2005 Frankfurt International Motor Show: IAA
By Feann Torr - 16/9/2005
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Ford's iosis concept was a real scene stealer
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It's always interesting to take a peak at the types of cars
that will be on sale in 2006, launched at the big European
auto shows. Yet the concept cars are often the real stars
of any given motor show, and the IAA in Frankfurt was no different,
as these often eccentric models hint at what might be on sale
in 2010 and beyond.
First and foremost, the Blue Oval's iosis concept made a
big impact not only with its modernistic exterior styling
and the use of advanced LED lighting, but also in the way
in which the doors operate.
As the Mazda Renesis concept paved the way for the RX-8 and
its suicide doors, the Ford iosis prototype could well hint
at a mid-sized 2+2 performance coupe of the future with its
own special charm.
Daihatsu showed a couple of intriguing concepts, the cute
Daihatsu D-Compact 4X4 and the HVS, the latter of which is
a small roadster that utilises no less than three motors to
power all four wheels and holds a lot of promise for a potential
production version.
The Korean car makers also got in on the concept car act.
Hyundai took the wraps off its hot hatch, the Accent SR concept,
which as well as being powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine
and featuring a muscular bodykit, hints at the upcoming all-new
Accent model to be released in 2006. Kia, on the other hand,
offered up a smoothly-styled crossover cum people mover. This
Kia Multi-S crossover concept features seating for seven occupants
in what could well be the safest Kia vehicle ever built.
The German marques also chimed in with some forward-looking
models; Audi and Mercedes-Benz unveiled hybrid versions of
current models, both of which will see the light of day by
the decades end, while BMW garnered plenty of attention with
its Porsche Cayman competitor, the Z4 Coupé concept
car.
MINI, owned by BMW, delivered a blast from the past with
its Mini Concept Frankfurt, and niche car maker Karmann proposed
a convertible SUV, which may sound a bit silly at present,
but will surely find demand if the SUV phenomenon maintains
momentum. We have profiled 14 concept cars from the Frankfurt
Motor Show, so without further ado, here's the list:
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