Toyota unveiled the new Prius at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Although many manufacturers are showing electric and hybrid cars at the show, the Prius remains one of the best sellers. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
FRANKFURT, Germany — Self-driving cars and Internet-connected vehicles that remember your personal preferences are among the draws at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show.
Test drive a compact Smart car right there in the exhibition space, let the kids take a spin in small electric vehicles at the Legoland driving school and earn a “license,” or just grab a brat and beer and take in a visual feast.
The biennial show, which opens to the public on Saturday and runs through Sept. 27, features passenger vehicles by more than 1,000 manufacturers, including luxury and concept cars, cars with electric and hybrid engines, and self-driving vehicles. The exhibit at the Frankfurt fairgrounds sprawls over more than 2.5 million square feet in 100 exhibition halls — an area equivalent to 33 soccer fields.
“The IAA showcases the global world of the automobile,” Matthias Wissman, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, told a news conference on Monday. “That makes it so unique. And it is the only trade show that covers the entire automotive value chain.”
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the first entry of a Japanese car company at the Frankfurt show. Now, eight major Japanese manufacturers are represented, including Toyota and Honda, two of the world’s carmakers.
The slogan of this year’s exhibition is “mobility connects,” which signals a move toward Internet-connected, highly customizable cars and even automated, self-driving vehicles. Self-driving cars make up a special exposition — “New Mobility World” — that has its own large hall.
But vehicles reflecting this trend also are sprinkled around the fairgrounds. One of the more advanced is Audi’s RS7 concept car. Visitors can sit inside as it demonstrates its ability to sense when to stop on encountering an obstacle.
There are still many issues to be worked out before every vehicle on the road is self-driving, or autonomous, but research by the consulting firm Capgemini shows that an increasing number of consumers are ready for this innovation.
“People expect a high level of safety from an autonomous car. They also want less stress,” said Andreas Hein, director of research in Germany for Capgemini, which surveyed more than 7,500 prospective car buyers in seven mature and developing economies.
Regarding Internet-connected cars, Hein said that within a decade connectivity will be standard.
“Forty-seven percent of drivers have it already or they will have it in their next car,” he said. “In the next five, six or eight years, I think almost every car is connected.”
Another hypermodern car on display is at the massive BMW showroom. The driver of the new 7-Series sedan can park the car remotely while standing nearby.
Technology companies such as Google and IBM are venturing into the area of highly connected cars. Google has set a target date of 2017 to create affordable automated cars, while Nissan and other carmakers say 2020 or 2025 is a more realistic time frame.
While these forward-looking innovations might be the show’s centerpiece, there are an ample number of vehicles on display that are already road-ready, , including top-end models such as the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder or the fully-electric Tesla Model S. Visitors can even win prizes by taking an interactive quiz in Czech manufacturer Skoda’s exhibition area.
The 66th Frankfurt auto show — which expects to host more than 800,000 visitors over the course of eight days — is a massive treat for the senses and a must for any car enthusiast. To make sure you see everything, bring comfortable walking shoes.
There are food and drink stands throughout the event space selling traditional German food like bratwurst, as well as sit-down restaurants with expansive menus.
An all-day weekend ticket for adults costs 14 euros (about $15.80); an all-day weekday ticket costs 12 euros, and an afternoon ticket (after 3 p.m.) costs 8 euros. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission for children 7 and under is free.
Toyota unveiled the new Prius at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Although many manufacturers are showing electric and hybrid cars at the show, the Prius remains one of the best sellers. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors to the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, can try their hand at virtually racing a car around a track at many of the carmakers' exhibit stands. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A bevy of Volkswagen models on display at Frankfurt's International Motor Show. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A row of different Seat models on display at the International Motor Show that all offer Internet connectivity. Internet connectivity for communication, navigation and more is a big subject at this year's auto show in Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo concept car was unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. First design for the Grand Turismo video game, it is based on the Bugatti Veyron. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Porsche Vision E is the German sports car company's vision of a four-door all-electric sports car. It was a popular item on media day at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Frankfurt, Germany. The show opens to the general public Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Two Lamborghini Huracans were popular items at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The flying B hood ornament of Bentley at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. The luxury car company had a variety of models on display. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars on display at the IAA in Frankfurt. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The sleek Mansard Torofeo is based on the Lamborghini Huracan. It sports a 5.2-liter V10 engine with 1,250 horsepower. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Tesla Model S, a four-door electric sports car, drew a lot of looks at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Ferrari unveild the 488 Spider at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. Although a beautiful car, there were some comments on its color - blue rather than the popular Ferrari red. It boasts a 3.9-liter engine with 670 horsepower. In the background is a Ferrari Formula 1 racer. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Jeep Renegade was one of many Jeep models on display at the International Motor Show, Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Toyota C-HR Concept on display at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, is a study for a hybrid SUV of the future. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Opel unveiled its new Astra at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
There was a lot of eye candy at the International Motor Show, and it didn't all have four wheels. These models were at the Opel stand. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Opel Vivaro van decked out for camping, travel and outdoor fun was a much-looked-at vehicle at the IAA in Frankfurt. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Ford displayed the powerful 4x4 Ranger truck at the International Motor Show, Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Visitors at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, had a lot of virtual ways to see cars in action. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The Honda NSX - on display at Frankfurt, Germany's auto show - can't fly like the plane behind it, but it features a turbocharged V6 engine. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
A visitor to the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, takes a photo of a 2-liter turbo Kia engine. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The new Mini Clubman was on display at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The new BMW 7 series was the German company's highlight at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. In Germany, prices for BMW's flagship begin at just more than 81,000 euros, or about $94, 000. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Mercedes-Benz's vision of a driverless (if you want) automobile is this F 015 Luxury in Motion Concept Car on display at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
