|
From YourSITE.com Events Coverage As international autoshows go, the Frankfurt IAA is one of the most complete and in-depth exhibits of the automotive industry in its entirety that you’ll ever find in one facility. From the auto manufacturers themselves to OEM suppliers, the aftermarket and automotive-interest vendors, virtually all ends of the industry and the hobby are well represented. With Audi’s presentation out of the way on our first day at the show, the remainder of the time in Frankfurt can be takento dig a bit deeper and see what else might be found of interest to enthusiasts of the so-called Audi Brand Group.
Audi Day 2 Back at Audi, more cars were moved in to the company’s exhibit, having reclaimed the floor space where journalists had gathered the day before to see the Q7 launch to much fanfare. Day two arrivals included several production cars we hadn’t yet seen. Most of these were A3 models. A 3.2 quattro S-line model gave a good hint at what we might expect in the USA later this fall. The car was fitted with S-line body kit, BBS-style wheels and good-looking aggressively bolstered sport seats with “S-line” logo emblazoned on the hide – the latter two features have yet to be confirmed for our market. Next to the 3.2 was a 3-door A3 with Audi Accessories body kit and wheels on the outside and “Individual Line” interior trim. Crowds still gathered around the Q7 on the second day, making it difficult to photograph any of the four SUVs Audi had on display. Audi did have staff on hand around the four seven-seaters to answer more specific questions and several details were learned.
In regards to the black example displaying several Audi accessories, the DVD entertainment system shown was a prototype system. A headrest-based screen setup as with the Audi A8 is more expensive than expected Q7 buyers will bare. This system, utilizing A6 Avant kit components, is a prototype mockup made specifically for the show. It is said to be close to what we’ll see as a dealer-installed option, though expect the final system to be neater in packaging when it does make it into production. The 21-inch wheels found on the black Q7 have not yet been approved for production. Thus far, a 20-inch diameter is as large as Audi has given the go ahead for on the SUV from the factory, though company representatives theorized that it was probably only a matter of time and that the handsome 21-inch wheels would probably make it at least into the accessories offering.
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Audi Brand Group sibling Lamborghini continues to gain prominence. For many years the brand was perceived a weaker competitor to Ferrari, languishing with limited financial support from a range of previous owners. Now under Audi control, Sant Agata flourishes with competitive new models and variants more plentiful than ever. For Frankfurt, Lamborghini pulled covers off of its handsome Gallardo Spyder. Much more ergonomic than the batmobile-inspired Murcielago Spyder, the Gallardo looks to be a serious competitor for Ferrari and the new “it-car” for the rich and famous.
SEAT Shows New Performance Models and Racecar The Audi Brand Group’s Spanish arm chose to forego new model introductions or major concept debuts at Frankfurt. Instead, the Spaniards focused on motorsport with the new Leon touring racecar and a hot new diesel offering planned on the Altea. The Altea FR Prototipo was billed as a design study, though a production version set to debut soon should be spot-on with the exception being the large graphics affixed to the side of the car.
Tuner Hall One of the more unique draws of Frankfurt is the event’s embrace of the automotive aftermarket. Unlike most North American industry auto shows, Frankfurt has a whole hall dedicated to accessory companies and brand tuners – sort of SEMA light.. Audi, SEAT and Lamborghini continue to grow in stature and are thus better represented in this hall every year we’ve returned. Stalwart Audi and Volkswagen tuner Abt always has a strong presence here, and this year was no different. Audis on the stand included their take on the new A6 Avant, S4 Avant and A3 Sportback.
Across from Abt was the well-known and well-respected Audi tuner MTM. As part of a consortium of tuners, MTM’s B7 S4 Clubsport Avant looked menacing with its Group B / Pikes Peak racer inspired wedge-shaped ground effects, while the company’s super-clean supercharger setup sat neatly under the hood. The MTM staff was more than forthcoming about the charger setup, and shared that the setup is now working on both belt-driven and chain-driven versions of the 4.2-liter V8 engine. Interestingly, the company has just finished successfully installing it in a Volkswagen Touareg. Further, MTM fully intends to begin experimentation very soon with the supercharger fitted to FSI versions of the V8 – engines we’ll soon see in the Q7 and the more highly strung RS 4.
