The greatest car show in the world, the Frankfurt Motor Show, started on September 17 and was host to nearly eight hundred exhibitors from thirty countries. The biennially held show in Frankfurt, dubbed ‘A Moving Experience’ this year, is a platform for car manufacturers to exhibit their new models and concept cars, largely determining the future direction of the global auto industry. More than that, it is also a venue to discuss issues based on themes like this year’s key topics ‘Mobility concepts of the future’ and ‘Sustainable mobility in large metropolitan areas’. It is also a chance for countries emerging in the auto industry to display their cars and earn recognition, with days assigned to countries like Slovakia.
The current Frankfurt Motor Show had an unprecedented number of world premiers from sixty two participating car manufacturers, with the German OEMs alone introducing fifty five new models. The show covers the entire spectrum of categories and had some outstanding cars on display, but the central focus remained on innovations to lower carbon emissions and new, greener technology. Almost all car manufacturers had some version of an electric or hybrid car on display, some more notable than others.
Toyota revealed its plans for a new, plug in Prius, one of the most popular hybrid cars in the world. The primary purpose of the introduction of this car is to test the market for electric cars and not immediate wide scale production, like other electric car manufacturers including Chevrolet. The plug in Prius will be bale to travel twelve miles on a charge and will revert to its normal hybrid mode once the battery runs out. Toyota hopes to use market research from these cars to reach a conclusive plan within the next three years.
One of the most exciting concept cars that made its launch at the show was the Volkswagen L1, so called because its ability to travel a hundred kilometers on approximately one later of diesel. With its engineering and appearance based on minimal power consumption, the L1 is a new kind of two seater, with the driver and back seat one behind the other. Built out of strong carbon fiber material the small car is perfectly safe for both driver and passenger and is extremely low on carbon emissions. Although built on an entirely new technology Volkswagen claims that it is near production.
Another sportier, yet equally unconventional concept car at the show was the Audi R8 E Tron. The E Tron is entirely run on electric power and has four motors to provide exception all wheel drive performance. It delivers on power as well with a 313 horsepower engine that can mange speeds of up to sixty mile per hour within five seconds. Its appearance is breath taking with uniquely shaped headlights. Much like Toyota, Audi plans on using the E Tron to test electric car technology.
With numerous hybrid and electric cars on display, the show has reaffirmed the fuel economical and environmentally friendly future for cars. According to several experts the speed with which such cars are accepted depends largely on the ability of car manufacturers to deliver both fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions without sacrificing the overall performance [power] of the cars. The success of these cars will largely be determined after the prevailing crisis comes to an end, a reality that may take some years to come.
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