The Frankfurt auto show was the place to see 62 new model and concept car introductions. Here's what we saw:
CARS WE WON'T GET IN CANADA BUT SHOULD
Kia Venga: The little Venga city car is not planned for Canada and that's a shame. This slick little runabout will be built at a factory in the Czech Republic, so it comes from a relatively low-cost country in the European Union. Europeans will be able to buy one powered by a gasoline or diesel engine.
Audi A5 Sportback: Americans don't appear to like hatchbacks, so Canadians don't get them, either. But this A5 Sportback would work nicely here. Diesel or gasoline in Europe.
Renault Fluence — JOHANNES EISELE/REUTERS
Renault Fluence: We know Renault pulled out of North America long ago, but there is that alliance with Nissan to consider. The Fluence looks great, has loads of cabin space and even an illuminated and refrigerated glove box. Built in Turkey and aimed at the Turkish, Russian and Romanian markets, it's hard to believe they'll get this and we won't.
Saab 9-5: Until the new Chinese owners come aboard, no one knows exactly what will happen with Saab in North America. But the Saab people in Frankfurt did say this is the most technically advanced car they have ever produced. It can run on one of three fuels: gasoline, diesel, or E85 bioethanol.
Renault electrics: The Fluence Z.E. concept is an electric version of the five-seat Fluence sedan and has a range of 160 km. It will make it into production in the first part of 2011. The Twizy Z.E. concept is an ultra-compact city car. The Zoe Z.E. concept is a four-seat super-mini for urban driving. The Kangoo Z.E. concept previews an electric van for fleet and commercial use. Renault says some form of all four will be produced. They will have a “Quickdrop” battery system. It allows batteries to be swapped out in three minutes at special stations. Otherwise, the vehicles take four to eight hours to charge via a socket, or can get a quick charge in 20 minutes.
CARS WE'LL SEE IN CANADA
2011 BMW X1
BMW X1: While it's going on sale in Europe very soon, we'll wait until next year in Canada. The X1 is a compact SUV with great proportions. Alas, for now BMW Canada plans to sell only gasoline variants. The Europeans will get a diesel with fuel consumption rated at 5.2 litres/100 km. I'll take that one.
Porsche 911 Turbo: You'll be able to buy one before the end of the year, apparently. This is Porsche's new top model and the most recent incarnation of the 35-year-old Turbo. The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 312 km/h. What else do you need to know?
Ford Grand C-Max: We should get this in Canada late next year and it will give Ford Canada something missing from its lineup for years – a minivan. Of course, Ford will slap you if you call it a minivan. It's a compact passenger car with seats for up to seven passengers. A new 1.6-litre, four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine might come to Canada, though the 2.0-litre is more likely.
CARS FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS
Rolls Royce Ghost: Small? This is the “small” Rolls luxury sedan. It's all relative. The Ghost is powered by a 6.6-litre V-12 gasoline engine, with a price tag north of $350,000.
Rolls-Royce Ghost — Getty Images
Ferrari 458 Italia: Sexy, sure, but it's fast, too. With a sticker price expected to go beyond $250,000, the 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5-litre V-8 direct-injection gasoline engine that produces 570 horsepower. Next year.
Porsche Panamera: Some say beautiful, others say ugly. You decide how you feel about this four-door Porsche hatchback. Regardless, it's going on sale in mid-October with two engines: a 4.8-litre, 400-horsepower V-8 or a 500-horsepower twin-turbo motor.
