Explore the gallery for our A-Z of Frankfurt's most exciting show-pieces, including this Mercedes-Benz concept -- the Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile (IAA).
This year's headliners —
Explore the gallery for our A-Z of Frankfurt's most exciting show-pieces, including this Mercedes-Benz concept -- the Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile (IAA).
Mercedes-Benz
This stunning prototype previews Audi's very first all-electric SUV. Expected to eventually evolve into the Audi Q6, the company says this sleek-looking car will be the most aerodynamic in the SUV sector and have a range of more than 310 miles.
A - Audi e-tron quattro concept —
This stunning prototype previews Audi's very first all-electric SUV. Expected to eventually evolve into the Audi Q6, the company says this sleek-looking car will be the most aerodynamic in the SUV sector and have a range of more than 310 miles.
courtesy audi
BMW's next-generation 7 Series flagship focuses on "sporting elegance, superb refinement and luxurious comfort combined with efficient yet high performance power-trains." But while it's a case of evolution over revolution outside, the interior is exquisite with a balance of luxury, technology and understated style.<br />
B - BMW 7 Series —
BMW's next-generation 7 Series flagship focuses on "sporting elegance, superb refinement and luxurious comfort combined with efficient yet high performance power-trains." But while it's a case of evolution over revolution outside, the interior is exquisite with a balance of luxury, technology and understated style.
courtesy bmw
This quirky cabrio pays homage to Citroen's Mehari buggy, which was launched in 1968 and has a cult following. Featuring an inflatable roof, Citroen refers to the Cactus M concept as an "open-air crossover." <br />
C - Citroen Cactus M concept —
This quirky cabrio pays homage to Citroen's Mehari buggy, which was launched in 1968 and has a cult following. Featuring an inflatable roof, Citroen refers to the Cactus M concept as an "open-air crossover."
citroen
"Quite simply, it is the sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built," says CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, of the new Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible. Naturally, particular attention has been paid to the roof, which operates in 22 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. Rolls-Royce claims it's the quietest open top car ever made and a genuine four-seater -- not a 2+2.
D - Dawn, Rolls Royce —
"Quite simply, it is the sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built," says CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, of the new Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible. Naturally, particular attention has been paid to the roof, which operates in 22 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. Rolls-Royce claims it's the quietest open top car ever made and a genuine four-seater -- not a 2+2.
courtesy rolls royce
Jaguar's design supremo, Ian Callum, says the new XF is "elegant, handsome and with proportions that imbue a great sense of integrity." It drives like the sports saloon too -- and is sure to give rival German car-markers BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, a run for their money.
E - Elegant, Jaguar XF —
Jaguar's design supremo, Ian Callum, says the new XF is "elegant, handsome and with proportions that imbue a great sense of integrity." It drives like the sports saloon too -- and is sure to give rival German car-markers BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, a run for their money.
courtesy jaguar
Based on the 488 GTB, the 488 Spider is the most powerful mid-engined Ferrari convertible ever. Capable of reaching 62mph in three seconds and topping out at 203mph, it's every bit as fast as it looks.
F - Ferrari 488 Spider —
Based on the 488 GTB, the 488 Spider is the most powerful mid-engined Ferrari convertible ever. Capable of reaching 62mph in three seconds and topping out at 203mph, it's every bit as fast as it looks.
courtesy ferrari
Alfa Romeo's striking successor to the 159 will do battle with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Jaguar's new XE when it's launched in 2016. The Giulia is a full-on sports saloon and the 503bhp flagship Quadrifoglio will feature a "Ferrari-inspired" 3.0-litre V6 and reach 62mph in 3.9 seconds.
G - Giulia —
Alfa Romeo's striking successor to the 159 will do battle with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Jaguar's new XE when it's launched in 2016. The Giulia is a full-on sports saloon and the 503bhp flagship Quadrifoglio will feature a "Ferrari-inspired" 3.0-litre V6 and reach 62mph in 3.9 seconds.
courtesy alfa romeo
Hyundai will launch its 'N' high performance sub-brand with the unveiling of its N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo. Reminiscent of a fighter jet and a Le Mans car, it will showcase "sustainable technology and race car design."
H - Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo —
Hyundai will launch its 'N' high performance sub-brand with the unveiling of its N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo. Reminiscent of a fighter jet and a Le Mans car, it will showcase "sustainable technology and race car design."
This small premium hatchback is up against the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series and will be produced in the UK at Sunderland, next door to Nissan's giant plant. It could also be a game-changer for Infiniti in terms of volume sales if it is as good as it looks.
I - Infiniti Q30 —
This small premium hatchback is up against the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series and will be produced in the UK at Sunderland, next door to Nissan's giant plant. It could also be a game-changer for Infiniti in terms of volume sales if it is as good as it looks.
courtesy infiniti
