2013 Frankfurt Auto Show: 5 Hits and 5 Misses
Year in, year out, the Frankfurt Auto Show never fails to impress with its sheer size and its avalanche of new offerings. And the two days dedicated to the specialty press are never enough to see everything there is to see. By the numbers, the Frankfurt Show is 159 world premieres, 1098 exhibiters from 35 countries in eleven halls for a total area of 230,000 square metres, and 9,000 journalists from 97 countries cover this twice-yearly event. In this surging wave of unveilings and launches, I found five hits and five misses. Here’s a rapid-fire list of the tops and flops.
Hits:
BMW i8 production model
BMW opened the show with a grandiose presentation showcasing all of the group’s models and brands, motorcycles included. But the Bavarian manufacturer’s true star is without question the production version of the i8 hybrid sports car. It features a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder thermal engine that delivers 231 horsepower and 236 lbs-ft of torque to the rear wheels. This mill is aided by an electric engine that sends 131 horsepower and 184 lbs-ft of torque to the front wheels. In total, the i8 features offers 362 horsepower and 320 lbs-ft of torque, for a 4.4-second sprint from 0-100 km/h, according to BMW. All that and killer looks, to boot! It’s no accident that this car’s prototype made the cover of the 2012 edition of the Car Guide!
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche’s official introduction of the 918 Spyder was highlighted by the announcement that this car, equipped with the optional Weissach Package, has just set a new record at Nordschleife. With a lap time of 6 minutes 57 seconds, it is the first car to complete a lap on this legendary circuit in less than 7 minutes. For the Germans, the Nordschleife circuit is the Holy Grail, and on September 4th of this year, three pilots – Walter Röhrl, two-time world Rally champion and test driver at Porsche, Timo Kluck, test driver at Porsche, and Marc Lieb, Porsche factory driver – drove two 918 Spyders and broke the 7-minute lap mark several times. The fastest lap was completed by Marc Lieb. The Spyder is yet another star of the 2013 edition of The Car Guide’s cover page. Do you see a trend?
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The GLA crossover will arrive in Canada in 2014 and, if its price is anything like that of the recent CLA, this vehicle and its eye-catching design will be a resounding success for Mercedes-Benz in the Great White North. It will feature a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. We can’t wait!
Volvo Concept Coupe
The Swedish brand’s top priority right now is marketing the XC90 sport utility vehicle, whose launch was delayed several times – Volvo’s financial success is hinging on the XC90. In spite of all that, management gave the green light for the development of the Concept Coupe, which is built on the modular platform that will equip the XC90, in order to introduce the brand’s new signature style. Exuding both athleticism and power, the Concept Coupe helped the Swedish automaker capture the attention of the specialized press, after Volvo’s almost complete absence from the media landscape in recent years. Volvo fans should be relieved, and we wish them luck.
Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo
This car is welcome in my garage any time. Unfortunately, the chances of the Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo being sold in Canada are slim. It’s powered by an in-line six-cylinder diesel engine boosted by two turbocompressors for 350 horsepower and 516 lbs-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an optional all-wheel drive system. The D3 Bi-Turbo is the ultimate sleeper with its family-style configuration. Dare to dream...
Misses:
Jaguar C-X17
It was to be expected: the English brand claimed that the C-X17’s sole purpose is to introduce the new, lighter aluminum architecture that will help in the development of future Jaguar production models – such as a new compact car that should arrive some time in 2015. In all likelihood, the manufacturer wants to cut itself a slice of the pie in the very profitable sport utility vehicle category. So, the C-X17’s primary mission becomes making sure this idea gains ground in the minds of its clientele. You can’t fault Jaguar for wanting to have it both ways, but, given that they both belong to Tata Motors, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to leave the SUV segment to Land Rover?
Bugatti Veyron Legend Jean Bugatti
Here we go again: Bugatti is launching the second version of the Veyron in its exclusive new “Legends of Bugatti” series, in hopes of inciting a rousing game of “keeping up with the Joneses” among its filthy-rich clientele. Based on the Grand Sport Vitesse, only three units of the “Jean Bugatti” will be produced. It pays homage to the eldest son of the brand’s founder who was also the creator of the famous Type 57SC Atlantic. The price: 2.28 million euros.
Audi Nanuk Concept
Picking up on the theme used by the Giugiaro Parcour exhibited at the Geneva Auto Show, this concept introduced by Audi in Frankfurt is not totally original, which isn’t surprising since the Audi Nanuk Concept was also built by the firm Italdesign Giugiaro. This little car that is neither an authentic sports car nor an authentic adventurer features a 5.0-litre V10 turbodiesel engine developing 544 horsepower and 738 lbs-ft of torque, quattro all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension. Unlike the Sport Quattro Concept that honours one of Audi’s famous cars, the Nanuk Concept didn’t garner much interest despite the fact that it was one of the Frankfurt Auto Show’s only surprises.
Mansory: The whole array
The Geneva and Frankfurt Auto Shows make room for tuners and other small-series manufacturers like Alpina, Brabus, etc. This year, Mansory “wins” the award for bad taste for its use of absolutely hideous colours on beautiful cars, to say nothing of the assault vehicle and golden mannequins that decorated its stall. Having money doesn’t necessarily mean you have good taste, and Mansory is proof of that.
Brabus B63S 6X6
Four tonnes, 6 wheels, 690 horsepower, 37-inches wheels. Induction pipes covered in gold leaf in order to lower the temperature. With a projected 0-100 time of 7.4 seconds, excess is the name of the game for this unusual vehicle developed by Brabus based on a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. Oil-producing nations are smiling right now.