Concept

2015 Torino Design WildTwelve Concept 3

2015 Torino Design WildTwelve Concept Debuts at Parco Valentino

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Exciting supercars galore at this week’s Parco Valentino Gran Premio. A blend of design expo, luxury showcase and car show — this ‘Goodwood South’ just wrapped up a fun week at Turin’s magnificent Valentino Castle. Torino Design revealed a very interesting new concept, the WildTwelve Concept. This is a carbon-chassis exotic with bespoke design and engineering inside and out. A hybrid V12 lives behind the cockpit, yet this machine is in the same size class as the Huracan or Ferrari 488. Primarily a design showcase, the Torino Design WildTwelve is not headed for production any time soon. But it is …

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2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept 18

2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept – Mid-Engine 2016 TT-Fighter in HD LeMans Lap

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Surprise reveal for the next chapter in Alpine sportscars! This 2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept is a mid-engine prototype that represents the first look at the brand’s move to a stand-alone marque in the RenaultSport fleet. Initiated as a collaboration with Caterham a few years ago, the plan was to acquire a low-cost and proven sports-car chassis from the English. Custom bodywork and RenaultSport engines would provide authentic French zing for the machine – which would become a halo sportscar for the entire Renault/Dacia lineup — worldwide. HD Le Mans Lap Renault ran into major troubles synchronizing its big-company safety, reliability …

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2015 BMW Concept Path 22 Scrambler 4

2015 BMW Concept Path 22 Previews Production Scrambler at Biarritz Bike Fest

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  BMW Motorrad is on a concept bender lately! Fantastic Villa d’Este glimpses into the future have come into focus over the last few years, with the R NineT a particularly tempting design statement among riders worldwide. But how to take all the futuristic materials into production, and what bike market to aim for? This 2015 Concept Path 22 gives us a clear answer: BMW is exploring a Scrambler for the first time. As described by BMW below, the fun and sporty genre of motorcycles is a bit of a hybrid: with street-bike features and performance, but much meatier tire …

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Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack In 30 New Photos

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 Updated 6.11.15 With 30 New Photos This Alltrack Golf SportWagen makes so much sense, it is hard to believe it took this long tomake real. Subaru is still riding the giant wave of Outback sales that started with its lifted, AWD wagons in 1995. The Alltrack is set to arrive in the US in 2016, and VW seems eager to follow up on the demand for its Golf SportWagen TDI and TSI. If you wish hard enough, we might even see the bad-ass older brother of the VW wagon family: the Golf R SportWagen. Or at least a GTI Variant! …

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2015 BMW Motorrad Concept 101 13

2015 BMW Motorrad Concept 101 Is Lux Cruiser

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BMW Motorrad’s sales are on an absolute tear in the US and worldwide in recent years. Where to take the brand that dominates the desirability of the entire two-wheeled world? Upward and onward! The highest-margin area of the motorcycle market is for large cruisers. This new Concept 101 takes the BMW riding-pleasure mantra into this huge new area. A bike that surely makes many German minimalists cringe, the Concept 101 is a firm statement of intent. The machine debuted this weekend at the BMW-sponsored Villa d’Este Concours. It is a long-range cruiser with hardshell luggage cases, a relaxed riding position …

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2015 RIMAC Concept_One EV Hypercar 4

1088HP RIMAC Concept_One eHypercar Nearing Production + Now Raceable in DRIVECLUB

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Three massive tech leaps have lowered the barriers to hypercar creation dramatically: — affordable cad-cam and engineering software — small-batch carbon fiber chassis and panel creation — electric propulsion to deliver the power of race-car gasoline engines, but with all companies essentially starting from the same block. Years of experience are no longer (as big of…) an advantage for EV supercars Without any of the above, designing and creating a car from scratch easily required banks of computer servers and million-dollar industrial panel stampers. Therefore, the time is right for startup tech companies all over the world to take the …

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2013 Aston Martin ZAGATO DB9 Centennial Spyder 26

2015 RM Monterey Preview – 2013 Aston Martin ZAGATO DB9 Centennial Spyder

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There have been many attempts to drastically alter and update the style of Aston Martin DB9 supercars — many by Aston designers themselves. The most unrecognizable by far, however, was from Zagato. A DBS Centennial Coupe introduced the shockingly blocky redesign from Zagato, showcasing a full-width vertical grille unlike any production Aston. Not a single panel is shared with the production models, with all-new and uber-formal lines changing the proportions and stance of the Aston from a supercar GT into a super-lux cabrio perfect for Monaco. The tail of the Zagato DBS Centennial is even more appealing in its unique …

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2015 IVECO Vision Concept Van 6

2015 IVECO Vision PHEV Concept Shows Futuristic Design + Cabin Tech Innovations

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Your packages have never traveled in such comfort and style! The 2015 IVECO Vision Concept finally brings a cool sci-fi, Hollywood-ready look to a full-size van. Its surfacing and proportions take a bold look into the future of IVECO van designs — pairing brutal and aggressive lighting and nose to friendly, flowing forms to van roof-lines that are usually far boxier. But before we look at the cool design and tech of the IVECO Vision, there is one thing to note first thing: the IVECO Vision is absolutely gigantic. From some angles, the concept appears to be only slightly larger …

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2015 VW Golf GTE Sport Concept 2

2015 VW Golf GTE Sport Concept + 2016 GTI Clubsport Production Reveal at Worthersee

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Volkswagen has delivered a half-dozen Golf and GTI concepts in the last 12 months — so you are forgiven for thinking that the GTE looks too familiar to be all-new. With the Design Vision GTI, the GTI SuperSport and GTI speedster (both for Gran Turismo), the GTI thinktank is in full swing in Wolfsburg. This new GTE concept takes much of the intensely aggressive and dominating style of the SuperSport and adds a production-feasible e-AWD system. This li-ion PHEV setup adds a giant wallop of on-demand torque to the rear axle for nearly 400-hp in total. We have an all-new …

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Standaufnahme

2015 Audi TT Clubsport Turbo – Sounds Freaky as Electric Boost Spools Up to Ultra-High RPM

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2015 Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Sound Updated 5.13.15 With 20 New Photos and 2 Videos Despite the outrageous and super-cool exterior and interior overhaul of this TT Clubsport concept, it is really all about the engine. This is some revolutionary innovation that, if proven successful, could revolutionize forced induction. What is going on under that hood? As detailed below, a 48-volt electrical system spins up an e-compressor on this five-cylinder beast to help the main turbo deliver 600-hp overall. What does it sound like on e-boost? That is the million-dollar question. In theory, the e-boost can be preemptive and avoid …

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Standaufnahme

600HP, 3.6s 2015 Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Concept Runs 48V E-Compressor

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Here is a fantastic new concept from Audi ahead of the annual Wörthersee Festival! A racing widebody and extreme aero kit are needed thanks to the five-cylinder engine’s massive dual-compressor technology. A standard exhaust-gas turbocharger is joined by an all-new electric turbocharger– promising a huge rush of instant-on torque at any throttle shove. This latest turbo tech innovation is tough to introduce. BMW has also been researching electrically-spun turbo’s, but this Audi is the first to take it near production feasibility. Think of the tech like a super-Dyson blower inside the intake tract of the car. Typically, the limit has …

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Mazda-MX-5_Superlight_Concept_2009_1600x1200_wallpaper_16

Concept Flashback – 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight in 88 Photos!

