Frankfurt 2007 Auto Show - Photo Gallery

The Frankfurt auto show is the quintessential automotive spectacle--and IAA 2007 was no different. You could easily spend the entire week here taking it all in, but here are some of the notable European exhibits which caught our eye.

Daimler chairman, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, and an E320 Bluetec face the media frenzy at IAA 2007. Here, he outlines Mercedes' `Road to the Future' spearheading the European effort to offer cleaner and more efficient powerplants.

Daimler chairman, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, and an E320 Bluetec face the media frenzy at IAA 200
Mercedes-Benz had probably the most impressive product showcase--three stories of cutting-edge automotive engineering and design. The company presented its agenda with 19 new models, including seven hybrids.

Mercedes-Benz had probably the most impressive product showcase--three stories of cutting-
The Mercedes-Benz F700 concept car features hybrid drive and an innovative DiesOtto powerplant, which combines the performance of a petrol engine with the efficiency of a clean-burning diesel.

The Mercedes-Benz F700 concept car features hybrid drive and an innovative DiesOtto powerp

Already `CO2 champions' in the automotive world, Smart cars continue to push the clean efficiency envelope with new electric and micro-hybrid drivetrains.

Already `CO2 champions' in the automotive world, Smart cars continue to push the clean eff
We couldn't decide which was hotter, the Maserati GranTurismo or the tall drink of water cocking her hip in front of it.

We couldn't decide which was hotter, the Maserati GranTurismo or the tall drink of water c
The VW Passat R36 features a 300-hp V6, all-wheel drive and revised aerodynamics. And it still isn't coming to America.

The VW Passat R36 features a 300-hp V6, all-wheel drive and revised aerodynamics. And it s

BMW X6: Still categorized as a concept, sources tell us something similar will see production in early 2008. It represents the first SUV `coupe' but other manufacturers are said to be close behind with their own versions. The biggest news is that the initial unveiling of the vehicle was shown with a hybrid drivetrain.

BMW X6: Still categorized as a concept, sources tell us something similar will see product
The new RS6 Avant will be the most powerful production Audi ever, pumping out 570 hp from a twin-turbocharged V10. It won't be coming to America either, at least for the time being.

The new RS6 Avant will be the most powerful production Audi ever, pumping out 570 hp from
Audi's new A4 is a complete redesign rather than a simple re-skinning. It takes many styling and design cues from the two-door A5, including a greater use of aluminum in the suspension, a longer wheelbase and repositioned differential.

Audi's new A4 is a complete redesign rather than a simple re-skinning. It takes many styli

Ferrari F430 Scuderia: weighing roughly 200 pounds less than a standard F430 and producing 510 hp, this Ferrari is built for track use.

Ferrari F430 Scuderia: weighing roughly 200 pounds less than a standard F430 and producing
So the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione isn't all that new... but damn, it sure looks good. She's not too bad either.

So the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione isn't all that new... but damn, it sure looks good. She'
If looks could kill, we'd all be dead. The Lamborghini Reventon production run consists of just 20 units. Even at around $1.3 million apiece, they're all spoken for.

If looks could kill, we'd all be dead. The Lamborghini Reventon production run consists of

VW's UP concept takes the company back to its roots: small, efficient, utilitarian people-cars, accessible by just about anybody. It's also rear-engined and rear-drive on a modular platform. Expect to see this car in some form in North America.

VW's UP concept takes the company back to its roots: small, efficient, utilitarian people-
Most of Jaguar's fortunes are riding on the new XF, the avante-garde replacement for the flagging S-Type sedan.

Most of Jaguar's fortunes are riding on the new XF, the avante-garde replacement for the f
Now this is a Land Rover. Style-wise, the new Defender seems like a throwback to the days when these vehicles conquered the darkest unexplored corners of the world. It looks like it may be just as functional too.

Now this is a Land Rover. Style-wise, the new Defender seems like a throwback to the days

The MINI Clubman takes a great idea and makes it a little longer. Just like the original Clubman, it features two outward-swinging tailgate doors. This model adds rear suicide doors for convenient rear-seat access.

The MINI Clubman takes a great idea and makes it a little longer. Just like the original C
Another glaring absence from the US market is the Cross Golf, essentially a crossover vehicle built on the Golf platform. This thing will do as much off-roading as 99 percent of all SUV owners would ever want.

Another glaring absence from the US market is the Cross Golf, essentially a crossover vehi
VW Polo GTI: one more great little car we'll probably never see in the US. However, we expect to see a smaller VW than the current Rabbit in 2008.

VW Polo GTI: one more great little car we'll probably never see in the US. However, we exp

Reportedly, 2008 will see the return of TDI to the US. Sadly, it won't be in the Golf--erm, Rabbit--here in the States, but we will get a Jetta, Passat and Tiguan.

Reportedly, 2008 will see the return of TDI to the US. Sadly, it won't be in the Golf--erm
In Europe, diesels definitely aren't just for trucks. SEAT, VW's Spanish subsidiary, races TDI-equipped Leons in WTCC competition. It recently made history at Oschersleben, Germany, by running the first diesel-engine car to win a race in WTCC.

