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2017 Frankfurt Motor Show Anticipation: 10 Debuts To Eagerly Await

IAA 2017. The Frankfurt Motor Show. The International Motor Show Germany. Whatever you choose to call it, the most important European auto show of the fall has plenty of world premieres under its sleeve. But at the same time, tomorrow’s event is marked by the absence of at least ten major marques.
2017 Frankfurt Motor Show Highlights: 10 Debuts To Eagerly Await 51 photos
Photo: collage edited by autoevolution
2018 Audi A8 (Typ D5)2018 Audi A8 (Typ D5)2018 Audi A8 (Typ D5)2018 Audi A8 (Typ D5)2018 Audi A8 (Typ D5)2018 Audi R8 RWS (RWD)2018 Audi R8 RWS (RWD)2018 Audi R8 RWS (RWD)2018 Audi R8 RWS (RWD)2018 Audi R8 RWS (RWD)2018 Bentley Continental GT (BY634)2018 Bentley Continental GT (BY634)2018 Bentley Continental GT (BY634)2018 Bentley Continental GT (BY634)2018 Bentley Continental GT (BY634)2018 BMW M5 (F90)2018 BMW M5 (F90)2018 BMW M5 (F90)2018 BMW M5 (F90)2018 BMW M5 (F90)2018 Dacia Duster 22018 Dacia Duster 22018 Dacia Duster 22018 Dacia Duster 22018 Dacia Duster 2Mercedes-AMG Project One (concept)Mercedes-AMG Project One (concept)Mercedes-AMG Project One (concept)Mercedes-AMG Project One (concept)Mercedes-AMG Project One (concept)Mercedes-Benz EQ A (concept)Mercedes-Benz EQ A (concept)Mercedes-Benz EQ A (concept)Mercedes-Benz EQ A (concept)Mercedes-Benz EQ A (concept)2018 Porsche Cayenne (E3)2018 Porsche Cayenne (E3)2018 Porsche Cayenne (E3)2018 Porsche Cayenne (E3)2018 Porsche Cayenne (E3)2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)2018 Renault Megane RS2018 Renault Megane RS2018 Renault Megane RS2018 Renault Megane RS2018 Renault Megane RS
Held every two years because it alternates with the Paris Motor Show, this year’s Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung won’t feature Volvo, Nissan, Jeep, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, DS, Peugeot, Volvo, and Mitsubishi. The reason for the absenteeism breaks down into a multitude of factors, including the stupidly high costs of participating, plus the spiraling development costs for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric, and autonomous driving technologies.

On the flip side, Asian manufacturers will take Frankfurt by storm. Chery, for example, will debut the pre-production prototype of its Euro-spec compact crossover utility vehicle, which will usher in an all-new brand name developed with the Old Continent in mind. Even more curiously, technology giants such as Sony, IBM, and Qualcomm will attend the car-centric meeting in Germany.

But we’re not here to talk Chinese crossovers. In this story, autoevolution’s editorial team has selected ten of the most important world premieres to look forward to. With the reveals scheduled to start tomorrow morning, let’s chop-chop and get down to business. In alphabetical order, here are the highlights:

2018 Audi A8 (Typ D5)

2018 Audi A8 \(Typ D5\)
Photo: Audi
Long in the making, the fourth-generation A8 is a work of technological wonder. Previous models found it hard to be labeled the cushy place to sit in luxury the S-Class is widely considered, but Audi managed to challenge the three-pointed star with an all-new type of suspension for the A8.

Audi AI active suspension is how it’s called. Capable of raising and lowering each wheel individually thanks to electric actuators, the suspension “reads” the road ahead with the help of a camera. Augmented by the 48V powertrain, Audi AI offers the smoothest ride yet in a four-ringed automobile.

In typical Audi fashion, the automaker uses the Audi AI moniker for its traffic jam pilot. In layman’s terms, the company refers to Level 3 autonomous driving that works only in certain circumstances. These are speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph), and only on freeways separated by a physical barrier.

2018 Audi R8 RWS (RWD)

2018 Audi R8 RWS \(RWD\)
Photo: Audi on Instagram
Here’s a little question for you. What’s quattro GmbH – now known as Audi Sport – know for? Since the days of the Ur-Quattro, virtually all performance-oriented road-going models with the four-ring badge have benefitted from the all-wheel-drive system also called quattro. Not the R8 RWS, though.

