The Frankfurt Motor Show kicks off this week, and as usual, manufacturers are teasing prospective visitors and the media alike with information about the concepts that will be on display. Here’s a brief description of what the SUV and crossover world will see from today.
For live updates, follow our sister mag’s motoring correspondents at Frankfurt on Twitter: @WilhelmL_CARmag and @IanM_CARmag.
Jaguar’s C-X17 Concept
Is it a crossover? Is it a hatch? Well, no one knows, but the latest from Jaguar’s designers is said to be a precursor for designs to follow. We wouldn’t be surprised if it is, indeed, an SUV or crossover SUV, as their newest platform allows for it and the company has been looking into this segment for some time.
See more info here
Peugeot’s blanket release
The French automaker is reportedly taking a total of 30 vehicles to Frankfurt, among which are a refreshed 3008 and 5008 with their new BlueHDi engines, a hybrid powertrain run by compressed air, a Le Mans driven hybrid and their Pikes Peak special.
See more info here
Lexus’ mysterious concept
Lexus has released one of the most nondescript photos, and every guess is as good as the next. There is news of an incoming Lexus NX crossover, which was said to be unveiled some time this year.
See more info on the NX here
Kia’s compact crossover coupe
If the description above reminds you of the Nissan Juke, it should, because that’s exactly what this little Kia concept is aimed at. Designed purely to find out what the public may think of such a vehicle, the Kia Niro supposedly “combines a mischievous character ina clearly robust and substantial yet stylish bodyshape”. This, according to their chief European designer Gregory Guillaume. Drivetrain details are yet to be released, but it certainly looks promising.
See more info here
Land Rover’s hybrids
The company’s first two – and long awaited – official hybrid will be launched at Frankfurt this year, in production model form. The diesel-electric hybrid in 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel form is said to produce around 250kW of power and just under 700Nm of torque! An eight-speed (we assume ZF) gearbox is paired to the drivetrain, and the two models equipped with this special combination will be the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid. While display vehicles will be at the Motor Show, three other units are traveling along the old “Silk Trail” from Solihull to Mumbai (to Tata’s headquarters), and should arrive there by October 15th.
See the official release here
Infiniti’s Q30 and new Nissan Rogue/Qashqai
The company’s premium compact, to be produced at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK, is set for the Motor Show in compact form, alongside an updated version of the Nissan Rogue (the US version of the Qashqai). The Q30, according to Infiniti, will have decent ground clearance, a coupe-like shape and crossover versatility.
See more info here
BMW’s X5 eDrive concept
The international launch of BMW’s new X5 kicks off only days after the Frankfurt Motor Show, but while we’ll be driving the petrol and diesel versions in Canada, a plug-in hybrid will be on display in Europe. The eDrive has an electric motor as well as a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and is said to be destined for production. Running on electric power, it has a low reported fuel consumption of only 3,8 litres per 100 kilometres – a tall order for any SUV.
See more info here