Overblown theatrics, fireballs, a dozen vehicle introductions, stifling heat and no food? No, that's not the auto show -- it's Volkswagen Group Night, the company's pre-event extravaganza held the Monday evening before the auto show, which starts in a few hours. Man, I've got to get some sleep.
You might think that introducing your cars before the auto show renders their auto show reveal somewhat redundant, but hey, when in Frankfurt...
On the plus side, it was the first time we'd seen some of the VW Group's new cars in the metal.
Here are the top four cars of Volkswagen Group Night.
Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale -- Its shade of crimson might remind you of... something. "The color of traditional Italian racecars," said CEO Stephan Winkelmann coyly. We had in mind something from the town that begins with "M" and ends in "aranello," but no matter -- the Super Trofeo Stradale looks sensational.
What's more, Mr. Winkelmann dropped that the Sesto Elemento concept from last year will indeed be put into production, if you consider a run of 20 examples "production." Sharing the Super Trofeo Stradale's 5.2-liter, 562-hp V10 and weighing less than 2,200 pounds, we call it rather quick. Winkelmann says zero to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds for the Sesto Elemento.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L'Or Blanc -- This was revealed at Pebble Beach, but it's so insanely ridiculous that it simply overshadows nearly everything else. Can you say porcelain paint? Even when gaudily pinstriped, the Veyron has presence, and its particulars -- quad-turbo, 1,000-hp W16 power plant -- remain loopy even this many years on.
Seat, Skoda who? That's what we thought.
2012 Porsche 911 -- This intro was actually pretty cool. An example of each historic 911 model was driven onto the stage as a precursor to the 991 (the new 911's code name) introduction. A 901, then an SC, followed by a 964, a 993, 996 and a 997.
The 991 looks much wider than the outgoing car. Longer, too, even though in reality it's only an inch longer. Must be the longer wheelbase and larger wheels playing visual tricks. No mistaking this for any other car. True, it doesn't break any new styling ground but then that's not what the 911 has ever been about. This one is signficant, as it ushers in the first all-new chassis since the 996 was introduced in 1999.
Audi S5 DTM -- And then there's this bad boy. I mean, just look at the thing.
And then look at all the freakin' people -- VW reckons some 2,300 people turned out for the event. Where's the A/C when you need it?
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