Another well-known name in the Audi/VW tuning world is Nothelle. Once a major player amongst the German tuners, the company sidetracked for some years, expanding into the tuning of Jaguar automobiles. Nothelle has now begun its serious return to the German car segment, going back to its roots with Volkswagen and Audi. A fine example of this, company principal Jens Nothelle showed off his stunning red A3 sportback with Nothelle’s wide-body ground effects kit, wheels, brakes and more. The kit is strikingly subtle despite its aggressive dimensions. Mr. Nothelle confirmed that he was preparing to finalize his US distribution, so look for availability for the USA quite soon.
It’s no surprise that the Austrian company MS Design makes a handsome body kit. The firm is regularly an OEM source for a number of manufacturers including Audi. This is the first chance we’ve had to look over the company’s new A6 sedan body kit. It’s subtle and refined in its use of Audi design cues like RS 4 style sharkfins ahead of the front wheels or a racecar style rear valance used on the A4 DTM and upcoming US-only S4 25quattro, though the jury’s still out on the company’s teradactyl egg eggcrate grille design.
Though primarily a tire manufacturer, Hankook chose to communicate their product message with the display of a wide array of modified high-end automobiles shod with their brand tire. Among them, we spotted an ebony Gallardo with aftermarket mesh wheels and carbon fiber trim, looking mean but demanding attention parked between numerous other high-impact cars.
Speaking of Lamborghini tuning, it was hard to miss newcomer BF-Engineering. BF-Engineering appears to be already in production with a whole range of upgrades for both the Gallardo and Murcielago. Of particular note was the company’s “Lambo-Style” door conversion for the Gallardo. These scissor opening door kits look right at home on the Gallardo, which goes counter to Lamborghini tradition using standard door hinges from the factory.
Many other sorts of automotive vendors and displays can be found on the lower floor of the tuner hall, including manufacturers of scale model cars. The German fetish for miniature automobiles is widespread and rampant, and as such there’s plenty for the oddball American sharing the model car affliction to see at the IAA. Companies like Minichamps, Wiking and Herpa maintain booths, and scattered around them are numerous other prominent hobbyist vendors who carry a seemingly endless array of model cars. Many cool finds could be found, among them, including 1:18 scale models of the Audi V8 DTM racer and Sport quattro as well as 1:87 scale models of the new A8, A4 and Q7.
Rows away from the scale model vendors was a collection of historic cars and more recent concepts. Among them were several Audis – an ’81 works Michelle Mouton rally quattro and last year’s RSQ concept from the movie “I Robot”. Near these two Audis could also be found a pristine example of the rotary-powered NSU Ro80.
OEM Hall Keep walking the halls at the Frankfurt IAA, and you’ll begin to wonder if it ever ends. Walk past the new cars, and the tuner hall, and you’ll find halls of OEM suppliers. There may be fewer cars on display, but the technology is no less important, and those willing to dig deep enough will be rewarded with some very interesting finds. Audi’s Le Mans winning #3 R8 had prominent placement at the Mahle booth. This provider of pistons to Audi Sport also displayed a BMW Formula 1 car. A display in the Continental booth showed the components that make up the air suspension system of the upcoming Q7. Similar systems from Continental are also used in other vehicles such as the Audi allroad, Volkswagen Phaeton, Bentley Continental GT, Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes M-Class and the Maybach.
At Aisin Warner, several Audi components were found including the Navigation/MMI components sourced for several Ingolstadt offerings and a cutaway of the company’s 6-speed SUV transmission used in the Touareg, Cayenne and expected to be used in the upcoming Q7.
Not Audi related, at least not yet, the Japanese company Stanley in conjunction with Hella showed off a unique concept displaying lighting possibilities through the use of LED technology. The look was truly revolutionary and is a hint of things to come at companies like Audi who’ve placed emphasis on LED adoption. Hella also showed a wide range of aftermarket taillight applications as well as several examples of OEM units they supply. Among them, we found the taillights for the new B7 A4/S4/RS 4 models.
Another source for lighting technology in the German car industry is Valeo. This supplier displayed the standard Q7 headlight assembly that it manufactures with its dynamic lighting that turns in the direction the car is steered. Also on display was a prototype Audi TT taillight, exhibiting some other lighting possibilities using LED lighting as a source. Seat manufacturer Recaro had a very small display this year, though we couldn’t help noticing a model of the seat used in the upcoming RS 4. It turns out that Recaro is the OEM source for this new optional seat design that, unfortunately, is not planned for America.
A major sponsor of the DTM, tire manufacturer Dunlop displayed one of Audi’s RS 4 safety cars used in the German touring series. Like some other safety cars spotted at this past summer’s 24-hours of Le Mans, the car featured Alcantara interior trim that will be optional for some markets.
© Copyright 2004 by YourSITE.com |
