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9.9.2003
IAA Update: Show overview

The 60th International Motor Show (IAA) includes 125 world premieres, 13 European premieres and 35 German premieres. The IAA will open its doors to the public in Frankfurt on Thursday, September 11, 2003.

The 60th International Motor Show (IAA) will set new standards with a firework display of innovations. It will include 125 world premieres, 60 of which will be absolutely new developments by automotive manufacturers, plus 13 European premieres and 35 German premieres. The IAA will open its doors to the public in Frankfurt am Main on Thursday, September 11, 2003.

The GM, Opel, Saab, and Daewoo stands will feature exciting world-premieres such as the debut of the new Astra, the Vectra Station Wagon, the Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept and the Daewoo Lacetti hatchback.

New Astra and Vectra Station Wagon are the stars on the Opel Stand


With progressive, dynamic design and innovative technology, the new Opel Astra is set to become one of the stars of the compact class. Opel will present the five-door version scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2004.

The second Opel world premiere in Frankfurt is the new Vectra station wagon, which will complete the Vectra range in November. The elegantly designed station wagon, thanks to its long wheelbase (2.83 meters), has the largest cargo volume in its class (up to 1850 liters) while simultaneously offering lots of space for the passengers.

Other premieres include a new maintenance-free Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system that works without additives and avoids further disadvantages of other systems currently in use. Visitors will also see a new 1.9-liter common rail turbo-diesel engine which, coupled with the state-of-the-art DPF system, will be available next year for the Vectra range, the Signum and the new Astra.

The new editions of Opel Agila and Corsa, with refreshed designs and a new range of TWINPORT engines and the newly developed four-cylinder common rail diesel 51 kW (70 hp) 1.3 CDTI diesel, will also be shown.

Also on display on the 4000 square meters Opel stand in Hall 8 (D 09) are the new comfortable "Tour" version of the Vivaro with seven or eight seats as well as the family and leisure oriented Combo Tour, which has acquired a more distinctive look from the new Corsa design.

Saab 9-3 Sport Hatch Concept
Saab continues its product offensive with the Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept, a sporty, five-door, four-seat car that offers driver-focused performance and innovative versatility features, all packaged in a 'fastback' shape that draws its inspiration from the Saab 9-3X 'cross-over coupe' concept that premiered last year.

Powered by a high performance 250 bhp, 2.0-liter turbo engine, the 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept signifies Saab's entrance in the mid-size wagon segment. The concept team, under Saab Executive Director of Design Michael Mauer, has expanded a number of exterior and interior design themes from the 9-3X concept car - signaling Saab's future in this segment.

New Daewoo Lacetti premieres alongside UniVerse Van Concept
GM Daewoo continues its product offensive in the popular compact class with the sporty, all-new Lacetti. The Lacetti's dynamic styling was created by the ItalDesign studio led by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Another attraction on the GM Daewoo stand is the UniVerse concept which celebrates its European premiere in Frankfurt. Measuring 4.67 meters in length, the van study is extremely variable. The rear can be converted into an office, camper style sleeping area, or cargo hold.

The new generation of GM Daewoo's practical family van Tacuma / Rezzo also makes its debut at the Frankfurt Show. A new-look radiator grille is complemented by new, modern upholstery designs in the interior as well as an enhanced, comprehensive equipment package.

Exciting Excursion Through 75 Years of Design History


GM invites visitors to undertake a journey through the past, present and future of automotive design. On its 450-square meter stand, GM presents an exciting review of more than 75 years of styling history.

The "Art and Color Section", set up in Detroit in 1927, was the first ever design department to be established in the automotive industry making its place in design history with legendary models such as the Corvette (1953) and Cadillac Eldorado (1959).

No less interesting and just as rich in pioneering achievements is the history of Opel. Back in the 1960s, Opel was among the first European automobile companies to discover the importance of modern design. Rüsselsheim can also claim to have launched the first series production of a concept vehicle in Europe when the spectacular GT went into production in 1968. It had been on show as a study at the IAA three years previously.

Two important concept vehicles from different GM brands and from very different epochs convincingly demonstrate the design history of GM. They are the Saab 92001 (1946), Saab's very first car, which attracted enormous attention in those days with its unorthodox contours, and the dynamic Vauxhall VX Lightning (2003).

Two Live Design Studios on the GM stand provide insight into the working environment of present-day car designers. Visitors will also learn about some of the materials and crafting skills used in modern-day car design.