Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Just returned to London from an exhaustive visit to the IAA in Frankfurt. Although I spent a total of 12 hours at the show my legs and calves are experiencing no pain thanks to my regular long walks around London. I can’t recall an autoshow which had as many exciting news as Frankfurt IAA 2009 – the visit was definitely worth it.
BMW
Tuesday morning kicked off with a 08:30 press conference at BMW in hall 11 where they had designed a stunning display of cars and from a showcase point of view they did a phenomenal job intriguing the audience with cars driving on a raised platform around the hall. Contrary to my negative stance against BMW’s obsession with SUVs and lavish niche models, the X1 is a highly appeal car, especially in Brown. As far as everything else, BMW didn’t have any firepower in terms of car launch. The only real news was the Efficiency Dynamic concept and maybe the X1, everything else had already been seen. Worth stating is that BMW AG had the most warming staff at their stands compared with the other manufacturers. Highly enjoyable to speak to was Rolls-Royce’s product marketing manager whom you might have seen in the Ghost Preview video posted here a few weeks ago. He kindly and enthusiastically gave me a tour of the RR line-up consisting of Drophead, Phantom coupe, Phantom EWB and two Ghosts. Furthermore I got to have a quick chat with Adrian Van Hooydonk who is a very interesting character, too bad our conversation was cut short.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce had a very minimalist stand where their cars were lined up authoratively against a back drop of an off-white wall divider. This created an amazing contrast which made the burgundy Ghost stand out and shine. One could not have chosen a better presentation colour, the car was so captivating that I almost grew a crush for it. Outside the hall a white one was used as a shuttle for BMW AG executives and that one was not very pleasing to the eye as the softened edges and contours of the car gave it a slightly “molten phantom”-look. Neither was it impressive in light blue either. Basically, the car looks best in dark colours. But once I had spent considerable amount of time in the neighbouring EWB Phantom and Drophead, the Ghost was no longer in my short term memory and all I could think of it is “low-end Phantom”. They are worlds apart with the Phantom as the ambassador while the Ghost is more like an emulation of the Phantom packaged into a more affordable package. It’s a great car but just like the Flying Spur it doesn’t move me what so ever. If anyone is interested I can elaborate.
Bentley
Mulsanne, Mulsanne, Mulsanne. What a car! From what I have visually gathered, the Brooklands was a prelude to the Mulsanne. They both have major rear-overhand, have a wavy character line and they are both drop dead gorgeous. The splendour of the car’s appearance is curtsey of the amazing aluminium work. Light is reflected so beautifully and the paint work looks incredibly exquisite. Describing it is difficult but it is almost as if the car hasn’t been painted but that body work has been laser cut using a single block of blue metal. It is a very exquisite looking car and if you love the Brooklands then the Mulsanne’s low and sleek appearance will bring you to your knees. Long doesn’t even describe the car, it is looooooooooooooong and graceful. The presence is spectacular and it is without a question the most well four door on the market – Phantom dimensions with the grace and sportiness of a Brooklands. VAG has developed a winner and I project sales to exceed expectations. Can’t wait to see the public’s reaction when the car rolls on the streets. I’m still torn over the interior. It’s acceptable but at the same time lacking in innovation.
Four door coupes
The Karma, Rapide, Panamera and Sportback were all there. I meet with Henrik Fisker too. Design wise the Fisker Karma cabrio is a stunner and I could very much see people paying for it, but I’m not convinced by the four door Karma. It sits very low above the ground and feel like a sportscar, too bad it does so in the backseat too. I wouldn’t want to spend more than 30min in the rear because it is like sitting in a shopping cart. The transmission tunnel is way to high eating in lots of real-estate that would leave arms and legs with swing room. Aston Martin Rapide suffer from the exact syndromes – sexy saloon with a near useless rear cabin. Surprisingly the A4 Sportback is the best value four door coupe on the market. It has a respectable price tag, offer headroom enough for anyone shorter than 190cm and has a pleasing design. Porsche did a terrific job with the Panamera too which received a very positive response. The rear-end design might not be perfect but it facilitates accommodation that makes the car pragmatic – you can actually live with it in the long run.
Porsche
What a recession? Having received recently received a bailout Porsche doesn’t seem to have no worries. In terms of hospitality they overshadowed everyone else. From the excessive branding on sugar bags and free metal pins to the restaurant/bar and free Porsche Design pens, Porsche shouted their market power loudly. A riot almost erupted shortly after the press conference where Porsche was handing out information packs containing magazines, pins and a CD – Journalists were pushing in belief that the bags contained valuable material things.
The press conference was held away from their stand, in a conference hall. On every seat with a notepad with Panamera branding and a Porsche design pen. Press photographers were looming on the stage for a reason that was later to be explained – the heavy weights were to arrive. Pierch Ferdinand and his wife arrived with little drama but when they took a seat three rows in from of me, flashes lit up the room for 10min as photopgrahers turned into paparazzi snapping endless of photos of what almost looked like a king and a queen. It further continued when the other top people arrive like Michel Macht, Martin Winterkorn and Wolfgang – all of whom chock hands and exchanged a few words amongst themselves while everyone else, including the press were feeling insignificant. It was a mighty display is corporate power.
Mercedes
If it was one car that made press turned into kids, it was the SLS – the star of IAA. As soon as the car was opened up for inspection it was swarmed by people and this continued for several hours. Curiosity is what the car evokes and it looks like nothing else out there. Getting in and out of the car is a bit tight but my biggest query is that the doors. Tall people run the risk of slamming the door on their own skull as the cabin is rather small and intended for people of “normal” height. I cannot picture many basket ball players ordering one until the convertible has arrived, in the mean time everyone else will be dreaming. It’s a very special car that unfortunately does look a bit goofy from some angles. I appreciate it but don’t know whether it is anything for me, and yes it looks just like in photos.
