Concept cars

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Concept cars

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Apr 21, 2011

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Mercedes A-Class The design team at Mercedes seems to have had inspiration overload when creating the A-class concept. The press material reports that inspiration came from the wind and waves, aviation engineering — oh, and a starry sky. We particularly liked the mention of the dashboard’s so-called bionic structure. The Concept A-Class has a long hood, low silhouette and slim side windows. Its wavy, windy textures of its side panels will actually draw comparisons with BMW’s once controversial, but successful, “flame surface” styling. As a world first in the compact class, the concept features a radar-based collision warning system with an adaptive brake assist, which lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. The aviation engineering comes to play in various aspects of the interior design, from the wing-shaped dash to the center console which has been designed to resemble a modern flight control panel with the shift lever designed as a reverse-thrust control. And the starry sky? That’s in the radiator grille and wheels, which have metallic silver hexagons on black stems. The headlights, with their full-LED high-performance headlamps, repeat the motif with numerous light points. Wieck

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Lexus LF-Gh hybrid LF-Gh stands for Lexus Future Grand Touring Hybrid, and Lexus designers went back to a clean sheet of paper to create a premium grand touring sedan that blends style and performance with efficiency and environmental compatibility. “For this concept, Lexus designers studied characteristics that are often considered contradictory and difficult to execute together,” said Kengo Matsumoto, general manager Lexus design division, Toyota Motor Corporation. Every line in the LF-Gh aims to combine form and function. For example, air flows in through front inlets adjacent to the unique vertical LED fog lamps, and exits through similar slim rear outlets that follow the curve of the tail lamps from the rear quarter panel. The aggressive spindle front grille isn’t just for effect, either. It helps with airflow and stability. Lexus says it hints at a new face for Lexus vehicles, so the team will be watching closely as the crowds arrive in New York. EPA

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Cadillac Urban Luxury So you want luxury and a prestige badge, but find yourself hating people who can grab tiny parking spaces on our ever more crowded city streets? GM has the answer in the Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept. Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing, said: “This concept is an exploration of what Cadillac could be in the future, as the brand continues to focus on redefining industry standards for advanced vehicle design and integrated technology.” The Caddy mini seats four, with easy access via a pair of scissor-type doors — a concept-car favorite, but no good in any parking garage with a low ceiling. We predict they won’t make it to production. The interior is as lush as you’d expect in a Cadillac, featuring blue and gray leather carbon-color wood inlays, brushed aluminum accents and even ceramic materials. Naturally it’s a hybrid, featuring a turbocharged 1.0L three-cylinder engine. GM guesstimates it could offer fuel economy of 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway. Wieck

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VW Bulli When the Volkswagen bus debuted in 1950, the Germans called it the Bulli. The production van became an icon across the world (even on that island in ‘Lost’). Now Volkswagen is reinterpreting the original with an electric motor, fitted with six seats and infotainment control via iPad. The Bulli Concept is 156 inches long, 68.4 inches wide and 66 inches tall (the T1 was longer and taller, but narrower). The body is painted in the traditional two-tone colors and 18-inch alloy wheels sport stylized chrome hubcaps. The electric concept can travel up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge, and its lithium-ion battery can be charged in less than one hour. The Bulli accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds, and its top speed is 87mph (electronically limited). It’s likely a production bus will be offered with a gas engine. In Europe it could have a diesel.

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GMC Sierra All-Terrain HD The name says it all. It’s a big tough pick-up that goes anywhere. The starting point is the new 2011 Sierra HD, with a modified, production-based 4WD chassis. The suspension has been beefed up and it has increased ground clearance and a wider track, as well as greater approach/departure angles. “It delivers the exceptional capabilities of the Sierra HD — hauling, towing and performance — and applies them to the toughest driving environments,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. “It’s the ultimate professional-grade tool for construction crews, ranchers and adventurers whose activities aren’t limited by where the pavement ends.” A smart new navigation radio also previews the kit to be offered in GMC vehicles. Wieck

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