Frankfurt Motor Demonstrate: The glitzy fresh car models that have taken the demonstrate by storm
September fifteen 2015 1:13 PM
Everywhere you look there’s shiny metal, extreme shapes, mind-boggling technology and. smiling faces.
There are some eye-popping fresh designs at Frankfurt today. And some reassuringly familiar. But one thing is palpable: an upbeat mood despite protracted gloomy economic backdrops over opens up of Europe.
The size and the scale of this demonstrate is staggering. It is a motor city within a city. You can take shuttle buses from one manufacturer’s stand to another. This is big. And they are thinking big. Way beyond next year or the year after.
And here’s a sample of what is on the agenda today.
Alfa Romeo: fresh Giulia is regarded as one of the most significant developments in the marque’s history. In Ireland? Towards the end of next year.
Audi: The fresh A4 saloon and Avant as well as the S4. Some powerful engines but big emphasis on 21pc cut in fuel consumption in some models.
The e-tron quattro concept is attracting a lot of attention. It’s the marque’s very first electrified SUV and previews the upcoming Q6.
Bentley: The Bentayga SUV: Top speed 301kmh. Real eye-catcher.
Bugatti: Concept Vision Gran Turismo They is strongest indication of what the next Veyron will look like.
BMW: Big demonstrate of cars: 7-series goes on sale from October 24. Second-generation X1, front and 4WD, at the same time. Lots of plug-ins – the 225xe, 330e and 740e. And the 2-series Active Tourer PHEV (March).
Citroen: Cactus M concept is their highlight.
DS: Revised 5dr hatch and a fresh Crossback version.
Ford: European production model of the large Edge SUV, due in Ireland mid-2016. Also the fresh Ranger pickup (early next year).
Ferrari: The stunning four hundred eighty eight GTS – 660bhp from its twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
Honda: Civic Tourer Active Life Concept and the bizarre ‘2&4’ concept that combines the thrill of railing a motorbike and the joy of driving a car.
Hyundai: Fresh Tucson will be in showrooms from October Nineteen. Also here on demonstrate is the minor-facelift Santa Fe. And they’ve beefed up the i20 with the Active version (Ireland in July). A hybrid hatchback concept also on display.
Jaguar: It’s all about their very first SUV the F-PACE. Due in Ireland next May or so. Lovely cabin.
KIA: Slew of significant fresh stuff. The Optima will arrive in Ireland by December, the Sportage early January arrival. Cee’d facelift also on display.
Lamborghini: Open-top version of the Huracán.
Lexus: RX large SUV makes its European debut. Due in December.
Maserati: Displaying their very first SUV model, the Levante. Right-hand-drive versions by early 2016.
Mazda: Koeru mid-size crossover concept is their highlight. Rivals for Land Rover Discovery Sport and Kia Sorento.
Mercedes: The four-seater S-Class Cabriolet is stunning. Have yoy €180,000-plus ready? The 3dr C-Class Coupé due here by year’s end is going to tempt a lot of people. Also spotted the new-generation A-Class and the IAA concept whose interior previews the next E-Class..
MINI: The Clubman is the big news here and goes on sale from October thirty one in Ireland.
Nissan: Baby SUV concept Gripz previews their next step forward.
Opel: The fresh Astra (in Ireland by late October) predominates. It looks indeed well in the skin (I’ve come from the world launch and boy is there a mega crowd still there. And the fresh smart-looking Sports Tourer is due by March.
The hatchback, meantime, is shorter, lower and lighter. Based on fresh architecture, the Four.37m Astra’s wheelbase is 2cm shorter (the car itself is 50mm shorter 5mm narrower) but there is 35mm more rear legroom and 22mm more front headroom.
Among a big range of engines is the fresh 1-litre, 3cyl turbo petrol (105bhp, 96g/km, road tax €180).
And there is a fresh 1.4-litre turbo petrol (4cyl, 150hp, 114g/km, €200 road tax).
There will also be two versions of the sub-100g/km 1.6 CDTI diesel (110hp, 136hp). The 110hp version can manage 100km on Trio.Four litres (90gkm, €180 road tax).
The Tourer is the same size as the old one (Four,702mm long, 1,871mm broad and 1,499mm tall) but there is a more space out front and behind (28mm more legroom).
Opel are also close to making their Surf Concept Vivaro into a production vehicle that would carry six people in its squad cab as well as large geysers and equipment.
They will proceed with the existing saloon Astra for the time being. Interesting idea.
Peugeot: Showcasing their Fractal electrical urban coupé concept gives. And the three hundred eight R Hybrid (493bhp) is edging closer to production.
Porsche: Adding turbocharged engines to its nine hundred eleven range to meet tougher fuel consumption and emission rules. Also gets a minor facelift, styling switches and cabin upgrades.
Renault: Their fresh Megane is causing a stir. Goes on sale here next June. Expect a range-topping GT version from the commence.
Alaskan concept on display here too. It will be Renault’s planned global production pickup by 2017.
Rolls Royce: Rolls out its fresh Dawn.
SEAT: Leon Cross Sport Display 3dr is getting attention. Blend of hot hatch and moderately rugged looks and high-riding position.
The Leon Cupra two hundred ninety gets more power (290PS) and goes on sale in the autumn.
SKODA: They claim their Greenline Superb 1.6-litre TDI (120bhp) can cover 1,780 km on one tank of diesel. It’s capable of Trio.7 litres/100km (76.34mpg) they say and road tax is just €180.
SsangYong: They are showcasing the fresh 7-seater Tivoli as well as two concept models based on its platform and 1.6-litre diesel engine – the XLV-AIR and XAV-ADVENTURE.
Suzuki: Big news from them is the fresh Baleno (due in Ireland next spring).
Toyota: The fourth-generation Prius takes centre stage too. Based on the company’s fresh modular architecture, it will be in Irish dealerships in January. And the latest RAV4, which now has a hybrid version, goes on sale from December. And the stunning C-HR is the next Qashqai rival, we think.
Volkswagen: What a brainy looking mid-size Tiguan SUV. Looks fine. They feast the 40th anniversary (early next year) of the Golf GTi and are demonstrating the GTi Clubsport to mark the occasion.