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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Volvo Click above for more high-res shots of the Volvo S60 Concept Volvo sales have been flat-out tanking in the U.S., as Swedish metal moved in September 2008 at a 51% lower rate than it did in the same month of 2007. New product should help Ford's (for now) Swedish unit reverse that precipitous slide, the first sample of which will be seen as an S60 concept to be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January. We're a couple months away from seeing Volvo's midsize concept, but the Swedes are showing us a sneak peak at the interior to pique our interest. Orrefors Crystal is the designer of choice to give Volvo a new take on its trademark waterfall center stack. Designers decided on a real crystal surface that stretches from the navigation screen all the way to the back seats. The look is very high-end and definitely draws the eye, but Volvo states the obvious in saying the heavy and expensive crystal is concept...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , BMW , Cadillac , Chrysler click above to view more high-res live shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept One bit of news we passed over on the way out the door of COBO Hall on Tuesday was the winners of this year's EyesOn Design Awards at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. There are four awards given away each year, including Best Concept and Production Car and Best Concept and Production Truck. Cadillac sweeped the car side of things with the CTS-V being honored as Best Production Car and the CTS Coupe Concept named as the Best Concept Car. The BMW X6 , meanwhile, was named Best Production Truck and the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept nabbed the Best Concept Truck award. The EyesOn Design awards are sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Opthamology and judged by a panel of automotive designers including ex-VP of Design for GM Wayne Cherry, Chrysler's Senior VP of Design Trevor Creed, the renowned Henrik Fisker, GM's VP of Global Design Ed...
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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 , Green , Crossovers/CUVs , Cadillac click above for more live high-res images of the Cadillac Provoq Concept We've already covered Cadillac's Provoq E-Flex fuel-cell vehicle during its first public appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show last week, but GM also rolled it across the stage here in Detroit. There were no additional technical details or hints towards production plans (either for the E-Flex powertrain or the BRX crossover that this design represents), but we at least got to spend a few minutes up close and personal with the concept to snap some shots of the whiter-than-the-pure-driven-snow interior . Also note the chromed cowl vent . Oh, and the Provoq wears what has to be the skinniest tires we've seen on a concept car in recent memory. Gallery: Detroit 2008: Cadillac Provoq concept - Live Reveal Gallery: Detroit 2008: Cadillac Provoq concept - Live Reveal Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Sedans/Saloons , Maybach , Lifestyle click above for more high-res images of the Maybach Lanaulet If you'd rather be driven by a chauffeur than get behind the wheel yourself, you might want to check out the Maybach Landaulet that made its North American debut in Detroit this week. The half sedan/half convertible allows for the driver's compartment to be completely closed while the passengers in the rear can enjoy open top motoring. The sky isn't the only luxury available - passengers are treated to supple white leather seating and a full entertainment system with a DVD player 6-disc CD changer, dual television screens, and even a compartment to hold a bottle of champagne and goblets. The rear seats also recline, meaning you can lie back, listen to some tunes, and enjoy the fresh air while you sip on your drink. We'd love a test drive ride, but in some place a little warmer than Detroit. Gallery: Maybach Landaulet Continue reading...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Lexus Click above image for a high resolution gallery of photos We were left hanging yesterday with a ton of pictures of Lexus' brand new LF-A Roadster Concept , but no information to go along with them. Now Lexus has filled us in by releasing information and rather vague specifications on the car, although it's nothing we wouldn't have guessed. The LF-A Roadster is essentially based on its coupe brother that first made its debut back in 2005 in Detroit . A revised version was also shown in Detroit last year . Power comes from a V10 under 5.0 liters with something north of 500 horsepower, and shifting is done via a sequential transmission with paddle shifters. A significant change to the Roadster version, besides not having a fixed roof, is the retractable rear wing that adjusts according to the vehicle's speed. By continuing with the LF-A series, we can only hope that this means Lexus is still planning...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Coupes , Cadillac , GM Hot off the wire is GM's surprise announcement that Cadillac will unveil a CTS Coupe Concept at its press conference later this morning. We've been expecting a CTS Coupe as part of the diversification of that model's offerings, and this concept should give us a great idea of what the probable production car will look like. Photos won't be released until closer to showtime, and we'll get them up as soon as they're released. Joining the CTS Coupe will be the Cadillac Myst, another hydrogen concept, and of course, you're already familiar with the CTS-V and Escalade Hybrid, which round out the Caddy contingent. Stay tuned for more. [Source: GM] Continue reading Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept to debut later this morning Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Green , Chrysler click above for more high-res images of the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept One of three Pentastar concepts powered by some combination of cutting-edge technology, the Chrysler ecoVoyager continues the automaker's fascination with art-deco by resurrecting the Stout Scarab . Doing away with a conventional powertrain and installing a 45kW fuel cell allows the 268-horsepower electric motor to spin the wheels for 300 miles before refueling. The Li-Ion batteries give the concept a theoretical range of 40 miles before the fuel cell is called upon, and regenerative braking recovers some energy for the batteries, too. The skateboard nature of the chassis and power systems allows for a very roomy cabin and low center of gravity, which aids handling. Weighing in at a modest 2,750 pounds, the ecoVoyager doesn't have a problem performing like the cars we know and love, either. 