Perhaps the most exciting auto show debuts are the concepts, which offer a glimpse into the future of the direction automakers are headed. With so many concepts revealed at this year's Frankfurt show, it's easy to forget some of the vehicles and that's why we've put together this post as a Frankfurt show refresher. Get your fill of our extensive Frankfurt show coverage here.
Alfa Romeo � An updated 4C Concept was anticipated to bow at Frankfurt, but the concept car debuted looking the same as it did at this year's Geneva show, except with what Alfa Romeo calls "liquid metal paint." Aside from the color change, everything else is the same: a 235- to 250-hp turbocharged 1.75-liter I-4 paired to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, and extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber.
Audi � The guys from Ingolstadt brought their babies to Frankfurt, officially debuting the A2 and the Urban Concept Sportback and Spyder. The A2 concept measured only a half-inch off in all dimensions compared to the original that debuted in 2000, but the new one didn't utilize an aluminum space frame. The powertrain remains a mystery, but a production version should launch in 2013 as an electric vehicle. More information was given about the Urban Concepts (Sportback and Spyder), as Audi said a variant of its e-tron system will produce a top speed of 62 mph and have a range of 30-40 miles.
BMW � BMW's green conscious "I" sub-brand finally bared all. The boxy i3 concept features a carbon-fiber construction that splits the car into a rolling aluminum chassis that carries the battery pack and the 168-hp/184-lb-ft rear-drive electric powertrain. It can scoot to 62 mph in under 8 seconds with an 80-100 mile realistic daily range. The low-slung i8, using a turbocharger, direct injection, Valvetronic, and other efficient/dynamic tricks, kick out 220 horsepower and 221 lb-ft. Details about the transmission weren't revealed.
Chevrolet � The automaker debuted the Mi-Ray and Colorado Rally concepts, and looked back to the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder for inspiration for the Mi-Ray. The carbon-fiber Mi-ray is considered a "mid-electric," because it's essentially a mid-engine, all-wheel-drive hybrid that is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Colorado Rally concept is a preview version of Chevy's next-generation midsize pickup, coming equipped with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine and all-wheel drive.
Citroen � Citroen released the Tubik concept, which hearkens back to one of France's most iconic commercial vehicles, the Type H. The concept has seating for nine, and can be moved and rearranged to reconfigure the cabin, and a giant gullwing door on the passenger side runs along the entire length of the vehicle. The Tubik will have a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine powering the front wheels, and an electric motor driving the rear axle. Combined, the powertrain is good for 200 hp, and also provides all-wheel drive.
Ford � Ford showed two concepts at this year's show. Defined by crisp lines, great curves, and aggressive stance, the Evo concept sported gullwing doors and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with a lithium-ion battery pack. The front design's trapezoidal grille and laser-cut headlights could offer a peek of what to expect in Ford's future products. Ford says its second concept, the Ford Fiesta ST, has enough power to rocket it 0-62 mph in 7 seconds, with a top speed of 135 mph.
Infiniti � The F1-inspired FX, based on the refreshed 2012 FX, gets an upgrade thanks to Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel. Carbon-fiber mirrors, new wheels, a large rear wing, a new front lip, new side skirts, and a redone front fascia with LED running lights are some of the tweaks to the exterior. Topping it off is a chrome Vettel badge on the front fender. We expect it has a tuned version of Infiniti's 5.0-liter V-8.
Jaguar � The Jaguar C-X16 Concept gets the same treatment as the C-X75's performance and style, with a hybrid powertrain that includes a supercharged, direct-injected, all-aluminum 3.0-liter V-6, rated at 375 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar says the C-X16 will only need 4.4 seconds to get from 0-60 mph with a top speed of 186 mph.
Kia GT � The much-teased Kia GT concept is the automaker's first rear-wheel-drive vehicle, and is powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected 3.3-liter V-6 producing 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends that power to the rear wheels. The GT's styling is influenced by aeronautical design, with a vent-heavy front valance and concept-style, propeller-like wheels.
Land Rover � Land Rover showed two futuristic interpretations of the classic Defender 90. The Defender DC 100 concepts appears to keep some characteristics of the original SUV, with a boxy profile, stubby wheelbase, and exposed spare tire. More modern Land Rover styling cues include fender vents, flared wheel wheels, and large wheels.
Maserati � Maserati's much talked-about SUV was finally unveiled, and is based off the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. A new generation of Maserati engines will make their debut under the hood the Kubang. We think the new engine will be a V-8 bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance brakes, suspension, and steering will be Modena-engineered.