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Racers worldwide have made lightening Mazda MX-5’s more than an art or craft: there is a science to shedding grams and gaining pace. This 2009 concept from Mazda’s European R&D center is a serious and comprehensive speedster conversion and custom strip-out. Once totally bare, the full MX-5 Superlight was resprayed in a Japanese Racing white pearl. The color and the contrast details for the hood and double bubble rollbars make the MX-5 Superlight’s proportions even more intensely rear-drive. A favorite detail is the brake light LED lining those integrated roll hoops. 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept …

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Preview Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé, Shanghai 2015

Updated with 35 Shanghai Photos – 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept

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  This new China-designed Mercedes SUV concept is an extremely close look at the upcoming production model of the same name: the GLC300 and GLC400 Coupes. The new Mercedes SUV name strategy is worth repeating at this point: the ML is out, replaced by the GLE and GLE Coupes. The “E” corresponds with the similar size and price to the E-Class. The same strategy will change the GL-Class to the GLS-Class at the top of the range, and the GLC at the lower middle part of the curve. Above the GLA in size and price, the GLC Coupe shown here …

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2015 Volkswagen C Coupe GTE Concept 17

Updated With 18 New Photos – 2015 Volkswagen C Coupe GTE Concept

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Updated 4.21.15 With 18 New Photos VW + China = Love   You probably know that Chinese car buyers love VWs and they love limousines. Seems like a perfect opportunity to combine the two into a stylish market-leader, right? Perhaps. The VW Phaeton has indeed been a relatively big hit in China, which is the car’s leading/only market along with Germany. Phaeton ≠ S-Class But there are three big issues with the Phaeton achieving big sales in China (or anywhere else…): 1 — it is ancient inside with very, very poor technology compared with the new S-Class 2 — its engines are …

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2015 QOROS 2 PHEV Concept 4

Update1 – 2015 QOROS 2 SUV PHEV Concept Previews Upcoming Juke-Fighter

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Updated 4.21.15 with 10 Real-Life Photos Qoros is by far our favorite Chinese car brand — plucking exceptional talent from the UK car scene like Gerte Hildebrand of MINI fame and Jamie Barrett from the RCA design program. The goal is to bring global car safety, design and equipment standards to China-made vehicles. This is more than lip-service: QOROS has the only Chinese vehicles to pass the tough EuroNCAP crash tests and on sale across the highly competitive European car market. Qoros recognizes the opportunity for new brands in the crossover and SUV space — with this latest Qoros 2 SUV …

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Best of Shanghai - 2015 Chevrolet FNR Concept 2

Best of Shanghai – 2015 Chevrolet FNR Concept Is First Self-Driver For Cool People

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Finally!  A high-tech and super-advanced autonomous concept that is not just aimed at super-nerds! Even though Shanghai is only just getting into its swing of new car reveals, we can be sure that the Chevrolet FNR will be one of the most memorable and intriguing vehicles on display. The new Chevrolet FNR Concept just bowed in Shanghai to stunned crowds and camera-phone flashbulbs exploding in a cascade of light. A sinewy mix of glass capsule and integrated chassis materials is a fascinating look at the future of car design. The FNR features some intense dragonfly double doors which side upward …

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2015 Toroidion 1MW Concept 1

Toroidion Reveals 1340HP, Quad-Motor EV Hypercar Prototype in Monaco

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The holy grail for EV hypercars is more motors. Just look at the huge leap in performance with the new Tesla P85D AWD model — boasting nearly 700-horsepower and able to blast to 60-mph quicker than ever before. But with more motors comes more complexity — particularly when it comes to the power delivery in anything but a straight line. The system needs to be a virtual supercomputer to handle fairly typical torque-vectoring needs. Toroidion is a startup supercar company from Finland that hopes its LeMans racing technology can create one of the quickest hypercars of all time. Designed with …

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2006 Aston Martin Rapide Concept 14

Concept Debrief – 2006 Aston Martin Rapide – Murdered by Lehman Brothers?

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Reviewing this 2006 Aston Martin Rapide concept, it is almost unreal how closely the eventual 2010 production car is to its original inspiration. As you may know, the Rapide has been a major drain on Aston’s resources since sales of the four-door are only a quarter of originally anticipated. In its debut, the Rapide created a huge volume of excitement in the enthusiast community. It seemed at the time like a perfect sports-sedan with all the coolness of an Aston and a back seat and trunk that were truly practical. This excitement led to hundreds of eager deposit-makers — people …

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Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept is *ThisClose* To 2017 GLC400 4Matic Coupe

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  This new China-designed Mercedes SUV concept is an extremely close look at the upcoming production model of the same name: the GLC300 and GLC400 Coupes. The new Mercedes SUV name strategy is worth repeating at this point: the ML is out, replaced by the GLE and GLE Coupes. The “E” corresponds with the similar size and price to the E-Class. The same strategy will change the GL-Class to the GLS-Class at the top of the range, and the GLC at the lower middle part of the curve. Above the GLA in size and price, the GLC Coupe shown here …

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2015 Volkswagen C Concept GTE 20

2015 Volkswagen C Coupé GTE Previews Phaeton Replacement

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VW + China = Love   You probably know that Chinese car buyers love VWs and they love limousines. Seems like a perfect opportunity to combine the two into a stylish market-leader, right? Perhaps. The VW Phaeton has indeed been a relatively big hit in China, which is the car’s leading/only market along with Germany. Phaeton ≠ S-Class But there are three big issues with the Phaeton achieving big sales in China (or anywhere else…): 1 — it is ancient inside with very, very poor technology compared with the new S-Class 2 — its engines are too large and draw massive VAT …

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Mercedes-Benz Concept V-ision e with PLUG-IN HYBRID

2015 Mercedes-Benz Concept PHEV Van – Hybrid Tech May Join USA-Bound Metris in 2019

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It is Mercedes Van day here at Car-Revs-Daily! We’ve spent a few hours this morning learning about the MB van ranges — and came away fairly perplexed but very impressed overall. Confusing? Slightly. The Metris mid-size commercial and tourer (with seats) vans that are coming to America in September are part of a 40-strong lineup of vehicles from this platform. There is the Euro work-van Vito, the family hauler Viano, luxury V-Class and the campers called Marco Polo. Not just lots of names — we counted at least 10 engines available, and options for front-drive, rear-drive or AWD. That is …

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2010 Peugeot SR1 Concept 23

Concept Flashback – 2010 Peugeot SR1 Roadster Brought Beauty Back to Lion

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French auto giant Peugeot has made some real stinkers over the years — especially years starting in two-thousand. The face of the brand from around 2005 to around 2012 was a horrifying ghoul of a scream mask. Looking like it wanted to eat anything that got within its gaping maw, there was real shock among auto buyers at how amazingly fugly Pugs had become. Paired with notoriously long front overhangs, the grille graphic was the last etch on the Peugeot design coffin. The SR1 Concept roadster from 2010 was a firm pivot away from that hideous look.  It was a …

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MINI Augmented Vision Concept Preview Future SuperTech Driving Possibilities

MINI Augmented Vision Concept Previews FutureTech Driving Possibilities

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  Augmented Reality has now become Augmented Vision — both derivatives of the hot VR technology that is sweeping certain corners of the venture-capital-backed startup industry. AR takes real-world visuals and is able to annotate, animate or ‘bring to life’ static displays. The easiest way to understand it is: see a shark billboard, view billboard through AR apps or glasses, and shark starts snapping and moving in 3D. Normal world in background, just added excitement via AR.  Firms like Facebook, Google and Microsoft have put huge investments in place under the belief that AR and VR will become primary user …

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2015 Volkswagen #VisionGTI Concept 4

VW Teasing Second #VisionGTI Concept for Gran Turismo

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Volkswagen’s Vision GTI roadster from a year ago was a fantastic entry into the GT6 racing world — but obviously the speedster is less than a practical look at what a GTI could be. VW is releasing a second VGT concept, however, with much more real-world sharing with the GTI — at least in theory. We only have a handful of images of the vehicle so far, but they are enough to be very exciting! The engine note alone is a fantastic tease of what a racing tune would sound like on the VW’s 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. Visually, the upcoming …

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Kia SPORTSPACE Concept-64243

2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept In Detailed, Real-Life Photos!

