2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
Internal combustion engines still rule the road, but at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, electrics are getting ready for a more commanding role.
The show’s star was the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE. This plug-in hybrid Hyper-Car concept combines a racing V6 with no less than 4 electric motors for over 1,000 horsepower.
More practical is the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA. A second member for their upcoming EQ electric sub-brand.
Or how about this Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL with ultra-compact hydrogen fuel-cell and battery technology.
Frankfurt was the world premiere for the BMW i Vision Dynamics. This four-door Gran Coupe, aimed at Tesla--has a 373-mile all-electric range.
For SUV fans, check out the BMW Concept X7 iPerformance. A three-row plug-in hybrid that seats 6 in high-tech luxury.
Even MINI’s iconic two-box design sees a brighter future with electric power.
Volkswagen I.D. electric sub-brand with include the I.D CROZZ crossover for 2020. Followed by the sure-to-be iconic I.D. Buzz microvan in 2022.
Audi is predicting electric autonomous driving with the Audi Aicon. Using artificial intelligence, but no steering wheel or pedals, it has the ability to drive itself nearly 500 miles on a single charge.
Audi’s all-new petrol and diesel powered A8 flagship already offers Level 3 automated driving, and a 48 Volt electrical system.
Porsche's 2019 Cayenne was unveiled just before the show, but a surprise Turbo version rolled onto the Frankfurt stage with 550-HP and a 0-60 of 3.7 seconds.
Jaguar announced their all-electric production car racing series, while over at Land Rover, the conventionally powered Discovery SUV gets the extreme SVX all-terrain treatment.
Not to be left out, Asian brands made Frankfurt news as well. Honda’s with its cute and tiny Urban EV Concept, and Toyota, with a hybrid concept of the C-HR crossover.
So clearly the way in which we drive is getting “amped up” in the not so distant future. And that’s it for this week’s Motor News.
2024 Los Angeles Auto Show
December 19, 2024This week, we’re recapping all that’s new from the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, with the most debuts coming from South Korean brands.
The Kia Sportage will receive a substantial refresh for the 2026 model year. New bumpers and LED lighting define the exterior, while a pair of 12.3-inch screens headline the interior. The Sportage hybrid gains 4 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid gains 7.
On the all-electric side, the 2025 Kia EV6 is also getting a refresh. Underneath the modest exterior tweaks, larger battery packs increase range across the board; an 84-kilowatt-hour pack is targeting up to 319 miles. The EV6 GT is now rated up to 641 horsepower with GT mode on.
And Kia’s three-row EV9 is gaining its own GT trim, estimated at 501 horsepower, sourced from a pair of electric motors. Kia is predicting a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds.
Sister brand Hyundai previewed their own three-row SUV, the IONIQ 9. Built on the E-GMP platform, it carries a 110-kilowatt-hour battery pack, projected at reaching up to 335 miles. The interior can include fully-reclining seats, and the second-row seats can swivel to face the third-row when stationary.
Not to be left out, luxury kin Genesis unveiled the refreshed 2026 GV70 and Electrified GV70. Exterior changes are minimal; the cabin gains a new 27-inch display. The GV70 Electrified is powered by a larger 84-kilowatt-hour battery. Like other new Hyundai and Kia models, it will include the Tesla-style North American Charging Standard port.
Ahead of the show, Volkswagen debuted the all-new Tiguan.
This 2025 Tiguan grows in wheelbase, though overall remains mostly the same size. Now a two-row only compact utility, the cabin is modern thanks to an available 15-inch infotainment screen and a standard 10.25-gauge display. The gear selector has been moved to the steering column to make way for a center console dial, used to control the volume and various functions. The 2.0-liter turbo-four is back, making 17 extra horsepower at 201 total.
And that’s it for the 2024 LA Auto Show and this week’s Motor News.