Frankfurt shows the way of the future

Every motor show features its fair share of extravagance and a mix of the strange and the wonderful in all things automotive. In particular, the often far-fetched and sometimes freakish world of prototypes and concept cars which have little or no chance of seeing the light of day.

Mere figments of the designers' imagination, built for the show to demonstrate how forward thinking the firm is. Yet for many firms, they represent more than a hint at what is to come from the firm, and act as a testing zone for future designs. From GM's Hy-wire, and its collection of previous space-age concepts to the more realistic Seat Altea, the concept is a key feature of every show. Next month's Frankfurt Motor Show will prove to be no exception.

Frankfurt will provide the setting for first showing of Seat's Altea Prototipo, heralding the arrival of a completely new production model, also called Altea, planned for launch in 2004. The Altea will be the first Seat product to be developed within the new Audi Brand Group created in early 2002. Not just another concept car, it's only a few steps away from becoming a reality. It also gives an insight into the new look of SEAT's future models.

From Ford comes the Visos, with clear hints that it's set to be the next Capri. It's a full four-seat luxury sports car featuring innovative technologies and, according to Chris Bird, Ford's European design director, hints at the blue oval's future design direction in Europe.

From the GM stable, Saab will feature a new hatch concept car, which it says "challenges the distinction between traditional hatchback and estate bodystyles". The Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept is a five-door, four-seat car that draws its inspiration from the Saab 9-3X "cross-over coupé" concept that premiered last year. Says Saab executive director of design, Michael Mauer: "It is the sort of product that should come from Saab, and our customers will be able to buy a car much like this in the future."

From the French comes the Citroën C-Airlounge concept car. The car could very well preview Citroën's range-topper, the forthcoming C6.

And from Japan, Mazda's hectic revamp of its range also allows for some concept work, with the preview of the Mazda Kusabi - a small, lightweight, 1.6-litre common-rail diesel sports car concept. According to Mazda: "It clearly indicates Mazda's current direction in its effort to expand its future presence in the compact car segment."

Next week: We preview the new car launches from Frankfurt plus a visitor's guide and how to get there