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Lexus, puppets unveil LF-NX concept at Frankfurt motor show

Ten years ago, a Danish face-paint enthusiast by the name of King Diamond released a concept album set in 18th-century Budapest (that's in Hungary). An evil puppetmaster turned human beings into puppets. King explains it here.

Frankfurt Motor Show news review: making sense of the 2013 IAA show

Newspress Frequently the car that attracts people’s attention at motor shows is an exotic-looking beast that everyone ‑ creators included ‑ know will never see the grind of a production line. Unusually, at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show press day, the car on everyone’s lips was a model that many journalists have already driven, and for which dealers are already taking orders: the BMW i3. With its skinny tyres and boxy, upright stance, the all-electric model isn’t as easy on the eye as the usual headline-grabbers.

New Range Rover Hybrid targeted at Europe: Frankfurt 2013

The new Range Rover Hybrid (pictured) has diesel power to target Europe It’s not the biggest news at Frankfurt, but the arrival of the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid is big news for Land Rover, and for buyers running cars who are subject to taxation on benefits. Surprisingly, Land Rover has gone the diesel route with the hybrid, coupling the 3.0 litre diesel engine to a 46bhp electric motor which, when working together, offers the same sort of performance as the V8 diesel engine but with much better economy and emissions – 44mpg and 169g/km. Logic would perhaps have dictated that the new hybrid should have a petrol engine, rather than a diesel, as the biggest hybrid markets in the world – the US and China – have no real appetite for diesel engines.

Nissan X-Trail stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Nissan has revealed its much-needed new X-Trail here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – a genuinely global car that will now be sold in 190 countries around the world from 2014. The new Nissan X-Trail has evolved to become more of a crossover model than the traditional 4x4-look old version: Nissan reckons it is the ‘ultimate all-weather highly capable modern family vehicle’.

One Lap of the Web: a lap of the 'Ring, a lap of the YouTubes and a lap of the eBays

-- The Porsche 918 achieved a spectacular and borderline-unbelievable time just a few days ago, but here are some less heroic cars lapping the 'Ring, like Peugeot 205s, modern BMWs and a few bikes mixed in for good measure. Check out the classic Heckflosse (fintail) Mercedes-Benz at 2:05. -- Filmmaker Casey Neistat filmed, umm, a pretty good commercial for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, but it's the making-of video that's even more fun to watch.

Volkswagen e-Golf stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Volkswagen is joining the revolution here at Frankfurt 2013 with its new all-electric e-Golf. And far from being an impractical method of transport to appease eco hippies and excite forward-thinking car geeks, it’s actually perfectly practical. Electric cars are rapidly becoming an unstoppable silent force, so it’s time to embrace them.

Chevrolet Camaro debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Chevrolet Camaro is a bargain-priced coupe and convertible that has made minimal impact in Europe since the introduction of this fifth generation model back in 2010. The firm is hoping a new boss and thus a newfound focus for Chevrolet Europe will help it capitalise on the launch of a facelifted Camaro, which receives its European debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. 

New Mercedes GLA SUV: Frankfurt 2013

The new Mercedes GLA SUV (pictured) has debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Mercedes may not have been exactly overwhelmingly good at producing a compact car with the old A-Class, but the new A-Class is a very good little car, and it’s rapidly spawning more variants to mop up more sales. We’ve already got the new A-Class and the swoopy-coupe Mercedes CLA and now we get the compact SUV take on the A-Class – the new Mercedes GLA.

Land Rover reveals rejigged Discovery at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Land Rover has revealed a surprisingly comprehensive facelift for the Discovery range here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – and the firm has underlined the changes with some new badging for the Discovery range. Instead of having ‘LAND ROVER’ on the bonnet, the new Discovery has, well, ‘DISCOVERY’ lettering. That’s because Land Rover wants to make Discovery into its own brand, a bit like Range Rover: here at Frankfurt 2013, we’re seeing the first steps in this rebranding.

Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: live in pictures

Welcome to MSN Cars’ live coverage of the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s the 65th IAA International Motor Show, it’s in Frankfurt and the world’s automotive industry is in attendance with its latest car creations in tow. As always, MSN Cars is out in force bringing you all the news, concepts, production cars and comment direct from the show floor.

Peugeot 308 R Concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Peugeot’s hot new 308 R Concept hatchback has the new mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI square in its sights here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The regular 308 hatch is also making its debut, showing quality Peugeot hope will rival the likes of Volkswagen and Audi, but with the rather racy looking 308 R, the French firm is after the performance crown, too. Please click the picture above to read more about the at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show    

Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE Concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Peugeot is showing a wide spectrum of vehicles here at Frankfurt 2013, with the amazingly efficient 208 Hybrid FE Concept supermini here sitting alongside the practical and high quality 308 family hatchback and the racy, performance-focused 308 R Concept. If the French carmaker can turn the 208 Hybrid FE’s vital statistics from pie-in-the-sky prototype to production reality (and there’s no real reason why it couldn’t) it would surely be onto a winner.

Fiat 500L MPW stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Fiat 500L MPW – or Multi-Purpose Wagon, to give it its proper name – is making its debut here at Frankfurt 2013. Building on the lifestyle-orientated 500L, the MPW is meant for “living life to the full,” according to Fiat. As such, the 500L MPW (also known as the 500L Lounge on the continent) offers more practicality, with a ‘5+2’ seat configuration.

Renault Formula E racer (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Formula E, the new elite racing series for electric single-seaters, has got the FIA’s backing, confirmed the major cities that will host the races, and now we've finally seen the crucial racecar. This is the Spark-Renault SRT_01E, a joint project developed between Renaultsport and Spark Racing Technology (SRT) which has just been unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. There’s also been input from F1 legends Williams and McLaren, plus Dallara (which builds all the cars for the IndyCar series in the US).

