The Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA Cars) is the world’s most comprehensive show of the automotive industry for everybody who develops, manufactures or uses passenger cars. During the auto industry festivities, that started earlier in the week, 100 new cars ranging from productions cars to lofty idea concept cars were unveiled. It is very clear over the eleven halls that the 2011 show has been heavily dominated by the drive towards greener vehicles, better gas mileage, and zero tailpipe-emissions motoring. Here are fifteen cars that stood out as significant models to the Penske team:
- Land Rover DC100 (Concept)- The 21st century version of a urbanized, modernized and stylized crossover version of Evoque and Defender. In an attempt to ‘bling’ their model line Range Rover unveiled this unconventional model. Basically the best info we got from Range Rover while on the floor is that the Defender will be retiring and a new fleet of cars will be available come 2015.
- Mercedes F125 (Concept)- Possibly stretching design concepts a little too far this year Mercedes offers a futuristic glimpse. This model was created to celebrate the auto giant’s 125th anniversary. F125 offers hydrogen fuel cell, lithium- sulphur batteries, 620 mile range, all-wheel-drive and very light weight core.
- Volkswagen Up- Is the world’s first car in its category to provide the optional automatic city emergency braking feature. The four-seated car is designed purposefully for the city transport comes with an alluring design and all the features you could want for easy smooth driving. There will be three versions of the car depending on the different budgets and needs.
- Skoda MissionL (Concept)- A hatchback ready to give the Golf and Focus a run for their money. The goal of this car is to offer more space for less money. This is just the first of many cars Skoda hopes to add to their line up in order to reach the goal of 1.5 million units by 2018.
- Porsche 911- Porsche hope to sell about 30,000 of these revamped models this year. The new 911 Carrera features a six-cylinder engine boasts the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission, with 350 horsepower that can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds. While looking similar to all past examples, offers subtle styling cues that reveal it as the latest member of an iconic family.
- Jaguar C-X16 (Concept)- Generating a lot of commotions hoping to competing against the likes of the Porsche Cayman S and the 911. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 4.4 seconds, while attaining top speeds of 186 mph. It also comes with a Formula One inspired Hybrid Boost system and would be any ones dream race car.
- Citroen DS5- This sleek looking beauty is catching a lot of folk’s eyes on the show floor. The DS5 is the third model in the new DS family, and it’s the largest of them all. The car offers practicality and amenities; perfect for any family. The stylish DS5 is the first Citroën model to feature HYbrid4 full-hybrid diesel technology, providing thrilling performance and class leading environmental credentials.
- Maserati Kubang (Concept)- Maserati’s first sport-utility vehicle set to hit the market in 2013.The Kubang combines the fun behind the wheel we have come to expect from Maserati and the performance, versatility and trunk space everyone needs. And guess what this SUV was actually made in U.S.
- BMW i3- The BMW i3 Concept with eDrive is an uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle designed for urban areas. The ‘i’ stands for intelligent and they are packed with the latest electric battery and hybrid motors. Driven purely by electric power and purpose-built to meet the demands of sustainable and emission-free mobility. It embodies an intelligent form of urban transportation and commuting.
- BMW i8- The most progressive and innovative sports car of its time. Taking roots from hybrid concept of i3 it is a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine producing 164 kW/220 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear. Working in tandem, they allow the two drive systems to display their respective talents to the full, delivering the performance of a sports car but the fuel consumption of a small car.
- Ford Evos (Concept)- The Evos is a four-door fastback design with four elaborate gull wing doors that rise to admit 4 passengers easily. It is everything you have come to expect from Ford. It’s a plug-in hybrid, so it can run as a full electric for at least part of its 500 mile total range. And it is smart enough to switch between EV and normal modes appropriately. Finally, it can detect the heart rate of the driver, who is situated in a red leather throne Ford calls “the hot seat.”
- Lancia Flavia Cabrio- Here in the United States, we’re slowly reaping the benefits of the Chrysler-Fiat partnership. Lancia Flavia Cabriolet is just a Chrysler 200 Convertible with a bit of Italian frosting. The Lancia is powered by a 2.4 naturally aspirated engine, delivering 175 horsepower, connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.
- Alfa Romeo 4C (Concept)- Seems to mimic previous year model. The turbocharged 1.75-liter I-4, borrowed from the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, sends somewhere between 235 and 250 hp to the rear wheels via a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber allow the 4C to remain supermodel thin, and keep its curb weight below 1900 pounds. With that sort of power-to-weight ratio, the car could sprint from 0-60 mph in about 5 seconds.
- Audi Urban Concept- Audi is joining the list of brands infatuated with slender, super-tiny, twin-seat urban commuter car. As envisioned vehicle would be electric powered with recharging of its lithium-ion batteries. The driver and passenger sit in slightly staggered positions apart from each other. The car rides on 21-inch wheels.
- Vauxhall Rake (Concept) – At last car makers are designing vehicles around the limitations of batteries and the results are interesting concepts such as this tandem two-seater. Powered by a lithium-ion battery pack residing under the passenger seat, the RAKe has a top speed of 75mph, a range of 60 miles.
