Frankfurt’s hot list
It’s ‘ raining’ cars in Frankfurt as we show you some of the key models at the stands.
THE world’s car manufacturers arrived in Germany at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show with their latest designs and models in tow. The organisers, the German carmakers’ association VDA, said the 2015 show promised 210 world premieres and an “amazing display of innovations” from 1,100 exhibitors from 39 countries, in a space the size of 33 football pitches.
The main focus of the show was the numerous updates on SUVs and crossovers. The trade show set the stage for the presentation of the first SUV vehicles from Bentley and Jaguar.
Mercedes presented five world premieres, and BMW will reveal its new X1 while Volkswagen showcased its latest Tiguan. Nissan presented its new Gripz concept car that offered a hint of future models while Toyota unveiled a new compact crossover based on the C- HR.
Bentley Bentayga
Volkswagen’s luxury brand Bentley launched the Bentayga, billed as the most exclusive and luxurious SUV in the world and the brand’s most technologically advanced car ever. The Bentayga has a massive 12- cylinder engine and a top speed of 187mph ( 301kph). It also has all the technology one expects in a luxury car, including a park assist to help squeeze into tight spots, infrared to see wildlife at night as well as integrated wifi, navigation and entertainment systems.
But Bentley’s charm lies also in its exclusive artisanal accents. Buyers can opt for an integrated event seat for watching polo matches from the comfort of the car, and can be fitted with three hampers for champagne, tea service and nibbles. The hampers can be removed as portable seating.
Jaguar F- PACE
Jaguar’s first SUV is part of its strategy to broaden out the brand that began with the mid- range XE sedan. It’s a late arrival in an increasingly crowded space dominated by Audi’s Q5 and BMW’s X models.
The five- seater boasts some serious infotainment equipment including 4G/ LTE wi- fi hotspot. The range- topper will come with a 375hp supercharged V6 and customers will have a choice of petrol or diesel engines, rear or all- wheel drive.
Supercars
This year’s supercar agenda remains relatively quiet. Ferrari will introduce the 488 Spider, six months after the 488 GTB coupe, and Lamborghini will showcase a roadster version of its Aventador SV. Bugatti’s Veyron will give way to the highly anticipated new Chiron ( name of the famous racing champion), though only the concept car developed for the “Gran Turismo” video game will be displayed in Frankfurt. For those craving more luxury, Rolls- Royce should hit the spot with its new Dawn convertible.
Mercedes- Benz
Mercedes- Benz is rolling out five world premieres. No fewer than four new models expand the line- up of Mercedes Dream Cars – the new C- Class Coupé and the new S- Class Cabriolet, each in two standalone versions from Mercedes- Benz and Mercedes- AMG.
Also making its debut is the Concept Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile ( Concept IAA). It is two cars in one: an aerodynamic world champion with a Cd value of 0.19 and a four- door coupé embodying irresistible design. The study switches automatically from design to aerodynamic mode when the vehicle reaches 80kph, whereby numerous aerodynamic measures alter the shape of the vehicle.
BMW
The BMW stand revolves around the new 7 Series and the advent of a wide range of plug- in hybrid models. Among the new technologies loaded into the 7 Series is auto parking, gesture control and use of carbon fibre in the body.
On the stand was the new X1, updated 3 Series, M6 GT3 track car and M6 Competition Edition, which is a more individualised version of the standard coupe with a choice of special exterior paint finishes, components of CFRP and exclusive leather upholstery.
The eDrive plug- in hybrid technology was highlighted in the 740e, 330e and 225xe. Along with the X5
xDrive40e, the eDrive technology initially developed for the i cars will be available for BMW models spanning four different vehicle segments in 2016.
Audi and Porsche
Both Volkswagen- owned brands are eyeing Tesla as they rolled out their own electric cars.
The Audi e- tron quattro concept should provide a hint at the future of the brand’s sporty electric SUVs. It’s designed for people and has a range of 500km.
There will be three electric motors, one on the front axle and two on the rear, creating the vaunted Audi all- wheel- drive system. Porsche’s Mission E concept, also with a 500km range and with a 600hp engine, can catapult to a top speed of 250kph. But the stumbling block remains in infrastructure.
German drivers taking an Italian holiday will need to ensure they get charged- up for the return. The Mission E comes equipped with some spiffy tricks - being able to read gestures, facial expressions, and even post a smiley emoticon to social networks if it picks up cheerful facial expression. Porsche says the Mission E is expected in dealerships within five years.
Mazda Koeru
The new crossover SUV concept, which makes its global debut, was conceived to extend a new kind of value in the fast- growing and hardfought SUV arena.
Its determined eyes, low cabin and substantial width on 21- inch wheels create a presence with a premium level of refinement inside and out. While Mazda has not revealed any technical details about the car, some observers believe it is a preview of the CX- 7.
Nissan Gripz
Conceived by designers in Europe and Japan, the Gripz Concept blends the ability and practicality of a compact crossover with the excitement and performance of a sports car. The hybrid car is a glimpse of how a future compact crossover from Nissan might look.
The concept is designed as a car with a dual personality; a vehicle that can handle the day- to- day commute and deliver an adventure over the weekend. As with the earlier Sway concept, the Gripz features a V- motion grille, boomerang lamps for the front and rear, a floating roof and a kicked- up C- pillar. The seats, door pulls and centre console are inspired by bicycles, while the three- spoke steering wheel replicates the car’s road wheels
Alfa Giulia
There’s plenty of performance in the four- door Giulia sedan that Alfa executives say that its both suitable for families and executives. It’s powered by a 3.0 litre V6 turbo that shoots to 100kph in 3.9 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 307kph. More importantly, it can come to a complete stop from 100kph in less than 32m.
The Giulia aims to take on the bigger German rivals like BMW and Mercedes and being Alfa Romeo’s flagship model, nothing less than the future of the brand is riding on it. The car is the first of a series of launches that will expand the Alfa model range to eight by 2018 and are meant to boost brand sales sixfold. The Giulia was also shown as a high- performance Quadrifoglio version in Frankfurt.
Amid the hubbub at the show, a sense of impending disruption hung over every shiny new car.
With the potential impact of automated driving and extensively connected cars, it has pushed aside electric and low- emission vehicles as the major theme in just two years since the show was last held. New technologies could lead to anything from real- time navigation to eliminating the need for a home garage by having cars drive themselves to people who summon them through a mobile app.
The big question among automakers is whether they will be the ones to provide new technologies to profit from - or will major tech companies like Google and Apple take a slice of the industry cake. For now, the two sides are balancing cooperation against competition as they gauge what the future holds.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra expressed a common view, asserting that “we will see more change in the industry in the next five to 10 years than we have in the last 50.”
The 66th Frankfurt International Motor Show runs from Sept 17- 27. – Agencies