Mercedes-Benz � The F 125! concept envisions what a Mercedes two-door coupe of the future could look like. The car features two giant gullwing doors, seating for four, and an evolution of the large-grille front-end. A hydrogen fuel cell that powers a lithium-ion battery pack and four electric motors sits under the hood, and we expect 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.9 seconds, and hit a top end of 137 mph.
Opel � RAK e concept looks just as funny as it sounds, as it resembles a four-wheeled version of the light cycles from Tron. Vauxhall/Opel says the car has a 60-mile range, can hit speeds up to 75 mph, and will be highly affordable if produced, but the coolest aspect is that the seats are arranged like the cockpit of a fighter jet, with one in front of the other.
Peugeot � Peugeot says the XH1 seats six adults, which is hard to believe considering its low-slung stance. Its scissor- shaped doors and swinging seats are a plus, but sadly, this model will likely never make it to production.
Smart � Based on the Fortwo Electric Drive, the Smart Forvision concept uses plastic wheels and a semi-transparent roof to help reduce vehicle weight. Smart says all the innovations seen on the Forvision concept could increase the range of an electric car by about 20 percent.
Subaru � The BRZ, Subaru's small sports car developed with Toyota, made an appearance, but powertrain details are still hush-hush. However, the automaker did say it will use a horizontally-opposed boxer engine that will power only the rear wheels. The second concept, the XV, looks like a baby Outback and will go on sale in the U.K in early 2012 and remains true to the XV concept that debuted in Shanghai.
Volkswagen � VW went concept crazy, showing the Up! concepts, the Nils, and the Beetle R. The pint-sized Up! microcar comes with a brand-new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder gas engine, good for reaching 0-60 in 13.2 seconds, and while it looks little, the generous headroom, elbow room and legroom all defy the tiny exterior dimensions. The one-seater Nils concept attempts to match sports car-like performance with zero emissions, and is designed like a Formula 1 racer. The electric motor pushes out around 95 lb-ft of torque and sends power to the rear wheels through a one-speed transmission. The Beetle R was perhaps the looker of the bunch, with bigger everything�including power. It's basically a Scirocco R underneath, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine putting out about 270 hp.
Volvo � The automaker considered opinions from those in global surveys when designing the Concept You. The high-end Volvo has a sloping roofline, but potential powertrain details weren't revealed.
Alfa Romeo � An updated 4C Concept was anticipated to bow at Frankfurt, but the concept car debuted looking the same as it did at this year's Geneva show, except with what Alfa Romeo calls "liquid metal paint." Aside from the color change, everything else is the same: a 235- to 250-hp turbocharged 1.75-liter I-4 paired to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, and extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber.
Audi � The guys from Ingolstadt brought their babies to Frankfurt, officially debuting the A2 and the Urban Concept Sportback and Spyder. The A2 concept measured only a half-inch off in all dimensions compared to the original that debuted in 2000, but the new one didn't utilize an aluminum space frame. The powertrain remains a mystery, but a production version should launch in 2013 as an electric vehicle. More information was given about the Urban Concepts (Sportback and Spyder), as Audi said a variant of its e-tron system will produce a top speed of 62 mph and have a range of 30-40 miles.BMW � BMW's green conscious "I" sub-brand finally bared all. The boxy i3 concept features a carbon-fiber construction that splits the car into a rolling aluminum chassis that carries the battery pack and the 168-hp/184-lb-ft rear-drive electric powertrain. It can scoot to 62 mph in under 8 seconds with an 80-100 mile realistic daily range. The low-slung i8, using a turbocharger, direct injection, Valvetronic, and other efficient/dynamic tricks, kick out 220 horsepower and 221 lb-ft. Details about the transmission weren't revealed.
Chevrolet � The automaker debuted the Mi-Ray and Colorado Rally concepts, and looked back to the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder for inspiration for the Mi-Ray. The carbon-fiber Mi-ray is considered a "mid-electric," because it's essentially a mid-engine, all-wheel-drive hybrid that is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Colorado Rally concept is a preview version of Chevy's next-generation midsize pickup, coming equipped with a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine and all-wheel drive.
Citroen � Citroen released the Tubik concept, which hearkens back to one of France's most iconic commercial vehicles, the Type H. The concept has seating for nine, and can be moved and rearranged to reconfigure the cabin, and a giant gullwing door on the passenger side runs along the entire length of the vehicle. The Tubik will have a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine powering the front wheels, and an electric motor driving the rear axle. Combined, the powertrain is good for 200 hp, and also provides all-wheel drive.Ford � Ford showed two concepts at this year's show. Defined by crisp lines, great curves, and aggressive stance, the Evo concept sported gullwing doors and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain with a lithium-ion battery pack. The front design's trapezoidal grille and laser-cut headlights could offer a peek of what to expect in Ford's future products. Ford says its second concept, the Ford Fiesta ST, has enough power to rocket it 0-62 mph in 7 seconds, with a top speed of 135 mph.
Infiniti � The F1-inspired FX, based on the refreshed 2012 FX, gets an upgrade thanks to Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel. Carbon-fiber mirrors, new wheels, a large rear wing, a new front lip, new side skirts, and a redone front fascia with LED running lights are some of the tweaks to the exterior. Topping it off is a chrome Vettel badge on the front fender. We expect it has a tuned version of Infiniti's 5.0-liter V-8.
Jaguar � The Jaguar C-X16 Concept gets the same treatment as the C-X75's performance and style, with a hybrid powertrain that includes a supercharged, direct-injected, all-aluminum 3.0-liter V-6, rated at 375 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Jaguar says the C-X16 will only need 4.4 seconds to get from 0-60 mph with a top speed of 186 mph.
Kia GT � The much-teased Kia GT concept is the automaker's first rear-wheel-drive vehicle, and is powered by a turbocharged, direct-injected 3.3-liter V-6 producing 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends that power to the rear wheels. The GT's styling is influenced by aeronautical design, with a vent-heavy front valance and concept-style, propeller-like wheels.Land Rover � Land Rover showed two futuristic interpretations of the classic Defender 90. The Defender DC 100 concepts appears to keep some characteristics of the original SUV, with a boxy profile, stubby wheelbase, and exposed spare tire. More modern Land Rover styling cues include fender vents, flared wheel wheels, and large wheels.
Maserati � Maserati's much talked-about SUV was finally unveiled, and is based off the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. A new generation of Maserati engines will make their debut under the hood the Kubang. We think the new engine will be a V-8 bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance brakes, suspension, and steering will be Modena-engineered.
Mercedes-Benz � The F 125! concept envisions what a Mercedes two-door coupe of the future could look like. The car features two giant gullwing doors, seating for four, and an evolution of the large-grille front-end. A hydrogen fuel cell that powers a lithium-ion battery pack and four electric motors sits under the hood, and we expect 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.9 seconds, and hit a top end of 137 mph.
Opel � RAK e concept looks just as funny as it sounds, as it resembles a four-wheeled version of the light cycles from Tron. Vauxhall/Opel says the car has a 60-mile range, can hit speeds up to 75 mph, and will be highly affordable if produced, but the coolest aspect is that the seats are arranged like the cockpit of a fighter jet, with one in front of the other.
Peugeot � Peugeot says the XH1 seats six adults, which is hard to believe considering its low-slung stance. Its scissor- shaped doors and swinging seats are a plus, but sadly, this model will likely never make it to production.
Smart � Based on the Fortwo Electric Drive, the Smart Forvision concept uses plastic wheels and a semi-transparent roof to help reduce vehicle weight. Smart says all the innovations seen on the Forvision concept could increase the range of an electric car by about 20 percent.
Subaru � The BRZ, Subaru's small sports car developed with Toyota, made an appearance, but powertrain details are still hush-hush. However, the automaker did say it will use a horizontally-opposed boxer engine that will power only the rear wheels. The second concept, the XV, looks like a baby Outback and will go on sale in the U.K in early 2012 and remains true to the XV concept that debuted in Shanghai.Volkswagen � VW went concept crazy, showing the Up! concepts, the Nils, and the Beetle R. The pint-sized Up! microcar comes with a brand-new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder gas engine, good for reaching 0-60 in 13.2 seconds, and while it looks little, the generous headroom, elbow room and legroom all defy the tiny exterior dimensions. The one-seater Nils concept attempts to match sports car-like performance with zero emissions, and is designed like a Formula 1 racer. The electric motor pushes out around 95 lb-ft of torque and sends power to the rear wheels through a one-speed transmission. The Beetle R was perhaps the looker of the bunch, with bigger everything�including power. It's basically a Scirocco R underneath, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine putting out about 270 hp.
Volvo � The automaker considered opinions from those in global surveys when designing the Concept You. The high-end Volvo has a sloping roofline, but potential powertrain details weren't revealed.
