11+ show-stopping cars at Frankfurt 2017

Anyone with even a passing interest in cars would know about the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.

There are many car shows all over the world, but the one in Frankfurt is not only the biggest, it’s also the most important for most industry professionals, journalists and enthusiasts.

For the uninitiated, Germany’s motor show is actually held annually—the one for passenger cars during odd-numbered years in Frankfurt that almost everybody knows about, and the one for commercial vehicles held during even-numbered years in Hannover.

A quick history lesson about the 120-year-old car fair (yes, it was first held in 1897) would tell you that the motor show used to be held in Berlin, and later in Frankfurt, but because it had grown so much over the years, organizers opted to split it in two to better accommodate exhibitors and visitors alike.

I hadn’t planned on going to this year’s show, but when I planned a trip to Europe last September, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I would be there in time for it. And so, I worked in a quick side trip to Frankfurt while there.

Here are some of the automobiles that caught my eye at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show:

1. Porsche Cayenne Turbo and 911 GT2 RS

Porsche’s big reveal was the third-generation of its flagship SUV. The Cayenne Turbo has a V8 twin-turbo engine and top speed of 286 kph, and can zoom from zero to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds.

I also liked the 911 GT2 RS, the GT3, and the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.

2. Audi A8 and Aicon

The A8 isn’t only a beauty, it’s damn smart too. Execs say Audi’s flagship sedan is the first to offer standard “Level 3” self-driving capabilities, which means it can drive itself up to 60 kph although drivers must remain constantly alert.

The Aicon, meanwhile, is an electric concept that looks like it could be at home in the Blade Runner universe.

Audi says the car has a range of up to 700 km, can support wireless charging, and can be 80 percent charged in just 30 minutes.

3. MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept

Say goodbye to your friendly neighborhood MINI. One look at the JCW GP Concept, and you’ll know the British marque isn’t playing around.

It looks and feels badass. Couldn’t find any technical specs about it though, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if what’s under the hood matches its aggressive external features.

4. Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Mercedes-Benz went all out this year, judging by how much space it took in one hall.

Besides the AMG Project One hypercar that everybody was talking about at the motor show, I was drawn to the X-Class, Mercedes-Benz’s version of the pickup, which made its public premiere at Frankfurt.

5. Ferrari Portofino

There’s a special place in my heart for the Ferrari California T as I’ve driven it once before in its birthplace of Maranello, so it was with just a hint of sadness when I found out that it is being replaced with the all-new Portofino, which the Italian supercar-maker unveiled in Frankfurt.

This new “entry-level” Ferrari has 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 engine and a retractable hardtop.

6. Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover calls the Discovery the “ultimate all-terrain” vehicle.

With a 5.0-liter V8 petrol engine, it certainly looks like it’s tough enough to handle not just the decrepit on-road conditions of Metro Manila streets, but off-road, all-weather conditions, too.

7. Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster

As if the Aventador couldn’t get any cooler, imagine it without a roof. That’s the S Roadster version, equipped with a 5.2-liter, V12 engine.

Besides the removable roof, the S Roadster isn’t that much different from the original Aventador—top speed of 350 kph, zero to 100 kph in about three seconds.

8. Bentley Continental GT

Bentley’s bosses claim this new GT was created to “set a benchmark” for all GTs (grand tourers). I just thought it looked good.

9. Bugatti 0-400-0 Chiron

The numbers refer to how this supercar went from zero to 400 kph and then back to zero in just 42 seconds, which Bugatti says is “the fastest time ever reached and officially measured for this driving maneuver for a production vehicle.”

Judging by the huge, nonstop crowds that came to gawk and salivate over this supercar, I wasn’t the only one who was impressed.

10. Toyota CHR Hy-Power Concept

The Japanese manufacturer also unveiled the Prius+ and the cute Aygo x-clusiv special edition, but I was drawn to the rugged looks of the CHR Hy-Power concept.

Crossing my fingers Manila gets this soon.

11. BMW i Vision Dynamics

Finally, BMW offered a bunch of gorgeous-looking cars in its sedan and X series, as well as its M models and some concept vehicles, including the world premiere of the iVision Dynamics, its vision for the future of sports sedans.

Also turning heads were the 8-series concept, the all-new X3, and the M4 GT4.

Clearly, when you’re talking about the best in German motoring, the Munich-based marque has more than a few things to contribute.