As is well known, Ettore Bugatti was not one to innovate, favouring the gradual evolution of existing designs. Bugatti pushed that credo furthest of all with the final Grand Prix car built by the French company before the War; the Type 59/50B III fielded in the 1938 French Grand Prix had actually started life as one of the six Type 59s built in 1933. In the intervening years, it received various engine configurations and, in 1936, became the first ever true single seater produced by the fabled manufacturer. In its ultimate guise, it still incorporated many of Bugatti's traditional design elements like the solid axles and cable-operated brakes but also sported a new lightweight engine that combined an aluminium block with steel liners and a bronze head. The car was nevertheless incapable of challenging the more sophisticated and vitally much better funded German efforts and after two outings in 1938 finally faded from view. It did not appear until recent years and following a complete restoration to full running order, the unique Bugatti even returned to the track during the Goodwood Revival earlier this month. This allowed to take a closer look at the last classic Bugatti Grand Prix racer.
In coverage of this month's Frankfurt Motor Show, we did not update all of the existing articles with the full set of pictures and details that became available during the show. That oversight is rectified today as we take another look at some of the German show's highlights. Our favourite among these is the Audi A5 DTM, which will race in the popular series from next year. Built to the latest regulations the striking machine features a full carbon-fibre monocoque chassis. Audi also released a series of show cars; the A2 Concept as well as the Urban Concept in both Fixed Head and Spyder form. A brand new manufacturer making its debut at the IAA was Britain's Eterniti. The 'boutique marque' livened up their launch with the introduction of the Hemera. Effectively a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S wrapped in a carbon-fibre body, the very exclusive machine is scheduled to hit the market in 2012.
Our final piece concerns two Honda related products; the Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 and the HPD ARX-03a. The latter is developed by Wirth Research using a new chassis design and will be raced by Strakka Racing in the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship.

Enjoy the links:

1938 Bugatti Type 59/50B III - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 Audi A5 DTM - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Audi A2 Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Audi Urban Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Audi Urban Spyder Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 Eterniti Hemera - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2.2 - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 HPD ARX-03a - Images, Specifications and Information

2011 Skoda MissionL Concept - Images, Specifications and Information