Prior to the news of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre filtering through the Frankfurt Messe late afternoon on Tuesday 11 September, the Frankfurt Motor Show was an exciting, colourful and very busy place to be on the first of the two press days.

Many fabulous concept cars made their first appearance, and many new versions of established model names were officially launched. Over the following pages, irishcar.com gives you a pictorial record of the best of these. As the weeks go on, fuller details of many of the cars will be posted. Indeed, in the run-up to the show, many details have already been revealed on your favourite Irish motoring site. BB/TW

Ford's new Fiesta was probably one of the most eagerly-awaited new small cars at the show. It will be available in Ireland in the latter half of next year.
Toyota's Corolla (below) has been transformed in its latest generation to a strong-looking and stylish contender in the most competitive of segments. Due in Ireland in December.
Toyota's Camry (below) has also been transformed from a bland but US best-seller to a svelte and curvaceous high-end big car. Also in Ireland in December.
We were introduced to the new Honda Jazz small car (below) in two guises, which will for the first time in Europe give the manufacturer a place in the challenging B-segment, right up against the new Fiesta and the new Polo. The 'Sport Concept' model (top below) created by Honda Accessories Europe will be used to gauge reaction to a possible new junior GTi contender.
In the middle of all its current models, Volvo showed off its two current concept models, the Adventure Concept Car (ACC) and PCC2 (first below).