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Updated 2.27.14 With 20 New Photos In addition to the pics, Kia confirms that the powertrain is a 250-horsepower turbo four with the firm’s new DCT driving the front wheels. In that regard, the SPORTSPACE’s name is clearly SportSpace… not SportsPace. 2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept – Latest Photos Darnit! Right when we had almost completely written Kia off as poorly-driving, and poorly-marketed cars aimed at idiots — here comes this stunning SPORTSPACE estate concept for Geneva 2015. Hitting my fast-wagon passion right in the jugular, the bleeding passion down my neck is almost as red as this SPORTSPACE. Long, low …

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2015 Citroen AirCross Concept 14

2015 Citroen AirCross Concept Is Production-Intent 5-Seat SUV

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  We’ve been eager to see this car for days now! A low-res leak earlier in the week showed a huge amount of potential for this latest Citroen concept car — and luckily the full reveal confirms how cool this concept design is. Citroen, as we know, has little trouble creating absolutely stunning prototypes and concept cars. These are far different from the norm of concept cars lately in the US market. Heavy expectation management strategies mean that US show-goers rarely see pure dream cars, with manufacturers preferring the Honda, Ford and Infiniti route: a decorated version of the actual …

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2009 Citroen REVOLTe 86

Concept Flashback – 2009 Citroen REVOLTe Was PHEV Deux Chevaux Redux

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  If there are two cars that will forever define Citroen over the 20th century, they are the DS and the 2CV. One an advanced luxury car with front-drive and a hydraulic suspension for eerie smoothness over cobblestone Parisian streets. The other a basic post-war mobility solution whose 2CV name translates as “Two Steam Horses.” Redesigning those icons for today is an immediate and instant testbed for future Citroen design ideas. Many, many designers have tried this “New Beetle” styling exercise on the 2CV — with largely hideous results. So for the REVOLTe to be instantly attractive and appealing is …

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2008 Citroen HYPNOS 35

Concept Flashback – 2008 Citroen HYPNOS Was X6-Sized Missed Opportunity

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  This 2008 Citroen concept is best known for its melted candy interior – with a swirl of wild colors looking a bit like a bag of Skittles left of the dashboard of a car in direct sunlight. But in fact, this crossover was one of Citroen’s first attempts at a soft-roader. Powered by a 2.0-liter HDi turbodiesel making 200-horsepower to the front wheels, plus a hybrid electric setup with 50HP for the back axle. The crossover and SUV space presented and still does present a fantastic opportunity for mass-market brands to achieve premium sales they all crave. Evidence? How …

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SEAT 20V 20 concept Matt Richardson/SEAT UK 07973 523456

Best of Awards – 2015 SEAT 20V20 Concept In 55 New Outdoor Photos

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Updated 4.6.15 With 55 New Outdoor Photos The SEAT 20V20 Concept looks fantastic out in the sun in these latest photos. Our primary question now is what platform this design study is running underneath: Audi Q5 or Audi Q7. But either way, we love its angular design and think the design would fit perfectly even on a $150,000 Lamborghini SUV, let alone a $30,000 SEAT. A best of 2015 concept, for sure. 2015 SEAT 20V20 Concept   The New SEAT 20V20 concept is only the second SUV showcar to come out of VW’s Spanish off-shoot, but you wouldn’t know they …

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#NYIAS 2015 – Day Two Showfloor Gallery + Best and Worst Debuts!

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Press preview days are wrapped on a very eventful New York International Auto Show – with big reveals from Cadillac, Chevy, Lincoln, Nissan, Kia, Lexus, , Porsche, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and McLaren. Best in show? We’d vote for the Honda Civic Coupe Concept. The new Chevy Malibu is also mighty impressive, while the Cadillac CT6 requires closer inspection than is possible in just a brief glimpse. Mercedes-Benz dominated the World Car Awards (whatever those are) with wins for the C-Class, S-Class Coupe and AMG GT. BMW and Audi did not even bother to hold press conferences, oddly. Worst is show …

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2015 Hyundai HND-12 Enduro Concept 30

Hyundai ENDURO and RM15 Concepts for Seoul Show Rally Style + Race Pace

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Hyundai’s home motor show is going on right now, and the firm has brought a pair of cool concepts to showcase the potential for future racing Veloster models. The Veloster is already the prime chassis focus for the Nurburgring 24H crew at Hyundai’s German R&D and design center. This is because the car is a fairly wide and low hatchback with style to battle the VW Scirocco. To date, the powertrains have been led by the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering around 200 horsepower yet still needing work to get sprint times below 6.5 seconds. The 2015 Veloster is fairly heavily …

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2015-Kia-Novo-Concept-1ds

2015 Kia Novo Concept Is Surprise 4-Door Coupe for Seoul Motor Show

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  Some impressive design coming from the latest Kia studio! This concept shows the potential look of a Forte replacement in the coming years. We love the nose best, as the profile and tail are near clones of the just-revealed Optima for 2016. But unfortunately for the production Optima, the Novo is far cleaner and more appealing. Part of what makes the Novo feel cool are its heavily rear-drive proportions and long dash-to-axle ratio in front. But there are more subtle things, too, like the fairly steep windshield angle and the way the hood’s leading edge becomes the grille below. …

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#NYIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery 49

#NYIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery – Day One in 122 HIgh-Res Photos!

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Big day today in the Big Apple! Enjoy this photo fly-through of the first press preview day of #NYIAS =] #NYIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery Ford GT Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R   Subaru BRZ STI Concept + Rally Cars Range Rover SVAutobiography VW Golf SportWagen AllTrack Aston Martin McLaren Koenigsegg, Bugatti + Lamborghini BMW Z4 GTLM + 1975 Sebring-Winning 3.0 CSL Jaguar XF Scion iA Scion iM BMW Alpina Kia Optima Mazda MX-5 Club

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Holy ****Balls!! Gen-10 Honda Civic Coupe Concept Is INCREDIBLE

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  By the tenth generation of something, you should be an expert at just about anything. Honda is indeed finalizing the Gen-10 Honda Civic for a launch next year as a 2017 model-year, and shows that it has found the plot once again. Surely, they have realized now that something dreadful happened somewhere in the Gen-7 phase of around 2004. Purists might tell you it was when the independent rear suspension was swapped for a cheap and dirrrty torsion bar. But whenever it happened, the Civic — and especially the Civic Coupe — have veered much to close to humdrum, slow-as-**** …

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2015 Subaru BRZ STi Concept Widebody Packs 400HP Super GT Turbo!

