The Concept Coupe is one step along the way to the new XC90, which will debut next year
The Concept Coupe's 400 horses are drawn from a plug-in hybrid powertrain with electric motor and 2.0-liter Drive-E petrol engine with supercharger and turbo
The Volvo Concept Coupe's interior features a large portrait touchscreen, along with an adaptive digital display and head-up display
The Mercedes-Benz Concept S-Class Coupe provides a preview of the next-generation two-door
The Concept S-Class Coupe's 21-inch wheels are rolled up in 265/35 R 21 front tires and 295/35 R 21 rear tires
A dome-like roof line and frameless doors define the Concept S-Class Coupe's profile
The Smart Fourjoy is stripped of its doors and rear window, and given open lounge seating
Beyond its wild styling, the Smart Fourjoy previews a possible four-seat Smart design
The Fourjoy is powered by a 55 kW magneto-electric motor
The Fourjoy has two electric long boards mounted on top
Both front and rear passengers have an easy time getting into the Monza thanks to the large, pillarless entries
Vauxhall/Opel equipped the Monza concept with condor wing doors
Inside, the Monza has an innovative LED projection system for infotainment display
Lexus added all kinds of creases, cuts and lines to the LF-NX concept
The LF-NX was designed to explore a possible Lexus small crossover
LF-NX styling is an evolution of Lexus’ L-finesse design language.
Lexus' spindle grille has a commanding look
The Citroen Hybrid Air uses an innovative hybrid powertrain with compressed air in place of electric storage
The Hybrid Air uses a hydraulic pump/motor to recover energy from the engine and brakes, then stores it as compressed air
Peugeot Citroen plans to bring Hybrid Air technology to market by 2016
The Hybrid Air technology allows for zero-emissions city driving
The Citroen Cactus previews future C-line models
The Citroen Cactus concept uses Peugeot Citroen's Hybrid Air technology
Citroen says the Cactus could return 94 miles to every gallon
The Cactus concept is covered in "Airbumps"
The Jaguar C-X17 shows us what a Jag crossover could look like
The Jaguar -C-X17 is built atop future modular architecture
The C-X17 rides on 23-inch alloy wheels
The Ford S-Max is a vision for a future sports activity vehicle
Ford loaded the S-Max with new technologies, including car-to-car communications, Intelligent Protection System with Pre-Collision Assist and Dual-View Display
The S-Max Concept has OLED headlamps and a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine
The Kia Niro concept is powered by a hybrid driveline with a 158-hp 1.6 liter T-GDi engine up front and a 45-hp electric motor in back
The Niro is a product of Kia's Frankfurt design studio
The Niro made its world debut at IAA
Suzuki designed the new iV-4 compact SUV concept with customer personalization in mind, giving buyers the ability to select from a choice of exterior parts, colors, textures, etc.
A production model based on the iV-4 concept will be launched in 2015, with the vehicle to get a release in Europe
In explaining its name, Suzuki says the “i” stands for “individuality,” the “V” for “vehicle,” and the “4” for “4-wheel drive”
The four-wheel drive production model will boast Suzuki's ALLGRIP technology that the company claims gives the vehicle off-road performance that goes beyond a typical city SUV
The Elmiraj interior features materials like camel leather, titanium and Brazilian rosewood
Cadillac says that the Elmiraj explores new dimensions for its expansion, so the concept may very well preview a future model
The Elmiraj concept is powered by a 500-hp twin-turbo 4.5-liter V8 engine
Infiniti says that the Q30 Concept is a vision of a compact vehicle aimed at a new type of premium customer
''We are becoming the younger, trendsetting brand, more relevant and more exciting,'' says Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd.
The Q30 was designed to blend styling influence from hatchbacks, coupes and crossovers
The Citroen Wild Rubis concept is a hybrid SUV
The Wild Rubis has a 295-bhp powertrain with a 1.6-liter THP engine and a rear-mounted electric motor
Citroen first revealed the Wild Rubis concept at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show
Citroen shows the Wild Rubis at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept is a 420-hp 4WD hybrid hot hatch
The Yaris Hybrid-R brings super capacitor-powered race technology to the streets
The Yaris has two rear 60-hp motors, along with a 60-hp non-drive motor generator, assisting the 300-hp 1.6-liter turbo engine
It was a conceptual feast for the eyes at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show
View gallery - 65 images
The exhibition halls at Messe Frankfurt are a fertile hunting ground for lovers of concept cars, as automakers unveil vehicles that give a glimpse of possible future design directions, technologies that might be integrated into forthcoming production models, or pure flights of fancy. This year proved no different, with concept vehicles big and small, practical and absurd, strutting their stuff on the Frankfurt stage.
Although we’ve already cast an eye on some of the leading concepts, such as the Audi Nanuk, Jaguar C-X17, Kia Niro and Infiniti Q30 concepts, we'd be writing exclusively about concept cars until the Geneva Motor Show if we tried to give every concept vehicle in Frankfurt its own spotlight. So, we’ve compiled a one-stop concept vehicle gallery showcasing everything from compact urban commuter vehicles, such as the Smart Fourjoy and Citroen Cactus, through to drool-worthy luxury from the likes of the Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Cadillac Elmiraj. We also take another look at those aforementioned concepts we’ve already covered in detail.
So check out the gallery and have a go at predicting which designs and technologies will make it into future production vehicles, and which will be relegated to the concept car scrap heap.
Chris joined the New Atlas team in 2011 and now serves as the automotive and campers editor, traveling extensively to gather the latest news on cars, outdoor sports gear and other innovations designed to help people experience and enjoy the greater world around them.
2 comments
Nairda
The Citroen Hybrid Air to me seems like the most interesting concept, and not a new idea either. Likely why they put it in such a mundane package. The rest of the cars are just an exercise in panel, light and grill design. Same old internal combustion junk with garnish, and lets throw the odd mild electric in there to for the green appeal. And notice how many of those designs are actually centered around the middle to lower income family type car, representing the 90% purchase. Almost none.
All impractical off-road and track car variants with impractical tires for the real world.
Michael Wilson
the quanttro nanuk looks interesting, but I cannot say much about the rest. The new design language of these vehicles are somewhat meh. I like how audi is pushing their twin turbo diesel technology in their sports cars. Fast and fuel efficient is always fun, but SUVs are not my cup of tea. Now if they put that same powerplant in a 4 door or wagon variant with slightly aggressive suspension and decent handling, they would easily have a customer.
The rest of the cars are just an exercise in panel, light and grill design. Same old internal combustion junk with garnish, and lets throw the odd mild electric in there to for the green appeal.
And notice how many of those designs are actually centered around the middle to lower income family type car, representing the 90% purchase. Almost none. All impractical off-road and track car variants with impractical tires for the real world.