Revealed: the best-selling cars of the year so far

September 12, 2019

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has released its new car registration figures for the first half of 2019. Here, we reveal the top 25 best-selling cars of the year so far, including any significant changes from the same period last year. The results are presented in reverse order. We tip our hats to Tristan Young for alerting us to the figures.

25. BMW 3 Series – 12,814 registrations

Sales of the 3 Series are down 17.94 percent as BMW has to deal with the tricky transition period when a new model replaces an old one. Sitting outside the top 25 in 46th position you’ll find the Dacia Duster, with sales of the budget SUV up from 4,507 in the first half of 2018 to 8,822 in 2019.

24. Fiat 500 – 12,970 registrations

The Fiat 500 has enjoyed a remarkable innings, assisted by multiple special editions and a subtle refresh. Registrations are down 11.83 percent in the first half of 2019, however.

23. Vauxhall Grandland X – 13,126 registrations

The Grandland X is one of three Vauxhall models to make the top 25, with registrations totalling 13,126 units. Interestingly, the Astra sits outside the top 25 in 28th place. The facelifted Astra can’t come soon enough.

22. Ford Ecosport – 13,225 registrations

Ford has managed to shift 13,225 Ecosport models in the first half of 2019. We’re expecting the new Puma crossover to steal those sales in 2020.

21. Audi A1 – 13,543 registrations

The launch of the second-generation Audi A1 has seen sales of the premium supermini increase by nearly 13 percent. The Spanish-built A1 costs upwards of £17,735 and features a range of customisable options.

20. Nissan Juke – 14,684 registrations

You could be forgiven for thinking the new Nissan Juke is overdue, but British buyers beg to differ. Registrations are up 24.42 percent, with the UK accounting for around half of all Juke sales in Europe.

19. Land Rover Discovery – 15,055 registrations

Land Rover Discovery registrations are down 1.71 percent to 15,055 units. Moving forward, we can see the new Defender stealing sales from the Disco.

18. Citroen C3 – 15,340 registrations

The Citroen C3 is the only French car to make the top 25, with registrations up 9.71 percent. Interestingly, the Peugeot 208 (32nd) and Renault Clio (36th) fail to make the top 25. Will the new models make a difference?

17. Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 15,582 registrations

It’s a solid showing for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with 15,582 registrations making it the UK’s most popular executive car. Sales are down 20.32 percent, mind.

16. Vauxhall Mokka X – 15,641 registrations

Vauxhall Mokka X registrations are down 16.47 percent to 15,641 units. We suspect the Grandland X has stolen sales from its inferior sibling.

15. BMW 1 Series – 16,225 registrations

There’s no stopping the outgoing BMW 1 Series, with registrations up 37.34 percent. We wonder if buyers are eager to grab a slice of the current model before it makes way for the new front-wheel-drive version?

14. Hyundai Tucson – 16,401 registrations

Prepare for a double-dose of Korean SUVs, with the Hyundai Tucson finishing 14th…

13. Kia Sportage – 18,870 registrations

Swiftly followed by the Kia Sportage. The Kia stays ahead of the Hyundai, but while Sportage sales are up just 0.94 percent, the Tucson is up 7.46 percent.

12. Toyota Yaris – 19,108 registrations

Toyota Yaris registrations are up 19.44 percent to 19,108 units. Sales are assisted by the availability of a hybrid version.

11. Mini Cooper – 19,558 registrations

The Mini Cooper remains as popular as ever, although registrations are down 5.23 percent. A new electric version will launch in 2020.

10. Volkswagen Tiguan – 20,285 registrations

The Volkswagen Tiguan is the first car in the top 25 to break the 20,000 mark, with registrations up 13.48 percent.

9. Ford Kuga – 20,483 registrations

The current Kuga is about to be superseded by a new model, so it’s no surprise to see a fall in registrations. The new version will be available with mild-hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

8. Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 21,863 registrations

Cementing its position as the country’s favourite premium hatchback, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sees sales increase by 63.05 percent. That’s the power of an all-new model and a premium badge.

7. Volkswagen Polo – 23,691 registrations

Next up is the Volkswagen Polo, with registrations up 7.38 percent.

