Tiburon surfaces in Germany

NO less than 57 new production cars and concepts were launched at this week's Frankfurt international motor show in Germany, the dust covers being whipped off despite the tragedy unfolding in the USA.

The stars included the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz SL and Volkswagen Polo - all vehicles revealed before the show and covered by Automotive NetWorks previously.

However, there was plenty more to be seen than those star cars at Frankfurt. Here's four you may not have heard about before.

Hyundai Tiburon

ALTHOUGH making its debut at Frankfurt, the Tiburon - or Coupe, as we have known it up until now in Australia - is hardly a stranger to us.

Twice undisguised examples of the car were recently caught on film by the media in Australia.

The restyled but still distinctive Tiburon will arrive in Australia about February, powered by either a 2.7-litre, 132kW V6 or a 104kW, 2.0-litre four-cylinder on the entry level model.

The engines will be mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed auto transmission.

Pricing is likely to stay just under $30,000 for the four-cylinder and push well into the $30K bracket for the V6.

Likely competition for the Tiburon - which means shark in Spanish - are the Toyota Celica and Honda Integra.

Hyundai also showed a concept called the Clix, based on the platform of the super-mini due from the South Korean maker next year.

A 200kW, 2.2-litre four-wheel drive sports utility coupe, the car features a folding glass roof and can be used as a coupe, convertible or pick up.

Peuegeot 307 SW

THIS is a concept that looks very much like it could soon be production reality.

The 307 SW features a wheelbase that is 10cm longer than the 307 hatch (which is launched here in November), while the body is 11cm longer and 2cm higher to provide more interior space.

The main feature of the 307 SW is a full-size panoramic glass roof, while in the rear the seating is "multi-adjustable". The three individual seats can be moved forwards and backwards, and feature a reclining seatback.

Each one can be removed and they are interchangeable, enabling modification to the layout.

Peugeot also showed the smaller 206 SW at Frankfurt, admitting it was a production possibility.

The 133kW, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the 206 SW will definitely make it into production, in the engine bay of the 206GTi next year.

BMW M3 CSL

ALTHOUGH called a concept, this light-weight version of the latest M3 could go into production next year with Porsche's 911 GT3 in its sights.

The performance gurus at BMW's "M" division have used plentiful amounts of carbon-fibre to strip more than 200kg out of the M3 to create the CSL - a name made famous by the 3.0 CSL in the 1970s.

They also found a little more power from the 3.2-litre, inline six-cylinder engine and stiffened the bodyshell to improve the handling.

Renault Talisman

RENAULT'S gullwing four-seat GT car is actually based on the rear-wheel drive V8 Nissan Infiniti Q45 sold in the US.

It is a possible precursor to a production luxury car Renault executives told Automotive NetWorks in April was being considered for sale around 2005.

In Talisman, Renault design boss Patrick Le Quement has developed a new interior concept called "Touch Design", which requires controls to be both ergonomically and aesthetically excellent.

The concept is tipped to flow through to production starting with next year's new generation Megane range.