The Game-Changing Cars and Concepts at the Frankfurt Motor Show

This year at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, automakers showed the heights and depths of their ingenuity. Relatively speaking, of course.

Ferrari showed an “entry level” supercar, the $234,000 Portofino, while Mercedes-Benz showed the ultimate Formula One-inspired car it could conceive, the $2.7 million AMG Project One. Lamborghini discussed the eventuality of hybridization within its fleet; Jaguar showed off an all-electric E-Type meant to show how the automaker is moving toward electric totality within its ranks. And while BMW said there is “no dramatic drop” in the popularity of diesel technology in its cars, it simultaneously unveiled its biggest SUV ever and gave the tiny i3 electric car a makeover to boost its sex appeal. 

Call it schizophrenic, but there was plenty to see—including a bevy of electric concepts. Here are the most exciting cars from the show floor in Frankfurt this year. 

1. The Freshest Ferrari

   

   Ferrari’s Portofino, which replaces the California T, has a hardtop automatic convertible roof and seating for four, which is remarkable considering the car will go to 62 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. Top speed is near 200 mph. Deliveries start in summer 2018.

   Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

2. The Big One

   

   A gull-wing door sits open on a Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One hypercar. The 1.6-liter V6 hybrid gasoline engine comes directly from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One racing car—what Lewis Hamilton is using to lead the 2017 F1 championship—and features direct injection and electrically assisted single turbocharging. Horsepower tops 1,000 with speeds surpassing 217 mph.

   Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

3. Worth a Closer Look

   

   The Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One will compete directly with the likes of the McLaren P1, the Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Production starts at the end of 2019. Mercedes will make 275 of them.

   Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

4. A New 911

   

   The Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series has a new Aerokit, new rear fascia, black calipers, new exhaust, and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur fender plates. It also comes with an exclusive Golden Yellow Metallic paint job that matches its black wheels and interior accents. With a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine, it gets 607 hp (up from 580 in the lesser Turbo S), with a peak torque output of 553 pound-feet. Zero-to-60-mph sprint is 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph.

   Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

5. Concept Heaven

   

   Here, Renault shows its Symbioz concept car during the first media preview day of the Frankfurt Motor Show. Internet-connected, autonomous, and electric, the Symbioz is meant to integrate itself (get it?) into the driver’s home when not in use, functioning as an additional room to the house when it’s not being driven. According to Renault, it can go 310 miles (500 kilometers), with 661 brake horsepower and 487 lb.-ft. of torque and can hit 60 mph in fewer than six seconds. The 72-kilowatt-hour battery will charge to 80 percent full in 20 minutes.

   Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

6. Electric Audi

   

   Audi’s Elaine electric concept was heralded as an “SUV Coupe,” meaning standard all-wheel drive, 420 hp, and a 62-mph sprint time of 4.5 seconds. The autonomous auto will be able to park itself and will offer automatic lane-changing and piloted driving speeds on highways. The 95kWh battery will get the car to 311 miles per charge. Audi says it will bring a version of the Elaine to market by 2019 as a 2020 model.

   Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

7. Catch the Buzz

   

   The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz is a fully autonomous electric microbus that can drive 270 miles without recharging. The eight-seat, 369-hp bus is part of VW’s strategy to deliver 1 million electric vehicles annually by 2025.

   Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

8. Dynamic Vision

   

   The BMW iVision Dynamics comes from a big stable of new cars meant to illuminate BMW Group’s intense focus on new technology, which will include BMW sibling Mini’s electric concept. (BMW has even softened the boxy look of its electric i3 car, in an effort to counter Tesla’s Model 3 debut.) As for this car, BMW says it will hit 62 mph in four seconds, reach a top speed of 120 mph, and have a range of 373 miles. Its likely competitor is the Tesla Model S.

   Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

9. Mighty Mini

   

   The Mini electric concept vehicle is a two-door hardtop set for production by 2019. Details on this car remain scarce, but it will use the BMW i3’s electric drivetrain, which offers roughly 114 miles per charge. Mini has offered electric prototypes and concepts in the past; this is the latest and closest to actual production the company has yet shown.

   Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

10. Smart Pod

    

    A Smart Vision EQ Fortwo electric self-driving concept car is the latest iteration from the Daimler sub-brand. It will have inductive charging and lack a steering wheel or pedals, but offer personalization across the black front grille and customizable signage across the sides. Powered by an electric 30kWh lithium ion battery, it’s meant to act as a pod for transporting people around urban environments, not as a serious road car.

    Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg