Web forums and automotive blogs are a-twitter over whether
Lamborghini is to revisit the
Espada theme: a prototype front-engined 2+2 has been made, which could be unveiled alongside the
Gallardo Spyder (Concept S),
Roadster and
Special Edition models already confirmed to appear. We're unlikely to see the
LM 00X - Lamborghini's off-roader - however; that's still some way off. Still, we might well get a preview of the new-generation
Land Rover Freelander...and budget-minded 4x4 buyers can check out the Chinese-made
Landwind Europe SUV, based on the old Opel/Vauxhall Frontera. Or not. On a slightly different tip,
Lexus will be launching the all-new
IS-series saloon - with
clever twin-chamber airbags, apparently - and the hybrid petrol-electric
GS450h plus made-over
SC430 roadsters. The 500bhp
LF-A supercar concept seen in Detroit will also be there.
 |
| Mazda Sassou |
Maserati has already told us about the
Quattroporte Executive GT and
Sport GT; the new
5000GT is not scheduled for unveiling until next year, so we're unlikely to get a glimpse of that yet. The
Trofeo MC8, a road-going version of the GranSport-based Trofeo racer, may make an appearance, though.
Mazda, however, is pull out something completely new: a compact three-door hatch concept called
Sassou, hinting at plans, hinting at plans to replace the Mazda2 supermini with something a bit more exciting. Expect made-over versions of the existing
2, too, as well as the high-performance
MPS6 saloon.
 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class |
Full firepower, though, from
Mercedes-Benz at its home show: in Frankfurt, the German manufacturers don't have mere display stands, but entire exhibition halls to themselves. M-B will be launching its new
S-Class saloon, the
ML63 AMG and the
G-Class 4x4, and showing a near-production AMG-ed R-Class; we could also see revisions to the
CLK, and there's talk of a special-edition lightweight
SL: a stripped-out no-compromises roadster to rival the F430 Spider, with either the AMG 6.3 V8 or a 600bhp-plus 6.0 V12. And will there be any news on development of the
Maybach Exelero prototype? We'll certainly see the sported-up
Maybach 57S, though.
