Large, lively extravaganza boasts crucial debuts

Key launches from Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Infiniti and Bentley, along with product offensives from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, will help make this year's Frankfurt auto show a rich smorgasbord.

Self-driving cars, electric cars with a driving range equaling gasoline vehicles and supercars with lots of horsepower but fewer carbon emissions will be center stage. The extravaganza looks set to be the biggest and liveliest for many years as the German auto industry celebrates its continuing global success despite the market slowdown in China and economic turmoil in Russia.

The show's press days are Sept. 15 and 16. Here is an early glimpse of what to expect.

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo will give its new Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan a public debut in Frankfurt after the car's press preview in Italy in June. The Giulia Quadrifoglio will be the range-topping version of the new midsize Giulia, which leads Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne's big effort to revive the product-starved sporty brand. The Giulia sits on Alfa's new rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive Giorgio platform. The Giulia Quadrifoglio will arrive in U.S. showrooms in the second half of next year.

Audi 

With the e-tron quattro concept for a crossover electric vehicle, Audi takes aim at Tesla Motors' upcoming Model X. Audi says it will start building a production version in 2018. It hopes the crossover's range of more than 310 miles will win over customers. Technical measures to reduce aerodynamic drag and new battery technology contribute to the concept's long range. The production version likely will be badged the Q6 e-tron, and its size will be between the Q5 and Q7. 

Another Audi debut is the new A4, a rival to the BMW 3 series and Mercedes C class. For the first time, Audi will offer a diesel engine on the A4 in the U.S., a 2.0-liter TDI, to help meet tougher corporate average fuel economy standards without sacrificing torque. The sedan is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2016.

Bentley 

After months of teasing, Bentley finally will unveil the Bentayga, which the brand claims will be the "fastest, most luxurious, most exclusive SUV in the world." Bentley's first-ever SUV will go on sale in 2016, powered by Bentley's 12-cylinder gasoline engine, with plug-in hybrid and V-8 diesel versions coming later. Pricing will start at about $190,000.

BMW 

BMW rolls out the latest generation of the 7-series range-topping sedan and X1 entry-level crossover. The 7 series gets advanced features to maintain its role as BMW's technology flagship. They include gesture control to accept or reject phone calls and turn the audio up or down, and wireless recharging for smartphones. The 7 series also has an array of semiautonomous-driving features that rival those of the Mercedes-Benz S class. It will be the first volume production car that can be parked without anyone at the wheel, BMW says. 

The new X1 has a more rugged appearance and more off-road abilities to give the crossover an SUV look. BMW says the latest X1 offers significantly more interior and cargo room than the current version and new chassis technology helps to enhance sporting ability and ride comfort. U.S. sales will start in the fall.

Ferrari 

The 488 Spider gets the same 660-hp twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 that debuted on the 488 GTB coupe earlier this year, replacing the naturally aspirated unit of its 458 Spider predecessor. Turbocharging boosts performance while making the supercar more environmentally friendly by cutting CO2 emissions. The 488 Spider will arrive in the U.S. next summer. 

Ford 

Ford, which is struggling to be profitable in Europe because of the economic crisis in Russia, will show its Galaxy large minivan. The new Galaxy has been spotted undergoing road tests near Ford's Dearborn, Mich., headquarters, prompting speculation that the automaker may bring it to the U.S. as a successor to the Freestar, though Ford hasn't commented on that possibility. The Galaxy is among the first of Ford's vehicles to offer the automaker's adaptive steering technology that automatically adjusts the steering ratio to make parking and maneuvering easier at low speeds. 

Infiniti 

Infiniti hopes to increase its appeal to younger buyers with the Q30, its first compact car. The brand has given the Q30 a distinctive, polarizing hatchback design to help make it stand out from rivals such as the BMW 1 series and Audi A3. The Q30 is based on Mercedes-Benz's MFA front-wheel- drive architecture that also underpins Mercedes' compact cars, including the A class. The Q30 will be powered by a Mercedes-designed 2.0-liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder engine, sources said, although Infiniti wouldn't confirm engine details ahead of the show. The Q30 will arrive in U.S. showrooms next spring with the QX30 crossover version due in the second half of 2016.