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The most important question with this stunning new BRZ STi concept is: have they finally added a turbo!? Yes and no. Yes it is a turbocharged racing engine from the Super GT race series, but no it is not a turbo version of the standard BRZ boxer engine. Grrrr! But do not fret — the below info pack from Subaru promises more STi products and models in the US market in the future, which is very promising. In the short term, this likely means a broader catalog of upgrades as  the aftermarket accessories. But in the medium and long term, it …

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Volkswagen Reveals USA-Bound 2017 Golf SportWagen Alltrack in NY + 4 Beetle Concepts

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  VW is rolling into the New York show with some exciting vehicles!  The most interesting is the Golf SportWagen Alltrack, which is confirmed for US showrooms next year as a 2017 model-year. This AWD variant is similar in theory to the Audi allroad or Subaru Outback formula, building on the platform of the new Golf SportWagen. Three of the Beetle concepts are pretty silly, with names like Denim, Pink and Wave, mostly just wheel and trim upgrades to the standard model. The most thrilling for performance fans is a Beetle R-Line, which is damn close to a SuperBeetle proper and may …

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2008 Mazda Kazamai 26

Concept Flashback – 2008 Mazda Kazamai Was Crossover Coupe With Rear-Drive Stance

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As a small and independent manufacturer, Mazda cannot really afford to flub the design of one of its main production models. Careful design feedback was solicited on a global scale between 2005 and 2010, when the firm rolled out almost a dozen wild concept cars. As sort of a focus-group-by-fire, these concepts showed some good ideas, some bad ideas, and overall the results informed the latest generation of gorgeous Mazda6, fairly cool Mazda3 and very stylish upcoming MX-5 and CX-3. As a crossover coupe with two massive doors, this Kazamai concept proved two things: that rear-drive proportions are always stunning …

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Lincoln Continental Concept 65

2015 Lincoln Continental Concept Paves Way for SuperLux 2017 MKS Variant

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Lincoln is re-earning its stripes car by car these days — with excellence but a bit of inconsistency. One segment it still owns almost completely even after the Town Car bowed out in 2012 is the livery market. The MKS and MKT are still the default choice for limo companies across the US. How to springboard this luxury reputation into continued US comfort plus the brand’s biggest opportunity in decades: China. The Chinese love the Town Car and feel affinity toward the Lincoln brand in general. It has deep roots, back-seat panache and classiness of a premium brand. To hit …

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2007 Mazda TAIKI Concept 32

Concept Flashback – 2007 Mazda TAIKI Explores HyperLight Supercar Back-Channels

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Let’s imagine you want to make a supercar. The normal way to achieve massive performance is a giant engine. But is there an alternative route to supercar speed? The TAIKI concept believes there is. The little ticks down the aerodynamics chart are actually really giant leaps forward in aero slipperiness. Dropping a coefficient of drag from 0.30 cD to a 0.29 cD is actually a 10X improvement in how smoothly the car can pass through the air. This change continues its exponential level of change as you approach 0.01 — so the benefits of drag reduction are quite powerful. More …

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2015 Buick Avenir Concept with Y-Job in Amelia Island 27

2015 Buick Avenir Concept with 1938 Y-Job in Amelia Island

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You can tell Buick is excited about the Avenir Concept when it is joined by the famous Y-Job from 1938! The Cascada ragtop also greeted Amelia Island 2015 guests — and for the first time, the brand felt right at home with the best cars in the world. 2015 Buick Avenir Concept Amelia Island 1938 Buick Y-Job Concept

2015 ED Design TORQ Concept 40

2015 ED Design TORQ Concept Racer Is Unusual, Conflicted Design Study

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  This is a curious one. The ED Design TORQ concept from Geneva 2015. A product of a growing Italian design consultancy, this concept is a look at future automated race-cars. The most curious parts of the car are two: — a total lack of glass. The view out is via surround-view cameras projected on an inner wrap-around screen projection. — the seating for two and steering wheel These two traits do not really match each other. A lack of glass makes sense when only sensors are controlling the driving action. But with passenger and a driver, monitors seem like …

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2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE 21

Updated With 25 New Photos – 2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE

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 Updated 3.7.15 With 25 New Photos   VW’s Geneva Preview night is absolutely packed to the rafters with new cars, concepts and tech reveals. The big VW brand rollout is the new Sport Coupe Concept GTE — a mouthful of a name but an easily-digestible new design language. The dramatic nose treatment is most obviously new, with a full-frame grille consisting of horizontal slats throughout. The chrome grille elements flow nicely into an LED extension of the grille shape. This new style is visible on the 2015 Touareg, but vastly more unique and strikingly on this concept. Size and market …

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Geneva 2015 Showfloor - SEAT 7

Geneva 2015 Showfloor – SEAT Builds Buzz With 20V20 Concept and Production Leon ST CUPRA 280 Trio

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SEAT is on a roll after a few years in the doldrums. The new Leon is a big hit, and the hottest model of the range is now available as a three-door, five-door or the super-cool estate. Geneva 2015 Showfloor – SEAT 2015 SEAT Leon ST Cupra   2015 SEAT 20V20 Concept

2015 ItalDesign Giugiaro GEA Concept 19

2015 ItalDesign Giugiaro GEA Concept Shows Automated-Driving Limo Ideas

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  When considering Italian design boutique concepts, you have to suspend your disbelief and any reality-based concerns in order to see the true purpose of the designs. In many ways, ItalDesign concepts are like the ‘haute couture’ of the car world, versus the ready-to-wear from mainstream manufacturer concepts. This GEA concept is an interesting look to the future of automated limousines tech, design and user experience. Sharing some of the insights launched on the Mercedes-Benz F015 concept, the GEA also has exterior lamps that shift to blue front and rear when the vehicle is being driven by computer. Sidebar: This …

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2015 Magna Steyr MILA Plus 6

4.9s 2015 Magna Steyr MILA Plus Is Surprise PHEV Concept for Geneva

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The Geneva show always makes room for small exhibitors. The design boutiques, tuners and startups all find a home in this massive auto expo. One new player is not actually new at all. Magna Steyr is one of the leading OEM suppliers and manufacturing partners for Mercedes, Aston, BMW and more. The company is a huge vault of IP on how to build cars lightly, strongly and indestructibly. Evidence? The Austrian division of Magna just re-upped their contract to build the Mercedes-Benz G-Class through 2022. This new PHEV concept is a design, construction and drivetrain exercise. Powered by a three-cylinder …

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2015 Nissan SWAY Concept 28

2015 Nissan SWAY Concept Shows Future Golf and Focus-Fighter

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This new Nissan SWAY Concept is a really stylish and handsome design study. From the nose and tail, it is low and wide and seriously cool-looking. The contrasting copper accents are a nice detail in the lower bumpers and sills, while also forming a nice floating roof. This copper section becomes a horseshoe around the clear glass roofline in a very premium and advanced way. In profile, the Sway falls a bit from its cool perch. Clearly a front-drive hatchback with an oddly short but tall hood, the Sway hopes to hide these humdrum details with hugely flowing surfaces. The …

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2015 SEAT 20V20 Concept SUV 2

2015 SEAT 20V20 Concept SUV Is Large and Remarkably-Handsome Design Study

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   The New SEAT 20V20 concept is only the second SUV showcar to come out of VW’s Spanish off-shoot, but you wouldn’t know they are amateurs based on this car’s cool style and perfect size. Large by Euro standards, this new “twenty twenty” SUV brings the interior roominess of a BMW X3 but width of an X5 — while lower than both. The 20V20 is a very, very appealing design and would surely be a big seller for SEAT in crossover-mad markets like the UK. 2015 SEAT 20V20 SEAT PRESENTS THE 20V20 SHOWCAR 02/03/15 Prospect of an extremely dynamic, four-door …

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2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE 7

2015 Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE Shows Fresh Face for Passat CC Replacement

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    VW’s Geneva Preview night is absolutely packed to the rafters with new cars, concepts and tech reveals. The big VW brand rollout is the new Sport Coupe Concept GTE — a mouthful of a name but an easily-digestible new design language. The dramatic nose treatment is most obviously new, with a full-frame grille consisting of horizontal slats throughout. The chrome grille elements flow nicely into an LED extension of the grille shape. This new style is visible on the 2015 Touareg, but vastly more unique and strikingly on this concept. Size and market potential-wise, the Sport Coupe Concept …