Stephan Winkelmann, who has taken up the role of Bugatti head honcho at the beginning of the month, claimed only recently that Audi Sport will begin churning out rear-wheel-drive sports cars. The R8 RWS is the first, and as expected, it has the innate aptitude to pull off tire-shredding burnouts.

The RWD R8 is the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer’s answer to the Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2. Expected to be at least 33 kilograms (73 pounds) lighter than the R8 V10 with quattro, the driver-oriented RWS will borrow the 572 hp (580 PS) and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) 5.2-liter V10 from the raging bull, a free-breathing engine capable of hitting 8,500 rpm.

2018 Bentley Continental GT (BY634)

2018 Bentley Continental GT \(BY634\)
Photo: Bentley
The first two generations of the Conti GT were based on a platform shared with the range-topping Volkswagen sedan. But instead of the Phaeton, the brand new Continental GT shares its backbone with the Porsche Panamera.

Make no mistake about it, but that’s quite a difference from Bentley’s way of doing things in the past decade or so. The synergies with Porsche paid dividend in more than one way. First of all, the Conti GT is lighter. It’s also more comfortable, it has a lower center of gravity, and it handles better.

On the subject of driving excitement, the 48-volt electrical system is vital for the Dynamic Ride System. Inspired by the optional system in the A8, the luxo-grand tourer uses electric actuators to adjust each axle’s anti-roll bar.

2018 BMW M5 (F90)

2018 BMW M5 \(F90\)
Photo: BMW
M xDrive. That’s probably the biggest change brought forward by the F90 M5. The newest and the greatest M5 isn’t available with a good ol’ six-speed manual transmission, adopting the ZF-developed 8HP eight-speed slushbox instead. For all that, the change means no dual-clutch automatic either.

BMW enthusiasts needn’t worry, though, for the F90 M5 can hoon day in and day one thanks to selectable modes for the M xDrive. For those who feel brave enough to handle 592 horsepower (600 PS) and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm) of torque sent exclusively to the rear wheels, the super sedan can do it.

While it may not be on par with the Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+ when it comes down to output and oomph, the F90 M5 can match its biggest rival in a sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph). Both models need 3.4 seconds to hit the magical mark, and the Bimmer can keep on accelerating until the speedo shows 305 km/h (189 mph). Typically of BMW, top speed is unlocked if the customer is prepared to pay the price commanded by the M Driver’s Pack.

2018 Dacia Duster 2

2018 Dacia Duster 2
Photo: Dacia
Of all things mainstream in the automotive world, Dacia is the antithesis of mainstream. The 2018 Duster – which is essentially an extensive facelift of the facelifted first-gen model – is the perfect case in point. Riding on the same platform as its predecessor, the crossover is still “shockingly affordable.”

Instead of running with the pack, chasing the upmarket by steadily increasing the starting price of its models, Dacia remains true to its low-cost mantra. But in comparison to vehicles made on a budget, the Romanian automaker has this thing of imbuing value for money cleverly into its cars, Duster included.

An evolutionary design focused on more capability off the beaten path and more interior room, the compact-sized crossover launches an all-new dashboard design for the Renault-owned brand. The biggest change is the more inspired placement of the Media Nav touchscreen infotainment system, something that used to be a headache for owners of the first-gen Duster.

Mercedes-AMG Project One (concept)

Mercedes\-AMG Project One \(concept\)
Photo: Daimler AG
Developed as a four-wheeled celebration of 50 years of AMG, the Project One is one of the first hypercars to push the envelope into groundbreaking territory. Engineered with plenty of Formula 1 know-how, the most extreme AMG ever combines a small-displacement V6, KERS, and four electric motors.

Combined, the hybrid powertrain develops in excess of 1,000 horsepower. Despite the tons of downforce, the clever active aerodynamic solutions allow the Project One to hit a top speed in excess of 217 mph (350 km/h).

