Frankfurt’s Finest
With 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries spread across 200,000 square metres of show space, there’s no doubt that the Frankfurt Motor Show is the biggest in the world. CarBuyer was there to pick out the debutantes that you’ll be driving in the next few months
By Sheldon Trollope in Frankfurt, Germany
AS THE ‘HOME’ motor show to major carmakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Frankfurt Motor Show, or IAA as it is officially known, is usually a setting for corporate one-upmanship on a grand scale.
Unsurprisingly then, all participants typically unveil their most important models here. CarBuyer picks out some of the more prominent offerings.
HATCHBACK
Renault Clio
AS THE PREVIOUS model was one of Europe’s best-selling cars, expectations are understandably high for the third-generation Clio. A fire-breathing RenaultSport concept was also unveiled but for a review of the former, less frantic version.
Honda Civic
WITH SPORTY STYLING cues such as the visor-like headlamp and grille feature, and the hidden rear door handles, the eighth-generation Honda Civic proves to be a radical departure from the safe but sedate styling that has characterised the last few models. Too bad then, that this version is meant for the European market only.
Ford Fiesta
WITH ITS SUBTLE blink-and-you’ll-miss-it styling updates, you could’ve easily looked over the facelifted Ford Fiesta if you weren’t eagle-eyed enough to recognise the car’s re-styled head and tail lamp details. The interior has been updated also with an improved dashboard layout and fresh new colours.
LUXURY
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
THE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED flagship from the German luxury carmaker was officially unveiled at Frankfurt. The luxury sedan is a technological tour de force that rivals such as BMW, Audi and Jaguar are no doubt paying close attention to. Mercedes-Benz hopes to have the car here as early as year’s end for customer previews.
COUPE-CABRIOLETS
Nissan Micra C+C
IF IT WERE to be launched locally, it would be called the March C+C but the official importer remains tight-lipped on this model’s availability here. Nonetheless, with a folding glass roof that can be lowered or raised automatically in 22 seconds, the ability to seat four and equipped with either a 1.4 or 1.6-litre engine, the C+C would be uniquely positioned as an alternative to the aging Peugeot 206 CC.
Opel Astra TwinTop
OPEL NOW HAS a second model with a folding hardtop. The four-seat Astra TwinTop is a larger model that follows up on the two-seat Tigra TwinTop, which was recently launched in Singapore. Unlike most cars in this class where styling has a higher priority than practicality or performance, the Astra uses a three-section roof because this does not compromise luggage space as much as other two-section roof systems. And it looks good to boot.
Volkswagen Eos
ALTHOUGH VOLKSWAGEN’S FIRST hard-top cabriolet, the Eos, is based on the Golf, the elegant car shares more styling cues with the forthcoming Jetta. With what is possibly the world’s most versatile roof, the Eos’ folding glass hardtop incorporates a fully-operable sunroof that slides open as well, giving it occupants truly the best of both worlds.
Volvo C70
BUILT ON THE same platform as the Volvo S40 and V50, the C70 is the Swedish carmaker’s first folding hardtop convertible. Given the company’s penchant for safety, the C70 is awash with safety equipment such as door-mounted inflatable curtains and an advanced roll-over protection system. Like its sedan and estate equivalents, the C70 is powered by 2.4-litre five-cylinder engines, in naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms.
SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES
Audi Q7
AUDI UNVEILED ITS first Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at Frankfurt. Named Q7, the upmarket seven-seat SUV is intended to compete with the likes of the Mercedes M- and R-Class as well as BMW’s X5. Initial engine options include a 4.2-litre V8 engine, but the car’s potential as a hybrid vehicle was showcased in the form of the Q7 hybrid concept.
Toyota RAV4
THE THIRD INCARNATION of Toyota’s popular off-roader comes with more grown-up styling. As with the current model the new RAV4 will be powered by a 2.0-litre VVT-i engine and features a selectable four-wheel-drive system.
CONCEPT CARS
Ford Iosis
IT MAY BE purely a concept car, but pay attention to the front end design, as hard as this might be to believe, the Iosis apparently clues us into what the next generation Ford Mondeo might look like when it debuts next year. If even a fraction of the Iosis’ visual appeal translates unmolested, Ford could well have a big hit waiting in the wings.
Hyundai Accent SR
TOGETHER WITH THE facelifted Getz, Hyundai unveiled the Accent SR. Strictly speaking this sporty hatchback is purely a concept, and only hints at what the actual production version of the Accent hatchback might look like. Also, the fact that the concept packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine has made many speculate about Hyundai’s entry into the performance segment.
