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Frankfurt Motor Show: hot debuts
04 September 2007 Next week's Frankfurt Motor Show will wow the motoring public with a host of crazy concepts and spectacular supercars. But what about the cars regular customers can actually buy? Vijay Pattni takes a look at the cars the punters are willing to part with their hard-earned for.
Audi A4 | Chevrolet Aveo | Dodge Journey | Ford ECOnetic Audi A4 Styling the most aggressive A4 to date, the saloon has a new suspension set-up which sits the front axle 154mm further to improve handling and composure. And powering the next generation of A4s will be a range of engines including the 143bhp 2-litre diesel and a whopping 3.2-litre 265bhp petrol V6. With an eye to eclipsing the BMW, Audi claim the new A4 has the longest wheelbase in its class, extending rear legroom by 36mm and incorporating a 480-litre boot. Inside, an Audi Drive Select button will give the driver the choice of three options to sharpen accelerator response, firm up the power steering and stiffen suspension settings. An electromechanical parking brake and Multi Media Interface (MMI) have both been lifted from its A6 sibling.
There will be a choice of two engines on offer – a frugal 1.2-litre with 84bhp, and a 1.4-litre which gives 98bhp and is offered with an auto box. Inside the baby Chevy gets soft-touch plastics and better fabrics, with the car maker claiming improved levels of build quality.
Two engines will be offered on launch: a 2-litre diesel and 2.4-litre petrol. Unusually for a car of this size, the power will be channelled to the front wheels via a manual or automatic gearbox. Ford ECOnetic Honda’s petrol-electric hybrids Spectators will also get the chance to see Honda’s current RA107 F1 car, driven by Jensen Button and Rubens Barrichello, as well as a 1967 RA300.
Designed as the sporting alternative to the Cee’d, the new car’s windscreen is shallower and the doors longer by 276mm than those of its five door sibling. Kia is offering the full range of engines for the new hatch with power outputs ranging between 90bhp and 143bhp. The optional Sports Pack adds 17-inch alloy wheels, stiffer dampers and alloy pedals.
Buyers can expect an involving drive coupled to solid build quality with lower emissions than the outgoing model. Mini Clubman Based on the ‘Shooting Brake’ concept first seen at Frankfurt two years ago, the new Mini Clubman is 24cm longer than the hatch, allowing for an all-important 8cm increase in rear-legroom space. This means the new Mini has the potential to sit five with boot space rising to 260 litres.
Three engines will power the new Clubman - a 1.6-litre with 120bhp and a 0-60 time of 9.8 seconds, a 1.6-litre turbo ‘S’ with 175bhp and a 0-60 time of 7.6 seconds, and a turbo-diesel with 110bhp which returns 68.9mpg on the combined cycle. New features include brake regeneration technology and a new suspension set-up unique to the Clubman. Prices start at £14,235.
But for the real petrolhead, there is the mouthwatering prospect of the next generation Mitsubishi Evolution – now badged the Lancer Evolution. Buyers can expect a 2-litre turbo engine producing in excess of 350bhp, harnessed through a complicated four-wheel drive system. Earlier reports have suggested Mitsubishi are raising the bar on refinement so that the storming rally-bred monster can compete with its German counterparts, the Audi RS4 and new BMW M3. Nissan Micra Inside, the supermini gets a double DIN radio/CD player with Bluetooth technology so telephone calls can be heard through the speakers. Nissan have also added an input for your iPod and fitted a speed limit warning.
Having undergone severe weather testing in conditions as diverse as Australia and Russia, the new Laguna is looking to build on its record of build quality to match its German rivals.
The performance model takes its namesake by introducing new turbo technology, building on the visual appeal of the earlier Saab 99 and 900 ‘Black Turbos’, allowing a whole new generation to experience the forearm twisting torque steer of old.
The new 1.5 and 2-litre boxer engines offer enhanced fuel economy while all trim levels will be equipped with all-wheel drive, alloy wheels, air-con and a vehicle information display. The 1.5 produces 107bhp, and although the 2-litre loses 10bhp to 150bhp, it gains 7.4lbs/ft of pulling power, recording 144.6 lbs/ft. The low centre of gravity of the boxer engine coupled to an all-wheel drive transmission should ensure buyers are kept entertained, with the hotly anticipated WRX STi likely to mirror its Mitsubishi counterpart in power.
All cars will come with VW’s 4MOTION four-wheel drive system, which allows the car to drive over an obstruction up to 18 degrees. Buyers looking for more off-road frolics can specify the Tiguan with a 28 degree angle of approach front end. Prices are expected to start at £19,000. Motor Show links Frankfurt Motor Show Hottest Punto to be unveiled at Frankfurt London's free motorshow - in pictures Geneva Motor Show 2007
Geneva slide shows
Detroit Motor Show 2007
Paris Motor Show 2006
New York Motor Show
British Motor Show 2006
Other motor shows |
Chevrolet Aveo
Dodge Journey
Kia pro_cee’d
Mazda 6
While the radical ‘suicide’ door design allows for easier rear access, Mini is also offering two seats in the back as a no-cost option. 
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Renault Laguna
Saab Turbo X
Skoda Fabia estate
Subaru Impreza
Toyota RAV4 Cross Sport
Volkswagen TiguanPage 1
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