Every year the Frankfurt Motor Show is one of the most important auto shows in the world.
Every year the Frankfurt Motor Show is one of the most important auto shows in the world. Many manufacturers launch production version of their cars and concept cars during the show. This year was no different with lots of concepts and production cars launching. Here are the top 16 cars in random order.
With this premium hatchback, Maruti Suzuki got back the Baleno nameplate. At 3995 mm long, it is a very large hatchback. This means loads of interior space. Boot space is 355 litres. It comes loaded with smartphone integration, automatic climate control, Multi-Information Display (MID) and a multi-function steering wheel that looks like it has been taken from the Swift. The Baleno will have 3 engine options: a 1.0-liter Boosterjet, a 1.2-liter Dualjet engine and a 1.2 Dualjet engine with the SHVS system. The SHVS system is the same mild hybrid system that was introduced in the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz sedan to improve efficiency. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno will rival the Volkswagen Polo, Honda Jazz, Hyundai Elite i20 and the Ford Figo.
This is the second generation of Volkswagen’s compact crossover and is based on the popular MQB platform. The new sharper design gives it a sharper look than the outgoing model. It also gets one of the best cabins in the segment. The SUV comes fitted with all the latest safety technologies and driver assist systems. The engine options include eight different engines with varying power outputs. It gets four petrol and four diesel engines. Power output is between 125 bhp and 250 bhp. The transmission options will be a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Four-wheel drive is available as an option. Fuel efficiency has gone up by 10% – 24% depending on the engine. The Volkswagen Tiguan rivals the Honda CR-V and the Skoda Yeti.
Toyota Prius
Launched in 1997, the Prius is known as the world’s first hybrid car. With every new generation of the car, Toyota improves the fuel efficiency by 10%. This new generation is no different and fuel efficiency has gone up by another 10%. It is now around 40 kmpl. It is powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine producing 98 hp and 142 Nm of torque. It works in tandem with a Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor that provides more power. The power developed is sent to the front wheels via an automatic Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). Toyota also claims to have improved the driving character of the boring hybrid. The Toyota Prius’s main rival is the BMW i3.
Based on the same UKL platform that underpins the Minis, the second generation of the X1 compact SUV has gone front wheel drive. The design has given the X1 a more SUV-like look. It looks more muscular than the outgoing model and more in line with the other BMW SUVs. The SUV comes loaded with more equipment like LED headlights and a heads-up display. The X1 has also grown in size. This, along with the shift to front-wheel drive has freed up more room on the inside. The compact SUV is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in two states of tune: 189 bhp and 228 bhp and a 2.0 turbocharged four-cylinder engine in three states of tune: 148 bhp, 187 bhp and 228 bhp. The engines will be mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The BMW X1 rivals the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
This is the fifth generation of the compact executive sedan and is code named the B9. It is based on Volkswagen’s MLB Evo platform. It is powered by a range of seven engines: three petrol and four diesel. Power output is between 148 bhp to 272 bhp. The engines are mated to a 6-speed manual, 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch automatic and an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmissions. Four-wheel drive is available as an option. At the show, Audi showed the A4 sedan and the A4 Avant. They also had a more powerful S4 variant. The B9 is around 120 kgs less than the outgoing B8 which slightly smaller. The A4 rivals the BMW 3-series, Volvo S60, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Jaguar XE.
This the much awaited SUV from Jaguar. It is also their first SUV. Designed by famed Jaguar designer Ian Callum, it is one of the sexiest looking SUVs around. Jaguar claims that it is also one of the sportiest. In other words, it is as sporty as it looks. It is built on Jaguar’s new aluminium architecture. It is powered by a petrol engine and two diesel engines including the new Ingenium diesel engine. Power output is between 180 bhp to 380 bhp. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. The SUV also gets advanced electronic safety systems and drivers assist systems. The Jaguar F-Pace will rival the Porsche Macan and the Range Rover Evoque.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet
With the C217, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the first convertible version of the S-Class luxury car. The previous was the W111 series which succeeded the famous Ponton series. The new car is based on the recently launched S-Class Coupe. Being an S-Class, it comes loaded with all the latest luxury and technologies. It is powered by a 4.7-litre V8 engine producing 455 hp and 700 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission. An AMG is also available. It is powered by an AMG 5.5 litre biturbo V8 producing 585 hp and 900 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. Four wheel drive option is available only in left-hand drive cars. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet will rival the Rolls-Royce Dawn and the Bentley Continental GTC.
The best car maker in the world has released a new convertible luxury car or what Rolls-Royce likes to call as a drophead. Inspiration for the super luxury car has been taken from the 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn drophead. Even though it looks like other Rolls-Royce models, the British manufacturer claims that it is brand new with over 80% new parts. Being a Rolls-Royce means you get the best of everything. Especially on the inside. It is powered by a twin turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 engine producing 563 hp and 780 Nm of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed ZF satellite aided transmission that made its debut on the Wraith. This is the most powerful drophead the company has ever built. The Rolls-Royce Dawn will rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet and the Bentley Continental GTC.
This is the most luxurious, most expensive, most powerful and the fastest SUV in the world. The cabin is one of the most luxurious and it can rival cars like the Mulsanne and even a Rolls-Royce. It comes loaded with a 1920 watt 21-channel amplifier Naim audio system and driver assistance systems including night vision. It even gets a very expensive optional mechanical Breitling clock that costs $170,000. It is powered by a re-engineered version of the 6.0-litre W12 engine producing 600 bhp and 900 Nm of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels. The SUV accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds and it goes on to a top speed of 301 kmph. The Bentley Bentayga rivals the Range Rover Autobiography and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.
Porsche 911 Carrera
This is a big one. The 911 has been around for more 50 years and it is now one of the best sports cars you can buy. The previous generation was hated by 911 purists because it had electric power steering. If that was not bad enough, Porsche has now introduced turbocharged engines over the entire range. Decades of experience should help them tune the cars perfectly. The 3.0-litre engines come with a bump in power. The more powerful Carrera S makes 420 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It will be mated to a 7-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission. Performance of the sports car has also increased while the fuel efficiency has also increased. The 911 Carrera rivals the Jaguar F-Type Coupe and the BMW M4.
Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder
One and a half years after the coupe was released, Lamborghini launched the much awaited Huracan Spyder. Unlike its competitors, it uses a retractable soft top. It is powered by the same engine that is present in the coupe. It is a 5.2 litre naturally aspirated V10 engine producing 602 hp and 560 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed LDF dual-clutch transmission and power is sent to all four wheels. It accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 3.4 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 324 kmph. It gets the same technologies available in the coupe like the ANIMA switch (Advanced Network Intelligence Management), LPI system (Lamborghini Piattaforma Inerziale) and LDS (Lamborghini Dynamic Steering). The Lamborghini Huracan Spyder rivals the Audi R8 Spyder, Ferrari 488 Spider, Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet and the Mclaren 650S Spider.
This is the convertible version of the 488 GTB. It has a Retractable Hard Top that takes 14 seconds to open. The mid-engined supercar replaces the 458 Spider. All other aspects of the Spider are similar to the coupe. It is powered by a 3.9 litre turbocharged V8 producing 661 HP and 760 Nm of torque. The car is expected to accelerate to a 100 kmph from a standstill in 3 seconds. It gets the latest in technology and aerodynamics like blown spoiler and the aerodynamic underbody, exhaust headers with equal length piping and SSC2 Side Slip Angle Control System. Just like the coupe, this car has also been developed using a simulator. The Ferrari 488 Spider rivals the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible, Audi R8 V10 Spyder and the Mclaren 650S Spider.
Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
Bugatti has now joined the growing list of manufacturers who are creating virtual cars for the Gran Turismo racing game with the help of Bugatti engineers and Polyphony Digital Inc., the creators of the game. This is the first time that Bugatti has created something especially for the fans. It draws inspiration from the company’s rich racing heritage, especially from the Bugatti Type 57 Tank. The car also previews how the Veyron successor might look like. It has been designed to keep it as real as possible. Power will be sourced from the same 8.0 litre W16. It may also get an electric motor. Power output will be around 1500 bhp with 2000 Nm of torque. It will accelerate from a standstill to a 100 kmph in about two seconds and will go on to a top speed of more than 430 kmph. It will be available for players of the Gran Turismo racing game. The other cars available are the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo, Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo and many more.
Porsche surprised everyone with the Mission E Concept car. The Mission E Concept is a four-door sedan that can seat four people. This concept shows us what the next generation Panamera might look like and if it looks anything like this concept, it will be stunning. But most talked about point of this car is that it is a full electric. It has two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) producing more than 600 bhp. The electric car can accelerate from a standstill to a 100 kmph in less than 3.5 seconds and it goes on to a top speed of more than 250 kmph. The car has a range of over 500 kms. With this concept, we can see the future of Porsche and more specifically, the Panamera, which could become a competitor to the Tesla Model S.
Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept
After a lot of teaser images, Audi has revealed the E-Tron Concept SUV. As the name suggests it is four-wheel drive electric SUV. It has three electric motors: one in the front and two at the rear. Power output is 429 bhp but that can be increased to 496 bhp using boost. The torque figure stands at 800 Nm. The SUV accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.6 seconds and it goes on to a top speed of 210 kmph. The expected range is 500 kms. The concept looks spectacular, especially in blue. Production version of the sporty electric SUV could come in early 2018 and it has Matrix OLED headlights and a solar roof that can be used to charge the battery. The production version of the Audi E-Tron Concept will be a direct rival to the Tesla Model X.
Mercedes-Benz surprised all by presenting the Concept IAA at the 2015 IAA (Internationale Automobil – Ausstellung). The IAA in the car’s name stands for Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile. The concept is a design study on aerodynamics and it looks simply stunning especially with the flowing long rear section. The four-door coupe has a coefficient of drag value of just 0.19. When the car reaches a speed of 80 kmph, it automatically switches to aerodynamic mode. The rear extends to increase the length of the vehicle by 390 mm while the front and the rear bumper extends by 25 mm and 20 mm respectively. The concept also shows us how the next generation S-Class could look like.
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