Jaguar calls it a "performance crossover" -- though in reality, it's the firm's first SUV -- and it will take on the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. Its handsome looks, combined with lightweight yet rigid construction, should means the F-PACE adheres to Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons' maxim of "grace, pace and space."
J - Jaguar F-PACE —
Jaguar calls it a "performance crossover" -- though in reality, it's the firm's first SUV -- and it will take on the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. Its handsome looks, combined with lightweight yet rigid construction, should means the F-PACE adheres to Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons' maxim of "grace, pace and space."
courtesy jaguar
The tire company launched a range of new products including the Wattrun -- a lightweight tire developed for electric vehicles. Kumho will also show a self-sealing-tire that prevents air leakage in the event of a puncture -- the first such product to be made by a Korean tire maker.
K - Kumho Tires —
The tire company launched a range of new products including the Wattrun -- a lightweight tire developed for electric vehicles. Kumho will also show a self-sealing-tire that prevents air leakage in the event of a puncture -- the first such product to be made by a Korean tire maker.
courtesy kumho tires
Sadly Lamborghini has not released a teaser of its new convertible, so we'll have to make do with a picture of the stunning standard Huracan. With a 602bhp 5.2-litre V10 at the back and a top speed north of 200mph, it's likely to be one of the most breathtaking soft-tops out there.
L - Lamborghini Huracan Spider —
Sadly Lamborghini has not released a teaser of its new convertible, so we'll have to make do with a picture of the stunning standard Huracan. With a 602bhp 5.2-litre V10 at the back and a top speed north of 200mph, it's likely to be one of the most breathtaking soft-tops out there.
courtesy lamborghini
Pictured here with its illustrious predecessor from the sixties, the S-Class Cabriolet W 111, the new S-Class Cabriolet could provide the new Rolls-Royce Dawn with a bit of competition. It's also the first time Mercedes-Benz has offered a large luxury, four-seater convertible since 1971.
M - Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet —
Pictured here with its illustrious predecessor from the sixties, the S-Class Cabriolet W 111, the new S-Class Cabriolet could provide the new Rolls-Royce Dawn with a bit of competition. It's also the first time Mercedes-Benz has offered a large luxury, four-seater convertible since 1971.
courtesy mercedes benz
There's just one teaser image to go by, but the Nissan crossover concept certainly looks sporty. Nissan isn't giving much away, the company rightly says it "pioneered the crossover sector with its amazingly-successful Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail ranges," but then goes on to pose the question: "What if Nissan created a new way to feel driving excitement?"
N - Nissan crossover concept —
There's just one teaser image to go by, but the Nissan crossover concept certainly looks sporty. Nissan isn't giving much away, the company rightly says it "pioneered the crossover sector with its amazingly-successful Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail ranges," but then goes on to pose the question: "What if Nissan created a new way to feel driving excitement?"
courtesy nissan
Ok, we've cheated a bit here for UK readers, where Opel is known as Vauxhall, but it's the same car with a different badge. The all-new Astra family hatchback looks much sleeker than the outgoing model and now has a family nose just like its little brother, the Corsa. It will do battle with the Ford Focus and VW Golf in 2016.
O - Opel/Vauxhall Astra —
Ok, we've cheated a bit here for UK readers, where Opel is known as Vauxhall, but it's the same car with a different badge. The all-new Astra family hatchback looks much sleeker than the outgoing model and now has a family nose just like its little brother, the Corsa. It will do battle with the Ford Focus and VW Golf in 2016.
courtesy opel
Pride of place on the Porsche stand will be the new 911 range, featuring the first ever entry-level Carrera with a turbocharged engine. The changes are subtle, but that's the way they do things in Stuttgart and it's never done them any harm. The original 911 was launched at Frankfurt in 1963.
P - Porsche 911 —
Pride of place on the Porsche stand will be the new 911 range, featuring the first ever entry-level Carrera with a turbocharged engine. The changes are subtle, but that's the way they do things in Stuttgart and it's never done them any harm. The original 911 was launched at Frankfurt in 1963.
courtesy porsche
This track-day rocket promises to be the fastest Lotus ever. It boasts a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 producing 443bhp and weighs in at less than 900kg. The 3-Eleven will come in two versions -- Road and Race -- and we're expecting top line figures of 0-60mph in less than three seconds and a 180mph top speed.
Q - Quick, Lotus 3-Eleven —
This track-day rocket promises to be the fastest Lotus ever. It boasts a supercharged 3.5-litre V6 producing 443bhp and weighs in at less than 900kg. The 3-Eleven will come in two versions -- Road and Race -- and we're expecting top line figures of 0-60mph in less than three seconds and a 180mph top speed.
courtesy lotus
The new Megane appeared in the flesh for the first time at the Frankfurt show, and with hints of the latest Clio and Kadjar, it's sleeker than the outgoing model. The Megane will have to be very good, if it's going to better rivals such as the Ford Focus, VW Golf and Vauxhall/Opel Astra.
R - Renault Megane —
The new Megane appeared in the flesh for the first time at the Frankfurt show, and with hints of the latest Clio and Kadjar, it's sleeker than the outgoing model. The Megane will have to be very good, if it's going to better rivals such as the Ford Focus, VW Golf and Vauxhall/Opel Astra.
