Never in all our time in this industry did we think we’d end up describing an Astra as sexy – but the sixth generation of the popular Opel car is just that.

The new Astra is the brainchild of a team led by Mark Adams, the guy behind the 2009 European Car of the Year, the Vauxhall Insignia. Not only does it utilise design features found in the Insignia, but it also promises to deliver optimum economy and performance levels. We’re excited already…

Could this be the perfect Peugeot? We think it might very well be.

The double bubble-roofed car, which first appeared as a concept at the last Frankfurt show in 2007, will have come full circle when the production version makes its world debut at the International Motor Show this year. And instead of dropping all the good bits, as so many marques do when converting concepts into production cars, Peugeot has left pretty much all of them in. The result is a breathtaking sport coupé that many will be heading straight towards when the doors to this year’s show finally open.

With former McLaren F1 CEO, Ron Dennis, at the helm, the future of McLaren Automotive looks incredibly bright right now. The P11, McLaren’s much talked about forthcoming supercar, will be the first car to show Dennis’ influence – and we’re pretty confident it’s going to be very special.

Auto Express magazine is claiming that the 1 200kg car will be powered by a V8 capable of delivering 404 kW – if they’re right, it’s an über-fast car. It’s not going to hit the world’s showrooms until 2011 – so hopefully Frankfurt is our chance for a sneak peak at the future of McLaren automobiles.

The car Jaguar hopes will revive its ailing fortunes was first unveiled at a swanky, Jay Leno-presented ceremony in London in July. But the proper first opportunity for the public to cast their judgement on the XJ will be in Frankfurt.

Continuing the good work started by the XF, the XJ reinvents the Jaguar look – abandoning the snobby aesthetic associated with cars of its past, for sports-car looks any of the world’s leading marques would be proud of. And if you get the chance, check out its fabulous rear end. Even Beyoncé would be jealous…

Few motoring-related announcements this year have been more exciting than that of the Ferrari 458 Italia – the Prancing Horse’s replacement for the 430.

Styled by Pininfarina, influenced by Michael Schumacher, and powered by a 4,5-litre V8 that delivers 425 kW, the Italia has everything it takes to earn a place among the marque’s classic cars.

Longer, lower and sleeker than its predecessor, and featuring Kia’s new design DNA (which isn’t bad at all), the latest generation of the Sorento looks like it could give the most rugged off-roaders and the smoothest SUVs a run for their money.

Whether or not it’ll be one of the best cars on display is debatable, but the first-ever Aston Martin supermini will certainly prove a talking point at this year’s Frankfurt show.

The response to the unveiling of the teaser image of Toyota iQ-inspired Cygnet, an Aston with stunted growth, was less than favourable, but perhaps Aston knows something that we don’t. All will be revealed when it debuts on the Frankfurt showroom floor.

In the Mulsanne, Bentley has added another stunning car to its impressive portfolio – one that will hold its own alongside the likes of the Continental and Arnage.

The company’s new flagship grand tourer is being hyped up as “the pinnacle of British luxury motoring”. Early pictures of the Mulsanne suggest it will live up to its billing, and its debut in Frankfurt should confirm that.

The replacement for the legendary Mercedes McLaren SLR will finally make its world debut at the International Motor Show, after one of the most drawn-out launch build-ups we’ve ever seen. Only the Aston Martin Rapide (unveiled as a concept in 2006) can match it in tortuous unveiling terms.

Slated to have a top speed of 313 km/h and a 0 – 100 km/h sprint of 3.8 seconds, we’ve already seen a few pics of the 6,3-litre AMG V8-powered Merc – but not enough to spoil its unveiling at Frankfurt.

Now this is more like it from Aston Martin. In the Rapide, the company is set to deliver another classic grand tourer – a name that has been on the tip of motor journalists’ tongues since it was first unveiled as a concept in 2006.

When the latest announcement was made about the car back in April, Aston Martin chief executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The Rapide will be the most elegant four-door sports car in the world” – one that will be powered by a 6,0-litre V12 engine producing 350 kW and 600 N.m of torque. Performance stats are yet to be announced; we wait with bated breath…