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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show Click image for high res gallery of the competitors. Michelin hosts its annual Michelin Challenge Design (design challenge?) to help young designers and their hot designs get some recognition. The emphasis is on innovative thinking, both on the technical and style side. While the challenge doesn't have any direct link to tires, per se, Michelin uses the forum to help push the boundaries throughout the automotive field and get people thinking outside the box. The NAIAS contest focuses on making "smaller vehicles safer particularly in urban environments." One can make the argument that producing smaller, more efficient cars has a direct impact on tire design and tread wear, but we hardly care about Michelin's motivation here and just enjoy looking at futuristic concepts. This year's entries ranged from the practically plausible to way-out-there wild as you'll see in our gallery below. The full press release and the winners...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Hybrids/Alternative , Green , Chrysler , Dodge click above for more high-res pics of the Dodge Zeo concept Chrysler is out to convince folks of its green cred here in Detroit, so it's offering up the Dodge Zeo to the fuel- and emissions-conscious masses. The 2+2 coupe features 64kWh of electric energy that's sent to the rear wheels via a 268-hp motor. Dodge claims that the 2,650-pound Zeo can amble along for 250 miles before it's due for a recharge, although we'd suspect that turning the massive 23-inch wheels might take a bite out of the Zeo's long-range cruising capabilities. The actual mechanicals are also, most likely, a figment of some product planner's imagination at the moment. The design is typical concept car flare, with wheels pushed to the edges of the body and a steeply raked windshield that carries all the way to the rear of the vehicle, terminating in a tapered hatch that's accentuated by massive fender...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Coupes , Mitsubishi click above for more high-res images of the Mitsubishi Concept-RA It's a rare day when a concept makes us visibly wretch, but Mitsubishi did just that when it ripped the sheets off its Concept-RA. Maybe it was the ill-proportioned front fascia that took all the wrong cues from a Vector, or the generic styling of the rear three-quarter view, but overall, it left us cold, despite Mitsu's infinitely looped Daft Punk/Kanye West mashup. Regardless, the Concept-RA uses some innovative materials (aluminum space frame and recycled plastic body panels) and we like the idea of an all-wheel-drive, diesel-powered sports coupe that sends 201 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of twist through Mitsubishi's S-AWC system. But beyond the powertrain underneath, we weren't impressed -- and the engine poking through the hood didn't help either. Mitsubishi's press release plus video is posted in full after the jump and we've got...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs , Crossovers/CUVs , Honda click above image to view more high-res images of the Honda Pilot Prototype Honda's big debut today was its next-gen Honda Pilot. While we've already shown you the concept sketch , we saw the real thing today. Although still labeled a prototype, it's not hard to see the next-generation Pilot SUV under that prototypified skin. Just like we saw when they showed us the Accord Coupe "Concept" last year, we expect the production Pilot vehicle to look very similar to this. The next-gen Pilot will feature Honda's ACE Advanced Compatibility Engineering safety technology and VCM cylinder deactivation management system that's also available on the Accord V6. The Variable Cylinder Managaement system allows this V6 to run on 6, 4 or 3 cylinders depending on the need. The new Pilot also sports better interior packaging with seating for up to eight passengers, as well. Overall, we find the exterior...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Crossovers/CUVs , Ford click above for 50 high-res images of the Ford Explorer America Concept var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/autos/Ford_Explorer_America_concept_teases_next_gen_crossover'; For more than a decade the Ford Explorer was the top-selling SUV in the US with annual sales topping 400,000 units for many years. The best days of the body-on-frame SUV are clearly behind it, though, as the market has shifted toward crossovers like the smaller Escape and Honda CR-V, as well as larger vehicles like the Ford Edge. Ford has seen the light and the next generation Explorer is finally abandoning the traditional setup in favor of a new unit body design. The new Explorer America concept that Ford is debuting at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is the first public hint of where the Explorer is going in the coming years. When the Explorer is replaced around the end of this decade, the new model is expected to look much like this concept. The...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Trucks/Pickups , Videos , Toyota Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com first tipped us off that the Scion brand might be considering a pickup for its youth-targeted lineup. In the video above, Levine explains why the A-BAT hybrid pickup concept ended up being a Toyota truck rather than the Scion we were expecting, as well as going over every feature and design detail of what we've come to call the "Toyota Ridgeline". From your comments, we gather that the A-BAT's design is not what you would call... attractive. As one commenter put it, "(It's) like a Ridgeline, but uglier with bigger blind spots." Touché sir. Nevertheless, we'd welcome a truly small and modern pickup back into the market, just not this one. We'll defer to another commenter who said what was exactly on our minds: "Just bring back the small pick-up and with a strong diesel and 6-speed. It'll get 40+mpg." If wishing made...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Hybrids/Alternative , Trucks/Pickups , Toyota click above to view more images of the Toyota A-BAT Concept Perhaps in response to the criticism that Toyota has received over the past year from environmentalists for its ever larger and thirstier trucks, the Japanese automaker is switching direction with its 2008 Detroit concept - the A-BAT hybrid pickup concept. Toyota and Nissan pioneered the idea of modern compact pickup trucks in the U.S. market, but Toyota has largely left it behind over the past decade. The new A-BAT concept pickup is 27 inches shorter than an extended cab Tacoma and nine inches shorter than the regular cab model. In profile, the uni-body truck looks somewhat like a shorter Honda Ridgeline with rounder contours. The A-BAT is the first Toyota to have a mid-gate allowing cargo longer than the standard four-foot bed to extend into the cab. With the tailgate down, drivers can pack the proverbial 4x8 sheet of plywood. Power...