This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show features numerous new family cars making their public bow.
Sure, the Frankfurt show features lots of eye-catching sports and luxury cars, which you can read more about here. While these are bound to catch attention, Frankfurt also attracts the sort of cars that are likely to become common place on the public roads in the not-too-distant future.
If you’re someone that needs a car for a family, then you’re next future purchase may very well be at this year’s show. New-generation models of some of the biggest names in the family car sector are among the guests.
In the vast majority of cases, these models will be available to order in Britain somewhere between the end of this year and early 2016. Here’s our look at the top family cars at Frankfurt this year.
Vauxhall Astra
One manufacturer showing off its latest family cars in Frankfurt is Vauxhall. The company has the new Astra in both hatchback and Sports Tourer estate forms on display at the event. In either bodystyle, the Astra sports more sharp lines and creases on its exterior and a more aggressive front-end than ever before.
The hatchback Astra has a more streamlined range than before, featuring five trim levels and four engines. The most eye-catching engines include the 1.4-litre turbo petrol which offers as much as 197bhp. Also, there’s the 109bhp 1.6-litre Whisper diesel which records a claimed fuel economy of up to 91.1mpg and emits just 82g/km.
The new Astra Sports Tourer, meanwhile, improves on its predecessor by trimming 200kg in weight and increasing interior space.
Pricing will start at £15,295 for the hatchback and at reportedly about £17,000 for the Sports Tourer.
MINI Clubman
The original MINI Clubman was pulled from the market during 2014, but now the estate is making a comeback with a second-generation model. This time around it has a less unorthodox design which will should prove less controversial. MINI will hope this new model can win over car buyers who like the styling of MINIs but need a car that is, size-wise, anything but mini.
The barn door-style opening for the rear remains a feature, but the new Clubman now has four doors on the side, instead of a rear-opening side door on just the driver’s side.
What else is different? Well, the new MINI Clubman is also longer and wider than its predecessor, meaning more room for passengers and a bigger boot. For extra versatility, an optional storage package can be chosen to add a variable boot floor and luggage nets.
Specifications include Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S. The Cooper D averages 68.9mpg and emits just 109g/km in CO2. Available to order now, the Clubman starts from £19,995 for the standard Cooper.
Suzuki Baleno
The Baleno name is one that has been used by Suzuki before and now it’s making a comeback for an important model.
Suzuki has decided to revive the name for its all-new five-door supermini, which is bigger than the established Swift. As well as taking on superminis, the Baleno is also looking to lure in family car buyers that might have otherwise bought a compact MPV.
One area where the Swift is disadvantaged in compared to its rivals is boot space, but the Baleno blows the supermini competition away with 355 litres as standard. Engines for the Baleno include an 89bhp 1.2-litre Dualjet and a 1.0-litre turbo petrol unit with 110bhp.
The Baleno will go on sale during spring 2016 and pricing is likely to start at around £12,000.
Renault Megane
This year’s Frankfurt show marks the public debut of Renault’s latest Megane hatchback, which sports far more radical styling than ever before.
While previous Meganes have been known for their curvaceous looks, the Megane goes for sharp lines and an all-round much more aggressive profile. The new headlights and taillights, which sport intricate and streaky lines, really stand out next to any other family hatchback currently on sale. The GT version of the new Megane has an even more aggressive look, with a wider front air intake and grille.
Lower and wider than its predecessor, the new Megane also sports a more upmarket interior and an optional large portrait touchscreen interface. The new Megane will go on sale in early 2016, with pricing likely to start at about £17,000-£18,000.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan has been revealed and is likely to be a popular choice for motorists after a largish, premium family car.
With power ranging from 113 to 237bhp, a wide range of engines are expected for the sharper-looking Tiguan. Efficiency is said to be improved by up to 24 per cent. Some of these gains will come from the new 4MOTION Active Control four-wheel drive system. Drivers will be able to adjust this system to suit a variety of driving conditions.
The different versions of the Tiguan on display in Frankfurt includes a GTE plug-in hybrid version, which is all new for this compact SUV. While that is likely to come with a very large price tag, other versions of the Tiguan are likely to cost somewhere between £22,000 and £32,000, when it goes on sale later this year.
Infiniti Q30
The Infiniti Q30 is unquestionably a very important model for this Nissan-owned luxury brand. It represents Infiniti’s first foray into the hatchback market segment. In order to be successful, the Q30 will have to take on the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, no easy task, but this car does look the part.
Sporting swept-back headlights, sculpted flanks and distinct chrome trimmings, the Q30 merges sporty and premium styling quite seamlessly. Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, shared with the upcoming QX30 crossover, are what’s expected to be offered with the Q30.
An extra point of intrigue for British car buyers is that the Infiniti Q30 will be built over here, specifically at Nissan’s production plant in Sunderland. The new hatchback goes on sale towards the end of this year.
