2013 Frankfurt Motor Show - Eyewitness Comments from the World's Largest Automobile Show - Alfa Romeo-Chevrolet Camaro

PART ONE : Alfa Romeo - Chevrolet Camaro

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel

FRANKFURT, September 10, 2013. The 2013 IAA Frankfurt Auto Show opened its doors for the media. The show is organized every other year and it looks like the time in between is used by the German car manufacturers to figure out what to do for the upcoming event. Last time Audi had a real ‘test track’, a winding road going ‘uphill’ in its pavilion. This year, Audi will present its news at a 36,600 sq. feet stand, where ‘hanging cities’ are brought to life by 11.2 million LEDs. BMW and Mercedes will have also come up with something special, more later. Today, we will preview the show with pictures and opinions, please stay tuned for more IAA news this week.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta: What to do if you have no news for the most important show in the world? You give your most important model a new grille and call it a facelift. That is what happened with the Alfa Giulietta. New will be the 2.0-liter diesel motor with 150 hp.

Audi Quattro Concept: Many rumors have been circulating about the Audi Quattro Concept, such as the fact that it will be built in very limited numbers and will cost 150 thousand euros. Under its hood, a 4-liter V8 turbo with around 600 hp. An electric motor provides extra torque.

Audi A3 sedan and Convertible: Love the sunshine on your head? Wait for the new A3 convertible that will make its debut in Frankfurt, next to the A3 sedan or limo as it is called in several markets. See my first test drive of this model. Market introduction is planned for early 2014.

Audi A8: The A8 has been facelifted and gets new, more efficient gasoline and diesel engines, as wel as new driver assistance technology and innovative matrix-LED headlights. Audi hopes it is enough to compete with the new Mercedes S-Class.

Bentley Continental GT S: The British Volkswagen division is not only focused on luxury, but also on sportiiness. Therefore the Continental GT ‘S’ models will be shown in Frankfurt with a lowered suspension and the ‘tuned’ V8 that has now 528 hp with 501 pound-feet of torque, Looking forward to drive it!

BMW i3: BMW is very busy. The most important will be the BMW i3, that celebrated its world premiere simultaneously in New York, London and Beijing two months ago and will be introduced on the marketplace worldwide in November, I kind of like the different design of BMW’s first electric car.

BMW i8: The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sport car is one of my favorite new models this year. Even though it is not production ready, my first drive with the BMW i8 prototype makes me looking forward to drive the real thing, Patience, patience…alas that will not happen before March 2014!

BMW 4 Series M4 Concept: Did you read my first test with the new 4 Series? At the show floor it will be accompanied by the M4 concept that was unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. There will be a discussion between fans of the iconic M3 brand and people who realize that the lighter Coupe will make a faster M4. However, BMW promised to come with a new M3 as well..

BMW X5 and X5 e-Drive: No surprises with the new X5, that I already drove with the new generation X5, but absolutely new is the Concept X5 eDrive, the predecessor of a plug-in hybrid model of the robust Sport Activity Vehicle. It has a 70 kw/95 hp electric.

BMW Concept Active Tourer Outdoor: The BMW CAT is a plug-in hybrid, which we can expect to go into production in due course. It looks like it has the same hybrid driveline as the BMW i8. Especially the Dutch will like, is the retractable bike stand that is integrated in the interior. Did you know that there are 18 million bicycles in The Netherlands…and only 16+ million people…?

Cadillac Elmiraj Unveiled at Pebble Beach, and not yet confirmed for the IAA. But the Cadillac Elmiraj Concept will undoubtedly draw the attention. It is said to be the predecessor of a new flag ship of GM’s luxury division.

Caterham Seven 165This is the only picture so far of a new Seven 165 vrijgegeven. What we know is that the new Caterham will be equipped with modified 80 hp strong 3-cilinder Suzuki 600 cc turbo engine.

Chevrolet Camaro Finally the Camaro will hit the European market. I remember my first drive at the Milford Proving Ground and my excitement about its looks. But that must have been 2007. As it will get the 6.2-liter V8 with 425 hp. Not many will be sold – alas!