Frankfurt Motor Show 2007: International Motor Show (IAA)

By Feann Torr - 12/September/2007

Frankfurt, Germany — It happens once every year in September, and it always delivers the goods. No, I'm not talking about the Aussie Rules Grand Final, but the Frankfurt Motor Show, or the International Motor Show (or IAA) as it's organisers would like us to call it.

The IAA is an automotive pandoras box. Once it opens, the vehicular wonders that emerge will captivate the globe for quite some time, and have a huge influence on new car designs and innovations in the years following. It's like the Geneva Motor Show, only in Germany. Which makes it very important for brands like Audi, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen.

It's the largest motor show on the planet, and quite probably the largest motor show in the universe at that. The sheer amount of cash that gets sunk into these motor shows is enough to make a merchant banker blush - the lights, the stage shows, and even and some of the concept cars that are designed, researched, and then developed are specifically made for this event.

We've already seen Bryan Adams play a tribute in front of the new Audi A4 on the opening media day, who must have been paid a fat wad of cash to say "Audi and the four rings prove that they belong in the top segment in the automotive industry." They sure do, Mr Adams, they sure do.

This page will provide an easy access point to all our updates from the German auto show, so you'll find everything here from Ford's trendy new Kuga compact AWD, to Lamborghini's jaw dropping Reventon, and BMW's all-new trend-setting X6. And how about the new Mazda6 too? Very nice. 

We'll be updating this page and the individual articles regularly, so check back when you can.

I'd love to sit and chat some more about the pros and cons of the world's biggest motor show, but I've got German drinking etiquette procedures to follow and frankfurter rindswurst vendors to impress with my Web Wombat business cards. Enjoy the coverage, and we'll start with the Germans, because it is their home town event after all:

• Audi
  

  Audi A4: It looks like the previous A4, but is actually entirely new for 2008. And Bryan Adams loves it.
  Audi RS6: Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW have been trumped by this twin turbo V10. It's got a lot of power.

• BMW

  BMW Concept X6: Sporty sibling to the BMW X5, it is the worlds first Sports Activity Coupé. It also looks a bit weird.
  BMW 1-series Coupe: It's compact, but it's got plenty of style. Could be a massive hit for the Bavarians.

• Mercedes-Benz

  Mercedes-Benz F 700: This car has been styled to look like a fish. It also uses a very exciting new combustion engine design.
  Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate: It's just as quick as the Audi RS6 Avant, but costs less. I know which one I'd buy...
  Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate: Merc has launched the wagon version of its new C-Class, and it looks good.

• Volkswagen

  Volkswagen Up!: The only way is up for this Toyota Yaris rival. Has VW hit the nail on the head? Time will tell.
  Volkswagen Tiguan: Volkswagen's new compact AWD will give the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 a real headache.

Now here's the rest of the world's car makers, including exotic marques such Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Ferrari, and the not so exotic brands like Ford, Dodge, Honda, and Kia.

• Aston Martin

  Aston Martin DBS: It's no Ferrari killer, but it is one of the sexiest cars in existence.

• Bugatti
  

  Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang: Bugatti will build 300 of these ultra cars, capable of eclipsing 400km/h. Though the 8.0-litre engine remains unchanged, the body is made of carbon fibre and buffed aluminium, giving the car a precious appearance.

• Chevrolet

  Chevrolet Aveo: This improving small car is also called the Daewoo Kalos in some regions, and goes by the name of the Holden Barina in Australia.

• Citroën

  Citroën C-Cactus: Stupid name, good intentions. Citroën is on the right track with this new 'green' car.
  Citroën C5 Airscape: The new C5 convertible? Yes indeed, and it's one of the French company's best looking designs. A real keeper.

• Dodge

  Dodge Journey: This promising 7-seat crossover SUV eschews Dodge's traditional designs for a more European feel. 

