German supercar maker Porsche kicked off its attendance at the Frankfurt Motor Show which ends today, with a surprise announcement: its new 918 hybrid supercar has broken the Nurburgring Nordschleife production track record by posting a sub-seven minutes time around the 12.8-mile circuit.
The Ring lap record has become a badge of honour within the supercar community. With the 918 posting a time of six minutes 57 seconds, the German firm has well and truly thrown down the gauntlet to its rivals.
As part of a new breed of petrol-electric high performance cars, Porsche’s 918 promises a combined 875bhp from its V8 petrol engine and electric drivetrain. Top speed is 214mph and it can reach 62mph in 2.8 seconds in full ‘race’ mode.
In pure electric mode top speed is a shade under 100 mph and 62 mph can be reached from rest in 7.0 seconds.
Porsche plans to build the 918 in limited numbers, with production scheduled to start this month.
With a price tag close to £700,000, the carbon fibre and composite construction 918 is destined to be a rare sight on the roads.
Ferrari 458 Speciale
The most extreme version of the Ferrari 458 has been revealed by the Italian firm at the Frankfurt Motor Show called the Speciale.
For the 458 Speciale, Ferrari has tuned the 4.5-litre V8 engine to produce 597 bhp. That’s enough to deliver 0-62mph in three seconds, though the Italian firm has not revealed the car’s top speed and it can lap the company’s Fiorano test track in 1.5 secnds less time than a standard 458.
Helping the lightened 458 Speciale cut through the air more cleanly are improved aerodynamics to make this the most slippery and aerodynamically efficient car Ferrari has ever built.
There are also new technologies for the suspension that have been developed from its Formula One knowledge. This Side Slip Angle Control allows the Speciale corner harder and faster without losing grip, while new Pirelli tyres also help the car perform better than a standard 458 model.
The Ferrari 458 Speciale is expected to cost £210,000 when it goes on sale in the UK and is described by Ferrari as a “completely new, uncompromising and streamlined sports car”.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Vitesse ‘Jean Bugatti’
Bugatti have revealed the next in its series of special edition Veyron supercars.
The ‘Jean Bugatti’ has been designed to commemorate the son of the firm’s founder, Ettore Bugatti, and this special edition takes elements from Jean Bugatti’s most famous creation, the Type 57SC Atlantic from 1936.
As with all Veyrons the exterior panels are made from carbon fibre, but on the Jean Bugatti these panels are clear-coated rather than painted so the distinctive weave of the material can be seen.
Fitting the car’s exclusive status, the grille surround and the interior ‘EB’ badge are made from platinum and the wheels are diamond-cut. Also on the inside is a rosewood gearlever, and the leather trim is finished in the same chocolate shade as the 57SC Atlantic.
Underneath the imposing exterior it has the same incredible 1184bhp quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W12 engine which will propel it past 250mph. Bugatti will build just three examples of the Jean Bugatti and although prices have not been mentioned, it is likely to be well in excess of £1million.
Audi A8 and S8
Audi has revised its A8 luxury saloon with more power and better fuel economy for every model in the range. The new A8 made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The revised model is distinguished on the outside by its reshaped grille and front bumper, new LED rear lights and gloss black window surrounds.
Inside, there are more choices of wood trim, leather and massage front seats, while noise cancellation technology helps improve refinement by cancelling out noise form the engines.
The engine range comprises a new 306 bhp 3.0 V6 turbo petrol, turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with 430 bhp and the range-topping W12 that offers 493 bhp coupled to 24.1 mpg. For the high performance S8 model, power now rises to 513 bhp.
Diesel engines will be the big sellers in the A8 range and the 3.0- and 4.2-litre TDI units increase in power to 255- and 380 bhp respectively while delivering improved economy and emissions.
Seat Leon ST
After launching the Leon five-door hatch and sporty three-door Leon SC, Seat has used the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil its new Leon ST – the load-lugger of the family.
Boasting a generous 1.470 litres of load space with the rear seats folded flat – something that can be done with a lever in the boot – plus a high level of standard equipment, engine, gearbox and trim options will mirror that of the five-door Leon.
