Carfreax

MEILENWERK

Meilenwerk Berlin is located close to the center of German's capitol. An old bricked stone building that once functioned as a service station for local trams has been transformed into an auto-couture walhalla. This is the center of gravity for Berlin car aficionados, an oasis of classic cars and more. The place truly is an insider tip for anyone who wants to do an 24 hours trip around town. A couple of Carfreax was there to sniff some petrol.

A really relaxed atmosphere. No entree fees, just plain passion. Car owners can park their babies in garages made out of glass. This place is the perfect mix between a private garage and a museum. A long row of unseen combinations. What is that SL Gull wing doing next to that Aston shooting Brake? One can stroll around this complex for hours, take a sneak at the "ateliers" or visit the well equipped  model shop. Meilenwerk Berlin, a must see!

FRANKFURT

After enjoying the press day at Geneva earlier this year we have the honor to return to the automotive stage for a second time. Frankfurt is the mother ship of the German car industry these days. A delegation of Carfreax was there to feel the action. Way to early in the morning I travel up north to meet my partners in crime from Holland half way. This year the beginning is the end. We start at  hall 11. It turns out to be an excellent choice.

"Douze points" go to Munich for a truly impressive stand. With high velocity the complete range of Beamers comes rolling down the "Loop". Efficient Dynamics in motion. In a relaxed posture Adrian leans on the glass butterfly door of his new concept. Click click click. A definitive highlight in white, black and blue.

From here on we count backwards, Hall ten, nine, eight. Opel, Saab, the Italians. Mecano at Alfa, schoolgirls at Fiat and Lancia. A lot of impressions, even more walking and in between the obligatory Frankfurt lunch: sausages with fries.

Hanging around at the Ferrari stand. We are surprised. The all new 458 Italia looks really good in the flesh. After years of "Burago styling" the italian brand has found its way back to serious styling. The design theme fits to the tight package. I take the opportunity to take a closer look behind the scene and shoot some pictures of the interior. Die cast aluminum details wrapped in fine leather. A touch o Star Wars here and there, but all together a "round car".

The germans present themselves politically correct. Green green green. Without electric drive nothing goes. The beginning of a new era? Renault even has four "EZ" going concepts on the floor. Neat graphic detailing and an impressive movie set the tone. Let's see what the production cars look like.

A surprise is the sympathetic  presentation of the Volkswagen brand. In an all white setting the 1 liter car is accompanied by the close to production version of the Up. The yellow mini might look dry at first sight, but god is in the details. Smart solutions highlight the interior. Motivated press spokesmen answer all our questions with enthusiasm. Simple, yet effective. Who needs electric window openers in a voltaic age anyway?

A long day at Frankfurt. SIlently we cruise home back to Holland, discussing our impressions and favorites. Mixed feelings. In about two years time we will see what has reached production and what was just plain vision. The only way to know the future is to create it!