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The Concept Cars of the Frankfurt Motor Show From Wild to Restrained

It previews the next generation of auto design

The press days for the Frankfurt Motor Show begin today, September 9, at the Frankfurt Messe, and the show is the traditional beginning of the auto show season where we see the future of auto design. The Frankfurt show is known as being one of the biggest and most important auto shows in Europe, and the German automakers treat it as their home showcase and usually make their biggest reveals there.

Usually concept cars split into two categories - production-ready concepts that preview a future model or design concepts that show how a brand wants the public to see its design. At this year's Frankfurt show, we are seeing a third category - the technology concept.

Lexus will certainly tone down the LF-NX's styling for production

The cars that represent the future of their brands' design are the Volvo Concept CoupeVolvo Concept CoupéSweden, 2014 > 2014, Opel Monza ConceptOpel Monza ConceptGermany, 2013 > 2013 and Lexus LF-NXLexus LF-NXJapan, 2013 > 2013. All three brands are quite open that their future cars will follow the styling direction shown by the concepts but likely softened for the road. It is impossible to believe that Lexus would really try to sell a crossover that looks like the LF-NX, and huge gullwing doors on the Monza Concept would make it impossible to exit in most parking lots.

Among the production-ready concepts at this year's show are the Caterham 7 165Caterham 7 165United Kingdom, 2014 > 2014, Infiniti Q30Infiniti Q30Japan, 2014 > present, Ford S-MaxFord S-MaxUnited Kingdom, 2014 > 2014 and Ford Mondeo VignaleFord Mondeo Vignale ConceptUnited Kingdom, 2013 > present. The CaterhamCaterhamUnited Kingdom, 1973 > present9 models
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1 video
is supposed to be on sale before the end of the year, and the FordsFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
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11 videos
are slated to be on sale in Europe by this time next year. The Q30 is not planned for production until 2015.

Concepts like the Kia NiroKia NiroRepublic of Korea, 2013 > 2013, Jaguar C-X17Jaguar C-X17United Kingdom, 2014 > 2014, Smart Fourjoysmart FourjoyGermany, 2014 > 2014, Citroën CactusCitroën CactusFrance, 2014 > 2014 and Suzuki IV-4Suzuki IV-4Japan, 2014 > 2014 represent a hybrid of the two categories. KiaKiaRepublic of Korea, 1944 > present52 models
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4 videos
, SmartsmartGermany, 1994 > present13 models
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4 videos
, CitroënCitroënFrance, 1919 > present94 models
5346 photos
11 videos
and SuzukiSuzukiJapan, 1909 > present47 models
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4 videos
have all admitted that he concept point towards future vehicles, but they are farther away and will likely have different styling from their concepts. JaguarJaguarUnited Kingdom, 1922 > present53 models
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has not even said that the C-X17 crossover will go into production, although it has certainly hinted at it quite seriously.

The outlier among the concepts is the Audi Sport Quattro concept. It looks like it could go on sale tomorrow and slot in between the RS5Audi RS5Germany, 2010 > present6 photos
and R8Audi R8Germany, 2006 > present44 versions
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in Audi's lineup. Its technology all comes from the VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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parts bin and seems quite possible. But AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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has been slow to hop onto the hybrid bandwagon, and Audi has been quite clear that the Sport Quattro is just a concept, at least for now.

Audi's Sport Quattro looks like it could be made today

Cars like the Range Rover HybridLand Rover Range Rover 3....United Kingdom, 2014 > present, Toyota Yaris Hybrid RToyota Yaris Hybrid-RJapan, 2013 > present and BMW Concept X5 eDriveBMW Concept X5 eDrive Germany, 2014 > present are based on production cars that are already on sale, or nearly so in the BMW'sBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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case, but they pack the cars with new technology that is still in development. Among the three, the Range Rover Hybrid is sure to go into production and is currently on a shakedown test by driving from the Land RoverLand RoverUnited Kingdom, 1978 > present15 models
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9 videos
headquarters in England to the TataTataIndia, 1945 > present5 models
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1 video
headquarters in India. The BMW Concept X5 eDrive is also sure to see production eventually because BMW already offers hybrid powertrain options in some of its cars.

The Yaris Hybrid R is the one among them truly taking the long view. While all of its technology is feasible, its racecar engine and ultra capacitor hybrid system will not see the road in a car like the Yaris any time soon. The concept simple shows what is possible, not probable.

Frankfurt Motor Show 2013 Concepts

It is one of the most important motor shows in the world and takes place every two years. In 2013 The world's biggest car brands return to Frankfurt to show what they can do best! One of the biggest attractions of the show are always the concepts that show the future of design and technology of the brands. Here are the main concpets featuring in Frankfurt.

BMW Concept X5 eDrive

BMW is presenting the X5 eDrive at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It uses a turbo four cylinder engine with a 94hp electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery mounted underneath the cargo area.The plug-in hybrid system includes intelligent all-wheel drive. The car can reach a max EV speed of 75mph over a range of 19 miles (30km). It can hit 100km/h in less than seven seconds and uses 3.8l/100km and less than 90g/km of CO2.

