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Frankfurt Motor Show Futurism, From Audi, Mercedes and BMW

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The auto world is accelerating towards a very exciting future. Ideas which felt completely remote from reality only a few years ago are feasible now. Some are almost with us. The public – well a certain progressive element - are beginning to warm up to the idea of trusting a little tech to make roads cleaner, safer and moving about easier. Shared transport ideas are also proving to be quite a hit in most metropolitan areas. Who would have thought adults (including this one) would get such a kick out of hopping on a scooter or a bike - and with welcoming added electric power boost? It appears urbanites have a thirst of new mobility ideas.

Traditional carmakers have been quick to join in the fun - and profit - too. Recently Audi revealed its electric scooter designed to encourage us to tap into our skateboard memories. Now the marque has revealed its latest concept idea for taking “vorsprung durch technik” into the future. Revealed last week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the AI:TRAIL completes Audi’s quartet of visionary vehicles as part of the company’s commitment to electrification, with every third car in the fleet sustainably-powered by 2025.

The “AI” in the name refers to the Audi’s investigation into artificial intelligence and machine learning for fully-automated driving. And each of these cars has its own function: the AIcon is a luxury drive, the AI:ME a compact electric car for megacities, the AI:RACE a clean racing machine and the AI:TRAIL quattro an electric off-roader. The design is clean and clear - the helicopter-style glass surrounds the cabin, extending all the way to ground level, fo all-round visibility designed to excite the explorer in us.

Head of design Marc Lichte says of the AI:TRAIL: “We are showing an off-road concept with an emissions-free electric drive for an innovative driving experience away from paved roads. Consistent with this, we designed a monolithic basic vehicle body with maximum glazing to create an intense connection to the surroundings.”

Likewise, Mercedes-Benz has been forging an exciting electric future too. This Vision EQS luxury sedan concept was also revealed at the motor show in Frankfurt, signaling where the marque aims to go with the part-autonomous, all-electric S-Class of the near future. The car will sit at the pinnacle of the EQ electric sub-brand and marks the first use of the Mercedes EV platform. It also forms part of plans to unveil 130 electrified cars by 2030.

The EQS design is futuristic enough without losing sight of the reality that the aesthetics of luxury may not be as explosively different as today. Lighting design plays a key role here with a an illuminated band wrapping the width of the car, integrating holography headlamp modules. The digital front grille has a light matrix of 188 individual LEDs and a 229 single-star Mercedes star. The EQS retains a steering wheel, but we are told offers level three autonomous technology for assisted driving.

Less conceptual but nevertheless striking is the Concept 4 – a future-focused coupé by rival brand BMW. The vertical kidney grille seen here previews the new face of the 2020 4 Series coupé. “It presents a confident and classy take on this iconic feature,” says Domagoj Dukec, head of design, explaining the evolution of the marque’s signature kidney grille. There’s some interesting detail here too: the intricate grating inside the grille and air intakes contain an array of small number 4s, plus the slim light elements are without glass covers.

BMW is also committed to electrification - it was after-all one of the first of the “big three” German automakers to create the bespoke electric i sub-brand. The Vision Next cars explore future design - Vision iNext looks at ways in which autonomous driving will change life on-board cars, while the Vision M Next concept signifies the future of BMW’s performance M arm. Who said ecological travel need be dull, or slow.

Take a look at the much-anticipated Land Rover Defender, also revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Learn more about Audi’s electric future here and BMW’s sustainable plans here with exclusive executive interviews.

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