The premiums are well represented at Frankfurt with key new model launches but there are some novel new concepts and production models from mid-market players too.
IHS Automotive perspective | |
Significance | There will be something for all consumer tastes and budgets at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show from the launch of a major mass market European C-segment contender in the form of the new Renault Mégane and a host of high end premium models such as the Bentley Bentayga and Jaguar F-Pace SUVs and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class cabriolet. |
Implications | However, while there is a host of less lauded prosaic models on show there is also a genuine ongoing trend for range expansion in premium and ultra-premium OEMs as new markets and segments open for these companies on a global basis. In addition the show is always an opportunity for the German OEMs, especially the premium brands, to flex their muscles in a show of corporate one-upmanship, with Audi this year constructing an entire temporary building for its display. |
Outlook | In a wider trend, the industry is continuing its move towards higher in-car connectivity and functionality in relatively mainstream models and electromobility and SUVs, and a combination of both vehicle types are going to be increasingly common in the future. The fact that arguably the most important vehicle launch of the last quarter, the Tesla Model X, is not at Frankfurt might also point to a shift in importance of the motor show as a marketing too. |
The press days of the 66th IAA Frankfurt Motor show will get under way a week from today as the industry gathers for its bi-annual show in that powerhouse of the European automotive industry, Germany. As usual, the German OEMs will jump at the
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Audi e-tron quattro concept |
opportunity at showing off their wares in the grandest setting possible in an effort to one-up their rivals and neighbours, with BMW's stand boasting the biggest ever motor show test track and Audi going as far as putting together its own temporary building for the show. However, in amongst the battle for corporate bragging rights there are some serious and important new model launches.
Audi
The stars of Audi's impressive display at Frankfurt will be the all-new A4 production model and the firm's new e-tron quattro concept crossover. The latter is likely to be the precursor to the production Q6 model and will be a sleek and
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BMW X1 |
imposing SUV-crossover that will offer an ICE-like range of 310 miles. Audi will also show the important new D-segment A4. Despite an increase in size the A4's weight is down by up to 120 kg through the strategic use of strengthened steel and aluminium in the body structure, as well as various body panels such as the roof, although the styling appears conservative up against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
BMW
BMW is planning a raft of major new model launches at the Frankfurt Motor Show, including the all-new X1 SUV-C and the 7-Series, as well as all-new PHEV models that will be at the forefront of the
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Citroën Cactus M concept |
company's PHEV model assault with its mainstream model range. This will also include the PHEV variant of the new 7-Series, the 740e Xdrive. The two new PHEVs are the 225xe Active Tourer and 330e, featuring elements of the BMW eDrive technology that first debuted on the i3 EV and i8 PHEV sports car. Like these vehicles, eDrive allows the 225xe Active Tourer and 330e to be driven on electric power alone and allows high performance and strong driving dynamics which are part of BMW's traditional brand strengths.
Bentley
Bentley will launch its much anticipated Bentayga sport utility vehicle (SUV) at Frankfurt. Judging by pre-launch prototypes,
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Jaguar F-Pace |
the company's first SUV will have styling traits similar to the Continental and Flying Spur. The Bentayga will be a key introduction for the brand with global registrations expected to peak at almost 3,000 units per annum (upa) following its launch, and it will be a major profit generator for Bentley. Demand is already expected to be strong, with deposits having been taken from 4,000 customers.
Citroën
Citroën will show its C4 Cactus-based concept Cactus M, which draws its inspiration from the Mehari general purpose utility vehicle and features off-road looks. This includes more sculpted wheel arches, higher ride height and 19-inch
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Mercedes S-Class cabriolet |
wheels, while it now features only two plastic doors which include protective ridges. The cabin of the vehicle can be accessed by rear seat occupants through steps built into the flank. Rear occupants also benefit from a rollover hoop that can be used as a luggage carrying facility. The concept uses the automaker's PureTech 110 gasoline (petrol) engine with stop-start and a six-speed automated manual transmission. It also benefits from a Grip Control function to optimise traction.
