The automotive industry has hit back at the global financial crisis with a vengeance at the 63rd Internationale Automobil Ausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt.
Europe's biggest motor show has seen the car companies throw off the uncertainty and difficulties of the past 12 months with a series of radical concepts, dramatic supercars and desirable production ready offerings.
For sportscar lovers Frankfurt has provided a feast. Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Bugatti all offered up new models to tempt those with a need for speed... and plenty of cash.
Other brands set out to prove that the future of the car doesn't have to be boring just because internal combustion is giving way to electric motivation. Audi, Peugeot, BMW, Citroen and Volkswagen all revealed electric concepts that point to the future direction of each brand.
But it wasn't all about the high-end and futuristic with Frankfurt providing an ideal platform to preview new models headed to showrooms around the world in the near future. Everything from the new Bentley Mulsanne to the Audi S5 Sportback to the Fiat Punto Evo and Hyundai Tuscon ix35 graced the IAA halls.
The global financial crisis may not be over just yet but if this year's Frankfurt Motor Show is any indication, as far the global car industry is concerned the future is looking bright.
Check out our extensive coverage of this year's IAA below. You'll find a rundown of all the major companies with links to our in-depth articles from our Frankfurt team -- Melissa McCormick, Ken Gratton and Josh Dowling.
MINI: MINI unveiled its Coupe Concept ahead of the show. Forget the Concept part of the name though, because what you are looking at here will become the next member of the MINI family in the not-too-distant future.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Mini Coupe Roadster Concept.
AUDI: Audi will unveil three new 2010 production models at the Frankfurt show including the S5 Sportback, A4 3.0 TDI, A3 1.2 TFSI and possibly the oft-spied RS3 hot-hatch. And don't forget the rumours of an electric R8 and the convertible R8 Spider will also make its debut.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Audi R8 e-tron.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Audi R8 Spider.
PORSCHE: The Volkswagen-owned company will showcase its performance abilities with the Porsche 911 Sport Classic. It's a limited edition model that will be the most powerful naturally-aspirated 911 ever sold in Australia when a handful land here next year.
MERCEDES-BENZ: As well as new hybrid models, Mercedes-Benz will unveil one of its most important halo models for decades, the SLS AMG 'Gullwing'.
McLAREN: It's been a long time coming by the famous British supercar company has finally released a bespoke new model in the form of the MP4-12C. Powered by a turbocharged V8, it's expected to be a world-beater and will showcase several cutting edge chassis technologies.
VOLVO: The Swedes will show off a refreshed C70 convertible at the show as well as the updated Volvo C30 SportsCoupe. Volvo has already released the first official images of its facelifted C30 SportsCoupe, which will have the hanky whipped off it at the show.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Volvo Plug-in Hybrid.
LEXUS: Lexus couldn't wait until the show to reveal full details on its new baby giving the world a sneak peek at its star attraction for the big event, the LF-Ch concept. Although referred to as a concept the five-door hatch will enter the market in the not-too-distant future to give Lexus a rival for the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz B-Class.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Lexus LF-Ch concept.
CITROEN: Citroen raises the roof on new C3. Seven years after launching as the modern day incarnation of the iconic 2CV, Citroen will reveal the new C3 to the public in Frankfurt. The French firm will also take the wraps off its funky new DS3 and a dynamic concept car called the Revolte.
VOLKSWAGEN: The People's Car company will have a blue focus in Frankfurt with its new Up! electric car and three BlueMotion models based on the Polo, Golf and Passat. The show will also see the public debut of the three-door version of the recently updated Polo and the face-lifted Transporter and Caravelle models.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Volkswagen L1.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Volkswagen Golf R.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Volkswagen Up!.
ASTON MARTIN: The British sportscar brand will use Frankfurt as the launch pad for its new Porsche Panamera fighting Rapide luxury saloon.
TRABANT: One of the most curious exhibitors at this year's show will be a German toy company with an electric concept of the famous Trabant.
