After the drab days
we’ve been through in the auto industry, the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was an explosion of new products and green technologies.
Volkswagen Group had a dominant presence in Frankfurt presenting more a dozen cars and concepts ranging from the 189 mpg L1 Concept to the stunning, V16 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Sang Blue roadster — all 1,001 horsepower of it.
During a closed-door interview, Detlef Wittig, executive vice-president group sales and marketing, who served as president of Volkswagen Canada 20 years ago, said VW no longer intends be a “niche” player in the North American market.
This will be lead by a new small car and a new mid-size sedan.
He also confirmed a version of the Polo, not in its current form but probably as a notchback, is “under consideration” for Canada’s strong sub-compact market if pricing and a place to build it can be worked out.
Among other highlights from VW Group were:
■ Lamborghini Reventon Roadster: Dubbed “the most-exclusive” car in the world — because only 20 will be hand-assembled — its 6.5-litre, 12-cylinder generates 670 horsepower, catapulting the Roadster from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205 m.p.h.
■ Audi e-tron: Four motors, two each at the front and rear axles, drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro.
Producing 313 horsepower, the two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h in 4.1 seconds.
The lithium-ion battery provides a useable energy content of 42.4-kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometres.
■ Audi R8 V10 Spyder: The new R8 Spyder, with fully automatic lightweight fabric top, brings added wind-in-hair intensity to the already extreme driving experience delivered by the lightweight aluminum, mid-engine and quattro-equipped super car.
Based on the 525 horsepower, V10, 5.2-litre FSI model, but featuring a bespoke body incorporating additional weight-saving carbon fibre composite panels, the new open-air R8 will be available in Europe by spring.
■ Volkswagen E-Up! Concept: Powered by an electric motor capable of delivering a peak of 54 horsepower (constant) and 154 lb/ft of torque driving the front wheels, the E-Up! Concept can accelerate to 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 120 km/h.
■ Bentley Mulsanne: Echoing the Bentley S-Type of the 1950s, the super luxury segment Mulsanne features a 6.75-litre V8 producing 512 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It stands out due to a bold frontal design dominated by the traditional Bentley matrix grille and highly prominent, classic round inner headlamps with chrome surrounds, flanked by two, smaller outboard lamp clusters, all featuring the latest in lighting technology.
The iconic ‘Flying B’ retractable radiator mascot is available as an option.
Other important vehicles at Frankfurt included:
■ Aston Martin: The Rapide is the marque’s first production four-door sports car going head-to-head against the Porsche Panamera.
A 301-litre luggage compartment affords generous space for belongings for all four passengers, whether they are sports bags or sets of skis, creating an Aston Martin that can be enjoyed on any occasion, anytime, anywhere.
The Rapide features a hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 470 horsepower.
A standard specifically tuned six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission allows the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles.
■ BMW: The BMW calls the Vision EfficientDynamics its most innovative concept car ever.
Its unique powertrain, ground-breaking performance potential and exo-skeletal style bodywork crafted from aerodynamic knowledge gained in Formula One sets it apart.
Powered by a three-cylinder turbo diesel engine and two electric motors, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is capable of BMW M3 performance but with
a fraction of that model’s CO2 emissions and far greater fuel economy.
■ Chrysler: Looking surprisingly very much at home tucked in between Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati was the Chrysler and Jeep stand.
Approximately 40 per cent of European Jeep Wrangler Unlimited buyers are expected to opt for the new “Moparized” version that was displayed.
It features chromed mirror covers and doorsills, accents that hold true to the black and chrome theme.
Further, Mopar’s 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels are added to enhance the appearance.
Finishing off the iconic Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the historical seven-slot grille is upgraded to a chromed grille.
■ Ford: There was a lot of buzz at the Ford stand but one of the biggest announcements was confirmation that the seven-seat Grand C-Max model will be introduced in North America in late 2011, joining the new Fiesta, the Transit Connect commercial van and the next-generation Ford Focus as one of six European-designed models promised by the company under its “One Ford” strategy.
Built on the Focus platform the new C Grand C-Max, features twin sliding doors and innovative seat design to provide outstanding space and flexibility.
■ Mercedes-Benz: The fabled Gullwing returned in the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that features an aluminum space frame body with gullwing doors, an AMG 6.3-litre, front-mid V8 engine with a top power of 571 horsepower, dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual-clutch in a transaxle configuration, a sports chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension and a curb weight of 1,620 kilograms.
The Gullwing accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 197 m.p.h. (electronically limited).
The fuel consumption of 21.4 mpg (combined) is best in class (all figures are provisional).
The near-series Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS electric car combines environmentally friendly electric mobility in the city with unrestricted suitability for long-distance driving.
This is made possible with the combination of the battery-electric drive and a combustion engine.
The range extender gives the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS a total range of up to 370 miles, with some 100 km solely under electric power and thus free of local emissions.
■ Porsche: Although now a part of the Volkswagen Group, Porsche had a separate stand with four new 911 models: The 911 Turbo, the 911 GT3 RS, its 911 GT3 Cup motorsport twin and the limited-edition 911 Sport Classic, which will not be available in North America.