6. Range Rover – 27,043 registrations

This is a bit of an odd one, as the DVLA has grouped all Range Rover models together. This figure includes the Evoque, Velar, Sport and Range Rover.

5. Nissan Qashqai – 29,215 registrations

Spoiler alert: the top five is entirely predictable. Sales of the Nissan Qashqai are down 2.86 percent, but it remains the nation’s most popular crossover.

4. Vauxhall Corsa – 29,876 registrations

The Vauxhall Corsa is making a late charge before the new model arrives, with sales up 7.48 percent. The new version shares its platform with the Peugeot 208 and will include an electric variant.

3. Volkswagen Golf – 31,385 registrations

Now this is interesting. Volkswagen Golf registrations are down 24.25 percent. We wonder if the T-Roc (11,940 registrations) has stolen sales from the evergreen family hatchback?

2. Ford Focus – 32,149 registrations

Volkswagen’s loss gives Ford a one-two at the top of the table, with Focus registrations up 4.08 percent.

1. Ford Fiesta – 43,379 registrations

Which means the Ford Fiesta remains the country’s most popular car, although registrations are down 23.38 percent. Come back in six months to see if there are any significant changes when the full-year sales figures are in.

2019 Frankfurt Motor Show ‘a huge fail’ says former car boss

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

September 12, 2019

As a former Volkswagen Group senior executive and boss of Opel, Karl-Thomas Neumann is well placed to pass judgement on the Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s fair to say he’s not a fan of his homeland event.

Neumann has launched a scathing attack, labelling the show “a huge fail” and claiming “it’s just a sad shadow of what it used to be”.

It is obvious so let’s say it explicitly: The #IAA2019 is a huge fail. It’s just a sad shadow of what it used to be. There will not be an #IAA2021. End of story. KTN

— Karl-Thomas Neumann (@KT_Neumann) September 11, 2019

There will not be a Frankfurt Motor Show in 2021, he tweeted, in a damning assessment of one of the largest international car shows in the world. Many major brands are absent this year, including Toyota, Nissan, Volvo, Peugeot, Fiat and Mazda.

The absentees, combined with a “mono dimensional” approach, paints a “sad picture” for Germany’s biennial motor show. It’s a view shared by some other industry experts, including designer Drew Meehan, who claims “the show is so spread out and hard to navigate that it was practically begging to be disrupted by a clever brand, and yet no clever brands seem to have showed up.”

IAA is a huge missed opportunity to display new mobility solutions. The show is so spread out and hard to navigate that it was practically begging to be disrupted by a clever brand, and yet no clever brands seem to have showed up.

— Drew Meehan (@drewdraws2) September 12, 2019

The disruption has come from another source, with Greenpeace using the Frankfurt Motor Show to “send a message to the industry directly”. The carbon footprint of the car industry equalled nine percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, it says.

Greenpeace has singled out the ‘dirty dozen’ and says thousands of protestors will converge on Frankfurt to demonstrate for a climate-friendly future.

From Germany to LA

Karl Thomas-Neumann was CEO at Continental for five years before becoming CEO and president of Volkswagen China in 2009. He was CEO of Opel but resigned when the company was acquired by PSA Group in 2017. He lives in Los Angeles and works in the field of electrification and new mobility.

Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock was on the ground at Frankfurt 2019 and says it did indeed feel different. “The show was no smaller – it still covers an enormous footprint, with almost a mile separating Mercedes-Benz at one end and BMW at the other.

“But the sheer number of absentees meant many halls were almost entirely handed over to auto industry suppliers rather than car brands. This made it feel unusual, and certainly resulted in less of a show ‘buzz’.

“Many brands also took out visibly smaller stands. BMW used to have a hall all to itself; this year, it shared space with Jaguar Land Rover, Opel Vauxhall, Hyundai and Alpina.

“The thrill of the Land Rover Defender reveal still created excitement, but the rest of the show felt flat. A review and refocus are certainly necessary if it is to survive into 2021.”

Is the former Opel CEO correct in his critical assessment of the Frankfurt Motor Show? Let us know using the comments below.

SUVs are unlocking the Seat brand to new customers

Richard Aucock

September 12, 2019

Eight in 10 people who bought a Seat Arona family SUV in the first few years of its life were new to the brand.

