But just to get your engines running – or so to speak, we have a special treat for you, and no, we're not referring to the Nissan 180SX/200SX ...
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“The BMW 3 Series is the most important volume-produced model from the BMW Group as well as the biggest-selling model in the entire premium segment," said Frank-Peter Arndt, Member of the BMW AG Board of Management responsible for production.
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Initially presented as a Zagato concept at the 1987 Geneva Motor Show, the ES30 (Experimental Sports 3.0-liter), as was its internal designation, debuted in production form at the same show two years later as the SZ, which stands for Sports Zagato.
And it caused quite a commotion, thanks to its angular styling and angry looks. Some 25 years later, the SZ's exterior styling is still divisive, but nevertheless, it does stand out from the crowd…
It was available in one trim level in a red color with a dark-grey roof and tan leather interior – save for one example finished in black that was built exclusively for Andrea Zagato himself.
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So that probably gives you an idea about the styling changes for the 2013MY Audi A4 in both sedan and Avant forms as well as its S4 and A4 Allroad Quattro siblings.
In a similar fashion to the recently updated A5/S5 models, the refreshed A4s gain Audi's new six-point grille and sharper looking headlamps with LED daytime running lights that form a narrow band, redesigned front and rear bumpers, plus tweaked tail lights that reflect the shape of the head lights and come with LED strips.
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Manufactured locally in cooperation with Peugeot's Chinese partner Dongfeng Motor Corporation, the new 308 Sedan joins the carmaker's extended offerings in the C-segment that also include the 307 and 408 saloons.
Peugeot said that with the new launch, it intends to strengthen its presence within the very competitive category, with a full year sales target of 60,000 units.
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The Italian firm's first full-size saloon model after the ill-fated Thesis was discontinued in 2009, is one of two models to emerge from the alliance between Lancia and Chrysler, the other one being the Town & Country-based Voyager MPV.
The Thema is in essence a Chrysler 300 wearing Lancia badges and as such, it was an easy and cheap solution for the Fiat Group to expand Lancia's range upwards without sinking valuable resources into the brand that was once famous for its achievements in the World Rally scene.
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In 1969, the Melbourne-headquartered automaker presented its first ever concept model, the Hurricane, codenamed RD 001. It was a futuristic research vehicle described by the company at the time as an experiment “to study design trend, propulsion systems and other long-range developments”.
Some four decades years after it captured the headlines at the 1969 Melbourne Motor Show, and Holden decided it was time to restore the historic concept back to its original condition and showcase it to the public once again.
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According to BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, the new 3-Series is “the sportiest car in its segment and offers sheer driving pleasure at the highest level”.
The sixth generation mid-size BMW has grown considerably compared to its predecessor. It is 93 mm longer and an augmented wheelbase at 2,810 mm (+50mm) as well as wider front (+37 mm) and rear (+47 mm) tracks. The increase in dimensions promises to address one of the model’s disadvantages compared to the competition, namely that of rear passenger space.
The new model now offers 15 mm more legroom and 8 mm more headroom for rear seat passengers. Yet, despite the increase in size, numerous weight saving measures help make the new 3-Series up to 40 kg (88 lb) lighter than the model it replaces (depending on the version).
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These “21st Century Horseless Carriage” may look like something from the turn of the twentieth century, but behind the white walls and running boards sit five modern lithium-ion battery packs good for 8 to 10 hours travel time on a 2 to 3 hour charge.
NY-Class – an acronym for New Yorkers for Clean, Livable And Safe Streets – commissioned the Fort Lauderdale, FL based Creative Workshop to produce a two-foot-long model of their proposal. The lime-green miniature is said to have cost US$12,500 (€9,335), which is an achievement in itself.
But not Mercedes which decided to refresh our memory with a new set of photos of its two-seater hardtop roadster model that went on sale earlier this summer.
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The faster and more-focused version of the Corsa VXR is powered by a re-worked version of the regular model's 1.6-litre turbocharged engine which now produces 205-horses at 5,750rpm and 250-280Nm (184-207 lb-ft) of torque, up from 192HP and 230-266Nm (170-196 lb-ft).
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Now it's time for a second and far more comprehensive round of pictures as the German maker unleashed more than 130 photos of the new B-Class covering every aspect from the exterior and interior design to technology.
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The move is part of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's decision to market all Lancia models in the UK under the Chrysler brand name.
Chrysler is marketing the new Delta a C-segment model with D-segment interio space and features. The five-door model measures 4520mm in length and rides on a 2700mm long wheelbase.
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We'll have to wait to see the first (real) results, but for the time being, the group is making use of one brand's vehicles to supplement the lineup of another brand through the age-old approach of rebadging.
Following the European premieres of the Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country with Lancia badges and names, the table has turned around with Chrysler welcoming a Lancia model into its range, the new Ypsilon supermini. But it's not for U.S. consumption.
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For Sale: ’84 De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos “La Marquise”. Low kilometre (mileage), twin engined four-seat convertible with leather / wood interior, only four owners since new and restored in the mid-‘90s by a dedicated individual. Would suit classic car / steam enthusiast with large amounts of disposable income. Price is US$2 - $2.5 million (€1.5 - 1.9 million) ONO with all enquiries to RM Auctions, Pennsylvania.
At 127 years, the 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos or “La Marquise” is the world’s oldest running motor car. It’s a steam-powered quadricycle built by toymakers Georges Bouton and Charles-Armand Trepardoux with the financial backing of the Comte Di Dion in 1884.
It’s 9 feet (2.7 metres) long, weighs 2,100 pounds (953 kilograms), has solid axles front and rear and dos-a-dos (back-to-back) seating for four.
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Under the sheetmetal, Ford replaced last year’s electronic shift-on-the-fly with a an enhanced two-speed automatic 4x4 system that gains a 4x4 auto mode for Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels. Across the range, there's a new standard Hill Start Assist feature that prevents the truck from rolling backward at a stop.
And even though a much needed replacement for the Quattroporte sports saloon that has been on the market since 2004 has yet to be introduced, the Italians are already moving into new territory with the Kubang, the firm's first attempt in the SUV category.
It has been a truly great ride with some 150 world and European premieres, so what a better way to celebrate the end than to finish up with the third part of our series (see Part 1 here, and Part 2 here) on the booth professionals of the show.
So follow the break and take a gander at our gallery.
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The 64th IAA International Auto Show, more commonly referred to as the Frankfurt Motor Show, runs for the media from September 13 to 14, and for the public, from September 15 to 25.
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