If there is such a thing as a four-door coupe, the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide is it. There are rear seats, but they're of the barely inhabitable type you might typically find in a true two-door. Of course, the Rapide has rear doors, too, but they, too, are a bit on the small side. Watching full-size adults crumple themselves into the backseats is almost comical and once they get in they are clearly not pleased to be there.

Trust us. Nothing quite like the stunning and awkwardly named BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept has ever been seen at the normally staid 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show. For this year's German show, the Bavarians have conjured up a vision of future transportation that is not only visually arresting, but boasts the performance of an M3 with the environmental impact of a Prius. In other words, a truly "sustainable sports car," as so characterized by one BMW executive (and numerous bloggers). BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept @ 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: http://www.insideline.com/auto-shows/frankfurt/2009/

With the reduced interest in Tokyo this year, the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show will be the place to be this fall. As usual, the German automakers will be there in full force, but there will be some notable debuts from around the world as well.