The same happened with the Arona compact SUV, Seat UK boss Richard Harrison told us at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

With the new Tarraco large SUV, it is happening yet again. People who have not previously driven a Seat are actively being drawn to the brand by its range of SUVs.

“It’s what helped us become the fastest-growing car brand in both 2017 and 2018,” said Harrison. “Our expanded range of cars, led by the SUVs, is attracting new customers who are perhaps considering Seat for the first time.”

The best new cars at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show

Seat’s dealers are delighted. In a UK new car market that is declining, they are still selling more cars. Profitability at its dealers is, by mainstream standards, very healthy.

Now, Seat has topped the 3 percent market share mark, which makes it virtually as popular in 2019 as its sister brand Skoda. Just a few thousand sales separate them.

And as Seat’s sales are increasingly of higher-margin SUVs, the upward trajectory of the company is continuing.

The next opportunity to exploit with SUVs is the fast-developing Cupra brand, adds Harrison. Seat is showing the Cupra Tavascan electric concept at Frankfurt, a model he says has clear appeal.

“Cupra’s range of SUVs is a very modern interpretation of performance motoring. You could have something small and impractical, with just two seats, which you’d probably use rarely, but why would you?

“A performance model with added everyday utility and practicality seems, to me, a far more appropriate solution.”

If the cars can bring in another wave of customers new to the brand, Seat’s successful strategy will only gain further momentum.

You can now buy a new Land Rover Defender LEGO kit

Ethan Jupp

September 12, 2019

Worried about how you’ll find £45,000 for a new Land Rover Defender? Fear not, there is a cheaper way. Meet the Lego Technic Defender.

The new Lego kit was developed in collaboration with Land Rover for immediate release after the car’s debut. Consisting of 2,573 pieces, there’s no pre-ordering and picking this one up from the dealership. You’ve got to build it yourself.

The model features replica body panels and wheels from the real thing, as well as four-wheel drive and three differentials. The Defender’s independent suspension, which disappointed some hardcore off-road enthusiasts, is also recreated here. There’s even a working winch.

“I’m very excited about this new model – a truly impressive job done by our Lego Group designers,” said Niels Henrik Horsted, marketing director at Lego.

“Together with Land Rover, we’ve blended elements, design and innovative engineering into a set that shows the boundless creativity of Lego play, and that with Lego Technic you can build for real.”

Opinion: New Defender is perfect for now, but Audi has seen the future

The Lego Defender joins a rapidly growing stable of Lego vehicles, including the Bugatti Chiron, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, McLaren Senna and Porsche 919.

In case you were completely shut away from society yesterday, click here to learn everything you need to know about the new Land Rover Defender.

Video: Lego Bugatti Chiron – we build the £330 hypercar

The Above and Beyond collection

If you fancy some Defender merchandise, but Lego is a bit childish for you, there’s also a new clothing collection. It’s a collaboration between Land Rover and Musto, a manufacturer of technical sportswear.

A series of jackets, gloves and other bits of adventure clothing are available, as well as some gadgets. All useful for when you’re off adventuring in your Defender.

Volkswagen launches £355 electric car charging kit

Ethan Jupp

September 11, 2019

When buying an electric car it’s easy to forget the peripheral equipment, like a home charging system that doesn’t involve open windows and extension leads. These can be an expensive outlay, but Volkswagen’s new ID Charger could change that.

The wallbox charger follows the launch of Volkswagen’s ID.3 electric car – and new ID brand overall. With pre-orders for the car comfortably into five figures, the marque’s plan for the ID.3 to popularise the electric Volkswagen appears to be working.

The ID Charger explained

The Volkswagen ID.3 electric car is here to replace your Golf

Starting from £355, the ID Charger is designed to be an affordable home charging solution. It charges at a rate of 11kW, which means it will ‘fill up’ a 77kWh top-end ID.3 in less than eight hours, providing a claimed 341 miles of range.

That charge speed is around five times faster than a domestic power socket. Popularising home charging is an important investment for Volkswagen. It estimates around half of all electric vehicle charging will take place at home.

Frankfurt goes green: all the new electric cars on show

There are higher specifications of ID Charger, too. ‘Connect’ (£534) adds smartphone and internet connectivity, for easy monitoring.