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2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept - Latest Photos 3

2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept in 20 New Photos + Powertrain Details

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Updated 2.27.14 With 20 New Photos Half of these are official shots from Kia, and the other half from KoreanCarBlog. In addition to the pics, Kia confirms that the powertrain is a 250-horsepower turbo four with the firm’s new DCT driving the front wheels. In that regard, the SPORTSPACE’s name is clearly SportSpace… not SportsPace. 2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept – Latest Photos   Darnit! Right when we had almost completely written Kia off as poorly-driving, and poorly-marketed cars aimed at idiots — here comes this stunning SPORTSPACE estate concept for Geneva 2015. Hitting my fast-wagon passion right in the jugular, …

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2015 MINI Vision Gran Turismo Concept 2

First Look – 2015 MINI Vision Gran Turismo Concept Is Widebody Clubman GT3

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First look today at the upcoming MINI entrant into the world of Gran Turismo 6. This MINI Vision GT concept promises a massive jump in power and track ability, likely with AWD and nearly 400-horsepower. We only have a few sketches of the car plus two digital teasers, but the real thing will be seen very soon online, and perhaps in person at the Geneva auto show next week. The MINI VGT will be raceable with the next PlayStation update for Gran Turismo, likely mid-March. 2015 MINI Vision Gran Turismo Concept  

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2015 Audi Prologue Avant Concept Shows 4-Door, Fast-Wagon Style Ahead of Geneva Show

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We have seen two iterations of the Prologue concept so far from Audi: both coupes with the scale and presence to compete between the BMW 6 series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupes. With a design that harks back to the low and lean appearance of the Audi 5000 from the late 1980s, the Prologue design does feel much better as a deeply-sloping wagon silhouette. More naturally Audi, but still a bit blah for our tastes. It engenders little to no visual passion or excitement, despite being a clean and pure design. This latest Prologue Avant dramatically decorates the exterior details …

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Wow! 2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept Previews Future Optima Estate in Stellar Fashion

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Darnit! Right when we had almost completely written Kia off as poorly-driving, and poorly-marketed cars aimed at idiots — here comes this stunning SPORTSPACE estate concept for Geneva 2015. Hitting my fast-wagon passion right in the jugular, the bleeding passion down my neck is almost as red as this SPORTSPACE. Long, low and sexy — the SPORTSPACE concept packs a gorgeous new design from double-quad LED light-pods back to its low-roofed tail and slimline glasshouse. Inside, things improve perhaps even further, with a full-length The SPORTSPACE is a strong statement of intent and first glimpse of the new Frankfurt-led design …

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Mitsubishi Evolander

Concept Flashback – 2006 Mitsubishi EvoLander

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Proof that the Lancer Evolution component set is pure gold where-ever it lives? The 2006 EvoLander concept from Mitsubishi for the 2006 SEMA show. You might think it would be simple or low-budget to complete an upgrade like this. Swap the engine, driveline, brakes, wheels and tires – then slap on some fender extensions and lower the ride height 4 inches. Not the Mitsubishi way. This EvoLander actually runs a turbocharged V6 MIVEC engine and a custom widebody kit with no seams or stick-on mounting points. These are all-new, one-off panels all around — and are extra stunning as a …

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Concept Flashback – 2000 Audi Rosemeyer

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Steampunk? Does that apply here? No, none of the original Audi race-cars from the 1930s were powered by steam, but this Rosemeyer concept seems to fit into this new, retro-mechanical style movement. Exposed rivets, pop-up lamp covers, individual headlight pods, massive vents all down the back of the engine compartment — all fantastic and moody. The brushed-aluminum surface takes a big step toward authenticity versus the clean and polished surface of the Avus Quattro concept, while the front vents all feel milled from a solid piece of metal. 2000 Audi Rosemeyer

2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept 2

2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept Headed for Geneva

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  The newest Infiniti is almost here! The QX30 Concept’s first teaser image is official, and is almost a dead ringer for the Q30 concept seen at Frankfurt 2013. From the back at least, the new QX30 does appeal to be significantly more SUV-ish than the low-riding Q30. This would imply there might be road and trail versions of the model in the cars. This version is also nearly production-ready (tires aside…) and should arrive in global Infiniti showrooms by December, we predict. The premium compact crossover is likely to be an influential design template, later rolling upmarket with a …

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2015 Nissan Juke NISMO RSnow Trax Concept Reignites Juke-R Halo Effect

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We recently gave the Juke-R concept from 2012 a hall of fame write-up – extolling the incredible global awareness the GT-R/Juke hybrid created. The next step? A new Juke RSnow Trax – highlighting the new Juke LED boomerang lamps and new projector-beam lights up front, which are fresh for the 2015 model-year. This machine was created as a support car for an ice-driving school, with the tires replaced by individual tank-like treads. The rubber and steel-spiked treads spin in sync with the new hubs up top, controlling a contact patch that is 50X larger than four tires. This upgrade can …

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2015 Lexus LF-LC GT Vision Gran Turismo Is Race-Ready With Fantasy Gound-Effect Aero

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  There are obviously a few routes a brand cane take with their Vision Gran Turismo prototype racers, and this makes sense. When you play GT6 (or any GT) the cars are classified by power to weight ratio, drivetrain layouts, and myriad other classifications. So it is not as if all these VGT cars just end up on a track together. With that in mind, the new Lexus LF-LC GT falls into a much more practical category that hyper-futuristic ideas like the Chevrolet Chaparral or the most recent Renault Alpine. This LF-LC GT is a down-to-earth look that is very, …

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Fantasy Supercar Renderings - RUF Porsche 993 Turbo RS 14

Fantasy Supercar Renderings – RUF Porsche 993 Turbo RS

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Yes, Porsche made a 993 Turbo S, and RUF made a Turbo R (below)… but what about something altogether wilder? Here we present a fantasy digital rendering three-pack of the Porsche 993 RUF 911 of our dreams: what we’re calling the Turbo RS. Much change went into the look of this car, but it started out with simple updates: darker wheels and perhaps a RUF graphic on the side? But after driving into the renders, we decided to lower the front spoiler and make it wider, chop the roof, extend the side sills downward to hug the wheels better, and …

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Concept Flashback – 2012 MINI Rocketman 1 and 2

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  The 2011 and 2012 MINI Rocketman concepts took a look at an even more micro MINI city car. As the new model Hardtop three-door grows far larger and wider than ever, there is a strong desire to return to the car’s barely-there dimensions. This is in sharp contrast to the overall MINI range, which has blown outward in all directions to a total of nine models at this point. Even MINI feels this has gotten out-of-control, with the Paceman (2-door offroader) and Coupe set for the chopping block in the near future. The problem with an even smaller MINI …

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2015 Peugeot 2008 DKR Rally Racer – Tech Specs and Pre-Dakar Photos

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The Peugeot DKR prototype currently blasting through the Chilean sahara on the 2015 Dakar rally has been a bit of a wallflower before the race. Few official photos of the truck have been seen. The mid-engine, rear-drive off-roader is an evolution of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak car, but raised dramatically for its new Dakar mission. The same team that created the LeMans 908 HDi FAP cars have created both of these latest racing Pugs, and all have shared the primary super-diesel engine power. This 3.0-liter twin turbo-diesel is a total torque monster: it pushes out 590 pound-feet of …

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2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV 14 - Copy

