In keeping with the time and the trends, this year's Frankfurt Motor Show was dominated by electrics and hybrids. Of course, there was also evidence of the global slowdown and though the show was not found lacking in its ability to surprise, there was a clear fall in participation levels.
The possibility of some belt tightening by consumers in the big European markets was also reflected in the number of small cars and fuel efficient urban concepts that were on display. However, not giving up even in the face of the slowdown, the luxury car brands of Germany and the rest of Europe also brought in their share of excitement to the show with some unique debuts.
If the Frankfurt Motor show was all glitz and glamour with new model launches, scores of concepts, electric vehicles and hybrids all targeting the European market, we can take some solace in the fact that there is some excitement headed this way too.
At least half a dozen cars from the global manufacturers at Frankfurt will find their way into India over the next 12 to 18 months.
Some show stoppers at the Frankfurt show that could land on our shores:
Maserati Kubang
One of the most talked about and viewed cars at Frankfurt this year was the Kubang, Maserati's vision of what its future high performance, super luxury sports utility will look like.
The Kubang was being called the forerunner of the future Maserati range, “creating at once discontinuity by entering a new segment, and continuity by maintaining the integrity of Maserati's DNA”.
This is not the first time though for the House of Trident to be showcasing a SUV. A Kubang concept was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003, ahead of many of the other brands that currently have luxury sport utilities in their portfolio.
Being called a sport luxury SUV, the Kubang's distinctive Maserati style has been created by the Maserati Style Center headed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti. New generation high-tech proprietary Maserati engines are to be developed in Modena. Expect these to be mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Mission L from Skoda
At Frankfurt, Skoda Auto showcased its new Mission L Concept car. Following its world debut at the show, the car could make to India as the Skoda Octavia replacement. The Skoda Mission L Concept is a four-door sedan which may come fitted with either a 1,600 cc engine option or a 1,800 cc TDI engine depending on the market it is being introduced into. For India, Skoda may pit it against the likes of the Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Ford Fiesta and possibly even eye higher segment cars like the Chevy Cruze and Honda Civic with bigger engine options.
The car on display at the Skoda pavilion was all milky white with very attractive interiors. The company is likely to consider its launch in Europe initially and follow this up with India. This will probably fit alongside the Skoda Octavia in terms of price and serve as its replacement.
Volkswagen Up!
At the show, German automaker Volkswagen debuted the ‘Up!', by far its smallest production-ready hatch. The Up! Concept has been showcased at the earlier editions of the Frankfurt show, but this year the hatch platform was displayed in several variants, including a coupe. The Up! is smaller than the Polo and the company is looking at introducing it initially in Europe and plans to take it later to other markets. Part of the New Small Family (NSF) series of models, the Up! was first shown as a series of concept cars, starting in 2007.
All Up! Concepts have been designed by Volkswagen Group Chief Designer, Mr Walter de'Silva and Head Designer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Mr Marque Klaus Bischoff. The car can pack different engine sizes, starting from a one-litre petrol. It will also feature higher engine capacities depending upon the market it is being launched in.
Apart from a natural gas variant, it also has a powerful 98 bhp GT Up!, a natural gas-powered Eco-Up! (with CO2 emissions of 79 g/km) and a four-door Cross Up!.
Initially, the Up! Concept car had a rear engine and rear transmission, but it is front-engined now. It will initially be manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia. The production Up! will use a 3-cylinder, one-litre, turbocharged petrol engine. A plug-in electric Up! is also expected to be launched by 2013. When it is launched, the car could prove to be tough competitor in the affordable hatch segment and take on the likes of the Hyundai i10.
SsangYong Korando, Rexton II
SsangYong Motor plans to introduce Rexton II and Korando in the Indian market by Q2 next year. Korando, designed in Europe, for a European audience, will be fine tuned for India. Described as a contemporary crossover, Korando is stylish and robust and offers a high riding position. Korando can match the eco-friendly well being offered by a conventional family car, while also providing the advantages of an SUV. While it currently features a two-litre diesel engine, a two-litre petrol engine option is also being planned for a 2012 launch.
Rexton II represents SsangYong's attempt at making the biggest and toughest 4x4. It comes with a 2.7-litre diesel, 2.7-litre turbo diesel and 3.2-litre engines. It is a full-sized sports utility vehicle and is equipped with convenience and safety features.