This year's IAA Frankfurt Motor Show featured some surprising new concepts, as well as a pair of long-awaited green performance cars. Given the geography, perhaps it's no surprise that every car to make our guide to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show was produced by a German automaker. Ed. Our auto show guides rely on accounts and photography from sister site Autoblog, as well as informational press releases provided by exhibiting automakers. For complete first-hand coverage of the event, head over to Autoblog.
Audi Sport Quattro Concept
The Audi Sport Quattro Concept is a plug-in hybrid with a power output of 700 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Need we say more?
The Sport Quattro's four-liter twin-turbo V8 packs a punch, but Audi's cylinder on demand system allows the engine the behave like a 4-cylinder when appropriate. Add a 110 kW electric motor that provides roughly 30 miles of gas-free driving and you've got a surprisingly green-conscious sports car. In fact, Audi claims the Sport Quattro can achieve a mind blowing 94 U.S. miles per gallon, citing "the applicable standard" of fuel consumption. (Concept car caveats may apply.)
We also appreciate the Sport Quattro's rally-inspired hatchback styling. While decidedly forward-looking, the concept shares a visual connection to its past: the Quattro rally cars of the 1980s.
Opel Monza Concept
If the Cadillac ELR is a more luxurious version of Chevrolet's extended-range electric Volt, perhaps that makes the Opel Monza a sleeker, sexier Volt from the future. Not only does the Monza purport to employ a plug-in electric powertrain like the Volt and ELR, it takes things a shade greener by utilizing a compressed natural gas (CNG) generator for range-extending duties. CNG is an alternative fuel that produces cleaner emissions than traditional gasoline.
The Monza's unique three-door "shooting brake" styling (hat tip: Autoblog) is highlighted by a sweeping silver insert that wraps around the vehicle's greenhouse and into the rear taillamp. Gullwing doors finish the futuristic look.
Porsche 918 Spyder
The plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder first debuted as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. In car years, that's forever ago. Perhaps to make up for lost time, Porsche unveiled the production version of the 918 Spyder by announcing the car had set a new Nürburgring lap record. (See the video above.)
If that wasn't enough to reignite your interest in this plug-in hybrid supercar, perhaps the 918 Spyder's total system output of 887 horsepower will grab your attention. If that fails to turn your head, we have three words for you: highlighter yellow accents.
2015 BMW i8
To round out our guide to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, we present to you the production version of the BMW i8 plug-in sports car. We've been following the i8 since its debut as a concept at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and we have to say, it was easier to dream about this car before we knew its official MSRP of $135,700.
As expected, the i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter, twin-turbo three-cylinder engine, paired with a 96 kW electric motor. Together, the system is capable of producing 362 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, propelling the i8 to 62 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. Expect to see the BMW i8 join the all-electric i3 in showrooms next spring.
Audi Sport Quattro Concept
The Audi Sport Quattro Concept is a plug-in hybrid with a power output of 700 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Need we say more?
The Sport Quattro's four-liter twin-turbo V8 packs a punch, but Audi's cylinder on demand system allows the engine the behave like a 4-cylinder when appropriate. Add a 110 kW electric motor that provides roughly 30 miles of gas-free driving and you've got a surprisingly green-conscious sports car. In fact, Audi claims the Sport Quattro can achieve a mind blowing 94 U.S. miles per gallon, citing "the applicable standard" of fuel consumption. (Concept car caveats may apply.)
We also appreciate the Sport Quattro's rally-inspired hatchback styling. While decidedly forward-looking, the concept shares a visual connection to its past: the Quattro rally cars of the 1980s.
Opel Monza Concept
If the Cadillac ELR is a more luxurious version of Chevrolet's extended-range electric Volt, perhaps that makes the Opel Monza a sleeker, sexier Volt from the future. Not only does the Monza purport to employ a plug-in electric powertrain like the Volt and ELR, it takes things a shade greener by utilizing a compressed natural gas (CNG) generator for range-extending duties. CNG is an alternative fuel that produces cleaner emissions than traditional gasoline.
The Monza's unique three-door "shooting brake" styling (hat tip: Autoblog) is highlighted by a sweeping silver insert that wraps around the vehicle's greenhouse and into the rear taillamp. Gullwing doors finish the futuristic look.
Porsche 918 Spyder
The plug-in hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder first debuted as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. In car years, that's forever ago. Perhaps to make up for lost time, Porsche unveiled the production version of the 918 Spyder by announcing the car had set a new Nürburgring lap record. (See the video above.)
If that wasn't enough to reignite your interest in this plug-in hybrid supercar, perhaps the 918 Spyder's total system output of 887 horsepower will grab your attention. If that fails to turn your head, we have three words for you: highlighter yellow accents.
2015 BMW i8
To round out our guide to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, we present to you the production version of the BMW i8 plug-in sports car. We've been following the i8 since its debut as a concept at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and we have to say, it was easier to dream about this car before we knew its official MSRP of $135,700.
As expected, the i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter, twin-turbo three-cylinder engine, paired with a 96 kW electric motor. Together, the system is capable of producing 362 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, propelling the i8 to 62 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. Expect to see the BMW i8 join the all-electric i3 in showrooms next spring.
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