Design Analysis – 2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV

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When Mitsubishi rolled out its latest trio of design concepts in Geneva last March, we were slightly horrified and very shocked. The designs are quite ‘advanced,’ — which is another way of saying they are freakishly ‘out there’ and not exactly attractive on first glance. But after seeing how this look filtered down to the 2016 Outlander, we are determined to give the new Mitsubishi design style a chance. And clearly, Mitsubishi believes it is on to something here. The XR-PHEV here became the firm’s Vision Gran Turismo car as an ‘Evolution’ version of this design, so you cannot say …

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2001 gtr

Concept Flashback – 2001 Nissan GT-R Prototype

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People gave Lexus a hard time for spending so many years developing the LF-A, the Honda for the endless parade of concepts leading to the current 2016 NSX just revealed in production form in Detroit. But Nissan was part of this long-running tradition of slow perfectionism when it comes to a brand’s sports-car flagship. The first look at what the R35 Nissan GT-R would become seven years later? The 2001 Tokyo auto show, with this static styling and aero buck. The next concept in 2005, the GT-R Proto, was much closer to the eventual production model — but both were …

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2015 Honda FCV Concept + Year of Honda Turbo VTEC and Turbofan HondaJet Arrival

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Honda is very re-energized lately. It will take time for the actual products to catch up with the mood inside the halls of America Honda these days, but when they arrive, they should be terrific. After years of a relatively glum and forlorn outlook, there is a palpable sense of future potential in Honda today. The FCV concept is still in its production-engineering mode, as Honda is keen to perfect every detail before the global rollout. This sense slightly delayed the new Acura NSX as well, but we now see it was worth the wait. Honda is diving head-first into …

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hyundai santa cruz concept

2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept Explores SUV Pickup Crossover

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  What is this Hyundai Santa Cruz? A pickup/SUV? Think of it like a Honda Ridgeline, but perhaps tilted a bit more toward the SUV side of things versus the pickup truck? The Hyundai Santa Cruz concept revealed minutes ago in Detroit is certainly a headscratcher.Not least because the Honda Ridgeline has been a bit of a dud, despite a new model coming for 2016 for Honda. The best way to think of the concept is a look at Hyundai entering new truck segments in the future, as well as a snapshot of the brand’s latest design ideas in the …

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chevy bolt

2015 Chevrolet BOLT Concept Previews All-New EV 5-Door Arriving Within a Year

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We are big bears on EV adoption overall, and love seeing Elon Musk squirm. In that regard, the Bolt is a fun new entry to the rapidly-irrelevant EV model niche. The Bolt is a relatively exciting surprise from Chevrolet: the new five-door EV concept that is a lightly-veiled production model arriving within a year to Chevy showrooms. The new Bolt EV concept shows the potential of a utility and family-friendly package with EV underpinnings. No pricing has been quoted, but expect this package to sticker from about $35,000 before tax incentives bring its costs to about $30,000. It is most …

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buick avenir

2015 Buick Avenir Concept Shows Design of Future RWD Flagship Limo

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This is a tricky design to love at first sight. The sketches whisper ‘chic’ the real car’s nose and profile shouts ‘eek.’ Even so, it is a promising look at a future Buick flagship limo.    2015 Buick Avenir Concept         Avenir’s Design-driven Global Collaboration Buick concept developed via collaboration of GM’s Australia, Michigan studios 2015-01-11 DETROIT – The Buick Avenir concept announced today ahead of the North American International Auto Show represents a collaboration of General Motors’ global designers and fabricators, who worked between studios in Australia and the United States to develop the striking design …

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q60 concept

2015 Infiniti Q60 Concept – Private Debut in Detroit Shows Swanky Cabin and ~440HP V6TT

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The 2015 Infiniti Q60 Concept is here! Absolutely miraculous style and luxury shown here, with the power to back it up. The styling concept is said to be 98-percent of the finished product, sans a few of the more extravagant details like the super-lux pearlescent paint, much of the carbon-fiber in the bumpers, and things like the etched fiber-optic amber blinker lights in front. The uncut gemstone lens of the main beam headlights are particularly fascinating in their style appeal, but are also likely to fall by the wayside for production. Even so, the real 2016 Q60 Coupe promises something …

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2015 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

Update2 – 360HP Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Is Sporty PHEV Crossover Concept

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The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE has arrived today with sporty looks and a five-passenger cabin that is about the size of the BMW X6 inside and out. The concept runs a 3.6-liter V6 plus a large hybrid power unit with EV-driving ability. Its style is an important preview of the production CrossBlue, a Passat-based seven-seater set for assembly in Tennessee beside its sedan cousin. We are likely to see this style replicated near-exactly on the large CrossBlue, but in a larger and blockier roofline layout. This design is production-ready in almost all ways, with the actual Cross Coupe a possibility …

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alpha-t

Concept Flashback – 2001 Nissan Alpha-T

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Nissan is giving journalists a first look at the 2016 Titan pickup today in Detroit at a football viewing party, and we wish we were there to see it! To set the stage, it seems timely and relevant to share Nissan’s first full-size pickup truck concept: the 2001 Alpha-T. Definitely a product of its moment in time, but also a bit stylish and adventure-bound in its style — even almost 15 years since. 2001 Nissan Alpha-T Jan. 8, 2001 Nissan Explores New Territory with Radical aT Concept – First Foray Into Full-Size Truck Market Makes ‘Big’ Statement     Nissan …

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mustang mach 1

Future Car Renderings – 2017 Ford Mustang Mach 1

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  Doing a photochop of the new 2015 Mustang GT might seem almost sacrilegious these days. The car is a huge, huge hit already and is set to be the most popular pony-car in decades. We’ve see dozens of custom Mustangs so far at SEMA and now the Shelby GT350 ups the ante dramatically. But what about a truly futuristic fantasy Mustang? Something almost unreal in its stunning proportions? The ideas shown here follow the original Ford Mach 1 sketches in 1966 — they read almost like an instruction manual for a step-by-step Mustang Mach 1 for 2017. Let’s disregard …

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mustang concepts

Concept Flashbacks – 1966 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Allegro II and Mustang Milano

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When you style and produce a car as successful as the Mustang in 1964, you have to start thinking next steps almost immediately. How to evolve, and how to keep up the excitement of the original, but with the thrill of the new. Ford explored a variety of wild ideas for the future of the Mustang. From the short-wheelbase, to the Ranchero — Ford was open to nearly any and all ideas. But the enthusiast vision shined brightest. How to make the Mustang even cooler, and even more hardcore as a sports-car. In this folder lives the 1966 Mustang Mach …

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Bugatti SUV Design Concept by Ondrej Jirec

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In the original article toward the bottom of this page, we explore an online rendering of a Bugatti Veyron-style SUV, plus created our own janky lift of the official Galibier concept from Bugatti. But neither of the below ideas is really as avant-garde as Bugatti would seek for any Super SUV with its EB logos attached. College of Art Center of Design student Ondrej Jirec has a very cool idea for a Bugatti SUV. Grand style, grand pace, and the name? The Grand Colombier. A nod to the explorer Cristobol Colon — who we Americans know as Christopher Columbus — …

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f015

Mercedes-Benz F015 Concept Hits the Vegas Strip in 55 New Photos

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  Updated 1.9.15 with 55 New Photos Seeing a concept on stage and seeing it in the real world are two totally different scenarios. The F015 on the streets of Vegas drives home just how freskishly advanced and high-tech the concept looks versus today’s latest cars. Most notable in its S-Class-plus scale is the super-long wheelbase. This makes the whole machine feel even lower than its 1-inch-lower stats seem compared with today’s S550. The headlamps and illuminated star badge in white tell us that a human is driving in the photos…. PREVIOUS Here is a truly futuristic look at the …

