car authorized for public roads. Just 150 of these 1001 bhp roadsters are available for public consumption of which 42 have been spoken for at the time of world premier in Frankfurt on 13 September 2011.
2012 Lamborghini LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale: Gallardo Top Line Model
After the world premier of the Lamborghini Aventador (Murcielago successor which borrowed heavily from the limited-edition Reventon with a 6.5L V12 bhp engine producing 700hp, super-fast ISR transmission, pushrod suspension, lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque and Formula One style suspension) at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in late February 2011, an extreme version of the Lamborghini Gallardo was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 13 September 2011: the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale. This top model is based on the successful race car series, the Blancpain Super Trofeo and will be produced in a limited number of 150 examples. There are several similarities between the racing and road versions of this car. First and foremost, is the variable rear wing spoiler for increased dynamic load. Second, they share the same normally aspirated V10 powerplant under the engine hood which produces 570 bp at 8000 rpm with at 540 lb-ft at 6500 rpm. The V10’s unique firing order delivers a striking sound frequently heard in motor racing. Third and lastly, the extensive use of carbon-fiber ensures lightweight construction giving a performance of 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and a quarter-mile performance of 10.4 seconds Uniquely, the Super Trofeo Stradale has a the special exterior color: Rosso Mars which symbolizes the connection between the ultimate race track performance of the roadster and Lamborghini’s “Italianness”. The exterior color is accentuated with a matte black finish on the large rear spoiler, the engine hood and the front air intakes which contrasts with the Rosso Mars exterior paint. The forged wheels are painted with high-gloss black while the rocker panel covers, rear diffuser and outside mirror housings are made of high-gloss carbon fiber in contrast with a red brake caliper, a first for a Lamborghini. Besides the Rosso Mars exterior color, other available colors are: Grigio Telesto and Bianco Monocerus. Interior is minimalist and sporty with extensive use of Alcantara and carbon fiber. The steering wheel is upholstered in black suede with red top-stitching: the powertrain is an e-gear six speed transmission controlled by steering wheel paddles as standard equipment. Door panels, monocoque racing seats and center console cover are made of carbon fiber. In summary, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Stradale is the ultimate expression of the racing experience on public roads.
