An exciting and colourful Frankfurt Motor Show - part 2
| If any one car in the C segment turned from the equivalent of duckling to swan, it has to be the Nissan Primera (below), which was shown in sleek wagon and a saloon form. A new hatchback will join the lineup next year. It will be in Ireland early next year. | |
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| Nissan also showed its mm.e concept (below) which demonstrates the styling and content trends which will be first rolled out in the next-generation Micra. | |
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| And the Nissan Crossbow concept vehicle is aimed at what Nissan describes as the 'young at heart', 'successful and self-assured' owner 'with a fascination with nature and the outdoors'. The Crossbow is the format for a 'luxury 4x4' which will feature many new technologies and elements aimed at making it a 'go-anywhere' vehicle which doesn't compromise on confort and luxury. | |
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| Renault's Talisman sports coupe concept (below) has features such as 'butterfly' doors which ease access to both front and rear, voice actuation systems, a multi-function screen which includes rear views through miniature cameras replacing ordinary rear-view mirrors, and fixed seats - controls, including pedals, can all be adjusted to provide the best driving position. The Talisman is powered by a V8 engine. |
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| Mazda's MX-5 MPS (below) features racing technology from Mazda Speed, an affiliate of Mazda Motor Corporation and winner of the 1991 Le Mans 24-hour race. | |
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| An intriguing idea on rollover protection was also shown on a 'standard' MX-5 (below). | |
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| Apart from the new Fiesta, Ford was showing off a special edition Focus, the ST170 (below) and an ST220 Mondeo estate, both of which are high-powered versions of the models in question. | |
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| Ford has also made detail changes to the front end of the Focus, including a new grille and lights treatment, and an anti-rub strip on the rear. The car on the stand also featured a special passenger seat which turned down to make a table, and which can have special attachments to allow use of a laptop and other things. | |
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September 2001
