L.A. Concept Cars Bring Fresh Ideas

Compared to the Frankfurt and Tokyo shows, the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public November 16 through 25, is lean on world-debuting concept cars. Still, the ones highlighted below are significant, whether for their innovative technology (Volkswagen Space Up! Blue Plug-In Hybrid) or the way in which they seek to redefine vehicle segments (Audi Cross-Cabriolet Quattro Concept).

Audi Cross-Cabriolet Quattro Concept

With its Cross-Cabriolet Quattro Concept, Audi brings something new to the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) segment: a convertible top. The Cross-Cabriolet is a further evolution of automakers’ recent efforts to create a new vehicle genre, one that blends aspects of SUVs and cars. Stephan Sielaff, Audi's chief of design, said the car is "an homage to the California lifestyle." The light-colored interior reflects American sensibilities; Sielaff said such hues sell far better in the U.S. than Germany. The Cross-Cabriolet Quattro features a 240-horsepower, 3.0-liter TDI low-emissions diesel engine, a version of which could see production in future Audis.

Chevrolet Beat

On the heels of a promise to make Chevrolet the most fuel-efficient brand on the market, General Motors announced that it would produce a car based on the Chevrolet Beat concept, one of three cars the company revealed earlier this year at the New York International Auto Show. Since their debut, more than 1.8 million people voted online for their favorite of the three micro-cars. At the time of the L.A. auto show press conference, the Beat was in the lead, with the Groove following close behind. The Beat's lead, although narrow, was a relief to GM execs, including Bob Lutz, who said that the Beat "was the one we were going to do in the first place." Details about the car were not released at the show, but GM said the car will be powered by a "small-displacement" engine. Lutz said that the company hasn't entirely ruled out doing a production version of the Groove down the line as well.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept

This Korean car manufacturer's much-anticipated rear-wheel-drive sport coupe won’t replace the existing Tiburon, but rather augment Hyundai's lineup and, the company hopes, propel it further up-market as a premium, performance-oriented brand. The jaunty Genesis Coupe Concept looks much more aggressive than the Concept Genesis sedan that debuted earlier this year at the New York auto show. It features a carbon fiber hood, spoiler, roof, and ground effects to reduce weight. Hyundai execs said the company used the previous generation of BMW’s venerable M3 coupe as a benchmark for performance. That’s a lofty goal for Hyundai, which is new to premium performance cars. The production version of the Genesis coupe should put out more than 300 horsepower from its 3.8-liter V6, and will offer the choice of a manual or automatic transmission. It will also feature a limited-slip differential, which is a purely performance-oriented component designed to improve acceleration as the car snakes through tight turns. Pricing was not announced, but John Krafcik, VP of product development and strategic planning, said that Hyundai intends to make the Genesis coupe the most affordable 300-hp car on the market. "We aim to deliver a driving experience that challenges cars like the Infiniti G37, at prices more like the Mitsubishi Eclipse,” Krafcik said. The production version of the Genesis coupe is expected to launch in Spring 2009.

Kia KND-4 Concept

Designed to provide an idea of what next-generation Kia SUVs will be like, the KND-4 puts a 2.2-liter Variable Geometry Turbocharger diesel engine into a shell that's reminiscent of an Acura RDX. The 20-inch wheels and tires are purely for show, but few would be surprised if whatever the KND-4 morphs into (if anything) exists for on-road use only. Inside, four individual seats are situated in an environment of metallic material that Kia says will "appeal to a passenger's sentimental side." An advanced dashboard display system is called by the acronym "AMOLED," a mash-up of the contemporary buzzwords "Active-Matrix, Organic, Light-Emitting Diode." According to the press release, AMOLED seems as if it will work just like most current in-dash displays that control audio, communication, and navigation systems.

Suzuki Makai Concept

Suzuki's LIFE series of vehicles are dedicated to "life enthusiasts, adventurers and thrill-seekers," but the latest concept in this lineup, the bright orange Makai, seems tailor-made mostly for relaxation enthusiasts. With a dedicated open top, the Makai is for clement-weather motoring only; the sole modicum of overhead protection is the rack that serves as a convenient place to keep matching orange surfboards. Even the windshield is shortened to afford less protection from the elements. The rest of the modifications are likewise largely cosmetic, including a custom body kit, 19-inch wheels, and color-matched accent lighting. The seats are straight out of a patio furniture display, and Suzuki even calls the stereo, a VeaLink Unit with MTX speakers, "beach party-themed."

Volkswagen Space Up! Blue Plug-in Hybrid

After debuting the tiny Up! Concept at the Frankfurt auto show, Volkswagen unveiled a new variation of its four-passenger city car: a zero-emissions plug-in hybrid van. The Space Up! Blue is not only more capacious than its diminutive sibling, it also provides more in the way of green technology. Fuel cells and 12 lithium-ion batteries drive an electric motor to give the Space Up! Blue a range of up to 220 miles, with a 65-mile range available on battery power alone. The battery can be charged via a common electrical outlet or through solar panels located on the vehicle's roof. Volkswagen boasts that its new high-temperature fuel cells are a significant improvement over current offerings from other automakers, with a lighter weight and lower cost. Like the classic VW Beetle and Microbus of old, whose engines were in the back, the Space Up! Blue's electric motor is also located in the rear.