Frankfurt preview

By Sam Hardy

07th September 2007

It’s the biggest motor show in the world and it’s only a week away! On 11 September, the 2007 Internation­ale Automobil-Ausstellung – the Frankfurt Motor Show – opens its doors. And Auto Express will be there, putting all the most important new cars for the coming months under the microscope.

This year’s expo promises to be a storming event, with the world debut of Ford’s Kuga, plus Citroen’s new Mondeo rival, the C5, revealed in the form of a convertible concept called the Airscape. And as our rundown explains, all the big manufacturers are showing new models or concepts.

But if any maker is pulling out all the stops in Germany, it’s Toyota. The Japanese firm’s luxury arm, Lexus, will be displaying its new IS-F – a super-saloon that will lock horns with the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG.

Featuring an aggressive bodykit and 19-inch BBS alloys, the F-badged model is about as far removed from the subtle IS as you can get. Under the bonnet lies a 400bhp 5.0-litre V8 which gives 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

An eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles is standard, while inside, the IS-F also gets racy items such as an oil temperature gauge and bespoke leather seats. The IS-F is on sale next year, priced at around £45,000. And it’s joined on Lexus’ stand by a face­lifted version of the GS luxury saloon.

At the other end of the scale, Toy­ota will take the wraps off an updated Endo – the micro-car concept it first revealed in Frankfurt two years ago. This time round, however, the Endo will be displayed in near showroom-ready form, as it’s set to go on sale in summer 2008. The three-metre-long machine will take styling cues from the original concept, but the updated interior will have a different layout, giving room for three adults plus an ‘occasional use’ seat, ideal for a child.

Meanwhile, over at Lamborghini, bosses are planning something out-of-this-world. They will unveil a stunning concept called the Rap­tor, which is based around mechanicals from the Murciélago LP640. The firm is remain­ing tight-lipped about the car for now, but sources tell us it features a rear-hinged opening canopy similar to that of the US jet fighter of the same name.

Another Italian thoroughbred flexing its muscles at Frankfurt is Maser­ati’s Quattro­porte Sport GT S. Billed as the ultimate expression of the com­pany’s ‘saloon sportiness’, the new car gets lowered suspension, uprated Brembo brakes and wider rear tyres.

The saloon’s 385bhp 4.2-litre V8 powerplant is unchanged, but styling enhancements include a black-chrome mesh grille, twin double exhaust pipes – also finished in black – and door handles painted the same colour as the bodywork. Seven-spoke 20-inch chrome alloys complete the Quattroporte’s dramatic look. It’s due on sale in 2008.