Bentley Continental GT V8 S
Crewe-based supercar maker Bentley has unveiled a new edition to its range at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Continental GT V8 S. While packing the same 4.0-litre V8 motor as the non ‘S’ cars, this new version benefits from a slightly raised power output (521 bhp – up by 21 bhp) and a fraction more torque.
Further efforts to sharpen the car’s responses have resulted in tweaks to the gearbox and throttle, while ride height has been reduced by 10 mm and various suspension components have been stiffened to boost the car’s agility.
Exterior changes have been kept to a minimum but eagle-eyed Bentley fans should be able to spot the car’s new front splitter and rear diffuser. The Continental GT V8 S is expected to go on sale in the UK early next year.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid and Concept Coupe
MERCEDES’ new S-Class Plug-In Hybrid will offer 94.2mpg average fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions of just 69 g/km to make it the most efficient car in its class. It was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the new Concept S-Class Coupe that will replace the current CL-Class coupe.
The S500 Plug-In Hybrid uses a 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol engine mated to an 80 kW electric motor. In electric-only mode, this S-Class can travel up to 18 miles with zero emissions from the tail pipe.
There are four modes the driver can choose from, covering Hybrid, electric power only, E-Save to reserve battery power for later use, and Charge to recharge the battery while driving.
As well as recuperative braking to charge the battery, more energy is saved by the engine switching off any time the car is coasting or comes to a stop.
Performance is not compromised by the hybrid power system and S500 Plug-In Hybrid still offers 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and a 155mph top speed.
Mercedes officially unveiled the S500 Plug-In Hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show and prices will be announced ahead of the car going on sale early in 2014.
Talking about the Concept S-Class Coupe, Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design at Daimler AG, said: “The Concept S-Class Coupé combines tradition and emotion, and is a symbol for the embodiment of our design style of sensual clarity. The perfected design with self-assured style and the highly exclusive appointments make the coupé a true design icon and an expression of modern luxury.”
The new coupe has looks similar to the recently launched CLA, while a 4.7-litre Biturbo petrol engine provides motive power. It also previews 6DVision that monitors moving objects around the car, while Road Surface Scan reads the road for bumps and tells the suspension how to react for the smoothest ride.
BMW i8
Hot on the heels of its radical new i3 city car, BMW has used the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil its hybrid supercar, the i8.
Expected to go on sale by the end of the year in the UK, the i8 packs a 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor alongside an advanced battery system. And aping Porsche’s more expensive 918 hypercar, the i8’s petrol engine powers the rear wheels with electric power being directed to the front wheels.
With the petrol motor producing a considerable 228 bhp and the electric motor 129bhp, total output is a healthy 357bhp – more than enough to propel the car to an electronically limited 155mph and sprint to 62mph in a rapid 4.4 seconds when both motors are in use.
The carbon composite constructed car can also appeal to a keen driver’s green side thanks to a pure electric mode with a range of around 20 miles and a peak top speed potential of 75mph. Factor in the petrol motor and range increases to a useful 310 miles according to BMW, while the firm is claiming 113mpg and a tax-busting 59g/km CO2 rating.
Audi Sport Quattro Concept
Audi treated Frankfurt Motor Show visitors with its new Sport Quattro Concept complete with a 690 bhp as a tribute to its iconic Sport quattro of the 1980s.
The original short wheelbase Sport quattro was built to go rallying but the new concept is believed to signal a new supercar from Audi that will sit above its R8 model.
To give the Sport Quattro concept the right look, it is 4,602 mm long and 1,964 mm wide so that it has a squat, stocky appearance. The bodywork is made from lightweight carbon fibre and has the blistered wheelarches that were a trademark of the original Quattro.
For the headlights of the concept, Audi has employed its Matrix technology, which uses individual LED diodes and reflectors to give the best possible lighting.
With compact coupe lines on the outside, the interior also makes use of carbon fibre to save weight and give a suitably sporty feel.
The multi-function steering wheel will be seen in future Audi models, while the dash also features a stopwatch and set-up mode that contains information about several race tracks, so you can gauge what sort of driver the Sport Quattro is aimed.
