Concept Cars

It's clear from the styling of the XF and XJ saloons that design chief Ian Callum has been developing and evolving a new design vocabulary for Jaguar that, while it may make an occasional nod to the marque's enviable heritage, looks decisively towards the future. Whilst the two saloons have been well received in terms of value, technology and comfort, there's been a nagging doubt about the coherence of their design. They are not "good-looking" cars. In addition the whole range, including the bonkers-fast and sporty XK, is still seen as older person's transportation. Well, no more. This week Jaguar has delivered a stunning and beautiful "pure" sports car concept that aims to give the mighty Porsche 911 a run for its money. Read More

This Monday, we presented some background information on Audi's all-electric A2 concept car, along with some sketches. Since then, however, the German automaker has released additional details about the vehicle, along with some more lifelike renderings - it seems that the actual, physical car won't be revealed until its appearance at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt next week. Among the new things we've learned about the A2: its body is made partly from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer; it features braking, shifting and steering by wire; and it can operate semi-autonomously in slow-moving traffic. Read More

Audi's A2 electric car will be among the huge list of concept vehicles taking the stage at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt later this month. The automaker has so far only released sketches of the four-seater and there's no specifics as yet on the drivetrain (just the promise of a "powerful electric drive system for agile performance and long range"), but we can expect to see some very interesting dynamic lighting innovations along with a tech-packed interior that includes a steering-wheel-mounted touchscreen. Read More

UPDATED: NEW IMAGES Yet another interesting mobility idea to be seen for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show is Citroen's Tubik concept - a high-tech, high-comfort, connected executive shuttle. The idea came from Citroen's Multicity project, an online routefinder portal that provides a door-to-destination transport solution using all available modes - car, train, bus, plane etc. In looking at the big picture, Citroen realised that something was missing - a vehicle was needed that was more than a taxi and more flexible than a limousine. The Citroen Tubik is that solution. Read More

Smart's iconic lightweight fortwo was such a natural for conversion to electric propulsion that it was one of the first zero emission cars with a badge recognizable by the general public. In essence, the electric smart changed little from the petrol-engined version apart from the drivetrain. Now it has teamed with chemical developer BASF to envisage the smart reconstructed with new materials for insulation, reflection, energy management and weight saving. The roof not only transmits light, it generates energy. smart says the end result of the forvision makeover is an increase in range of 20 percent with exactly the same powertrain. Read More

Ford's Evos may only be a concept car but with its four scissor doors reaching skyward to the heavens, it is both the most distinctive and important concept from Ford in many a year. The Evos is the first manifestation of the Blue Oval's "first truly global design language," a visual signature that Ford hopes will make its next generation of vehicles more recognizable than the current fleet. The plug-in hybrid will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show two weeks from now and previews not just the new family resemblance, but the intuitive "cloud connected" functionality Ford will infuse into the next generation of vehicles. Read More

dding to the long list of things to look forward to at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), Land Rover has announced that a "modern interpretation of the iconic Land Rover Defender" will be taking to the stage in the form of the DC100 Concept. The company has also made clear its intentions to bring a new Defender to market in 2015, but although the DC100 is aimed at stimulating debate about the new model, it remains a work in progress. Read More

When French automotive powerhouse Peugeot set out to redesign the MPV, it obviously took a look at the vehicle's target market and decided on making the boxy, aerodynamically-dysfunctional, aesthetically-unappealing van a lot more desirable to the genre's traditional driver – the young mum. The resultant HX1 concept is a long, low, wide and sleek, plug-in diesel-electric hybrid that seats six and returns economy of just 3.2 l/100 km (88.2 mpg), has CO2 emissions of just 83 g/km and can drive 30 km (18.6 miles) on electric power alone. It also teamed up with luxury shoe designer Pierre Hardy to create a concept shoe which transforms from a slipper suitable for driving, to a gorgeous high-heeled shoe suitable for more glamorous occasion. Vive La France! Read More

The teasers keep rolling in ahead of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) with Kia releasing images of a new four-door sports sedan concept. The powerplant is rumored to be a V8, but all we know for sure about the as yet unnamed car at this stage is that it seats four, is rear-wheel drive and, as you might expect from a concept car, it "signals the company’s distinctive new design direction." Read More