Having trouble avoiding all the electric Amperas and Hybrid Citroën DS5 shuttles. It really does highlight the plight of pedestrians having to deal with noiseless future traffic.

IMAGES FROM THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW HERE

On my way to Hyundai, passing Maserati and its pretty Kubang SUV concept. Nothing radical as far as the genre goes, but a radical move for the Italian sports tourer brand. But if Porsche can do it, why not Maserati? Fiat’s new Panda is a well executed, but subtle evolution of the old one. Surprisingly contemporary interior features plenty of piano black plastic bits and a heavily dominant square motif. Possibly just not desirable enough when measured against so much trendy opposition though. Alfa 4C same again, just in a more easily photographed matt-ish silver. Still sex on wheels.

At Hyundai now and seriously impressed by the i30 hatch. Its swoopy style, busy, but classy interior and distinctive front end can only add to Hyundai’s upward surge. Despite constant crowds, you can tell if a car is getting more attention than others when you just cannot get a photo with the doors shut due to people playing non stop musical chairs. Ten patient minutes later, I got the shot.

Next stop Citroën and the amazing Tubik concept. A hulk of a people carrier with full length gullwing doors and a decidedly piggy snout. Still the two tone white and silver behemoth is what makes these shows worthwhile.

More astounding stuff at sibling Peugeot where the HX-1 concept is so low and wide that it looks like it has been rendered in the wrong aspect ratio. If only all MPVs could ooze this much 'chopped' appeal. A wedge of French fancy then.

Ford Evos looks fantastic, but very little about it says Ford. They say it’s the next evolution in Kinetic design. More like a different dialect I’d say. Interesting to see if we get a Scirocco rival developing out of this. Both Focus and Fiesta ST were on display too and both look quite tame. Sign of the times? Toyota had the 47th (not really, but it sure feels that way) version of its FT-86 on display. Looked like a re-badge of the Scion concept shown earlier. Come on Toyota, by the time you build it the people who were buying into it will have moved on.

PART 2 OF THE FRANKFURT BLOG HERE