After watching a great number of news coverage from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, we can now get an idea as to what Europe’s best new vehicles for 2012 and the next few years are. Choosing a handful from the huge list was tough, but we believe that we have the best of the best — but we are certain that you have your own ideas on that?
First up with have the French, and three of the best vehicles to come from that country has to be the Citroen DS5, Peugeot 508 RXH and also the Renault Twingo. The DS5 is the third outing for the DS range, and what makes this model more unique than the others is its diesel-electric engine. This new hybrid car will be able to achieve terrific mpg results, as well as reach 40mph with the use of its electric motor on its own.
The 508 RXH from Peugeot is also like the DS5, as it to will be powered by a diesel-electric engine. For years hybrids have been all about the marriage between electric and gasoline, so finally nice to see the more fuel-efficient diesel now making a showing. The 508 RXH is said to push out 200hp while offering a respectably 56mpg. As for the Renault Twingo, this new vehicle will be with us in 2013 and will be very similar to the Fiat 500 — size not looks.
There are four other cars that we felt stood out above the rest from Frankfurt, and they are all German. These are the Volkswagen Up, Opel Astra GTC, Mercedes Benz B-Class and finally the awesome looking Audi Urban Concept and Concept Spyder. The Up from VW was first seen back in 2007 so finally nice to see a more final version compared to the concept seen fours years ago.
The Opel Astra GTC is a hot hatchback and will need to offer something special to compete with the Ford Focus — we think the six-speed transmission and 177hp will be enough to do the job. As for the Mercedes Benz B-Class, it’s a little like Marmite, you either love it or hate it — this will depend on which angle you will be looking at it from.
Finally there is the Audi Urban Concept and Spyder; what we love is the jetfighter cockpit and electric motor. Top speed is 62mph, but the icing on the cake as far as we are concerned is the 20 minutes recharge time. If these vehicles are not the best of what Europe has to offer from Frankfurt, then what is?
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