Citroen Cactus stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Citroen's big news at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show was the launch of the Cactus concept car. This spikily named show car is more than just a wacky concept - the Citroen Cactus marks the relaunch of the French brand's bread-and-butter cars. Struck by the success of the DS models, it's now hoping to achieve similar success with a rejuvenated range of C-line models.

Ferrari 458 Speciale: Frankfurt 2013

The Ferrari 458 Speciale (pictured) unveiled at Frankfurt Ferrari probably won the crown at the Geneva Motor Show in March with LaFerrari as ‘Star Car’, so whatever they brought to Frankfurt would be a bit of a let down. But at least they brought something new. The ‘something new’ is the hardcore version of Ferrari’s mid-engined supercar, the 458, and Ferrari obviously used the same naming committee for this car as they did for LaFerrari – it’s the Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Vauxhall Monza concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Vauxhall is reviving its famous ‘Monza’ nametag here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, evolving the ethos of the large, two-door, four-seat coupe – and how. The Monza concept really is quite spectacular. The crowds near-permanently surrounding it attest to that.

Infiniti Q30 concept stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Infiniti Q30 Concept could well be one of the most important cars debuting here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The brand has big aspirations to rival premium players, and its new up-market Q30 concept hatchback could be the car to take the fight to Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Please click on the image above to read more on the Infiniti Q30 concept

Skoda Yeti stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Is there an award Skoda hasn't won recently? The rate the Czech brand is going, there'll be a special ceremony at Frankfurt 2013 to give Skoda an award for picking up the most awards. In the meantime, we can bring you news of a fresh face for the Skoda Yeti.

Audi A3 e-tron stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

We’ve seen the Audi A3 e-tron before, but here at Frankfurt 2013 it yet again makes up an important part of the VW Group’s electrified product line-up – and makes it another step closer to production. Offering premium levels of comfort, refinement and equipment, the Audi A3 also gives running costs and efficiency – all these factors combined could well attract a new set of hybrid vehicle buyers.

Renault Initiale Paris stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

It may seem like a strange idea for Renault to launch its Initiale Paris premium sub-brand at a German motor show, but it could turn out to be quite an astute move. The French brand is hoping to take on the Germans with Initiale Paris, so showcasing this rather wonderful concept in Frankfurt is a clear signal of intent. Renault says this Initiale Paris concept previews the next generation Espace, but we can't help but see a massive dollop of Renault Avantime when we take a wander around the car.

Ford S-MAX Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ford is clearly pretty pleased with the performance of its S-MAX model line, and why not? The car has carved out an enviable niche for itself as the big MPV for people who don’t want to be saddled with a borderline minibus by their over-productive loins. The new S-MAX Concept, unveiled at Frankfurt by Barb Samardzich, Ford Europe’s vice president of Product Development, continues those themes.

Renault Megane stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

In the great scheme of things, a facelift for the Renault Megane is hardly the most exciting news to come out of the Frankfurt Motor Show, but then this is 'Germany's show' and the Megane is a decidedly French car. But with the arrival of the new Clio and the Captur, the Megane was looking a little out of place in the Renault stable. So the facelift simply brings the Megane into line.

Audi A8 facelifted for the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Audi has facelifted the A8 range and is showing it for the first time here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Honestly, it has: it is the facelifted car in our pictures. That even current owners may have to look twice says it all.

Land Rover reveals Range Rover Hybrid at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Land Rover has launched the world's first posh diesel hybrid at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Range Rover Hybrid promises V8 diesel performance but with 25% lower CO2 emissions and economy of more than 44mpg. The new Range Rover Hybrid range actually goes on sale today, during the first press day of the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, with Land Rover delivering the first models in early 2014.

Volkswagen e-Up! stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Volkswagen e-Up! is one of three all-electric VW hatchbacks starring at this year’s 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – and just like its big brother, the VW e-Golf, the e-Up! boasts some pretty impressive efficiency stats.

Volkswagen Golf Estate Bluemotion stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

2013 is the year of the Golf – and at this year’s 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, there’s even more for Volkswagen to shout about with its super-frugal Golf Estate Bluemotion. The current MK7 VW Golf is the 2013 World Car of the Year, and in 2013 Volkswagen has already released the brilliant Golf GTI, practical Golf Estate and ultra-efficient Golf Bluemotion. And alongside the hot Golf R also here at Frankfurt 2013 is this, the Golf Estate Bluemotion.

Peugeot 308 stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Peugeot is going up-market with its new 308 hatchback, making its world premier here at Frankfurt 2013. Quality and sophistication is the target for the new car, with the French firm setting its sights high. Question is, can it deliver on the promise and truly compete with premium rivals, such as Audi and VW?

Vauxhall Insignia facelift stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ten years on from the very first Insignia concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2003, Vauxhall is showcasing a new, facelifted Insignia here at Frankfurt 2013. Part of the update to the Insignia is a new internet connectivity feature, which should make life on the road for travelling professionals a bit easier – now you can locate your nearest non-VAT qualifying hot food snack retailer in next to no time… We’re also fans of the rationalised trim range, down from 14 grades to eight for the new car. While the Insignia’s updated engine range boasts impressive efficiency (as we’ll see in a minute), we can’t help wondering if this might have been a good time to introduce a hybrid or range-extender powertrain, trumping Ford and its forthcoming Mondeo Hybrid in the process.

Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

With the marques in its erstwhile premium brand portfolio having moved on to pastures (and owners) new, Ford looks a little lacking in the options when it comes to challenging at the plusher end of the global car market. Vignale is the Blue Oval’s response. “A unique upscale product and ownership experience” is how Ford was selling Vignale as the covers came off the Mondeo Vignale Concept car at Frankfurt 2013.