Route 1-87

Cars – Pure Fascination. The 2005 Frankfurt Auto Show

By Marc Schmidt

Frankfurt’s International Auto Show is the place for introductions of both prototypes and miniature models. I took the chance to tour one of the world’s largest shows during the media days before the official opening and looked for 1/87ths scale models.

Even in its 61st iteration, the Frankfurt Auto Show hasn’t lost its fascination. About 1,000 exhibitors from 44 countries along with 122 German and 80 world premieres give an indication of the venue’s dimensions. The German Carmakers’ Association, VDA, expects a million people to come to Frankfurt between September 17 and 25.

The new models are as diverse as the Audi Q7, the Cadillac BLS (designed to meet European tastes), the BMW 3-series touring, the Honda Civic, the Mercedes S-class, the Porsche Cayman S, the Volvo C70 convertible, the VW Passat Variant, Mercedes R-class’ European version, the large coupe-convertible VW Eos or the Ford Galaxy preview.

Even more attractive are the design studies which may or may not be close to production: BMW’s Z4 coupé and the Dodge Caliber will surely be available for sale in 2006 while the Renault Egeus, Opel Antara GTC or Smart Crosstown are mere hints at future models. The Mini Concept Frankfurt is a handsome homage to the 45th anniversary of the Mini Traveller. Niche players such as Bitter, Wiesmann or Fisker display their vehicles in Frankfurt, as do tuners like Brabus, Carlsson, or AC Schnitzer. When I noticed that DaimlerChrysler had set up Camp Jeep in Frankfurt, I was reminded of Bill Cawthon’s latest Promotex column…

Mercedes S Class

Audi Q7

Unlike similar U.S. events, the Frankfurt IAA is important for scale models, as well. A number of miniature models have been available through the dealer networks for a while: BMW received Herpa models of the new 3-series wagon in four colors weeks ago, as did Volkswagen with Wiking counterparts of both the Jetta sedan and the Passat wagon. Herpa’s Mercedes S-class, Busch’s Mercedes R-class and Wiking’s Audi Q7 are newer items, but even these were available at car dealers well before IAA.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara was mentioned in a low voice at Toy Fair in February. Rietze delivered the models in time, but Suzuki would not sell the models at the show, let alone give them away. In mid-October, I was told, Suzuki dealers are to receive their merchandise.

The two biggest surprises come courtesy of Wiking and Herpa. The former is good for a beautiful rendition of the 2006 Audi A4 convertible, featuring the new family face in the form of the “single frame” grille. I had expected Herpa to modify the existing Audi convertible, but Audi decided Wiking was to develop an entirely new model. Quality is breath-taking – as good as 1/87th scale modeling currently gets. Herpa and Busch can learn a lesson or two! Only the future will show, however, if the renewed love affair between Audi and Wiking will result in more miniature models in the future.

About as amazing –and even more welcome– was the introduction of a Seat Leon Mk2 by Herpa, who had announced the Leon Mk1 earlier this year. Seat decided for Herpa rather than Rietze because of quality considerations – and Herpa delivered. The only drawbacks are the gray plastic wheels, which may be replaced by silver-painted alloys on a lavishly decorated PC version come next year. The Leon Cupra Mk1 Herpa had mentioned in their in-house magazine will be produced as well, albeit it might turn out only to be the Supercopa touring-car version. The future looks quite bright for more Seat models in 1/87th scale, I learned from my meeting with Alexander Fischer, the head of Seat’s sales organization.

In addition to these true novelties, a number of specially decorated IAA models were available at various places. Herpa had another blue day with the A3 Sportback, BMW 3-series sedan and Mercedes B-class all molded in blue plastic, Herpa’s traditional IAA colors.

Märklin, sharing a booth with Herpa, offered a flat-car loaded with transparent containers and two Audi A8 models by Herpa – I wonder if a car show is the right place for a railroad manufacturer, though. Brekina had Modellauto Wanner, a German hobby shop, offer a black Ford Taunus coupé with a striking flame design on the hood, fenders and doors.

Wiking added a white 1963 Mercedes 280 SL pagoda with red and green racing stripes to the similarly decorated Porsche 356 of 2003. Wiking’s other show special was a VW Golf Plus taxi, continuing their line of ivory-colored special editions.

Neither Alpina nor BMW; Audi nor Smart brought a special model to Frankfurt; but most of them offered their complete range of promotional models for sale. Mercedes, however, had commissioned a number of IAA specials that were only special to a degree – the PC box’s base featured a reference to IAA while the rest of the model was identical to the regular promotional. This was true for black S- and R-Class models and a silver CLS. Busch’s silver M-class received an IAA logo on its roof. All of these were a 25% more expensive than their ordinary counterparts. If they must… Another handful of promotionals were reserved for internal purposes – read: customers and managers – among these a Mercedes B-class taxi.

Volkswagen’s new Eos coupe-convertible was only offered as a Norev model in 1/43rd scale; 1/87-scale lovers need to wait until spring next year when the Wiking model will be available through Volkswagen dealers. In 1/87th scale, VW rounded up the usual suspects from Wiking and Norev, but there was nothing specifically dedicated to IAA.

From Skoda, Citroen and Peugeot, I learned that 1/87th scale models announced or hinted at earlier were not available in Frankfurt. Additional information was not available, so it remains a matter of wait-and-see until we can cover Skoda Octavia Mk2, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 models.