It was hard to miss Fiat's star of the show - the 500. For a start, there was a hansel and grettle style trail of ladies, styled to within an inch of their lives and sporting white jumpsuits,, to show the way. I just followed these and was confronted with a giant version of the popular new supermini. To give you an idea of the scale...the model's wheels disappeared to reveal real-life 500s inside, which visitors can ride through the supersized version and out towards the gobsmacked crowd.

The showstopper was joined on the stands with the Italian firm's new Panda Aria - an eco version of the five-door hatch that promises up to 90mpg, while producing just 65g per km of CO2.

New software from Microsoft, based on the Blue&Me kit already seen in the family's line-up, was also unveiled. This allows drivers to download emissions and consumption details after each trip - an idea which is designed to make motorists drive more economically.

For more details and pictures on all the launches at Frankfurt, get your copy of the latest Auto Express, on sale at newsagents now!