BMW: The Bavarian brand will make a splash with its wild looking Vision EfficientDynamics concept among other more production-ready offerings.
SKODA: Skoda Australia has already confirmed that the Superb Combi will be arriving in Australia sometime in 2010. The show will be our first chance to see just what the large wagon looks like. There are also rumours that the VW-owned Czech brand will pull the covers off the Fabia RS. Which hot hatch fans will be hoping joins the Australian line-up sooner rather than later.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Skoda Superb wagon.
RENAULT: It will be an eco-friendly stand for Renault this year's show with three electric concepts including one based on the Megane, another on the Kangoo LCV and another on the compact Clio platform.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Renault Fluence ZE concept.
MASERATI: The Italian brand with the Trident logo will almost certainly have one of the most popular stands thanks to its stunning GranCabrio, a convertible version of the GranTurismo.
HONDA: Still no word on the much-talked-about NSX supercar but Honda has confirmed that it will have a face-lifted CR-V soft-roader on its Frankfurt stand.
HYUNDAI: The South Korean company hopes its new Tuscon replacing ix35 soft-roader will continued its run of success.
KIA: Hyundai's sister-brand will have three new offerings on show in Germany. First up, and most importantly for Australians, will be the new generation Sorento SUV. There will also be two European-only models unveiled as well; the Venga hatch and the Hyundai i30-based cee’d hatch.
ALFA ROMEO: The Italian sports car brand is expected to show off at least one show stopper (possibly a new GTA model) alongside the already previewed MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, a hot version of its compact two-door hatch.
LAND ROVER: The new MY10 or model year 2010 vehicles are emerging, including a special edition Range Rover Sport. We'll also have plenty of impressions of the new Discovery 4 , Range Rover Vogue and Sport models.
FIAT: The new Punto Evo will make its fuel efficient debut, powered by the Italian group's new MultiAir petrol engine. A stove-hot version of the Fiat 500 will also make its global debut, the Fiat 500 Abarth 695 "Tributo Ferrari".
SAAB: New owners Koenigsegg will be hoping the new 9-5 sedan is well received in Frankfurt. Preview photos have been promising but in-the-metal judgement awaits at IAA.
BENTLEY: One of the British-brands expected to bring a touch of eccentric class to Frankfurt will be Bentley, with its limited-run Series 51 Continental GT and GTC models.
PEUGEOT: It turned heads as a concept and now the production-ready version of the RCZ coupe is ready to take a bow in public. It’s due in Australian showrooms late next year.
TOYOTA: Not surprisingly given Toyota's vocal stance on hybrid technology, the star attraction on its Frankfurt stage will be a hybrid version of the Corolla. Officially known by its European name, Auris, the hatch could join the Camry Hybrid in the company's production line-up soon. At the other end of the scale Toyota is also have its updated Prado mid-size SUV on display as well, not to mention a new plug-in Prius.
MAZDA: The Japanese brand will have a German-styled MX-5 Superlight concept on display. Showcasing the "pure essence of the world's most popular roadster" the roofless two-seater points to the future direction of the long-serving model.
BUGATTI: The makers of the world's fastest, most expensive car -- the iconic Veyron -- are promising a new model in Frankfurt tipped to be an ultra-premium four-door known as Bordeaux. The new model will take on Rolls-Royce and help celebrate the company's 100th anniversary.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Bugatti Veyron Blue Edition.
FERRARI: We've already seen images and read initial details of the new 430-replacing 458 Italia but the show will be the first chance to see the new Italian stallion in the metal.
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Ferrari 458 Italia.
LAMBORGHINI: Two years after it launched the ultra-exclusive Lamborghini Reventón, the Italian supercar maker will return with the Lamborghini Reventón Roadster. Expected to be limited to just 15 models, the Reventón Roadster will be one of the world's most expensive open air sports cars, commanding a seven figure price tag...
Frankfurt motor show reveal: Laborghini Reventon Roadster.
-- with staff
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