With Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen playing up to the home crowd, it's always a full agenda when the auto show circus comes to Frankfurt every two years.
After two days spent tromping around the largest auto show in the world, here are six production and concept cars that, as a driving enthusiast, you might want to start saving up your pennies for:
- Jaguar XK
Quick to dispel the notion that this is merely a re-clothed Aston Martin DB9, Jaguar wants you to look hard, really hard, at the traditional Jag touches such as the aluminum interior bits, the front hood's power bulge, the hatchback and the quintessential oval grille that's been on Jag two-seaters since the Queen was in her nappies.
Design context aside, what you need to know is that
the next-generation XK combines the same rigid aluminum structure as the latest XJ sedan and a 300-horsepower, 4.2-litre V-8 that springs this cat to 100 kilometres an hour in 5.9 seconds, topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h. Spring '06 estimated price is $100,000.
- BMW Z4 Coupe Concept
Scrap the "concept" tag, this is a keeper. With the cult-like status given to the original Z3 M Coupe, all it took was rival Porsche to unveil its two-seater coupe (see Cayman below), et voila! Out back, there's a bit more luggage space with the hatch configuration. Up front, a 260-h.p., 3.0-L in-line six-cylinder engine will initially be on tap. Expect the inevitable M version with a 360-h.p. take on the current M3's mill to follow. Summer '06 estimated price is $65,000.
- Porsche Cayman S
The buff magazines have already done photo spreads and road tests, but this was the official unveiling to the public of what some say is a better drive than the hallowed 911. The Boxster-based, two-seat, mid-engined sports car is sized and priced midway between its progenitor and the 911, with a 3.4-L, 295-h.p. flat-six-cylinder engine. Spring '06 estimated price is $70,000.
- Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Compared with its DaimlerChrysler platform-mates and Frankfurt debutantes -- Dodge's Caliber and Jeep's Compass Rallye and Patriot -- the Mitsu, potentially, will be the most fun to drive. To shed the school-marm rep of the current Lancer (EVO excepted), a Dakar rally car-inspired five-door hatch body with a tall, raised-roof profile, rather than the traditional four-door, notchback sedan was shown.
Depending on how successful Mitsu management does with its bottle-drive fundraisers, we may eventually see a three-door, folding hardtop convertible, station wagon and some mini-MPV variants.
Chance of importation: If not, Mitsu might as well close up shop here in Canada. In the meantime, try Ford Focus ZX5 ($21,755), Mazda3 Sport GT ($21,485), Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon ($23,495), Toyota Matrix FWD ($16,925), or Volkswagen Golf CL ($18,530).
- Mazda Sassou
If you think the Mini Cooper needs some competition, then start the letter-writing campaign to Mazda. Designed in its European studio right here in Frankfurt, the three-door concept has a direct-injection 1.0-L three-cylinder engine and a minimalist interior with front seats mounted aircraft-style. Mazda claims the Sassou indicates the future of its global B-car plans, currently represented by the European Ford Fiesta-based Mazda2.
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