FORD GRAND C-MAX DEBUTS WITH INGENIOUS SEATING OPTIONS - GALLERY

About a year after this stretched Ford C-Max goes on sale in Europe, it'll likely be on sale in North America as the 2012 Ford Focus C-Max; or Ford Grand C-Max; or Ford Focus Grand C-Max; or something. Slightly larger than the Good 12 Supersize-winning Mazda 5, this mini-minivan looks good (from most angles) and should drive well, too. Given its Euro-Focus origins, the Grand C-Max will be forced to meet high expectations at a time when fuel prices will likely be rising, North Americans downsizing; and sales of larger minivans capsizing.

Since 2003, Ford has offered some other markets an upsized version of the Focus as the C-Max; a competitor to the Honda FR-V, Vauxhall/Opel Zafira, a variety of Toyota Verso models, and a vast array of French competition. Though commonly equipped with diesel engines, don't be surprised if the Grand C-Max that comes our way is fitted with a turbocharged 1.6L generating somewhere north of 180 horsepower.

After the 21 picture Gallery, you can read three more quick facts about this Frankfurt debut.

Hiding the sliding door rails is a wonderful way of making the Grand C-Max appear less "old".
The middle seat in the three-seat second row can fold underneath either outboard seat.
Ford anticipates the use of the Grand C-Max's platform to multiply to more than 2,000,000 vehicles per year.

AUDI E-TRON CONCEPT : ANOTHER ELECTRIC SUPERCAR; THIS TIME WITH 3,319 LB-FT AND A PHOTO GALLERY

Audi just introduced an electric car based on the R8 at the Frankfurt auto show. The Audi e-tron uses four electric motors and has a theoretical range of 248 kilometres, about 154 miles. For three quick performance-related points, read below the Gallery. And don't forget to click over to see other Frankfurt debuts here.

The Audi e-tron accelerates to 62mph in 4.8 seconds.

313 horsepower is nice. 3,319 lb-ft of torque is no typo.

470 kilograms of battery sits out front. That's over 1000 pounds of dynamics-altering weight.

17 PICTURES OF THE WIESMANN ROADSTER MF5 - GALLERY

The 2010 Wiesmann Roadster MF5 is stunning, as has come to be expected from this niche German manufacturer. Check below the 17-picture Gallery for three quick facts from this outlandish supercar. Click here for more from the Frankfurt auto show.

507 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque from a BMW M5's V10

Top speed of 193mph

€189,500 MSRP