The ID Charger Pro (£756) is the top specification, adding an integrated electric meter so you can keep an eye on costs. What these higher specs don’t add, however, is faster charging speeds.

The ID Charger will go on sale at the end of November 2019. You can order online or from a Volkswagen dealer.

Government to spend £400 million on electric car charging network

Ethan Jupp

September 11, 2019

The UK government will spend half a billion pounds on new green technology, including £400 million to develop rapid charging infrastructure for EVs.

The money is part of the Strategic Priorities Fund, which supports important research and development projects.

The first £70 million will go towards the creation of 3,000 new electric car rapid charge points, doubling the number available in the UK.

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A review is underway to explore the distribution of charge points across the road network. The government also hopes charge times could be cut by half. For a typical electric car, 40 minutes could thus turn to 20 minutes – just time for a coffee.

“We are driving ahead with plans to make travel greener while backing British innovation and technology,” said exchequer secretary Simon Clarke.

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“Britain already boasts one of the biggest networks of charging infrastructure in Europe and soon we will have the fastest thanks to this investment.

“This is the latest in our proud record on climate change –having slashed emissions by over 40 percent since 1990, whilst simultaneously growing our economy, and setting an ambitious target for net zero emissions by 2050.”

In addition to the £400 million for charging infrastructure, £31.5 million is being put into technologies that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The coolest classic and retro cars in Frankfurt

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

September 11, 2019

When you’ve had your fill of concepts that will never see the light of day, supercars you can’t afford and middling hatchbacks that are as exciting as a wet weekend in Wakefield, there’s always a ready supply of classic cars at an international motor show. Our man Richard Aucock braved a few extra blisters to take some photos of the cars he found on his travels. He wants you to see them, so keep clicking to make sure he returns home a happy man.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4

Ferrari isn’t at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find one in the German financial capital. You’ll need the pockets of a merchant banker to be able to afford this, though. The beautiful 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ was launched in 1968, followed by the 365 GTS/4 roadster at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe

You’ll pay upwards of £1 million for an immaculate Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe, a car inspired by the motorsport version of 1952. It was one of the world’s first supercars, boasting a top speed of 260km/h (162mph) and innovative, lightweight spaceframe construction. The iconic ‘gullwing’ doors were introduced when it was discovered that conventional doors were incompatible with the extra height of the sills.

Amphicar

Potomac Classics is a Dutch firm specialising in the restoration and sales of the Amphicar. With (ambitious) visions of motoring across the North Sea, we had a look on the Potomac website for details of this stunner. It’s listed as ‘op aanvragg’, or ‘on application’, but there is a 1961 Amphicar available for €62,500 (£55,750). Does that float your boat?

BB Auto Porsche 996

Rainer Buchmann founded Frankfurt-based BB Auto in 1974, converting a Porsche 911 into a Targa and painting it in the colours of Polaroid. This Porsche 996 is a more modern, but no less striking, interpretation of the 45-year-old classic.

Left or right?

You’re heading home from Frankfurt and you have to choose one of these classics. Do you go Italian or German?

BMW 1600 GT

Glas is a former German car manufacturer best known for the production of the Goggomobil. The company was purchased by BMW in 1966, with the Glas GT becoming the 1600 GT. The front end was given a subtle refresh to accommodate the BMW ‘twin kidney’ grille. Memo to BMW: this is how grilles should be done.

A classic, updated

We expect the electrification of classic cars to become increasingly popular over the coming years, so it’s no surprise to see major manufacturers embracing the idea. Volkswagen has teamed up with eClassics to convert a Beetle to electric power, with the battery, transmission and motor lifted from the e-Up. Other electric classics will follow.

HK Engineering

Nothing to see here, just a few million pounds worth of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL goodness in an exhibition hall in Frankfurt. HK Engineering has been restoring 300 SLs since 1984.

BMW Z8

Designed to pay homage to the BMW 507, the production-ready Z8 (right) was unveiled in 1999. Built from the ground up using an entirely new platform, it was BMW’s first $100k+ production car and a star of Bond film The World is Not Enough. The Alpina version (left) used a 4.8-litre V8 instead of the stock 5.0-litre V8 from the M5, plus softer suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Bitter CD

The Bitter CD began life as an Opel concept at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show. It used the running gear from the Opel Diplomat, which meant a 5.4-litre Chevy V8 with heaps of power and bags of torque. When Opel bailed out on a potential production version, it was left to Erich Bitter to take the baton. The result was a smooth running and classy German GT car.

