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Frankfurt media days are over!

Day two at the Frankfurt motor show is always a bit more subdued. Few of the manufacturers unveil anything new, as a good number of the world's motoring press are already flying home. Although the prospect of covering all those miles of halls on foot again isn't one many relish, it's actually the best time to see the show.

Without the hungry scrum of journalists moving from stand to stand the Frankfurt show is actually very enjoyable. There's a chance to properly view the cars the manufacturers so proudly unveiled a day earlier. Also, it's an opportunity to spot cars you might have otherwise missed and to marvel at some of the amazing stands; Fiat's featuring a particularly cool 500 rollercoaster, MINI's usual night club theme complete with DJs being perfect for the target audience.

Had it not been for day two we wouldn't have had a chance to take a look at the Artega GT. It's not the first time this neatly styled, rear-engined machine has been shown, as it was unveiled in Geneva earlier this year. However, the car on the stand in Germany is a driving prototype, looking like a real rival to Porsche's Cayman. Power comes from a 3.

6-litre VW-sourced V6, which is mated to a six-speed direct shift gearbox. At around 1,100kg that V6 gives the Artega GT the potential to reach 62mph in less than 5 seconds and onto a maximum speed of over 165mph.

Artega is just one of a huge number of small car firms and specialists exhibiting at the Frankfurt show. Wander the halls in between the main ones and you'll find oddities like a convertible Peugeot 407, but for some real fun the tuner hall is a must. There you'll find firms like Brabus, Techart and Mansory among many more. The tuners can build you anything you desire, so if you find your Ferrari 599 a little short on power you'll find a firm that has a solution.

V12 engined C-Class? Speak to Brabus and ask them about their sensational looking new Bullit model.

Back in the main halls the large manufacturers have to make do with concepts to wow the crowds. And they're perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of any car show. Most hint at future design themes and ideas, though inevitably they become watered-down when they reach showrooms. No more so than the interiors.

Take a peak at all the concepts and they feature quite stunningly functional and stylish interiors. None ever seem to make it into production; however, Jaguar's XF comes close. That's inside, the interior very neat with its trick pop-out automatic shifter, blue highlighting and rotating air vents. The exterior of the Jaguar received mixed reviews, though we'll reserve judgement until we see it in natural light on the road.

Other cars that impressed with a longer day two viewing included Citroen's C-Cactus, featuring funky looks, an innovative and efficient diesel hybrid drivetrain and a really smart and functional interior. No doubt a future production model will feature two of the above...

Shame one of them won't be that cool interior.




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