German cars steal the show

By Russell Williamson

GERMAN carmakers have captured the limelight at the Frankfurt motor show with a range of concepts and new model previews.

Although the show is one of the biggest and most important on the global automotive calendar, it also provides the local carmakers with the opportunity to showcase their wares and visions to a proud domestic audience.

With the focus this year on volume family transport, it was up to Audi, BMW and Mercedes to provide the excitement with tantalizing glimpses of the future direction of automotive transport.

Audi's star was the long awaited all aluminum follow-up to its luxury A8, the Al2.

In contrast to its bigger brother, the Al2 concept is a much smaller city car, made entirely from the lightweight metal.

Weighing in at just 750kg, the Al2 has five doors and a new, and at present experimental three-cylinder direct-injection 1.2- liter aluminum engine.

Its shapely looks confirm Audi is serious about spreading the cost of developing the Aluminum Spaceframe chassis for the A8.

The Al2 is not signed off for production but after taking the trouble to design a frugal three-pot aluminum engine, the program is a serious one.

The company claims a 0-100kmh time of 12 seconds with a top speed of 170kmh.

The 1.2-liter motor is expected to use 40 percent less fuel than it would in a conventional steel vehicle of the same size.

The Al2 is just a smidgen longer than the Mercedes-Benz A- Class at 3.76m.

It is 1.56m high and uses a sandwich floor construction, like the A-Class, for added safety and a raised seating position.

The Al2 has dual front air bags, side air bags and a pair of head air bags mounted in the forward A pillars.

Audi's chief engineer, Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, said the engine could appear in a steel bodies car but he would like to see it in an aluminum car.

He said the 55kW/115Nm power and torque outputs might be too puny for a conventional car.

BMW and its subsidiary, Rover, surprised showgoers with a sneak preview of the new Mini, expected to go on sale in 2000.

The car, which shares many styling cues with the original 1959 icon, was presented with great fanfare and Mini luminary John Cooper in attendance.

It is expected to be priced between US$15,000 and $23,000. A range-topping Mini-Cooper S is also planned.

Designer Nick Stevenson said the 2000 Mini would be a worthy successor to the original. He said it was an all-British car.

Although there would be under-the-skin component sharing with BMW, the Mini would be all Rover on the outside.

"I think it is absolutely true to the heritage of the Mini, instantly recognizable as a Mini and I think Sir Alex Issigonis (the father of the Mini) would be proud of it," Stevenson said.

"It is entirely new, modern, has new technology.

"We have worked closely with our colleagues at BMW and, in terms of design and engineering, it gives the car a superb pedigree."

The car will use 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter engines made by BMW and Chrysler's new South American joint-venture engine plant.

While specific chassis details aren't yet clear, Stevenson claimed ride and handling would be the best in the class and set new standards for light cars.

The new Mini is longer and lower than the old version.

It is believed Rover hopes to sell A-Class-type volumes, about 300,000 Minis a year, including to North America.

Mercedes-Benz was also following the "good things in small packages" philosophy with a preview of the Smart car, its two- seater city commuter vehicle developed in conjunction with joint- venture partner SMH, makers of Swatch watches.

This super-safe 700kg micro mini will cost between $16,000 and $20,000 when it hits the roads in continental Europe from next April.

Smart features the latest safety technology and will be powered by a choice of three-cylinder turbo petrol, turbo diesel or hybrid version engines. The petrol version achieves 4.0l/100km; the diesel 3.0l/100km.

At 2.5m long, the car would fit between the front and rear wheels of a Ford Laser.

Standard safety features include dual air bags, ABS, self- tensioning seat belts and knee impact bolsters. Side air bags will be optional.

Other standard features are an electric-powered six-speed transmission and an electronic antitheft device. A light tap on the shift mechanism is enough to change gear.

Smart's modular design allows owners to decide how they want the car to look.

A complete set of new panels can be fitted in a short time, for the price of a new suit.