Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini in the Frankfurt spotlight

THE AUDI e-tron quattro concept

Electric and hybrid propulsion were common themes among the Volkswagen Group’s new cars introduced at Frankfurt. These revelations were made during the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), days before the other devastating reveal: that VW had been cheating on its US emissions tests using special software on its diesels cars. But that is another story.

The electric and hybrid themes didn’t preclude Bentley from unveiling its first SUV, billed as the world’s fastest and most powerful. Here are some of the highlights from the Volkswagen’s premium automotive group.

Audi wasn’t in any of Frankfurt’s main halls. Rather, it erected its own building in the center of the Messe’s courtyard. This enormous hall allowed Audi to mount the R8, A4 and Q3 on the walls of the building.

Projection screens were synced with the car’s movements to depict the cars driving on the road.

The highlight of the booth was the Audi e-tron quattro concept, an electric crossover. The concept is a preview of an all-electric luxury SUV that Audi will introduce by 2018.

The e-tron uses three electric motors: one for the front axle, and two for the rear. An intelligent drive management system keeps them in sync to propel each of the wheels as needed.

Sports car-like

The e-tron quattro features 496 horsepower and 800 Newton-meters for sports car-like performance.

The large-capacity lithium ion battery gives it a range of more than 500 kilometers, with the possibility of wireless recharging.

Audi also debuted the S4 sedan and Avant (wagon) at Frankfurt. The all-new performance variants of the A4 feature a new turbocharged V6 engine. This generates 354 HP and 500 Nm, from just 1,300 revolutions per minute.

THE BENTLEY Bentayga

The S4 with standard quattro all-wheel drive can sprint to 100 km per hour in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed, electronically limited, of 250 kph.

Audi promises that the new-generation Audi A4 will deliver a balanced and sporty drive, with state-of-the-art infotainment systems and electronic driver assists.

Meanwhile, the Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro features a diesel engine mated with a plug-in electric hybrid system. The Q7 e-tron has an all-electric range of up to 56 km.

Bentley isn’t about saving the environment, but being the best and brashest. The brand’s first SUV certainly fits the bill.

The happy-sounding Bentayga rumbled onto the stage, packing a massive 6-liter W12 engine, good for 567 HP and 700 Nm. That engine propels the Bentayga from zero to 100 kph in 4.9 seconds. Its top speed is 305 kph.

That said, it’s still an SUV capable of tackling offroad conditions, with appropriate wheel articulation and traction capabilities.

The interior of the Bentley Bentayga is a study in opulence. Handcrafted in Britain, it’s a luxurious sitting room done in leather, with wood and metal trim.

There’s a removable Android-powered entertainment tablet, and available Naim premium audio with 1,950 watts and 18 speakers.

There’s also a champagne cooler in the boot to keep your bubbly handy.

The dashboard clock is, naturally, supplied by usual horological partner Breitling. However, this is a clock with a mechanical movement, with a tourbillon to boot.

If you’re wondering how a mechanical clock with an automatic movement can be wound while embedded in the Bentayga’s instrument panel, worry not since it includes its own motor to periodically wind up the clock.

New Spyder

Lamborghini revealed the Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder, an open-top version of its mid-engine sports car. The Huracán Spyder carries a naturally-aspirated V10 mounted just behind the driver. As the name indicates, it has 610 HP—good for a 324 kph top speed.

The Huracán’s engine features cylinder deactivation and stop-start system, paired with electronically-controlled all-wheel drive.

The Huracan Spyder’s soft top is available in black, brown and red. With roof up, the Spyder measures just 1.18 meters (around 46 inches) tall.

The soft top is electrically activated via a center push button, erected in just 17 seconds at up to 50 kph driving speed.

Real-life version

Supercar maker Bugatti rolled out a real-life version of its racecar for the Playstation Gran Turismo video game. The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is a Le Mans-inspired carbon-fiber racecar that offers a glimpse of the Veyron supercar’s successor.

It marks the completion of the 450 units in the Veyron series. The virtual version is a way to thank the brand’s fans and enthusiasts, and a way for them to experience Bugatti without having to fork out several million dollars.

For more photos from Frankfurt, visit motioncars.inquirer.net.