• Ford

  Ford Focus: The new 2008 Ford Focus is still some time away from Australian shores, but it looks very trendy. The new Focus also marks the first Ford product to be paired with the 6-speed PowerShift dual clutch transmission.
  Ford Kuga: One of the most interesting models from Ford in a long time, this crossover SUV could dethrone all other compact AWDs.
  Ford Verve Concept: Ford's next generation Fiesta will based on the Verve design. It's attractive, but has it gone too upmarket?

• Ferrari

  Ferrari F430 Scuderia: Ferrari's track-biased exotic sports car based on the F430, it's the spiritual successor to the 360 Modena Stradale. Very hot.

• Honda

  Honda Accord Tourer Concept: Honda's dominating Accord Euro will be offered in a wagon next year, and this is the first look at the all new model. It's wider and lower and far more sporty.

• Hyundai

  Hyundai i-Blue: This hydrogen-powered concept has zero carbon emissions, and shows off a new 'people mover' design.

• Jaguar

  Jaguar XF: Jaguar's all-new XF will compete with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. But will it succeed? Yeah. Sure, why not.

• Kia

  Kia Sports Coupe Concept: This trendy 2+2 seater sports car will be the blueprint for all future Kia models.

• Lamborghini

  Lamborghini Reventon: This is the biggest baddest Lambo ever built. It's got a gnarly design and only 20 will be built. Ebay bids await.

• Maserati

  Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S: The Italian marque has decided to build a performance version of its large cruiser. We're not sure why.

• Mazda
  

  Mazda6: The all-new 2008 Mazda6 is one of the coolest cars at the show. It looks amazing, and could arrive down under next year.

• Mini

  Mini Clubman: The 'wagon' version of the Mini with lots of cool features. Another sure-fire hit for the Mini brand.

• Mitsubishi

  Mitsubishi Concept-cX: A high riding compact car not unlike Suzuki's SX4. Looks a bit odd.

• Nissan

  Mixim Concept Car: It sounds like a disease, but it's actually a concept car. A very cool concept car at that.

• General Motors (Opel)

  Opel Flextreme Concept: You plug it in, it takes 3 hours to charge, then you drive it for 55km.

• Peugeot

  Peugeot 308 RC Z: It's the French Audi TT. Tres chic! And it could be a smash hit if the price is right.
  Peugeot 308: Offered in both wagon and hatch hybrid diesel variants, the new 308 will make Peugeot rich.
  Peugeot Flux Concept: A very surreal concept car designed by a competition winner.

• Renault
  

  Renault Laguna Coupe Concept: Nicknamed the French 350Z, this new car will be front-wheel drive and has a stylish design.
  Renault Laguna III: The new 2008 model Laguna is kickin' it in Frankfurt. A big improvement on the last design.

• Saab
  

  Saab Turbo X: Saab's new sports car looks like the real deal. It's got 4WD, a boosted V6 turbo, and the tri-spoke Viking alloy wheels are back.

• Seat

  Tribu Concept: It looks kind of dorky, but it's essentially a concept that previews the future of Seat's design direction.

• Škoda

  Škoda Fabia Combi: With Škoda launching in Australia this year, it'll be interesting to see how this one is received.

• Subaru

  Subaru WRC Concept: No WRX STI. Yet. But this World Rally Car concept does provide a few hints.

• Suzuki

  Suzuki Kizashi: This new concept car represents Suzuki's first foray into the mid sized car segment. It will rival the Mazda6.
  SX4 WRC: Suzuki is keen to make it's mark on the World Rally Championships, and the SX4 gets a marketing boost at the same time.
  Splash: Suzuki is keen to make it's mark on the World Rally Championships, and the SX4 gets a marketing boost at the same time.

• Toyota

  Toyota iQ Concept: Another microscopic concept from Toyota. Where's the flamin' Supra?

• Volvo

  Volvo ReCharge Concept: You plug it into the wall socket, charge it, then drive it. This type of car is not too far away from production, which is quite exciting.