Audi Sport Quattro

Audi introduced the Sport Quattro hybrid sports coupe to celebrate the Quattro's 30th anniversary. While the shape is familiar, the concept uses a 4.0 TSI twin-turbo V8 with cylinder deactivation and hybrid motor between the engine and transmission for a total output of 691hp and 591lb-ft of torque. It will hit 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and top speed of 190mph. The car still emits 59g/km of CO2 and uses 94.09mpg US of fuel.

Volvo Concept Coupé

The Concept C Coupe is a modernized interpretation of the Volvo’s famous P1800 coupe. Although, Volvo claims that it also took inspiration from contemporary Scandinavian design for the car as well. Volvo’s head of design Thomas Ingenlath created the look of the C Coupe. He said that is inspiration was to combine the emotion of Volvo’s past while pointing towards the company’s future.

Opel Monza Concept

Opel revived the Monza name for a sporty concept for Frankfurt. It says that the car combines athletic driving and an efficient powertrain. Monza is a concept that shows the future of Opel design. In terms of design the Monza is not retro-inspired. The front is complicated with lots of intersecting lines and creases. The headlights take on an aggressive squint, which has recently become popular in auto design.

Kia Niro

The Niro is a tiny, two-door crossover with forward-hinged doors and Kia’s corporate face. It has chunky styling that makes it look off-road-ready, but most buyers will likely only see it get a little muddy, as it is meant for urban dwellers. The concept is painted in high gloss black with stainless steel trim. It shows Kia’s concept of a next generation B-segment crossover for city car drivers.

Peugeot 308 R

The 308 R is Peugeot’s concept for a sportier 308 with a lower suspension, larger brakes, wider track, flared body and 19in wheels. It uses the 270hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine from the RCZ R with front-wheel drive and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Jaguar C-X17

The Jaguar C-X17 is a concept crossover that will be displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The C-X17 will use a new, modular aluminum platform that Jaguar promises will be used on future cars. Jaguar says that the new platform will be used on multiple future models

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R

The Yaris Hybrid-R will be on display in Frankfurt. Toyota announced it as a 400hp car that would take inspiration from the TS030 Le Mans car. The concept uses an FIA Global Race Engine-spec 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 300hp very similar to the engines used in WTCC. It also gets three, 60hp electric motors – one located in each rear wheel and one between the engine and transmission with a combined output of 420hp.

Infiniti Q30

The Q30 is Infiniti's new premium hatchback concept being unveiled in Frankfurt. It is Infiniti's attempt to appeal to premium customers with a compact hatchback. The design is meant to evoke the look of hunting cats. The single image released shows a hatchback with a hood that blends directly into the windshield and flows over the rear in a continuous arc.

smart Fourjoy

The Fourjoy was launch by smart to show the brand’s future with a four-seat car. It is minimal in the extreme, no doors, no rear windows and an open roof, putting more emphasis on the interior. The car is 799mm longer and 419mm wider than a current Fortwo. However, the design is still clearly from Smart. It has short overhangs and a tridion safety cell. Power comes from a 74hp electric motor with a 17.6kWh battery pack.

Lexus LF-NX

The LF-NX was launched to be revealed in Frankfurt and according to Lexus it is a research for a future crossover. From the front, it has a huge version of the Lexus spindle grill that takes up most of the front of the car. In the corners of the spindle, the LF-NX has narrow LED lights that make the car look absolutely furious. To either side of the grill there are huge brake cooling ducts. The fenders have heavy, box flairs with sharp lines.

Citroën Cactus

The Citroën Cactus is a concept being shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At the front, it has a tall, blunt front with no actual grill except for a small opening around the license plate holder. Rather than a large bumper, the Cactus has two airbumps, which are what Citroën calls the ribs along the front, side and rear of the car, pointing out to absorb impacts. The headlights follow the modern style with narrow LED headlights and LED running lights.

Ford S-Max

The S-Max concept is being unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show to introduce the second generation of the model. Besides featuring a new design it also includes new infotainment technology like SYNC, MyFord Touch, car-to-car communication and parking assist; it even has a heart rate monitor and glucose level monitor. Power for the concept comes from a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine.

Caterham 7 165

The 165 is a concept by Caterham that is being unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It uses a modified three-cylinder 660cc turbocharged engine from Suzuki with 80hp and 79lb-ft of torque (107Nm). Caterham Technology & Innovation modified the engines for better fuel economy and lower emissions. The new car will be the lightest Caterham ever.

Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept

The Mondeo Vignale Concept is a concept launched by Ford to showcase the luxury sub-brand called Vignale exclusive for the European market. It offers higher quality materials, unique body elements and new technologies that are not available on the conventional Mondeo. It is being shown both as a four-door sedan and wagon.

Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Hybrid

Land Rover is launching the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport hybrid models in Frankfurt. Both trucks use a 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine paired to a 47hp and 125lb-ft electric motor. It lowers CO2 emissions by 26% over the standard version. Both models are rated at 169g/km of CO2 and 44.1mpg UK combined and have 335hp and 516lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF.

Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Racing Series Concept

The CLA45 AMG Racing Series is meant to show Mercedes’s commitment to customer racing and a possible CLA45 AMG for a future one-make racing series. It uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the production version with 355hp and 450Nm of torque, but it would be offered in several power specifications to align with regional racing series.

Suzuki IV-4

The iV-4 compact SUV concept is being unveiled by Suzuki at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The compact crossover is meant to show Suzuki's future design direction and is meant to combine the ruggedness of an SUV but with a more urban-friendly size.