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs , Land Rover Click image for photo gallery The Land Rover LRX is set for a big Detroit debut next month, but you can see it now thanks to German enthusiast mag Auto Motor und Sport . They have thoughtfully posted a full photo gallery of the shortened, lowered Freelander-based Land Rover coupe concept, and thanks to the broken English provided by Google Translate, we can report some of the highlights, as well. The compact SUV boasts long doors and an athletic stance accentuated by a sloping roof, 20" wheels, and a somewhat sinister looking front fascia. The cabin takes on a 2+2 configuration, decorated in typical never-see-production concept trim. The shifter is mounted at the top part of the center console, with a fancy metal central controller for the four-wheel-drive positioned further down. The attached photos show red ambient lighting in the cabin. That indicates that the car is in sport driving mode. Based on the Auto Motor...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Supercars , Mazda Click image to enlarge the Mazda Furai concept var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/motorsport/First_teaser_shot_of_the_racer_based_Mazda_Furai_concept'; Mazda has released a teaser shot of its Furai concept, which will debut next month in Detroit alongside the "heavily revised" 2009 RX-8. It's name translates from Japanese to "sound of the wind," and the car takes the design language introduced on the Nagare and applies it to what is literally a race-bred sports concept. The Furai, you see, is built atop the Courage C65 chassis that Mazda campaigned two years ago in ALMS. Power comes from a 450-horsepower three-rotor engine that runs on E100 Ethanol. As for the '09 RX-8, Mazda's announcement states only that it boasts an updated design, better quality and features, and improved handling and acceleration. The announcement now has us wondering if the spy photos that...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Minivans/MPVs , Nissan click above image to view high-res version Back in October, Nissan released an exterior sketch of the Forum Concept, which will debut in January at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The Forum Concept is basically a combination wagon, minivan, hatchback and CUV. To be more precise, it's a "family hauler" or "people mover". Following up on the exterior sketch, Nissan released a new sketch today of the concept's interior. It's a typical concept interior, about halfway between total pie-in-the-sky feasibility and possible production. Nissan tells us in its press release that the inner sanctum of the Forum will include a Bose Media System that's operated with a proximity sensor-based controller, which we take to mean that you can wave your hand in front of the stereo and Neil Diamond will begin playing on queue. There are also 2nd- and 3rd-row cameras so moms and pops can keep a digital eye on...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs , Green , Jeep click above image for more views of the Jeep Renegade Concept The final concept of Chrysler's trio for the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is the Jeep Renegade Concept. We actually find this one the most interesting, both in terms of design and feasibility. The Renegade features all-aluminum construction to keep its weight down, as well as what appears to be a parallel hybrid drivetrain consisting of the same 40-mile lithium-ion battery pack used in the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept sharing duties with a small-displacement BLUETEC diesel engine. Jeep claims the Renegade would be good for more than 110 miles per gallon, which we think is probably accurate. Hopefully we'll begin seeing fuel economy numbers like that when lithium-ion battery packs become more prevalent, as well as diesel engines for that matter. The Renegade's design is typical Jeep, focusing on adventure in all weather conditions. The speedster windshield...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs , Green , Jeep click above image for more views of the Jeep Renegade Concept var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/environment/Jeep_unveils_hybrid_Renegade_Concept_with_110_MPG'; The final concept of Chrysler's trio for the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is the Jeep Renegade Concept. We actually find this one the most interesting, both in terms of design and feasibility. The Renegade features all-aluminum construction to keep its weight down, as well as what appears to be a parallel hybrid drivetrain consisting of the same 40-mile lithium-ion battery pack used in the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept sharing duties with a small-displacement BLUETEC diesel engine. Jeep claims the Renegade would be good for more than 110 miles per gallon, which we think is probably accurate. Hopefully we'll begin seeing fuel economy numbers like that when lithium-ion battery packs become more prevalent, as well as diesel engines for that matter. The Renegade's...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Green , Hatchbacks , Dodge click above image for more views of the Dodge ZEO Concept var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/environment/No_HEMI_Dodge_Zeo_electric_vehicle_concept_to_debut_in_January'; The second of three concepts that Chrysler LLC has planned for the 2007 Detroit Auto Show is the Dodge ZEO Concept. It's eco-friendly credentials come via its all-EV powertrain, which consists of a lithium-ion battery pack capable of an impressive 250-mile range. That's theoretical and on-paper we presume, but it's nice to dream. The ZEO is a 2+2, four-passenger sport wagon that features the familiar cross-hair grille up front with a design that looks more Japanese than American to us. The hatchback profile looks like something we've seen on recent Mazda and Honda concepts, though the haunchy fender flares are all Dodge. Unfortunately, that's all we know about the ZEO until January when Dodge debuts the concept in Detroit...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Green , Hatchbacks , Dodge click above image for more views of the Dodge ZEO Concept var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/environment/No_HEMI_Dodge_Zeo_electric_vehicle_concept_to_debut_in_January'; The second of three concepts that Chrysler LLC has planned for the 2007 Detroit Auto Show is the Dodge ZEO Concept. It's eco-friendly credentials come via its all-EV powertrain, which consists of a lithium-ion battery pack capable of an impressive 250-mile range. That's theoretical and on-paper we presume, but it's nice to dream. The ZEO is a 2+2, four-passenger sport wagon that features the familiar cross-hair grille up front with a design that looks more Japanese than American to us. The hatchback profile looks like something we've seen on recent Mazda and Honda concepts, though the haunchy fender flares are all Dodge. Unfortunately, that's all we know about the ZEO until January when Dodge debuts the concept in Detroit...
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