2011

The Ford EVOS concept is part of what they mean by "rolling consumer electronics".

This is currently Ford's most important concept car, the one that looks far forward and envisions styling, power and cabin technology innovations the company may bet its brand on. From another carmaker it might be dismissed as car show puffery, but Ford has a pretty good track record lately of putting innovative cars in showrooms. Brian Cooley shows you want the EVOS telegraphs.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

Some of Ferrari's most recent models seem to have lost their way. Not this one.

At the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, Ferrari unveiled the 458 Spider, a sleek convertible that just happened to win the coveted International Engine of the Year award. Not a bad two-fer.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

BMW's newest concept cars say one thing: dramatic change is coming.

BMW points at the next generation of vehicles that look toward efficiency more than luxury with these i3 and i8 concepts. The shapes are barely recognizable as BMW, and the power trains even less so. But for a company with its track record for technical innovation, we should expect nothing less.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

HUD, augmented reality, and 3D! Is this a car or a game console?

Audi is already a leader in car-tech interfaces, and these new iterations of visual tech show the company doesn't plan to let off the gas pedal.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

The 2012 Porsche 911 will be bigger, but will that mean less of a good thing?

By lengthening the car, its wheelbase, and opening up its interior, Porsche is making a substantial--and perhaps controversial move--to make this car an everyday driver. Its most recent advertising for the 911 proclaims as much. Brian Cooley examines all the details that make up the next 911 and why it might be a brilliant package.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

A new interface so cool it's almost dirty.

Cars today are full of knobs, buttons, touch screens, haptic feedback, and even handwriting recognition pads. But nobody has adopted this sort of active Braille technology before. Audi may be onto something here in terms of creating an interface that is clear, dynamic, and truly holds no draw for your eyes to leave the road.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

Mercedes knows its cars say "older and established." And that's a problem.

So what's the first thing you tackle to get tomorrow's buyers hooked on Mercedes today? Work on the iPhone interface and all the stuff around it on the car's main screen. We're not sure the 3D disco effect is the perfect end game, but it's a start. Brian Cooley takes you through it.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 International Motor Show in Frankfurt)

Forget the modern Beetle, this VW is much more like the original.

The modern Beetle, Jetta, Passat, Golf, and Eos are all much more elaborate, heavier, and more expensive cars than what VW built its brand on. The Up keeps the company grounded in its roots, with a simple and efficient platform that will support a huge array of variants. It's not unlike the original Beetle platform going into everything from dune buggies to a microbus.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 International Motor Show in Frankfurt)

This is the Mercedes that few Americans can conceive of.

It's a compact car with premium touches and engineering. And now it actually looks the part, thanks to a complete redo of its lines. Brian Cooley takes you for a walk around.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)