It Began with "Electric"

The opening act of the event was the Pet Shop Boys, who had just released a CD titled "Electric" in July. This detail highlights how significantly "vehicle electrification" is positioned as a key theme for Volkswagen today.



In the segment sequentially introducing the "highlight exhibits" from each brand, SEAT's "Estate Tourer",Bugatti "Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse Jean Bugatti Edition"Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' "e-load up!", and Skoda's "Rapid Spaceback" were briefly presented. Following these, Volkswagen, the "main attraction," unveiled the concept car,Golf Sportsvanwas revealed.

The Golf Sportsvan is the successor to the "Golf Plus," and Volkswagen explains it "realizes the value of both a compact car and a minivan." Comparing its dimensions to the current Golf, it is 126mm taller at 1,578mm, 83mm longer at 4,338mm, and its width of 1,807mm is only slightly wider by 8mm.



The designGolf 7follows the lineage of the "Golf 7," but like the Golf Plus, its increased height is immediately apparent, visually conveying its spaciousness. Inside, the dashboard design has been revised, and the horizontally elongated fascia enhances the sense of interior space. Although it's a concept car, it is almost certain to be mass-produced in this form, and its release in Japan is highly anticipated.

For the Electrification of Cars We Produce Today

The presentation of individual brands paused here, transitioning to a segment outlining the group's future direction.



There was a clearer trend than ever before to shorten the time allocated to each brand to make the overall event more compact (as a total of nine brands were featured, even with short segments, the event would still last nearly two hours). Amidst this, the group's commitment to E-mobility was presented with dedicated time.

Audi'sA3 e-tron, Porsche'sPanamera S E-Hybrid, and Volkswagen'se-Golf, and alsoe-up!were presented on stage. While the first two are plug-in hybrids and the latter two are pure EVs, a characteristic of the Volkswagen Group is that existing models are being hybridized or converted to EVs.



Equipped with a dedicated body made of carbon compositeBMWThis is a decisive difference from BMW's "i" brand. Ulrich Hackenberg, who gave the presentation, stated, "We are differentiating ourselves from brands that only produce a few niche models. We are pursuing the electrification of the cars we produce today, not tomorrow." His words were impactful.

Lamborghini Unveils the Final Evolution of the Gallardo

The brand introduction segment resumed. First to appear wasLamborghini, along with two racing cars: the one-make race carLamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeoand the "Gallardo GT3 FL2" that competes in GT3 races worldwide. Also unveiled was the "Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse" which the company's president, Stephan Winkelmann, called "the best Gallardo ever made."

The production is limited, with the number of units unspecified. The local price is 191,100 Euros (approximately 25.4 million yen).

Bentley Continental GT V8 S with an Enhanced Engine

Next to appear wasBentley, which announced the "Continental GT V8" with a more powerful engine than the "Continental GT V8 S".



This model features an enhanced 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine, increasing maximum output by 21 ps to 528 ps and maximum torque by 20 Nm to 680 Nm. In conjunction with this, a dedicated suspension, 10mm lower than the existing model, has been adopted, with further increased spring rates and damper settings. This indicates that the already sporty performance of the V8, which stood out within the Continental GT series, has been further refined.

Porsche 918 Spyder Finally Arrives

Furthermore, the 918 Spyder is not just fast; it also satisfies Porsche's high standards for driving enjoyment. Test driver and former rally champion Walter Röhrl expressed his surprise, stating, "I was originally skeptical about hybrids, but I never expected them to be this much fun." The 918 Spyder will soon roll off the production line, with the planned 918 units expected to be produced over 15 months.

Audi concluded the presentation of the Volkswagen Group's four-wheel brands. At this event, they showcased two vehicles as surprises for the Frankfurt Motor Show: the "Nanuk quattro concept" and the "A3 Cabriolet" were brought onto the stage.



The Nanuk quattro concept is a concept car developed with the cooperation of Italdesign, led by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Its 5.0-liter V10 TDI engine produces 544 ps and 1,000 Nm, achieving 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h. The body dimensions are 4,541mm in length, 1,990mm in width, and 1,337mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,710mm. The engine is mid-mounted. The gearbox is a 7-speed S tronic, and as the "quattro" name suggests, it drives all four wheels.


However, the most striking feature of this model is undoubtedly its exterior design. The body, reminiscent of the glamorous Italian supercars of the 1970s, is composed of expressive curves and possesses a powerful appeal to the viewer with its balanced proportions. Yet, the overall impression emanating from the exterior is distinctly Audi. Unlike previous designs that conveyed a sophisticated yet somewhat cold impression, this one is crafted with a warm, emotional aesthetic.

The other vehicle, the A3 Cabriolet, is naturally based on the latest A3. However, unlike the previous model, which was based on a hatchback, the most notable point is that it is a three-box type with a separate trunk. On the other hand, the roof, when opened, is neatly stored within the body, maintaining the clean open-top style as before. This time, it was emphasized that the soft top has been significantly improved in terms of quietness.


The event concluded with Ducati, the Italian motorcycle brand, which served to once again impress upon attendees the diversity of brands within the group. The growth of the Volkswagen Group appears set to continue.