Audi

Audi had one of the few genuine surprises of the show in the form of the Nanuk quattro concept car, though some of its shine rubbed off when everyone realised how similar it is to Italdesign's Parcour concept car. Still, an SUV that looks a little like an Audi R8 with V10 TDI power is still something to get excited about, right? Audi's second concept car, the Sport quattro, could be a little closer to production, despite its 700hp plug-in hybrid powertrain. Some thought it looked a little too like the Volkswagen Corrado of old (is that a bad thing?), though there are certainly elements of the original Sport Quattro in the show car too, including a stylised take on box arches and air vents in the bonnet. Alongside those concepts the regular Audis were all but ignored, though this was the world debut for a facelifted A8 saloon and for the elegant new A3 Cabriolet model.

Bentley

The Flying Spur is still quite new, but the Bentley stand in Frankfurt focused on an all-new version of the Continental GT, called the V8 S. It's a more driver-focused version of the 'entry-level' V8 model with more power and a tweaked chassis. Comes in coupé and convertible formats.

BMW

We searched high and low on the BMW stand for the Concept M4 Coupé, but couldn't find it anywhere, which was surprising. We had to make do with an extravagantly painted M Performance Accessories version of the BMW 435i instead. That's because BMW focused completely on its new 'i' models, the five-door i3 hatchback and the i8 sports car. There was no need to visit the BMW stand to see the former, as a fleet of i3s were used as shuttles between various parts of the show (yes, it really is that big) and its exterior design really seems to split opinion. Everyone agreed that its interior is brilliant though. Frankfurt was the first public sighting of the BMW i8 and it's as low, wide and dramatic as the concept car that preceded it. Very want-able. And of course the X5 made its first appearance, in M50d and plug-in hybrid (concept) guises.

Brabus

Along with a selection of accessories for the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Brabus focused on over--powered Mercedes SUVs in Frankfurt. The B63S - 700 Widestar name applies to versions of both the GL 63 AMG and the ML 63 AMG. They get 700hp, 960Nm and a top speed of 186mph. Those crazy Germans...

Bugatti

Yes, the 'Jean Bugatti' is yet another version of the Veyron, but it's still a spectacular masterpiece of a car.

Citroen

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso made its world debut in Frankfurt (that's the seven-seat one), as did the C-Elysée WTCC racer (to be driven by Monsieurs Loeb and Muller no less), but we're rather more interested in the Cactus concept car, as we believe it shows how a new compact crossover, to be called the C4 Cactus, will look when it is launched next year. In hushed tones it was talked about as the 'normal' star of the show.

Dacia

'Nothing to see here folks, move along', as Dacia only had a facelifted Duster on show. And that's not being made in right-hand drive...

Ferrari

We didn't expect to be able to get near the Ferrari stand in Frankfurt, as it played host to the world debut of the first extreme version of the 458 Italia, christened the Speciale. It gets a power boost to 605hp and is 90kg lighter. We likey, especially its trick aerodynamics, which were usefully demonstrated on the stand.

Ford

Star of Ford's stand was the predictably attractive S-Max Concept, which closely represents the next production car of the same name. Alongside was the Mondeo Vignale concept cars (saloon and estate), previewing both the (long overdue) new Mondeo and a premium service Ford plans to offer its buyers.

Honda

While the Honda NSX Concept was wheeled out again in Frankfurt and though we're truly excited about the real thing, we're thoroughly bored of non-production-ready show versions. So we'll swiftly move onto the Honda Civic Tourer. No, it's no supercar, but it should be a super car (see what we did there?) thanks to a huge boot and the retention of the Civic's excellent 'Magic Seats'. But what's that Honda? Civic Type R coming with 'more than 280hp' and you have a video of it under development at the Nurburgring? Ok then, we'll hang around for a while.

Hyundai

Big news for Hyundai came in the form of a small package, as the i10 city car is reinvented to compete with the likes of the Volkswagen up! et al. This is no longer the car you wish you didn't get lumbered with by the cheap Spanish car rental company... Indeed, Hyundai bullishly compares it to the up!, claiming that it beats the little Volkswagen (and all others) in several key areas. Having spent some time in the car it really is a compelling package. If Hyundai can keep the price increase to a minimum it could have a real winner on its hands.

Infiniti

We expected the swoopy Q50 saloon to be, well, more European in flavour than it is, but finally it looks like Infiniti may be taking our little continent more seriously with the unveiling of the Q30 concept. If our between the lines reader is working properly this is intended to rival the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and maybe even the Nissan Qashqai. Oh, and Seb Vettel himself has apparently been involved with its dynamics from day one, which is why he turned up in Frankfurt. That and it's probably in his contract...

Jaguar

Clearly one of the most talked about cars of the show was the Jaguar C-X17 SUV concept. Some wondered why Jaguar would do such a vehicle when Land Rover (sister company to Jag) already has it covered, but we can't argue with the demand for it. Sadly, though the show car doesn't look too crazy to make production the project hasn't even kicked off, so 2017 is the earliest it could reach production. Also, having seen this concept in daylight a while back, it must be said that motor show lighting does nothing for it. Jaguar had another big news story too. It started with an all-new aluminium architecture announcement (it's called iQ-Al), which will first be used by a rival to the BMW 3 Series featuring rear- or four-wheel drive. On top of all that the new small Jaguar saloon will be built in the UK, at Solihull, creating 1,700 jobs in the process.

Kia

It wouldn't be a major international motor show without a Kia concept car, and the Koreans didn't disappoint us in Frankfurt. The Niro, a small crossover, is as wacky looking as ever, including scissor-like doors, but we're hoping this one actually leads to a production car of some description. Murmurings say it will, within two years. Kia also displayed a mildly facelifted Optima and the second generation Soul crossover, this one carrying on the quirky image, but with more practicality.

