Frankfurt 2015: New Models and Concepts Take Centre Stage
The 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show opens with a flood of world premieres, from production SUVs and saloons to headline-grabbing concepts and supercars.
The 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show opens its doors with a packed line-up of global premieres, including the Bentley Bentayga, Alfa Romeo Giulia and Audi’s e-tron Quattro concept. The event, running from 17 to 27 September, sees major manufacturers using the IAA to launch new models, facelifts and technology concepts for the year ahead.
Production cars lead the headlines
Bentley’s first SUV, the Bentayga, takes centre stage as the brand’s most important launch in years. The Bentayga arrives with a 6.0-litre W12 engine and a focus on luxury, aiming directly at the high-end SUV market. Alfa Romeo’s Giulia saloon also makes its public debut, carrying the hopes of the marque’s relaunch in the executive segment. Audi’s new A4, BMW’s latest 7 Series, the Jaguar F-Pace and the Infiniti Q30 all make their first major public appearances, setting the tone for a show dominated by upmarket crossovers and saloons.
BMW brings a strong presence, with the 7 Series flagship, the 225xe plug-in hybrid, and the facelifted 3 Series. The M6 GT3 and M2 Coupe also feature, though the latter is previewed ahead of a full launch. Dacia introduces the 2016 Duster, now with its first automatic gearbox, while Ford’s European Edge and facelifted Ranger expand the mainstream SUV and pickup offering.
Concepts and electrification
Audi’s e-tron Quattro concept previews the company’s first all-electric SUV, with a production model planned for 2018. The concept claims a range of over 300 miles and a drag coefficient of 0.25, signalling Audi’s intent to compete directly with Tesla’s Model X. The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo concept draws crowds with its extreme styling, while Citroën’s Cactus M concept channels the spirit of the Méhari as a beach-ready show car.
Other notable studies include Honda’s Project 2&4, powered by a MotoGP engine, and the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, which marks the debut of Hyundai’s N performance sub-brand. BMW’s 330e plug-in hybrid and the 225xe highlight the shift towards electrification in mainstream models.
Supercars and performance debuts
Ferrari unveils the 488 Spider and previews the F12 GTO, while Lamborghini brings the Aventador SV Roadster and the Huracan Spyder. Mercedes-AMG’s C63 Coupe, already revealed online, makes its first public appearance. Brabus and other tuning firms use the show to display high-powered variants, including the Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo Widestar.
- Bentley Bentayga: luxury SUV debut
- Alfa Romeo Giulia: new executive saloon
- Audi A4: next-generation compact executive
- Jaguar F-Pace: first Jaguar SUV
- Infiniti Q30: premium compact hatchback
- BMW 7 Series: flagship saloon
- Ferrari 488 Spider: open-top supercar
- Lamborghini Huracan Spyder: convertible V10
- Audi e-tron Quattro: electric SUV concept
- Citroën Cactus M: leisure concept car
SUVs and crossovers dominate
The trend for SUVs is clear across the halls. Alongside the Bentayga and F-Pace, Kia reveals the new Sportage, and Hyundai brings the i20 Active. Borgward returns to the market with the BX7 SUV, marking a brand revival after decades of absence. Dacia’s Duster and Ford’s Edge fill out the more affordable end of the segment.
Facelifts and mainstream updates
Mainstream brands use Frankfurt for updates and facelifts, including the Fiat 500, Kia Cee’d, DS 4, and BMW 3 Series. The Dacia Duster, now with an automatic, and the facelifted Ford Ranger are aimed at European buyers looking for practical upgrades. Citroën’s C4 Cactus and DS’s new Crossback variant also underline the popularity of customisation and crossover styling.
For more on the standout models and concepts, see our coverage of the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show: Supercars, SUVs and Electric Concepts Lead the Line-up.