Jaguar 

The F-Pace will be Jaguar's first crossover, and the brand is keen to emphasize that the vehicle's performance, ride and handling will be in keeping with the brand's sports car heritage. 

Handling features include a power-assisted steering system combined with the torque vectoring technology developed for the F-Type and a torque-on-demand all-wheel- drive system. The F-Pace will go on sale next year, and it is expected to become one of Jaguar's two best-selling models, alongside the XE midsize sedan. The U.S. and China are forecast to be the crossover's big-gest markets. 

Kia 

Kia is updating its Sportage SUV with a sleeker design and what it says will be the highest-quality interior it has created to date as the brand seeks to move upscale. The fourth-generation Sportage was designed by Kia's European design center in Frankfurt with input from the brand's studios in Irvine, Calif., and Namyang, Korea. It will go on sale next year.

Mazda 

Mazda released a sketch of the Koeru concept ahead of the show but few details, saying only that the car previews a "new foray into the growing crossover SUV market." Reports said the concept might debut in production form at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November as a replacement for the aging CX-9 crossover. 

Mercedes-Benz 

Mercedes-Benz will unveil the first convertible version of its S-class flagship sedan in 44 years. Mercedes wants the car to be recognized as the "most comfortable cabriolet in the world." Comfort features will include an automatic wind protection system, a neck-level heating system and heated armrests. The four-seat convertible will have the same swooping design found on the S-class coupe that went on sale earlier this year with a longer rear end to accommodate its electrically operated retractable soft-top roof. 

Mercedes also debuts its latest C-class coupe with a sportier design to help it compete better against the BMW 4 series and the Audi A5. The coupe is based on the redesigned C-class sedan that debuted in 2014 and is bigger and lighter than its predecessor. The high-performance AMG C63 coupe variant has a wider body than the standard coupe, along with unique side panels and a longer domed hood. 

The GLC gets its first public outing in Frankfurt after the compact SUV was unveiled to journalists in June. The GLC has a sleeker design and is more luxurious than the boxy GLK it replaces.

Mini 

Mini has made the new Clubman bigger and added premium features that will make the wagon the brand's flagship model in the U.S. The 2016 Clubman is 12.4 inches longer and 4.6 inches wider than its predecessor. It also sheds a quirky door design for four conventional doors. It can seat five passengers. Because of the larger size, the Clubman will be a compact -- Mini's first car in the segment. 

Rolls-Royce 

Rolls-Royce will give a public debut to the Dawn, a convertible version of the Wraith coupe. It will have a retractable soft-top roof. Rolls-Royce showed the Dawn in May to 130 dealers at its global dealer meeting in Los Angeles. Sales will start next year. Rolls-Royce has not announced pricing. 

Smart 

The new-generation Smart For- Two adds a convertible version that will go on sale in the U.S. early next summer. The convertible's so-called tri-top design means the vehicle can be driven three ways: as a closed two-seater; with a large sliding sunroof; and as a full-fledged convertible. 

Toyota 

Toyota's latest-generation Prius will have its first public appearance in Frankfurt. Toyota last revamped its top-selling hybrid in 2009, and the lack of major updates since then -- combined with inexpensive gasoline -- has hit sales. The new Prius gets sportier styling and is the first Toyota car to ride on the automaker's new TNGA -- for Toyota New Global Architecture -- modular platform. It will be unveiled to journalists on Tuesday, Sept. 8, in Las Vegas. 

Volkswagen 

Volkswagen will preview its latest-generation Tiguan compact cross-over with a near-production concept. The second-generation Tiguan will be based on VW's MQB architecture, which will allow it to grow in length and width, adding cargo space and legroom to suit American tastes.