All eyes on Munich
For years the Frankfurt Motor Show was one of the biggest shows on the global calendar, attracting thousands of visitors and the best new car reveals. For now it is no more, but the focus has shifted to a new show, the IAA Munich International Motor Show which will be taking place in a couple of weeks time. It means new model news has been a bit quiet this week, but fear not, it’s definitely the calm before the storm.
What the IAA Munich show is promising to do is bring us lots of new model reveals, a host of mobility solutions and a few industry announcements. We already know that Renault will reveal its new Limo ride-hailing car, BMW will show us its hydrogen fuel cell X5 and Mercedes will give us a bunch of new electric models.
This week Cupra has given us a glimpse of its Urban Rebel concept that will be seen in full at the show. The performance arm of Seat is promising that it will be a vision of an all-electric model that will launch in 2025. That massive rear wing looks rather unfriendly for regular urbanites, but Seat say this concept is a radical interpretation of the car, something to do with the brand’s racing DNA.
Kia to reveal the new Sportage - again
If you think we’re going mad and have forgotten that Kia has already revealed the new Sportage, then we assure you we’re fine. Initially Kia showed us the global Sportage for everyone except Europe and now it’s set to give us our own, including a plug-in hybrid electric version. The Korean automaker has only teased us with a sketch for now but we will show you all when Kia reveals the new model on 1 September.
More focused Focus
While we wait for that, Ford has launched a new version of its popular Focus ST, but this one is a little different. It features lightweight wheels and a new Ford Performance-tuned adjustable coilover suspension system that allows owners to set the suspension up just the way they want it. There’s also a new hydraulically-activated electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) and the drive modes now include a Track mode. There are loads of adjustments now available plus the ST Edition is 10mm lower front and rear, with the owner able to drop it by a further 20mm. Spring rates are up 50% so you know things are going to be much firmer, as if the adjustable suspension didn’t already point to a more track-focused hot hatch weapon.
Also more focused is the Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate. Actually there’s no change in performance, it’s all about a glass flake paint job and a bunch of other bespoke styling items. It looks good though, but with the expectation that we could see the new Range Rover and its Sport sibling before the end of the year, the Ultimate is really a run-out model