Jaguar
Jaguar will launch its BMW-X4-sized F-Pace SUV in Germany. Jaguar has so far unveiled limited information about the
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Peugeot Fractal concept |
marque's first ever SUV but it will follow the XE and XF in being based on the same modular aluminium platform and it also features chassis underpinnings from the F-Pace sports car. The car's styling has been previewed and appears attractive, well balanced and reminiscent of the new XF. Jaguar is aiming for the model to have class-leading ride and handling abilities and includes elements such as a torque vectoring system.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz will show the new S-Class Cabriolet. The top of the range model will be the S 63 4Matic with a 5.5-litre V-8 biturbo powertrain which has a highly impressive 900Nm of peak torque. The range-topping model delivers this power through Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, which helps propel the model from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds. The other launch engine will be important launch will be the new C-Class coupé.
Peugeot
PSA will use the Frankfurt Motor Show to reveal the Peugeot brand's new Fractal concept car. It is a compact urban coupé
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Renault Mégane |
design that measures 3.81m long and 1.77m wide, with an overhang at the front and rear of just 0.52m to maximise space utilisation and improve manoeuvrability. It also features 19-inch "Tall&Narrow" wheels. For the interior, the car has Peugeot's i-Cockpit design, which uses a compact steering wheel, touchscreen and holographic head-up display (HUD). It also features a "9.1.2" sound system also developed that features tactile bass systems built into the back of each seat. Its powertrain combines a 30 kW/h battery with one 75kW electric motors for each of the two axles and offers a Combined Drive Cycle potential range of 280 miles.
Renault
In amongst all the high-end launches there is an important new model being launched in the ultra-competitive European C-segment market. Renault will show off the fourth generation of the new Mégane. The five-door hatchback variant that will be launched first is said to be 25mm lower at the front; a 28mm longer wheelbase; a 47-mm wider front and 39-mm wider rear track as well as shorter overhangs than the car it will replace giving it a sportier look. It also shares its design direction with the new Talisman sedan and estate that will be revealed at the same show. It will also be offered in an up-specification GT variant from launch.
Outlook and implications
The main spread of model launches at Frankfurt appears to be biased towards new premium and ultra-premium SUVs and a host of new electric concept and PHEV production launches. The high-end premium SUV is something that continues to gain traction wither in the form of the Bentayga and the F-Pace, as well as the e-tron Quattro concept. The first two of these model will offer electric or hybrid elements to their powertrain, while the latter will form the basis of an all-new production model which will debut in 2018, most likely with the Q6 nameplate. IHS Automotive currently forecasts that the Q6 will launch in late 2018 and will have strong initial success, with sales of over 40,000 units per annum by the end of the decade. However, it is also possibly true to say the most important new model launch of the last quarter of the year may not even be at the Frankfurt Show, with Tesla beginning deliveries of the Model X EV SUV at the end of this month. The Model X may not be important in terms of outright industry volumes but its successful roll-out will be a further indicator of Tesla becoming an ever more serious player, which will be confirmed if the company can deliver on the USD35,000 promise of the Model 3 sedan and its eventually target of 500,000 cars a year. The Q6 will be a rival to the Model X as well as probably to the new Mercedes-Benz EV model, which has been talked about by Daimler R&D boss Thomas Weber (see Germany: 4 September 2015: Mercedes-Benz developing EV with 500-km range - report). As well as these exciting high-end EVs there are other more prosaic model launches that will be the meat and drink of the volume Western European car market. One of these is the new Renault Mégane. The model looks sharply styled even if it does have more than a hint of the Mercedes-A-Class about it, and it will be a significant player in the European C segment, arguably the most competitive regional passenger car segment in the world. However, despite the impressive styling, IHS Automotive forecasts that the Mégane will actually sell fewer units at its peak volume than its predecessor and continues to lag behind segment leaders the VW Golf and the Ford Focus, reiterating the difficult environment the mid-market European OEMs continue to face in their home market.
Another feature of Frankfurt is the ever more impressive displays the German OEMs put on at their home shows. Audi is building a temporary three-storey building that will be an impressive demonstration of its technological prowess. The exhibition area inside the building will offer space for 33 automobiles and the temporary construction will also have nearly 700 square metres of "LED surfaces" and more than 200 kilometres of cabling. Meanwhile BMW will have its traditional feature of a live test track on which to run its cars, only this time it will be the longest one ever at 400 metres. The stand is also the biggest ever with floor space of more than 12,000 square metres. After a number of years in which the German premium OEMs have enjoyed unparalleled sales growth, the coffers are full and confidence levels are high – as, it seems, is the desire to one-up neighbours and closest competitors on home turf.