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Frankfurt motor show the complete guide
.jpg "The action never stops at Frankfurt, and with a night to reflect on Europe's top motor show, we bring you the full in-depth run down.")
12 September 2007 Aston Martin | Audi | BMW | Citroen | Chrysler Jeep | Click here for our exclusive Frankfurt slide show Video: The gorgeous Renault Laguna Coupe Concept Aston says its DBS was seen for the first time in It's still a stunner one of the most beautiful cars ever built and was the centrepiece of Aston's stand. Behind it stood a couple of special editions the DB9 LM and V8 Vantage N400. The LM celebrates Aston's Le Mans GT1 class victory in the DB9R and features Aston's Touchtronic transmission, unique silver paint and colour coding. Inside there's handcrafted black leather with perforated inserts, a unique facia trim and a numbered plaque. It also has the DB9 Sports Pack as standard, with colour keyed and diamond turned alloy wheels. The V8 Vantage N400 is another celebratory vehicle, this time after success at the ADAC 24 hour race at the Nürburgring. It has more power, more weight saving devices and three new colours, the most striking of which is the bright Karussell Orange. Ten cylinders, two turbochargers, 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, top speed 155mph its the new Audi RS 6 and RS 6 Avant. The most powerful production Audi of all time will go on sale in spring 2008 priced around £75,000, with the Avant following some time later for another few thousand pounds. Audi's pumped-up A6 sits on 19- or 20-inch alloys and features a barrel-load of safety kit alongside the famous Quattro four wheel drive system. The German marque also announced Two new models from BMW the X6 concept crossover and the 1-Series coupe. The 1-Series coupe is the spiritual successor to the 2002 from the 1970s, which appears to offer more rear space than the hatchback one of the original car's main criticisms. On display was the 123d which is capable of 0-62mph in 7 seconds, while emitting just 138g/km of CO2. The X6 is, according to BMW, the world's sports activity coupe and the first to feature BMW's ActiveHybrid and Dynamic Performance Control. The former is an advanced hybrid technology, reducing fuel consumption by 20 per cent. The latter takes ESP and active four wheel drive to the next level for improved performance and safety. Three debuts from Citroen one crazy concept, one thinly-disguised future car and a green C4 hatchback. The C-Cactus is a bonkers C4-based concept built with the environment in mind and can cover almost 100mpg. Citroen has saved weight by reducing the number of components used even doing away with a conventional dashboard. Citroen's C5-Airscape will become the replacement for the current C5 saloon but the production car is unlikely to get the concept's folding roof. It also has some hybrid technology which powers the car's stereo and air-con. The C4 BioFlex is the car Citroen will use to catapult itself onto the bio-ethanol bandwagon. It's already on sale in A four model blitz from Chrysler Jeep, including the new 2008 Jeep Cherokee, which takes styling cues from the butch Dodge Nitro. Jeep says its ride and handling have been improved with new suspension and steering. An updated 2.8-litre diesel engine will combine with choice of five or six-speed manual gearboxes when it goes on sale next year. The Grand Voyager is another important launch for Chrysler, which promises to be more 'family friendly', while its Sebring Cabrio is likely to find favour with the legion of British drop-top fans looking for something different. Finally, the all-new Dodge Journey is a seven seat crossover MPV which is said to combine the space and practicality of an MPV with the style of an SUV and the ride, handling and fuel efficiency of a family saloon. It will replace the existing Voyager when it launches next year. F1 megastar Michael Schumacher pulled the covers off the Ferrari F430 Scuderia a stripped-down, lightweight version of the current car. The Scuderia cuts the F430's 0-62mph time down to just 3.6 seconds thanks to a tweaked engine, enhanced paddle-shift gearbox and a serious weight cutting regime. Ferrari also launched new exterior and interior colours, including dark grey for the 599 Fiorano on display. Depreciation grey, it should be called.
Three new things on the Blue Oval's stand and the one which will make the most impact is the one which won't get the headlines the 2008 Focus. It looks like a small Mondeo from the front, while the rear has been tidied up. The interior has had a going-over too, with soft touch plastics. And it'll get a new gearbox previously seen in the C-Max available with a couple of the 2-litre diesel engines. Also on the stand was Ford's new crossover, the Kuga. It will go on sale next summer and Ford say "promises impressive on-road dynamics coupled with substantial off-road ability". Details on engine options are sketchy, other than the line up will include a six speed manual with a 136bhp 2-litre diesel engine. Finally its the Verve concept a curvy insight into the replacement for the current Fiesta. Chatting with a Ford spokeswoman, confirmed the Fiesta name may still be dropped, with a decision likely to be made a month or so before it end-of-2008 launch. The Accord Tourer Concept is a tantalising glimpse as to how the production model will look when it debuts at next year's The all-new Accord will be powered by a range of low emissions engines, making it one of the first cars to offer an entirely Euro 5-compliant engine line-up the next standard for emissions. A 2 and 2.4-litre petrol engines and a 2.2-litre diesel engine are similar to those in the current range, but with more power, fewer emissions and improved fuel economy.
