Frankfurt Auto Show 2017: Preview

Munich may be bursting at its seams with tipsy tourists celebrating the Oktoberfest, but in Frankfurt, it’s the auto show that’s drawing crowds from across the globe this month. The International Auto Show at Frankfurt is one of the most prestigious motor shows across the world. The 2017 edition is going to commence next week and it is going nothing less than a carnival of some exotic, some mainstream and some quirky cars strutting their stuff. Some of these cars are important for us Indians because somewhere down the line, they will land on our shores. Here is a rundown on all the cars that we know will be present at the Frankfurt International Auto Show.

Volkswagen Polo

The all-new Volkswagen Polo has already been revealed but the car is yet to make its public debut which will be in Frankfurt. We will get an opportunity to get up close with the new Polo. Stay tuned.

Volkswagen T-Roc

The Volkswagen T-Roc is a compact crossover SUV and is expected to go on sale in the European market soon. It is a competitor to Skoda Karoq and Hyundai Tucson and sits below the Tiguan in VW’s international portfolio.

Volkswagen ID Cross 

After the Diesel-gate, VW has put all its force behind the electric range marked by the ID series of concepts. The ID Cross is expected to be the first of these to go into production and the updated concept will be showcased at Frankfurt. 

Volkswagen Amarok Aventura concept 

The Volkswagen Amarok is a massive luxury truck, the one that will compete against the Ford F150s in America. We are a hundred per cent sure that Volkswagen will not bring anything like this to India for at least a couple of decades.

Audi A8

The 2018 Audi A8 had made its debut some time ago and will go into production early next year. It also marked the debut of Audi’s autonomous driving program and it will make it to India as the A8 here is a CBU.

Audi Q8 

The Audi Q8 is being readied as the BMW X6 competitor and is a five-seater coupe-SUV. We have seen quite a few renderings and might be able to see a working prototype soon. 

Audi Q5

The new generation Audi Q5 is in the works and especially after the all-new Q7, all eyes are on this mid-size luxury SUV. We have the Q5 here in India and we are sure of the car coming here soon after its global debut.

BMW 6 Series GT

The 6 Series GT has been built to replace the 5 GT, possibly laying the foundation of a new identity for the 6 Series in the future. Looking at the success of the 3 GT in India, BMW might be tempted to bring back the 5 GT successor.

BMW X7

The BMW X7 concept is expected to show up at Frankfurt and we are waiting. Because not only will it be the biggest BMW SUV, it will be the true-blue Mercedes GLS competitor and will certainly come to India.

BMW X3 

The new generation X3 has made its global debut and while it might look similar to the current car, it is all-new underneath. This one is coming to India as well so stay tuned for its latest pictures straight from Frankfurt. 

BMW M8 GTE

BMW is building the 8 Series, a spiritual successor of the 6 Series, and it will make its public debut at Frankfurt. While the concept gives us an idea of the production car, the M8 GTE is the alive and kicking race-version of the 8 Series.

Mini Cooper Electric

While the BMW i3 and i8 Spyder will also be there, the Mini Electric will be one of the biggest attractions at the BMW stall. Especially when the teaser image looks like this.

Honda Jazz facelift

The new Honda Jazz has been around in India for almost three years now and is due for a facelift. And this is what we think it will look like. We agree it is not radically different, but it does give it a fresh look. 

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is a sub-four metre SUV, expected to make its Indian debut in a short while. We look forward to seeing the car in person at Frankfurt and gauge how it would fare in India.

Porsche Cayenne

The all-new Porsche Cayenne has been revealed on the internet and we are still looking at the current and the new cars to spot the differences. May be you could help us when we get the real photographs of the new car from Frankfurt.

Jaguar E-Pace

The Jaguar E-Pace arrived with a drum-roll, performing a world record stunt at its launch. Slated to be positioned below the F-Pace, the Evoque-based SUV will certainly drive to India later this year. 

Maruti Suzuki Swift Sport

While we expected the Maruti Swift to arrive this year, it seems to be have been deferred to the Auto Expo in 2018. But at Frankfurt, we will get to see the all-new Swift and its sportier avatar as well.

Mercedes-Benz S-class Facelift

The Mercedes S-Class has received its mid-life update globally and the car is expected to arrive in India later this year. It gets some nips and tucks on the outside as well as inside.

Mercedes-Benz A sedan concept

Mercedes had teased the A-Class sedan concept earlier this year and the production version might be the new CLA. Or, it might become an entry-level offering sitting under the CLA. 

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

The Mercedes G-Wagon is iconic and the icon is being revamped. The all-new G-Wagon is expected to debut at Frankfurt and from the spy-shots it is expected to carry forward the legacy. 

Mercedes EQ Hatchback

The Mercedes EQ series encompasses the new electric portfolio from the three-pointed star. After the debut of the SUV, it is time for the hatchback to make its presence felt at Frankfurt.

Honda CR-V Hybrid

Honda has also been beefing up its electric/hybrid line-up and one of these new cars is the CR-V Hybrid. After the Accord Hybrid debacle in India, we are not sure if the CR-V will ever make it here.

Renault Megane RS

The Megane RS is the VW Golf-rivalling hot hatchback from the French carmaker, Renault. It might get an all-new 2.0-litre petrol pumping close to 300bhp of power and we can’t wait to see it.

Jaguar XE SVR

Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations has laid its hands upon its smallest sedan, the XE. Taking cues from the Project 8, it will house the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 and pack loads of performance under the hood.

Maserati GT

The Maserati GT has been updated and it looks more ravishing than ever. It will make its formal debut at Frankfurt.

Ferrari Portofino

Ferrari’s latest V8 GT made its debut a couple of weeks ago and it is surprising that they managed to keep it under the wraps all this time. It will certainly make its public debut at Frankfurt along with a bunch of one-offs from Ferrari’s repertoire.

AMG Project One

Mercedes-AMG partnered with RedBull Racing’s Adrian Newey for its most ambitious project yet. With the teasers already out, the Project One will certainly be one of the showstoppers at Frankfurt.

Bentley Continental GT 

The Continental GT has been one of Bentley’s most successful cars and its third iteration will debut at Frankfurt on 12 September. It has been inspired by the Speed 6 concept and looks much leaner and meaner than ever before. 

McLaren 720S 

The first batch of the McLaren 720S has been delivered globally and surprisingly, one of them has already come to India. The sportier version of the 720 will certainly be a car to look out for at Frankfurt.