Motoring corner:“Frankfurt 2011 Auto Show”

The Frankfurt Motor Show is one of the largest and most important international auto shows in Europe. Although it occurs on an annual basis, it alternates between passenger vehicles one year and commercial vehicles the next. Because of this, the Frankfurt auto show switches positions with the twice-yearly Paris International Motor Show as Europe’s most important auto show. The Frankfurt auto show is dominated by German manufacturers. Companies like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche typically use the Frankfurt Motor Show as their launching pad for new models. It’s still an international show, however, so there’s an occasional U.S. or Japanese debut thrown in for good measure. If there’s one thing that distinguishes the Frankfurt Motor Show from the other international auto shows, it’s the sheer size of its displays. Spread out over roughly 10 halls, walking the show floor means putting in at least a few good kilometres. It takes 10 minutes just to get from one hall to another, and once you’re in them they have so many cars on display such that, you can spend hours in each one. In an effort to cut through the clutter, BMW and Mercedes have halls of their very own. They take on different looks with each show, with high-tech displays, dramatic lighting and at least a dozen cars of one form or another. They also serve as the promotional stages for the latest model reveals. Unlike the usual debuts at most other European auto shows, Mercedes and BMW go to great lengths to make it a show. You’re apt to see anyone from famous singers to Formula One stars at some of their bigger intros, an atmosphere that gives the Frankfurt auto show a tinge of glamour that you might not otherwise expect in a city known as the financial centre of Germany. As is the case, this year round, the Frankfurt Auto Show will be trying had to feature cars that are in line with the current fuel crisis. Unlike in the past, where Auto manufacturers and dealers set more emphasis on performance as opposed to cost of that performance, this time, they are ready to package performance that will fit in the pocket! Many companies are featuring the Electric and Hybrids, where as some are featuring newer models that can consume as low as 50% of their predecessors! What is for sure, this year’s show comes on the heels of the European Economic crunch, any manufacture or auto dealer has to have that fact at the back of his mind if his products have to be competitive. We shall try to feature some of the Autos. The Ford Fiesta ST Concept is a future high-performance Fiesta, that debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, providing a major boost to the small-car category. The three-door Fiesta ST is the latest salvo in Ford’s new global performance vehicles strategy. It follows the Ford Focus ST, which debuted at the 2010 Paris Auto Show and is set to go on sale in early 2012. According to Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of global product development, the Fiesta ST is said to be a logical next step in performance vehicle strategy for the global small cars. While specific production plans are not disclosed, Ford said in a statement that the Fiesta ST previews “the future direction for a high-performance Fiesta.” No word on pricing for the high-performance Fiesta yet. It is equipped with a specially tuned 177-horsepower 1.6-litre Ford Eco-Boost engine linked to a six-speed manual transmission. It can accelerate from zero to 100Kp/h in under 7 seconds, with the top speed going above the 220 km/h mark. The Fiesta ST Concept is inspired by the Ford Fiesta World Rally Car and borrows its Molten Orange exterior paint job from the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The concept boasts of a low profile, 17-inch alloy wheels and an ST body kit. A trapezoidal grille from the Ford Focus ST. The cabin has a sports interior with Recaro seats for the driver and front passenger. Motoringcorner@live.co.uk

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Motoring corner:“Frankfurt 2011 Auto Show”