Lamborghini

The only new Lambo in Frankfurt was the Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse, a special edition of the four-wheel drive junior supercar. We'd like to call it a run-out model, but we thought the same thing last year.

Land Rover

The Discovery and Range Rover Evoque came in for a little nip and tuck in Frankfurt, though the reason for the latter update is really to show off its new-found frugality - brought about thanks to the addition of a high-tech nine-speed transmission. That's an automatic in case you worried about having to manually shift nine gears... The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport ranges also gain hybrid models offering low emissions figures.

Lexus

Shock concept of the show was undoubtedly the Lexus LF-NX, yet another potential rival for the Range Rover Evoque, but presumably with styling that doesn't frighten children (and some grown men) by the time it hits production. The GS 300h was also be launched in Frankfurt, utilising the IS 300h's 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid system.

Maserati

Ok, that's enough now. We're tired of barely disguised new production cars being labelled as 'concepts', but to tag a probable special edition of an existing car with it is just plain silly. Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition, hang your head in shame. Nonetheless, it's probably worth mentioning the availability of a diesel engine in the Quattroporte now.

Mercedes-Benz

If you're visiting the Frankfurt show this year make sure you devote a large portion of one of the days to the Mercedes-Benz stand ('building' would be more appropriate), as there's a hell of a lot to see. Along with the new S-Class (in S 63 AMG and regular flavours, along with the autonomous driving S 500 Intelligent Drive concept) and GLA compact crossover Mercedes launched an E-Class fitted with the world's first nine-speed automatic transmission (presumably hitting the market before the Evoque mentioned above?). Some reckon Mercedes also wheeled out a close-to-production (and utterly stunning) concept car previewing an S-Class based coupé, plus there's the CLA 45 AMG racing concept car to drool over.

MINI

MINI has told us that the all-new hatch won't be revealed until November so don't expect it in Frankfurt. Instead there's a wealth of new options for existing MINI drivers, including swanky child seats and retro-fit LED lights.

Nissan

One of the normal stars of Frankfurt was the all-new Nissan X-Trail SUV, giving all the company's Qashqai drivers something to aspire to. It looks good, is spacious, well-made and, if the pricing is right it could really scare some of the biggest sellers in the segment.

Peugeot

Taking centre stage on the Peugeot stand was the new 308 hatchback. Looks good, in an understated way and of course is aimed at the benchmark of the class, the Volkswagen Golf. The 270hp 308 R concept was also on hand, utilising the RCZ R's powertrain and a carbon fibre body. That was an anomaly on the stand though, as most other cars were highly efficient with low emissions. None more so than the impressive 208 Hybrid FE concept car. Peugeot's 3008 and 5008 family cars came in for some revision at the show too.

Porsche

It's the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911. The motor show is in Germany. Yet we can't quite believe that the only new car on the Porsche stand was the special 50th anniversary edition created by Facebook fans of the car, do you? The 918 Spyder will be on hand following its debut at Pebble Beach in production ready format too, which did make up for that somewhat, especially when Porsche announced its sub-seven-minute lap time at the Nurburgring.

Renault

The Mégane line-up (three- and five-door hatchbacks, estate and Renaultsport variants) got an effective facelift in time for the show, but the big news surrounded the Initiale Paris concept, indicating Renault's intention to replace the Espace people carrier in due course.

SEAT

SEAT enters the compact estate market with its new Leon ST, making its world debut in Frankfurt and majoring on style. The Ecomotive models were also introduced.

Skoda

Skoda was busy in Frankfurt too, launching the hatchback-cum-estate version of the Rapid (wasn't that already technically a hatch?) called the Spaceback, along with a facelifted Yeti crossover. The latter adopts a less Marmite nose and two distinct styles for different types of buyers.

Smart

Just in case you thought Smart might be withering away, the company has big plans and at the heart of all that will be a new four-seat car, looking a lot like this 'forjoy' concept. Though presumably with doors, windows, covered lights, smaller wheels, normal paint and a lack of electric skateboards on the roof... All that nonsense aside, the outline of the concept car would make a cool production model, though we couldn't help but notice the elongated wheelbase of the show model.

Suzuki

Suzuki chose to give its iV-4 concept its first public airing in Frankfurt and it looks for all the world like a replacement for the company's Grand Vitara SUV. With fancy paint and wheels for the show of course.

Toyota

Toyota's stand focused on hybrid power, headlined by the 400hp Yaris Hybrid-R concept. Yes, 400hp. In a Yaris. We know.

Vauxhall/Opel

New engines abound on the Vauxhall/Opel stand in Frankfurt. The most important are the 1.6-litre diesel for the Zafira (and other cars in time no doubt), a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine for the Adam and a high-powered petrol unit for the Cascada. Of more visual interest was the revamped Insignia range, topped by the Country Tourer variant and an updated VXR model. And there's the Monza concept car with gullwing doors, which is much smaller and lither in real life than images suggest. Apparently its face will appear on all future Vauxhall/Opels.

Volkswagen

At the Volkswagen Group night before the Frankfurt Motor Show proper opened Volkswagen banged on about electrification and how the time is right. Hence the launch of production-ready all-electric versions of the up! and Golf (called e-up! and e-Golf) at the show (plus the exhibition of the e-load up! concept van). At the other end of the scale was the new 300hp, four-wheel drive Golf R. In the middle sat the Golf Sportsvan 'concept', which previews a replacement for the Golf Plus. Apparently it will be called neither Sportsvan nor Golf Plus. Guesses on a postcard. If you care.

Volvo

Volvo's Frankfurt concept car comes with the promise that 'vanilla' design is dead in the company. If its production models look half as tasty as the coupé in the future it'll be onto a winner, as this was one of the most beautiful cars on display.