To make the most of track drive, the Sport Quattro Concept has a 552 bhp 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine as used in the RS6. It’s joined by a 138 bhp electric motor to make the Sport Quattro a hybrid capable of 113 mpg average economy and 59 g/km carbon dioxide emissions.
This combined hybrid power also delivers 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds and a 189 mph top speed.
Volvo Concept Coupe
The show witnessed the arrival of Volvo’s Concept Coupe that gives a clear idea of where the Swedish firm’s styling is heading. Volvo acknowledges its new XC90 will take many of its styling cues from the Concept Coupe when the new SUV model goes on sale in 2014.
“We are creating a new product portfolio that blends a strong heritage with innovative technology and emotional design. Every core area is brought into a new dimension, also injecting more emotion into the rational properties that are the heart and soul of Volvo,” Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice-president, Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Car Group, said.
For the Concept Coupe, Volvo has given the car a low-slung roof line and large 21-inch alloy wheels. It says the car is designed as a grand tourer rather than a sports car in a similar vein to its classic P1800 coupe of the 1960s.
On the inside, the Concept Coupe has naturally aged wood trim and dark blue woven carpets. It also has a sparkling crystal gear lever and touchscreen to operate most of the car’s functions.
“The Volvo Concept Coupé is no futuristic dream car. It is designed to demonstrate the capability of our new architecture: the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures. Even though the all-new XC90 is an entirely different type of car, you will recognise the connection instantly when it is revealed next year,” says Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice-president of Volvo Design.
Power for the Concept Coupe comes from a new four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engine that uses both super- and turbocharging to offer 400bhp and 443lb.ft of shove.
The Concept Coupe is the first of three concept cars from Volvo that show the possibilities of Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture that will be used as the basis for all new Volvo models.
Volvo also introduced its new four-cylinder Drive-E engines at the Frankfurt show. This range comprises a 181bhp D4 turbo diesel and 306bhp T6 motor. A 245 bhp T5 engine will not be sold in the UK, but the D4 will be offered in the S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models with new six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearboxes.
Audi A3 Cabriolet
German brand Audi has unveiled a drop-top version of its A3 at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Longer but lighter than its predecessor, the A3 Cabriolet benefits from the impressive MQB architecture that underpins its hatchback sibling.
Fitted with a fabric folding roof rather than a metal version, the A3 Cabriolet can fold its roof up or down in a swift 18 seconds and usefully up to speeds of 31mph. The fabric roof also means a minimal impact on luggage space, while noise levels are also claimed to be low with the option of an acoustically optimised fabric roof.
The A3 Cabriolet will take the pick of the A3’s range of engines, including a 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol as well as a high-output 2.0-litre diesel. Audi has also promised an S3 version of the Cabriolet, which will pack almost 300bhp into the attractive body.
Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna concept
The limited edition Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna concept car was launched in Frankfurt. Although it’s called a concept, this version of the Quattroporte will go into small scale production in 2014.
Designed and built in collaboration with fashion designer Ermenegildo Zegna, the car has a unique platinum paint finish to give a chromatic-effect appearance. Maserati has also changed the interior of this limited edition model with brown and grey leather upholstery to mirror the colours used by Ermenegildo Zegna’s men’s fashion design.
Interior components such as seats, door panels and roof lining are finished in genuine soft leather, in addition to a velvet-smooth, bright fabric that, due to Zegna’s vast experience and know-how, guarantees the level of performance needed for automotive applications.
Under the bonnet of the show car is a 275bhp, 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine that offers 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds and a 155mph top speed.
Maserati also showed off its new Ghibli compact saloon for the first time in Europe at the Frankfurt show. It is offered with a 3,0 V6 turbodiesel or a 3.0 V6 twin-turbo petrol engine with 330- or 410 bhp.
Maserati has not yet confirmed how many Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna models will be made or how much it will cost when it goes on sale in 2014.
Infiniti Q30 concept
Premium Japanese brand Infiniti has revealed its Q30 Concept to show how its next small car will look. The Q30 is a compact hatch that will rival the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series when it launches in 2014.
Packed with innovative materials to save weight, the Q30 Concept has been designed to try to avoid being pigeon-holed as a hatch, crossover or coupe. Infiniti says it signals a radical shift in the premium compact segment of the market and is a fusion of the three body styles mentioned above.
The Q30 also shows the new style of design that will be used on all Infinitis launched from now on. It concentrates on a sense of craftsmanship and excellent fit and finish. The company believes this will help its cars appeal to a broader range of buyers, with the Q30 aimed at the younger end of the market.
“We are becoming the younger, trendsetting brand, more relevant and more exciting,” said Infiniti Motor Company president Johan de Nysschen.
Citroën Cactus concept
Citroën showed off its latest Cactus Concept car at the Motor Show, complete with ‘Airbumps’ that are designed to ward off parking dents from other cars.
The lightweight Cactus has pockets of air built into the doors and bumpers that defend the car from parking knocks. They are covered in a scratch-resistant material.
There is also a panoramic sunroof to let in as much daylight as possible, while inside the car there is plenty of space for a compact car as the Cactus makes use of every millimetre thanks to a slim dash. It replaces traditional instruments with a touchscreen and the gear lever is ditched in favour of buttons on the dash or steering wheel. Citroën’s HybridAir compressed air power is employed by the Cactus to offer 94 mpg and low carbon dioxide emissions.
The French company says the aim of the Cactus is to showcase its design beliefs of making cars that are simple to live with, simple to love and simple to share.
Jaguar C-X17
IT MIGHT be labelled a ‘concept’ by its makers Jaguar, but the only thing missing from the firm’s C-X17 SUV is a tax disc. While Jaguar traditionalists will be frowning at the prospect of a 4x4 from the luxury carmaker, the appearance of this boldly-styled SUV should come as no surprise to observers more familiar with Jaguar’s recent stratospheric sales performance.
Keen to plug an important hole in its line-up, Jaguar bosses have all but confirmed that an SUV will be appearing alongside XJ and XF models in showrooms in the coming years.
However, what’s equally important as the prospect of a Jaguar SUV is a new range of aluminium cars based on a hi-tech modular platform. Jaguar is investing big bucks in the technology as it strives to boost production efficiencies and reduce the weight and CO2 ratings of its future cars.
And it’s using the C-X17 as a rolling showcase for the technology. The first tangible evidence of Jaguar efforts is expected to be a ‘baby’ Jag to rival the likes of BMW’s 3-Series and Audi’s A4, which could appear as soon as 2015 if industry observers are to be believed.
Ford S-Max Concept
Ford gave a clear indication of what its new S-Max will look like with a concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The S-Max Concept features a similar front grille to the current Fiesta, while the front bonnet slopes to meet the windscreen in a seamless line.
“S-Max drivers are passionate and have high expectations – they see their S-Max as a one-of-a-kind vehicle,” Martin Smith, executive design director, Ford of Europe, said. “Our mission was to exceed their expectations in every area while respecting the core of what they love about the S-Max.”
Further exterior design cues include a feature line running along the flank to create an impression of length and speed, sculptured muscular shoulders, and distinctive headlamps featuring Organic LEDs – the latest lighting that offers greater flexibility in terms of positioning and design, fast response and colour range.
Inside, the seven-seat S-Max Concept has a dash built around the driver, while all of Ford’s latest technology is included. This covers Ford’ SYNC with MyFord Touch to offer a wifi wireless internet connection inside the car.
Other technology includes a Heart Rate Monitoring Seat to check the driver is fit and well enough to be in control of the car. A Glucose Level Monitoring system can also tell the driver if a child in the back seats is suffering a diabetic attack. Ford has also applied its technology to the design of the third row seats, which can now be folded in a single movement flat into the floor.
An all-new Ford S-Max will go on sale in 2014.
Volkswagen e-Golf and e-Up
VW’s e-Up and e-Golf electric cars made their world debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in full production-ready forms.
The e-Golf comes with a 113 bhp electric motor that offers 0-62 mph in 10.4 seconds and a top speed capped at 88mph, so it has real-world performance similar to the Golf 1.6 TDI model.
