Hottest Concepts and Customs in Frankfurt

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Concepts & Customs
We attend multiple major auto shows every year, and it’s the cars that we’ll probably never get to drive that excite us most. These vehicles can be concept cars with futuristic designs and unbelievable drivetrains, or special one-off custom versions of cars that are already extreme exotics. Either way, these rare specimens are almost never seen outside the hallowed halls of an auto show, so enjoy these special highlights from the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Audi e-tron quattro concept
The German automaker chose its home show to provide a glimpse into its future crossover plans. The e-tron quattro concept is an all-electric luxury SUV that will be the basis for a production vehicle expected in 2018.

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Audi e-tron quattro concept
Styling not only shows how the Audi look will evolve in the next few years, it’s also extremely functional with excellent aerodynamics, achieving a very low 0.25 coefficient of drag. With three electric motors, performance should be strong. Look for the e-tron to go head to head with the Tesla Model X when it arrives in a few years.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Bentley GTC by Mansory
A German automotive tuning company, Mansory takes vehicles that are already exclusive and makes them even more so. A perfect example is the striking GTC making its debut in Frankfurt. Considerable use of carbon fiber not only gives the Bentley a unique look, it improves performance by reducing overall weight. The new grille, hood and A-pillars offer a perfect contrast to the bright orange exterior paint. Ultralight 22-inch wheels complete the look.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Bentley GTC by Mansory
Inside the GTC is just as extravagant, with handcrafted leather and a redesigned steering wheel. But there’s more to this special Bentley than its standout looks —under the carbon fiber hood is a reworked turbocharged engine that produces 1,001 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to push this big convertible to 62 mph in less than four seconds.

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Brabus Zero Emission Tesla Model S
Those familiar with Brabus know that the German tuning/customization company has been creating specialty versions of high-end models for many years — this year the company has taken on the Tesla Model S. Brabus based this special version on the top-of-the-line Model S P90D with “Ludicrous Mode,” already boasting 761 horsepower.

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Brabus Zero Emission Tesla Model S
Brabus adds a number of aerodynamic enhancements for better handling as well as a more aggressive look. The matte paint finish and 21-inch high-tech forged wheels complete the unique look.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
This extreme sports car is arguably the star of the entire show in Frankfurt. Designed for the popular Gran Turismo PlayStation gaming franchise, the 1:1 scale vehicle looks like it drove straight out of the video game. Bugatti designers wanted to pay homage to the brand’s legendary racing history while at the same time create something extremely modern.

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Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
The result is the Vision Gran Turismo, which has elements of the already extreme Veyron, but with a considerably more aggressive look. “We wanted to develop a virtual race car for our fans, which is a genuine Bugatti down to the last detail and radiates the unrestricted values of the brand,” the designers note. “We hope that the gamers will have just as much fun racing the car as we did in developing it.”

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Honda Project 2&4
Honda chose this unique concept car to celebrate the company’s engine-building successes. Engines are provided to more than 28 million people each year across 2- and 4-wheeled vehicles — thus the moniker Project 2&4. The concept combines the feeling of freedom when riding a motorcycle with the stability and maneuverability of a car.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Honda Project 2&4
Sticking with the motorcycle theme, the concept is powered by Honda’s RC213V competition motorcycle engine, although modified to run on public roads. The engine redlines at 14000 rpm while delivering around 212 horsepower. Weighing in at just under 900 pounds, performance would be outstanding for this mini racer.

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Hyundai Vision G Coupe Concept
When Hyundai began producing cars it was best known for building small economy models, but that time has passed. Emphasizing that point is the Vision G Coupe concept the Korean automaker had on display at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The elegant 2-door provides a look at design elements likely to make their way to future premium products from Hyundai. If this concept is any indication, the future is looking pretty good.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Hyundai Vision G Coupe Concept
“Vision G is the first high-end premium coupe by Hyundai Motor. Despite its bold and powerful styling, the concept is purposefully understated, creating a balance of opulence and elegance that will resonate with customers who seek style without pretention,” said Peter Schreyer, president and chief design officer of Hyundai Motor Company.

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Jaguar C-X75 Concept
Jaguar and Land Rover are providing a number of vehicles for the upcoming James Bond film entitled “Spectre.” Three of the vehicles are on display here in Frankfurt, highlighted by the sexy Jaguar C-X75 Concept. Originally debuting at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, the C-X75 was a look at a possible supercar from Jaguar.

