The Auto Channel Previews the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show +VIDEO
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Comprehensive overview of what we'll see by the incomparable Henny Hemmes, TACH Sr. European Editor
• SEE ALSO: TACH's Exclusive Press Pass Coverage of the Frankfurt Motor Show
FRANKFURT, September 12, 2011. Tomorrow the IAA Auto Show opens its doors for the media and two days later for the public. As usual, at the show, that is held every other year, a slew of new cars and concepts will be presented. Here, at The Auto Channel, we will give you an overview of most of the new cars, we know about so far.
Abarth
 Abarth PuntoSuperSportA4 |
The sporty Fiat division presents three new models, all with a different background: the Abarth 500 Cabrio Italia emphazises sport and Italian style, Abarth Punto Super Sport the heritage and Abarth 695 Competizione the auto sport. Another debut is for the Abarth 24 hours Mobile, the i-phone app for customers and fans.
Alfa Romeo
 Alfa 4C |
Next to the spectacular 4C Concept in a new silver metallic outfit, the Giulietta will be on stage with the Alfa TCT automatic transmission with double clutch, as well as the MiTo with the new 85 pk TwinAir Turbo and a 85hp pk 1.3 JTD engine.
Aston Martin V12 Zagato
The Aston Martin debuted in Villa d’Este’s Concours d’Elégance in Italy in May. It is built on the chassis of the V12 Vantage and has a CFRP carbon fibre reinforced plastic body. Under the hood the 6-liter V-12 with 510 and 420 lb-ft of torque. Only 150 units will be built. The price will likely be over half a million euro.
Aston Martin V12 Zagato
Audi A2 Concept, Urban Concept and S models
 Audi Urban Concept |
Audi will present the Urban Concept, a 1+1 Spyder for future mobility in big cities. With the A2 Concept Audi shows an electric mega city vehicle, the counterpart of the BMW i3. Just like BMW, Audi is using CFRP for the body of the A2 Concept.
 Audi A2 |
Furthermore the Germans will present the new S6 and S6 Avant with the 420 hp strong variant of the new 4-liter TFSI twinturbo motor. The S7 Sportback also debuts with this V-8.
Bentley Continental GTC Convertible
The luxurious division of the Volkswagen Group shows the new Continental GTC Convertible. The 6-liter W-12 is designed to use FlexFuel, while the chassis has a sporty set up.
Bentley GTC Convertible promo video
BMW i3 and i8, new M models, the 1 and 6 Series and motor bikes
 BMW i3 and i8 |
BMW will be busy with a lot of news. First of all there is the i3 and the i8. The i3 is the first electric vehicle of the Bavarians that will be on the market in 2013 under the new i-subbrand
Original unveiling of the i3 and i8 concept cars
The i8 plug-in hybrid 2+2 sports car will follow in 2014 with a similar LifeDrive architecture.
There will also be the M3 GTS, the last variant of the current M3 and the 555 hp strong M5.
Stay tuned for the first drive at the Ascari race track next week….!
Public debuts are there for the 6-Series Coupe and the new generation of the new 1-Series, while – and that is a first – BMW also presents its motor bikes at the IAA, both its own BMW brand and the Husqvarna Motorcycles division
Brabus 800 E V12 Cabriolet
 Brabus |
The fastest and strongest fourseat convertible in the world will undoubtedly draw crowds. Brabus equiped the Mercedes-Benz E Class Convertible with a 800 hp strong 6.3-liter V-12 biturbo engine. The car reached a top speed of 229 mph and sprints from 0-62 mph in less then four seconds.
Chevrolet
 Chevrolet Miray |
Chevy will celebrate its Centennial in November, but here in Europe, we do not hear much about upcoming festivities. What we will get is a Centennnial edition of the Corvette, that will be on the show floor in Frankfurt in black Night Rider trim next to a Camaro SS and smaller models. New are the Miray concept car and a hybrid roadster, as well as the Colorado Rally, a study for a pick-up truck..
Citroën Tubik and DS5
 Citroen Tubik |
 Citroen DS5 |
Central to the Citroën display will be the new DS5. This continues the DS historical model name with the DS3 and DS4. The French will also present the extreme Tubik Concept, a design study inspired by the brand’s former commercial truck with the ribbed body parts such as the hood and a split windshield.
Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition
 Ducati |
Ducati also comes to the car show with a new motorbike. The Power-Cruiser is the first product of the cooperation between Ducati and AMG, and is based on the Diavel model..
Eterniti Hemera Concept
 Eterniti Hemera |
A real world first is the launch of the British luxury brand Eterniti, that debuts with the Hemera Concept, based on the Porsche Cayenne. The body is made of carbon fibre composite. Alistair Macqueen (ex-Jaguar), who was responsible for the XJ 220 has joined the Eterniti team but it is not known if he has had a hand in the design of the Hemera Concept. Stay tuned for more details during the opening day of the show tomorrow.
Ferrari 458 Spider
 Ferrari 458 Spider |
Ferrari is going to draw a huge media attendance for the unveiling of the 458 Spider. The new Ferrari has a retractable roof that weighs 55 lbs less than a soft top. Even with the reinforcements added, the kerb weight did not decrease. It is now 3,512 lbs and is why the car is a tad slower than the coupe: acceleration from 0-62 mph is 3.4 seconds - but the Spider is Ferrari’s fastest convertible ever.
Ferrari 458 Spider teaser video
Fiat Panda, 500 by Gucci, Trekking and Freemont
 Fiat Panda |
The new Panda is important for the small segment in Europe. Since its introduction in 1980, some 6.5 million units have been sold.
 Fiat PuntoTwinAir |
Of the small 500, the Gucci Convertible is joining the Coupe.
 Fiat Qubo Trekking |
Fisker Crossover
Fisker will introduce a new crossover model based on the Karma. Not much is known about the car but it is most likely due for a market introduction in the spring of 2012.
Ford Evos Coupé
 Ford EVOS Concept |
Tonight Ford is presenting to the media during a pre-show event. The Evos concept car will be one of the eye catchers of the show. The four door sport coupe shows the design direction of the Blue Oval. The first new production model with this Kinetic 2 styling will be the Mondeo that is due to hit the markets in 2013. There are rumors that Ford is also developing a Coupe.
The S-Max that will follow shortly after the Mondeo will also get design cues from the Evos. There will be new and fuel efficient engines with ECOnetic technology for the Focus and Fiesta, as well as a new 3-cylinder 1-liter EcoBoost motor with direct injection and turbo technology for the Focus.
Honda Civic
The new Civic is important for Honda. The five door hatchback has been developed especially for the European market and will reach dealerships in 2012. Just like Ford, Honda is presenting the new Civic tonight during a pre-show event for the media. More details will follow tonight.
Honda get ready to unveil the new Civic
Hyundai i30
 Hyundai i30 |
Hyundai already published details about the new i30. The hatchback has a fresh look and should attract younger buyers than its predecessor that was introduced in 2007. The i30 gets a smorgasborg of modern technology, such as a panoramic roof and a knee airbag.
Infiniti FX Vettel
 Infiniti FX Concept |
We are expecting the leader in the F1 World Championship Sebastian Vettel to unveil a special edition of the Infiniti FX.
Nissan’s luxury division equipped the FX with a V-8 engine to propel the FX to 186 mph. The FX also has a roof spoiler, led running day lights and front splitter, as well as Vettel badges inside and out.
Jaguar C-X16 Concept
 Jaguar C-X16 |
The C-X16 is another exiting concept car that Jaguar says is its vision for a sports car of the 21st century. The light weight concept has a 380 hp strong 3-liter V-6 and a Kers system that we know from Formula 1. The hybrid drivetrain of the two seater is good for a CO2-emission of 165 g//km. Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design chief, recently said to the media that this is the most exiting car he has developed lately.
Jaguar C-X16 promo video
Jeep
 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Jeep brings its fast SRT8 model of the Grand Cherokee to Frankfurt for the European premiere. That is also the case with the Wrangler Arctic, a special model designed for extreme off roading. Furthermore, on display is a concept for a cockpit of the Grand Cherokee that will give a hint at future interior design of the American brand..
End of Part 1 - CLICK HERE to go to Part 2 - Preview of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show
• SEE ALSO: TACH's Exclusive Press Pass Coverage of the Frankfurt Motor Show
