Frankfurt Motor Show 2017: Preview

This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show is expected to lack quantity, but is expected to deliver in quality with many manufacturers set to reveal their latest creations, Nevertheless, here is a look at some of the latest cars to hit the show stands this September.

Audi

Audi A8

Audi is expected to showcase their new generation of the A8 saloon which features ‘Level 3’ Autonomous driving technology. The car has been revealed and will only feature hybrid powertrains. The new Audi A8 is 37mm longer, 4mm narrower and 13mm taller than the outgoing model. The India spec A8L has a 130mm longer wheelbase which makes it 5,302mm long. An 8-speed automatic transmission and quattro AWD system will come standard on all versions. The public debut of the luxury saloon will take place at Frankfurt.

Audi A7

The Audi A7 Sportback, four-door coupe is also set to debut in Frankfurt. The latest A7 will have the underpinnings of what the next generation Audi A6 is expected to be based on. The A7 will be Audi’s response to the latest Porsche Panamera and the upcoming BMW 6-Series GT. The base A7 will most likely feature 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, while mid-range models could use six-cylinder diesel and petrol motors. However, it remains to be seen if Audi equips the A7 range with the 8-speed automatic or the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, though the quattro AWD will be offered as standard.

BMW

BMW M5

With the introduction of the latest generation BMW 5 Series, the brand new M5 is expected to be dropped soon. BMW has revealed that the new M5 will feature a rear biased all-wheel drive labelled as ‘M xDrive’ with the twin turbo V8 engine tuned to develop around 591bhp and 700Nm of torque. While BMW has been teasing with images and displays of the car draped in camouflage, the new M5 is expected to be officially revealed in Frankfurt.

BMW 6 Series GT

As a replacement for the old 5 Series GT, BMW will showcase the new 6 Series GT. Based on the new 5 Series, the 6 Series GT is a four-door coupe which will go against the Audi A7, Porsche Panamera. Powertrain options on the new 6 Series GT will include a 2.0-litre in-line 4 petrol or 3.0-litre in-line 6 petrol or diesel engines. As standard, an 8-speed automatic gearbox will be offered, while xDrive all-wheel drive would be an option. The new GT is expected to be launched in India in 2018.

Hyundai

Hyundai i30N

A while ago, Hyundai introduced their ‘N’ division who were put in charge of developing high-performance cars. Sort of like what ‘M’ is to BMW, or AMG is to Mercedes. Their first product is based on their large premium hatchback called the i30N. At the heart of the i30N is a 2.0-litre T-GDI turbocharged four-cylinder engine which powers the front wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission. As standard, the engine develops 247bhp, while an optional performance pack will allow it to churn out 271bhp making it outperform its direct rival, the Focus ST.

Jaguar

Jaguar E-Pace

Jaguar showcased their latest SUV with a bang when they revealed the E-Pace while performing a barrel jump. At Frankfurt, Jaguar will debut the car to the public and is slated to get 2.0-litre Ingenium range of petrol and diesel engines which have a power output range of 148bhp – 297bhp. The E-Pace will come with front wheel drive as standard, while Jaguar’s Active Driveline AWD will be offered in higher trims. The engines would be offered globally with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic gearbox. When the E-Pace arrives in India, only the automatic option is expected to be offered.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes Project One

To rival all other lightweight highly focused hypercars, Mercedes is expected to reveal their version which is called the Project One. Mercedes claims that the Project One will feature an F1 spec hybrid turbocharged V6 1,000bhp engine. The production of the Project One will be limited to just 275 examples.

Porsche

Porsche Cayenne

The third generation of the Porsche Cayenne will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Cayenne is expected to feature minor cosmetic updates and a brand new front grille. The new generation Cayenne will be lighter, however, will get the same engines offered with the current model. Certain technologies and design of the interior may also be lifted from the new Panamera.

Suzuki

Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Suzuki Swift will get an angrier brother with the Swift Sport scheduled to be revealed at Frankfurt. Currently, the only official information available on the little hot hatch is that it will get a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine which would churn out 138bhp. Further specs will only be revealed when the car is officially debuted.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen T-Roc SUV

Volkswagen’s smallest SUV yet, the T-Roc is expected to be revealed in its final production form. Based on the same platform as the Audi Q2, the T-Roc is expected to be powered by similar engine options – small displacement, turbo charged petrol and diesel engines. The T-Roc may be designed using Volkswagen's latest design language which was made its debut on the Arteon.

The Frankfurt Motor Show will open its gates on September 12, 2017, to host the 67th edition of the annual event.