Frankfurt Auto Show 2017: New Cars & SUVs Previewed

The Frankfurt International Motor Show is the largest and most important auto show of the year for most automakers. Currently in its 67th year, the motor show (that happens every alternate year) is expected to have its share of conventional automobiles with a shifting focus towards electric and hybrid cars from every manufacturer. With globally relevant automobiles expected to make its debut at the show this year from SUVs to hatchbacks and from your family sedan to ridiculously expensive high-powered hypercars, there is something for everyone. We also take a special look at all the upcoming cars and upcoming SUVs that will make it to India soon.

Also Read: New SUVs for India This Festive Season

(New Audi A8 Rear Design)

Audi A8

The new Audi A8 was officially launched a few months ago but will have its official public debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. The new luxury car with its new-gen Audi design language such as the end-to-end tail light and larger grille will also have an official price announcement at the auto show. The Audi A8 comes packed with tech like a new large touchscreen infotainment pack for both front and rear passengers and a semi autonomous driving mode.

(Audi R8 V10)

Audi R8 GT

Audi is expected to being a hardcore and more track oriented version of the R8 to the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. Rumoured to be called the R8 GT just like the last generation model, this particular R8 is also expected to be rear wheel drive only which will be a first for the R8 lineup since its launch a decade ago. The R8 GT will take on the likes of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

(New Bentley Continental GT)

Bentley Continental GT

The new Bentley Continental GT like many others here has already made its debut on the internet via a set of pictures but will make its official debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. Apart from being the prettiest Bentley Continental GT ever, the new W12 biturbo engine now produces 620 bhp of peak power and a massive 897 Nm of peak torque. 0-100 kmph in dispensed off in just 3.7 seconds onwards to a top speed of 333 kmph! And yes, the Conti GT will make its way to India soon.

(2018 BMW M5)

BMW M5

The new BMW M5 was launched a few weeks ago in a cool share of matte red and for the first time with all-wheel-drive! Powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine, the M5 is the super saloon in the 5 Series range and will make 600 bhp and will eventually head to India to take on the upcoming E63 AMG. The 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show will be the first official public appearance for the new M5.

(BMW i Concept Teaser)

BMW i5

BMW is expected to surprise everyone at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show with a new all-electric sedan to take on the likes of the Tesla Model S. The new i5 sedan as it is rumoured to be called will be a part of BMW's electric expansion plan that was announced just a few days ago. The German automaker is expected to launch 12 electric cars by 2025.

(BMW X7 Concept)

BMW X7 Concept SUV

The new BMW X7 concept (which is actually very close to full fledged production) will make its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. The new luxury SUV will essentially be a luxury SUV version of the 7 Series sedan and will be packed with all the tech and more that the 7 Series currently gets. The new flagship SUV will also get autonomous tech and a hybrid power plant. The new X7 will make it to production by the end of the year and will be available in a 7 seater layout.

(New Ferrari Portofino Convertible)

Ferrari Portofino

The new Ferrari Portofino is the replacement to the ageing California lineup and will be the most affordable Ferrari in production today. The Portofino features a metal folding roof which will give it a dual personality and will come with a 2+2 seating layout. The Ferrari Portofino will feature a front mounted twin-Turbo V8 engine from the same family that won the engine of the year in 2016 and 2017. The 3.8-litre V8 engine makes 592 bhp of peak power and 760 Nm of peak torque. The Portofino will get from 0-100 kmph in just 3.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 320 kmph.

(2018 Jaguar E-Pace)

Jaguar E-Pace

Taking the competition directly to the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and the upcoming Volvo XC40, the new Jaguar E-Pace was unveiled a few months ago with a record breaking barrel roll stunt. The new SUV is an important numbers product for the Tata Motors' owned automaker as it finally puts the brand in the most accessible segment of the luxury SUV market. The E-Pace will feature the automaker's 2-litre Ingenium family featuring manual or the 9-speed automatic transmissions. Power will range between 148 bhp, 177 bhp and 237 bhp on the diesels, while the petrol turbo engines will churn out 247 bhp and 297 bhp of power respectively, with the 297 bhp petrol capable of hitting 0-100 kmph in 5.9 seconds.

(2018 Kia Stonic)

Kia Stonic

The Kia Stonic is a new SUV from the Korean automaker and is expected to make it to India. The Stonic is a small SUV designed jointly by Kia's design studios in Europe and South Korea and offers a sedated design language as compared to the recently launched Hyundai Kona. The Kia Stonic will feature a range of petrol and diesel engine with either a manual or an automatic gearbox. The petrol engines range from a 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre naturally aspirated units to a 1-litre turbocharged unit while the diesel engine will be a 1.6-litre unit. Of course, when the SUV does make it to India, there will be smaller engines on offer to go along with local requirements depending on GST rate slots.