Lamborghinietta

You can’t buy a new Lamborghini Sian, because 63 people with incredibly deep pockets got there first. But ask nicely, and we’re sure you could drive home in one of these Lamborghinietta tractors. The hat is included. Probably.

Porsche Targa Moonracer

It sounds like the name of a Bond movie, but we reckon spending a few hours behind the wheel of the Porsche Targa Moonracer would be preferable to sitting in front of the television for the umpteenth time.

Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet

The Mercedes-Benz W111 enjoyed an impressively long life, debuting in 1959 before bowing out in 1971. Available as a saloon, coupe or convertible, the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet arrived late in the production run and was powered by a 3.5-litre V8 engine. This one has been restored and is available for €425,000 (£380,000).

Ferrari Testarossa

To many, the Testarossa is the archetypal Ferrari of the 1980s. Launched in 1984, the V12 supercar is as famous for its iconic slatted air intakes as for its role in Miami Vice.

Citroen DS Cabriolet Usine

The Citroen DS Cabriolet Usine, or ‘Factory’ Cabriolet, was listed in the Citroen catalogue from 1961, with construction undertaken by coachbuilder Henri Chapron. Production continued until 1971, with sales falling to just 40 units. The best year was 1963, when Citroen sold 241 drop-top DS models.

Got wood?

Either Richard has injected too many motor show espressos or this is a wooden Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster. Can anybody smell Mr Sheen?

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss

The Stirling Moss was the final version of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, built to honour the racing driver’s success at the 1955 Mille Miglia. Just 75 were built, with a UK price tag of £660,000. Given how much you’d pay for one today, that seems like a bargain.

Benetton B194

This is the Benetton B194, the car driven by Michael Schumacher during the 1994 F1 season. The German won the World Drivers’ Championship by finishing a single point ahead of Damon Hill.

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Frankfurt goes green: all the new electric cars on show

Ethan Jupp

September 11, 2019

With environmental protests and controversy blighting this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and the re-brand the event has undergone, the most important cars on display are arguably those with electric power. We round up the EVs you could drive away from Frankfurt with a clean conscience.

Porsche Taycan

One of two show-stopping EV reveals at Frankfurt, this is Porsche’s hotly-anticipated Taycan sports saloon. Its 800-volt architecture should show the Tesla Model S what repeatable performance looks like.

Volkswagen ID.3

The other headline-grabbing EV at Frankfurt is the Volkswagen ID.3. Call it reparations for ‘Dieselgate’ if you will, but this car might outsell the Golf one day. The reaction is good thus far.

Volkswagen ID.4

As VW has been at pains to emphasise, ‘ID’ isn’t just one car – it’s a model range. The ID.4 SUV is coming soon, as teased by this disguised prototype at Frankfurt.

Mini Electric

The Mini seems like the right car to go electric and, finally, the British marque has obliged. The Mini Electric has a 124-mile minimum range and is available to lease from £299 a month.

Vauxhall Corsa e

Another electric car for the people is the Vauxhall Corsa e. This small EV is a revolution for the marque, and is twinned with Peugeot’s e208. It’s capable of 200 miles on a full charge

Mercedes-Benz EQV

Mercedes calls the EQV the world’s first fully-electric MPV. With a range of 252 miles and top speed of 100mph, your many passengers should have no problem getting to their destination.

Honda e

The Honda e will be one of the most interesting new cars of 2020. A futuristic small EV with retro styling, it also – like the Mini – is available from £300 a month.

Smart EQ

Smart has updated its EQ models, the ForTwo and ForFour. This comes shortly after an announcement that the marque is going electric-only. A bold move.

Volkswagen e-Up

All eyes were on the ID.3, but there’s another small electric car from Volkswagen at Frankfurt. This is the updated e-Up, with an impressive 160 miles of range. It can also replenish its battery to 80 percent charge in 60 minutes using a 40kW charger.

