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2005 Frankfurt Motor Show
REVIEW
October 7th update:
Ok, that's the bulk of it! We've also come up with a snazzy new image gallery method that groups the 1,400 odd images relevant to the show together in a quick downloading and easy to use new page. Want to see it for yourself? Just click here!
September 21st update:
Back at the office now finally, and with only four days of the show to run it feels like an awfully long time ago. Don't worry though, we've waded through the endless press packs and news releases and have identified the most interesting new cars and concepts from the show and you'll see them all online within the week, including extensive photo galleries. Once online we'll send a newsletter to our subscribers too, so if you're not already on the list (it's free and we don't use your email address for any other reason), subscribe now from the Home Page.
Late on 12 September, with weary legs after press day one at the show:
Well, it's been an eventful first day at the Frankfurt Motor Show, though an odd one. Though it will mean little to most of the public show goers, the structure of the press days has changed, with today being a press people only day where it has traditionally been for press and trade. The result is that the unveilings are spread out over two days and today even some of the show stands were not ready to walk through and the sprawling show was eerily quiet in some areas where it is usually buzzing.
That aside, there has been a number of very exciting new cars revealed, as well as a few surprising concepts. The most striking is the Mini Concept Frankfurt, showing us first of all what the next generation of Minis will look like, and secondly that BMW is seriously considering resurrecting the lifestyle Mini in the form of a coupe/estate crossover. One of the best-looking concepts on show was also from BMW - the Z4 Coupe Concept. Surely this car has to make production? How can it not?! DaimlerChrysler's oddest concept is the Smart Crosstown, which interestingly is being billed as a 'show car', not a concept.
We've not yet had our first glimpse of any of the Ford Motor Company products, including the Jaguar XK, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ford iosis concept, Mazda Sassou concept or even Volvo's C70. Those joys await our aching feet tomorrow... We did see plenty of other new cars though, including VW's classy new Eos folding hardtop, though it is closely matched in the looks department by Vauxhall/Opel's Astra TwinTop. We are due a surprise on the GM stand tomorrow in the form of a new concept SUV said to be coming to the UK badged as a Vauxhall. Watch out for that one. More later. Time for a well-earned bath...
PREVIEW
As ever, the bi-annual Frankfurt Motor Show is set to be a bit special, with more than its fair share of tantalising concept cars and production car debuts. The Car Enthusiast will spend a few days at the show to bring you all the latest news and image galleries. Until then we will add preview articles as we learn more.
The show itself runs from 15th to the 25th of September. The official show website is www.iaa.de.
Expect the following cars at the show (and others!):
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Audi Q7 - production version of Audi's new super SUV
Audi A4 Cabriolet
BMW 650i/550i - first public showing of new models
BMW 3-series Touring - first show outing
BMW 540i, 550i, 650i, X3 2.0i, X3 3.0d, 730Ld all get their show debuts
BMW Z4 Coupe concept
Cadillac BLS world premiere
Citroen C-Sportlounge concept - funky new concept MPV
Citroen C3 facelift
Daihatsu D-compact concept SUV
Daihatsu Copen facelift, new 1.3-litre engine and sports concept
Daihatsu HVS concept hybrid sportscar
Fenomenon Stratos show car
Ferrari F430 Challenge
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti upgrade
Fiat Grande Punto - world debut for Fiat's bigger Punto replacement
Ford Focus ST
Ford iosis concept car
Ford Galaxy replacement
Honda Civic - production car debut
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda S2000 facelift
Honda Accord facelift
Hyundai Getz facelift
Hyundai Accent SR hot hatch concept
Jaguar XK - launch of the new production coupe
Jeep Commander
Jeep Patriot & Compass - concept cars
Kia Magentis - all-new big saloon
Kia Multi-S concept MPV
Lamborghini Gallardo SE - public viewing of the two-tone Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder - world debut
Lexus SC430 facelift
Lexus GS450h hybrid debut
Mazda Sassou concept car
Mazda2 facelift
Mazda MX-Crossport
Mazda Sassou concept car
Mercedes-Benz R 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz S-class - first public outing for the new luxury saloon
Mitsubishi Concept Sportback - crossover concept
Nissan Note
Nissan Micra C+C
Peugeot 407 Coupe - debut of the production version
Peugeot 20Cup show car
Porsche Cayman S - first public outing for the Boxster-based coupe
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 - first public viewing of the wider four-wheel drive 997
Renault Egeus - oddly-named luxury SUV concept car
Renault Clio RenaultSport concept - a preview for what is to come for the new Clio
Rolls-Royce Phantom LWB
Saab 9-5 replacement
Suzuki Grand Vitara - world debut for Suzuki's neat new SUV
Toyota Yaris replacement
Toyota RAV4 replacement
Toyota Endo concept car
Vauxhall Astra TwinTop - debut for new folding hardtop Astra
Vauxhall Vectra - new facelifted model including 160mph VXR version
Vauxhall / Opel Antara GTC SUV concept
Volkswagen Eos - world debut of a new coupe cabriolet
Volkswagen Golf R32 - four-wheel drive, V6-engined superhatch
Volkswagen Passat Estate debut
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Golf GT
Volkswagen Beetle facelift
Volvo C70 - unveiling of Volvo's new folding hardtop
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2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Aston Martin's long-awaited V8 Vantage is now available to buy. The production version was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
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| Audi |
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2006 Audi Q7
The new Audi Q7 is an eagerly awaited rival to BMW's X5. It will be revealed in Frankfurt next week.
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2006 Audi Q7 (preview)
In a novel move to publicise the huge development task behind Audi's first proper off-roader, the German company has actually released images of disguised prototypes under test in various harsh environments. Looks like the spy photographers are going to be out of a job! Expect to see the production version of the new Audi Q7 at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales starting early in 2006.
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2005 Audi A4 Cabriolet
Audi will show the revamped A4 Cabriolet at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We have the details.
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| BMW |
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2006 BMW 320si WTCC
BMW's WTCC car debuted in Frankfurt and will spawn a special edition showroom model.
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2005 BMW Z4 Coupe Concept
The Z4 Coupe was an unexpected bonus to our visit to the Frankfurt Show. Though billed as a concept car, it is virtually guaranteed to make production.
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2005 BMW 650i, 550i, 540i, 730Ld, X3 2.0i, X3 3.0d (news)
This week we have yet more new BMWs to drool over, including 550i, 650i and 730Ld. The cars will get their show debut in Frankfurt.
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| Cadillac |
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2006 Cadillac BLS
Cadillac's BLS marks a mainstream European onslaught from the American car maker. The production version debuts in Frankfurt.
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| Citroen |
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2005 Citroen C-SportLounge concept car
The C-SportLounge concept car previews the next generation of Citroen MPVs. Looks good.
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| Daihatsu |
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2005 Daihatsu D-Compact concept
D-Compact previews Daihatsu Terios replacement in Frankfurt. Mini RAV4 anyone?
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2005 Daihatsu HVS concept
The HVS looks good and uses green technology to enhance the driving experience. Want to know more?
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| Fenomenon |
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2005 Fenomenon Stratos concept
Prodrive are now embarking on a production feasibility study for the Fenomenon Stratos. The car was displayed at Frankfurt in Alitalia colours.
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| Ferrari |
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2006 Ferrari F430 Challenge
We took a good look around Ferrari's new F430 Challenge race car in Frankfurt.
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| Fiat |
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2006 Fiat Grande Punto
Fiat has revealed images of its new Grande Punto, due for launch in the UK next year.
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| Ford |
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2006 Ford Galaxy
Ford revealed its new Galaxy MPV in Frankfurt. We were there.
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2005 Ford iosis concept car
This is Ford's iosis show car. It won't make production, but it bodes well for future Fords.
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| Honda |
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2006 Honda Civic
This is the new Honda Civic. Different, isn't it? The three-door version debuts in Frankfurt. Where's the Type-R?
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| Hyundai |
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2005 Hyundai Accent SR concept
Hyundai displayed the Accent SR in Frankfurt, previewing the next Accent hatchback, and possibly Hyundai's first proper hot hatch.
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| Jaguar |
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2006 Jaguar XK
Jaguar's new XK promises to be much more sporting than the outgoing car, yet retains its elegance. The production car debuts at the Frankfurt Show.
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2006 Jaguar XK (sneak preview)
Months before it was due to be unveiled to the public, we have scoop photographs of Jaguar's fantastic new XK sportscar.
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| Kia |
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2005 Kia Multi-S concept
The Multi-S is a new breed of sporty MPV accoridng to Kia, though probably not pointing to a new production model. The show car was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
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| Lamborghini |
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2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
Lamborghini's desirable new Gallardo Spyder was revealed at the Frankfurt Show. We were there to drool all over the paintwork.
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2005 Lamborghini Gallardo SE
This two-tone wonder is the Lamborghini Gallardo Special Edition. It is so much more than just a paint job though...
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| Mazda |
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2005 Mazda Sassou concept
Mazda will show the Sassou concept car in Frankfurt - a preview for the next generation of city cars.
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| Mercedes-Benz |
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2006 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG
Mercedes will reveal the preposterous ML 63 AMG at Frankfurt complete with a 510bhp V8 engine. What is happening to the world?
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2005 Mercedes-Benz S-class
Frankfurt 2005 will see the first public viewing of the sharp new S-class Mercedes-Benz. First details online now.
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| MINI |
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2005 MINI Concept Frankfurt
Mini surprised the hoards in Frankfurt with this concept car, though dig a little deeper and you'll discover a lot more than a mere show car.
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| Mitsubishi |
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2005 Mitsubishi Concept Sportback (image gallery)
Mitsubishi displayed the Concept Sportback at the Frankfurt Motor Show, previewing a new generation of sporty Mitsubishis. Click on the image to access the full gallery of images.
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2005 Mitsubishi Concept Sportback (preview)
Mitsubishi will reveal the Concept Sportback at the Frankfurt Show - the next Evo?
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| Nissan |
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2006 Nissan Note
The new Nissan Note debuts in Frankfurt, to sit above the Micra supermini, rivalling cars such as the Fiat Grande Punto and VW Polo.
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| Peugeot |
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2006 Peugeot 407 Coupé
The new Peugeot 407 Coupe actually looks better than the Prologue version previewing it at the Geneva Motor Show this year.
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2005 Peugeot 20Cup concept
This wacky creation is Peugeot's latest concept car, called the 20Cup. We think it holds clues to the forthcoming Peugeot 207.
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| Porsche |
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2006 Porsche Cayman S (image gallery)
The Porsche Cayman S drew one of the biggest crowds at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. We were there to bring you some of the car's first public photographs.
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2005 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
The new Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet goes on sale in October.
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2005 Porsche Cayman
The teasing has started already. We know that the Boxster coupe will be called the Cayman, and is likely to be unveiled at Frankfurt in September.
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| Renault |
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