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legacy b4 blitzen

2015 Subaru Legacy B4 BLITZEN Concept Debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon

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As a current Legacy GT owner, you can bet we were floored to see how sweet this sixth-gen Legacy B4 Blitzen concept looks!  It is a luxury sports styling concept – with the standard 175-horsepower boxer engine. But the all-new front and rear fascias are very convincing, as are the carbon-fiber accents in the sills, wheels and rear spoiler. Favorite details are the gloss-glack mesh grille and the integrated LED styling accents in the outer bumpers. 2015 Subaru Legacy B4 BLITZEN Concept   In third-generation and fourth generation Legacy, has been planned and developed as a special specification car ‘BLITZEN’  …

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Concept Flashback – 2009 Mercedes-Benz F800

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If you want a solid starting point for the latest sexy Mercedes designs, you might start at the first-gen CLS in 2005. But those proportions needed work, and the surfacing left much to be desired. Between the CLS and this 2009 F800 Style lived the ghastly F700 and the notorious bionic fish van concept. F700 This 2009 F800 Style Research Concept really set the tone for a new Mercedes aesthetic. This slinky design was followed by the Style Coupe concept in 2012 — wearing lines that are even closer to what is now the CLA-Class. 2012 Style Coupe Concept There …

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prologue tech12

Updated with Tech Video – Audi Prologue Hybrid Piloted Drive to Vegas

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We were active haters of the Prologue concept when it was revealed for Los Angeles in late November. The low and clean style of the future A8 this car previews is growing better with time, but still seems a bit dull. The change of color to a dark grey with new five-spoke alloys are a huge improvement. They let the design breathe and feel a bit more interesting, with the lower bodywork and sill extensions coming to life in ways they didn’t in silver. The concave rear glass is still bizarre, and the nose and tail detailing still seem awkward. …

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glk sema

Concept Flashbacks – 2010 SEMA Mercedes-Benz GLK Tuner Cars

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Shocked and appalled by hideous custom Mercedes-Benzes prowling the world’s roads? Wish there were an upgrade kit that fits the refined aesthetic of the Merc brand? If only Mercedes would commission a few tuner custom show cars of its own, it would have control and be able to yay/nay any questionable elements. For the US launch of the GLK in 2010, MB-USA did just that: four custom GLK’s for the SEMA show in Vegas. Unfortunately for those who do not like loud, brash designs…. what resulted are four of the wildest, silliest concept GLK’s ever seen. Removing the constraint of …

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m4 ces

BMW M4 ‘Concept Iconic Lights’ Shines Laser Highbeams + OLED Slice Taillamps

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Amid a dozen i3 and i8 innovations BMW is showing at CES this week is this M4 – dubbed the ‘Iconic Lights Concept.’ We can’t help but add quotes to that concept name, as it does seem a bit …. presumptuous to call a brand-new concept iconic. Even with that bit of skepticism, the new tech shown is pretty cool. For LED aficionados, the new design certainly vaults the current M4 styling into the future quite effectively. A new high-powered laser lighting system is employed up front, with deep crystal lenses forming a larger and more expressive DRL shape. The …

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q60 concept new

Update3 – INFINITI Q60 Concept – 30 Photos

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Updated 1.6.2015 Second update today with 22 more photos. These appear to be some kind of leak. A few more photos of the upcoming Q60 Concept have appeared online, but not officially from Infiniti yet. Usually, with a massive leak like this, a car will then debut online shortly afterward. It hurts a brand to have people deciding on its style merits based on extremely low-quality digital renderings like these. So, is this concept the real-deal 2016 Q60 arriving in late summer 2015? Yes. Excluding a few tiny details like the glass roof and the inner bumper details, this is …

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Mercedes-Benz F 015 Concept

Mercedes-Benz F015 Wows CES in Vegas With Autonomous Limo Concept

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  Here is a truly futuristic look at the world of limousines in the mid-term future: the new Mercedes F015 concept for CES in Vegas. Wider than the S-Class but otherwise very similar in dimensions, the F015 takes a look at what luxury transport will be like within 5 to 10 years. Standard driver-operated modes have the lights outside shining white, and the front seats facing forward with the steering wheel and pedals as normal. Switch to autonomous driving mode, and the lights outside flick to blue, the steering-wheel sinks into the dash, and the four seats become a conversation …

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2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT

2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT Was Sexy Widebody Hatchback

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It is really difficult to design a hatchback city car with the stance of a rear-drive performance car. The bluff nose and and widebody fenders of a supercar help make this 2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT a memorable design study, with its twisting and rising beltline an ultramodern flourish. The CT’s rounded but bluff and streamlined nose and windshield are relatively simple – and really highlight the cool and low feel of the Concept CT design. 2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT  

q60 concept

Update1 – INFINITI Q60 Concept Previews Striking New 2016 Sports Coupe

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  Updated 1.5.2015 with second teaser image. When it rains, it pours! Infiniti just teased a gorgeous new Gran Turismo prototype and now is showing some ankle on its new Q60 Coupe. This concept is headed for Detroit and is said to be nearly 98-percent of what the real-life Q60 Coupe will be when introduced in August as a 2016 model. The most action is of course around the doors and glasshouse, where the Q60 has a far more expressive and aggressive roofline and C-pillar treatment versus its sibling, the Q50 sedan. The lower front wheel-arch also shows a dramatic …

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2002 Dodge M80 Concept

2002 Dodge M80 Concept Was Faithful Remake of 1940s Power Wagons

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  Remakes and retro redesigns were all the rage in the early 2000s – and Dodge had a whopper in its back catalog eager for a modern restyle. The Dodge Power Wagons of the 1940s became quite a symbol of American might both domestically and abroad thanks to their plentiful presence in the US Army ranks. This remake is a little less jokey than the Chevrolet HHR or SSR, but still feels relatively more than 12 years after its debut. That is the Catch 22 of retro designs, as any New Beetle owner can explain thoroughly. 2002 Dodge M80 Concept …

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Update1 – 2004 Chrysler ME 4/12 Was Quad-Turbo V12 Hypercar

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Updated 1.5.15 With 30 Extra Photos It is hard to go wrong with mid-engine hypercar concepts, and this one is no exception. There are really interesting and lavish details throughout, the success of which led to the long-running hood strakes in many production Chrysler models. Little else from this quad-turbocharged V12 concept made it to the roads, but the ME Four Twelve concept capped a record number of concept cars for Chrysler under Daimler. The company released at least three wild concepts ever year between 1999 and 2004, but none are as desirable as this car. Or, in fact, the …

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700c

2012 Chrysler 700C Concept Looking Like True Preview of 2016 Town & Country

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When the 2012 700C arrived on the scene for Detroit 2012, it seemed extremely far-fetched. But viewed in the context of the new Chrysler 200, the 700C not only looks possible — it looks extremely likely. The cabin of the 700C in particular shares much of the functional and style moves seen first in the 200, including the rotary-shifter and numerous contrast color elements like the steering wheel. A reveal of the next-gen minivans may take center stage for Chrysler and Dodge next week in Detroit. 2012 Chrysler 700C Concept  

2008 Dodge ZEO

Concept Flashback – 2008 Dodge ZEO Was EV Tesla-Fighter

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The 2008 Dodge ZEO was conceived in a world of $150-per-barrel oil in 2006 and 2007, when the full electrification of the car seemed inevitable. The freedom to run a flat-pack of Li-Ion batteries in the floor of the vehicle offered Dodge a chance to break out of typical packaging constraints. We see some great elements in the ZEO, including its finished four-seat cabin and spectacular doors. But the design is a bit busier than the Dodge ideal, especially around the nose. Lack of air intakes means the ZEO and its crossbar grille just seem a bit scrunched and silly …

