Previously, the marque had enlisted a cadre of local carrozzeria, including Frua, Vignale, Ghia, Zagato and Italdesign, to create such notable soft-top Maseratis as the 1950 A6G Spyder, the 1960 3500GT Spyder, the 1964 Mistral Spyder, the 1968 Ghibli Spyder and the 2001 Spyder. The new GranCabrio was designed by Pininfarina, which also created the current Quattroporte and GranTurismo. It will be assembled at the Viale Ciro Menotti factory in Modena. The GranCabrio gets a soft canvas top and will be powered by a 433-horsepower 4.7-liter V8. It will reach European dealers this winter and begin shipping to export markets next spring. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Maserati GranCabrio - http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/maseratigrancabriofrankfurtpreview.html

2010 Jaguar XJ Impresses @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Spy Footage: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=147746

Without revealing specific production plans for the full hybrid concept, Lexus on Thursday teased out more details about the LF-Ch, which is slated to make its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Lexus called it the automaker's "first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment." Lexus distributed inside and out photos of the LF-Ch, including images of a spaceship-looking cabin with "Remote Touch" controls borrowed from the RX 450h. "Using a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch works like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customize a range of information, entertainment and vehicle setup programs," Lexus said in a statement. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Lexus Continues LF-Ch Tease http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/lexuslfchfrankfurtpreviewtease.html

Speculation is that the drop-top companion to the Revent?n coupe will feature a 641-horsepower 6.5-liter V12 driving all four wheels through Lambo's six-speed e-gear transmission, with 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Also rumored are carbon fiber body panels, 18-inch wheels and tires and a cockpit trimmed in carbon fiber, leather and Alcantara. According to Worldcarfans, production likely will be held to 20 units, with prices expected to start at about $1.75 million. Lamborghini Reventon Roadster @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/lamborghinireventonroadsterleaked.html

The redesigned Ford C-Max, which goes on sale in the second half of 2010, will makes its public debut later this month at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Ford says the new C-Max is the first model off the company's revised C-segment global compact platform, which also will spawn the next-generation Ford Focus that will be unveiled in late 2010. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2011 Ford C-Max http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/2011fordcmaxfrankfurtpreview.html

Enthusiasts craving more information on the new Ferrari 458 Italia ahead of the car's official debut next month at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show can check out a raft of new images and information on Ferrari's Web site. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Inside the Ferrari 458 Italia http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/ferrari458italiafrankfurtpreview.html

BMW has finally ended its striptease for the X1, releasing official images and details of the new compact crossover ahead of its formal launch in September at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. The BMW X1, however, won't make the Atlantic crossing until calendar year 2011. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show 2011 BMW X1: http://www.insideline.com/bmw/x1/2011/2009-frankfurt-auto-show-preview-2011-bmw-x1.html

Bentley on Tuesday filled in some of the blanks on its 2011 Mulsanne flagship at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. But up in the air are such critical details as final U.S. pricing and fuel-economy numbers. The Mulsanne made a showy debut last month at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. As promised, Bentley in Frankfurt released a raft of technical specifications on the car. The V8 engine, an update of the existing motor that includes cylinder deactivation, displaces 6.75 liters and is mated to an eight-speed transmission. The engine churns out 505 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/more2011bentleymulsannedetailsrevealed.html

With a little less than a week to go before its official unveiling at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the Audi R8 Spyder has been exposed with a number of photographs. Audi is still not officially releasing information about the R8 Spyder, but based on our previously gathered spy information and close examination of the images seen here, we can say a few things about the upcoming convertible version of the sports car from Ingolstadt. 2010 Audi R8 Spyder: Exposed! http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/2010audir8spydeexposed.html

Tantalizing rumors have been floating in the media for months that a possible electric version of the Audi R8 might surface at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. Audi itself has fueled the fire in recent weeks with a teasing reference to its new e-Tron concept. Turns out they may be one and the same, judging from the images that leaked Monday on World Car Fans, Autocar and other Web sites. Although details are still forthcoming, the Audi R8 e-Tron looks set to play in the same arena as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG eDrive and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, among other green supercars from Europe. The Audi concept looks like a cleaned-up version of the standard R8, with a new front fascia and grille, LED headlamps, new wheels and a restyled rear end. The cockpit is considerably revamped as well. We'll find out in a day or so whether the drivetrain is pure electric or hybrid. 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi R8 e-Tron http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/frankfurt/2009/audir8etron.html