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Lexus GS 300h arrives in Frankfurt

Lexus GS 300h 11.9.2013

Goes on sale later this year

Lexus has introduced the entry-level GS 300h at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Designed to slot beneath the GS 450h, the GS 300h has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and an electric motor that enables the model to produce a combined maximum output of 223 HP (164 kW). Performance specifications are still pending but Lexus expects the model will consume less than 4.7 L/100 km (50 mpg US / 60.1 mpg UK) and have CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.

On the styling front there isn't much to report but the F Sport variant can be equipped with LED fog lights and three new F SPORT-specific colors including F White, Starlight Black and Midnight Blue.

There's no word on pricing but Lexus says the GS 300h will be eligible for significant tax incentives in many European countries including France, Spain and the United Kingdom.

2014 Kia Soul SUV Styling Pack introduced in Frankfurt

2014 Kia Soul SUV Styling Pack 11.9.2013

Features black paint, little else

A few months ago, a mysterious rendering of an off-road inspired Kia Soul surfaced online and lead to speculation that the company was finally going to offer a rugged all-wheel drive variant. Unfortunately that doesn't appear to be the case as the company has introduced the Soul "SUV Styling Pack" at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Designed to make the model look more rugged, the package includes piano black paint on the bumpers, wheel arches and side skirts. This creates the illusion of plastic body cladding but doesn't provide any of the benefits.

While that's a tad disappointing, the company did confirm the Euro-spec model will go on sale early next year and be offered with the "latest versions" of their 1.6-liter GDI petrol and CRDi diesel engines. Performance specifications will be announced closer to launch, so stay tuned for full details.

Hennessey McLaren MP4-12C HPE700 revealed

Hennessey McLaren MP4-12C HPE700 12.9.2013

Runs from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds

Hennessey has introduced their new HPE700 tuning program for the McLaren MP4-12C.

Looking tastefully restrained, the model has a stock appearance that won't raise any eyebrows until someone notices the discrete Hennessey and HPE700 badging. The same logic carries over to the cabin as the only modification is a small serial-numbered dash plaque.

Bigger changes occur in the engine bay as Hennessey installs an optimized ECU, an upgraded intercooler, dual air induction filters and a stainless steel sports exhaust system. Thanks to these modifications, the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine produces 704 bhp (525 kW) and 538 lb-ft (728 Nm) of torque - an increase of 88 bhp (65 kW) and 96 lb-ft (130 Nm) . This enables the model to rocket from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and run the quarter mile in 10.3 seconds at 137 mph (220 km/h).