Frankfurt Motor Show

The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was one on the most jam-packed automotive event we've ever seen. Almost every manufacturer released a significant production vehicle and the high-end luxury and exotic car companies all put on an amazing show. Ferrari introduced the 458 Italia. Lotus showcased the Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar. Wiesmann unveiled their Roadster Mf5. The Audi R8 Spyder made its debut. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG had us awestruck. Porsche showcased the 911 Sport Classic and 911 GT3 Cup Racecar. And so forth and so on... Even Russia, a country best known in the automotive world for its nonexistent exports, made everyone take notice when the Marussia B1 and B2 were presented. We even saw the largest collection of electric car concepts at an auto show.

But while all of these amazing cars were being introduced, many making world debuts, the manufacturers also provided some gorgeous promotional models as well. These women would be completely at home on any fashion show runway or featured in the Victoria Secret catalog. We thought there was no better way to recap this event than to deliver a harvest of images of the girls at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Enjoy the pictures after the jump:

If you keep up with the tuning scene, you are probably aware that German powerhouse HAMANN is one of the most exciting luxury car mod shops out there, constantly pushing the envelope and putting out extreme creations at every possible opportunity. The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show took place right in their backyard and provided the perfect backdrop to showcase some of their best builds to date. The world premier of the HAMANN Ferrari California, HAMANN Victory Lamborghini Gallardo and HAMANN Tycoon Evo were all pretty spectacular.

In addition, a car which we saw at launch back in October of last year, the HAMANN Volcano, based on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, was released as a Special Red IAA 2009 Edition. In its new livery it made quite an impression on us. As always, HAMANN provides a total conversion of this breathtaking vehicle best known for its outrageous price and racing-like performance.

Every year more and more automotive companies jump on board with the green movement.  Many hem and haw but eventually come around as there seems to be sufficient consumer interest to at least take a few baby steps forward. If nothing else, it helps with public image even if the economics still don't make sense. But what started out as an anomaly in the modern age has turned into a full blown onslaught of environmentally friendly vehicles, some particularly high-performance like the Tesla Roadster and the the Fisker Karma.

The technologies in the marketplace span the gamut from flex-fuel and hybrid-diesel engines to the new holy grail, battery powered electric vehicles with decent range and the ability to plug into any 110/220 outlet. This year marks the first Frankfurt Motor Show taking place in the age of the electrical auto revolution and all of the manufacturers have something to contribute to the cause. In all, there were over 50 electric and hybrid cars in the haus (get it?).

British manufacturer Lotus Cars has been a motorsports behemoth for what seems like forever. So, it's only natural that they would be releasing a racing version of their latest and greatest sports car, the 2010 Lotus Evora. Their new Type 124 Endurance Race Car has just made its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and its transformation from the street to the track is stellar. Not only is this Evora completely reworked from the inside out, the Type 124 benefits from everything one would expect to make a competitive GT3-spec racer.

Wiesmann first made its big splash at the Geneva Motor Show back in March of this year with the release of the 367 horsepower MF4 Roadster. Now, the retro-futuristic manufacturer from Germany has just unleashed a new, much more compelling creation at the Frankfort Motor Show. The Wiesmann Roadster MF5 is powered by a variation of the BMW V10 engine found in the M5/M6, so you know it's gonna be fast. How fast, you ask? Well, this 507 horsepower open-air speedster will be able to hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and top out at 192 mph.

There are not a lot of cars that can transition so effortlessly into convertible form without giving up aesthetics or performance or both. The new 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder is one of those rare sports cars that not only pulls off the drop-top look in style but also gives up very little in street cred. The differences between it and the Coupe are subtle but nevertheless significant. The first thing that strikes you (besides the fact it's a convertible) is that gone are the trademark side blades, replaced with carbon-fiber air intakes built into the flanks.

The Frankfurt Auto Show is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and well-stocked auto shows of the decade. Apparently the people of our planet had conflicting New Year’s resolutions a few years ago. Half of the planet promised to build highly fuel-efficient cars, that save the planet, cheap to maintain, practical, and make us all feel like we’re saving the planet without having to actually make out with a tree. The other half got drunk, played 18 hours of Forza 2, and decided it would make the most expensive, opulent, beautiful, and fastest cars the world has ever (and perhaps, will ever) see.

Cars are so fast now that 200mph is no longer the summit of speed, but a Base Camp from which to set out from. A few years ago cars like the SLR and Ferrari Enzo made big waves with engines producing over 600hp. Tomorrow there will be a handful of “normal” exotics with engines producing almost that much power. Lamborghini’s small “daily” supercar makes 560. There will also be cars draped in fine leather, cashmere, and the rarest woods. Koenigsegg even found a way to put tiny pieces of diamonds in their paint, to make the car more reflective in the sunlight. Not exactly a Civic Hybrid…

No more prototypes and mules. After months of anticipation, we finally have some actual images of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This car has much to live up to as it pays homage to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which reinvigorated the brand by taking home a win at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the 1952 Carrera Panamericana. It featured "Gullwing" doors that left a lasting impression on the world. The new 2010 SLS AMG sports the same doors which makes the car look like it's about to flap its wings and take off.