In Europe, diesels definitely aren't just for trucks. SEAT, VW's Spanish subsidiary, races
This is a SEAT Leon of some sort. To be honest, we don't even know exactly what model it is, but it rocks.

This is a SEAT Leon of some sort. To be honest, we don't even know exactly what model it i

This KTM X-Bow looks like an absolute blast. We would love to see small lightweight cars like this make it to America. Unfortunately, DOT regulations would relegate them solely to a life of track service.

This KTM X-Bow looks like an absolute blast. We would love to see small lightweight cars l
Apart from the new M3, the buzz at BMW was the 1 Series Coupe. This 123d version is diesel-powered, but we're mostly looking forward to the 135i with its twin-turbo straight six.

Apart from the new M3, the buzz at BMW was the 1 Series Coupe. This 123d version is diesel
Yet more cool wheels we won't get to buy. The BMW M5 Touring combines the acceleration of a steam catapult with the utilitarian sensibility of a touring wagon.

Yet more cool wheels we won't get to buy. The BMW M5 Touring combines the acceleration of

BMW had this E92 M3 set up on hydraulics so people could get inside and `drive' the car virtually. This is far less cool than actually driving the car on a road.

BMW had this E92 M3 set up on hydraulics so people could get inside and `drive' the car vi
VW hopes to reinvent the small SUV segment with its newest premium offering. With the interior quality of a much more expensive vehicle and actual off-road ability, the Tiguan may do just that. Expect to see both a 2.0T and a TDI offered in the USA.

VW hopes to reinvent the small SUV segment with its newest premium offering. With the inte
Alpina showed a few tweaked BMWs that really stood out. Minus the pinstripes, these could pass as factory-tuned vehicles. We may even see them in the US some day.

Alpina showed a few tweaked BMWs that really stood out. Minus the pinstripes, these could

The Porsche Cayenne GTS will offer customers a "sizeable increase in horsepower" over the standard V8 model and will, for the first time in a Cayenne, be available with a six-speed manual transmission in North America.

The Porsche Cayenne GTS will offer customers a "sizeable increase in horsepower" over the
Porsche 911 GT2: 530 twin-turbocharged hp, rear-wheel drive and a pair of scorched underpants.

Porsche 911 GT2: 530 twin-turbocharged hp, rear-wheel drive and a pair of scorched underpa
MINI Cooper Challenge: this may have been one of the coolest cars at the show, built for a MINI spec series with years of history in Europe. Maybe some of it will trickle down into a limited-edition street version.

MINI Cooper Challenge: this may have been one of the coolest cars at the show, built for a

With the return of Alfa Romeo to the US, we hope to see cool cars like this Spider make it across the Atlantic. Build quality and materials seem rather nice, and it would make an excellent alternative to the ubiquitous BMW 3 Series drop-top.

With the return of Alfa Romeo to the US, we hope to see cool cars like this Spider make it
The DBS is Aston Martin's answer to everyone who thought the standard DB9 wasn't hardcore enough. It features revised bodywork, a massaged V12 and weighs around 220 pounds less.

The DBS is Aston Martin's answer to everyone who thought the standard DB9 wasn't hardcore
Hamann half-heartedly remedied the Gallardo's horizontally swinging door problem with its gullwing hinge conversion. Still not as cool as Murcielago-style scissors.

Hamann half-heartedly remedied the Gallardo's horizontally swinging door problem with its

Hamann has wasted absolutely no time in working its magic on the newest M3. Suspension work, aerodynamics and a wheel-and-tire upgrade help the car look even more aggressive than the factory version.

Hamann has wasted absolutely no time in working its magic on the newest M3. Suspension wor
AC Schnitzer intends to take the record for world's fastest street BMW with this. Based on an E92 3 Series and running on natural gas, it will, if nothing else, be the fastest mint-green car in the world.

AC Schnitzer intends to take the record for world's fastest street BMW with this. Based on
Think your Pagani Zonda is neither lightweight nor exotic enough? Get one with a bare carbon fiber body. The workmanship on this piece is truly amazing and makes it look more like a spacecraft than a sports car.

Think your Pagani Zonda is neither lightweight nor exotic enough? Get one with a bare carb

This Carlsson CK65 borrows heavily from Bugatti with its two-tone exterior and luxurious-yet-sporty interior. The production run will be limited to an extremely low quantity, so if you really want one, act now.

This Carlsson CK65 borrows heavily from Bugatti with its two-tone exterior and luxurious-y
Smart cars are everywhere in Europe. In big cities with traffic congestion, parking problems, pollution and high fuel prices, they just make sense. To do your part, yet still stand out and enjoy a higher level of performance, Brabus offers the Ultimate 112, a hotter version of the Fortwo. No word yet on whether this will make it to the States.

Smart cars are everywhere in Europe. In big cities with traffic congestion, parking proble
For the Steve McQueen fan who has everything--the way cool Brabus Bullit. Powered by a bi-turbo V12 and with aerodynamics to keep the car planted at ludicrous speeds, this thing will leave bona-fide sports car drivers scratching their heads as they inhale its dust.

For the Steve McQueen fan who has everything--the way cool Brabus Bullit. Powered by a bi-