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Jaguar C-X75 Concept
The stats for this sleek coupe are quite impressive, with a hybrid powertrain that puts out almost 800 horsepower to all four wheels. Sixty mph comes up in less than three seconds, with a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Jaguar announced in May of 2011 that it would build 250 copies of the C-X75 with an expected price around £700,000; however, changes in the financial status of Jaguar unfortunately scrapped those plans. At least James Bond gets to be chased by one.

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Mazda KOERU Concept
An all-new crossover SUV concept from Mazda made its debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Called KOERU — Japanese for “exceed” — the concept carries styling that fits with the rest of the Mazda lineup. In fact, aside from the advanced door handles and very large wheels, the KOERU looks ready for production.

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Mazda KOERU Concept
The sleek lines and low roofline give KOERU a sporty look, further enhanced by low front and rear overhangs as well as 21-inch alloy wheels fitted with high-performance Pirelli tires. The KOERU features the latest in SKYACTIV technology, which combines lightweight designs with rigid chassis and fuel-efficient engines to create fun-to-drive yet economical vehicles. Mazda made no announcements about a KOERU-based production model, but we could see a vehicle with a similar shape coming from Mazda sometime soon.

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Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA
The German car company pulled out all the stops for its home motor show, building a massive multi-story display as well as showcasing a number of new production and concept cars. The concept that caught our attention was the Concept Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile.

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Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA
While the coupe’s basic shape and elegant interior foretell the future of Mercedes luxury models, this sleek coupe offers impressive advances in aerodynamics, transforming its shape at speeds above 50 mph. Eight extensions in the rear increase the car’s length by around 15 inches, while flaps in the front bumper extend to improve airflow around the front and wheel arches. Active Rims on the wheels alter their depth to further improve how the concept slips through the air.

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Nissan Gripz
Nissan provided a look at the future of sporty crossovers with the introduction of the Gripz concept here at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Gripz not only predicts styling language for the next-generation of Nissan crossovers, it represents a new class of vehicle altogether. A rather bold statement, but Nissan backs it up with sports-car-like performance, bold styling, a unique interior and an advanced hybrid powertrain.

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Nissan Gripz
A small fuel-efficient gasoline engine provides power to the same electric motor found in Nissan’s popular Leaf electric car. The doors are easily the standout design feature: front doors swing out and up, while rear doors are small and half-hinged. With no B-pillar the roof appears to float, and there is easy access to front or rear seats.

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Porsche Mission E
With plenty of experience around hybrid and electric drivetrains, it’s no wonder Porsche is looking at building a high-performance electric sports sedan. The Mission E provides a taste of what that vehicle could be, and is the first all-electric 4-seat sports car from the German automaker. Legendary Porsche performance with new levels of efficiency and innovation are expected from the Mission E.

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Porsche Mission E
Virtual external mirrors capture images and project them onto the lower corners of the windshield, eliminating the drag of large door-mounted mirrors. In order to properly compete in this high-performance electric car market (which is currently quite small), the Porsche would need to be able to reach 62 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, have a 300-mile range and be able to reach 80 percent capacity after just 15 minutes of charge.

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Startech Pickup
For every problem there is a solution. If your problem is that you want to be able to carry large or dirty cargo in your Range Rover but don’t want to mess up the cargo area, this Startech Pickup is the solution. Startech is a division of Brabus, specializing in British all-wheel-drive vehicles. To build this unique truck, the company kept all the capability of the Range Rover, but designed and manufactured more than 100 bodywork components out of aluminum, carbon or steel.

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Startech Pickup
A new bulkhead behind the rear seats features a heated tinted window. The new cargo bed is about 43 inches long but extends another two feet with the tailgate down — enough room for golf bags or, according to the Startech press materials, hunting falcons of Arab customers.

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Toyota C-HR Concept
The C-HR concept on display at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show is actually a new version of the C-HR shown last fall at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. This compact urban SUV was a 2-door crossover when it was previously shown. In Frankfurt it’s a 4-door model, which should provide a bit more versatility.

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Toyota C-HR Concept
Apparently the reaction to the concepts has been good. Karl Schlicht, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Europe, announced that the C-HR will go into production and the final version will be shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Based on Toyota’s new global architecture, the C-HR will be available with a variety of engine options (depending on market) and will likely feature a hybrid version.