Audi e-tron quattro concept

It's no exaggeration to say that the enjoyment of an auto show lies in its prototypes. At the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, numerous models delighted visitors. While the content varied by manufacturer, if one trend stood out, it was models centered around the keyword "ecology."

"Audi will not compromise on electrification." Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, who oversees Audi's technical development, stated proudly beside the prototype unveiled by Audi, thee-tron quattro concept, an electric sports SUV. It is equipped with three electric motors, one driving the front wheels and two driving the rear wheels.




"The total power output is 320 kW. For short periods, the power boost provides an output of 370 kW and torque exceeding 800 Nm, delivering performance comparable to a sports car," Audi explains.

Numerous small electric motors are also employed. Above 80 km/h, electric aerodynamic parts installed on the hood, body sides, and rear end activate. Additionally, retractable cameras are installed on the sides of the body in place of side mirrors, retracting into the body when not needed to reduce aerodynamic drag.

With a claimed range of over 500 km, it's evident that Audi is considering competitors like Tesla, which are quite popular in North America. "We plan to launch it in Germany by 2017 at the latest," said Dr. Hackenberg. Audi emphasized its serious commitment to expanding the possibilities of electric vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz captivated visitors with its prototype pursuing aerodynamic perfection.

Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA

"Our show car is Mercedes-Benz's first transformer." Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said with a smile on stage in front of the press.

Appearing beside Dr. Zetsche was the Concept IAA. While IAA is an acronym for the Frankfurt Motor Show in German, in this case, it stands for "Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile." It features a low body covered in a smooth skin, with a split rear window lending a retro ambiance.



Dr. Zetsche interestingly noted that the styling of the Concept IAA is also an homage to the aerodynamic experimental car, the 540K. This experimental car incorporated the streamlined theory advocated by Paul Jaray, who was from Hungary, in the 1930s. In its modern iteration, the car boldly utilizes computers to transform its body, successfully changing the drag coefficient from 0.25 to 0.19. The rear extends by up to 390mm while driving, and the front and rear bumpers also extend to control airflow. Furthermore, the surfaces of the road wheels, named "Active Rims," close.

While the powertrain is not explicitly stated, it is conceived as a plug-in hybrid, with a top speed of 250 km/h. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions are a mere 28 grams per kilometer, remarkably low. "The touch-based operating system and other features point towards future Mercedes business sedans," Dr. Zetsche emphasized that even seemingly unrealistic prototypes are, in fact, closely related to production vehicles.

While serious concept cars are very important, Honda, on the other hand, presented something that was fun, regardless of logic.

Honda NSX and Project 2&4 powered by RC213V

News from Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Japan often concerns its sluggish performance due to the shrinking market following the tax increase on kei cars. However, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda showed a vibrant presence. One exhibit was the "NSX." Although its release date is slightly delayed from the original schedule, it has the appearance of a near-production vehicle. The show model sparked anticipation for the performance of this hybrid sports car.

Honda also exhibited another intriguing concept car. Presented as "a concept model selected from an in-house competition called the 'Global Design Project,' which involved over 80 designers from Honda's motorcycle and automobile design studios worldwide," it is theHonda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V.




It's a single-seater with a kart-like appearance, featuring a striking exposed engine and hand-bent exhaust pipes at the rear. The floating seats are also exposed, making it resemble a four-wheeled motorcycle. The engine is, in fact, from the company's racing machines. It's the 999cc V4 engine from the RC213V-S, the road-legal version of the RC213V that competes in the FIM MotoGP World Championship.

"A high-revving engine unique to motorcycles, delivering a maximum output of 215 horsepower at 13,000 rpm" (Honda Motor Co., Ltd.), combined with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. While the vehicle's weight has not been announced, the impressive presence emanating from its styling, with a small cowl painted in a style reminiscent of Honda's 1960s F1 machines, is undeniable. In a show hall filled with super sports cars (though the Mazda MX-5, or Roadster, was also present), this concept truly resonated with car enthusiasts.

It's precisely because of models like this that shows are so fascinating.