For the e-Up, VW has fitted an 81bhp electric motor to deliver 0-62 mph in 12.4 seconds and an 81 mph top speed, so it has performance very similar to an Up 1.0-litre.
Both of the new electric models from Volkswagen offer zero emissions at the tailpipe and can be recharged to 80 per cent of maximum in 30 minutes. With a full charge, the e-Golf can travel up to 119 miles on a single charge, while the e-Up can manage 100 miles per full charge.
Volkswagen has yet to confirm prices for either the e-Golf or e-Up, but with first deliveries expected early in 2014 prices should be revealed well before the end of the year.
Smart Fourjoy concept
Smart unveiled its four-seat Fourjoy concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It may be a four seater when Smart is noted for it compact two-seat models, but the Fourjoy is still a compact car thanks to its 3494 mm length. This also helps the Fourjoy offer an incredibly tight turning circle of 9.1 metres that makes it ideal for city driving.
“The smart fourjoy is the perfect icon of our smart design philosophy that is being carried into a new era. For the first time we are showing the future sporty four-seater character of the new smart family,” says Gorden Wagener, head of design at Daimler AG. “The typical smart silhouette, the clear lines and styling and also the further development of the smart face make this study a modern design icon.”
The open-air Fourjoy has no doors, windows or roof to let in as much breeze as possible. It also has a rear bench seat designed offer lounge comfort.
On the outside, the Fourjoy has a polished Tridion safety cell that is a trademark of all Smart models. There are also transparent plastic panels for the windscreen’s wind deflector and on the door pillars, while pearlescent paint is used on the bumpers to give contrast to the rest of the minimal bodywork.
Power comes from an electric motor with a battery that can be quick charged in less than one hour.
Ford Mondeo Vignale
A new-range-topping Vignale trim will be offered by Ford to give customers the ultimate in luxury.
The Vignale trim was seen for the first time on the Mondeo Vignale Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, using the next generation Mondeo as its base. Features of the Vignale Concept include 20-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles and mirrors, a mesh grille set in a unique bumper and exclusive dark brown paintwork.
Inside, the Vignale has quilted leather upholstery, leather-trimmed dash and door cappings, embossed scuff plates and luxury floor mats to give an opulent feel.
The Vignale models will also come with Ford SYNC and MyFord Touch in-car connectivity to let the driver use all the functions on a smart phone and connect to the internet inside the car.
“Influences that range from architecture to fashion combine to give the Mondeo Vignale Concept a sense of high quality and a feeling of timelessness – alongside the very latest advanced technologies,” said Stefan Lamm, exterior design director, Ford of Europe. The new Mondeo Vignale will go on sale in 2015 and the Vignale specification will be introduced to other Ford models following that.
BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive
BMW combined its new X5 with its eDrive technology to create the Concept5 X5 eDrive for the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Concept5 is capable of driving up to 19 miles on battery power alone and has an average fuel economy of 74.3mpg. It also produces CO2 emissions of less than 90g/km. Recharging the battery can also be done by plugging this BMW into a mains socket. With a twin-turbo petrol engine, the Concept5 can see off 0-62mph in less than seven seconds.
There are also some design differences between the Concept5 and the new X5 SUV. The concept car has unique 21-inch alloy wheels designed for optimum aerodynamics, while the roof rails are also designed to cut through the air as cleanly as possible.
BMW expects to have a production version of the Concept5 in showrooms in 2015.
Nissan X-Trail
One of Nissan’s most popular cars in recent years has been its X-Trail SUV, and the latest generation has been unveiled in Frankfurt.
With seven seats as standard, the X-Trail promises better interior space. On the outside, the X-Trail has a more sleek and stylish design influenced by the Hi-Cross concept car shown in 2012 and leaving behind the more rugged looks of the outgoing car.
Despite claims of improved comfort and handling, Nissan maintains its impressive off-road ability, although the two-wheel drive options may well prove to be the most popular. Power will come from an updated 2.0-litre diesel unit in other Nissan models, with the option of a CVT automatic gearbox.
With UK sales expected to start later in 2013, the new X-Trail will not only compete with rival SUVs but will take on more conventional hatchbacks and saloons as more buyers look outside the more traditional choices.