The two electric motors at the front axle and electric motor attached to the crankshaft are nice and all, but the real star of the show is the turbocharged V6, which uses the fourth electric motor to spool up the turbo. Loosely inspired by the F1 engine of the same displacement (1.6L), the plant is capable of revving up to 11,000 rpm. The thing is, Mercedes-AMG recommends a full-on engine rebuild every 50,000 kilometers (31,068 miles).

Mercedes-Benz EQ A (concept)

Mercedes\-Benz EQ A \(concept\)
Photo: Daimler AG
Along with the mind-boggling Project One, the three-pointed star will take to the IAA 2017 to reveal the EQ A Concept. Previewing the second of at least ten electric vehicles Daimler AG scheduled to premiere by 2025, the EQ A is a compact hatchback with headlights akin to the upcoming A-Class Sedan.

Battery and driving range information is nonexistent at the present moment, although the German automotive media believes 300 miles are doable at a price of approximately $40k. Considering the Tesla Model 3 starts from $35k and it’s good for 220 miles, Mercedes might be on to something here.

Expected to go into production in 2019, the EQ A we’ll find in dealer lots is believed to come with an electric motor integrated into the front axle. There’s talk Merc will one-up its EV onslaught with a performance variant of the EQ A, benefitting from a Tesla-like dual-motor configuration and all-wheel-drive.

2018 Porsche Cayenne (E3)

2018 Porsche Cayenne \(E3\)
Photo: Porsche
“How is this all-new, all-different from the previous Cayenne? They look like two peas in a pod!” It’s true Porsche has been slacking as far as exterior design is concerned, but take a look at the Panamera-inspired interior. Physical buttons are mostly gone, and everything oozes high-tech quality.

65 kilograms (143 pounds) lighter than the model it replaces, the Cayenne E3 rides on the MLB Evo architecture. Aside from the aluminum body, the sporty… uhm, sports utility vehicle comes with cast-iron brake discs that benefit from tungsten-carbide coating. Available as an optional extra, the industry-first coating ups friction values and reduces wear and brake dust.

In the first instance, the 2018 Porsche Cayenne launches with two force-fed V6 engines. The 3.0-liter makes do with 325 horsepower (330 PS) and 332 pound-feet, whereas the 2.9-liter twin-turbo plant delivers 434 horsepower (440 PS) and 405 pound-feet. Pretty good numbers, but we’re still waiting for the V8-infused Turbo and Turbo S, as well as the Turbo S E-Hybrid.

2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom (VIII)

2018 Rolls\-Royce Phantom \(VIII\)
Photo: Rolls-Royce
Described by its maker as being the “most silent” car in the world, the eighth-generation Phantom is nothing to scoff at. The best name in the ultra-luxury business went to incredible lengths to ensure the Phantom is perfect.

The attention to detail, peerless craftsmanship, and world-class coziness are apparent once you open the door, hopping in what can only be described as the most comfortable art gallery on wheels. It's true, but that’s how Rolls-Royce refers to the uninterrupted glass enclosure integrated into the center and passenger side of the cockpit. Stylish opulence, the Phantom has it!

All this wellbeing is motorized by a BMW-developed twin-turbo V12, which produces 563 horsepower (571 PS) and 663 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque from 6.75 liters. The displacement isn’t arbitrary, but a nod to the L Series V8 that went official in 1968 and found use in plenty of Bentley and R-R models.

2018 Renault Megane RS

2018 Renault Megane RS
Photo: Facebook page Megane RS / Clio RS – Renault Sport
No major auto show is complete without a hot hatchback, and Renault Sport has a big surprise in store for Frankfurt. Similarly to Honda’s latest and greatest Civic Type R, the all-new Megane RS sends drive to the front axle.

Expected to take the Nurburgring lap record from its arch-nemesis, the RS-ified Megane is one of the few hot hatchbacks available with both types of transmissions. In the purist corner, we have short-throw six-speed manual. The performance-oriented customer or the more lazy among us will be treated to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic found in the Alpine A110.

Speaking of the Alpine-branded sports car, all leads suggest the Megane RS will adopt the 1.8-liter TCe Energy. The four-cylinder turbocharged engine is anticipated to develop 300 ponies or thereabout, which is more than enough power when combined with four-wheel steering and sticky Michelin tires.

For 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show coverage, go to our dedicated hub.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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