"The new XF is a milestone for Jaguar. In every respect it signals the future of the marque and yet it remains true to the essence of what has always made great Jaguars the cars they are." Bold words from the troubled car maker, but all in attendance agreed if this car can't save the marque, nothing can. I was a harsh critic of the XF after seeing early pictures, but it looks sensational in the metal. Its interior has thrown off the shackles of traditional Jags and a comprehensive range of engines should ensure success.
A surprise launch from Lamborghini was its ultra-rare Reventón supercar. Just 20 of the 1 million euro stealth bombers will be built, with the first going to a mystery buyer in The Reventón is based on the Murcielago LP640 with a composite carbon fibre body and has been influenced by the fastest aeroplane and dare I way it some of the companies old models like the Countach and Diablo.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio's world championship victory at the wheel of a Maserati, the Italian supercar maker pulled the wraps off a new Quattroporte saloon. The Quattroporte Sport GT S has lowered and stiffened suspension and innovative composite dual-cast brake discs a first for a road car. The new technology allows better braking, less wear and greater comfort. Shod with 20-inch alloys, the Sport GT S also uses 9 per cent less fuel on the open road than the standard car.
Another significant launch at More than 450,000 6s have been sold since 2002, so it's an important car to get right. And Mazda have managed it with a car looking so good, it'll take the fight to the new Mondeo. The chief designer wanted to build a car which will still look fresh in ten years time, and we reckon he's achieved it. Expect a host of leading edge safety kit and more efficient engines when it goes on sale next year.
The star of Mercedes enormous stand (it took up an entire hall) was the F700. It shows 'the future of the superior touring sedan' and showcases a number of new technologies. The F700 has Mercedes new Diesotto hybrid engine, which uses clever ignition to burn diesel in a more efficient way to produce 238bhp plus 20bhp from the hybrid's electric motor from a 1.8-litre engine. Running costs are even more impressive 53.3mpg is unheard of in a heavy luxury car, as are CO2 emissions of just 127g/km.
The Clubman was the real-world star of Mini's stand. With its three side door layout one on the driver's side and two on the passenger's (the rearmost opens backwards like the Mazda RX-8) and two doors for the tailgate, the Clubman will address concerns over the standard model's minimal rear space. Offered in Cooper S and Cooper guises the latter of which is in petrol and diesel versions, the Clubman is the second in a likely long list of variants of the standard Mini. Elsewhere the Challenge was getting petrolheads hot under the collar. The track-only Mini is the hottest yet, and will hopefully spawn some road-legal versions.
The 207 SW Outdoor showed its face at Clad in rugged plastic trim, the SW Outdoor will be powered by 1.4 or 1.6 petrol engines producing 95 and 120bhp and two 1.6-litre diesels making either 90 or 110bhp when it goes on sale in November. The 308 RC Z was undoubtedly the star of Peugeot's stand and looks almost production ready. It's powered by a tweaked version of the 207 GTi's 1.6 turbo engine and has some stunning coupe looks.
Three reasons to visit the Porsche stand. All of them fast and powerful and all of them red. The GT2 is the first production 911 to crack 200mph and looks incredible, while a convertible version of the 911 Turbo sat alongside looking every inch the supercar for shouting violets. But the model Porsche was touting the most was the Cayenne GTS primarily because it will sell more than the other two. Based on the Cayenne S, the GTS produces 405bhp 20bhp more than the S and sits on a specially developed chassis with electronically controlled damping and Porsche Active Suspension Management the first time on a Yours for £54,350 complete with a tracking system and a driving experience programme. Renault claims it stole the show with its crazy concepts and new production models. The Laguna Coupe concept is Renault's vision of a top-of-the-range grand touring coupe and boasts four wheel drive and a new 3-litre V6 diesel engine produced with Nissan. Back in the present day, the new Laguna hatchback and estate were given their public airing. Expect the stylish Mondeo rivals to achieve full marks in the EuroNCAP crash tests with lots of safety kit. Renault also says it'll have a comprehensive equipment list and a wide range of petrol and diesel engines offering power between 110bhp and 170bhp at launch. Renault has expanded the Clio range with an estate version called the Clio Sport Tourer and a new Kangoo bolstered with a concept aimed at young, urban cool dudes. Built to celebrate 30 years of Saab turbocharging, the Saab Turbo X was launched alongside the iconic 900 Turbo from the 1980s. The Turbo X showcases Saab's XWD all-wheel drive system and is powered by a 280bhp 2.8-litre V6 turbocharged engine. It will be available in saloon or sportwagon guises, and the order books open around April next year.
No new cars you can buy on Seat's stand, but there was a concept unveiled suggesting the Spanish brand's future design direction. The Tribu is a crossover SUV looking a little like a Expect therefore, Seat to be working on a production SUV in the near future.
The spiritual successor to the original Beetle was unveiled at Click here for our exclusive Frankfurt slide show Video: The gorgeous Renault Laguna Coupe Concept Motor Show Links: London's free motorshow - in pictures Geneva Motor Show 2007
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