The Frankfurt Motor Show (Germany), which opens this week, will play host to many launches in the crossover and SUV category as automakers push the boundaries of this category.
IHS Automotive perspective | |
Significance | The Frankfurt Motor Show (Germany), which opens this week, will play host to many new model launches and concept reveals in the crossover and SUV category with the latest news suggesting that this will include VW, SEAT, Nissan and Borgward. |
Implications | While traditional SUVs and crossovers remain popular, some automakers are also seeking to push the boundaries, whether in design or price point. |
Outlook | With continued consumer interest in this type of vehicle and OEMs more than willing to meet it, IHS Automotive expects demand in West and Central Europe to hit 4.3 million units by the end of the decade, while global sales will hit 27 million units during the same timeframe. |
The Frankfurt Motor Show (Germany), which opens this week, will play host to many launches in the crossover and sport utility vehicle (SUV) category. Among the latest reports of models and concepts that will be introduced at the event will be the replacement for Volkswagen's (VW) C SUV Tiguan. Having been revealed in production form at Frankfurt eight years ago, it will undergo a complete model cycle change. According to Autocar the vehicle will come initially as a five-seater with a standard wheelbase, although this will be followed by a long-wheelbase seven-seater to be revealed in 2016 and a five-seater coupé body style that will be shown off in 2017. The latest generation of the Tiguan will be the next vehicle in the VW Group's line-up to be underpinned by the OEM's MQB architecture, which is said to help make it slightly lighter, as well as offering greater versatility with opportunities for greater boot space and towing capacity. Powertrains are set to include a turbocharged gasoline (petrol) and diesel engines, which will be joined by a plug-in hybrid powertrain GTE model variant that is thought to provide an electric range of up to 31 miles, from battery power alone, although it can also be combined with a 1.4-litre gasoline engine.
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SEAT Leon Cross Sport Show Car sketch |
Elsewhere within the VW Group, the SEAT brand will also unveil the Leon Cross Sport Show Car. While the automaker has released renderings of this vehicle, it has given little else away, only saying that it "matches the Brand perfectly with its performance, dynamic Design and Crossover attitude and the urban lifestyle of our young spirited customers." However, the three door hatchback appears to combine the looks of its high performance Cupra range with that of its X-Perience line-up. It is likely that SEAT will be exploring its plans for a new SUV with this concept, as well as how far it can push the performance envelope in the mainstream.
Another automaker looking at the possibility of a more sports orientated crossover is Nissan which will use Frankfurt to reveal the Gripz Concept. It is thought that the Japanese automaker is exploring new ways of replacing its traditional rear-wheel drive Z coupé and convertible sports car. The automaker has said in a statement that it has taken inspiration from variants of the classic Nissan 240Z sports car that were used as rally cars in the early 1970s, as well as "the sleek two-wheel world of road cycling." It added that the concept was "conceived to create an innovative new driving sensation."
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Nissan Gripz concept |
Furthermore, the resurrection of the previously defunct Borgward brand will be underpinned by the launch of a new SUV, reports Autocar. The BX7 will make its public debut at the event, with sales beginning in China during early 2016 followed by Europe at a later date. The brand will focus on the premium end of the market, and features a prominent grille combined with a sloping rear roofline. Reports also suggest that the main engine will be a 221-bhp 2.0-litre gasoline (petrol) turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while a plug-in hybrid variant will have a combined power output of 296 bhp and be capable of travelling up to 34 miles on battery power alone. It is also anticipated to feature a double clutch transmission (DCT) and four-wheel drive. The automaker is said to have placed a great emphasis on in car connectivity. The SUV is expected to be followed by a "luxurious, inventive and bold" model at the Geneva Motor Show (Switzerland) in March next year.
Outlook and implications
These latest reports and announcements are really the tip of the iceberg with regards to the wide variety of crossovers and SUVs that are going to be launched. While VW will be one of a number of automakers using the event to reveal replacement models in this category - such as BMW with its X1 and Kia and the Sportage - many more are seeking to tap into the groundswell of momentum with new entries. This includes Jaguar and its F-Pace and Bentley's Bentayga. While neither brand has any sort of tradition of building such vehicles, both appear to have been developed to be exceptionally sympathetic towards consumer expectations. For Jaguar, this will be generating a balance between graceful design, strong pace and driving dynamics, combined with greater space to attract more family-type customers. Bentley on the other hand is looking to offer the same levels of luxury that are found in the likes of the Flying Spur, combined with strong off-road abilities. In addition, Ford will use the event to make a further push upmarket in Europe with the launch of the Edge, while Audi will unveil the e-tron quattro concept crossover which is not only intended as a precursor to a more sporting crossover but also a high-technology electric powertrain.
With the continued consumer interest in this type of vehicle in both Europe and globally, it comes as no surprise then OEMs remain keen to fulfil this demand. Registrations of all types of SUVs in West and Central Europe have grown from just under 1.1 million units during 2005 to a little over 2.7 million units during 2014. During the same period, global demand has jumped from 7.8 million units to almost 18.7 million units. IHS Automotive expects this growth to continue, supported by new launches. In West and Central Europe, we forecast that registrations will hit over 3.1 million units before going on to hit over 4.3 million units by the end of the decade, while global sales are expected to reach around 21 million units during 2015 before growing towards 27 million units by 2020.
Related links
- Germany: 11 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Chinese backing revives Borgward brand with new SUV
- Germany: 10 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Ford to reveal European specification Edge, updated Ecosport and Kuga
- Germany: 9 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Bentley, Rolls-Royce reveal new luxury models
- Germany: 8 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Something for everyone at the IAA as German premiums flex their muscles
- Germany: 3 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: BMW adds PHEVs to impressive array of IAA debutants
- Germany: 3 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Citroën releases details of Cactus M concept
- World - Japan - Germany: 1 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Mazda's new "Koeru" SUV concept to be named CX-4 – report
- Germany: 1 September 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: PSA to reveal Peugeot Fractal concept, DS4 facelift
- Germany - South Korea: 27 August 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Kia reveals more details of next-generation Sportage SUV
- Germany: 20 August 2015: Frankfurt Motor Show 2015: Audi's e-tron quattro concept an important signpost for brand's future