Few cars coming out in 09 / concept cars

Although we have not driven it yet, this car should feel like a solid fist in a velvet glove. Whether or not Cadillac Vice President of Global Product Development Bob Lutz’s claim that it will be the fastest sedan on the road is just headline-grabbing hyperbole is irrelevant. With 550 horsepower under the driver's right foot and the promise of hitting 60 mph in around 4 seconds, this four-door, five-seat sedan will be blisteringly quick — that much Cadillac can guarantee. To avoid frying the rear tires every time the light turns green, there’s a lot of technology in this car to help keep it on the road, including Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Traction Management. Inside, occupants are wrapped in luxury with every available gadget to keep them comfortable, entertained and informed. Despite all this power, technology and luxury, this car will still come in about $20,000 to $30,000 below its obvious competitors.


The Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production Corvette ever, designed to compete with the best exotic sports cars in the world. Powered by a new supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, the ZR1 will put out at least 620 horsepower and 595 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed, close-ratio transmission and a high-capacity dual-disc clutch deliver power to the rear axle. Performance features include large carbon-ceramic brake rotors and Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension. The ZR1 sports carbon fiber front fenders, hood (with a polycarbonate window) and roof panel; a full-width rear spoiler and a unique gauge cluster with boost gauge. The 20-spoke 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires developed specifically for the ZR1. Top speed is estimated to surpass the 200 mph mark, making it the fastest production car ever to come from General Motors.


Not content to just be the people’s car company, Volkswagen introduced this shapely, upscale Passat CC here in Detroit. Longer and lower than the Passat sedan, the CC has frameless doors, a steeply raked rear screen, a small integrated trunk spoiler and distinctive rear light clusters. The interior is all luxury with two sculpted rear seats providing a limousine-like feel. Sophisticated technology includes a lane assist system that applies pressure to the steering wheel if it detects lane drift, and Dynamic Drive Control that varies suspension and other settings in Normal, Sport and Comfort modes.


NOW FOR THE CONCEPTS

Perhaps the sexiest diesel car in the world, this special R8 not only looks fetching in its matte silver finish and shiny red brake calipers, it sports the most powerful diesel engine ever put in a road car. Derived from the powerplant in Audi’s Le Mans-winning R10 race car, the 6.0-liter V12 twin-turbo engine develops 500 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. It nails the 0-62 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of more than 186 mph. Mountainous torque is available at just 1750 rpm. If that’s not impressive enough, this diesel meets strict California standards while delivering up to 24 mpg. We hope to see this one make it to production.


In terms of sheer show presence, Mazda’s Furai race car concept wins hands down. We can say, hand on heart, that this was the most radical-looking car in Detroit. When the covers were removed, Mazda Design Director Franz von Holzhausen fired it up and gave the throttle a few blips. The crisp crackle from the ethanol-powered 450-horsepower rotary engine was exhilarating and totally in keeping with Furai’s bold, sweeping lines and its name, which means “sound of the wind.” Seen in the context of the various design concepts that preceded it, this is the ultimate expression of “Nagare” (flow) design language. Yet despite being a full-blooded street racer, you can see how this concept could convert into a high-performance supercar. We would love to watch Furai flowing through the curves of a track. This concept bursts with vitality, agility and power from every angle and looks like it wants to move fast — very fast indeed.


This concept sports serious attitude. Hummers generally have a “don’t mess with me” look about them, but the HX takes this brash go-anywhere approach much farther. The HX brings a sense of fun and adventure to the brand, which is not surprising since the concept was created by three young designers new to General Motors. This clever vehicle can reconfigure its body shape via removable components. Different rear roof assemblies allow the HX to be set up as a sport-utility truck with the roof assembly removed, a slant-back or a traditional SUV design with a larger, covered cargo area.

Following the introduction earlier this year of the rear-wheel-drive Concept Genesis sedan, Concept Genesis Coupe signals Hyundai’s second step in its rear-wheel-drive strategy. This car is not designed to replace the front-wheel-drive Tiburon, which will have a successor of its own. Hyundai said it used the E46 BMW M3 as a benchmark for its new coupe.

Hyundai officials revealed that the base car will be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with up-level models being propelled by a 3.8L V6 — not the previously rumored V8 from the Genesis sedan. While official performance numbers remain unknown, Hyundai is tauting the production Genesis Coupe as the most affordable 300+ horsepower car on the market. Because Hyundai is specifically going after the Ford Mustang, look for final horsepower ratings in the 310-320 range — trumping the Mustang GT's 300 horsepower mark. A performance model with a sports suspension and Brembo brakes will also be available.
Hyundai said it took inspiration from the popular HCD9 Talus and the HCD8 concepts. The Genesis Coupe has a low roofline, three large heat extractors sculpted into the hood, broad shoulders, and 20-inch wheels. The real question remains at what price point the new Hyundai coupe will compete. Although the original leaked information said that the turbo'd four-pot will come in at $19,900, we have our doubts that Hyundai can keep it under the magical $20k ceiling. The V6-equipped model should land somewhere in the mid-$20,000s -- we'd suspect somewhere between $24,000 to $26,000. Regardless, anything with RWD and the choice of a stout V6 or a turbocharged four has our vote. Let's just hope it has the handling credentials to redefine a segment that has long been neglected by some of the stalwarts of the industry.

a very nice car id even buy one

concepts kick ass!!

[quote="Optimus Prime"]concepts kick ass!!


that tibiron is fucking bad-ass!!!

thats that genesis not a tiburon

that GENESIS is bad-ass!!!

RWD too and V6 too might actually persuede me to buy one well in like 3 years when you can get one for next to nothing lol

They are actually going to make that might look a bit different though when its in the showroom as per usual

still will look good though might not have the same appeal but meh lol

heres a few more

That shelby is one of the most aggressive looking stangs they have put out , IMO anyways

wonder how many of the concepts will actually go into production

[quote="SQLABS"]heres a few more




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wow thats amazing, ill take 2

holy christ batman, those are some seriously bad ass cars, wouldnt mind having any of them chillin in my driveway right now..makes me wish that i was realllly rich :<

new cuda concept

Cadillacs are..and will continue to be.. THE BOMB..Northstar What?