(2017 Kia Picanto X-line)

Kia Picanto X-line

The Kia Picanto X-line is essentially a standard Picanto that has been given the crossover treatment - similar to the Hyundai i20 Active that we get here in India. The Picanto X-line gets plastic claddings on the side and fenders, a new set of bumpers with plastic inserts and a new set of wheels. The interior is a little more funky now with colour swatches too. Considering how popular the likes of the Renault Kwid has been in India, maybe Kia should consider launching only this version of the Picanto when it does make it to India in late 2018.

(Lamborghini Aventador S)

Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster

Lamborghini launched the refreshed and much faster Aventador S earlier this year and we drove it around the Sepang Formula 1 track. And now Lamborghini will bring the roadster version of the Aventador to the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. The refreshed supercar continues to get a manually removable targa styled hard top make out of carbonfibre like the older Aventador. The new car also gets upgrades like more horsepower - now 720 bhp and rear wheel steering. The Aventador S has already been launched in India and the roadster will make it here soon too.

(Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Teaser)

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE

Possibly the most awaited and most important launch at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show, the new Mercedes-AMG Project ONE will be the long awaited reentry of the German automaker into the hypercar segment. The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar will essentially be as close as you can get to a Formula 1 racecar experience on the road and will have a 1:1 power to weight ratio. This means that for every kilogram of weight, there will be 1 horsepower to power it. Expect power figures to be close or higher than the 1000 bhp range.

(Mercedes-Benz EQ A Concept)

Mercedes-Benz EQ A & EQ SUV Concept

With 10 new electric cars planned by 2025, the Mercedes-Benz EQ A concept is a new car that also showcases Mercedes-Benz's future design language. The new EQ A concept will look to take on the likes of the BMW i3s and will also take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3. Also joining along at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show will be the EQ SUV concept that will take on the likes of the Model X. Both cars are expected to have the new styling language that Mercedes-Benz will most likely switch to soon and will also have an electric range of over 200 miles.

(Mini John Cooper Works GP Edition)

Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept

The original Mini John Cooper Works GP (Grand Prix) was offered in 2006 as a limited run of only 2000 model and then again in 2010. Both those cars were the most powerful road going versions of the Mini till date and that is exactly what Mini will be planning with the new 2017 JCW GP concept. The new concept though will only be a one off and will not go into production as it is but there will be a slightly more toned down version of the car expected to make it to production soon. Expect power on the GP to be closer to 250 bhp with stiffer suspension and bigger brakes.

(Mini Electric Concept)

Mini Electric Concept

Along with a hardcore GP version, Mini will also be showcasing an all-electric Mini concept car. This version will feature a more modern look but will be based on the current Mini body. The electric concept features a set of electric batteries that will give the car a decent urban range. Expect an all-electric production version of the Mini with more sedated styling to launch in 2019.

(New 2018 Renault Duster)

Renault/Dacia Duster

The new Renault Duster is an important Frankfurt debut for the Indian market as it will be making it to India soon. The new Duster gets the same overall design language as the older car but there are smaller changes that make the new car a much better looker. The front for example is more aggressive and more evolved with a larger grille and a more distinct headlamp. The Duster now also gets daytime running lights. The new car also gets a set of updated bumpers and a new muscular bonnet.

(Skoda Karoq)

Skoda Karoq

Another important SUV for India, the Skoda Karoq was unveiled a few weeks ago though images and will make its public debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Skoda Karoq will make it to India only in late 2018 or 2018 and will feature a range of petrol and diesel engines. Internationally, the petrol engines are a 1-litre TSI with (113 bhp/175 Nm) or a 1.5-litre TSI (148 bhp/250 Nm). The diesel engines are a 1.6-litre TDI (113 bhp/250 Nm) or a 2-litre with two power outputs, a 148 bhp / 340 Nm or a 188 bhp / 400 Nm option. The Karoq also takes the design language that is present on all new gen Skoda vehicles (including the larger Kodiaq) albeit in a smaller package. The Karoq will take on the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson in India.

(Toyota CH-R Hy-Power Concept)

Toyota CH-R Hy-Power Concept

Toyota is set to debut a more powerful and sportier version of the CH-R crossover at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. The new compact SUV will be a hybrid and will feature more power than the standard model. The CH-R will also feature sportier styling. At the same time, Toyota will also debut the new generation Land Cruiser at the Frankfurt Auto Show but now teasers or details have been announced just yet.

(2018 Volkswagen T-Roc Compact SUV)

Volkswagen T-Roc

The Volkswagen T-Roc finally puts the German automaker in the compact SUV space and gives it a new vehicle that will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta in India. The Volkswagen T-Roc is based on the MQB platform and comes with VW's new design language both on the inside and outside. The new compact SUV gets a new front end with a new daytime running light design. The interior gets optional extras like a 11-inch display instead of analogue dials and options to have the dashboard in different colours to match the exterior of the car.