September means several things: the schools go back so the roads become much more congested as the usual school-run resumes. Also, summer is pretty much over so we’ll soon be going to work in the dark and arriving home again in the same pitch black conditions.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, because September typically brings with it one of the biggest events in the motor show calendar: the Frankfurt Motor Show, which relocates to Paris every other year.
So what awaits car fans when the doors open on Thursday (September 14th)?
Mercedes-AMG Project One
As you’d expect, German carmakers use their native show to reveal their biggest and more ambitious projects and this F1-inspired hypercar is expected to be one of the most attractive draws in Frankfurt this year.
The nitty-gritty is being saved for the unveiling but what we do know so far is that it will use a hybrid powertrain with more than 1,000bhp and boast a top speed in excess of 218mph. Some say this is the closest thing to a road-legal F1 car to date. The downside is it could command a price tag in the region of £2 million.
Other notable Mercs appearing in Frankfurt include the V12-driven G65 AMG and the i3-rivalling EQ A Concept.
Bentley Continental GT
This third-gen Bentley looks sleeker than ever and its size upgrade means it’s more spacious than before.
Under the bonnet is a new six-litre twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine with 626bhp that can hurtle the car to 62mph in 3.7 seconds on monstrous 21-inch wheels with a top speed of 207mph.
Bentley says it was gunning for the ultimate in luxury grand touring and we reckon it has succeeded.
Ferrari Portofino
This will be the new entry-level Ferrari, replacing the California T, however, everything we’ve heard about it so far suggests it would be the flagship model in the ranges of most car makers.
The Portofino will use the same 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine as the California T, but the unit has been heavily revised with new components and 40bhp more than before (now 592bhp). This means it can now hit 62mph in 3.5 seconds. Yes, we are still talking about a base-level car. Outrageous.
BMW M5
You’ll have to look closely to notice anything that differentiates this car from the standard 5 Series, but once its enhanced 4.4-litre V8 engine unleashes all 591bhp of its wrath, there’ll be no mistaking the new M5.
With a 3.4-second 0-62mph sprint, it is the quickest M5 yet. Expect to see it on UK roads from February 2018, following its Frankfurt reveal.
Other Beemers we’re excited about seeing include the 8 Series Concept, 6 Series GT, the sportier i3s and the production-ready Q2.
Porsche Cayenne
The car that changed everything for Porsche is now in its third generation and yep, it’s more powerful (now 335bhp) and therefore quicker, hitting 62mph in less than five seconds.
Inside, you’ll find a 12.3-inch full HD touchscreen with the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) technology. Prices start from £55,965 for the basic V6 or £68,330 for the sportier Cayenne S.
Volkswagen T-Roc
VW’s funky new compact SUV will lock horns with the Mazda CX-3 and Audi Q2 when it goes on sale in October.
It recycles a lot of tech from the Golf, from the MQB platform to the engine range, most notably with the 1.5-litre TSI Evo unit that can deactivate cylinders when they’re not needed to save fuel.
Style-wise, it looks like someone shrank a Tiguan, but that’s fine by us.
What are you most excited about seeing at Frankfurt? Let us know down there in the comments…
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[…] told you about some of the cars worth keeping an eye out for ahead of the event’s opening and after racking up several kilometres traipsing the halls, we’ve […]