Frankfurt motor show wrap

The stars and cars at the biggest motor show of 2011 are providing a peek into the future, as well as proof on the potential of everything from plug-in battery cars to long-range diesels.

Audi and Volkswagen are tackling the bottom end with tiny city runabouts, while Mercedes-Benz goes to the top floor with another futuristic take on its S-Class flagship. So picking the best of the best from Frankfurt is not as easy as it looks. There are more than a dozen classy concept cars, as well as a bunch of look-at-me production cars led by the Ferrari 458 Spider.

But Carsguide is most impressed by the concepts with genuine production potential, from the Audi A2 right through to the baby Buggy that sits in a long line of body choices based on the upcoming Volkswagen Up. So, here we go on a Frankfurt fact finding mission, rating the good and the great:

Jaguar C-X16

Why the fuss? Born-again E-Type
How much? Less than $200,000
Will it ever be built? Definitely
Carsguide says: The 50th anniversary is the perfect time for Jaguar to return to a serious sports car, and it's built a future rival to the Porsche 911. The C-X16 is so close to production it could be on the road inside two years and the only question now is the biggest of all: will Jaguar call it an E-Type?

Kia GT

Why the fuss?  A great looking South Korean concept that reflects Kia's plan to move up and away from bargain-basement cheapies.
How much? In the $50,000 range.
Will it ever be built? Quite likely. It shares its heart with the Hyundai Genesis and could hit the road inside two years.
Carsguide says: A surefire winner that proves Peter Schreyer is doing genius work for Kia. The GT is a great looking four-door luxury that is super-close to production.The scissor doors could make it to production as they improve access for rear-seat passengers.

Land Rover DC100 Sport

Why the fuss? A 21st century update of the original Land Rover
How much? Around $45,000
Will it ever be built? Most likely
Carsguide says: The DC100 Sport lifts the lid on the original reinvention of the 1948 Land Rover, and even sits at Frankfurt with a V8 engine under the bonnet. Land Rover has 13 different body styles ready for the DC100 program, which is being used to test buyer reaction to a radical new off-road look for the British brand.

Audi A2

Why the fuss? Practical plug-in runabout
How much? Probably around $50,000
Will it ever be built? Probably
Carsguide says: The push for electric power is serious at Audi, which is using the A2 concept car - just like the Nissan Leaf - to show what's really possible today. It's used the A2 name before, on an advanced aluminium hatchback that failed in showrooms, but is ready to go with a baby that weighs just 1150 kilograms and has 60 kiloWatts of electric power and a 200 kilometre range.

Mercedes-Benz F125

Why the fuss? A fuel cell flagship
How much? Around $2 million for the show car
Will it ever be built? No
Carsguide says: Frankfurt is a major event for Mercedes, it usually runs up something on the S-Class theme. This time it's a fully-electric fuel cell car that runs on hydrogen and promises brilliantly green motoring. But there is no sign of serious hydrogen stations outside a couple of German cities.

Maserati Kubang

Why the fuss? Another top-end SUV
How much? Around $250,000
Will it ever be built? Probably
Carsguide says: The Kubang project was first floated back in 2003 and now it's back as every luxury maker - including Jaguar and Bentley - looks to add an SUV to their range. The reason the Kubang is likely to be a goer, with a Ferrai-developed engine, is the new tie-up between Fiat and Chrysler that should provide a Jeep platform for the Maserati.

Volkswagen Buggy Up

Why the fuss?  A fun runner in the Up family
How much? Less than $25,000
Will it ever be built? Unlikely
Carsguide says: Volkswagen is stretching is baby Up - in Australia next year for less than $15,000 - in all sorts of show car directions. The buggy body is an obvious tip to the Beetle-based fibreglass conversions of the 1960s, but it is unlikely to pass safety tests without some serious work.