It’s the big one, the German blockbuster, the amphitheatre packed with the latest class acts, it’s the Frankfurt Motor Show.
It is, also, a good way to lose your shoe leather so large is the German international carfest. Still, that’s always a good excuse to stop for a pilsner. Or two. But that’s another story.
The press days have been and gone but the show is still open to the general public. And there is simply masses and masses to see. So what were the highlights?
Here’s five of my favourites that I picked out to give you a condensed version of the show – and save you the shoe leather!
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Spiritual replacement to the last pretty Alfa Romeo saloon – the 159 – the Giulia certainly looks sharp. It is not just the stunning looks that impress about the Giulia, it’s the fact that in range-topping QV form, this Alfa Romeo can accelerate 60mph in just 3.9 seconds – then carry on to a supercar-baiting 190mph.
Bentley Bentayga
The traditionalists might scoff at the thought of a Bentley SUV, but look at the success Porsche had with the Cayenne and more recently it’s baby SUV – the Macan. Quite. Bentley has dubbed its SUV as “the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most luxurious SUV in the world”. Some introduction. Can it live up to the hype? On top of the 187mph top speed, the Bentayga, which is powered by a 600bhp twin-turbo W12 engine, scoots to 60mph in just 4.0 seconds. Thankfully, after the ugly concept of 2012, Bentley has chosen to tone down the exterior styling too.
Jaguar F-Pace
Talking of game-changing SUVs…The next logical step in the Jaguar Land Rover success story is this – the F-Pace SUV. Available in two- and four-wheel drive versions from April next year, the range-topping model boasts a colossal 375bhp, from its supercharged V6 – which is borrowed from the F-Type sportscar. Prices will start from £34,170.
Porsche Mission E Concept
Okay so it’s only a concept, but the Mission E Concept is proof if you ever needed any, that Porsche feels that Tesla has had the electric car market its own way for too long. The impressive headline figures of this five-door Porsche are the 600bhp from the battery powered motor and 0-62mph acceleration in just 3.2 seconds – that’s Porsche 911 territory! Yet despite the performance, Porsche claims a 331 mile range. Expect a production version in 2018.
Vauxhall Astra
The last Vauxhall Astra was a regular top-seller and I think the new one, that debuted at Frankfurt, is likely to carry on this success. On top of the curvier exterior styling, the new Astra boasts a range of new engines that will include a sub 100g/km emission 1.0-litre ECOTEC. The new Astra is also shorter and lighter than the outgoing car, yet it is more spacious. Sounds like a recipe to make it a fleet favourite! The new Vauxhall Astra is on sale in a matter of weeks.
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