In photos: Concept cars show the future in Frankfurt
By C.C. Weiss
September 14, 2017
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In photos: Concept cars show the future in Frankfurt

Concepts of the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus with CityPilot helps to draw show goers to Daimler's hall
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Mercedes debuted the Future Bus last July in Amsterdam, where it drove autonomously on a 12-mile (20-km) route
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The Volocopter 2X self-flying taxi serves as another eye catcher outside Daimler's IAA hall
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Daimler is among the parties investing millions in Volocopter – even if the flying taxi doesn't pan out, Daimler might just get its money worth in trade fair promotions alone
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Volocopter plans to use investment funds for developing its electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology, quickening introduction of the Volocopter taxi and improving its market position within the young flying taxi market
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Daimler shows the Volocopter 2X flying taxi in Frankfurt
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The two-person self-flying air taxi of the future?
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Wey XEV concept
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Mercedes Vision Tokyo concept at IAA 2017
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Mercedes first revealed the Vision Tokyo at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
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The Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo concept plays with several technologies, including autonomy and a hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain
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In addition to being yet another dramatic concept at the Daimler IAA hall, the VIsion Tokyo ties into the hydrogen fuel cell news Mercedes had at the show
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Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo concept at IAA 2017
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Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo concept at IAA 2017
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Toyota premieres the C-HR Hy-Power Concept in Frankfurt
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The Hy-Power concept gives the C-HR a more vibrant look to go along with a more potent hybrid powertrain
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F1 race car for the road: The Project One will feature more prominently in our upcoming "sports cars of Frankfurt" gallery, but since it's technically a "show car," we figured we'd sneak a photo in here, too
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Mercedes Concept EQA
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A look into the swirling eyes of the Mercedes Concept EQA
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Mercedes previews a compact electric car with the Concept EQA
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The Mercedes EQA has a 249-mile-range all-electric powertrain
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Mercedes Concept EQA
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Mercedes Concept EQA
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The Mercedes EQA's taillights have some swirl, too
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Mercedes Generation EQ concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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Chery explores a sleeker SUV with the Tiggo Coupe Concept
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Chery Tiggo Coupe Concept
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Chery Tiggo Coupe Concept
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Jaguar shows the I-Pace concept
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Jaguar shows the I-Pace concept
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Jaguar shows the I-Pace concept
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Jaguar shows the I-Pace concept
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Honda's Urban EV Concept blends the past and future
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We imagine it'll lose the digital front and rear fascias along the way, but the Urban EV Concept will work its way into a production by 2019
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Honda Urban EV Concept
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Honda's Urban EV Concept includes front and rear digital displays
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Honda shows the CR-V Hybrid prototype in Frankfurt
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Kia makes the estate look extra sexy with its Proceed Concept
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Kia's materials call it the Proceed Concept, but it wears a "Proceed Reborn" badge
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The Proceed Concept focuses on "extended hot hatch" styling, and Kia doesn't detail any powertrain specs
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Kia Proceed Concept world premiere at IAA 2017
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Kia's Frankfurt design team took the lead on the Proceed Concept
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Borgward's Isabella Concept was among the most striking of the show
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The surfaces of the Borgward Isabella Concept exterior and interior dive, twist, tuck and flow
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Inside the Borgward Isabella Concept
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Inside the Borgward Isabella Concept
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Borgward Isabella Concept
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Mini shows its electrified future with the Electric Concept
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The Mini Electric Concept includes a closed radiator and fiberglass aero components for better performance
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The Electric Concept is clearly inspired by the original Mini E, a development prototype that helped pave the way for BMW's current and future electric models
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A production electric Mini will be part of BMW's electrification expansion
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After its California debut last month, the Concept Z4 makes an appearance in BMW's homeland
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The Concept Z4 shows BMW's latest design language
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BMW plays with vertically stacked headlights, a departure from its usual horizontal lights
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The BMW Z4 concept uses colors and equipment to clearly separate driver from passenger
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BMW Concept Z4 roadster
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Not all BMW Frankfurt concepts have four wheels; the Concept Link scooter rides on two
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BMW Concept Link
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In creating the Elaine, Audi started with the E-tron Sportback and added some new technologies
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Audi explores autonomy with the Elaine Concept
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The Elaine features an advanced self-driving system that can maneuver the car at speeds between 37 and 81 mph (60 and 130 km/h)
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Volkswagen shows the I.D. Crozz concept
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The I.D. Crozz is VW's vision of a sporty, electric crossover
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A look into the VW I.D. Crozz concept's eye
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The VW I.D. Crozz has a motor at each wheel, an electric version of 4Motion all-wheel drive
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Smart's Vision EQ ForTwo from above
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The Smart Vision EQ ForTwo is an all-electric, self-driving, car-sharing city taxi of the future
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The Vision EQ ForTwo's bubble doors work as digital displays and swing backward to open
