Archive for the ‘concept’ tag

Toyota bringing back AE86 as FT-86

The iconic Toyota Corolla GT-S, known as the Sprinter Trueno in Japan, was a 2-door hatchback that was first introduced in 1983. It had a 1.6L 4-cylinder U.S. engine with 112 hp and, more importantly, a balanced rear-wheel-drive chassis. It became more commonly known as the AE86, nicknamed after its chassis designation, and is popular on the Japanese drift scene till today, even though production ended in 1986. It achieved worldwide popularity only during this past decade, as the hero car in the Japanese animated series Initial D. And now, Toyota is readying a successor in the form of the FT-86 concept at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. Continue reading »

Honda CR-Z Concept is rebirth of CR-X

Highly-anticipated by the Honda community, the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in October will mark the debut of the Honda CR-Z hybrid concept again, except this time it is a near-production version. The sporty-but-slow CR-Z, slated for Japanese production early next year, is a revival of the Honda CR-X from the 1980s. Based on the Civic of that time, with a tiny engine and decent suspension, it became somewhat popular among budget-minded Honda enthusiasts. The new CR-Z is expected to be exclusively hybrid. Continue reading »

Bugatti Galibier sedan concept revealed

After months of teasing retarded bloggers with a shadowy photo, Bugatti has finally revealed its new four-door sedan concept ahead of the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show at an event for Bugatti customers. Originally christened the Bordeaux by rumor-mongers, the super-sedan is called the Galibier, named after a difficult Alpine pass along the Tour de France route. Continue reading »

Lexus LF-Ch Concept previewing new hatchback

Lexus is desperate to reduce the average age of its old-fart buyers, and the IS sedan isn’t cutting it. So in the vein of the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3, Lexus is readying a smaller hatchback model, and the LF-Ch concept offers a first look at its design direction. Continue reading »

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics diesel hybrid concept

The BMW Vision concept car is the latest in a string of “EfficientDynamics” ideas by the German automaker. Conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology, this concept car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. This result is made possible by the combination of BMW ActiveHybrid components with an economical combustion engine and good aerodynamic qualities. Continue reading »

Mini Coupe Concept to debut at Frankfurt

BMW is showing a Mini Coupe Concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It might head for production by next year, considering how “complete” it looks, but only if there is enough demand. Continue reading »

BMW GINA bends its way out of comformity

BMW allowed their designers to create the oddest possible concept car, and they came up with the GINA Light Visionary Model. GINA stands for “Geometry and Functions in ‘N’ Adaptations” and the car’s single most interesting feature is its outer skin, which is made entirely out of textile fabric, pulled tightly around a frame of metal parts and carbon-fiber wires. The best part of this BMW Z4 imposter is that it can change shape. Continue reading »