Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Design concepts focus on SUVs

Despite the difficult market, several automakers chose Frankfurt as the backdrop for new concepts that preview near-term product designs.

Citroën C4 Cactus Concept

The C4 Cactus Concept presented an attractive and almost production-ready version of Citroën's forthcoming crossover. Notably as well, the Cactus featured a hybrid system that used compressed air under braking and then used that air to provide extra power under acceleration; Citroën called this Hybrid Air. The car also used an innovation called Airbump, set to behave like bubble wrap to protect the car from minor dents. Described as a product that offers no more inside that what "really" counts, it will be interesting to see if the spartan interior approach will remain, and if so, if it is accepted by buyers who

seem to want more instead of less. The Citroën C4 Cactus is due in 2014; the concept offers plenty of personality in a small package. (see Germany: 29 August 2013: Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Citroën teases Cactus model).

Ford S-MAX Concept

Ford's S-MAX concept builds on the outgoing variation, and is largely predictable and refined. Ford looks to be prepared to deliver on the promise of taking the current S-MAX to "new levels with a sharper design, advanced technology and premium craftsmanship." Unlike many of the other concepts, the S-MAX does not push design boundaries, though that is likely the appropriate call for a popular model that is designed to be family friendly and offer space and utility. The vehicle will have Ford's all-new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, which features twin turbocharging, twin-independent variable camshaft timing and further advanced technologies. The concept also showed some SYNC features that would appeal heavily to families (see Germany: 28 August 2013: Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Ford to show second-generation S-MAX).

Kia Niro

Kia's Niro was built to gauge interest in a B-segment Kia sport utility vehicle (SUV). The concept's hybrid, all-wheel-drive powertrain relies on a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and a 45HP electric motor. Created at Kia's European design studio, the entry is being shown to gauge possible European interest in a vehicle this size. In a flat matte grey, the rugged-looking concept featured a shiny, rubber interior not destined for production. The vehicle's scissor doors would not make production, but much of the design could. Kia leveraged its European design studio under chief designer for Europe, Gregory Guillaume's watch.

Jaguar C-X17

Jaguar presented its C-X17 as an expression of their future design and an example of how far their all-new lightweight architecture can be stretched. Before this mid-size SUV is added to Jaguar's range, however, a BMW 3-Series-fighting sedan will arrive, using this innovative architecture as well as taking cues from the SUV concept. (see Germany: 2 September 2013: Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Jaguar to show off SUV concept, new architecture).

Lexus LF-NX

Lexus is exploring adding another SUV below the RX, and took its onstage space at Frankfurt to tease the public with the LF-NX. Lexus described it as "distinctive, youthful, highly sculpted styling attracting a new, more design-oriented generation of discerning Lexus customers." The concept also displayed a new take on interior interface, with Lexus Remote Touch Interface. After being criticised for soft styling, the LF-NX tries to turn that all around with this aggressive concept.

Volvo Concept Coupé concept

Volvo's Concept Coupé was designed to show the future of Volvo styling. In the near term, that design language will be delivered through the XC90 in 2014, and long before the company adds a coupé. Volvo also went to great lengths to reinforce the Scandinavian design cues and philosophy. This is also the first work to be displayed from Volvo's senior vice-president of design, Thomas Ingenlath, who said, "Volvo design has always had a certain authority. We aim to extend this calm, intelligent and strong side of our brand with greater potency, modernity and expressiveness." The Volvo concept is the first of three concepts that will reveal the design possibilities created by the company's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).

Renault Initiale Paris

This highly styled concept previews the expected styling direction of a new, larger crossover which is likely to be the flagship vehicle for Renault's new premium Initiale Paris sub-brand, and some design direction is likely to be picked up by the next-generation Espace (see Germany: 11 September 2013: Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Renault Initiale Paris rounds out design strategy).

Opel Monza

Under the tagline "Monza Concept: This is Opel Tomorrow," this well-received car previews the brand's design strategy. According to Opel's director of exterior design, Malcolm Ward, speaking to a group of analysts and reporters that included IHS, the future design direction of the Opel and Buick brands will be linked. With Opel it is planned that "sporty personal" will express one end of the design spectrum, with "Buick elegance" at the other.

The Monza featured 3D LED projection technology across the full width of the dash, door-to-door and including instrument panel while minimising a traditional centre stack, and it may represent a shift in interior design thinking. The technology enabled touch-screen customisation, voice control and near-limitless customisation. GM was particularly proud of how the

gullwing doors wrapped around the body to make ingress and egress easier, and told IHS that while gullwing doors are too complex and costly to be realistic, some of the exploration of the lower part of the structure provided inspiration for more conventional solutions to ingress/egress (see Germany: 22 August 2013: Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Opel to showcase Monza CNG-hybrid concept).

Outlook and implications

The concept car introductions underscore a recognition that the industry needs to continue to develop exciting new product and vehicle concepts, even if times are tight and sales are down. The European industry is not yet collectively in a mood that would be described an unequivocally upbeat, but it has at least reached the stage where it expects that the worst of the sales freefall is over. The 2013 Frankfurt show displayed more confidence in the future. This year's show reflects expectation that the market has seen the worst, and that eventually it will improve. The current resurgence in the North American market underscores that expectation.

The current state of the art of car design was recently criticised by one of the most influential car designers of the past two decades, Chris Bangle (see World: 30 August 2013: Former BMW design head Chris Bangle criticises current car design trends). The American revolutionised BMW's design language during his time as the company's head of styling and presided over a period during which the company unseated Mercedes-Benz as the world's leading premium carmaker. He said, "There is a real need for a change and that's just not happening." adding, "Even concept cars today simply anticipate the next production model coming down the line. Is this innovation? No. And at the end of the day this is what's preventing car design from moving into a new era." However, among the concepts shown at Frankfurt there was arguably evidence that some designers are taking risks once more and trying to move things forward with some bold designs and concepts.

Among the concepts that IHS Automotive expects will move forward into production is the Kia Niro, to arrive in Europe with the 2016 calendar year, with sales in the low-10,000-unit range. Kia is planning for this B-segment SUV to use the Hyundai-Korea platform called PB, found under the just-released Kia Soul, among others from the Hyundai-Kia larger family. The vehicle is destined for China as well as Europe.

Jaguar has gone from completely rejecting the idea of adding an SUV to its traditionally car-only range to flirting with the idea in the C-X17. Adding an SUV would open up access to more buyers and is likely to increase sales, although possibly with some cannibalisation of the Land Rover Discovery's replacement. Jaguar described the SUV as an emotional expression of Jaguar design; unfortunately the Land Rover Evoque is a more emotional, elegant and visually arresting SUV than the C-X187, which looks largely derivative and more of the same in a crowded segment. IHS Automotive expects Jaguar to add a version of this SUV during the 2016 calendar year.

The Opel Monza has not been officially green-lit for production, although it has not been ruled out. The Monza's importance comes from its elegant style and solutions, and because of its demonstration of optimism and commitment to the future of the Opel brand. Opel designer Ward told IHS that the most important element of the Monza was that it provides "a tangible view of Opel going forward." Mercedes also demonstrated the CL-Class replacement, which has been renamed the S-Class coupé; the new coupé is as big, luxurious, technology laden and sumptuous. The vehicle was well received by the press and show attendees, and is expected to deliver everything of the experience of the recently introduced S-Class sedan, although in a sleeker and highly desirable two-door coupé format.