Top picks from the array of concepts and production cars from the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show

Concepts

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Porsche e-mission

The Porsche e-mission is the car of the show for me – a masterful morphing of the iconic Porsche design signatures into a really desirable super-sedan. Essentially a broadside to Tesla, but also a great reply to those who think Porsche can only design a beautiful 2-seater sports-car. The only concern for Porsche is that this stunning vision of Porsche's future makes the Panamera look suddenly redundant.

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Mazda Koeru

A refined, elegant evolution of Mazda's Kodo form-language. The distinctive front-face almost looks minimal, such is the clarity of design-character and economy of line. An on-trend sports SUV-wagon profile. The market for this segment is huge, but the question is whether Mazda is seen as 'premium' enough to win sales from established players..

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Nissan GripZ

A dual-function commuter / weekend sports-car, or the next Nissan-Z design study? A sense of fun and a focus on the driving experience was key for this concept. Plenty of future Nissan design clues evident, and also some nice references to the iconic Z-car's black and red color-scheme.

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Mercedes IAA

An unexpected aero study from Mercedes-Benz—conventional proportions until an extended tail section slides out to reduce turbulent drag. Possibly not the most beautiful face in the show but an interesting example of function driving the design language.

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Citroen Cactus M

A simple homage to the 2CV-based Mehari from 50 years ago, the concept M captures the minimal functionality of the original but unfortunately it doesn't appear that Citroen will make it—a pity as it might sell well in southern Europe and California too if Citroen were still Stateside, but the economies of scale for OEMs are critically different now than they were in the carefree '60s. A shame—this is a car that makes you smile.

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Honda Project 2+4

An analogue, visceral sports car to make you 'feel' the journey. Made from 2 motorbike frames the 2+4 is effectively the ultimate parts-bin lightweight sports car. Concepts like this have always existed, but with the advent of autonomous cars approaching fast, this feels like a distinct 'line-in-the-sand' alternative for those who want to engage with 'the drive'.

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Bugatti Vision GranTurismo concept

Unexpectedly subtle detailing and clever refinement of a brutal form; graphical details, fine louvres and intriguing details mark out surface highlights on this latest addition to the GT-franchise. Not exactly a pressing 'mobility solution' but a stunning vehicle nonetheless.

Production

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Infiniti Q30

Maybe a Marmite car for some (or Vegemite, depending on your location) the Q30 injects some much-needed character into the generally cautious C-segment. Almost Baroque compared to the sober refinement of VW's segment king, the Golf. Package constraints mean it's smaller inside than you might imagine, but Infiniti's reach into this segment is a welcome breath of fresh air.