BMW i Hydrogen Next

Diverting from battery-electric vehicles at Frankfurt, here’s the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT. Essentially, it’s an X5 powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. No details are available yet, but we do know BMW is working with Toyota on the project.

Byton M-Byte

Chinese EV startup Byton revealed the production version of its M-Byte electric SUV at Frankfurt. If you don’t remember who Byton is, just think back to that SUV with a 48-inch screen inside. This is a handsome-looking effort.

Aiways U5

Aiways is another Chinese brand with a new EV. To prove its performance, it completed a road trip from China all the way to Frankfurt. On the way, it passed through 12 countries, including Kazakhstan, Russia, Finland and the Netherlands. It was a world record for a journey by a prototype electric vehicle – a full 9,300 miles.

Opel Elektro GT

Now we enter the bonus round, of electric cars that were way ahead of their time. Long before the Corsa e came the Opel Elektro GT. This diminutive prototype sports car was the pet project of Georg Von Opel, grandson of the company’s founder. In May 1971, as part of a record attempt, it managed 27 miles on a charge.

Volkswagen Beetle Electric

This is a very modern classic: an original Beetle fitted with the electric powertrain from a modern e-Up EV. There’s talk of retro-fit kits being made available, and of other Volkswagen Group classics getting the EV treatment.

Opinion: New Defender is perfect for now, but Audi has seen the future

John Redfern

September 11, 2019

After months of speculation, leaks and teaser photos, the new 2020 Land Rover Defender is finally here.

And judging by the reaction at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, the second-generation icon is already a major hit.

However, there’s another vehicle on show in Frankfurt that reveals how off-road driving may look further into the future.

Days of future past

Land Rover has been under immense pressure to deliver with the new Defender. It needed something built on shared components, rather than the labour-intensive bespoke platform of the previous version.

It also needed keep Defender purists happy, if possible. Yet, to make the project commercially viable, the Defender had to appeal to a wide array of customers.

In a world where buyers clamour for luxury SUVs, building another no-compromise utility vehicle would have been commercial suicide.

The result is a new Defender that needs to be all things to all people. The wealth of options available from the off shows that Land Rover wants buyers to customise their cars. A £45,000 starting price is just the beginning…

Not even the 2020 Defender can escape the lure of chequer plate trim, which covers the surface of countless original versions. Deep down in the options list is a £312 kit that adds the same effect, albeit in plastic, to your new Defender.

It is a neat reminder that this is a modern reinterpretation of a classic off-roader. While packed with technology, and likely to be deeply impressive in the rough stuff, it is still a traditional 4×4 at heart.

Where we’re going, we don’t need roads

If the new Defender is a modern 4×4 for now, Audi has very different vision of the future.

Although very much a concept, the radical AI:Trail Quattro envisages automated driving technology being used in a world without paved roads.

Forest trails and dirt tracks do without the neat painted lines and consistent surfaces that self-driving vehicles rely upon. As such, Audi admits the driver will need to intervene when the going gets tough.

However, the AI:Trail’s automated systems let the driver know when they are near the limits of the vehicle, and help avoid collisions using ultrasound and radar.

Each wheel in the AI:Trail is driven by an individual electric motor. This allows up to 737lb ft of torque to be sent to the tyre with most grip, but without the need for transfer cases and differentials.

The lithium-ion battery pack offers up to 310 miles of range on tarmac, but this halves to around 155 miles in the dirt. Range anxiety could quickly become ‘range fear‘ in the middle of nowhere.

A substantial glass cabin, inspired by the cockpit of a helicopter, is likely to require serious climate control to keep the occupants from cooking, too.

Flights of fancy

Audi has even dispensed with traditional headlights for the AI:Trail. Instead, an autonomous collection of five drones fly ahead, illuminating the ground with LED searchlights.

These dock with the roof rack to recharge automatically, and can even be used to project navigation guidance, or help illuminate a campsite.

Clearly, unlike the new Defender, the AI:Trail is not something to be bothering your local dealership about. At least not yet.

The new Defender looks set to be a major hit for Land Rover, even with its hefty price tag. It should be capable enough to keep the traditional fans happy, yet still appeal to urban warriors.

However, there is the question of whether Land Rover could, and should, be looking further into the future. Vehicles like the AI:Trail, while fanciful in some ways, show that Audi is considering how off-roading could work in a world of electrification and autonomous tech.

