The E-Up! follows on where the 2007 Up! and Space Up! concepts left off, demonstrating a decisive move towards production of a new A-Segment car for VW. In a departure from its rear-engined predecessors, the E-Up! was shown with a conventional, electric front wheel drivetrain.

Developing the beautifully sheer surface treatment established by the BlueSport Roadster, the E-Up! has the hallmarks of what Volkswagen is referring to as the ‘new small family'. The smiling bumper outline, alert headlamps and large VW badge sitting proud of the hood surface imbue the car with a friendly, approachable familiarity that other urban vehicles at Frankfurt eschewed. Separation of the V-shaped hood from the fender surfaces also makes a subtle reference to the Beetle. At the rear, the front bumper line is echoed in the tailgate graphic while the tail lamps are an iteration of VW's distinctive hockey-stick-and-puck motif. The de-rigeur solar roof's surface area can be augmented thanks to the incorporation of solar cells into the rear surface of the interior sun visors.

The IP demonstrates a continued fascination with iPhone-inspired touch interfaces that enabled the overall IP form to be stripped back to an appealing minimum. In contrast to the high-tech HMI graphics, use of collapsing window winders and manual mirror adjusters make low-tech cool again. Elegant chromed elements contrasting with a yellow/black color scheme are lent interest by the juxtaposition of flocked, fabric, polyurethane and leather surfaces on the IP and doors.

Although not as extreme in concept nor as novel in execution as the other urban vehicles shown at Frankfurt, the E-Up! is nonetheless a successful concept and many designers we spoke to remarked on the depth of quality in its design and execution. Expect the production up! (or will it be L-up-o?) some time in 2011, with a fully electric version to follow in 2013.

Kia has unveiled the Venga, a new production model of the No3 concept shown in Geneva this year. The 4070mm body length puts this car squarely in the B-segment, a size smaller than the VW Golf Plus it otherwise resembles. And like the Plus, the Venga is a tall spacious hatchback with folding/sliding rear seats, though the conventionally located fuel tank prevents the added versatility afforded by the the similarly sized Honda Fit/Jazz.

Compared to the show car, the Venga is largely faithful with just detail changes in the front graphic, moving the Kia badge into the grille and smoothing the bow-tie silhouette. Moving to the side view, the Clio-esque motif is retained in an effect break-up of the mass, though sadly the white ceramic glass surround has been lost.

Getting into the car will cast two different impressions depending whether you open the front or rear door. Where the front door feels weighty with a well-damped handle, the rear handles snap close and the door feels too light on its hinges. We saw two trim versions at the show, the Beat and the Fuse, which showed some interesting options. Most notable was the fluorescent yellow vent surround picked up by fabric seat piping, but this is still far away from the innovative white and gold combination used in Geneva.

PR was reluctant to discuss pricing, but the Venga is predicted to start from around €13,000 when it goes on sale early next year, undercutting the Opel Meriva. But while the German continues to adopt its styling from the previous generation, so the Kia feels fresher even if the Opel's themes were more original. In this way the Kia succeeds in being a very reasonable product with well-resolved styling and a useful if not ground-breaking interior.

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Kia No3 concept - Geneva 2009

The 5008 is a larger version of the recently launched 3008 crossover and revives the ‘5' nomenclature last seen affixed to the 505 wagon. Although there's no specific reference to the new 3008 in the launch material, closer inspection at the show reveals that they have a lot in common, including the basic IP architecture and front doors and even the door linings. In some ways the 5008 is Peugeot's version of the C4 Grand Picasso but in a more sober fashion, without the adventurous interior and panorama windscreen innovations of the Citroën, although a new Wi-Fi onboard feature is offered for the first time.

Of note is the new DRG, the first developed under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Ploue, with a more restrained face than current Peugeot models developed under predecessors Gerôme Gallix and Gerard Welter. This keeps the Peugeot emblem high up on the hood as before, with a supporting upper grille and single chrome bar that indexes with the headlamp finisher. The lower grille has three horizontal bars that visually extend through the surround to continue in the outer foglamp recess.

The interior features seven seats, the middle row being the usual three independent MPV type, with the two jump seats in the trunk folding out of the floor. The IP links down to the center console in a similar way to that on the old 505 too, although that theme has since used by Saab and Audi on recent models too. The center console ends directly behind the gearshift, with the electric handbrake neatly recessed beneath and a vast cubby between the front seats. However, whereas the 3008 is focused on a sporty interior and some novel features such as a split tailgate, the 5008 focuses more on family comfort with few innovations: as such, it feels a bit lackluster.

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New Car: Peugeot 5008