FRANKFURT: It's "raining" cars in Frankfurt.

Ahead of the opening of the 66th Frankfurt Motor Show, the world's car manufacturers are arriving in Germany with their latest designs and models in tow. Here is a review of the most promising models known to be on the program while we look forward to sole surprises.

The latest generation of the most iconic car models will be premiered in Germany. Names like the Toyota Prius, pioneer of the hybrid vehicle; the Renault Megane; the Audi A4; and the Opel Astra will all be showing up in their newest form.

The main focus will however be given to the numerous updates on SUVs and crossovers. The trade show will set the stage for the presentation of the first SUV vehicles from car manufacturers Bentley and Jaguar the Bentayga and the F-Pace. Mercedes will present its new GLC, successor to the GLK, and BMW will reveal its new X1 while Volkswagen will showcase its latest Tiguan. Dacia will exhibit the 2016 Duster, and Nissan will present its new eagerly awaited concept car that will offer a hint of future models while Toyota may unveil a new compact crossover based on the C-HR.



Sport cars are also expected to steal the spotlight. Mercedes could be the highlight of this category with its C Class 63 AMG coupe. Meanwhile, Porsche will present its latest 911 model and Peugeot its 308 R Hybrid.

This year's supercar agenda remains relatively quiet. Ferrari  will introduce the 488 Spider, six  months after the 488 GTB coupe, and Lamborghini will showcase a roadster version of its Aventador SV. Bugatti's Veyron will give way to the highly anticipated new Chiron (name of the famous racing champion), though only the concept car developed for the "Gran Turismo" video game will be displayed in Frankfurt. For those craving more luxury, Rolls-Royce should hit the spot with its new Dawn convertible.

Several other concept cars will be showcased the Citroe;n Cactus M and Aircross, Peugeot's all-electric Fractal and Audi's e-tron Quattro that should give us a taste of what's in store for the brand's future sporty and electric SUVs.

Among new cars in the spotlight are:


Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Built on an all-new, rear-wheel drive platform with an emphasis on light weight and agility, the sporty underpinnings of the new Giulia define its shape and strongly influence its design with Alfa Romeo stylists wrapping the mechanical components in a taut, muscular package dominated by its long bonnet, short overhangs, muscular haunches and the longest wheelbase in its class. Simple, natural lines enhance its shape and proportions, while the surface is finished with elegance and restraint, exuding the purity and style one comes to expect of Italian design.

Under the bonnet beats the heart of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, an all-aluminium, 2.9-litre turbo petrol V6 engine, inspired by Ferrari technology and expertise, which produces 510hp and 600Nm of torque, resulting in a top speed of 307kph and a 0 –100kph time of just 3.9 seconds. Despite this high levels of performance, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio also returns best in class CO2 emissions levels at just 198g/km, largely thanks to its electronically-controlled cylinder disabling system and excellent aerodynamics.


Mazda Koeru
The new crossover SUV concept, which makes its global debut, was conceived to extend a new kind of value in the fast-growing and hard-fought SUV arena.

Its determined eyes, low cabin and substantial width on 21-inch wheels create a truly formidable presence with a premium level of refinement inside and out.


Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
It turns out that the digital concept car created by Bugatti for driving simulation game "Gran Turismo" is made of more than pixels. Bugatti has confirmed that its outlandish Concept Gran Turismo is coming to the Frankfurt  show.

In terms of outward appearance, the track car was developed to pay homage to the brand's glorious racing past while simultaneously sporting the latest in terms of cutting-edge aerodynamics, racing and performance technology. However, the aforementioned Veyron, the fastest and one of the most exclusive and expensive production cars in the world, has now ceased to be.  The company's next production car could well look very similar to the Gran Turismo concept.


Infiniti QX70 Ultimate
The new QX70 Ultimate will meet the desires of even the most demanding potential owners when it goes on sale. The new car gets dark chrome front and rear accents, new 21-inch alloy wheels and LED running lights on the outside. Under the hood there's the choice of a petrol or diesel V6 mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. And inside, surfaces boast a black lacquer finish and the seats soft leather with contrasting purple stitching.


Honda Civic Tourer Active Life Concept
Honda's show car for this year's event is a vehicle that even the most committed cyclists could get excited about.
Developed as a way of highlighting the Civic's huge amount of cabin and trunk space, the Tourer Active Life Concept could well be the perfect car for families that love nothing better than to spend each weekend competing in a cycling event.

The car has a special mechanized rack at its rear that can hold two bikes and lift them into the trunk. It also has an adjustable arm that can be used for clamping a bicycle still during on-the fly maintenance and repairs. If that weren't enough, the car has a built-in air pump, a retractable canopy and bench, a toolkit and a water tank, plus a rear-mounted spotlight to make it easier for working in low light conditions or for the peloton to follow.


Limited-edition Mercedes
As well as new luxury convertibles and SUVs, Mercedes-Benz will be unveiling two new very special editions of its latest super coupe the AMG C 63. The Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe and the even more potent C 63 S Coupe are already pretty special. As well as striking looks they pack a heavyweight punch in terms of power. The C63, despite its small proportions has a 4-liter bi-turbo V8 developing 469bhp and can hit 180mph with the limiter removed. The S version takes those figures up to 503bhp and throws in a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds for good measure.

However, for the Frankfurt motor show the company will be revealing a special version called the 'Edition 1' that takes styling cues form the latest Mercedes-AMG DTM racecar and which will help owners really stand out from the crowd. The cars go on sale in March.


Toyota C-HR Concept (version 2)

The five-door C-HR Concept is positioned below the RAV4. The show car displayed in Frankfurt is more closely representative of the production car that will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show early next year. The earlier C-HR was first shown at the Paris Motor Show 12 months ago.

A sleek cabin contrasts with aggressively angular rear shoulders and muscular wheel arches that feature unique 21-inch wheels with "diamond-cut" machined-surface spokes.

Piano black paint conveys the impression of a "floating" roof that is detailed with patterned openings to create an animated play of light within the C-HR Concept's cabin space.


Hyundai N
Hyundai is showcasing its motorsport credentials in the N sub brand and  concept cars and a preview of the 2016 New Generation i20 WRC race car. The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept shows a global audience the brand’s unique perspective on future performance characteristics. Created exclusively for PlayStation®’s Gran Turismo video game series, the concept car boasts total power of 884 PS from Hyundai Motor’s hydrogen fuel cell system and an additional super capacitor system.

In addition, the mid-engine turbo-powered 300 PS Hyundai RM15 concept with a lightweight construction represents Hyundai Motor’s passion for performance and suggests how the N sub-brand’s driver-focused technologies could come into production.


Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder
The Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder will be making its global debut today. As the drop-top sibling to the company's existing V10 "entry level" compact supercar coupe, the Spyder is expected to offer almost identical levels of performance. So that means over 600bhp, a top speed in excess of 320kph and a 0-100kph time of around 3 seconds. However, with the roof down it will all feel a lot more dramatic and exclusive.

The 66th Frankfurt International Motor Show from Sept 17-27. - Agencies

 

Around the show floor


 

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