In my role at the helm of THE COLLECTION, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world and visit all of the major automotive shows. But, the Frankfurt Motor Show is by far my favorite and the most spectacular show on the planet.
The highly anticipated 66th Annual Frankfurt Motor Show opens its doors on Thursday, September 17th and comes to a close on Sunday, September 27th. Each year the experience in Frankfurt is unforgettable and I had the opportunity to experience it first-hand in advance of the public opening on the September 15th press day.
Born in 1897, the Frankfurt Motor Show is hailed as the largest international motor show in existence. Here, a barrage of world premieres (think production unveilings, fresh concept cars, building innovations and more) are released for driving enthusiasts around the globe.
As I took in the day’s press conferences and perused the many manufacturers who have released their latest concepts, our own brands Audi, Porsche, Ferrari and Jaguar turned heads with their advances toward the future.
2016 AUDI S4
The 2016 Audi S4 packs more power under the hood from its new 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine with 354 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque which is up 21 hp and 43 lb-ft from the previous supercharged V6 engine. The S4 has Quattro all-wheel drive as standard.
In combination with a lighter curb weight of 3,593 lbs, the extra power makes for quoted performance numbers of 4.7 seconds from 0-62 mph and a top speed of 155 mph. The new chassis improvements include a 0.9 inch lower ride height than the A4 and a sport-tuned suspension, while options like a sport differential, variable steering, and adaptive dampers further improve the S4’s handling prowess.
AUDI E-TRON QUATTRO
The all-electric sport SUV turned heads as it was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The soon to be named Q6 is 192.1 inches long and 76.0 inches wide, which makes it size between the Q5 and the Q7, although, at 60.6 inches tall, it sits significantly lower than both of those models. With a coupe-like roofline, an octagonal grille, and futuristic lighting elements that use OLED and laser technology, the concept moves the needle forward for Audi design.
The grille’s five bright horizontal strips represent a new design signifier for Audi’s E-tron cars that will be shared with other future electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-fueled cars.
The E-tron Quattro will feature three electric motors — one on the front axle and two on the rear. The large lithium-ion battery is positioned between the axles and below the four-seat passenger compartment, giving the car a low center of gravity for balanced handling and stability.
PORSCHE 911 CARRERA AND CARRERA S
For generations, the 911 has remained an icon in sports driving. With the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S, now every 911 is a 911 turbo of sorts. The 2017 Carrera and Carrera S will feature three-liter, turbocharged flat-six engines. The engines will boast 370 and 420 horsepower, increasing speed and 12% improved fuel economy compared to its predecessor.
From an outside point of view, the new 911 gets a handful of exterior cosmetic upgrades to mark its overhaul. Up front, the most obvious change is the headlights, which include “four-point” DRLs. In the profile, drivers will find integrated door handle recesses. Out back, there is an all-new rear deck with vertical louvers and revised rear lighting.
The biggest interior revision in the 2017 911 is the infotainment package. The larger screen offers expanded technology and new connectivity options, including online navigation services and a multi-touch screen.
PORSCHE MISSION E CONCEPT
Known as the Mission E, the newest concept is Porsche’s take on a pure electric four-passenger sedan. The Mission E features an 800-volt drive system, or double that of a typical electric vehicle, enabling better packaging and greater overall performance. Porsche says the 600 horsepower system can rocket the Mission E from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds.
The Mission E is powered by a pair of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) that are similar to the ones that were used in the Le Mans-winning 919 hybrid. Like the 919 racecar, the motors in the Mission E are capable of energy recuperation and developing full power even after multiple accelerations at short intervals.
The Mission E’s electric drive is backed up by a battery pack that can provide 310 miles of range. Thanks to its 800-volt charging system, which has cleverly been dubbed “Porsche Turbo Charging”, the Mission E can be charged to 80 percent of capacity, or a range of about 250 miles, in just 15 minutes.
On the styling front, the Mission E draws cues from the 918 Spyder as well as Porsche’s range of race cars. Up front, the Mission E sports Porsche’s signature four-point LED headlight design along with vertical vents that run down to the car’s lower bumper. In the profile, the Mission E takes on the form of a four-door coupe, with a long, sloping rear hatch mimicking the design found on the 911. The Mission E does not have a fixed B-pillar and utilizes counter-opening rear doors.
FERRARI 488 SPIDER
The newest Ferrari retractable hard top has just been revealed in Frankfurt. The folding hardtop is lightweight and keeps the noise and elements out. The hardtop retracts and unfolds in just 14 seconds and takes up just about 3.5 cubic feet, as opposed to nearly double that for a conventional hardtop. Using aluminum on the top and a simple folding mechanism, the Ferrari 488 Spider offers weight savings of about 88 pounds over a traditional hard top and about 55 pounds over a soft top.
The 448 Spider works with the same 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 engine as the coupe, making 660 hp at 8,000 rpm and 560 lb-ft of torque helping it travel from 0-62-mph in a sprint of 3 seconds and a blast to 124 mph in 8.7 seconds. Power is sent rearward through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to Ferrari’s Variable Torque Management system and then on to the wheels.
JAGUAR F-PACE
Jaguar’s first ever crossover will feature a 2.0 liter, turbodiesel four-cylinder engine which offers 180 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Also available is a 340 hp, 3.0-liter, supercharged V6 engine as well as a 380 hp version of that engine – along with a lot more equipment.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox for the two V6 models. Naturally, all-wheel drive will be on offer as rear-wheel drive come standard. Brake-based torque vectoring and adaptive dampers promise a leaper-worthy handling character, while wheel sizes vary from 18 to 22-inch wheels.
The body of the F-PACE is mostly aluminum, although there is some high-strength steel, and even a bit of magnesium and composite material, all of which contributes to a torsional rigidity on par with the lower-riding XF sedan.
The 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show has been one of the best yet. The progression for each of our manufacturers is entirely toward the future. With new models and new concept cars, I cannot wait for them to arrive in our dealership.
Stay tuned and read my blog daily for up-to-the-minute info on our latest models. Until then, call us at 305-444-5555 or visit us at 200 Bird Road in Coral Gables.
