FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Borgward BX7 SUV revealed

Borgward has shown off its first car in more than half a century by revealing the new BX7 ahead of its official launch at the Frankfurt motor show.

Thought to be a direct rival to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, the new SUV looks -- at first glance -- like it might have been created by GM’s American car-maker Buick with its large gaping grille, but it is an all-new design from the fledgling brand.

Borgward hasn’t confirmed yet what exactly will power the BX7 show car but rumour has it that it will be a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid with around 220kW. The small SUV will also come with a 50km pure-electric range.

Other reports also indicate that the German car-maker's first new SUV in more than 50 years will come with a new dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Inside, Borgward appears to want to match its fellow premium car-makers for quality and has announced that the BX7 will come with an infotainment system so advanced it will “change the way you think about the car” -- expect more information (and pictures) of the new system following its official launch.

Borgward's bold plans for the future include building and selling 800,000 vehicles by 2020 and then 1.6 million units by 2025.

The company's ambitious strategy has international backing from huge Chinese vehicle maker Foton Motor Company.

Based in Stuttgart, Germany – the home of Mercedes-Benz -- Borgward announced its return after 54 years at this year's Geneva motor show and already claims to have a 1000-strong workforce.

It's not clear where the vehicle will be built, but Borgward reckons the car will be production-ready when it's revealed next week, and not simply a concept car preview.

Motoring.com.au will bring you more news from the ambitious car-maker and full details on the new BX7 live from the show next week.