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2007 VADHO BMW by ItalDesign Giugiaro

Concept Flashback – 2007 ItalDesign VADHO Ran BMW Hydrogen V12

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A hydrogen V12? That is not exactly true. The VADHO indeed runs a BMW Hydrogen fuel cell, but this produces power for a hybrid-electric drivetrain — like all hydrogen cars. The V12 is likely to be conventionally-powered. So why the tandem seating arrangement? Ostensibly, this bubble canopy housing a single passenger behind the driver’s seat is to allow for the powertrain’s massive scale and the required gas tank for the Hydrogen powertrain. These tanks generally are only available in one cylindrical shape — and housing a massive one that can avoid exploding in a crash is deeply challenging for car …

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jeep renegade

2008 Jeep Renegade Concept Was Off-Road EV Speedster

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The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles concept parade continues unabated! Here we have the 2008 Jeep Renegade concept — which was a brave look at what a wider, lower and EV-powered Wrangler might look like. The exposed doors and organic surfaces, along with integrated fenders, meld well with the chopped windshield glass. Overall, the Renegade concept showed a modern form language whose lighting elements are seen on the upcoming 2015 Renegade small crossover. 2008 Jeep Renegade Concept

2003 Dodge Tomahawk V10

2003 Dodge Tomahawk V10 Was Superbike Fantasy Concept

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A concept vehicle should have a big impact, be memorable and help define a brand’s identity. By those metrics, the 2003 Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle is certainly a huge success. Sure, there are practical things to worry about when putting an 8.4-liter V10 onto a motorcycle — but Dodge did not get bogged down with boring details. What the Tomahawk showed was a wild spirit, raw design appeal, and a futuristic fantasy where your brain’s fear center has a lower top-speed than this Dodge.   2003 Dodge Tomahawk V10

1968 Dodge Charger III Concept

Concept Flashback – 1968 Dodge Charger III

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  Yes, the 1999 Dodge Charger shown below is amazingly sleek and sexy. But when it comes to its inspirations, the 1968 Charger III is the grand-daddy of all sleek Dodges. This ultra-low and streamlined 1968 concept was a stunning look into the future of musclecars. Some very cool features? A full canopy clamshell is the main door — The steering column lifts to let the driver slide into the ultra-reclined driving positon — Triple rear air brakes were a strong sign of performance tech, and also showed how powerful the engine up front must have been to need them. …

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1999 Dodge Charger Concept

Concept Flashback – 1999 Dodge Charger R/T

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This 1999 Charger concept was the very first thing Dodge created when given access to Mercedes-Benz rear-drive sedan platform. It shows where the brand wanted to go and what it wanted to be, even while the production Dodge car lineup of the time was all front-drive and had been for two decades. This concept is really gorgeous, even today. The nose is a bit unpleasant with that grille and the oversized lamps of the day, but the proportions are to-die-for. Low and lean, in profile it looks like a real coupe on first and second glance. It is only when …

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jeep hurricane

Concept Flashback – 2005 Jeep Hurricane Was Twin-HEMI Warthog-Fighter?

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As the Jeep Hurricane started spinning in its own wheelbase length on the stage of the 2005 Detroit show, the crowd nearly forgot all about the truck’s real trump card. Or pair of Kings. A giant HEMI V8 at each end of the Hurricane promised otherworldly off-road power and movement precision. Sure, this vaguely recalls the Peugeot Hoggar from a few years before, but much more closely resembled the HALO video-game machine known as the Warthog. As the Halo game franchise has evolved, the Warthog has too. In 2010, the military machine fantasy even earned a spot in Forza Motorsport …

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2005 Chrysler Firepower

Concept Flashback – 2005 Chrysler Firepower Was HEMI Viper With An Automatic

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As we wrote that headline, it seemed to come across as a scoffing sacrilege to have a Viper chassis with a V8 and automatic. But truly, the opposite is true. The Firepower’s time has come. Three reasons: — Corvette sales this generation have been split 70/30 in favor of the automatic transmission. —-> Viper does not offer an automatic — For nearly all owners, a 6.1-liter V8 would be more than plenty to give true supercar performance —-> The Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 is a major cost center for the vehicle, which in this generation stickers from $100,000 and up. — …

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buick velite

Droptop Dreams – 2004 Buick Velite Cabriolet, 2001 Buick Bengal and 2000 Buick Regal Cielo

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Buick was keen to have an open-topped car in the early 2000s. How do we know this? Three near-consecutive concepts explored the possibility of a Buick convertible: with the final being the best. We start with the 2000 Buick Regal Cielo — an innovative retracting targa that stacks the split roof panels into the trunk. This left the main pillars and side glass intact, but likely added hundreds of pounds and may have absorbed most of the trunk’s volume. 2000 Buick Regal Cielo In 2001, we have a sexy and slinky Bengal cabrio concept with sharp and smooth surfaces and …

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2003 ItalDesign Moray Corvette By Giugiaro

Concept Flashback – 2003 ItalDesign Moray Corvette By Giugiaro

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  The Corvette Moray is a slippery one — in many senses of the word! Named after the shimmery Moray eel and styled to glide through this world without disturbing the air, the Moray Corvette from ItalDesign in 2003 is interesting for a few reasons. First off, though, let’s discuss what it is under these sleek new panels and triple glass bubble canopy. It is a C5 underneath — so the guys had their work cut out for them in making it special and respected at Pebble Beach and in Geneva. It is a full reskin from tip to tail, …

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Concept Flashback - 1989 Mitsubishi HSR II Innovates With Six Active Aero Wings

Concept Flashback – 1989 Mitsubishi HSR II Innovates With Six Active Aero Wings

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We’ve been pouring through the Mitsubishi back catalog today for a few Concept Flashback articles. The real all-star of the Mitsu lineup of show cars in the last three decades? It is this – the 1989 HSR II. HSR stands for Highly Sophisticated-transport Research and was a follow-up to a 1987 concept of the same name. The HSR II is far more beautiful, however, and also more innovative. Sure, as a 1989 Japanese exotic, the HSR II is packing a twin-turbo V6 along with 4-wheel-steering and 4-wheel-drive. This goes well with its ABS brakes, independent suspension and electronically-adjustable dampers all …

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ez miev

Concept Flashback – 2006 Mitsubishi EZ MiEV

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  If the Concept D5 Mitsubishi van represents a hard and blocky view of the future, this EZ MiEV is a much softer look into next-gen van style and tech.With its ultra-rounded and white pearlescent exterior features, the resemblence of this concept to the iPod from Apple is intentional. But things in this bubble van are just getting started with the exterior design and wrap-around glass. With a flat-battery platform an in-wheel electric motors, the EZ MiEV takes cabin versatility to a whole new level. The seats fold to form a full eight-foot bed with room for two adults. The …

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Concept Flashback - 2004 Mitsubishi Sport Truck

Concept Flashback – 2004 Mitsubishi Sport Truck

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Mitsubishi was actively exploring its mid-size truck future in this time period – with an eye on US sales for a truck like this. A bit smaller and lighter-duty than even the Honda Ridgeline, this Sport Truck was based on the Endeavor SUV chassis. To make it in the US market, it would need to be built in the US to avoid a punishing 25-percent tariff on all imported pickup trucks, however. Mitsu just did not have the bandwidth to make a business case for this beauty, which is a shame, but understandable. The company went with a rebadged Dodge …

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