courtesy renault
The Clubman is back. The largest model in the MINI range features four side doors, but keeps the outgoing model's twin 'barn' doors at the rear -- making it six doors in all. MINI says the new Clubman has "generous space for five occupants, excellent luggage capacity and classic MINI driving characteristics."
S - Six appeal, Mini Clubman —
The Clubman is back. The largest model in the MINI range features four side doors, but keeps the outgoing model's twin 'barn' doors at the rear -- making it six doors in all. MINI says the new Clubman has "generous space for five occupants, excellent luggage capacity and classic MINI driving characteristics."
courtesy mini
The fourth generation of the pioneering Prius hybrid took a bow at Frankfurt. Toyota says the new-look Prius will "establish new benchmarks in fuel economy," with figures of 90mpg and 70g/km expected. With design cues from its hydrogen-powered sibling, the Mirai, it's still not pretty, but it is much sleeker.
T - Toyota Prius —
The fourth generation of the pioneering Prius hybrid took a bow at Frankfurt. Toyota says the new-look Prius will "establish new benchmarks in fuel economy," with figures of 90mpg and 70g/km expected. With design cues from its hydrogen-powered sibling, the Mirai, it's still not pretty, but it is much sleeker.
courtesy toyota
We hope Honda does just that with its radical half bike, half car Project 2&4 concept, which was one of Frankfurt's showstoppers. The winner of an in-house contest between Honda's bike and car designers, Honda says Project 2&4 combines "the most thrilling elements of riding a motorcycle with the most engaging characteristics of driving a car." If it makes it into production, it is sure to become a track-day favorite.
U - Unleash, Honda Project 2&4 —
We hope Honda does just that with its radical half bike, half car Project 2&4 concept, which was one of Frankfurt's showstoppers. The winner of an in-house contest between Honda's bike and car designers, Honda says Project 2&4 combines "the most thrilling elements of riding a motorcycle with the most engaging characteristics of driving a car." If it makes it into production, it is sure to become a track-day favorite.
courtesy honda
Volkswagen will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its iconic Golf GTI next year and Frankfurt marked the debut of the special edition Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport -- the most powerful production GTI ever. It has 286bhp on tap and can complete the 0-62mph dash in 5.9 seconds.
V - Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport —
Volkswagen will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of its iconic Golf GTI next year and Frankfurt marked the debut of the special edition Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport -- the most powerful production GTI ever. It has 286bhp on tap and can complete the 0-62mph dash in 5.9 seconds.
courtesy volkswagon
Quite what founder W.O. Bentley would make of his company's first SUV is up for debate, but there's no doubt that the Bentayga ticks all the right boxes and will probably look awesome in the metal. Billed as the "fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world," it will be priced from around USD 247,000 when it goes on sale.
W - W.O. Bentley Bentayga —
Quite what founder W.O. Bentley would make of his company's first SUV is up for debate, but there's no doubt that the Bentayga ticks all the right boxes and will probably look awesome in the metal. Billed as the "fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world," it will be priced from around USD 247,000 when it goes on sale.
courtesy bentley
Another BMW debut comes in the form of the company's second-generation small SUV, the X1. The new car is bigger and more rugged than its predecessor and it will also be the first time that BMW has marketed a front-wheel drive vehicle in North America.
X - BMW X1 —
Another BMW debut comes in the form of the company's second-generation small SUV, the X1. The new car is bigger and more rugged than its predecessor and it will also be the first time that BMW has marketed a front-wheel drive vehicle in North America.
courtesy bmw
Mazda unveiled its Koeru concept car at Frankfurt, and judging by the teaser sketch, it looks like a cross between a coupe and SUV and could be stunner. It takes its name from the Japanese word 'Koeru' which means 'exceed' or 'go beyond.' Mazda says the concept "expresses the power and vitality of a predator along with a unique level of refined dignity."
Y - Yikes, Mazda Koeru —
Mazda unveiled its Koeru concept car at Frankfurt, and judging by the teaser sketch, it looks like a cross between a coupe and SUV and could be stunner. It takes its name from the Japanese word 'Koeru' which means 'exceed' or 'go beyond.' Mazda says the concept "expresses the power and vitality of a predator along with a unique level of refined dignity."
courtesy mazda
The fourth-generation Prius took pride of place on the Toyota stand at Frankfurt, but the hydrogen-powered Mirai also got plenty of interest. The first cars have arrived in Europe -- it's now just a case of creating an infrastructure so that buyers can find a hydrogen refuelling station close to home. Zero emission? Yes, the only thing that comes out of the exhaust pipe is a plume of water vapor.
Z - Zero emission, Toyota Mirai —
The fourth-generation Prius took pride of place on the Toyota stand at Frankfurt, but the hydrogen-powered Mirai also got plenty of interest. The first cars have arrived in Europe -- it's now just a case of creating an infrastructure so that buyers can find a hydrogen refuelling station close to home. Zero emission? Yes, the only thing that comes out of the exhaust pipe is a plume of water vapor.
courtesy toyota
What will you be driving next year? An A-Z of star cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Story highlights