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The Smart Vision EQ ForTwo features exterior digital displays to communicate with customers and other road users
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Identifying the car you ordered gets easier with the Vision EQ ForTwo's digital front display
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The Smart EQ ForTwo's interior keeps things simple and roomy
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Interestingly, the Vision EQ ForTwo's digital interior display is not a touchscreen, instead relying on passenger smartphones for control
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The Vision EQ ForTwo's digital display helps single passengers find a mate with whom they can split the ride
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The rear-swinging doors make it easier to get in and out in tight parking and urban spaces
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The all-new Mercedes Concept EQA from above
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Auto startup Thunder Power shows its electric sedan development prototype
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The Thunder Power prototype wears some topographic-like camouflage
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Thunder Power claims an all-electric range (NEDC) up to 404 miles (650 km), but we'll see if that sticks once the car gets to market
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Thunder Power plans to launch a sedan and limited edition coupe in 2019 and an SUV in 2020
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A look at Thunder Power's heavily digital interior
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Thunder Power interior
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Thunder Power SUV show car
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Thunder Power SUV show car
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Thunder Power has one of the more interesting all-electric front grille designs out there
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Thunder Power SUV show car
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Thunder Power SUV show car
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Thunder Power has designed a modular chassis for use across its vehicle lineup
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Thunder Power's architecture includes front multi-link and rear trapezoidal link suspension
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More than just a car, Renault's Symbioz vision includes a home that shares energy with the vehicle
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The Symbioz car is designed to double as a useful room at home
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The Symbioz has a dual-motor rear-wheel drive
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Renault plans to launch a Symbioz-related demo vehicle later this year
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While an interesting and unique concept, Renault's Symbioz limited structural capacity meant we weren't able to get inside the building and shoot the car from all angles
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Renault's race car of the future: the R.S. 2027 Vision
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Renault looks at a possible future of race cars
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Renault's R.S. 2027 Vision uses a variety of LED lighting
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The Renault R.S. 2027 Vision includes a polycarbonate cockpit canopy
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Renault R.S. Vision 2027
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BMW previews the future of sporty electric driving with the i Vision Dynamics
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BMW has been focusing on styling exercises of late, without giving much in the way of powertrain details – it does imagine the i Vision Dynamics having 373 miles of range and 120-mph of speed
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Those who have been watching BMW's electric growth may recall that the i8 was originally the Vision EfficientDynamics, a clunky name that seems to have helped pave the way for the more succinct i Vision Dynamics
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BMW premieres the i Vision Dynamics in Frankfurt
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BMW i Vision Dynamics concept
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BMW i Vision Dynamics concept
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BMW i Vision Dynamics concept
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BMW premieres the X7 Concept iPerformance
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The X7 Concept iPerformance previews a large BMW SUV
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BMW X7 Concept iPerformance
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BMW didn't announce powertrain specs but said that the X7 concept pairs electric drive tech with a BMW TwinPower turbo gas engine
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BMW X7 Concept iPerformance
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A peek inside the X7 concept
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BMW shows the Concept 8 Series once again
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Another BMW concept without powertrain specs, the Concept 8 Series previews a future production model
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The new 8 Series will be part of BMW's historic new-model offensive
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BMW Concept 8 Series
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BMW Concept 8 Series
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Inside the BMW Concept 8 Series
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The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet makes the trip over from California
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A look inside the gorgeous interior of the Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet
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The huge hood of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet
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Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet
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Debuted at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept makes the trip to Frankfurt
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With an 805-hp hybrid powertrain derived from F1 technology, the GT Concept is a powerful machine
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The Rinspeed Oasis concept brings some funk to Frankfurt
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The Rinspeed Oasis adds a little greenery to the automotive world
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If the buses of the future look anything like Daimler's vision, they won't hold very many people
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At the wheel of the Mercedes Future Bus
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Mercedes Future Bus with CityPilot concept
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Skoda Vision E at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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Skoda Vision E at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
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A look at the flamboyant aerodynamics of the Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept
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Mini likes to integrate the Union Jack into its concepts
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The new GP Concept is a race-inspired Mini Cooper with serious attitude
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Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept
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Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept
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Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept
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The Mini GP Concept has a widened track, front splitter, large roof spoiler and plenty of other aggressive tweaks
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The track-inspired GP Concept includes a roll cage and driver-focused interior
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Wey explores creases and alternative energy with the XEV concept
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The Wey XEV's rear is giving us way too much lip
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