Nissan ESFlowAlso unveiled at the 2011 Geneva auto show was the Nissan ESFlow, an electric sports car. Although this electric sports car concept looks like a Z, it was built from the ground up for its electric power train. Lithium ion batteries are located over the front axle, while two electric motors drive the rear wheels, contributing to even weight balance. The headlights actually conceal charging points.
Nissan cites exciting performance figures for the ESFlow, such as 0 to 62 mph in under 5 seconds. Meanwhile, range is quoted at 150 miles. The two rear motors can vector torque across the rear wheels, making for better cornering.
Although Nissan hasn't announced plans to build a production version of the ESFlow, the electric powertrain developed for the Leaf opens up many possibilities.
BMW Vision ConnectedDriveBMW's roadster concept, shown at Geneva, is really more about the electronics than traditional design or motive power. Vision ConnectedDrive integrates three driving modes, which BMW calls Safety, Infotainment, and Environment. Each state uses lighting effects to signal its presence. Orange signifies Safety, and is denoted here by the lighting effects in the hood, which direct the driver's attention to the road.
Although BMW de-emphasizes the car aspect of this concept, it serves as a possible future design direction for BMW's Z series of cars. The windshield flows into the hood, while humps behind the seats evoke classic racing cars. The electronics certainly show how BMW is looking at integrating driving modes with the car.
Nissan EllureNissan attempts to "redefine the sedan" at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show with the Ellure concept. Nissan takes a kitchen sink approach to the Ellure's powertrain, matching a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control and a 25kWh electric motor with an Xtronic CVT sending power to the front wheels.
Rear-hinged rear doors give the Ellure a wide opening into the cabin. Accenting the cabin are red ambient lighting, piping, and trim. Nissan calls the colors of the interior palette "Molten Ice," "Molten Steel," and "Molten Gray."
Many of the Ellure's lines suggest a future look for the Maxima, but expect it to lose the funky doors and many of the other concept car elements.
Mercedes-Benz A-class conceptAt the 2011 New York auto show, Mercedes-Benz showed off this concept, intended to preview the next generation of the A-class. The design mixes classic Mercedes-Benz elements, such as the large badge on the grille, and more outlandish features. For example, the grille is formed from an array of black stems topped with silver.
A more realistic aspect of this concept is the power train, a direct-injection turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder making 210 horsepower. The transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, helping to maximize fuel economy. Along with being a look at the next generation A-class, this concept also shows Mercedes-Benz's interest in bringing that model to the U.S.
Kia PopKia's Pop concept car, shown in Paris, runs on electricity and is about 9 feet long. With those dimensions, it would make a suitable city car. But the outlandish design suggests it is not something that will ever see production.
The cabin uses a single, curved bench seat intended for three passengers. The rear of the car shows an interesting idea for spreading out the taillights instead of having them in one casing.
The Pop is a whimsical concept, with Kia designers exploring themes of different ways to configure space in a car.
Hyundai HCD-12 Curb conceptAt the 2011 Detroit auto show, Hyundai showed off its latest concept, the HCD-12 Curb, an on-roader that is built to handle beat-up city streets while treating the passengers to an interesting cabin tech package. The Curb is a very compact package, only about 4 inches longer than Hyundai's smallest Accent model.
Out back, the concept features an illuminated "Curb" logo that shines through one-way paint. There are no door handles; drivers simply swipe a touch panel to pop the doors. The Curb uses a powertrain not unlike the Hyundai Elantra and Veloster. A 1.6-liter gasoline engine mates with a DCT gearbox to help the Curb reach an estimated 40 mpg on the highway.
Hyundai has not announced plans to build a production version of the Curb, but the compact SUV segment is getting hot. Something like it may end up in Hyundai's model line-up.
Ford VertrekAt the 2011 Detroit auto show, Ford rolled out the new Vertrek concept, a small SUV built on the company's C platform, which also supports the Focus and C-Max. The hood of the Vertrek bulges up, probably more than needed for the turbocharged direct injection 1.6-liter Ecoboost engine specified for the car. The trapezoidal grille is a newish design element for Ford, seen previously on the Fiesta.
Ford showcases its idle stop technology with the Vertrek, and although this is no hybrid, includes a regenerative braking system to keep the battery charged. This latter technology complements the former, due to the battery drain incurred during long traffic lights when the engine shuts itself down.
The Vertrek indicates the design direction for the new Ford Escape, which will be a radical change from the boxy car of past generations.
Volkswagen BulliVolkswagen enthusiasts will welcome the sight of a big-plate VW badge, made famous by its presence on the Type 2, or Microbus as it came to be known in the U.S. Unlike the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive Type 2, the Bulli gets front-wheel drive from its front-mounted electric motor. Volkswagen claims impressive numbers for the concept, such as a 186-mile range and a 1-hour charging time. Volkswagen unveiled the Bulli at the 2011 Geneva auto show.
The Bulli's doors are hinged, similar to those on the Type 2. Later Volkswagen Microbuses would get sliding side doors. One area where the Bulli does not compete with the Type 2 is quantity of windows, which numbered up to 23 in the original vehicle.
Volkswagen has suggested it wants to make a production vehicle similar to the Bulli, possibly egged on by the success of its retro-Beetle.
Source : Cnet Reviews 
