Frankfurt Motor Show: This year's highlights
The biennial Frankfurt Motor Show once again delivered a number of new releases, exciting concepts and visions of the future of motoring.
Visitors and experts alike were able to get up-close and personal with a veritable smorgasbord of cars, with everything from Aston Martins to Volvos on display, and everything in between.
For many, it was supercars and high performance vehicles that were the talk of the festival, with the Bentley V8.S making its world debut, alongside a brand new Caterham concept, the astonishing Lamborghini Gallardo, and the pristine Porsche 918 Spyder.
However, a wide variety of standard consumer vehicles were on display, demonstrating to consumers what they could be driving in the near future.
One of these was the all-new Mazda3, which took centre stage in among the manufacturer's offerings.
Featuring Mazda's SKYACTIV technology, the new model follows on from the CX-5 and Mazda6 models, and is designed using the 'KODO-Soul of Motion' concept.
The cabin has separate driver and passengers zones, which help to deliver a fun and non-stressful driving experience, while passengers can feel safe in a secure and relaxing atmosphere.
According to Mazda, the car's ultra-efficient lightweight body, chassis, engine and transmission, will provide top levels of performance.
Volkswagen unveiled the details of the Golf R, the manufacturer's 2.0-litre turbocharged vehicle. Able to produce 300PS and 380 Nm, the super-hatch will be the fastest-accelerating production model under the Golf name.
Able to reach 62mph from standing in just 5.3 seconds and with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, the Golf R is not only expected to deliver a much faster drive, it will also provide fuel economy and efficiency.
In fact, the model will be 18 per cent more efficient than the model before, with CO2 emissions of just 159 g/km and fuel consumption of 39.8 mpg.
To differentiate itself from its predecessor, the Golf R has a new front bumper design, with large air inlets and a modified radiator grille.
Peugeot also got in on the Frankfurt fun, showed off its 308 R Concept, which the manufacturer says builds on the 308, but expresses extreme sensation.
The 308 R Concept demonstrates a sportier exterior, with a two-tone red and black shell adding the style.
Powered by an engine that delivers 270 bhp from a four-cylinder 1.6-litre engine, the new Peugeot only emits 145 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Maxime Picat, director general of Peugeot Automobiles, said: “The new PEUGEOT 308, with its pure and sleek style, is a hatchback which carries the Marque’s upmarket ambitions."
For Honda, the Frankfurt Motor Show gave the manufacturer a chance to showcase the details of the new Civic Type R.
It has been revealed that the vehicle will feature a direct injection turbocharged 2-litre engine, delivering a minimum of 280 PS.
The car is set for a further two years of development, but has already set an ambitious target of becoming the fastest front wheel drive car available. A 1.6 i-DTEC engine will deliver 99g/km and an impressive 73.4mpg, but speeds have not yet been confirmed.
Adrian Killham, large project leader for Civic Tourer, said: "For me, the strength of the car is the synergy of functionality, versatility, and dynamic design. As a European development team, we’re passionate and proud about what we’ve achieved.”
It was another excellent year at Frankfurt. It's just a shame we'll have to wait another 24 months for the next one.
Posted by Craig Salter