Land Rover has the Defender for the current age sorted. But what will the Defender for the next generation look like?

12 talking points from the Frankfurt Motor Show

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

September 10, 2019

The #FrankfurtMotorShow – or Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), to give it its less hashtag-friendly name – is underway. Here are a dozen things you may have missed from day one of the 2019 show.

Land Rover launches something new

Land Rover launched something new today. You may have heard a few whispers. If not, this ought to serve as a summary:

Defender. Looks like a Skoda Yeti. Iconic. How much? Steelies for the win. Built in Slovakia. #WANT. Bloody Brexit. #NewDefender. Shut up and take my money. Just another #ChelseaTractor. Land Rover #Surrender. Such a beautiful car. Not a proper Land Rover. Anybody want to buy a kidney?

The best new cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show

BMW gets a grilling

Speaking of kidneys. BMW reckons the MASSIVE grille on the Concept 4 is ‘confident and classy’. According to Auto Express, the concept is ‘85 percent representative of how the production-ready 4 Series will look’. Which is a neat coincidence, given the fact the concept is 85 PERCENT GRILLE.

Hyundai concept has a comfortable carpet

There are many reasons to love Hyundai 45 EV Concept, not least because it’s partly inspired by the Hyundai Pony of the 1970s. But the winning attribute of this cutting edge vision of the future of mobility is, and we quote, its ‘comfortable carpet’. In an age of electrification, autonomy and car-to-car communication, it’s good to know that manufacturers haven’t forgotten the importance of a good shag pile.

Did somebody mention the Hyundai Pony?

We’ve seen many illustrious classics referenced in press material over the years, but Hyundai’s decision to pay homage to the Pony was an unexpected treat. This also means there’s a little bit of the Morris Marina at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. The legacy of British Leyland lives on.

Opel breaks the golden rule of motor shows

There’s a golden rule of motor shows: never feature a retro or classic car on a stand devoted to new cars. This 1987 Corsa GT has been upstaging the new Corsa all day, hugging the limelight and taking valuable social media buzz away from the latest model.

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It’s a good day to be a signwriter

Signwriters and printers across the world will be heading out for a deluxe steak meal tonight following the news that Volkswagen has changed its logo. Dealer signage, point of sale, letterheads, business cards, advertisements, invoices, receipts, literature, etc, etc – if it’s got a Volkswagen logo on it, it’ll need to be changed. Kerching.

Sounds like the name of a Bond villain

This is the new Audi Citycarver, which is essentially a Rover CityRover for a new generation. It’s also the name of the media mogul turned Bond villain, Elliot Carver. Like Audi, Carver had his eyes on world domination. He was hell-bent on making news, while Audi is focused on filling niches.

Don’t have nightmares

We’re not entirely sure if these giant hands are a new safety device or are designed to give children nightmares. Either way, they’re a creepy way to unveil a new car. Still, it makes a change for Audi drivers to see something horrible lurking in their rear-view mirror…

Honda in low price shocker

A £30,000 entry price was predicted for the Honda e electric car. So the fact that the standard model will cost ‘just’ £26,160 or £299 a month is an unexpected treat. Unfortunately, the low cost version won’t be available to order until early 2020, so you’ll have to plump for the £28,660 Honda e Advance if you want to be an early adopter.

New Land Rover Defender revealed: the headline facts

You’ll never talk alone

Here’s Jurgen Klopp and Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller looking not at all awkward on the Opel stand. “At the end of the day, it’s a show of two halves, and I’m delighted to be…. WOAH, look at that magnificent 1987 Corsa over there,” said Klopp. Probably.

From scrappage to showstopper

The Hyundai i10 has come a long way since the days of the scrappage scheme and headline-grabbing low prices. The latest i10 looks desirable and stylish, while the specs and warranty should be enough to ruffle a few feathers in boardrooms across Germany.

Plastic fantastic

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a vision of a future S-Class flagship we can all get behind. There are many features that won’t make production, but we’re rather taken by the choice of material for the roof liner. The textile was created by using a quantity of recycled ocean waste plastic, which strikes us as a jolly good idea. Nice work, Mercedes.

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