0-60 is dispatched in 8.8 seconds, and Chrysler's...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Hybrids/Alternative , SUVs , Green , Chrysler , Jeep Click image for high-res gallery Chrysler is showing three concepts that leverage the automaker's ENVI electric vehicle tech tech today in Detroit. The Chrysler ccoVoyager and Dodge ZEO concepts will be covered in separate posts, but they share their main electric drivetrains with Jeep's open-air concept. At the center of ENVI is a 200 kW (268 hp) electric motor with a 40 mile range that's powered by lithium ion batteries. The Renegade concept uses a pair of these -- one on each axle to create a proper 4X4 -- and adds a low gear mode, locking differentials, and a Bluetec diesel "range-extender" engine that gives it the equivalent of 110 mpg when combined with the electric motors. We see a little of the 1998 Jeepster Concept in the Renegade's front end, but beyond that, the little two-seater goes its own way, putting a modern spin on the Wrangler ethos that incorporates...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Trucks/Pickups , Toyota click above for more high-res images of the Toyota A-BAT Concept After the first day of the 2008 Detroit Auto Show press days ended, some of us decided to take up Toyota on its invite to a reception at which we were greeted by the live reveal of the A-BAT concept hybrid pickup . Though images of the A-BAT were released some time ago and we know all about the unibody pickup's hybrid synergy drivetrain and Chevy Avalanche-like midgate, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves not hating the design as much as we thought we would. It's odd, for sure, but it's a concept and there's artistic license to be had there. The actual size of the A-BAT, however, is smaller than its chunky flanks and expanse of sheet metal suggest. It makes us long for the compact pickup segment to be revived with trucks that are actually, you know, compact. Like the new 2009 Dodge Ram, the A-BAT also features storage compartments...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , SUVs , Land Rover click above to view more high-res images of the Land Rover LRX Concept While not as awe-inspiring as the Audi R8 V12 TDI or the Mazda Furai , Land Rover's LRX Concept still made waves in Detroit. Photos and details of the LRX were let loose a month ago, so we weren't too surprised at what was under the tarp. From afar, the 2-door mini-ute doesn't necessarily look impressive, but a closer look reveals some amazing details. Take for instance the "LRX" logo engraved in the tire tread, or the "Land Rover" inscribed taillights. And of course there's the interior, which lights up differently depending on how the vehicle is being used. Perhaps more importantly is what the LRX as a whole represents for the Land Rover brand. Future models will likely take on planet-saving characteristics of the LRX including reduced weight, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions. Take a look at the...
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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 , Saab click above for more images of the Saab 9-4X Concept You're not supposed to see this vehicle yet, at least not until closer to the start of the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this Sunday. It's the Saab BioPower 9-4X, and a Dutch outlet has seen fit to release these lowish-res images of the CUV a bit early. We think it's a CUV because the popularity of the SUV is waning (Ford's switching the Explorer from its body-on-frame SUV roots to a CUV compliant unibody, for Pete's sake), and Saab's done the whole SUV thing already with its rebadged (although nicely) version of the Chevy Trailblazer called the 9-7X. Regardless, the 9-4X is destined for production probably later this year. The Concept is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder enginer, typical Saab fare, that produces 245 HP/260 ft. lb. of torque on gas and 300 HP/295 ft. lb. of torque on ethanol. There's also...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Coupes , Supercars , Audi click above to view more images of the 2008 Audi R8 Audi has already publicly revealed it will be showing two vehicles at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. One it called a "stunning" concept car and the other is a new production car making its world debut. One of the two cars will reportedly be an Audi R8 powered by the brand's V12 TDI diesel engine, this according to German mag Auto Motor und Sport . While the R8 TDI is likely destined for production, it's probably not the production car that Audi will debut in Detroit. If it's the "stunning" concept, consider us stunned. The car is projected to have around 500bhp/738 ft-lbs of torque, accelerate to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and return 28 mpg, presumably on the highway. That's truly outstanding fuel economy for a supercar, though Corvettes are known to get above 30 mpg while lazily cruising this nation's...
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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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