That's show business

Frankfurt has the slickest auto extravaganza in Europe. Motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE gives us a sneak preview.

Off all the motor shows in Europe, the most spectacular is at Frankfurt. It is where the heavyweight German carmakers like to show off. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen don't have traditional stands at Frankfurt - they have multi-storey buildings and more workers than a queen bee.

They have visual-reality equipment where technofreaks can experience a whole new world of design and engineering. They have futuristic displays that make your head spin. They have historic models. They have restaurants. They have bars. They have a billion brochures. They have clothes and luggage shops, model shops, accessories shops. Mercedes-Benz was estimated to have spent $60 million on its display a couple of years ago.

The Frankfurt extravaganza happens once every two years - it alternates with Paris - and already the Germans are hogging the headlines leading up to next month's show.

BMW has been making much of its new flagship 7-Series, chock-a-block with computer technology and making its first public appearance at Frankfurt.

But the word is that BMW will put a publicity spin on the 7-Series launch by revealing that many of the car's high-tech components will find their way into the new BMW-built Rolls-Royce, due in 2003.

From the end of next year, BMW takes over the licence to make and distribute Rolls-Royce cars. Volkswagen owns Bentley. It bought it a couple of years ago. It thought it bought Rolls-Royce, too, until BMW revealed it had the rights to the Rolls-Royce engine name. It was messy but both German companies agreed to share the spoils.

Volkswagen will take the covers off a near-production smaller Bentley, called the MSB, for Mid-Sized Bentley. It will be built in Britain and is expected to go on sale in Europe next year.

It is likely to have a lightweight space-frame body using aluminium and magnesium. The space-frame design will make it easier for Volkswagen to build coupe and convertible versions later.

At the other end of the Volkswagen inventory is the new three- and five-door entry-level Polo, expected to have as much interior space as the Golf. The Polo will go on sale in Europe in November and New Zealand next year.

Occupants will benefit from a car 154mm longer overall than the current Polo. The wheelbase is also longer, by 53mm.

On launch in Europe, the Polo will be available with either 47kW three-cylinder or 55kW four-cylinder petrol engines. In January, five more engines will be introduced, including a four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine generating 63kW and another three-cylinder unit with 40kW on tap.

All Polos will be equipped with ABS anti-lock brakes and four airbags as standard. Optional equipment will include an electronic stability programme and brake assist, which reduces braking distance in an emergency. There will also be an optional integrated child seat in the rear.

VW says a new air-conditioning compressor in the Polo will use less fuel than conventional systems.

The three-door Polo is sporty and more reminiscent of a coupe, says VW. The five-door, with its third side window, highlights the more generous dimensions of the lineup.

Porsche will show off its new 911 Targa with an all-glass roof, like the Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe. It will also unveil the wide-bodied, four-wheel-drive Carrera 4S.

Mercedes-Benz will have its flagship SL coupe/convertible on show, along with the Maybach limousine. The limo is named after William Maybach who, in 1883, helped Gottleib Daimler and Karl Benz develop the internal combustion engine. Maybach left Daimler and Benz in 1907 to build aeroplane engines and his own luxury car.

Of the non-Germans, Citroen will unveil its concept small car, the C3, and Volvo will show its AAV (all-activity vehicle) revealed at the Detroit show in January.

The AAV is likely to go into production next year and be powered by a Ford V8.

Mitsubishi will unveil its new Pajero concept and Nissan will take the covers off its new Primera and concepts of its new small-car Micra and four-wheel-drive Patrol.

Swedish carmaker Saab, now owned by General Motors, will show off its 9X concept car alongside recent engine developments, including the award-winning SVC variable compression ratio engine.

The 9X will provide styling cues, especially around the front, to its new range of models.

Saab is planning to launch nine models over the next eight years and the 9X is said to represent something of each one.

It describes the 9X as a "multi-dynamic concept that challenges traditional design by incorporating key features usually associated with four different types of vehicle - a coupe, roadster, wagon and utility."

While the 9X will point to Saab's future direction, the new 9-3 is expected to be more conventional. It is likely to be available as a sedan and coupe.