The Frankfurt exhibition also marked the European premiere of the four-door, four-seat Panamera Gran Turismo.
■ Ferrari: The Ferrari 458 Italia is an eight-cylinder two-seater berlinetta with a mid-rear mounted engine and represents a genuine break with the past in terms of Maranello’s previous high-performance sports cars.
It boasts a new 4,499-cc V8 engine, which punches out 570 horsepower with F1 dual-clutch gearbox, combined with a 1,380 kilograms dry weight.
This results in an extraordinary weight/power ratio of 413 horsepower/ton.
This means it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds and hits a maximum speed of over 325 km/h.
■ Hyundai: Hyundai created a special Blue Drive Zone, where it exhibited a wide array of its new eco-friendly technologies and products demonstrating its commitment to lowering emissions and improving the fuel economy of its vehicles.
Centre stage is reserved for the world debut of the ix-Metro, a new hybrid electric CUV for the European sub-B segment which promises CO2 emissions of just 80 g/km.
Of more immediate interest to Canadians, the ix35 joins the European C-segment and it expected it to replace the Tucson compact CUV here.
Alongside was the significantly revised Santa Fe, which benefits from a wide range of engineering and cosmetic changes to fine-tune the driving experience and make it even more competitive versus rival 4x4s.
■ Kia: For Canadian audiences, the big news was the seven-seat Sorento.
It is longer and lower than the current model and incorporates Kia’s new design DNA, while featuring a much more spacious and luxurious cabin.
The 4,685-millimetre long SUV is also significantly sleeker than the previous model with an aerodynamic drag figure of Cd 0.38, down from 0.43.
And, while no one was talking officially about it coming to North American, Kia’s new premium B-segment (sub-compact in Canada) contender will be named Venga when it goes on sale across Europe later this year.
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the 4,068 mm long Kia Venga features an unusually long wheelbase for its class of 2,615 millimetre and a 1600 millimetre high roofline to maximize cabin space.
■ Lexus: The Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept is Lexus’ first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment.
The LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions.
With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids.
■ Maserati: The Maserati GranCabrio is the Trident brand’s third prong and completes Maserati’s product line-up that now consists of three different families of models: Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio.
The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7-litre V8, 433 horsepower engine and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market.
■ Mazda: The Mazda stand introduced Europeans to the new Mazda CX-7 featuring Mazda’s new family face as seen on Mazda6 and Mazda3.
Also offering a bolder stance, the new Mazda CX-7 is powered by a high-output diesel engine for European use.
Mazda CX-7 debuts as the first Japanese passenger car to have a diesel engine fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (scr) system, which cuts NOx emissions by 40 per cent.
■ Opel: A Canadian car for the masses?
Now that Canadian-based Magna International is a major shareholder in Opel, the future of the next generation Astra was the subject of much speculation.
The new Astra five-door hatchback shown in Frankfurt was very good looking and gets a claimed 12 per cent fuel efficiency increase over the current model.
In Europe, it has a front-facing camera that recognizes traffic signs, like the speed limit, and informs the driver.
■ Rolls-Royce:
The Rolls-Royce Ghost will be powered by a brand new 6.6-litre turbo charged V12 engine unique to Rolls-Royce.
This engine produces 563 horsepower, delivering a zero to 60 m.p.h. time of 4.7 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 m.p.h..
The engine is combined with an eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox.
Rolls-Royce has already confirmed the Ghost will ride on an intelligent four-corner air suspension system using multi link aluminum front and rear axles.
The fully integrated system allows each of the Ghost’s dynamic handling systems to work together in harmony, providing the optimum levels of refinement and comfort at all times.
■ Saab: The all-new 9-5 sedan signals the dawn of a new era for the Saab brand.
With progressive, confident styling and advanced technology, Saab’s distinctive new flagship will bring a fresh, alternative choice to the premium sedan segment when it goes on sale in 2010.
The all-turbo powertrain lineup is the broadest ever offered by Saab, carrying forward Saab’s engine strategy focusing on responsible performance through the development of highly efficient four cylinder turbo engines.
In Europe there is a choice of three fuels: diesel and E85 bioethanol and with diesel power, the new 9-5 offers CO2 emissions as low as 139 g/km.
■ Toyota: Using the same powertrain as the latest generation Prius, the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept is the first mainstream model in Europe to benefit from Toyota’s refined, smooth and quiet hybrid synergy drive.
The car will accelerate from zero to 00 km/h in around 10 seconds, while returning class-leading combined cycle fuel economy and sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.
At the same time, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept made its world premiere in Frankfurt.
Prius Plug-in Hybrid expands the capabilities of Toyota’s full hybrid technology, enabling pure electric operation for short-range day-to-day transportation.
■ Volvo: Showcasing a series of sporty visual features, the Volvo XC60 R-DESIGN package also adds a specially tuned sports chassis and sharper driving characteristics, enabling customers to enjoy the XC60’s practicality together with more dynamic handling and distinctive styling.
The new dynamic driving properties of the XC60 R-DESIGN have been possible with the introduction of a stiffer chassis and stiffer damping.
This has been achieved without impacting dramatically on ride comfort allowing passengers to continue to enjoy a comfortable ride on any type of road surface.
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