Frankfurt Motor Show

The cover's been lifted on the very first unveil at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. And fittingly, it's German maker BMW that's kick-started the proceedings - with its stunning new X6 concept. It may have been just 8.30am, but it was already standing room only in the vast exhibition hall BMW had exclusively filled with examples of what looked like its entire line-up.

The eyes of the world's press were firmly fixed on the X6 podium, however - where its arrival was marked with giant pistons pulsating at the mouth of the stand and, of course, a time-honoured smoke screen. When this finally dispersed, it revealed the newcomer in the flesh - and a completely new car category - a Sports Utility Coupe.

And it certainly lived up to its badge. The X6 is an impressive mix of chunky, practical 4x4 styling, with the sleek lines and the dramatic sloping roofline you would expect in a coupe.

Other unveils on the stand included a diesel-powered 6-series, the 635D, with a 3.0-litre 285hp engine promising to deliver around 40mpg. A 1-series coupe was also unveiled, with diesel power. The 123D promises to emit just 138g per km of CO2.

For more details and pictures on all the launches at Frankfurt, get your copy of the latest Auto Express, on sale at newsagents now!