FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 10: Spectators wait for the unveiling of a Hyundai concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images for Hyundai)
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 10: Spectators wait for the unveiling of a Hyundai concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images for Hyundai)
Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images for Hyundai

The Frankfurt Motor Show, officially the International Motor Show or IAA, is taking place at a challenging time for Europe’s car industry. Automakers are dealing with rising trade tensions and increasing environmental regulations. But there are still some spectacular cars on display. Here are a few that caught our attention.

This is the first car from VW's new ID electric car sub-brand, part of VW's attempt to reposition itself to become a major player in electric vehicles. It also carries VW's new simplified logo. Coming soon will be crossover SUVs and even an updated version of the Volkswagen microbus based on this car's electric drive engineering.
This is the first car from VW's new ID electric car sub-brand, part of VW's attempt to reposition itself to become a major player in electric vehicles. It also carries VW's new simplified logo. Coming soon will be crossover SUVs and even an updated version of the Volkswagen microbus based on this car's electric drive engineering.
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The Honda E is so cute you almost want to run up and pinch it. Its design is a modern take on the Honda Civic of the 1970s. The lack of side mirrors -- they've been replaced by cameras -- helps maintain that super-simple shape. Intended for urban use, it's a tiny car without room for a big battery pack, so it only goes 200 to 220 kilometers, or 124 to 136 miles, on a full charge. It will go on sale in Europe next year.
The Honda E is so cute you almost want to run up and pinch it. Its design is a modern take on the Honda Civic of the 1970s. The lack of side mirrors -- they've been replaced by cameras -- helps maintain that super-simple shape. Intended for urban use, it's a tiny car without room for a big battery pack, so it only goes 200 to 220 kilometers, or 124 to 136 miles, on a full charge. It will go on sale in Europe next year.
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The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS provides a preview of an all-electric full-size luxury sedan from the German automaker. The headlights are integrated into a "lightbelt" that goes around the outside of the car. Here, German Chancellor Anglela Merkel tours the exhibit.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS provides a preview of an all-electric full-size luxury sedan from the German automaker. The headlights are integrated into a "lightbelt" that goes around the outside of the car. Here, German Chancellor Anglela Merkel tours the exhibit.
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Porsche revealed the all-electric Taycan a few days before the Frankfurt Motor Show, but this was the first opportunity for a lot of journalists to see it up close. Porsche promises exciting performance. "Our claim, at least, is whatever we produce is always the sports car in its segment," said KIaus Zellmer, CEO of Porsche North America. The high-performance Taycan Turbo models will go on sale first, with prices starting around $150,000. Lower-powered, less expensive versions will come later.
Porsche revealed the all-electric Taycan a few days before the Frankfurt Motor Show, but this was the first opportunity for a lot of journalists to see it up close. Porsche promises exciting performance. "Our claim, at least, is whatever we produce is always the sports car in its segment," said KIaus Zellmer, CEO of Porsche North America. The high-performance Taycan Turbo models will go on sale first, with prices starting around $150,000. Lower-powered, less expensive versions will come later.
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The Sián, Lamborghini's first hybrid, is a "mild hybrid," meaning it can't drive under electric power only. The car's V12 engine does most of the work. Its supercapacitor, which it has instead of a traditional battery, adds 10% more power. Prices start at about $2 million and all 63 that will be made are already spoken for.
The Sián, Lamborghini's first hybrid, is a "mild hybrid," meaning it can't drive under electric power only. The car's V12 engine does most of the work. Its supercapacitor, which it has instead of a traditional battery, adds 10% more power. Prices start at about $2 million and all 63 that will be made are already spoken for.
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The BMW Concept 4 has a plus-sized version of BMW's trademark "kidney grill." It offers a preview of a possible future BMW 4-series.
The BMW Concept 4 has a plus-sized version of BMW's trademark "kidney grill." It offers a preview of a possible future BMW 4-series.
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Anticipation was huge for the unveiling of Land Rover's reborn Defender. The new one retains the classic off-roader's straight-sided proportions but with a futuristic look and modern technology. It even has a camera that lets the driver see what's under the front wheels, making treacherous rock-crawling easier.
Anticipation was huge for the unveiling of Land Rover's reborn Defender. The new one retains the classic off-roader's straight-sided proportions but with a futuristic look and modern technology. It even has a camera that lets the driver see what's under the front wheels, making treacherous rock-crawling easier.
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Cupra is a performance- and style-oriented car brand recently spun off from Seat, the Volkswagen Group's Spanish subsidiary. The Cupra Tavascan concept is designed around the same electric engineering found in the VW ID.3. This is an electric crossover SUV with two motors, one driving the front wheels, the other driving the back. It gets its name from a village in the Pyrenees mountain range in northern Spain.
Cupra is a performance- and style-oriented car brand recently spun off from Seat, the Volkswagen Group's Spanish subsidiary. The Cupra Tavascan concept is designed around the same electric engineering found in the VW ID.3. This is an electric crossover SUV with two motors, one driving the front wheels, the other driving the back. It gets its name from a village in the Pyrenees mountain range in northern Spain.
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With the Audi AI:Trail concept, designers imagined a future semi-autonomous off-roader. There are no computer screens inside. Enormous windows keep the emphasis on enjoying the outdoors. Instead of headlights, drones fly ahead to light the trail, according to Audi. It is envisioned as largely driving itself on the road but still requiring a human driver when going off-road.
With the Audi AI:Trail concept, designers imagined a future semi-autonomous off-roader. There are no computer screens inside. Enormous windows keep the emphasis on enjoying the outdoors. Instead of headlights, drones fly ahead to light the trail, according to Audi. It is envisioned as largely driving itself on the road but still requiring a human driver when going off-road.
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Byton, a China-based electric carmaker founded by former Nissan and BMW executives, unveiled its first production car at Frankfurt. It's shown here with Byton CEO Daniel Kirchet. The M-Byte takes interior computer screens to an extreme -- even having one mounted in the steering wheel. With prices starting around $45,000, Byton hopes to compete against electric cars from more established automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Sophisticated driving assistance technology will be a major selling point.
Byton, a China-based electric carmaker founded by former Nissan and BMW executives, unveiled its first production car at Frankfurt. It's shown here with Byton CEO Daniel Kirchet. The M-Byte takes interior computer screens to an extreme -- even having one mounted in the steering wheel. With prices starting around $45,000, Byton hopes to compete against electric cars from more established automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Sophisticated driving assistance technology will be a major selling point.
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