It was perhaps a salute to Toyota and its Prius that there were so many hybrid cars around, both in concept and production forms. Also, that same company's run with the similar technology in its Lexus brand was no doubt what triggered equivalent premium carmakers to 'hybridise' at least some versions of their offerings.
There are degrees of hybrid, of course. The production Mercedes-Benz S-Class with an electric motor involved still depends strongly on its powerful internal combustion engine, but uses the electric system to add horsepower when required, and recharges the battery with regenerative braking at the other end of the driving cycle. On the other hand, a set of B-Class concepts (above) showed the brand's thinking in plug-in extended range EVs and fuel cell powered cars, both of which will go into limited public evaluation production over the next year. Back at S-Class level, M-B also revealed its Vision S500 plug-in hybrid with an electric range of 30km and a 3.5 V6 petrol engine. The car is planned for introduction 'quickly'.
Arch competitor BMW went the very stylish way down this road with its Vision EfficientDynamics Concept sports car. The gull-wing model, which we assume they actually have driven on a track, features battery powering of electric motors totalling a 365hp equivalent output, capable of going all-electric for 50km. A 1.5 3-cylinder diesel can recharge the electrical system allowing a range of 700km. Overall CO2 rating is claimed at 99g/km. BMW also showed hybrid versions of its X6 and 7-Series.
Audi also switched on the electric power with its concept based on the R8, the e-tron. The four-motor sports car has 313hp available and a 0-100 of 4.8 seconds. Packaging of the batteries and weight-saving ideas are part of the design team's brief. But almost more attention was being paid to its mirror-finish R8, and the convertible version.
At the other end of the scale, Peugeot's Ion version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was getting its own share of attention, although eclipsed somewhat by the various hybrid variants of other models on the extensive stand. And also by the motorcycle inspired BB1 electric city car concept (above), which is likely to go into production and be built by the company's bicycle division. While pride of Peugeot place was the production RCZ, coming to Ireland in diesel form to do battle with the Audi TT, that car was also shown in hybrid concept form. One in which it will be built, because Peugeot is pinning much on its upcoming diesel-hybrid powertrain. That is also evidenced by the 3008 hybrid concept that was found a place in Peugeot's area.
Sister company Citroen was also very much in the electric business with its Revolte concept. Probably showing some shapes for its next release in the new DS series, as the DS2, the concept has cues from the iconic 2CV which sold for more than 50 years.
The Asian carmakers aren't being left behind in any of the alternative powertrain technologies. Hyundai showed its near-production electric version of the i10 minicar, An ix-Metro concept is a petrol-hybrid urban car suggestion. Meanwhile, sister company showcased variants of its current and new models with hybrid systems using CNG and more standard fuels, like the Sorento hybrid below.
Toyota, which threw the first hybrid/EV party, showed a plug-in concept of its Prius, now in its third generation and more efficient than ever. The plug-in will make it a virtually emissions-free urban car. The Japanese maker also showed an electric version of its IQ city car, and a hybrid Auris in concept stage. And its luxury division Lexus revealed the almost production ready LF-Ch, a smaller model than the IS which will be a hybrid. Expect launch next summer.
Opel, busy with its new Astra debut, found time and space to give prominence to its Ampera, the brand's version of the Chevy Volt extended range EV. The platform for both those cars is used also for the Chevrolet Cruze.
Renault is putting possibly the strongest bettor on pure EVs, in partnership with sister company Nissan, which didn't go to this year's show. The French maker had a bank of four EVs, based on the Megane, the new Fluence saloon, the Kangoo, and with a tricky little minicar number that raised a share of smiles.
All in all, there was enough of an electric charge about this year's Frankfurt to power a small town in Ireland.
Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan.