The world's largest auto show opened its doors in Frankfurt this month.

This year featured world premieres from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Lamborghini, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Key concept cars came from Hyundai, Audi, Mazda, Nissan, Citroen and Peugeot.

CNN  — 

The world’s largest auto show opened its doors in Frankfurt this week. With dozens of debuts and concept cars launched, the 66th IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) Frankfurt Motor Show was a chance for car makers from around the globe to unveil their plans for next year and beyond.

Frankfurt sits alongside Geneva and Paris as one of the big three European motor shows, alternating with the latter on the world calendar. It was also the last show in Europe this year, before the motor show circus moves on to Tokyo in October and Los Angeles in November.

In 2013, Frankfurt used the slogan, “the most automobile show in the world” and this year shouldn’t be any different. The sheer scale of Frankfurt means that stands can be as big as small villages, with scores of cars on show.

Over the years some of the most iconic cars have been launched at the show including the Porsche 911 (1963), the revolutionary rotary-engined NSU Ro80 (1967), the VW Golf GTI (1975) and turbo-powered Saab 99 (1977).

More recently there have been debuts from the Lamborghini Murcielago (2001), the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (2003) and the Ferrari 458 Italia (2009).

This year featured world premieres from most of the major manufacturers, including Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Lamborghini, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Among the highlights were the debut of the new Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible, Bentley’s first SUV – the Bentayga – and the Ferrari 488 Spider. Lamborghini also unveiled the topless version of its Huracan supercar.

Key concept cars – often radically designed prototypes with no price tag or release date – came from Hyundai, Audi, Mazda, Nissan, Citroen and Peugeot.

Scroll through our A-Z of the Frankfurt Motor Show to see the highlights.