Sep 9, 2009, 9:42 GMT
Frankfurt - Car makers are fighting the economic blues with a glitzy Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) September 17-27 and a flurry of flashy sports cars, microcars, hybrids and clean-drive vehicles.
While manufacturers of small economical cars have been given some respite by government subsidies to buyers of new cars, the premium sector is facing difficult times.
The car makers are trying to find a balancing act between serving the profitable company car and the SUV market while at the same time the average Joe in the street wants a smaller, cheaper and cleaner car.
Here are some of the highlights of the show in alphabetical order:
Alfa Romeo: The Alfa 149 is on show as a successor to the 147. The multi-air engines in the 120 to 270 hp range are some 25 per cent more economical that the predecessor models.
Audi: Promising to be a real looker is the R8 Spyder with a vinyl roof and an R8 concept car with an electric engine. The A5 Sportback celebrates its market debut. The mixture of coupe and Avant is the answer to BMW's 5-Series GT.
BMW: Apart from the 5-Series GT and the BMW XI the Bavarian manufacturer is showcasing the X6 Hybrid that promises emission-free driving up to a speed of 60 km/h. The 2.5 tonner is powered by a 407 hp engine supported by two electric motors.
Ferrari: The Ferrari F458 Italia is making its debut as the successor to the F430 with a significant performance boost of the V8 engine from 490 to 570 hp. It probably takes the cup for the fuel-guzzling champion of the show with a carbon dioxide emission figure of 320 grammes per kilometre.
Mazda: The Mazda RX-8 is making its European debut with several design modifications and a more efficient Wankel engine boosting performance and improving consumption. The facelift of the Crossover CX-7 is making its European debut.
Melkus: The dashing new gullwing Melkus RS2000, manufactured by hand by an east German manufacturer, is based on the only real communist sports car - the RS1000 once built by the East German racing legend Heinz Melkus.
Mercedes: The fifth generation of the Estate in the new E-Class family comes with several new load compartment features and technical innovations. But the real star is the SLS AMG, alluding to the legendary 1954 gullwing model. It is powered by a 6.3 litre power package with an output of 571 hp and a zero to 100 km/h sprint of just 3.8 seconds. The price tag: 165,000 euros (233,000 dollars).
Opel: Possibly under new ownership, Opel is hoping for a new start at the Frankfurt Show in highlighting the European version of the electric-drive Chevy Volt, the Ampera. The new Astra is the Opel challenger to the VW Golf that needs to be a sales hit if Opel wants to survive the coming years.
Peugeot: The French manufacturer is showcasing in Frankfurt a concept study of the 3008 Hybrid4. A two-litre diesel engine with an output of 163 hp is supported by a 27 kW/37 hp electric engine. Serial production is planned for 2011. Peugeot lists the average consumption at 3.8 litres with a carbon dioxide emission figure of 99 grammes per kilometre. A production version of the Peugeot 308 RCZ sports car is set to be unveiled.
Porsche: Will the new four-door Panamera save Porsche? That is the question many are asking as the car celebrates its debut. The sports car maker is also highlighting a new version of the Porsche 911 Turbo with a more powerful and economical engine.
Seat: Seat is presenting the sporty Leon Cupra R powered by the Audi S3 turbocharged 265 hp engine.
Trabant: The former East German communist motoring icon, the Trabant, is celebrating a comeback as an electric vehicle with plans for a market launch in 2012. At the 2007 Frankfurt Show the new Trabi was first showcased as a miniature by the model manufacturer Herpa.
Volkswagen: There is much speculation that VW will present in Frankfurt a small car with a fuel consumption of just one litre per 100 kilometres. A four-wheel drive version of the Golf GTI, the Golf R, is likely to make its debut. VW is also giving the VW T5 van a makeover with the front design of the Golf V1. On the other end of the concern's model spectrum Bentley is presenting the Grand Bentley to mark the 100th birthday of the premium luxury vehicle.
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