How's this for irony? The Frankfurt Auto Show is, obviously, all about cars. But to see them all, you'll probably wind up doing more walking than you've done in your entire life, since the event occupies a network of halls that's as vast as the Fatherland itself. Happily, all that schlepping was more than worth it this year, thanks to the prime examples of automotive excellence on display.
Many of the models shown were European editions that won't make it to the US; not so with the picks listed below, which will eventually wind up in a dealership near you. These three models have all the right ingredients necessary to rack up major sales success on our shores.
1. 2012 Porsche 911
Proving that they've got no problem whatsoever messing with a good thing, the Porsche wizards have waved their wands and sprinkled glitter dust on the 911. The revamped 911 gets larger LED headlamps, bolder front fenders, a wider front track, and a longer, revised hood; revisions have also been made to the taillamps and rear wing. It's bigger than the previous model, with a wheelbase that's longer by 3.9 inches, but it also sees a reduction in curb weight of up to 99 pounds – its all-steel structure has been replaced with one that incorporates lighter aluminum. Two engines are offered: A new base 3.4-liter kicks out 345 horsepower, and the previous generation's 3.8 liter soldiers on with modifications made to its induction system that boost hp to 394.
2. 2012 BMW M5
So yeah, the V10 seen in the previous generation M5 is gone – boo. But it's hard to imagine too many people being that disappointed with the engine's replacement. The new M5 gets a twin-scroll, twin-turbocharged, 4.4.-liter V8 good for 562 hp and 501 lb-ft. It's paired with the choice of a seven-speed automatic transmission a six-speed manual. All that goodness comes together to give the M5 the kind of straight-line acceleration that takes it from 0-60 mph in a scant 4.4 seconds.
3. 2013 Mazda CX-5
Size-wise, the Mazda CX-5 lives somewhere between the 3 and the CX-7, and it gives Mazda a candidate in a segment that's seen a lot of growth of late. With a wheelbase of 106.5 inches and a length of 178.7 inches, the CX-5 is a hair more compact than the CX-7, which has a 108.3-inch wheelbase and measures 184.3 inches in length. The CX-5 will arrive on our shores with Mazda's new Skyactiv-G direct-injected, 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine; Mazda promises best-in-class fuel economy, and though horsepower ratings haven't been released, our guess is somewhere around 158.
Which of the debuting models do you think are best poised for success?
veryhrm says:
01:42 AM, 09/18/11
Well... $100k cars, as nice as they may be, are out of my price range.
That CX-5, however, if it comes w/ a decent (i.e. more like subaru or suzuki or land rover) AWD and a 6MT ... would be an awesome all around choice for zoom-zoom + practicality. Unfortunately, mazda's AWD has generally been of the minimal type and they never offered the CX-7 w/ a manual... and they're probably going to claim that as a small player they can't afford to offer manual transmissions in the US blah blah.
So in the end it'll be another cute-ute but w/ sports suspension. That's fine, but hardly something to get excited about.
i just made my self sad typing this comment. :-)
transpower says:
05:51 AM, 09/18/11
So where's the Peugeot 3008 Diesel-Electric Hybrid SUV that we're not going to get in the States?
ed124c says:
08:04 AM, 09/18/11
The CX-5 may be Mazda's last chance at hitting something really big. If the price is right, it should sell OK, and if the drivetrain has "zoom'zoom" creds, then it would sell more than just OK. But that is a big IF, seeing as how it will be as underpowered as the Mitsu Sport. Maybe it will be much lighter than the Mitsu.
The first two-- 911 and M5-- are, to use a cliche: Round up the usual suspects. Most people can't afford these cars and, since they don't look any different from the previous model, I find it difficult to be impressed.
ed124c says:
07:44 AM, 09/19/11
@teleiosgt: You could at least have picked a blind person who is still alive. Anyway, I got a chuckle out of it.
I will agree that-- for those who can afford a 911 or an M5-- year after year of minor styling changes are noticeable. For the rest of us in the huddled mass-- OK, for ME-- I think a 20 year old 911 looks pretty much the same as a new one.
ppellico says:
08:41 AM, 09/19/11
I PINE for the 911. I might even lose a wife over getting one.
But, alas...I would more than likely see the CX5 in the driveway.
This would not be THAT hard to take if I could get the SkyD.
Everything I read tells me we have something special there.
cr_driver says:
10:49 AM, 09/19/11
ed124c says:
08:04 AM, 09/18/11
"The CX-5 may be Mazda's last chance at hitting something really big. If the price is right, it should sell OK, and if the drivetrain has "zoom'zoom" creds, then it would sell more than just OK. But that is a big IF, seeing as how it will be as underpowered as the Mitsu Sport. Maybe it will be much lighter than the Mitsu."
Ed, that is your opinion only.
But if you look at the sales data, it shows how well the Outlander sport has been selling, for instance, numbers of July 2011.
In fact, I don`t like the Outlander sport at all, and would share your opinion as well, but hey, sales numbers say otherwise and what matters is sales and profits, and the car has been delivering on that point.
Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today reported July 2011 sales of 7,972 units, an increase of 41.1 percent compared to the same month in 2010.
The increase continues a sales surge that, for the first seven months of 2011, makes Mitsubishi the fastest growing automaker in the United States.
"We are particularly pleased with the performance of the Outlander Sport small CUV," said MMNA President & CEO Yoichi Yokozawa. "July was the biggest sales month ever for Outlander Sport, so consumers continue to be drawn to its fuel-efficiency and performance." MMNA sold 1,571 Outlander Sports in July, more than 12 percent higher than the vehicle's previous high sales month (April 2011).
So all in all, I think the addition of the CX-5 to the Mazda lineup is a wise move. In fact, I think I even read Mazda said it will be a top seller alongside its 3.
roadburner says:
07:53 PM, 09/19/11
I think all three cars will do well, but I'd still prefer a Cayman S to the 911 and an E39 M5 to the F10 iteration.