Next week at Frankfurt the world's car-makers gather to do battle. Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor, reports on what we can expect
The biennial Frankfurt motor show has suffered from unfortunate timing. In 2001 it coincided with the September 11th attacks, while this year Europe's biggest car fest comes as drivers around the world fret over rising oil prices.
It may not be the time to celebrate the glories of the car, but it's a timely reminder of its importance in our daily lives. Nevertheless, there's no stopping the car industry when it comes to showing off its wares.
Oil prices might be rising, Germany may be facing into its most important election since the l960s and terrorism may be raising its ugly head again in Europe's major cities, but in the vast halls of Frankfurt the great and good of the car industry will put all that aside and try to tempt car buyers with their shining new wares.
Frankfurt has long since made it into the list of legendary car shows. Many countries offer glorified showrooms of cars, most of which can be seen at the nearest dealership. A few even manage the odd media coup by unveiling a new car. However, none bar Detroit, Geneva and Tokyo can compare to Frankfurt.
Its sheer scale makes even the American show look sedate. If you've got the time and the shoe leather, make your way to the greatest car show on the continent and see the future of the car, funky new designs - and lots of "mine is bigger than yours" antics that would make five-year-olds look mature.
WHAT THE MARQUES WILL SHOW...
MERCEDES: Not happy to simply share a hall with others, Mercedes will as always take its own hall, floor after floor filled with its wares. Top billing will undoubtedly go to the launch of the new S-Class, due here by the end of the year. Long renowned as the standard bearer for technical innovations that will eventually make their way into the regular cars on the road, this eighth generation S-Class features a new generation of engines with 4 valves per cylinder. It's also loaded with technology, such as a new braking system using forward-looking radar sensors to measure the distance to the next vehicle and hit the brakes if a crash is imminent. Mercedes has also added a control knob to the centre console, a nod towards BMW's iDrive system (despite all the criticism it received at the time). The question is: will this technology-heavy flagship avoid the electronics-related problems that has harmed the E-Class and tarnished the brand?
AUDI: It's one thing to keep your powder dry until you're sure a market trend is not a passing fad, but the fact that Audi is only now joining the SUV battle could be considered positively tardy. Nevertheless the long-awaited arrival of its Q7 SUV is now at hand. Larger than competitors such as the BMW X5 or the Mercedes M-Class (it's actually bigger even than the flagship A8), it features 7 seats. Probably the most popular engine here will be the 3-litre 233bhp diesel V6.
Also on show from Audi will be the new A4 cabriolet and a prototype of the next generation TT.
BMW: The Bavarians are playing their cards close to their chest, but expect a hard-topped coupé version of the Z4, aimed at taking on the Porsche Cayman. Along with a 3-litre 260bhp engine, there will be an M version with the M3's 3.2-litre 360bhp engine as well. For more realistic family motoring, the 3-Series Touring will also be on show.
CITROËN: The funky new C SportLounge concept is unlikely to see the light of day in its current format, it may well hint towards the next generation of the C5 due for launch in 2007.
FIAT: If ever there was a car upon which the future of a car firm depended it's the Punto. When first introduced in 1993, the Punto turned Fiat fortunes around and the Italian marque needs the same again. Designed by Italdesign Giugiaro, it's a very sporty look and significantly longer than the current model. In order to cut costs, the car is based on the same platform as GM's next generation Corsa.
HONDA: It wowed the crowds as a concept in Geneva earlier in the year and the full production version of the new Civic carries only the slightest modifications from the original show car. The 5-door version is far more dramatic than its predecessor and it's hoped will bring a younger market to the brand - in the early 1990s the earlier Civic was a fashionable choice. Engines range from a 1.4-litre 83bhp petrol to a new 1.8-litre 140bhp petrol version and a 2.2-litre 140bhp diesel. There is also likely to be a hybrid power option.
JAGUAR: The star for the British brand will undoubtedly be the new XK. Taking its cue from a concept shown at Detroit earlier this year, it hints at the styling of earlier sports Jaguars, most notably the E-Type. The XK is powered by a 4.2-litre V8 offering 300bhp. Frankfurt will also see the return of the Daimler brand, the ultra-luxury sub-brand that's developed from the flagship XJ model.
LEXUS: The premium Japanese marque is gearing up for the launch of its next generation IS range, due in dealers later this year. Up against some big name Germans, they may be a relatively small player in Europe for now, but with the all-powerful Toyota brand as parent, nobody takes them for granted. Frankfurt will feature the new GS hybrid along with the faclifted SC430.
The key to the brand's future is the L-Finesse design template, bringing long-needed good looks to an otherwise sensible and reliable premium package. Showing this time is the LF-A concept, a sports car that's unlikely to be a million miles from the next generation SC range.
NISSAN: An addition to its European line-up, the Not is Nissan's latest small people carrier, resembling the Renault Modus with which it shares its platform. However, the Note is slightly larger and roomier than the Modus.
OPEL: Surprisingly, given that this is home turf to the GM-owned brand, the only real attraction from Opel this year is the new Astra TwinTop. A hard-topped coupé convertible version of the sporty looking Astra range, its new 3-section steel roof will be a keen attraction. Alongside it will be a concept version of a new Frontera SUV.
PEUGEOT: Peugeot has an ace up its sleeve in the new 407 coupé. Also on show will be the 20Cup concept car, a rather silly roadster which nonetheless previews the new front-end look of the upcoming 207, due out next year.
PORSCHE: This German marque just can't put a foot wrong, particularly among financial analysts and investors watching the share price soar year after year by exceeding profit targets. This year sees a further tweaking of the line, with the Cayman S, a new coupé derived from the Boxster. Positioned between the 911 Carrera and Boxster S, it's powered by a 3.4-litre 295bhp engine. The fact it's a hatchback, thereby doubling the rear storage space, is hoped to win favour with younger motorists who need more room, though it's hardly going to be seen as a family car.
RENAULT: The new Clio will be introduced next week. On sale later this year, it will share the limelight with a new concept car, the Egeus, which hints at a new upmarket SUV aimed for launch at the end of this decade if it gets the green light. The French marque has always liked to consider itself as closer to the premium end than the rest, but models such as the Vel Satis and Avantime failed to win favour. Perhaps the Egeus will have better luck.
TOYOTA: The new Yaris finally makes it to Europe. Slightly larger than its predecessor, we saw it in action in Japan recently and the most striking feature is a more aggressive front end. On sale for the start of the new year, it will come with a range of 1-litre, 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines and a 1.4-litre diesel.
VOLKSWAGEN: The brand is playing it rather quiet this year in terms of mainstream models, but the launch of the new Eos coupé convertible should attract the crowds. It traces its lineage back to VW's early sports coupé, the Sirocco in 1976, and the Corrado in 1998. The firm has high hopes for its success, particularly in continental Europe and the US. The Eos is not a derivative of a current model, but developed as a completely separate car.
VOLVO: It's been a long time coming but the Swedes have finally put the finishing touches on the C70 replacement, this time with a retractable hardtop roof. Previously available as either soft-top or coupé, this new format cuts costs in both production and headaches for owners. Three petrol engines will be on offer at launch, including a turbocharged T5 version with 220bhp. A diesel option will arrive later next year.